Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons^™

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Outer Membrane Vesicles Triggered By Human Mucosal Fluid And Lysozyme Can Prime Host Tissue Surfaces For Bacterial Adhesion, Matteo M. E. Metruccio, David J. Evans, Manal M. Gabriel, Jagath L. Kadurugamuwa, Suzanne M. J. Fleiszig

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of human morbidity and mortality that often targets epithelial surfaces. Host immunocompromise, or the presence of indwelling medical devices, including contact lenses, can predispose to infection. While medical devices are known to accumulate bacterial biofilms, it is not well understood why resistant epithelial surfaces become susceptible to P. aeruginosa. Many bacteria, including P. aeruginosa, release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in response to stress that can fuse with host cells to alter their function. Here, we tested the hypothesis that mucosal fluid can trigger OMV release to compromise an epithelial barrier. This was tested using …

Isavuconazole In The Treatment Of Invasive Aspergillosis And Mucormycosis Infections, Monica A. Donnelley, Elizabeth S. Zhu, George R. Thompson Iii

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

We have a limited arsenal with which to treat invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus and Mucorales. The morbidity and mortality for both pathogens remains high. A triazole antifungal, isavuconazole, was recently granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis. A randomized double-blind comparison trial for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis found isavuconazole noninferior to voriconazole. A separate, open-label study evaluating the efficacy of isavuconazole in the treatment of mucormycosis found comparable response rates to amphotericin B and posaconazole treated historical controls. The prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate …

Difference In Knowledge Of Mrsa Regarding Sophomore And Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Payton T. Lloyd, Daniel B. Whited, Lori N. Crimaldi

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

Background

The risk of infection by antibiotic resistant organisms is a common problem in hospital settings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is the most common type of resistant bacteria that can have serious consequences or even lead to death. Nurses' knowledge of how to prevent and treat this problem is essential for patient safety. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in level of knowledge of MRSA in sophomore and senior level baccalaureate nursing students.

Methods

This descriptive, comparative study will examine differences in knowledge of MRSA between sophomore and senior baccalaureate nursing students and determine if …

Typical Hus: Evidence Of Acute Phase Complement Activation From A Daycare Outbreak, T M. Brady, C Pruette, L F. Loeffler, Darcy Weidemann, J J. Strouse, E Gavriilaki, R A. Brodsky

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The clinical manifestations of typical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) encompass a wide spectrum. Despite the potentially severe sequelae from this syndrome, treatment approaches remain supportive. We present the clinical course of a child who contracted Shiga toxin-positive E. coli (STEC) from a daycare center during an outbreak. Utilizing the modified Ham test which is a rapid, serum-based functional assay used to detect activation of the alternative pathway of complement as observed in atypical HUS, patient sera revealed evidence of increased complement activation in the acute phase of the syndrome but not after resolution. Further, this complement activation was attenuated by …

Inhibition Of Bacterial Growth And Prevention Of Bacterial Adhesion With Localized Nitric Oxide Delivery, Julia Osborne

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Bacterial infections continue to be a problem at the site of an indwelling medical device, and over the years, various bacterial strains have become more resistant to current antibiotic treatments. Bacterial infection at an indwelling medical device can be dangerous and affect the performance of the medical device which can ultimately lead to the failure of the device due to bacterial resistance to treatment.

Nitric Oxide (NO) has been shown to possess antibacterial properties to prevent and inhibit bacterial growth. NO releasing coatings on indwelling medical devices could provide a reduction in bacterial infections that occur at the device site …

Prevalence Of Nasal Colonization By Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus In Persons Using A Homeless Shelter In Kansas City, Megan Ottomeyer, Charles D. Graham, Avery D. Legg, Elizabeth S. Cooper, Chad D. Law, Mariam Molani, Karine Matevossian, Jerry Marlin, Charlott Williams, Ramon Newman, Jason A. Wasserman, Larry W. Segars, Tracey A H Taylor

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) plays an important role in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of disease. Situations of close-quarter contact in groups are generally regarded as a risk factor for community-acquired MRSA strains due to transmission via fomites and person-to-person contact. With these criteria for risk, homeless individuals using shelter facilities, including showers and toilets, should be considered high risk for colonization and infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of nasal colonization of MRSA in a homeless population compared to established rates of colonization within the public and a control group of subjects …

