CFTR and cystic fibrosis: Although ABPA is associated, in both CF and bronchiectasis, with a greater prevalence of airway infection by other pathogenic microorganisms, such as NTM [56,57], it is not known whether this association is due to defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator that could occur in patients with bronchiectasis, or whether this explanation is only applicable to CF patients [70].