A comprehensive review of cystic fibrosis in Africa and Asia

Khadijat Abubakar Bobbo; Umar Ahmad; De-Ming Chau; Norshariza Nordin; Syahril Abdullah

doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103685

A comprehensive review of cystic fibrosis in Africa and Asia

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2023 Jul;30(7):103685. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103685. Epub 2023 May 19.

Authors

Khadijat Abubakar Bobbo^{1

2

3}, Umar Ahmad^{4

5}, De-Ming Chau^{3

6}, Norshariza Nordin^{3

6}, Syahril Abdullah^{1

3

6}

Affiliations

¹ UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia.
² Department of Human Anatomy College of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Gombe State University, 760253 Gombe State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia.
⁴ Molecular Genetics Informatics, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bauchi State University, 751105 Gadau, Nigeria.
⁵ Institute of Pathogen Genomics, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), African Union Commission, P.O.Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁶ Genetics & Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia.

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) was earlier thought to be a disease prevalent in the West among Caucasians. However, quite a number of recent studies have uncovered CF cases outside of this region, and reported hundreds of unique and novel variant forms of CFTR. Here, we discuss the evidence of CF in parts of the world earlier considered to be rare; Africa, and Asia. This review also highlighted the CFTR mutation variations and new mutations discovered in these regions. This discovery implies that the CF data from these regions were earlier underestimated. The inadequate awareness of the disease in these regions might have contributed towards the poor diagnostic facilities, under-diagnosis or/and under-reporting, and the lack of CF associated health policies. Overall, these regions have a high rate of infant, childhood and early adulthood mortality due to CF. Therefore, there is a need for a thorough investigation of CF prevalence and to identify unique and novel variant mutations within these regions in order to formulate intervention plans, create awareness, develop mutation specific screening kits and therapies to keep CF mortality at bay.

Keywords: Africa; Asia; Caucasian; Cystic Fibrosis.

Publication types

Review