Cell Distribution in Induced Sputum in Patients With Asthma

Objectives:

The aim of this study is the characterization of healthy children/ young adults and matched patients with asthma in terms of lung function, and the degree of the systemic and bronchial inflammation.

Sputum and serum samples are analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and by a cytometric bead assay (CBA). Components of the innate immune system (mannose-binding protein, TLR recognition proteins and surfactant proteins) are determined from sputum or blood respectively.

Methods and Work Programme:

This study consists of two study visits (V1 and V2)

V1 (day 0 - duration 1 hour):

• Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO)
• Lung function testing with and body plethysmography
• Blood test: blood count, CRP, RAST, serum inflammatory mediators, markers of the non-specific pulmonary defense system
• Induced sputum attained by an ultrasonic-nebulizer for inflammatory mediators and microbiological investigations

V2 (day 14-28 - duration 1 hour):

• Measurement of nitric oxide in expired air (eNO)
• Lung function testing with spirometry and body plethysmography
• Induced sputum attained by a nozzle-nebulizer for inflammatory mediators and microbiological investigations

Study population:

Children, adolescents and young people (6 - 25 years of age). Both the patients and the healthy subjects are recruited from the outpatient clinic of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology.

Inclusion criteria

• informed consent
• between 6 and 25 years of age
• Known bronchial asthma/no bronchial asthma(depending on the study group)
• Ability to perform lung function tests and inhalation

Exclusion criteria

• < 6 and > 25 years of age
• Any acute condition with systemic or bronchial inflammation
• any chronic condition or infection (e.g. HIV, tuberculosis, malignancy)
• pregnancy
• known alcohol and/ or drug abuse
• Inability to understand the extent and scope of the study
• Participation in another study