Immunology of Infectious Disease Commons^™

Role Of Viral And Host Factors In Influenza Virus Mediated Inhibition Of Interleukin-23, Ashish Tiwari

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Influenza virus is one of the major respiratory pathogens of humans as well as animals, including equines. There is an increasing evidence that bacterial infections are the most common cause of the death during influenza. In horses also, secondary bacterial pneumonia can lead to death, and surviving horses may take up to six months for the complete recovery resulting in heavy economic loss to the equine industry. Interleukin (IL)-23 mediated innate immune response has been shown to protect the host from various respiratory bacterial infections. However, studies to investigate the role of host and viral factors in the regulation of …

Construction Of A Live-Attenuated Hiv-1 Vaccine Through Genetic Code Expansion, Nanxi Wang, Yue Li, Wei Niu, Ming Sun, Ronald Cerny, Qingsheng Li, Jiantao Guo

Qingsheng Li Publications

A safe and effective vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is urgently needed to combat the worldwide AIDS pandemic, but still remains elusive. The fact that uncontrolled replication of an attenuated vaccine can lead to regaining of its virulence creates safety concerns precluding many vaccines from clinical application. We introduce a novel approach to control HIV-1 replication, which entails the manipulation of essential HIV-1 protein biosynthesis through unnatural amino acid (UAA*)-mediated suppression of genome-encoded blank codon. We successfully demonstrate that HIV-1 replication can be precisely turned on and off in vitro.

Includes supporting information.

C-Jun N-Terminal Kinases Regulate Adenovirus-Mediated Autophagy And Antigen Presentation, Sarah R. Klein

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Targeted immunotherapy with recombinant, oncolytic adenoviruses is under investigation for the treatment of cancer. Evidence indicates adenoviruses induce autophagy that is required for oncolysis, but the molecular regulation of autophagy in infected cells remains under investigation. Our data suggested the canonical pathway regulating starvation-induced autophagy was not implemented in adenovirus-induced autophagy; however, adenovirus infection triggered phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) that was essential for autophagy. Adenoviral replication within the host cell elicited JNK pathway activation leading to B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) phosphorylation. JNK-dependent Bcl-2 phosphorylation stimulated the dissociation of Bcl-2/beclin 1 heterodimers, enabling beclin 1 to initiate autophagy. Moreover, …

A Supramolecular Strategy To Assemble Multifunctional Viral Nanoparticles, Limin Chen, Xia Zhao, Yuan Lin, Yubin Huang, Qian Wang

Faculty Publications

Using a one-pot approach driven by the supramolecular interaction between β-cyclodextrin and adamantyl moieties, multifunctional viral nanoparticles can be facilely formulated for biomedical applications.

Enrollment In Yfv Vaccine Trial: An Evaluation Of Recruitment Outcomes Associated With A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Trial Of A Live Attenuated Yellow Fever Vaccine, Paula M. Frew, Eve T. Shapiro, Lu Lu, Srilatha Edupuganti, Harry L. Keyserling, Mark J. Mulligan

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

This investigation evaluated several factors associated with diverse participant enrollment of a clinical trial assessing safety, immunogenicity, and comparative viremia associated with administration of 17-D live, attenuated yellow fever vaccine given alone or in combination with human immune globulin. We obtained baseline participant information (e.g., sociodemographic, medical) and followed recruitment outcomes from 2005 to 2007. Of 355 potential Yellow Fever vaccine study participants, 231 cases were analyzed. Strong interest in study participation was observed among racial and ethnically diverse persons with 36.34% eligible following initial study screening, resulting in 18.75% enrollment. The percentage of white participants increased from 63.66% (prescreened …

Equine Serum Antibody Responses To Streptococcus Equi And Streptococcus Zooepidemicus, Rafaela De Negri

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Sz) and Streptococcus equi (Se) share 98% DNA sequence homology, but display different pathogenic properties. Infection by one organism does not cross-protect against the other. To better understand pathogenic differences between these organisms and gain information about which proteins are expressed in horses infected experimentally with Se, intrauterine Sz or naturally with respiratory Sz we compared antibody specificities of convalescent sera using ELISA. These comparisons were based on sets of 8 and 14 immunoreactive recombinant proteins of Se strain CF32 and Sz strain NC78, respectively. Sera from donkeys that were previously naturally affected with strangles and later developed …

