Kartagener Syndrome

The overall short-term goals of this project include the following: 1) identify the genes that are key to the function of respiratory cilia to protect the normal lung; and 2) the effects of genetic mutations that adversely affect ciliary function and cause primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which results in life-shortening lung disease. The long-term goal of this project is to develop better understanding of the underlying genetic variability that adversely modifies ciliary function, and predisposes to common airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) Prospective International Cohort of patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (EPIC-PCD) is a prospective observational clinical cohort study, set up as a multinational multi-centre study. It is embedded into routine patient care of participating reference centres for PCD and patients keep being managed according to local procedures and guidelines.

The Swiss Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Registry is a national patient registry that collects information on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and follow-up of patients with PCD in Switzerland and provides data for national and international monitoring and research.