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Evaluating The Effects Of Key Virulence-Associated Genes In Estimating The Virulence Of Escherichia Coli, Using Embryo Lethality Assay And Experimental Infection Studies, Fozol Korim Ovi

Theses and Dissertations

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes a wide range of diseases in chickens called colibacillosis, resulting a substantial economic loss to the poultry industry. This dissertation aims at addressing this disease by exploring key virulence-associated genes (VAGs), swarming motility (SM), and multi-locus sequence types (MLST) of E. coli isolates obtained from colibacillosis-infected or asymptomatic commercial hens. Secondly, by classifying the E. coli isolates into different virulence categories based on the presence of five key VAGs [iroN, ompT, hlyF, iutA, and iss]. Finally, by performing embryo lethality assays and experimental infection studies to establish the effect of these VAGs. Our findings …

Extension-Clinical Approach To Covid-19 Testing And Vaccination, Camden Bryan, Rhonda Matthews, Kapri Kreps, David Thornal, Danielle Mcfall, David Sudduth, Michelle Parisi

Journal of Extension

Vaccination rates against COVID-19 are lower in rural areas across the country, including SC. This paper highlights the work conducted by Clemson Cooperative Extension Service in SC to increase rural access to COVID-19 testing and vaccine services. Extension Agents engaged in clinical and community partnerships to coordinate COVID-19 vaccine and testing clinics in rural and underserved communities. Agents established 204 test clinics and 220 vaccination clinics. The total number of people tested and vaccinated was 9,331 and 2,037, respectively. The success of this project shows Extension agents can be instrumental in bridging the gap between clinical resources and rural communities.

Single-Institutional Analysis Of Post-Splenectomy Vaccine Administration And Infectious Complications In Trauma Patients, Rebekah Fayard, Logan Gold, Lillian Bellfi, John Hunt, Alan Marr, Lance Stuke, Patrick Greiffenstein, Jonathan Schoen, Monique St. Romain, Cynthia Armstrong, Ana Payne, Alison A. Smith

Surgery Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Clinical Practice Guideline To Reduce Antibiotic Use In Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Connie Sue Clum

Dissertations

Antibiotic use in asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) may not be necessary. At the project site, there was no systematic process to manage ordering antibiotics and urine cultures without first diagnosing a urinary tract infection, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if implementing an antimicrobial stewardship program utilizing the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria would impact urine cultures ordering and antibiotic use among adult patients admitted to the general medical service. The project was piloted over 12 weeks in an urban hospital …

A Novel Humanized Mouse Model For Hiv And Tuberculosis Co-Infection Studies, José Alejandro Bohórquez, Sitaramaraju Adduri, Danish Ansari, John Sahana, And Additional Authors

School of Medicine Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is another equally important life-threatening pathogen. HIV infection decreases CD4+ T cell levels markedly increasing Mtb co-infections. An appropriate animal model for HIV/Mtb co-infection that can recapitulate the diversity of the immune response in humans during co-infection would facilitate basic and translational research in HIV/Mtb infections. Herein, we describe a novel humanized mouse model. Methods: The irradiated NSG-SGM3 mice were transplanted with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, and the humanization was monitored by staining various immune cell markers …

Pyogenic Tenosynovitis Of Tibialis Anterior Tendon After Cat Bite, Daniel Blascak, David Sosnoski, Aaron Seidman

Posters

Pyogenic tenosynovitis is a bacterial infection of the synovial sheath that surrounds a tendon.

Commonly occurs within flexor tendons of the hand; theoretically can occur within any sheathed tendon.

Delayed diagnosis may lead to spread of infection to surrounding tissues and tendon rupture.

Tibialis anterior tendon is encased in a synovial sheath that runs from above the superior extensor retinaculum to the talonavicular joint.

Only five cases of pyogenic tenosynovitis of the tibialis anterior tendon have been reported in the literature.

None of the reported cases were due to animal bite injury.

