Results suggest that CF airway inflammation occurs very early in life, and could even precede infection: increased amounts of neutrophils, neutrophil elastase, and pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations (especially IL-8) can be detected in broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL) of young CF children (under 6 months) in the absence of common CF-related pathogens [33]. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is infection.