Rethinking Infection Diagnostics in Cystic Fibrosis

A dedicated syndicate is connecting academia, industry, and people with cystic fibrosis to advance diagnostic research

By
Mollie Spindler
September 17, 2026
6 min

The Pathologist

Objective:

To discuss the evolving diagnostic landscape in cystic fibrosis (CF) and highlight opportunities for addressing unmet needs in diagnosing and managing lung infections.

Approach:

Diagnostic Challenges: The introduction of CFTR modulator therapies has transformed CF care but has also limited sputum production, complicating traditional diagnostic methods.
Need for New Diagnostics: There is a need for innovative diagnostic approaches that provide actionable information, utilize alternative sample types, and are suitable for point-of-care use.
Role of CF AMR Syndicate: The CF AMR Syndicate connects developers with resources and expertise to address diagnostic challenges and accelerate the development of new technologies.

Key Findings:

CFTR modulator therapies have reduced sputum production, complicating infection detection.
Traditional symptoms of pulmonary exacerbations are becoming less reliable.
New diagnostic tools are needed to distinguish between active infections and chronic colonization.

Limitations:

Current diagnostic methods may not effectively identify infections due to reduced sputum production.
The reliance on traditional symptoms for recognizing health deterioration is becoming less effective.

Conclusion:

Innovative diagnostic solutions are essential for improving infection management in CF, and the CF AMR Syndicate plays a crucial role in facilitating this development.