Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Medical Molecular Biology Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Medical Molecular Biology

Expression Levels Of Virulence Genes In Group A Streptococci: A Response To Aerosolized Propylene Glycol, Michael S. Costello Jan 2016

Expression Levels Of Virulence Genes In Group A Streptococci: A Response To Aerosolized Propylene Glycol, Michael S. Costello

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Electronic cigarette usage is becoming increasingly prevalent among school age children and young adults. A known bactericidal agent, propylene glycol, is often used as a carrier for nicotine, flavoring, and additional constituents of electronic cigarette juice. This study examined the relationship between propylene glycol and virulence gene expression in Streptococcus pyogenes, a respiratory tract pathogen commonly found in school-age individuals. A variety of virulence genes controlled by the three stand alone regulators mga, RofA, and Rgg/RopB were sampled in an effort to understand the pathway by which virulence is affected. The genes chosen encode C5a peptidase, fibronectin binding protein, hyaluronate …


Systematic Assessment Of The Contribution Of Superantigens To Nasopharyngeal Colonization In A Mouse Model Of Streptococcal Infection, Katherine J. Kasper Jan 2013

Systematic Assessment Of The Contribution Of Superantigens To Nasopharyngeal Colonization In A Mouse Model Of Streptococcal Infection, Katherine J. Kasper

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Streptococcus pyogenes is adapted for persistence in humans. It typically colonizes the tonsils and skin, and humans are the only known reservoir. S. pyogenes can cause a wide range of mild to serious infections. Most streptococci-related deaths are due to complications of rheumatic fever and invasive infections. S. pyogenes produces virulence factors that contribute to the pathogen’s ability to colonize and cause disease, including streptococcal superantigens (SAgs), also known as streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (Spes). SAgs function by cross-linking T cells and antigen presenting cells (APC) which may cause a massive inflammatory response, and as such have been found to contribute …


The Influence Of Antimicrobial Use On Bacterial Resistance, James T. Griffith Jun 1992

The Influence Of Antimicrobial Use On Bacterial Resistance, James T. Griffith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming an increasingly serious problem accompanied by relatively few studies examining the relationship between use and resistance. The present study undertakes a twenty year analysis of antimicrobial production and factors affecting antimicrobial use for a particular microorganism (Stp. faecalis)/antimicrobial agent (Cephalothin) combination. The period is inclusive of the market introduction of the agent and considerate of prescribing practices to the present time. The accumulated data reveal that there is indeed a relationship between total drug availability (medicinal, agricultural) and increased antimicrobial resistance. The data also suggest that national (or global) use changes would likely have a long …