Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons^™

Infection Of Neuronal Cells By Chlamydia Pneumoniae And Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Alters Expression Of Genes Associated With Alzheimer’S Disease, Morgan M. Devins, Fiora D. Zoga, Brian J. Balin, Denah M. Appelt, Susan T. Hingley

Scholarly Posters

Several studies have suggested an infectious etiology for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have been investigating a potential role for both Chlamydia pneumoniae and Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) in the initiation of sporadic late-onset AD. Our current study focuses on investigation of gene expression using Alzheimer-specific Real-Time PCR microarrays on RNA derived from SKNMC human neuronal cells infected with C. pneumoniae and/or HSV1. There are distinct differences in the patterns of gene regulation by the two pathogens. For example, C. pneumoniae induces expression of genes involved in amyloid production and processing, such as β-amyloid precursor protein (APP), β-site APP-cleaving …

Analysis Of Chlamydia Pneumoniae And Ad-Like Pathology In The Brains Of Balb/C Mice Following Direct Intra-Cranial Infection, Jessica Rachel Barton, Christine J. Hammond, Amy L. Brady, Denah M. Appelt, Brian J. Balin, Christopher Scott Little

Scholarly Posters

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia. The pathology in the central nervous system (CNS) impairs memory and cognition, hindering the capabilities and the quality of life of the individual. This project continues studying the role of infection and Alzheimer’s disease, as previous studies in this laboratory have done, and contributes to the overall understanding of the possible causes of this disease. In this study, BALB/c mice were infected, via direct intracranial injection, with a respiratory isolate (AR-39) of Chlamydia pneumoniae. Their brains were analyzed at 7 and 14 days post-infection, …

Analysis Of Chlamydia Pneumoniae-Infected Monocytes Following Incubation With A Novel Peptide, Acaly18, Implicates The Inflammasome In Clearance Of Infection, Brian J. Balin, James D. Thacker, Charles Lim, Corey M. Caruthers, Susan T. Hingley, Juliana Zoga, Denah M. Appelt

Scholarly Posters

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection may be a trigger for the pathology observed in sporadic lateonset Alzheimer’s disease as a function of initiating neuroinflammation following entry of the organism into the brain. We have hypothesized that one entry mechanism may be by bloodborne infected monocytes trafficking the infection into the brain. This study focuses on infection of monocytes in vitro followed by analysis using immunofluorescence labeling and RT-PCR-microarray techniques. The microarrays utilized consisted of an Alzheimer’s disease pathway array and an innate and adaptive immunity array from SAbiosciences. Analysis by real time PCR for both gene arrays was performed on uninfected and …

Gestational Diabetes Clinic For Indigent Latinos, Sara Wilson Reece

Scholarly Posters

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), “carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset or fist recognition during pregnancy,” results from insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency usually in second trimester.¹ • Gestational diabetes (GDM) impacts between 4% and 9% of all pregnancies. • Gestational diabetes (GDM) results in increased fetal complications of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia and neonatal hyperglycemia as well as maternal risks of preeclampsia and polyhydramnois. • Women who are Hispanic or Asian decent are at highest risk of developing GDM. • Diagnosis ² • Perform 75-gramoral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24 – 28 weeks of gestation in women not …

Tca Cycle Inactivation In Staphylococcus Aureus Alters Nitric Oxide Production In Raw 264.7 Cells, Chandirasegaran Massilamany, Arunakumar Gangaplara, Donald J. Gardner, James M. Musser, David J. Steffen, Greg A. Somerville, Jay Reddy

Jay Reddy Publications

Inactivation of the Staphylococcus aureus tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle delays the resolution of cutaneous ulcers in a mouse soft tissue infection model. In this study, it was observed that cutaneous lesions in mice infected with wild-type or isogenic aconitase mutant S. aureus strains contained comparable inflammatory infiltrates, suggesting the delayed resolution was independent of the recruitment of immune cells. These observations led us to hypothesize that staphylococcal metabolism can modulate the host immune response. Using an in vitro model system involving RAW 264.7 cells, the authors observed that cells cultured with S. aureus aconitase mutant strains produced significantly lower amounts …

A Comparison Of Pharmacist Travel-Health Specialists' Versus Primary Care Providers' Recommendations For Travel-Related Medications, Vaccinations, And Patient Compliance In A College Health Setting, Melissa J. Durham, Jeffery A. Goad, Lawrence S. Neinstein, Mimi Lou

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background. Pretravel medication and vaccination recommendations and receipt were compared between primary care providers (PCPs) without special training and clinical pharmacists specializing in pretravel health.

