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Mucociliary Clearance Consortium (MCC) Longitudinal Study of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: Participants 5-18 Years of Age

The purpose of this longitudinal study protocol is to define age-related prevalence of phenotypic characteristics and the progression of key features of lung disease in participants with one of these disorders, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). In PCD, the abnormal structure and function of cilia results in impaired clearance of secretions and consequent obstruction and chronic recurrent infection in the airways, sinuses and middle ears. Although it seems likely that the onset of PCD airway disease occurs early in childhood, as has been reported for cystic fibrosis (CF), the clinical course of PCD lung disease is not well defined, nor, is the time course of emergence of specific microbial pathogens, or the age of onset and rate of progression of airway disease and bronchiectasis. This longitudinal study is designed to define the rate of progression of PCD lung function in participants between 5-18 years of age using spirometry which tracks well with lung impairment and prognosis in other disorders of the airways such as cystic fibrosis. This longitudinal protocol will also systematically track other specific outcomes, including pathogens infecting the airways (assessed by respiratory cultures), and age at onset and progression of airway damage and bronchiectasis (assessed by high-resolution computerized tomography, HRCT, of the chest).

Blood will be collected for DNA to test for genetic mutations. The blood samples will be processed to establish a cell line (lymphocyte transformation) for a source of DNA for future genetic studies, in participants with disease. For participants unable to provide a blood sample, a buccal sample will be obtained for DNA.