A medical student has astonished scientists after her summer project resulted in a major breakthrough in the study of Cystic Fibrosis.

Jo Armstead, 21, spent hundreds of hours examining medical data from 30 countries and discovered that half of adults who suffer from the rare genetic disorder are infected with a fungus called aspergillus.

Her work is being hailed as a major breakthrough that will help doctors to diagnose and treat patients with the condition.

Jo, from Altrincham, has now had her findings published in a prestigious medical journal and has won recognition from one of the country’s top Cystic Fibrosis experts.

But the student is unable to bask in glory as she is now preparing for her final exams.

Jo said: “It has been really great to be involved in the first project of its kind ever done, with dramatic results and real opportunities for better health in young Cystic Fibrosis sufferers.”

Jo, who is considering a career in expedition medicine, spent last summer working with Professor David Denning and his team at Wythenshawe Hospital.

He is director of the National Aspergillosis Centre and professor of infectious diseases in global health at the University of Manchester.

Wythenshawe was the first hospital in the world to carry out a double lung transplant on a patient whose organs were virtually destroyed by Cystic Fibrosis.

The National Aspergillosis Centre specialises in the treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Jo’s study is the first to accurately determine the worldwide extent of aspergillosis infection.

Britain has the second highest number of adult Cystic Fibrosis sufferers in the world.

The condition causes the lungs and digestive system to become clogged with a thick, sticky mucus. There is currently no cure.

Prof Denning said: “The life expectancy of people with Cystic Fibrosis has been increasing, but aspergillosis has a major negative impact on many.

“By painstakingly crunching the numbers, Jo has helped us better understand the scale of the challenge which will lead to better diagnostics and treatment strategies.

“There will be many patients who over the coming years will be grateful to Jo and her work.”

Jo is in her third year at Newcastle University Medical School.