Methods. A retrospective chart review of patients seen for pretravel health services in a pharmacist-run travel clinic (PTC) compared to PCPs at a University Student Health Center. Vaccine/medication recommendations were assessed for consistency with national/international guidelines. Medical/pharmacy records were queried to determine the receipt of medications/vaccinations.

Results. The PTC recommended antibiotics for travelers' diarrhea were given more often when indicated (96% vs 50%, p < 0.0001), and patients seen in the PTC received their medications more often (75% vs 63%, p = 0.04). PCPs prescribed more antibiotics for travelers' diarrhea that were inconsistent with guidelines (not ordered when indicated 49% vs 6%, p < 0.0001 and ordered when not indicated 21% vs 3%, p < 0.0001). The PTC prescribed antimalarials more often when indicated (98% vs 81%, p < 0.0001), while PCPs prescribed more antimalarials that were inconsistent with guidelines (not ordered when indicated 15% vs 1%, p < 0.0001 and ordered when not indicated 19% vs 2%, p < 0.0001). The PTC ordered more vaccines per patient when indicated (mean = 2.77 vs 2.31, p = 0.0012). PTC patients were more likely to receive vaccines when ordered (mean = 2.38 vs 1.95, p = 0.0039). PCPs recommended more vaccines per patient that were inconsistent with guidelines (not ordered when indicated: mean = 0.78 vs 0.12, p < 0.0001, ordered when not indicated: mean 0.18 vs 0.025, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions. A pharmacist-run pretravel health clinic can …

Malaria, Intestinal Parasitic Infection, Anemia, And Malnourishment In Rural Cameroonian Villages With An Assessment Of Early Interventions, D. J. Richardson, K. R. Richardson, K. E. Richardson, J. Gross, P. Tsekeng, B. Dondji, S. Foulefack

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Malaria, water-borne diarrheal diseases, and geohelminth infections, combined with severe malnutrition ravage entire villages throughout subSaharan Africa. The Bawa Health Initiative (BHI) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with the goal of implementing a comprehensive public health program in an attempt to address these problems in a series of rural villages located in the West Province of Cameroon, Africa. Interventions include the provision of permethrin-treated bed nets to reduce the transmission of malaria, the installation of biosand water filters to reduce the prevalence of water-borne diseases, and a geohelminth control program utilizing mass treatment with albendazole. This study details the results …

Specific Incorporation Of Unlabeled Aromatic Amino Acids Into 15n-Labeled Sac7d Through Use Of Glyphosate, Paul Ferguson, Mary Catherine Hames

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Recombinant Expression, Protein Purification, And Crystallization Of Thermococcus Thioreducens Str, Ogl-20, Michelle Morris

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Modification Of The Phd-Doc Toxin/Antitoxin System On The Lac Operon In E.Coli, Carl Pattison

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Essential Oils Do Not Inhibit E. Coli Peptidyl-Trna Hydrolase, Rachel Thompson

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Estimating The Reproductive Numbers For The 2008-2009 Cholera Outbreaks In Zimbabwe, Zindoga Mukandavire, Shu Liao, Jin Wang, Holly Gaff, David L. Smith, J. Glenn Morris Jr.

