Medical Microbiology Commons^™

When Nutrition Fails: Modeling Protein Malnutrition-Driven Vulnerability In Hepatic Drug Metabolism And Inflammatory Stress, Vijitha D. Kantety, Victor Jiminez Jr.

Annual Research Symposium

Background

Protein malnutrition remains a major global health problem and frequently co-occurs with alcohol use, opioid exposure, and infectious disease, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. The liver is central to both metabolism and inflammatory regulation, yet the effects of a malnutrition-like nutrient environment on hepatic responses to combined metabolic and inflammatory insults are not well defined. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), a key enzyme involved in opioid metabolism, is highly sensitive to inflammatory signaling and may be especially vulnerable under conditions of nutritional deficiency. This project aims to 1) develop an in vitro model of nutritionally competent versus amino acid–restricted …

Environmental Screening For Multidrug Resistant (Mdr) Organisms In The Surgical Ward Of An Irish Tertiary Referral Hospital., Sinead A. Fahy, Sinéad Fahy

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) colonisation on a surgical ward of an acute tertiary hospital. MDRO determination was conducted on a patient-occupied surgical ward over a 6-month period. The screen included sink, and shower drains in bathrooms and sinks of multi-bedded and single-occupied rooms. Swabs were cultured on chromogenic agar to enable detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenemase producing enterobacterales (CPE), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Suspect resistant organisms were confirmed using NG-Carba 5 (NG Biotech, Guipry, France) lateral flow tests, Vitek 2.0 …

Exploring The Role Of Lysine Acetylation During Biofilm Formation In Bacillus Subtilis, Jennifer Nguyen, Briana Ericka Reid, Valerie Carabetta

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix, composed of polysaccharides, extracellular DNA, and proteins. Bacteria in a biofilm pose significant challenges in healthcare due to their resistance to disinfectants and tolerance to antibiotics. In some species, histone-like proteins were found to be important structural components of the biofilm. Nε-Lysine acetylation is a widespread post-translational modification (PTM) in bacteria, which can alter a protein’s function. The histone-like protein HBsu in Bacillus subtilis is acetylated at seven sites in vivo. We hypothesized that the acetylation state of HBsu may alter biofilm structure or the genetic programming, …

87 - Maternal Dental Status And Caries Among Siblings, Monica Walker, Charity Hammond, Angela Wilson, Denise Mckinney, Katie Protogyrou

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Research has suggested that birth order or environmental factors affect siblings' oral health status during childhood. However, more recent research suggests that the strongest predictor of children's oral health status is the mother's oral health status. This project investigated the association between the oral health status of the mother during pregnancy and bacteria (biofilms) identified in cavitated lesions (dental caries) of their children’s exfoliated primary teeth. Five consenting maternal participants anonymously donated their children's primary teeth and completed a questionnaire about their oral health status during each pregnancy. After visually identifying the exfoliated teeth with dental caries, the biofilms were …

Exploring The Mechanisms Of Varicella-Zoster Virus Pathogenesis And Its Potential Role In Oncogenesis, Fernando Cisneros, Blake Martin

Research Symposium

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly prevalent pathogen primarily recognized for causing chickenpox during primary infection and herpes zoster (HZ), also known as shingles, upon reactivation. While post-infectious complications of VZV, such as encephalitis, pneumonia, and post-herpetic neuralgia, are well-established, recent large population-based studies suggest that HZ may increase the risk of occult cancers. Emerging evidence suggests that VZV may modulate key oncogenic pathways, such as the inhibition of apoptosis, alteration of cell cycle regulatory enzymes, and interference with immunosurveillance, which could potentially promote cancer development. These findings indicate that VZV’s role in cancer biology may involve direct cellular …

Improving Treatment Outcomes For Bacterial Vaginosis By Affecting The Vaginal Microbiome, Aleya Devries, Jyotsna Chawla Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Jackeline Moljo Assistant Professor, Family Medicine

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Objective: The goal of this review is to educate providers about the importance of maintaining the balance of the vaginal microbiome (VMB) and how modifiable factors may be used to improve treatment outcomes of patients with bacterial vaginosis. Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age and is treated with Metronidazole, which has a high recurrent infection rate. Preliminary studies highlighted the balance of VMB species affects the development of BV and therapeutic outcomes of Metronidazole. Furthermore, previous studies have described how VMB composition can be shaped by various factors. Methods: Here, we …

Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (Mmtv) Genomic Rna (Grna) Packaging: Selective Grna Encapsidation Is Facilitated By Long-Range Interactions (Lris) That Facilitate Specific Gag Binding, Suresha G. Prabhu

