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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A UTHealth Houston program is bringing rare lung disease diagnosis and care to underserved patients across Latin America. Led by Dr. Ricardo Mosquera, the initiative has referred 236 patients, genetically tested 143, and diagnosed 71 with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Beyond patient care, the program trains physicians, fuels international research, and is uncovering unique genetic patterns in Latin American populations.
A UTHealth Houston outreach program is closing a major gap in rare lung disease care for patients across Latin America — a region historically left out of research and specialized diagnostics. Led by Dr. Ricardo Mosquera, the initiative operates across five pillars: awareness, diagnostic support, physician training, research collaboration, and community engagement. Through philanthropic funding, the program has referred 236 patients, provided genetic testing to 143, and confirmed 71 diagnoses of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), while also identifying cases of cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiencies, and interstitial lung diseases.
Research through the program, published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, revealed that PCD patients show signs of systemic inflammation even when clinically stable — and that saliva may serve as a noninvasive biomarker for monitoring disease activity. The team also identified distinct inflammatory subtypes and region-specific genetic mutations, pointing toward more personalized treatment approaches.
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Why it matters: Rare diseases don't look the same in every population. By including Latin American patients in research and care networks, this program generates insights that benefit physicians and patients globally — including in the U.S., where patient populations are increasingly diverse.
