chlorides in sweat

Question

Hello, My 19-month-old daugher suffered from pneumonia three months ago, treated by Clarithromycin, barking cough prevails, greenish nasal discharge, no fever. She was sent to the hospital for sweat test with borderline results 50 mmol/l. Blood test results show mild leucosytosis, throat swab test results - ++streptococus beta-hemolyticus sensitive to PNC. Genetic tests will follow to confirm or exclude genetic mutation.
I am deeply concerned that my daughter will be diagnosed with CF. Could you please let me know if the above stated results can possibly say that my daughter does not suffer from CF? Or, is it more or less clear? Thank you very much for your early reply.

Answer

Hello,
Your little girl surely deserves complex testing and elimination of various potential causes of her difficulties, including cystic fibrosis. Repeating the sweat test is in place. The value stated in your question is borderline indeed. It is very important to carry this test out correctly, in a laboratory, which has enough experiences. At the same time it is correct to go through the molecular-genetic testing. Unfortunately the data that you provided is insufficient both for confirming or excluding this diagnosis. I understand that you are going through very difficult times now and wish you lots of strenght and keep my fingers crossed so it all ends well. If the diagnosis will be confirmed by molecular-genetic testing, you will be referred to one of our CF Centers in the Czech Republic where you will be fully taken care of and not left alone.
Best regards, Jitka Brazova

23.04.2009