Question:
The goals of the proposed study are to: (a) Quantify mucin in BALF and compare quantities before infection versus after infection onset in CF; (b) correlate mucin quantity with measures of infection (quantitative bacteriology) and inflammation (cell numbers, neutrophil products, and inflammatory cytokines); and (c) isolate mucus plugs and characterize their histology before and after infection, in order to more accurately describe early relationships among mucus obstruction, infection, and inflammation. Appropriate informed consent would be obtained from the parents. No incentive is being offered. Also propose a list of questions you would want to ask of the principal investigator.