Identification of Plasma miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in Asthma Exacerbation

Inclusion Criteria

• •Literacy: The subject must be able to read and comprehend English. Consent: The subject must have the ability to give informed consent. Type of subject: The subject must be seen in the outpatient setting at one of the clinics staffed by faculty members of the Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine.
• •Asthma: The subject must have a history of physician diagnosed asthma for at least 1 year and must have a current exacerbation of asthma requiring oral glucocorticosteroids. Asthma exacerbation is defined below.
• •Asthma exacerbation (relapse or de novo) is defined as either:
• •1. An increase of asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and /or shortness of breath) that does not resolve within 2 hours after the use of rescue albuterol or corticosteroids and requires a medical visit or
• •2. During a scheduled visit, the subject has acute worsening of asthma symptoms and a reduction of \>20% in peak flow, which in the opinion of the investigator requires treatment with oral glucocorticosteroids.