REGIÓN C ENTRO-OCCIDENTAL VENEZOLANA: IDENTIFICACIÓN DE FOCOS GEOGRÁFICOS.

The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR). At present, more than 1900 mutations have been identified. The most common CFTR mutation is pF508del, it is predominant in Europe. Few mutations have been reported in Venezuela: pF508del, pG542X, pR553X, 3120+1G'A. The objective of this work was to determine the frequency of six CFTR mutations in patients from the Western Central Region of Venezuela and to identify CF geographical focuses. Sixty unrelated patients with clinical features consistent with CF diagnosis and sixty healthy relatives were included. The clinical records were reviewed to investigate: sex, age at diagnosis, sweat chloride values and birthplace of patients and grandparents. Two mL of whole blood samples were drawn from patients, after informed consent and DNA was extracted; the pF508del, pG542X, pR553X, pG551D, pN1303K and pG85E mutations were investigated. The mutations found and their frequency were: pF508del (39.16 %), pG542X (4.17 %) and pR553X (2.50%). There were 54.17% different mutations from the six investigated and they were called OTHER. Seven genotypes were identified, but only 25% are complete (pF508del/pF508del, pF508del/pG542X and pF508del/pR553X). Fifteen CF geographical focuses were identified, which are located in the following regions: a) Western Central (05), b) North Central Coast (03), c) Central (01), d) South-West (03), e) South-East (01), f) Oriental (02). The results of this research contribute to improve the quality of life in patients and their families, and they are important for the National CF Program.