Sequelae of Sars-CoV-2 Infections
Lung DiseasesCardiac Disease1 moreBy the end of 2019 a new coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, was discovered in patients with pneumonia in Wuhan, China. In the following weeks and months the virus spread globally, having a tremendous impact on global health and economy. To date, no vaccine or therapy is available. Severe courses of the infection not only affect the lungs, but also other organs like the heart, kidney, or liver. The lack of preexisting immunity might at least partially explain the affection of extra pulmonary organs not yet seen in infections due to other respiratory viruses. In this observational investigation the study group will follow up on patients that have been hospitalized due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection, and monitor sequelae in various organs, with an emphasis on the pulmo-cardiovascular system. Our that in some patients, organ damage will persist and require long-term medical care.
Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for ILD Research Registry
Lung DiseasesInterstitialThe purpose of this study is to place past, current, and future medical record information into the UPMC Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease Research Registry.
Study of Lung Proteins in Patients With Pneumonia
PneumoniaPulmonary Disease1 moreThis study will examine the different types of proteins present in the lungs of patients with pneumonia to explore the causes of different types of the disease. Pneumonia is a condition that causes lung inflammation AND is often caused by an infection. It is usually diagnosed by lung x-rays and listening to the chest with a stethoscope. This method can diagnose pneumonia, but it does not provide information on the cause of the inflammation - information that might be helpful in guiding treatment. This study will measure proteins in the lungs of patients to see if certain proteins are associated with specific forms of pneumonia, and can thus serve as biomarkers for disease. Patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy at the NIH Clinical Center may participate in this study. Patients will undergo bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage as scheduled for their medical care. For this procedure, the patient's mouth and throat are numbed with lidocaine; a sedative may be given for comfort. A thin flexible tube called a bronchoscope is advanced through the nose or mouth into the lung airways to examine the airways carefully. Saline (salt water) is then injected through the bronchoscope into the air passage, acting as a rinse. A sample of fluid is then withdrawn for microscopic examination. Researchers in the current study will use some of the fluid obtained from the lavage to examine for protein content. In addition to the bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage, participants will have about 2 tablespoons of blood drawn to compare blood test results with the results of the lung washings. Patients' medical records will be reviewed to obtain information on past medical history, current medical treatment, vital signs, and results of x-ray tests.
Epidemiology of Surfactant Protein-B Deficiency
Lung DiseasesRespiratory Distress Syndrome4 moreThe purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that excess, rare, functionally disruptive single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) characterize genes (e.g., the surfactant protein-B gene)(SFTPB) and gene networks (e.g., the pulmonary surfactant metabolic network or other gene networks that regulate alveolar type 2 cell function) associated with increased risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Role of Genetic Factors in the Development of Lung Disease
Cystic FibrosisPulmonary Fibrosis3 moreThis study is designed to evaluate the genetics involved in the development of lung disease by surveying genes involved in the process of breathing and examining the genes in lung cells of patients with lung disease. The study will focus on defining the distribution of abnormal genes responsible for processes directly involved in different diseases affecting the lungs of patients and healthy volunteers. Optional CT Sub-study The standard CT scan will be compared to the low dose radiation CT scan for the 150 subjects enrolled in the sub-study to assess the variation between the two techniques. Specifically, the quantitative computer aided detection of lung CT abnormalities from LAM can be compared to assess whether low radiation dose CT exams is an alternative to conventional CT to monitor disease status. This optional sub-study will be offered to up to 100 adult subjects with lung disease and up to 50 children age 9 and older with CF. Children will not be enrolled in the optional CT sub-study unless they have had a standard CT scan for medical purposes to use in comparison. One additional low dose radiation CT scan of the chest may be done as part of this sub-study when these subjects have their next annual CT scan.
Defining the Genetic Etiology of Suppurative Lung Disease in Children and Adults
Primary Ciliary DyskinesiaPrimary Immune Deficiency1 moreThe investigators will utilize a systematic approach for the diagnostic evaluation of patients to identify characteristics which may distinguish between Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) disorders versus Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD).
Cystic Fibrosis and Fit-to-Fly
Cystic FibrosisHypoxemia1 moreDue to the hypobaric hypoxia during air travel, some patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) need supplemental oxygen during air travel. The study aims to evaluate if adding exercise desaturation to the pre-flight evaluation will help predict requirements for in-flight supplemental oxygen.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at Risk for Interstitial Lung Disease
Rheumatoid ArthritisInterstitial Lung DiseaseThe overall goal of this study is to define the phenotype of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), and identify factors that predict radiologic progression in those with subclinical RA-ILD, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The investigators hypothesize that there are common core elements (e.g. clinical features, genetic variants, and/or biologic markers) between other forms of ILD (e.g. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF) and subclinical RA-ILD that places individuals at risk for the development of lung disease.
Creation of a Biospecimen Repository From Patients With Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD)
Interstitial Lung DiseaseTo develop a repository of blood samples from patients with ILD to support future studies into the development of such biomarkers. Patients with pneumonia and healthy patients will also be recruited as a control group.
Evaluation of HRCT Patterns in Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Systemic SclerosisInterstitial Lung DiseaseSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous systemic autoimmune disease with distinct prognosis according to patients. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) concerns almost 50 % of SSc patients and represents the main cause of mortality. SSc-ILD is variable: from limited forms (with asymptomatic patients) to extensive lesions. Disease course in SSc-ILD is also highly variable: patients can experience stable disease, slow or fast progression. Investigators performed unsupervised clustering analysis to classify SSc-ILD according to elementary radiological lesions on HRCT scan.