Preventing 30-Day Readmissions Of Clostridium Difficile Patients Utilizing Targeted Discharge Instructions, Keith A. Howard

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 ushered in a new era of fiscal accountability for healthcare organizations. Healthcare organizations and providers are now jointly held responsible for the improved quality of patient care and sustained reductions in patient care events termed healthcare-acquired conditions. To ensure compliance with this newly enacted legislation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began penalizing hospitals for targeted conditions leading to 30-day readmissions beginning in October 2012. Annually, CMS has focused attention on conditions that endanger patient health and welfare while secondarily attempting to reduce the excessive financial expenditures in …

Characterization Of The Paracoccidioides Hypoxia Response Reveals New Insights Into Pathogenesis Mechanisms Of This Important Human Pathogenic Fungus, Patrícia De Sousa Lima, Dawoon Chung, Alexandre Melo Bailão, Robert A. Cramer, Célia Maria De Almeida Soares

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: Hypoxic microenvironments are generated during fungal infection. It has been described that to survive in the human host, fungi must also tolerate and overcome in vivo microenvironmental stress conditions including low oxygen tension; however nothing is known how Paracoccidioides species respond to hypoxia. The genus Paracoccidioides comprises human thermal dimorphic fungi and are causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an important mycosis in Latin America.

Design And Testing Of Novel Anthrax Vaccines Utilizing A Tobacco Mosaic Virus Expression System, Ryan C. Mccomb

KGI Theses and Dissertations

Anthrax is a potentially fatal disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Infection and disease occur after spores gain entry into the body, germinate into vegetative bacteria, and produce toxin. Bacillus anthracis spores have been engineered as bioweapons and have been used repeatedly in warfare and terrorism to inflict casualties in military and civilian populations. Currently, only one vaccine has been approved for prevention of anthrax in the United States. This vaccine is an undefined product that is difficult to produce, requires a long vaccination schedule, and is reactogenic. Efforts to make an improved anthrax vaccine are being pursued. …

Reduction Of Campylobacter Jejuni On Chicken Wingettes By Treatment With Caprylic Acid, Chitosan Or Protective Cultures Of Lactobacillus Spp., Ann Nicole Woo-Ming

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Poultry is one of the main sources of protein in the United States and in 2014 Americans ate approximately 100 lbs per person. However, consumption of poultry products is strongly associated with foodborne illness from Campylobacter. In the first study, chitosan, caprylic acid and their combination were evaluated as a coating treatment for the reduction of Campylobacter jejuni on poultry products. For the initial screening trials, chitosan of three different molecular weights (15-50 kDa, 190-310 kDa and 400-600 kDa) was evaluated at three concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%) and separately, caprylic acid was tested at 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% using chicken …

A Descriptive Case Study Of Individuals With Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome Utilizing A Facebook Support Group, Lisa Aimee Thompson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes the experiences of people diagnosed with presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome as they participate in an online peer-support group on Facebook. This is a descriptive case study of factors related to adjustment, treatment, emotional distress, access to services, and online peer support. Participants were interviewed and observed, and documents were collected to describe this phenomenon.

Development And Evaluation Of Amphotericin B Loaded Iron Oxide Nanoparticles For Targeted Drug Delivery To Systemic Fungal Infections, Pavan Balabathula

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

A targeted nanotheronostic drug delivery system to diagnose and treat life threatening invasive fungal infections (IFIs) such as cryptococcal meningitis was designed, developed, characterized, and evaluated. To address the development processes, first, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) (34-40 nm) coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), loaded and targeted with amphotericin B (AMB) (AMB-IONP) was formulated by applying a layer by layer approach. Several designs (A, B, C, D, & E) of AMB-IONP were developed and their physicochemical properties such as drug loading with HPLC method, particle size, poly dispersity index (PDI), and ζ-potential using dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, morphology with …

Genetic Control Of Survival And Weight Loss During Pneumonic Burkholderia Pseudomallei (Bp) Infection, Felicia D. Emery

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) is a saprophytic, gram-negative aerobe and the causative agent of the disease melioidosis. Melioidosis is an infectious disease that occurs in humans and animals and is prevalent in Southeast Asia, northern Australia and other tropical areas. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the organism via ingestion, inhalation, or through open wounds and skin abrasions. Clinical presentation is extremely variable and can range from acute septicemia with bacterial dissemination to distant sites, to an isolated pulmonary infection. Treatment of melioidosis can be problematic because it is often difficult to diagnose and Bp is resistant to a diverse group …

