Segmental Bronchoalveolar Lavage

This protocol proposes to perform bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial brushing and bronchial wall biopsy in research volunteers and in patients with pulmonary disease to evaluate the cellular components of normal and diseased lungs. This research study will help to improve our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms in the lung during progression of pulmonary disease.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients and research volunteers will be accepted for bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage only if their heath status will not be compromised by the procedure. Examples of disease that may be studied under this protocol include alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency; lymphangioleiomyomatosis and the cystic lung disease; pulmonary fibrosis; and sarcoidosis.

Exclusion criteria

Patients or research volunteers with abnormalities that contraindicate, or increase the risk of, fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage, including a history of allergy to atropine, lidocaine, or other topical anesthetics or premedications; FEV(1) less than 0.8 liters; PaO(2), on supplemental 02, of less than 70 mmHg or PaCO(2) greater than 45 mmHg; presence of uncorrected clotting disorder, uncontrolled hypertension, significant cardiac disease, renal or liver failure; metastatic disease; hematologic disorders such as severe anemia (hemoglobin less than or equal to 7 g/ml), granulocytopenia, or platelet disorders.

Patients or research volunteers with a positive serum test for human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B or C. The rationale for excluding participation on the basis of HIV seropositivity is because of the known effects of HIV on the lungs.

Patients or research volunteers who are pregnant or lactating.

Patients or research volunteers incapable of giving informed consent.