Cytoplasmic metachromasia in cultured skin fibroblasts from parents of children with cystic fibrosis.

The cytoplasmic metachromasia phenomenon with Toluidine Blue 0 in cultured skin fibroblasts 
was studied in 12 parents of children with cystic fibrosis and 
in 12 controls. Positive findings were recorded in 10 of the 
CF parents and in one of the controls. The average culture 
time required for development of maximum metachromasia in positive cases was 
six weeks. The possible significance of the ametachromatic CF patients in 
relation to the suggested genetic heterogeneity of cystic fibrosis is discussed. 
