Patient case (clinical description): A 30-year-old man who is a computer scientist came to the clinic with the lab result stating azoospermia.  The patient is sexually active with his wife and does not use any contraception methods.  They have been trying to conceive for the past year with no success.  The patient has a past medical history of recurrent pneumonia, shortness of breath, and  persistent cough that produces large amounts of thick sputum. The patient had multiple lung infections during childhood. He does not smoke, use illicit drugs or alcohol.  The patient has no history of other medical conditions including allergies or any kind of surgery.  On physical examination, the digits show clubbing.  An ultrasound shows bilateral absence of the vas deferens, and FEV1 was 75% on the respiratory function test.

Patient's own account: I'm a 30-year-old computer scientist. I did some lab tests that came back quite alarming, stating that I have azoospermia?! I'm sexually active with my wife and we don't use contraception. We've been trying to have a child for the past year. I have a medical history of pneumonia and shortness of breath and regular wet cough. I had several lung infections when I was a kid. That's why I'm very careful and don't smoke, do drugs, or drink. I don't have other medical conditions including allergies or any kind of surgery. The doctor did the clubbing test on my fingers, which was positive. I also did an ultrasound and it showed that I'm missing the tubes that carry sperm around. I also had a 75% for my respiratory function test.

Clinical trial: Neurophysiology and Pharmacology of Cough Reflex Hypersensitivity

Eligibility criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

        Healthy Volunteers:

          -  Over 18 years old

          -  Measurable cough reflex sensitivity

          -  No current or past history of chronic cough or chronic respiratory disease.

          -  No symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, asthma or post-nasal drip.

        Chronic Cough Patients

          -  Over 18 years old

          -  Chronic persistent cough (> 8 weeks) despite investigation and/or treatment trials for
             cough variant asthma/post nasal drip and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

          -  Normal CXR

          -  Normal lung function

          -  Measurable cough reflex sensitivity

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Recent Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (4 weeks)

          -  Pregnancy/breast feeding

          -  Current smokers or ex-smokers with < 6 months abstinence or cumulative history of > 10
             packyears

          -  Diabetes Mellitus

          -  Opiate or ACE Inhibitor use.

          -  Any centrally acting medication which has the potential to alter cough reflex
             sensitivity.

          -  Significant and ongoing chronic respiratory, cardiovascular (in particular
             hypertension), gastro-intestinal, haematological (porphyria), neurological or
             psychiatric illness.

          -  Drug or alcohol abuse

          -  History of allergy or reaction to ketamine of other NMDA receptor antagonists.
No condition on gender to be admitted to the trial.
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Subject must be at least 18 Years old.
Subject must be at most 80 Years

Eligibility (NLI label): Contradiction