First report of cystic fibrosis mutations in Libyan cystic fibrosis patients

Abstract

Background: There are few data on the molecular basis of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in North Africa, probably due to under-diagnosis.Aim: This is the first study of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations in the Libyan population.Subjects and methods: This study analysed the complete coding region and flanking intronic sequences of the CFTR gene in 10 unrelated Libyan CF patients.Results: This study identified four mutations (F508del, c.1670delC, N1303K and E1104X), with a high frequency of the latter.Conclusion: Identification of CF mutations facilitates molecular investigation of cystic fibrosis in the Libyan population and helps to provide effective genetic counselling among CF families.