Neurosteroid-Mediated Regulation Of Brain Innate Immunity In Hiv/Aids: Dhea-S Suppresses Neurovirulence, Amber Paul, Ferdinand G. Maingat, Maria J. Polyak, Pornpun Vivithanaporn, Farshid Noorbakhsh, Samir Ahboucha, Glen B. Baker, Keir Pearson, Christopher Power

Publications

Neurosteroids are cholesterol-derived molecules synthesized within the brain, which exert trophic and protective actions. Infection by human and feline immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and FIV, respectively) causes neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, leading to neurological deficits. Secretion of neuroinflammatory host and viral factors by glia and infiltrating leukocytes mediates the principal neuropathogenic mechanisms during, although the effect of neurosteroids on these processes is unknown. We investigated the interactions between neurosteroid mediated effects and lentivirus infection outcomes. Analyses of HIV-infected uninfected human brains disclosed a reduction in neurosteroid synthesis enzyme expression. Human neurons exposed to supernatants from HIV macrophages exhibited suppressed enzyme expression without …

Regulation Of To Xin Synthesis By Clostridium Difficile, Charles Darkoh

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Clostridium difficile is the leading definable cause of nosocomial diarrhea worldwide due to its virulence, multi-drug resistance, spore-forming ability, and environmental persistence. The incidence of C. difficile infection (CDI) has been increasing exponentially in the last decade. Virulent strains of C. difficile produce either toxin A and/or toxin B, which are essential for the pathogenesis of this bacterium. Current methods for diagnosing CDI are mostly qualitative tests that detect the bacterium, the toxins, or the toxin genes. These methods do not differentiate virulent C. difficile strains that produce active toxins from non-virulent strains that do not produce toxins or produce …

Inhibition Of Burkholderia Multivorans Adhesion To Lung Epithelial Cells By Bivalent Lactosides, Ciara Wight, Rosaria Leyden, Paul V. Murphy, Máire Callaghan, Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos, Siobhan Mcclean

Articles

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is an opportunistic pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients which is inherently resistant to antimicrobial agents. The mechanisms of attachment and pathogenesis of Bcc, a group of 17 species, are poorly understood. The most commonly identified Bcc species in newly colonised patients, Burkholderia multivorans, continues to be acquired from the environment. Development of therapies which can prevent or reduce the risk of colonization on exposure to Bcc in the environment would be a better alternative to antimicrobial agents. Previously, it has been shown that Bcc strains bound to many glycolipid receptors on lung epithelia. Using a …

Cloning And Characterization Of The Cell Wall Acting Enzyme Cd1034 From The Pathogen Clostridium Difficile, Zachary Suter

Honors Projects in Science and Technology

The manifestation of multidrug resistance in bacteria over the past several decades has resulted in one of the foremost challenges in the management of infectious diseases. The question arises, “How do we address this growing problem?” One solution to stem the growing rise in antimicrobial resistance is to investigate new targets, while another approach is to re-examine classical antibacterial targets with a fresh perspective. The aim of this paper is to begin the process of antibacterial development for the pathogen Clostridium difficile by characterizing the cell wall acting glucosaminidase CD1034. It is inunderstanding how CD1034 functions biochemically that it can …

Activation Of Mmp-9 By Human Lung Epithelial Cells In Response To The Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Pathogen Burkholderia Cenocepacia Reduced Wound Healing In Vitro, Ciara Wright ], Ruth Pilkington, Máire Callaghan, Siobhan Mcclean

Articles

Burkholderia cepacia complex is a group of bacterial pathogens that cause opportunistic infections in cystic fibrosis (CF). The most virulent of these is Burkholderia cenocepacia. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are upregulated in CF patients. The aim of this work was to examine the role of MMPs in the pathogenesis of B. cepacia complex, which has not been explored to date. Real-time PCR analysis showed that B. cenocepacia infection upregulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes in the CF lung cell line CFBE41o- within 1 h, whereas MMP-2, -7, and -9 genes were upregulated in the non-CF lung cell line 16HBE14o-. Conditioned media from …

Role Of Vitamin-D3 And Retinoic Acid In A Human Thp-1 Macrophage Model Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection, Jaymie L. Estrella

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) replicates within the human macrophages and we investigated the activating effects of retinoic acid (RA) and vitamin D3 (VD) on macrophages in relation to the viability of Mtb. A combination of these vitamins (RAVD) enhanced the receptors on THP-1 macrophage (Mannose receptor and DC-SIGN) that increased mycobacterial uptake but inhibited the
subsequent intracellular growth of Mtb by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagy. RAVD also enhanced antigen presenting and homing receptors in THPs that suggested an activated phenotype for THPs following RAVD treatment. RAVD mediated activation was also associated with a marked phenotypic change in Mtb …

