Cell Distribution in Induced Sputum in Patients With Asthma

The aim of this case-control study is the comparison of the cell distribution in induced sputum in young adults with asthma and in healthy controls. The study consists of two visits. At both visits subjects are asked to perform a lung function test (body plethysmography) and levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) are measured. At the first visit a blood sample is drawn to determine the inflammatory and allergic status of the subjects and the sputum is induced by an ultrasonic nebulizer. At the second visit another sputum sample is induced by a nozzle nebulizer. The cell distribution will be evaluated in both sputum samples.