Which genetic life-threatening disorder is characterized by thickened airway mucus leading to pulmonary infections and inflammation?

• A. Cystic fibrosis
• B. COPD
• C. Pneumonia
• D. TB

Answer: (A)

Thick, sticky mucus in the airways due to a defective chloride transport leads to blocked airways and chronic inflammation. This genetic disorder, caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, results in dehydrated, viscous mucus that is hard to clear. Bacteria get trapped, causing recurrent pulmonary infections and ongoing inflammation, which over time can progress to serious lung damage. Since it’s autosomal recessive and affects multiple organs, it’s life-threatening if lung disease progresses. Diagnosis often involves a sweat chloride test and genetic testing, and treatment centers on airway clearance, mucolytics, targeted antibiotics for infections, and CFTR modulators for certain mutations.

The other conditions don’t match this pattern. COPD is primarily due to environmental factors like smoking and aging rather than a genetic mucus problem. Pneumonia is an acute infection rather than a chronic genetic disorder. TB is a mycobacterial infection with a different disease course and doesn’t involve genetically driven thick mucus as its defining feature.