Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion

1. Ages eligible for study: 18 to 60 years

2. Genders eligible for study: male and female

3. Signed and dated written informed consent is obtained prior to study blood draw.

4. Subjects being actively treated for chronic moderate to severe asthma based on
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute guidelines (figure 1). Subjects must carry
the diagnosis of asthma (made by a physician) for a minimum of six months.

5. Subjects within the first seven days of an acute asthma exacerbation, as determined
by the referring physician.

6. Able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Use of systemic corticosteroids within the previous two weeks.

2. Pregnant and/or lactating females.

3. Current tobacco use.

4. Severe psychiatric illness.

5. Current illicit substance abuse or dependence and/or abuse of alcohol.

6. Current use of anti-microbial medications.

7. Primary or secondary immunodeficiency.

8. Any clinically significant uncontrolled medical condition that would put the
patient's safety at risk.