On cystic fibrosis factor (CFF) and its proposed influence on mucociliary function

Cystic fibrosis is a systemic disease where symptoms from the respiratory tract are important. The frequent infections in paranasal sinuses as well as in the lower respiratory tract are related to the occurrence of thick, viscous secretions. Spock et al. (1967) described an abnormal serum factor in patients with cystic fibrosis. This cystic fibrosis factor has been associated with dyskinetic ciliary motion induced by serum and cell culture media from patients with cystic fibrosis. In this study a sensitive method for photoelectric recording of the mucociliary function was used to examine the effect of sera, cell culture media and bronchial lavage fluids from patients with cystic fibrosis. No sign of decreased mucociliary activity was found. Electron microscopy showed morphologically normal cilia.