Immunology of Infectious Disease Commons^™

Role Of Host Cell B-Catenin During Toxoplasma Gondii Infection, Cameron Ranken

Biology ETDs

The microbial pathogen Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan that actively invades host cells and simultaneously creates a specialized parasitophorous vacuole within which the parasite lives and replicates. The parasite molecular machinery that drives establishment of the intracellular niche is relatively well known. However, it is now emerging that Toxoplasma exploits less well-understood host cell components to enable successful infection. Here, we examined the role of host Wnt/β-catenin during T. gondii infection. Using human fibroblasts and a mouse dendritic cell line, we found that infection with Toxoplasma stimulated both upregulation and nuclear localization of β-catenin. Using a transwell experimental approach, …

Schistosomiasis In The Wild: A Transcriptomics Perspective On Field-Derived Biomphalaria Pfeifferi And Schistosoma Mansoni, And Their Interactions, Sarah K. Buddenborg

Biology ETDs

Schistosomiasis, caused by trematodes in the genus Schistosoma, is a widespread neglected tropical disease with the species S. mansoni infecting over 100 million people. We aimed to better understand the snail host and parasite responses during intramolluscan stages of infection by performing dual RNA-Seq on field-collected snails with natural infections from western Kenya. We collected uninfected Biomphalaria pfeifferi, B. pfeifferi with a patent cercariae-producing S. mansoni infection, and B. pfeifferi exposed to field-collected S. mansoni at 1 and 3d (days post infection).

We first created a high-quality B. pfeifferi transcriptome to identify the snail response to S. mansoni infection. …

Rapid Identification Of Streptococcal Infections Using Fluorescent Antibody Techniques, James H. Meadows

Biology ETDs

The use of fluorescent microscopy coupled with immunological techniques offer new methods for the demonstration of antigen-antibody reactions. The adaptation of these techniques to grouping of beta hemolytic streptococci makes feasible their further adaptation toward identification of group A streptococci in clinical material. Commercially available labeled antibodies against group A beta hemolytic streptococci were obtained for use in this study. A method for the determination of labeled antisera specificity is proposed and a technique for absorbing out any heterologous reacting antibody is described. Using this commercial labeled antisera, subsequent to specificity studies plus absorption if necessary, adaptations of basic fluorescent …