New Cystic Fibrosis Gene Test

[Guest guest]

GENETIC TESTING: CF Complete test launched; provides sequencing of

 cystic fibrosis gene

   Quest Diagnostics, Inc., (DGX), a provider of diagnostic

testing, information

 and services, introduced its new CF Complete test at the 52nd annual

meeting of

 The American Society of Human Genetics.

   The CF Complete test lets physicians identify rare mutations

that cause

 cystic fibrosis (CF) by sequencing the complete coding sequence of

the cystic

 fibrosis gene. Developed at Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

esoteric testing

 laboratory in San Capistrano, California, the CF Complete test

broadens

 Quest Diagnostics' leading position in prenatal genetics testing.

   The CF Complete test identifies more than 1000 distinct

mutations and

 provides more information than traditional CF screening tests to

assist

 physicians in diagnosing, counseling, or treating individuals with

family

 history or clinical symptoms of cystic fibrosis. The new test is of

particular

 value for use by gynecologists and geneticists who treat high-risk

patients, and

 provides genetic counselors enhanced information for use in

counseling patients.

   Ordering physicians have access to consultation by Quest

Diagnostics' genetic

 counselors, and medical staff certified by the American Board of

Medical

 Genetics. Quest Diagnostics' Nichols Institute will perform the

testing.

    " The CF Complete test will help experts address difficult

clinical cases and

 provide carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis for CF families with

previously

 unidentified cystic fibrosis mutations, " said Lucia L. Quinn, senior

vice

 president, Advanced Diagnostics. " This important new test extends our

 comprehensive menu of CF testing and further broadens our leadership

in prenatal

 testing for inherited disease. "

   Quest Diagnostics also offers screening tests for cystic

fibrosis, which

 analyze patients' blood samples for all 25 mutations that are

contained in a

 2001 recommendation by the American College of Obstetricians and

Gynecologists.

   Approximately 25% of cystic fibrosis patients have at least one

mutation that

 cannot be identified by either standard or " extended panel "

screening. Therefore

 carrier detection for other family members and prenatal diagnosis for

subsequent

 pregnancies is not possible for these families using previous cystic

fibrosis

 testing. The CF Complete test enables physicians to identify these

rare

 mutations and offer carrier detection and/or prenatal diagnosis for

both the

 nuclear and extended family members.

Becki

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