6 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The overarching hypothesis is that CF carriers are at increased risk for developing most of the extrapulmonary conditions associated with CF compared to the general population. Specifically, it is hypothesized that this pilot data will detect subclinical evidence of pancreatic and kidney disorders among CF carriers. This will be determined by bringing CF carriers and controls to the CRU for one visit where they will answer survey questions and undergo laboratory testing. Additionally, they will collect urine and stool samples at home that will be sent to outside laboratories for testing.
A research team member will brush the inferior surface of the subjects' middle turbinate (nasal cavity) using a cytology brush to obtain the cells needed to perform our functional respiratory assays. An individual trained in phlebotomy will draw one 3 ml lavender top tube of blood to test c-reactive protein, calprotectin, and lactoferrin. They will also draw a 5 ml gold top serum separator tube of blood to test fibroblast growth factor-19. The participant will answer questions from the baseline survey and report their current medications interview-style with the research team member.
The goal of this observational study is to determine whether an aquagenic wrinkling procedure (i.e., soaking hands in a water bath for up to 20 minutes) can be used as a screening tool for cystic fibrosis carrier status. Participants will complete one visit where they will undergo an aquagenic wrinkling procedure to see how their hands respond.
Hib disease rates in rural Alaska before introduction of HIb conjugate vaccine were among the highest in the world. Since vaccine introduction, rates have fallen by 90% but the disease has not been eliminated. This study is designed to test one possible means of eliminating Hib carriage and thus to eliminate person to person transmission and invasive disease. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of community-wide use of Hib conjugate vaccine for eliminating oropharyngeal Hib carriage in rural Alaska villages. Secondary objectives include: * Determine risk factors for Hib OP carriage including demographic characteristics, and immunologic characteristics (antibody level and function). This will be accomplished through a case-control study described below. * Measure antibody response to Hib conjugate vaccine among adults who have not previously received Hib vaccine. This will be accomplished through a cohort study of participating adults in the vaccine intervention communities.
Lactation (breastfeeding) mastitis is an acute infection of the milk ducts of the breastfeeding woman. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the infectious germ most commonly associated with lactation mastitis. Twenty percent of the general population are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus, which means that they carry the infectious germ but do not become ill from it. It has been suggested that mothers who are carriers of S. aureus in their nostril may be at an increased risk of developing lactational mastitis, however; this has not been clinical proven. We are studying the relationship between S. aureus carrier status of breastfeeding mothers and infants and the risk of developing lactational mastitis. Additionally, we are collecting questionnaire data in an attempt to better define factors predisposing women to lactation mastitis.
Some people who have taken azithromycin to prevent MAC (Mycobacterium avium Complex, a bacterial infection common in HIV-infected persons) have been found to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria (germs that grow despite the presence of drugs used to kill them). The purpose of this study is to see if people who take azithromycin carry more antibiotic-resistant bacteria than people who have chosen to delay MAC preventive therapy. When bacteria like Streptococcus (a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia and meningitis) are frequently exposed to antibiotics, the bacteria can become resistant to the drugs. MAC preventive therapy uses antibiotics, but this can make it difficult to treat other infections caused by bacteria that have become resistant in HIV-infected persons. If MAC preventive therapy is delayed, Streptococcus in the body may be less likely to develop resistance. Therefore, if the patient does get a Streptococcus infection, it will be easier to treat because it is not resistant to the antibiotics.