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a betaretrovirus that induces breast cancer and sporadically, T-cell lymphomas in mice. MMTV serves as a pertinent model for elucidating the mechanism(s) of oncogenesis and the genetics associated with the development of mammary tumors. Being a rodent retrovirus, MMTV is phylogenetically distant from human and other primate retroviruses; thus, positioning it ideally as a potential vector of choice for human gene therapy. This may circumvent safety concerns such as recombination with other related endogenous human retroviruses. In addition, MMTV is distinct from most other retroviruses, but similar to lentiviruses, in that it has the …

Using A Rabbit Model To Understand The Impact Of Oral Versus Intravenous Transmission Of Epstein-Barr Virus, Meera Mohammed Al Ameri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The isolation of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in 1964 from a case of Burkitt lymphoma prompted a surge in research on the biology of this oncogenic virus and its role in the pathogenesis of associated malignancies. Over half a century later, a number of pertinent questions on the dynamics of EBV and the cellular targets of primary infection remain poorly defined. One major obstacle in EBV research has been the lack of a suitable small animal model. EBV is a highly human tropic virus. We have recently established a novel rabbit model of EBV infection that appears to mimic natural infection …

Houston, We Have A Problem: Diagnostic Difficulties In The Aids Patient With Tuberculosis Infection, Hector D. Preciado, Maria E. Torres, Muhammad A. Siddiqui, Liza Salloum, Lee Gelpi, Jose E. Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of infectious death worldwide with 1.5 million deaths annually and nearly 1/4th of the world’s population (1.7 billion) infected with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in 2014. Its diagnosis conventionally relies on tuberculin skin testing (TST), and Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) which relies on the production of Interferon Gamma (IFN-y) in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) specific antigens. IGRA is a useful tool for detecting latent TB disease, and can be used as an adjunct for the diagnosis of active TB cases. Increases in IFN-y levels might support the diagnosis of a new TB …

Typhlitis In A Neutropenic Patient, Alice He Bs, Wern Lynn Ng Md, Lay She Ng Md, Si Yuan Khor Md, Chandi Garg Md

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Lncrna Impact On Regorafenib Resistance In Colorectal Cancer, Ricardo Pequeno Bracho, Kyle Doxtater, Dennis Kwabiah, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Sophia Leslie, Mohammad Shabir Hussain, Manish Tripathi

Research Symposium

Cancer metastasis is one of the deadliest aspects of the disease, with about 90% of all cancer-related deaths due to its development at different sites within the body. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States, with 40-50% of all patients developing metastasis at some point during their fight with the disease. With the approval of Regorafenib for treating metastatic colorectal cancer, steps have been taken to combat metastasis in colorectal cancer. A vital aspect of the development of metastasis is the development of resistance to first-line chemotherapy. Regorafenib is an oral small-molecule …

Targeted Treatment For Kras12d For Pdac Treatment, Ana Bulnes, Orlando Garcia, Poornima Devi Shaji, Melissa Elizondo, Swathi Holla, Nirnoy Dan, Anupam Dhasmana, Shabnam Malik, Murali Yallapu, Stephen Behrman

Research Symposium

Introduction: Cellular stress is known to function in synergistic cooperation with oncogenic mutations during tumorigenesis to drive cancer progression. Oncogenic RAS is a strong inducer of a variety of pro-tumorigenic cellular stresses, and also enhances the ability of cells to tolerate these stresses through multiple mechanisms that leads to resistance to chemotherapy and to therapies that target the RAS pathway. Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients exhibit extremely poor prognosis. KRAS mutation on codon-12 is present in 70–95% of PDAC cases and it drives stress-adaptive mechanisms, PDAC growth and progression. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is present in both PDAC and stromal cells, being …

Studying The Molecular Mechanism Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Shabnam Malik, Mohammed Sikander, S. Mishra, Daniel Zubieta, S. K. Jain, Deepshikha Pande Katare, Meena Jaggi, Subhash Chauhan

Research Symposium

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis due to ineffective therapeutic modality and lack of early diagnostic marker. Accumulating studies have shown that elevated expression of mucin 13 as potential oncogene and predictive biomarker for various cancer. However, very little is known about its expression and function for development and progression of HCC.

Objective: To investigate mucin 13 expression in chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma model.

Methodology: Diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) and 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) induced method was employed for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in Male Wistar rats. Serum and tissues were collected at regular intervals of time and routinely validated …

How Irish Medical Scientists Can Assist In The Improved Diagnosis Of Disease - Infectious Mononucleosis (Im) A Case In Point, Patrick Naughton

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) or human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4) is the sole etiologic agent of the acute illness in humans described either as infectious mononucleosis (IM), or glandular fever. IM is a self-limiting disease with various but transient symptoms which include fever, fatigue, malaise, sore throat, swollen lymph glands (particularly of the neck), swollen liver and spleen. Diagnosis relies on clear, timely and informative laboratory test results. Patients with primary IM infection often present on investigation with a well-documented population of atypical/plasmacytoid lymphocytes. The qualitative detection of heterophile antibodies (HAs) is also a useful aid in the diagnosis of primary …

Rare Case Of Prosthetic Joint Infection Caused By Salmonella Enterica - A Case Report, Carlos Ramos, Shyama Appareddy, Peter J. Gonzalez

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Collectively, over 1 million total knee arthroplasties (TKA) and total hip arthroplasties (THA) are performed in the United States each year. In 2010 it was estimated that 1.58% of the United States general population has received a TKA. Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are the most common indication for a TKA revision1 . In total, S. aureus is responsible for about 50% of all prosthetic joint infections, and about 15% are caused by gram negative pathogens2 .