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Cholera remains an important global cause of morbidity and mortality, capable of causing periodic epidemic disease. Beginning in August 2008, a major cholera epidemic occurred in Zimbabwe, with 98,585 reported cases and 4,287 deaths. The dynamics of such outbreaks, particularly in nonestuarine regions, are not well understood. We explored the utility of mathematical models in understanding transmission dynamics of cholera and in assessing the magnitude of interventions necessary to control epidemic disease. Weekly data on reported cholera cases were obtained from the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MoHCW) for the period from November 13, 2008 to July 31, …

Campylobacter Ureolyticus: An Emerging Gastrointestinal Pathogen?, Susan Bullman, Daniel Corcoran, James O'Leary, Brigid Lucey, Deirdre Byrne, Roy D. Sleator

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

A total of 7194 faecal samples collected over a 1-year period from patients presenting with diarrhoea were screened for Campylobacter spp. using EntericBios, a multiplex-PCR system. Of 349 Campylobacter-positive samples, 23.8% were shown to be Campylobacter ureolyticus, using a combination of 16S rRNA gene analysis and highly specific primers targeting the HSP60 gene of this organism. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of C. ureolyticus in the faeces of patients presenting with gastroenteritis and may suggest a role for this organism as an emerging enteric pathogen.

Characterization Of The Sero-Reactivity Of Proteins Map1152 And Map1156 From Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis, Avery L. Paulson

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne’s disease (JD) in ruminants. Development of genetic tools and completion of the MAP genome sequencing project expanded opportunities for antigen discovery. In this thesis, I review the current trends in diagnosis and disease control of JD and present the results of the studies on the seroreactivity of two proteins encoded for by the MAP1152-MAP1156 gene cluster. MAP1152 encodes for a PPE protein and MAP1156 encodes a diacylglycerol acyltransferase involved in triglyceride metabolism and classified in the uncharacterized protein family UPF0089. Maltose-binding protein (MBP) tagged recombinant MAP proteins were purified from Escherichia coli. …

Staphylococcus Aureus Virulence Factors Synthesis Is Controlled By Central Metabolism, Yefei Zhu

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile pathogen that can survive in diverse host environments. This versatility depends on its ability to sense nutrients and respond by modulating gene expression, including the synthesis of virulence determinants. In addition to its ability to synthesize virulence factors, the capacity of S. aureus to form biofilms is an important mediator of virulence in certain infections. Biofilms are a complex aggregation of bacteria commonly encapsulated by an adhesive exopolysaccharide matrix (polysaccharide intercellular adhesin; PIA). To study S. aureus biofilm formation, we assessed the metabolic requirements of S. aureus growing in a biofilm and …

Interactions Of Francisella Tularensis With Components Of The Host Fibrinolytic System, Shawn Russell Clinton

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Francisella tularensis (FT) is a Gram-negative coccobacillus and causative agent of a life-threatening disease commonly referred to as tularemia. Due to the highly infectious nature of the organism, its previous development as a biowarfare agent and its potential use in acts of bioterrorism, this bacterium is listed as a Category A select agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Efforts to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of FT within the host environment are vital for the development of safe and effective vaccines, as well as treatments, against tularemia. Though considered an intracellular pathogen, FT research of late has …

Is There An Association Of Giardiasis With Beta-Thalassemia Minor?, Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Hizbullah Shaikh

Section of Gastroenterology

Beta–thalassemia minor is a symptomless carrier state of a hemoglobinopathy which predisposes to bacterial infections. We report three cases presenting with giardiasis, a parasitic infection of gastrointestinal tract caused by Giardia lamblia. Patients presented with recurrent diarrhea and abdominal pain for over a year. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy finding varied from normal to acute duodenitis. Duodenal biopsy demonstrated changes consistent with mild chronic non-specific inflammation with G. lamblia trophozoites. All three patients were diagnosed as β -thalassemia minor hemoglobin electrophoresis. They were treated with Diloxanide furoate 500 mg and Metronidazole 400mg three times daily for five days. Their symptoms resolved and a …

Transcriptional Regulation Of Azole Antifungal Resistance And Tolerance In Candida Glabrata, Kelly E. Caudle

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Azole antifungal resistance has emerged as a significant problem in the management of infections caused by fungi including Candida species. In recent years, Candida glabrata has become the second most common cause of mucosal and invasive fungal infections in humans second to Candida albicans. Not only are systemic C. glabrata infections characterized by high mortality rates, treatment failures to the azole class of antifungals, the most widely used antifungal for treatment of Candida infections, have been reported. Contributing to this problem, C. glabrata exhibits intrinsic reduced susceptibility to the azole antifungals, and the development of high-level azole resistance …

