The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a large clinical research group with an interest in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in both adult and pediatric patients. PD, also known as Kartagener syndrome and immotile cilia syndrome, is a disease that causes a chronic cough, recurrent infections of the lung, and scarring of the airways. It also causes chronic sinusitis and chronic ear infections. In about half of the cases, and in a random fashion, PCD is also associated with situs inversus totalis (mirror-image organ placement).
The disease is caused by malfunctioning cilia, the microscopic, hair-like structures that line the respiratory tract. The purpose of cilia is to move inhaled particles forward out of the lung.
To identify the genetic basis of PCD, the researchers are gathering information about PCD patients and families. Funds are available to support travel and accommodation, and clinical and other tests are provided at no charge. The work is partially funded by the National Institutes of Health.
To learn more, contact Peadar Noone, MD, (919) 966-1077; pnoone@med.unc.edu; Susan Minnix, research nurse coordinator, (919) 843-5308, susan_minnix@med.unc.edu; or Michael R. Knowles, MD, (919) 966-1077, Knowles@med.unc.edu or visit http://www.med.unc.edu/wrkunits/3ctrpgm/cystfib/
PCD.htm.
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