Homogeneity of cystic fibrosis in Italy

In 12 unrelated Italian cystic fibrosis (CF) families the frequencies of four DNA polymorphisms closely linked to the CF gene on chromosome 7 were quite similar to those reported for other population samples. Among the 23 affected children from the 12 families, only one recombinant occurred between the CF gene and the met locus, thus confirming the hypothesis of genetic homogeneity of CF previously suggested by the analysis of consanguineous marriages among 624 couples of CF parents. Chi-square test of association indicates a possible linkage disequilibrium between the CF gene and the DNA polymorphism that is most informative in our sample (pmetH TaqI).