The Impact Of Certified Pool Operator Training On Swimming Pool Inspection Outcomes, Vonia Louise Grabeel

Online Theses and Dissertations

Background: At the time of this study, the Commonwealth of Kentucky had over 3,800 active public bathing or swimming pool facilities. In compliance with 902 KRS 10:010 Kentucky Swimming and Bathing Facility regulation, all bathing and swimming pools for public access are subject to inspection and monitoring by local and state health agencies. The regulation requires the facilities to be inspected for code violations on the protection and safety of swimming patrons. It mandates inspections on: water supply and wastewater disposal; bathhouses and attendant structures; safety; and general facility operations. However, the regulations do not require the pool operators or …

Perception Of African Immigrants Living In The United States Towards Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Hesitancy, Akinwale O. Obatayo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

About 80% of active tuberculosis (TB) cases are caused by untreated latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), with most being foreign-born United States residents. Despite the availability of preventive therapies, African immigrants living in the United States are hesitant to accept LTBI treatment. Although researchers have explored LTBI treatment hesitancy among foreign-born United States citizens, no study has explored the perspectives of African immigrants living in the United States. This generic qualitative study explored the perception of African immigrants living in the United States on LTBI treatment hesitancy. Participants’ inclusion criteria include those 18 years and older with a positive TB test, …

Physician Burnout And The Marital Relationship: Spouse Perspective, Lisa Anne Muehlenbein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physician burnout rates have consistently been higher than the general working population; however, recent literature suggested that after a steady decline in physician burnout rates, the COVID-19 global pandemic and additional organizational factors have caused physician burnout to reach an all-time high. Substantial research is available on physician burnout; however, little is known about how a physician’s burnout is experienced in the marital relationship through the spouse’s perspective. This basic qualitative study used purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling methods to recruit 10 female spouses of male physicians to participate in semi-structured interviews. The research question investigated the participants’ perceptions of …

Laryngeal Tuberculosis Mimicking Laryngeal Candidiasis, Claire Walters, Maranda Saigh, Eytan Keidar

Posters

Tuberculosis (TB) from the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and candidiasis from the fungus Candida albicans are both opportunistic pathogens with the ability to instigate infections within the larynx with similar clinical features, yet vastly different diagnostic parameters and treatment regimens.

Here, we highlight a case of an Indian woman on immune-modulating drugs who presented with severe laryngeal symptoms initially presumed to be laryngeal candidiasis but was later discovered to be laryngeal tuberculosis.

Jamestown Canyon Virus Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report, Amy Ishbia, Hannah Guide, Matthew Sierra, Jonathan Doty

Posters

Jamestown Canyon virus is a rare mosquito-borne orthobunyavirus that typically is asymptomatic or causes mild symptoms. However, it can rarely cause severe neuroinvasive disease [2,5]. The primary hosts include white-tailed deer, although moose, elk, and bison can also be hosts [2].

Typically, cases are seen between April and September, with a bimodal distribution peaking in spring and late summer [2].

Number of cases in the U.S. in 2024: 16 total cases, 11 neuroinvasive [1]. Number of cases in the U.S. between 2011-2023: 308, with 10 deaths, 206 neuroinvasive. One case was reported from Alpena, MI, where our patient resided [1].

Greening The Edge: Investigating Riparian Buffer Restorations In A Pastoral Setting And Their Effects On Soil Carbon And Microbial Community Composition., Seth Mccullough

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Riparian buffer restoration represents a critical strategy for enhancing ecosystem health and resilience in agricultural landscapes. This study investigates the effects of riparian buffer restoration on soil properties, microbial communities, and carbon dynamics in Rockingham County, VA. Through a comprehensive field study, we assessed the physicochemical properties of soil, microbial biomass, community composition, and soil carbon storage in restored and unrestored riparian buffers. Our findings reveal significant improvements in soil physical properties in restored buffers, including increased soil moisture (p < 0.05) and decreased bulk density (p < 0.01), indicating enhanced soil structure and water retention capacity. While no significant differences were detected in soil pH or cation exchange capacity, restored buffers exhibited higher soil carbon stocks (p < 0.05) and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, suggesting potential differences in nutrient cycling processes and organic matter decomposition rates. Moreover, restored buffers showed increased microbial biomass (p < 0.01), potentially driven by improved habitat conditions and shifts towards a fungal-dominated microbial community.

