Mycobacterium avium subsp hominissuis (MAH) is an opportunistic environmental pathogen that causes respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in immunocompromised persons such as those with chronic respiratory diseases or AIDs, respectively. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections, including in cystic...
Biological agents and their products commonly cause foodborne illnesses. In the United States it is estimated that there are over 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in an economic loss of approximately $40 billion. These high figures demonstrate the need for bioassays that display a rapid and...
Current detection methods for bacterial contamination rely on structure based detection of proteins and nucleic acids. While these methods are easy to use and reliable, they cannot evaluate the toxicity of a sample and the potential to cause disease. Previously, erythrophore cells derived from Betta splendens had been suggested as...
Pathogenesis and immunity involved in fowl cholera were studied
with the turkey, one of the most susceptible natural hosts. The
causative agent, Pasteurella multocida, was analyzed in terms of its
virulence and immunogenic factors, using a highly virulent, encapsulated
strain P-1059.
Protective immunity was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-
protein complex...
Cell-based biosensors are function-based detectors that use the physiological response of a living cell to sense biologically stimulating agents. This emerging technology extends the application of current detection methods by reporting on the toxicity of a sample and the potential to cause disease. Previously, Betta splendens erythrophores have been described...
Three closely related isolates belonging to the A₁ serotype of infectious pancreatic
necrosis virus (IPNV) were selected for comparison, to provide insight into the nature of
variation in the virulence of IPN viruses. Brook trout fry (Salvelinus fontinalis) were
experimentally infected with the three isolates by immersion. Cumulative mortalities over...
Although the occurrence of ketosis is a postpartum phenomenon, recent studies have
focused on the prepartum period as key in the development of the disorder. Indicators of
prepartum energy status, such as depressed dry matter intake (DMI) and elevated plasma
non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations have been associated with the...
The chlamydiae are a family of obligate intracellular bacteria that have a unique bi-phasic developmental cycle, unique cellular properties, and a unique set of challenges to studying its biology. While genetic manipulation is becoming routine in Chlamydia, there are significant challenges to working with this intracellular parasite. The body of...
In this research, a model system for studying the effects of the toxic metabolite, methylglyoxal, was created using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells which produce tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). The human gene for glyoxalase I was subcloned into an inducible mammalian expression vector. This vector was then used to create...
Chalkbrood is a mycosis of larvae of the alfalfa leafcutting bee,
Megachile rotundata (Fabricius). It is a serious threat to alfalfa seed
growers in western North America who use populations of this bee for
pollination. Basic studies were conducted to determine the etiology of
this disease and the course of...