Development Of Oral Vaccines Against Lyme Disease, Rita Raquel Dos Anjos De Carvalho E Melo

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Lyme Disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States and Europe. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage to the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. In some cases, patients that receive the recommended antibiotic therapy develop a debilitating health condition associated with substantial health care costs. Despite current preventive measures, the incidence and the geographic distribution of Lyme Disease continues to increase. Recent estimates from CDC suggest that the true number of cases of Lyme Disease in the US is approximately 300,000 per year. Yet, there is currently no vaccine …

Detection Methods And Intestinal Adherence Of Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli, Zachary R. Stromberg

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

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are enteric pathogens of humans. Cattle serve as a reservoir and harbor STEC in their intestines. Intimin-positive STEC are referred to as enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC). Seven serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157) account for the majority of illness due to STEC and are hereafter referred to as STEC/EHEC-7. To improve detection, enrichment broths were compared for supporting growth of STEC-7 and STEC O104:H4 (STEC-8). In pure culture, STEC enriched in trypticase soy broth (TSB) had significantly greater growth compared to TSB containing antimicrobials. In fecal samples, E. coli broth enrichment yielded …

How Social Determinants Of Health, Health-Seeking Behaviors, And Treatment Adherence Influence And Interact With Endemic Levels Of Pulmonary Tb And Mdr-Tb In Urban Rajasthan, Michelle Kagei

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Tuberculosis, the worlds most deadly infectious disease, remains as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in modern-day India. The country has the highest burden of both tuberculosis as well as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, a more recently emerging menace. This study focuses on the social determinants of health pertaining to tuberculosis, identifying and discussing “at-risk” groups in the population of urban Rajasthan. Jaipur was chosen as the field study location because of the city’s extensive levels of healthcare institutions and facilities. In order to identify common patient demographics as well as issues regarding treatment adherence, medical records and interviews …

Commentary On "Systemic Candidiasis And Cytomegalovirus Infection In The Setting Of Artificial Cardiac Device Deployment", Moises A. Huaman

The VAD Journal

No abstract provided.

Macrolide-Resistant Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, United States, Xiaotian Zheng, Stella Lee, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Xuan Qin, Yi Wei Tang, Jeffrey Stiles, Tao Hong, Kathleen Todd, Amy E. Ratliff, Donna M. Crabb, Li Xiao, T. Prescott Atkinson, Ken B. Waites

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

© 2015, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved.

Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) is highly prevalent in Asia and is now being reported from Europe. Few data on MRMP are available in the United States. Using genotypic and phenotypic methods, we detected high-level MRMP in 13.2% of 91 M. pneumoniae–positive specimens from 6 US locations.

Lesion-Specific Immune Response In Granulomas Of Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Pilot Study, Selvakumar Subbian, Liana Tsenova, Mi-Jeong Kim, Helen C. Wainwright, Annalie Visser, Nirmalya Bandyopadhyay, Joel S. Bader, Petros C. Karakousis, Gabriele B. Murrmann, Linda-Gail Bekker, David G. Russell, Gilla Kaplan

Publications and Research

The formation and maintenance of granulomas is central to the host response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. It is widely accepted that the lungs of patients with tuberculosis (TB) usually contain multiple infection foci, and that the granulomas evolve and differentiate independently, resulting in considerable heterogeneity. Although gene expression profiles of human blood cells have been proposed as biomarkers of Mtb infection and/or active disease, the immune profiles of discrete lesion types has not been studied extensively. Using histology, immunopathology and genome-wide transcriptome analysis, we explored the immunological profile of human lung TB granulomas. We show that although the different …

Prevalence Of Sepsis In Pediatric Populations, Brittany Barnes

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Sepsis and more specifically septic shock in the pediatric population is a diagnosis that is full of complexities. There are instances where a neutropenic oncology patient observes a better outcome than a previously healthy patient who is suffering from the same pathogen related sepsis. Sepsis is the 10th leading cause of death according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and each year between 20,000 and 42,000 children are diagnosed with severe sepsis (Riley & Wheeler, 2012). Even with significant advances in medical treatment, sepsis is still associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. A retrospective study of patient …