Clinical Trials

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 18-75 years 

Normal Healthy Individuals

• Healthy individuals with no history of asthma or allergy 
• Normal spirometry   
• Normal exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) test 
• Blood eosinophils < 0.5 x 10 9 cells / L   
• Negative skin prick test results or negative IgE serum tests to 10 common aeroallergens

Patients with Asthma with and without Nasal Polyps 

• Asthma patients from the clinical practice of the Division of Allergic Diseases, Mayo Clinic Rochester 
• The definition of asthma is based on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) 2007 Expert Panel Report  
• Includes a physician’s determination that the subject’s history and physical examination are consistent with the diagnosis. 
• Asthma patients have a history of variable airflow obstruction with at least 1 of the following:
  • Airway hyperreactivity (AHR)(PC20 methacholine ≤16 mg/ml) OR
  • A positive bronchodilator response (FEV1 change ≥12% following 2 puffs of albuterol (90 µg per puff) documented within the past 2 years. 

Exclusion Criteria: 

• Received systemic glucocorticoids during the past 3 months
• Previous (> 10 pack year smoking history) or current smokers
• Lower or upper airway infection (eg. “cold”) in the last 4 weeks
• Diagnosed with immunodeficiency, cystic fibrosis, or any other respiratory or general medical problem which in the investigator feels would preclude inclusion into the study e.g. infection, malignancy
• Immunotherapy with any allergen
• Pregnancy
• Immunosuppressive medication