Time Will Tell: Community Acceptability Of Hiv Vaccine Research Before And After The "Step Study" Vaccine Discontinuation, Paula M. Frew, Mark J. Mulligan, Su-I Hou, Kayshin Chan, Carlos Del Rio

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Objective This study examines whether men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and transgender (TG) persons’ attitudes, beliefs, and risk perceptions toward human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine research have been altered as a result of the negative findings from a phase 2B HIV vaccine study. Design We conducted a cross-sectional survey among MSM and TG persons (N = 176) recruited from community settings in Atlanta from 2007 to 2008. The first group was recruited during an active phase 2B HIV vaccine trial in which a candidate vaccine was being evaluated (the “Step Study”), and the second group was recruited after product futility was widely reported …

Probiotic Therapy - Recruiting Old Friends To Fight New Foes, Roy D. Sleator

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Against a backdrop of increasing antibiotic resistance, and the emergence of new and evolving pathogens, clinicians are increasingly forced to consider alternative therapies - probiotics are one such alternative.

Antimicrobial Activity Of Selected Fungi Isolated From Dee And Barrientos Islands, Antarctica., Shamia Mohamedain Abd Elgadir Younis

Student Works (2010-2019)

This study reports the screening of selected fungi isolated from Dee and Barrientos Islands, Antarctica, for their antimicrobial activities using two methods: a) plug assay method and b) disk diffusion method. The plug assay was carried out as preliminary screening forbiological activity against bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and yeast: Candida albicans. The results showed that 35% from species possessed antibacterial activity; and these included: Geomyces sp.50-1/S7, Unidentified 75-1/S1, Geomyces sp.12-1/S21, Penecillium sp.75-1/S10, Geomyces sp.3-1/S5, Geomyces sp.3-4/S5 and Geomyces sp.146/S5. Most of the strains exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and B. subtilis …

The Immune Response In The Central Nervous System During West Nile Virus Persistence, Barbara Sharon Stewart

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

West Nile virus (WNV) persists in a wide array of hosts ranging from mice to humans. In convalescent humans, WNV RNA persists in urine for up to 6.7 years, and IgM antibody against WNV persists in serum for up to 12 months post-inoculation (p.i.). Previous work using the mouse model demonstrated that WNV persists in central nervous system (CNS) tissues as infectious virus and as RNA for up to 4 months and 6 months p.i., respectively. In this study, we sought to elucidate the mechanism for viral persistence in the CNS using the mouse model. Characterization of the leukocyte infiltrate …

Generation And Maintenance Of Protective Igm Responses During Intracellular Bacterial Infection, Rachael Denise Racine

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

It is widely accepted that IgM provides the first line of defense against during microbial infection prior to the generation of high-affinity, isotype-switched antibodies, which is the hallmark of long-lived lived immunity and immunological memory. The overall objective of these studies was to address the role of IgM in the generation and maintenance of protective immunity during intracellular bacterial infection. We have identified a population of CD11clo plasmablasts that were responsible for nearly all of the antigen-specific IgM production in the spleen. Moreover, selective depletion of the CD11c-expressing B cells during acute infection resulted in a complete loss in the …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 15 - Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Pilchard Herpesvirus Infection In Wild Pilchards (Frdc Project No. 2002/044) Final Report, Brian Jones, Melanie Crockford, Richard Whittington, Mark Crane, Graham Wilcox

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

In 1995 and again in 1998/9, millions of pilchards (Sardinops sagax neopilchardus) were found dead or dying off the coast of Australia. Some pilchards in New Zealand were also affected during the 1995 epizootic. The epizootics moved progressively in a "bushfire-like" manner against the prevailing currents at a rapid speed. An uncharacterised herpesvirus, pilchard herpesvirus (PHV), was associated with both mortality events and, based on its occurrence in affected fish and the disease pathogenesis, generally accepted as the causative agent, although experimental evidence of its role was not established. Until recently, rapid and sensitive methods to detect PHV were not …

Use Of Irradiated And Formalin-Fixed Trichomonas Vaginalis To Examine Protective Immune Responses In The Mouse Intraperitoneal Model, Terryl L. Hostetler, James J. Daly, Timothy J. O'Brien, Max L. Baker