Although no significant differences were found in overall microbial community composition between restored and unrestored sites, specific shifts in bacterial …

Distinct Autoantibody Profiles Across Checkpoint Inhibitor Types And Toxicities, Hong Mu-Mosley, Mitchell S Von Itzstein, Farjana Fattah, Jialiang Liu, Chengsong Zhu, Yang Xie, Edward K Wakeland, Jason Y Park, Brad S Kahl, Catherine S Diefenbach, David E Gerber

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used in combination. To understand the effects of different ICI categories, we characterized changes in circulating autoantibodies in patients enrolled in the E4412 trial (NCT01896999) of brentuximab vedotin (BV) plus ipilimumab, BV plus nivolumab, or BV plus ipilimumab-nivolumab for Hodgkin Lymphoma. Cycle 2 Day 1 (C2D1) autoantibody levels were compared to pre-treatment baseline. Across 112 autoantibodies tested, we generally observed increases in ipilimumab-containing regimens, with decreases noted in the nivolumab arm. Among 15 autoantibodies with significant changes at C2D1, all nivolumab cases exhibited decreases, with more than 90% of ipilimumab-exposed cases showing increases. Autoantibody …

Relationship Satisfaction For Significant Partners Of The Incarcerated: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Carrie Elizabeth Lund

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The United States incarcerates more individuals than any other country in the world (The Sentencing Project, 2023). Because of this, it is imperative that counseling professionals understand the lived experiences of those impacted by incarceration. Though research exists focusing on the effects of incarceration on children and families, there is still only a small body of research dedicated to understanding how incarceration impacts significant partners of the incarcerated. This study examined the lived experiences of eight significant partners of the incarcerated (SPIs) to better understand the ways in which incarceration impacted their romantic relationship satisfaction. Through the use of Interpretative …

Methods For The Analysis Of Diffusible Signaling Factors For The Determination Of Elution Activity, Structural Stability And Biological Activity, Brian Hoffman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Biofilms pose a threat to public health. The National Institutes of Health estimate that biofilms are linked to 65-80% of hospital-related infections. Biofilms are a complex network of bacterial cells contained within an extracellular matrix and are 10-1000 times more resistant to common antibiotic treatments. Bacteria within a biofilm utilize a form of intercellular communication known as quorum sensing to regulate many cellular functions including the secretion of the extracellular matrix and dispersal of planktonic cells. Compounds known as diffusible signaling factors (DSF) regulate the formation/degradation of the extracellular matrix. One family of DSF consist of medium chain fatty acid …

Frankincense (Boswellia Serrata) Extract Effects On Growth And Biofilm Formation Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis, And Its Intracellular Infection In Hujman Gingival Epithelial Cells, Nicholas Zusman

Excellence Day

Traditional antibiotics have been commonly used to treat several infectious diseases for decades, however, misuse and over-prescription have been escalating antibiotic resistance episodes. Boswellia serrata extract, derived from Boswellia trees prevalent in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, offers multifaceted therapeutic benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects. Periodontitis affects 20-50% of the global population, targeting the gingival tissues, supporting structures around teeth, and the alveolar bone. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum are two prominent bacterial culprits in this pathogenesis. This study investigated the potential antimicrobial effects of B. serrata extracts against P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. Using minimum inhibitory …

Assessment Of Bacterial Diversity In South Georgia Water Sources Using Bacterial Isolation And Maldi Tof-Based Identification, Teighlor Livingston, Andrew Metry, Sammy Elmor, Steven Li, Hunter Medley, Alleluia Nishimwe, Nishi Patel, Gary Sellers, Daniel Torres, Girija Regmi, Allen Kalantari, Hemant K. Naikare, Nikita Mirajkar

Research Day

Background

Water bodies support diverse life but are vulnerable to microbial contamination, endangering human, animal, and plant health, especially in rural areas with limited clean water access. Regular water sample surveillance is vital to protect public health and prevent adverse effects. In addition to monitoring current filtration processes, this study surveys rural South Georgia's water sources to establish a baseline microbial profile for future comparative analysis.