Objective: This is a case report which describes the presentation and clinical course of a 59-yearold female with Salmonella enterica septic arthritis of …

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Patient Characteristics, Treatment, And Clinical Outcomes In One South Texas Acute Care Hospital, Kimberly A. Ambrosini, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) account for 40 percent of nosocomial infections worldwide. Their elimination is at the forefront of quality improvement in one South Texas acute care hospital.

Methods: Over a period of 6 months, five CA-UTIs occurred in one South Texas acute care hospital. These cases were identified via regular surveillance by Infection Prevention staff and the Laboratory Department of the hospital. This research reviews patient age, sex, length of stay, bacteria contracted, appropriate antibiotic use, patient characteristics, and overall outcomes.

Results: Between the months of July and December 2021, 5 CAUTIs were contracted. Patients ranged in …

Aging Manuka Honey Improves Antimicrobial Activity Against Pathogenic Bacteria, Rayna M. Carlson

2023 Symposium

Manuka honey (MH) has been documented to possess powerful anti-microbial properties through multiple mechanisms. These mechanisms include a low pH, high osmolarity, iron chelation, and its unique manuka factor (UMF), methylglyoxal (MGO). Although MGO is purported to be a major pillar in the honey’s antimicrobial properties, its activity is variable against different bacterial species. We hypothesize that MH’s other antimicrobial mechanisms may also exhibit variable activity against different bacterial species. Preliminary experiments to determine the Manuka honey minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for bacterial species, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, suggested that some Manuka honey antimicrobial mechanisms …

Stewardship Opportunities For Cervical Lymphadenitis And Deep Neck Space Abscesses, Aaron Shaw, Brian R. Lee, Lauren Kazmaier, Emily Baker, Tina Dao, Sandra Arnold, Angela Myers

Research Days

Background: Cervical lymphadenitis (LAD) and deep neck space abscesses (DNSA) are common pediatric infections caused by similar bacteria. We sought to determine differences in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment between LAD and DNSA to identify antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship opportunities.

Methods: Charts were obtained using ICD9/10 codes for retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscessed (DNSA), and LAD between 1/1/10-12/31/20 from two pediatric centers. 1981 charts were identified. Charts were excluded if the diagnosis was not a bacterial infection (e.g. Kawasaki disease), if the LAD was not in the neck, or if caused by less common bacteria (e.g. tuberculosis). Data on presenting signs, symptoms, …

Investigating Differences In Iga Antibody Response Against Aspergillus Fumigatus In Wild Type And Tlr7 Protein Deficient Mice, Courtney Folk

Student Academic Conference

Aspergillus fumigatus is a commonly inhaled, respiratory fungal pathogen and an allergen found in flooded indoor environments, household dust, soil, and plant matter. While a competent immune system effectively clears the inhaled fungus, this same fungus poses a significant threat to weakened immune systems due to its potential to invade the lungs, bloodstream and brain tissue. The mouse genome is 99% similar to the human genome and can serve effectively model the effects of inhaled A. fumigatus (Guénet, 2005). Antibodies play a crucial role in neutralizing pathogens and in mediating an allergic response. In this study, we will investigate the …

Development Of Bacteriophage Therapy For Novel Treatment Of Bacterial Infections, Terry Ann Else, Guadalupe Mercado

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Inpatient Management Of An Intravenous Drug User With Tetanus, Nina Paris

Capstone Showcase

Tetanus is rare in the United States now due to the tetanus vaccine but there is still the potential too see patients with tetanus. IV drug users, neonates, and geriatric populations are at an increased risk of developing tetanus. Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, a spore forming and exotoxin releasing anaerobic bacteria. The symptoms of tetanus are caused by the exotoxin tetanospasmin which inhibits the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, leading to sustained neuronal stimulation. The classic symptoms of tetanus are lockjaw (trismus), neck stiffness, back arching, and fever. Patients can be febrile, tachycardic, tachypneic, and hypertensive on exam. …

Effect Of Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations Of Nitrofurantoin, Ciprofloxacin And Trimethoprim On In-Vitro Biofilm Formation In Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli, Shane Whelan

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of sublethal concentrations of nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim on biofilm formation in 57 uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains (UPEC).

