IMMUNOREACTIVE TRYPSIN SCREENING FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS

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Abstract
Immunoreactive cationic trypsin (irCT) was measured in 22 cystic fibrosis (CF) and 132 control infants. irCT was analyzed with radioimmunoassay of dried blood samples collected for PKU [phenylketonuria] screening around the 5th day of life and stored on filter paper. The mean .+-. 1 SD level of irCT for the control infants was 42 .+-. 19 .mu.g/l. Of the 22 CF children, 16 had an irCT level above 100 .mu.g/l (mean + 3 SD) while 6 had a level at or below this cut-off limit. A specificity of 99%, which gives a sensitivity of 73% and a noise; signal ratio of .apprx. 30:1, suggests that the irCT test may be unsatisfactory as a neonatal screening method for CF.