Department of Medicine - Allergy and Immunology
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The Division of Allergy & Immunology is conducting new and exciting studies.
If you or someone you know is eligible and interested, we would love to hear from you.  Please call or click on the contact name below to send an email message.

 

 

 

Study Criteria

 Age   

Smoking

Steroid Pills or Steroid Injection In Last 12 mo.

Contact Person 

Asthmatic On Inhaled Steroids

19-75

 

 

 

Non smokers

 

 

 

Yes or No

Janie

402.280.5972

Asthmatic On Inhaled Steroids

 

6-10

Non smokers

No

Janie

402.280.5972

Allergic Patients

19-60

Non smokers

No

Renee

402.280.4613

Psoriasis Patients

19-65

Non smokers

Yes or No

Renee

402.280.4613

COPD

28-65

Smokers

No

Janie 402.280.5972

 

Patient Demographics:The Omaha area has a population of over 750,000. The Division's clinical research patient database alone is currently comprised of over 5,000 patients and is constantly growing through the various recruitment efforts including media advertising, health fair involvement as well as volunteer work. Our diverse patient population is drawn not only from the Omaha metropolitan area (urban/suburban), but also from the surrounding communities in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa (rural).


Areas of Research:
Acute and chronic otitis media
Acute and chronic urticaria
Acute sinusitis
Allergic asthma
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Allergic conjunctivitis
Angioedema
Asthma in pregnancy
B cell immunodeficiencies
Bronchitis
Common variable immunodeficiency
Contact dermatitis
Drug allergy
Exercise induced asthma
Food allergy and food hypersensitivity
Immunizations and immunoprophylaxis
Insect allergy
Latex allergy
Management of immunotherapy
Non-allergic asthma
Nasal polyposis
Perennial allergic rhinitis
Seasonal allergic rhinitis
Status asthmaticus
T-cell immunodeficiencies
Vasomotor rhinitis
Urticaria


The Division of Allergy and Immunology has a three bed inpatient unit suitable for Phase I and Phase II studies.  The Division conducts first-in-man studies and has several model systems for proof of concept trials for allergic and respiratory diseases. In addition, the basic research laboratories of the Division are capable of assisting in clinical trials with the measurement of biomarkers and mechanistic assays.


Procedures and Equipment Available:    
Acoustic Rhinometry
Aeroallergen challenge
Exercise challenge
Hypertonic Saline challenge
Methacholine challenge
Bronchoprovocation Challenges
Biomarker Assays (Interleukins/Cytokines, Leukotrienes, Histamine, Tryptase, ECP)                
Digital Electrocardiography Machine
Full Pulmonary Function Laboratory
Immediate and Delayed Hypersensitivity Skin Testing
Immunotherapy
Inpatient Beds
Nasal Allergen Challenges and Lavage
Nitric Oxide Measurements (oral/nasal)
Oral Desensitization
Parenteral Therapy Facilities
Phlebotomy
Pollen Collection
Radiology Suite for Routine X-Rays, MRIs ,CTs, Nuclear Studies
Remote Data Entry Capabilities
Spirometry
Sputum Induction
Treadmill Exercise Testing
 
Investigators:
Thomas B. Casale, M.D.
Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology & Immunology; Chief, Division of Allergy & Immunology 
Robert G. Townley, M.D.
Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology & Immunology 
Againdra K. Bewtra, M.B.B.S.
Associate Professor of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Jeffrey R. Stokes, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Fellowship Program Director, Fellowship Program 
Russell J. Hopp, D.O.
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine; Chief, Division of Pediatric Allergy & Clinical ImmunologyBio 
 
Staff:
Patrick De Nier:  Operations Manager
Jean Kessler, RN, BSN, CCRC:  Research Coordinator
Janie Misfieldt, MA, CCRC:  Research Coordinator
Renee Smith, CMA:  Research Coordinator