This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The purpose of this study is to assess immune responses to varicella (the 'chicken pox' virus) in asthmatic patients who have or are taking steroids by comparing their responses to those of normal, non-asthmatic subjects. Subjects with asthma who have received steroids and the varicella vaccine will be asked if they are interested in having their blood drawn, so that investigators can identify whether taking steroids for their asthma has hindered their bodies ability to mount an immune response either with antibodies or with infection-fighting white blood cells against varicella. If willing, these patients will have 1 to 2 teaspoons full of blood taken from their arm so that the tests that look at their body's ability to fight varicella can be measured. If these tests do not show an adequate response by the patients immune system, they will be given a booster shot of varicella vaccine and the tests will be re-checked six weeks later.
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