Cholera: An Overview Of A Disease, Ezriel Leifer

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Although the disease, cholera, has been recognized since antiquity, the bacteria responsible for causing it was only discovered in the mid-19th century. Since 1817, cholera has spread on a global basis to cause seven pandemics. According to information reported to the World Health Organization in 1999, almost 8,500 people died and another 223,000 became sick with cholera worldwide. During the period between full outbreaks, the cholera organism, Vibrio cholerae, thrives in brackish waters, in harmless as well as disease-causing forms. Vibrio cholerae is just one of a variety of ocean-borne microbes that can sicken humans via seafood, drinking water, and …

Clostridium Difficile Associated Disease (Cdad), Rivka H. Borger

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Clostridium difficile bacteria (C. difficile) are a spore-forming species of bacteria that lies dormant in the colon, in the presence of normal intestinal flora. Due to overuse of certain antibiotics, normal intestinal bacteria may be depleted, and combined with other possible risk factors, allow C. difficile bacterial spores to develop into active, infectious, and extremely resistant toxin-producing bacteria. The toxins cause severe damage and inflammation to the intestinal wall that can result in gastrointestinal discomfort and severe pseudomembranous enterocolitis that must be treated with a low-risk C. difficile targeting defense.

The Rapid Identification Of Novel Anti-Mycobacterial Drugs And The Transporters Involved In Their Resistance, James Carroll

Theses

Despite the success of anti-mycobacterial drugs over the past 70 years, mycobacterial disease, particularly tuberculosis is still responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Additionally, the emergence of Multidrug Resistant (MDR-TB) and Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR-TB) Tuberculosis throughout the world has motivated calls by the World Health Organization for novel mycobacterial drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests. Consequently, this study sought to identify and evaluate the efficacy of a range of anti-mycobacterial compounds against a representative cohort of pathogenic mycobacterial species. The development and employment of the rapid, robust and inexpensive microtitre alamarBlue assay (MABA) facilitated the assessment of a vast array …

Rapid Emergence Of Co-Colonization With Community-Acquired And Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains In The Hospital Setting, Joanna R. Wares, Erika M.C. D'Agata, Glenn F. Webb

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Background: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA), a novel strain of MRSA, has recently emerged and rapidly spread in the community. Invasion into the hospital setting with replacement of the hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) has also been documented. Co-colonization with both CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA would have important clinical implications given differences in antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and the potential for exchange of genetic information.

Methods: A deterministic mathematical model was developed to characterize the transmission dynamics of HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA in the hospital setting and to quantify the emergence of co-colonization with both strains Results: The model analysis shows that the …

Evaluating Children With Otitis Media For Bacteremia Or Urinary Tract Infection., Daniel Yawman, Patrick Mahar, Aaron Blumkin, Gregory P. Conners

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background. It is unclear if clinicians evaluate for concurrent bacteremia or UTI in young patients diagnosed with acute otitis media (AOM). Objectives. To describe how often, and under which circumstances, emergency providers investigate for bacteremia or UTI in 2-36 month olds with AOM. Methods. Cases of AOM were analyzed from the 2001-2004 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)-Emergency Department dataset. Results. AOM was diagnosed in 17% of the 10,847 recorded visits of 2-36 month olds. Of these visits, laboratory testing included: CBC: 7%, Blood culture: 4%, urinalysis or urine culture: 5%, and any of these tests: 9%. Rates of …

Genetic Commonality Of Macrolide-Resistant Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus Pharyngeal Strains, Angela Myers, Mary Anne Jackson, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Richard V. Goering, Christopher J. Harrison

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background: Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis is a common childhood illness. Penicillin remains the gold standard therapy, but macrolides are indicated for the penicillin allergic patient, and are often used for convenience.

