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El Makhzen N, Daimi H, Bouguenouch L, Abriel H. The burden of cystic fibrosis in North Africa. Front Genet 2024; 14:1295008. [PMID: 38269366 PMCID: PMC10806102 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1295008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Over 200 pathogenic variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are associated with cystic fibrosis (CF)-the most prevalent autosomal recessive disease globally, the p.Phe508del variant being the most commonly observed. Main text: Recent epidemiological studies suggest a higher global prevalence of CF than previously thought. Nevertheless, comprehensive CF data remains extremely scarce among African populations, contributing to a significant information gap within the African healthcare system. Consequently, the underestimation of CF among children from African populations is likely. The goal of this article is to review the pathogenesis of CF and its prevalence in the countries of North Africa. Conclusion: The prevalence of CF in North African countries is likely underestimated due to the complexity of the disease and the lack of a timely, proper clinical and genetic investigation that allows the early identification of CF patients and thus facilitates therapeutic recommendations. Therefore, specific genetic and epidemiological studies on African individuals showing CF symptoms should be conducted to enhance the diagnostic yield of CF in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada El Makhzen
- Ion Channels and Channelopathies Laboratory, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Houria Daimi
- Laboratory of Human Genome and Multifactorial Diseases (LR12ES07), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Gabes, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Laila Bouguenouch
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Oncogenetics, University Hospital Hassan II, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Hugues Abriel
- Ion Channels and Channelopathies Laboratory, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Abubakar Bobbo K, Ahmad U, Chau DM, Nordin N, Abdullah S. A comprehensive review of cystic fibrosis in Africa and Asia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103685. [PMID: 37313453 PMCID: PMC10258508 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) was earlier thought to be a disease prevalent in the West among Caucasians. However, quite a number of recent studies have uncovered CF cases outside of this region, and reported hundreds of unique and novel variant forms of CFTR. Here, we discuss the evidence of CF in parts of the world earlier considered to be rare; Africa, and Asia. This review also highlighted the CFTR mutation variations and new mutations discovered in these regions. This discovery implies that the CF data from these regions were earlier underestimated. The inadequate awareness of the disease in these regions might have contributed towards the poor diagnostic facilities, under-diagnosis or/and under-reporting, and the lack of CF associated health policies. Overall, these regions have a high rate of infant, childhood and early adulthood mortality due to CF. Therefore, there is a need for a thorough investigation of CF prevalence and to identify unique and novel variant mutations within these regions in order to formulate intervention plans, create awareness, develop mutation specific screening kits and therapies to keep CF mortality at bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijat Abubakar Bobbo
- UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Human Anatomy College of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Gombe State University, 760253 Gombe State, Nigeria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Umar Ahmad
- Molecular Genetics Informatics, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bauchi State University, 751105 Gadau, Nigeria
- Institute of Pathogen Genomics, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), African Union Commission, P.O.Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - De-Ming Chau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
- Genetics & Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norshariza Nordin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
- Genetics & Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Syahril Abdullah
- UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
- Genetics & Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Selangor, Malaysia
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Hamouda S, Hadj Fredj S, Messaoud T, Scotet V, Boussetta K, Munck A. Up-to-date incidence and initial characteristics of cystic fibrosis in Tunisia. Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57:2540-2541. [PMID: 35668039 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samia Hamouda
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sondess Hadj Fredj
- Referral Biochemistry Laboratory, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Taieb Messaoud
- Referral Biochemistry Laboratory, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Khadija Boussetta
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Anne Munck
- CF Centre, Hopital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France.,Société Française du Dépistage Neonatal (SFDN), Paris, France
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Hamouda S, Hadj IB, Sayari T, Louati A, Messaoud T, Khalsi F, Boussetta K. Impact of illness on mothers of children with cystic fibrosis in Tunisia: A qualitative interview study: Impact of cystic fibrosis on Tunisian mothers. Arch Pediatr 2022; 29:429-433. [PMID: 35705385 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caring for a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) is challenging and stressful and even more so in a country with limited resources. Our aim was to study the impact of CF on the daily life of mothers with children who have CF in Tunisia, emphasizing the difficulties encountered. METHODS Overall, 20 participants were interviewed about their experiences of being caregivers and mothers of children with CF, including their knowledge about the condition, their attitude toward it, the impact of CF on their daily lives, the main difficulties they had faced, and their concerns and wishes about CF management. RESULTS The median age of the interviewees was 39 years. None of the mothers had known about CF before; 14 of them had difficulty accepting it at first, with suicidal thoughts in one case. Six hid the illness from the close family for fear of negative prejudices. Three mothers decided to stop having children despite availability of prenatal screening. CF also influenced the mothers' social activities (n = 13) and interfered with their jobs (n = 5). It was responsible for additional expenses in all cases. Chest physiotherapy represented a daily source of coping for all participants. Hospitalization related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was considered stressful and constraining by 12 mothers. The mothers' main concern was the child's life expectancy (n = 7). Their main wish was to administer a curative treatment (n = 17). CONCLUSION CF was found to have deeply affected the mothers' psychosocial life stressing the need for the involvement of qualified psychologists and social workers together with the medical staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hamouda
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia.
| | - I Bel Hadj
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
| | - T Sayari
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
| | - A Louati
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
| | - T Messaoud
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
| | - F Khalsi
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
| | - K Boussetta
- Children's Department B, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital of Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
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Tumwine JK. Reproductive health issues, infections and non-communicable diseases. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:I-IV. [PMID: 33402945 PMCID: PMC7750065 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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