Methods

Biweekly water sampling occurred from November 2023 to January 2024 in rural South Georgia, covering diverse sites such as lakes, ponds, filtered water fountains, and a city water treatment facility. Samples were collected …

Considering The Historical And Systemic Context, To What Extent Are Cuban Women’S Healthcare And Reproductive Rights Affected By The Privacy And Social Influence Of Cuba Today?, Autumn Cowell

Student Research Symposium

This paper will examine how historical and systemic values continue to frame social influences thus impacting Cuban women’s healthcare and reproductive rights. If the impact of history and systems still affects social influences then Women’s Healthcare and Reproductive Rights may be compromised. This investigation will highlight the potential benefits and risks of historical and systemic values that have affected challenges or changes within Cuban culture. And how these social influences are found within the areas of prevention, intervention, and treatment. This paper hopes to outline how the Cuban government and society are sustaining the protection of Cuban women’s access to …

Pandemic Pandemonium: The Interconnectedness Of Environmental And Public Health Through The Lens Of Covid-19, Hanna Giedraitis

Student Theses 2015-Present

In 2020, the world was launched into a global pandemic it was completely unprepared to fight. This pandemic began in the midst of tragic environmental disasters, including the largest wildfire recorded in California history. Once the global lockdown began, many long-standing environmental problems began to remedy themselves due to the sudden halt of human interaction. However, there were major environmental setbacks in the healthcare industry as increased medical waste and single-use items became a necessity. This thesis addresses how the pandemic impacted the environment through a lens of sustainability and public health, and how healthcare industries can be more prepared …

Bird Flu Spreading To Farmed Mammals In The Us, Andrew N. Rowan, Hope Ferdowsian M.D., M.P.H.

WellBeing News

The more mammalian species infected by bird flu, the greater the threat of a new pandemic.

Immunopathogenesis Of Post-Infectious Hydrocephalus, Sascha Powers Bernier

Honors Scholar Theses

Hydrocephalus is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain ventricles. In post-infectious hydrocephalus (PIH) cases, the condition presents challenges in understanding the immune response. PIH is a complex condition, often persisting after the initial infection is treated and thus requiring a deeper understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in its development. This thesis will explore the immunopathogenesis of PIH, elucidating the relationship between the immune response and neurological complications that would succeed infection. The immune response of PIH includes a series of events, beginning with the activation of immune cells and finishing with the release …

Effect Of An Hpv Vaccination Multi-Level, Multi-Component Program On Hpv Vaccination Initiation And Completion In A Pediatric Clinic Network, Lara S Savas, Ross Shegog, Erica L Frost, C Mary Healy, Dale S Mantey, Sharon P Coan, L Aubree Shay, Travis A Teague, Juan J Ferreris, Sharice M Preston, Sally W Vernon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite clear evidence of the public health benefits of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing HPV-related cancers and genital warts, underutilization of HPV vaccination in the United States persists. Interventions targeting multi-level determinants of vaccination behavior are crucial for improving HPV vaccination rates. The study's purpose was to implement and evaluate the adapted Adolescent Vaccination Program (AVP), a clinic-based, multi-level, multi-component intervention aimed at increasing HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates in a five-clinic pediatric network in Bexar County, Texas. The adaptation process was guided by established frameworks and involved formative work with clinic stakeholders. The study utilized a …

The Impact Of Turnover And Turnover Intentions On Nigeria's Public Health Administration, Albert Abani Uduma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High turnover creates a vicious cycle that affects employees with further shortages and turnover. This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of a government employer and employees about turnover, turnover intentions, and the government’s leadership effectiveness using Heidegger’s phenomenological research methods. The theoretical frameworks that grounded the study were Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, public service motivation theory, and corporate social responsibility theory. The study questions focused on stakeholders’ perceptions and lived experiences of the government’s leadership effectiveness in addressing the impacts of high turnover, as well as the employees’ consequent reactions to the government’s leadership approach. Participant data were collected …

