Mutational Spectrum of the CFTR Gene in the Kazakhstan Population

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the frequency and spectrum of CFTR gene variants in different ethnic groups of Kazakhstan. Methods: We reviewed the records of 58 patients with cystic fibrosis. All the patients underwent molecular genetic analysis to reveal genotype-phenotype correlations. Results: The median (IQR) age of the patients was 5.4 year (7 months, 18 year); 40% were diagnosed at the age of 5-10 year. The study identified 28 specific variants p.Phe508del, the variant most common in the European population, was detected in 30 patients (51.7%). Variants other than p.Phe508del were revealed in 31% (21 patients). Conclusions: We found a number of specific variants characteristic of the Kazakhstani population. A pronounced regression of disease symptoms was detected in patients with mild mutations; whereas in patients with severe mutations, therapy produced very little effect.