A Middle Aged Male with Bilateral Brochiectasis

Syed Nesar Ahmed1, Romal Chowdhury1, Md. Abdur Rouf2, Md.Shahedur Rahman Khan2,Krishna Chandra Ganguly2

Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disease characterized by chronic pulmonary infection, bronchiectasis,
exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and elevated sweat chloride level. It is commonly considered as a
pediatric disease. But it is now being diagnosed in increasing number of adults due to increased survival.
CF is not commonly reported from Bangladesh and its adult presentation is rarer. Our case, a male
from Comilla, Bangladesh was diagnosed to have CF at the age of 35 years. He had chronic cough and
wheezing since childhood and being treated as asthma. He had poor nutritional status. Because of
chronic cough and expectoration we performed HRCT scan of thorax which revealed bilateral
bronchiectasis. He had bilateral maxillary sinusitis. Repeated sweat chloride tests revealed high values
suggestive of CF. CF should be considered in differential diagnosis of adults with bronchiectasis and
chronic sinusitis or child with chronic respiratory tract infection. High level of awareness is needed to
diagnose CF in Bangladesh.
Key Words: Cystic fibrosis, Bronchiectasis, Infertility.
Abbreviations: CF: Cystic fibrosis, CFTR: Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator.

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