Methods: We conducted a surveillance study of children with pharyngitis and positive streptococcal rapid antigen testing from 10/05 to 10/06 at 2 sites (A & B). Demographics, treatment, and resistance data was collected and compared to previous data from 2002. Erythromycin (EM) resistance was determined by disk diffusion and E-test on 500 isolates. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to measure genetic relatedness of isolates. …

Killing Of Treponema Denticola By Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages, P. Gaibani, C. Vocale, S. Ambretti, F. Cavrini, Jacques Izard, L. Miragliotta, M. T. Pellegrino, V. Sambri

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Treponema denticola has been identified as an important cause of periodontal disease and hypothesized to be involved in extra-oral infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of T. denticola cell length and motility during mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro uptake. Macrophages, incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, produced a similar amount of TNF-α when stimulated with Escherichia coli LPS. The uptake of FlgE- and CfpA-deficient mutants of T. denticola was significantly increased compared with the wild-type strain, due to cell size or lack of motility. Opsonization with specific antibodies considerably improved the treponemes’ uptake. …

Polysorbate 80 Inhibition Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilm Formation And Its Cleavage By The Secreted Lipase Lipa, C M. Toutain-Kidd, S C. Kadivar, C T. Bramante, S A. Bobin, Michael E. Zegans

Dartmouth Scholarship

Surface-associated bacterial communities known as biofilms are an important source of nosocomial infections. Microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa can colonize the abiotic surfaces of medical implants, leading to chronic infections that are difficult to eradicate. Our study demonstrates that polysorbate 80 (PS80), a surfactant commonly added to food and medicines, is able to inhibit biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa on a variety of surfaces, including contact lenses.

The Regulation Of The Ospz And Orf-2 Promoters In The Shigella Flexneri By The Virulence Factor Virb, David Basta, Helen J. Wing

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Shigella flexneri is a pathogenic bacterium that is the causative agent of shigellosis, an illness characterized by severe dysentery. Shigella carries many of its virulence genes on a large virulence plasmid and consequently this plasmid is the focus of research in the Wing lab. My research focuses on the transcriptional regulation of a newly identified gene called ospZ. This gene’s protein product is secreted outside the bacterial cell and assists in polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration, a function that is believed to enhance the virulence of Shigella. Many genes encoded by the Shigella virulence plasmid are regulated by the transcription factor VirB, …

Modulation Of Lps-Induced Activation Of Hepatic Map Kinases, Oliver Surriga

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inflammagen that has been found to be primarily responsible for many symptoms caused by gram-negative bacterial infections. The LPS-initiated signal transduction pathways involve several terminal kinases, mainly p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), ultimately leading to increased expression of genes encoding such inflammatory cytokines as interleukin (IL )-1 �. IL-6 and tumor necrosis factors (TNF)-u. In this study, the effects of age on LPS-induced activation of MAPKs in the liver of rats were examined. Results show that the basal level of phosphorylated p42/44 MAPK was increased in postnatal day …

Directing Diarrhoeal Disease Research Towards Disease-Burden Reduction, Margaret Kosek, Claudio F. Lanata, Robert E. Black, Damian G. Walker, John D. Snyder, Mohammed Abdus Salam, Dilip Mahalanabis, Olivier Fontaine, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Shinjini Bhatnagar, Igor Rudan

Woman and Child Health

Despite gains in controlling mortality relating to diarrhoeal disease, the burden of disease remains unacceptably high. To refocus health research to target disease-burden reduction as the goal of research in child health, the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative developed a systematic strategy to rank health research options. This priority-setting exercise included listing of 46 competitive research options in diarrhoeal disease and their critical and quantitative appraisal by 10 experts based on five criteria for research that reflect the ability of the research to be translated into interventions and achieved disease-burden reduction. These criteria included the answerability of the research …

A Comparison Of Fluoroquinolones Versus Other Antibiotics For Treating Enteric Fever: Meta-Analysis, Durrane Thaver, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Julia Critchley, Asma Azmatullah, Syed Ali Madni, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objectives: To review evidence supporting use of fluoroquinolones as first line agents over other antibiotics for treating typhoid and paratyphoid fever (enteric fever).
Design: Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Data sources: Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group specialised register, CENTRAL (issue 4, 2007), Medline (1966-2007), Embase (1974-2007), LILACS (1982-2007), selected conferences, reference lists, and ongoing trial register (November 2007).
Review methods: Trials comparing fluoroquinolones with chloramphenicol, cephalosporins, or azithromycin in culture-proven enteric fever were included. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Trials recruiting over 60% children were analysed separately from trials on …