Joana Fernandes, PhD,  —

A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, called ultrashort echo-time (UTE), can efficiently detect abnormalities in the structure and function of the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), a study reports. This finding suggests that UTE-MRI can be an alternative to current ways of diagnosing CF, which expose patients to radiation. The…

Lung inflammation in animal models of cystic fibrosis (CF) can be studied by a combination of genetics and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) techniques, that is, techniques that allow the non-invasive study of ongoing biological processes due to the ability of certain molecules to generate light, new research suggests. The study, “In vivo Monitoring…

The abundant mucus in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients helps certain types of bacteria, called anaerobes, to survive and, in turn, support the survival and proliferation of more dangerous opportunistic pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which otherwise would not find the nutrients they need in mucus-lined airways, a study reported. This symbiotic…

The Journal of Innate Immunity published three studies that reviewed several central questions about lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). The reviews, prepared by three international opinion research leaders in the field, attempt to shed light on some still unclear aspects of this disease. These reviews “will help to consolidate…