The MIC of nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim was determined for 57 UPEC isolates. Biofilm formation for each isolate with and without sub-lethal concentrations of each antibiotic was then quantified, and the statistical significance of changes in biofilm formation was ascertained by way of a Dunnett's test.

The effects of sub-MIC antibiotics on biofilm formation of UPEC were variable. A total of 22.8% of strains were induced to form biofilm by nitrofurantoin, …

How Irish Medical Scientists Can Assist In The Improved Diagnosis Of The Disease Infectious Mononucleosis, Patrick Naughton

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Background:

The eponymously named Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) or human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4) is the sole causative agent of the acute illness in humans described either as infectious mononucleosis (IM), or glandular fever. IM, when not clinically silent, can present in patients with at least two of the classic triad of symptoms of fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy. Challenges for the clinician arise when atypical cases present. Early, accurate and informed laboratory test results are vital for diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and patient management. A key challenge for the practitioner, particularly in cases where the illness can present atypically, is distinguishing bacterial tonsillitis …

Cathelicidin Anti-Microbial Peptide (Camp) Is Toxic During Neonatal Influenza Virus Infection, Nneka Ugwu

St. Chris Research Day

No abstract provided.

Maternal Antepartum Administration Of Lactoferrin Ameliorates Neonatal Infection By Bacteremia-Producing Escherichia Coli In Mice, Charity Dunlop

Research Days

Background: E. coli is a major cause of neonatal sepsis. Vaginal pathogenic E. coli strains ascend into the pregnant uterus infecting the offspring of colonized mothers. Lactoferrin (LF) is an antibacterial and immunomodulatory glycoprotein that has been given to preterm newborns to prevent lateonset sepsis. However, the effects of maternal LF administration to prevent neonatal E. coli invasive infection have not been studied.

Objectives/Goal: Our goal was to test the hypothesis that LF pre-treatment of pregnant mice administered prenatally will significantly reduce the bacterial load in their embryos following infection with E. coli.

Methods/Design: Human LF 100 mcg/mL or placebo …

Investigating Alternative Induction Of The S. Aureus 80a Prophage, Jody Caretti

Student Scholar Showcase

Widespread antibiotic resistance has quickly become one of the most concerning crises affecting modern medicine, especially in cases of Staphylococcal infections, which have become resistant to all ��-lactam antibiotics. As a result, research into alternative forms of treatment for bacterial infections is a top priority. Bacteriophage therapy is a popular candidate for replacing antibiotics, due to the way the viruses interact with the bacteria. The 80�� prophage integrates its DNA into Staphylococcus aureus strain 10616 via the lysogenic cycle, and replicates with the bacterial cell. When stressed, the bacteria stop replicating and the prophage stimulates the lytic cycle, activating transcription …

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Various Essential Oils Against The Sars Cov-2 Virus, Elizabeth Wagstaff, Chandrelyn Kraczek, Jack Brandon Lopez

Annual Research Symposium

A poster presentation and abstract for the Roseman Symposium. The project focuses on testing 3 essential oil blends and two disinfectants containing an essential oil blend against SARS CoV-2 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project procedure involves plaque assays, disinfection, and neutralization techniques.

Identification Of The E3 Ligase That Directs The Degradation Of Proteins That Control Cell Fate Decisions In Yeast, Prasanna Tati, Stephen D Willis, Katrina F. Cooper

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy pathways are distinct, highly conserved proteolytic systems that play important roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis in response to environmental cues [1]. The goal of this project is to identify the E3 ligase that mediates the degradation of cyclin C following nitrogen starvation in yeast using quantitative Western blot analysis of cyclin C-myc following nitrogen starvation in mutants of known Ubc4/5 interacting E3 ligases. No potential E3 ligases were identified as stable after 4 hours of nitrogen starvation, suggesting redundancy in function.

Similac Special Care And Elecare Cause Neonatal Gut Injury In Mice, Karishma Rao, Heather L. Menden, Wei Yu, Inamul Haque, Susana Chavez-Bueno, Alain C. Cuna, Shahid Umar, Venkatesh Sampath

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Induction Of Lipid Bodies In Leishmania Infantum-Infected C57bl/6 Macrophages Of Male Versus Female Origin, Victor A. Soupene, Ryan D. Lockard, Mary E. Wilson, Nilda E. Rodriguez

Research in the Capitol

Worldwide, 12 million people are infected with Leishmania spp. parasites. Leishmania are transmitted by the bite of sand flies. The parasite is internalized by immune cells where they develop, reproduce, and spread to new immune cells causing disease. Epidemiological studies have shown that males are more likely to develop disease. We recently demonstrated that Leishmania infantum survive better in immune cells of male origin than in cells derived from females. We also showed that L. infantum infection is characterized by fat accumulation. Additional experiments have shown that infected immune cells from males accumulate more fat than cells from females. We …