Study of Dust Mite Inhalation in Humans

This will be a non-blinded study of the effect of inhaled house dust mite (D Farinae) allergen extract on airway responses, with the principal endpoint being a decrease in FEV1 of 15% within 10 minutes after inhalation of one of a sequence of doses of allergen compared with measurements obtained immediately prior to challenge. These doses will be delivered as 5 inhalations of allergen at concentrations of 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 16, 32, 64, 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 AU/mL. Allergen challenge often induces an immediate and late phase decrease in lung function. The immediate phase that occurs within 10 minutes, often self resolves and is associated with release of histamine from airway mast cells, while the late phase response often occurs 2 to 8 hours later and is associated with increased airway inflammation. During the subject's baseline visit occurring at least 2 days prior to allergen challenge, we will measure mucociliary clearance (MCC) of inhaled, radiolabeled particles by gamma scintigraphy. The subject will return 24 hours later for a follow-up scan and a sputum sample will also be collected. At 4 hours post allergen challenge, we will again measure MCC as an exploratory endpoint. It is expected that mucociliary clearance will be depressed as part of a late phase reaction to allergen challenge. Twenty-four hours after allergen challenge, induced sputum will be obtained and compared with the sputum sample obtained at the baseline visit. Exploratory endpoints of interest from examination of induced sputum will also be collected after inhaled allergen challenge. Observation Schedule (details regarding study procedures follow below): Baseline visit 1. Consent will be obtained 2. Review of subject's medical history and current medications 3. Vital sign measurements (temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure), oxygen saturation, and symptom scoring 4. Urine pregnancy test for women of child bearing potential 5. Spirometry 6. Physical exam of the ears, nose, throat and chest 7. Xenon equilibrium gas scan 8. Mucociliary clearance procedure (MCC) 24 hours post baseline visit 1. Review any change in medical status over prior 24 hours 2. Vital signs, oxygen saturation and symptom score 3. Follow up MCC scan 4. Sputum induction Post Challenge Observations/Reporting Subjects will be contacted for phone call follow-up 24 hours after sputum induction (see accompanying phone script) 24-48 hours prior to challenge visit (at least 2 days after the baseline visit) 1. Review any change in medical status since last visit 2. Vital signs, oxygen saturation, and symptom score 3. Spirometry 4. Physical exam of the ears, nose, throat and chest Allergen challenge day 1. Review any change in medical status since last visit 2. Vital signs, oxygen saturation, and symptom score 3. Urine pregnancy test 4. Spirometry 5. If above measures are acceptable, allergen challenge will be performed as described 6. Post-challenge monitoring at intervals indicated on study worksheets 7. Four hours post challenge, subject will have MCC evaluated 8. Overnight stay in the UNC General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) Subjects will be instructed to perform either spirometry with a personal spirometer or peak flow assessments on an every other hourly basis until at least 9 pm, and up to 11 pm if the subject is awake. 24 hours post challenge 1. Subject is discharged from GCRC, and accompanied by a study staff member, proceeds directly to CEMALB. 2. Vital signs, oxygen saturation, and symptom score 3. Spirometry 4. Follow-up MCC scan 5. Sputum induction Post Challenge Observations/Reporting 1. Subjects will be contacted for phone call follow-up 24 hours after post-challenge sputum induction (see accompanying phone script) 2. Each volunteer will be given a symptom scoring sheet for each day up to 96 hours (4 days) after challenge (see accompanying symptom scoring sheet) Study discontinuation visit within 10 days of the final challenge dose: 1. Vital signs, oxygen saturation, and symptom score 2. Spirometry 3. If any findings are abnormal, medical evaluation as directed by the study physician will be undertaken