Which of the following investigation would be diagnostic of cystic fibrosis?: (A) Deficiency of the enzyme mucinase, (B) High sweat chloride content, (C) Alpha-1 aldolase deficiency, (D) Increased copper excretion in urine
Answer is B. A sweat test measures the amount of chloride, a pa of salt, in Sweat. It is used to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF). People with CF have a high level of chloride in their sweat. CF is a disease that causes mucus build-up in the lungs and other organs. It damages the lungs and makes it hard to breathe Ref Davidson 23rd edition pg 944