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Gamma irradiated Trichomonas vaginalis was used to initiate a protective immune response in mice by intraperitoneal inoculation using host mortality as the measure of virulence. Irradiated trichomonads of a virulent strain gave some immune protection but no more so than the use of formalin-fixed, virulent trichomonads. A formalin-fixed virulent strain combined with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) gave complete protection. Metabolically produced antigens do not appear to be important in conferring protective immunity in these experiments. A common laboratory strain of T. vaginalis (ATCC 30001) was used as an avirulent control. It gave no protection against a virulent strain. Combining CFA …

Comparison Of Tnf-A Levels Produced By Macrophages Treated With Brucella Abortus And Escherichia Coli Lps, Tajie Harris

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Characterization Of Host-Bacteria Interactions Contributing To Group B Streptococcus Colonization, Jennifer Marie Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of life-threatening bacterial infections during the first three months of life. GBS is also a frequent cause of maternal postpartum infections. Both types of infections stem from maternal vaginal and/or rectal colonization with GBS in the perinatal period. Limited information is available concerning how the colonization process occurs and what role the host immune system may play in the establishment of persistent colonization by GBS. The complex interactions between the immune system and GBS normally should end in clearance of the bacteria. However, since colonization by GBS occurs in a large number …

Investigations Into The Innate Resistance Of The Tick, Dermacentor Variabilis, When Challenged With The Bacterium, Escherichia Coli, Shane Michael Ceraul

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

In addition to the soluble response, many invertebrates control bacterial infections by means of phagocytosis or melanotic encapsulation. In some insects, Escherichia coli growth is reported to be inhibited by aggregation/encapsulation. Soluble and phagocytic responses to bacterial challenge have been reported in ticks, but evidence of an aggregation/encapsulation response was reported only for inanimate (araldite) implants. This study was done to determine how ticks control infection by E. coli. Ticks were challenged by direct inoculation of bacteria into the hemocoel cavity. Using plate counts, no viable E. coli were detected I hour post-inoculation. A direct fluorescence assay (DF A) …

Quantitative Image Analysis Of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replication In Macrophages Coinfected With Mycobacterium Avium Complex, Qingsheng Li, Keith G. Mansfield, Andrew Lackner, Ashley T. Haase

Qingsheng Li Publications

Mycobacterium avium is the most frequent cause of disseminated bacterial infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection and in rhesus macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. This animal model of AIDS was used to test the hypothesis that this frequent association is the result of reciprocal enhancement of replication of both microorganisms. The replication of M. avium and SIV was analyzed in lymphatic tissues obtained from rhesus macaques experimentally inoculated with SIVmac who developed or remained free of overt M. avium infection. In situ hybridization, quantitative image analysis, and staining of M. avium and of macrophages …

Characterization Of An Antiviral Agent Based On Nonionic Surfactants And It's Effects On Human Dermal Fibroblasts, Ji Young Li

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The AIDS ·pandemic has directed various research endeavors towards finding an appropriate method for eliminating all potentially infectious material within bone allografts before implantation into a recipient. To that effect, Panavirocide was conceived by Medicine and Applied Science·s, Inc. This compound, in which three nonionic surfactants serve as the active agents, has been shown to inactivate HIV-1 particles within blood and blood products. Because Panavirocide has never been used with allografts, the purpose of the present research was to characterize the nonionic surfactants for the putative alteration of the formulation by determining the critical micelle concentration values and to determine …

Miscellaneous Publication 39/91 - How To Eradicate Virulent Footrot From Your Property. A Farmer's Guide., Dianne Hopkins

Animal production and livestock published reports

The first thing to understand about virulent footrot is that it can occur on any farm in the medium to high rainfall zone.

People often associate footrot with properties managed by inefficient farmers. This is a belief based on fallacy. Many good farmers have found the disease in their sheep, including high profile stud producers.

Footrot can strike anywhere and without warning.

The important thing to remember is, that once it is found, getting to know the disease and understanding it will help you beat it. This manual, the video and your stock inspector will help you eradicate footrot from …

Footrot In Sheep And Goats, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

Reference to sheep in this pamphlet applies equally to goats.

Footrot is a contagious disease of sheep and goats caused by the bacterium Baueroides nodosus.

The bacterium can cause varying degrees of damage to the horn of the foot. The resulting infection can lead to lameness and serious loss of body condition.

Lectins, El-Nasir Lalani, M Wells

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.