Correlation Between Haptoglobin Phenotypes and Infectious and Other Complications in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease with variable severity, and a predisposition for lung infection. The severity of the disease is determined by genetic factors (type of mutation), environmental factors (exposure to bacteria) and behavioral (adherence with therapy). Even among patients with the same severity of mutations there is a variation of the severity of CF.

Haptoglobin is a protein responsible for collecting Iron from senescent Red Blood Cells. There are two genes of Haptoglobin, numbered 1 and 2, and combinations between the two genes create three forms of proteins: 1-1, 1-2, and 2-2. The 1-1 Phenotype was found to be associated with a predisposition to infection.

In this study the investigators aim to find a correlation between Haptoglobin phenotypes in patients with CF and frequency of infectious complications.

To this end the investigators will collect serum from CF patients, and determine their Haptoglobin protein phenotype by gel- electrophoresis. The investigators will correlate Haptoglobin phenotype to retrospectively gathered data on infectious complications.

FEV1- Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second.

Inclusion criteria

Patients diagnosed with CF according to diagnostic criteria , between the ages of 0 and 50, who are themselves, or their parents or guardians, able to give informed consent.

Two known severe (class I , II and III) mutations

Exclusion criteria

none