Nasal Epithelial Cells/Blood Lymphocyte Markers for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)/CF Pulmonary Exacerbations

Nasal epithelial cells and blood will be obtained from four groups of subjects age 15 years and older: Stable subjects with CF at baseline, Subjects with CF at the beginning and end of treatment for a pulmonary exacerbation, stable subjects with asthma, and healthy voulnteers

Stable CF Patients:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female >= 15 years of age
• Confirmed diagnosis of CF
• Clinically stable with no evidence of acute upper respiratory tract infection or current pulmonary exacerbation within the previous month
• Ability to understand and sign a written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic use of a medication with anti-neutrophil or anti-inflammatory effect (ibuprofen, systemic or inhaled corticosteroids, or other immunosuppressive agents, etc
• Oxygen saturation \<92% on room air
• Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the subject or the quality of the data

CF patients with pulmonary exacerbations:

Male of female >= 15 years of age Confirmed diagnosis of CF

Patient meets a modified definition for a pulmonary exacerbation based upon Fuchs criteria which is treated with intravenous antibiotics for any 4 of the following 12 signs or symptoms:

• Increased sputum production
• New or increased coughing up of blood
• Increased cough
• Increased dyspnea with exertion
• Malaise, fatigue or lethargy
• Anorexia or weight loss
• Fever
• Sinus pain or tenderness
• Changes in sinus discharge
• New findings on chest examination
• Decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) > 10% since previous visit
• Radiographic changes indicative of pulmonary infection
• Ability to understand and sign a written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study

Exclusion criteria for CF patients with pulmonary exacerbation:

• Concurrent use a medication with anti-neutrophil or anti-inflammatory effect within the previous 4 weeks
• Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the investigator would compromise the safety of the subject or the quality of the data.

Inclusion Criteria - Asthma patients

• Male or female >= 15 years of age
• Physician diagnosed asthma
• Clinically stable with no evidence of acute upper or lower respiratory tract infection or current pulmonary exacerbation within the previous month

Exclusion Criteria - Asthma patients

• Chronic use of a medication with anti-neutrophil or anti-inflammatory effect within the previous 4 weeks
• Treated for an asthma exacerbation with the previous 4 weeks
• Treated with oral corticosteroids within the previous 4 weeks
• Oxygen saturation \<92% on room air
• Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the investigator would compromise the safety of the subject or the quality of the data.

Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Volunteers

• Male or female >= 18 years of age
• Free of any chronic medical condition
• Clinically stable with no evidence of acute upper or lower respiratory tract infection within the previous month
• Ability to understand and sign a written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study

Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Volunteers

• Use of a medication with anti-neutrophil or anti-inflammatory effect within the previous 4 months
• Presence of any chronic medical condition
• Oxygen saturation \<92% on room air
• Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the subject or the quality of the data