Optimization Of The Antifungal Properties Of The Bacterial Peptide Entv By Variant Analysis, Shantanu Guha, Shane A Cristy, Giuseppe Buda De Cesare, Melissa R Cruz, Michael C Lorenz, Danielle A Garsin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Fungal resistance to commonly used medicines is a growing public health threat, and there is a dire need to develop new classes of antifungals. We previously described a peptide produced by Enterococcus faecalis, EntV, that restricts Candida albicans to a benign form rather than having direct fungicidal activity. Moreover, we showed that one 12-amino acid (aa) alpha helix of this peptide retained full activity, with partial activity down to the 10aa alpha helix. Using these peptides as a starting point, the current investigation sought to identify the critical features necessary for antifungal activity and to screen for new variants …

Correction: Horne Et Al White Matter Correlates Of Domain-Specific Working Memory, Autumn Horne, Junhua Ding, Tatiana T Schnur, Randi C Martin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In the original publication [...].

Assessment Of The Characteristics Of Covid-19 Infection Among Healthcare Personnel Working In Long-Term Care Facilities, Armaghan-E-Rehman Mansoor, Caroline A O'Neil, David Mcdonald, Victoria J Fraser, Hilary M Babcock, Jennie H Kwon

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Between May and June 2021, healthcare personnel at two long-term care facilities underwent SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobulin G testing and completed a survey on COVID-19 exposures and symptoms. Antibody positivity rate was 8.9%. Similar rates of COVID-19 exposure occurred in non-occupational and occupational settings, with high self-reported adherence to workplace infection prevention practices.

Role Of Integrase-Pp2a Interaction In Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type-1 Replication And Pathogenesis, Shayna Turbin

Senior Honors Papers / Undergraduate Theses

Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus that causes multiple disorders, including adult T-cell leukemia and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. HTLV-1 retroviral integrase binds to the regulatory B’56γ subunit of the host cell Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Integrase contains a highly conserved LxxIxE motif that is essential for binding, which increases integration efficiency and facilitates HTLV-1 hijack of host cell machinery. We aim to understand how mutations introduced in the highly conserved binding site can affect viral particle production and infectivity. We transfected 729B human lymphoblastoid cells and 293T cells with mutant and wildtype virus. Mutations L213A, …

Antimicrobial Mechanisms Of Human Lipocalin-2, Lindsey Steinberg

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2, also known as siderocalin or neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) is an innate immune protein released by neutrophils and epithelial cells at sites of infection. It is understood to limit bacterial growth by restricting access to iron, an essential nutrient, but it does not avidly bind iron in isolation. At least two iron restricting Lcn2 mechanisms are described in the literature. In the prototypical mechanism, Lcn2 binds and prevents uptake of enterobactin, a high affinity iron chelator secreted by E. coli and closely related Enterobacterales. Sequestration of this bacterial siderophore prevents nutritional iron delivery to these pathogens. However, the narrow …

The Unusual Suspect: Citrobacter Infection As A Rare Cause Of Renal Abscess, Nismat Javed, Nishant Allena, Sai Allu, Paul Kelly

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Citrobacter infections have emerged as now a common nosocomial pathogen. Most of the infections manifest in patients with underlying medical conditions. The features of infection can range from infections in the lower urinary tract, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal disease, or bacteremia, however renal abscesses remain uncommon. Here we present the case of a 48-year-old female with medical history of diabetes that presented with a right renal abscess secondary to Citrobacter koseri infection managed with drainage and antimicrobial treatment.

A Changed Man: A Rare Case Of Behcet's Disease Autoimmune Encephalitis, Jonathan London, Kevin Rulka, Gayatri Bobba, Justeena Joseph, Zubin Tharayil, Mark Gudesblatt

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Behcet’s disease (BD) is characterized by recurrent oral ulcers with concomitant systemic multi-organ involvement, which may include neurological disease, ocular disease, vascular disease, genital ulcers, skin lesions, and arthritis. The clinical symptoms arise from vasculitis that involves small, medium, and large blood vessels. We present the case of a young male who presented with atypical Behcet’s autoimmune encephalitis with recurrent oral ulcers, neurological manifestations, HLAB51 positivity, abnormal EEG findings, and improvement following multiple plasma exchange treatments.