Isolated idiopathic chronic pancreatitis associated with a compound heterozygosity for two mutations of the CFTR gene

We report the case of a patient suffering from idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) and compound heterozygous for mutations G542X and S1235R of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. The patient had normal sweat test and no other clinical sign usually linked with a typical or moderate pathology (bronchiectasis, nasal polyposis, congenital absence of the vas deferens) of the CFTR gene. G542X is a severe mutation, which is usually found in classical cystic fibrosis when associated with other severe mutations. S1235R is a quite rare abnormality recently reported as being potentially pathogenic when combined in trans with a second CF mutation. Our case is quite similar to the only other six patients in the literature in whom only the pancreas is affected and who bear a rare mutation with moderate effect. The history and the clinical features of our patient indicate an unambiguous isolated ICP in which the presence of the S1235R mutation--in trans with regard to G542X--is likely responsible for the ICP phenotype. This case could throw light on some of the as yet poorly known abnormalities of the CFTR gene in the ICP phenotype.