A5038086670- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Sphingolipid Metabolism and Signaling
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Inflammasome and immune disorders
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2010-2020
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
2009-2019
University of Virginia
2016
Vector (United States)
2009
Tick-borne diseases are the most common vector-borne in United States, with serology being primary method of diagnosis. We developed first multiplex, array-based assay for serodiagnosis tick-borne called TBD-Serochip. The TBD-Serochip was designed to discriminate antibody responses 8 major pathogens present including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Borrelia burgdorferi, miyamotoi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Rickettsia rickettsii, Heartland virus and Powassan virus. Each contains...
Standard two-tiered testing (STTT) is the recommended algorithm for laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease (LD). Several limitations are associated with STTT that include low sensitivity in early stages disease, as well technical complexity and subjectivity second-tier immunoblotting; therefore, modified (MTTT) algorithms utilize two sequential first-tier tests eliminate immunoblotting have been evaluated. Recently, a novel MTTT uses VlsE chemiluminescence immunoassay followed by C6 enzyme has...
Early Lyme disease patients often present to the clinic prior developing a detectable antibody response Borrelia burgdorferi, etiologic agent. Thus, existing 2-tier serology-based assays yield low sensitivities (29%-40%) for early infection. The lack of an accurate laboratory test contributes misconceptions about diagnosis and treatment, underscores need new diagnostic approaches.
Serological assays and a two-tiered test algorithm are recommended for laboratory confirmation of Lyme disease. In the United States, sensitivity testing using commercially available serology-based is dependent on stage infection ranges from 30% in early localized disease to near 100% late-stage Other variables, including subjectivity reading Western blots, compliance with recommendations, use different first- second-tier combinations, samples, all contribute variation performance. The...
The current recommendation for the laboratory confirmation of Lyme disease is serology-based diagnostics. Specifically, a standardized two-tiered testing (STTT) algorithm applied that utilizes first-tier immunofluorescence assay or enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that, if result positive equivocal, followed by second-tier immunoblotting. Despite standardization and performance achievements, STTT considered technically complex subjective, as well insensitive early acute infection. These issues have...
Francisella tularensis subspecies (type A) and holarctica B) are of clinical importance in causing tularemia. Molecular typing methods have further separated type A strains into three genetically distinct clades, A1a, A1b A2. Epidemiological analyses human infections the United States suggest that associated with a significantly higher mortality rate as compared to caused by A2 B. To determine if genetic differences defined molecular directly correlate virulence, A1b, B were C57BL/6 mice....
Abstract Background A low genetic diversity in Francisella tularensis has been documented. Current DNA based genotyping methods for typing F. offer a limited and varying degree of subspecies, clade strain level discrimination power. Whole genome sequencing is the most accurate reliable method to identify, type determine phylogenetic relationships among strains species. However, lower cost schemes are necessary order enable hundreds or even thousands isolates. Results We have generated...
Metabolic profiling provides a biochemical signature to objectively differentiate two illnesses with nearly identical clinical presentations, early Lyme disease and STARI.
The recommended laboratory diagnostic approach for Lyme disease is a standard two-tiered testing (STTT) algorithm where the first tier typically an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that if positive or equivocal reflexed to Western immunoblotting as second tier. bioMérieux manufactures one of most commonly used first-tier EIAs in United States, combined IgM/IgG Vidas test (LYT). Recently, launched its dissociated tests, IgM II (LYM) and IgG (LYG) EIAs, which use purified recombinant antigens...
Abstract In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted to humans blacklegged ticks. Patients with an erythema migrans lesion epidemiologic risk can receive a diagnosis without laboratory testing. For all other patients, testing necessary confirm diagnosis, but proper interpretation depends on symptoms timing of illness. The recommended test in States 2-tiered serologic analysis consisting enzyme-linked immunoassay or immunofluorescence assay, followed...
Abstract Metabolites detectible in human biofluids are attractive biomarkers for the diagnosis of early Lyme disease (ELD), a vector-borne infectious disease. Urine represents an easily obtained clinical sample that can be applied diagnostic purposes. However, few studies have explored urine ELD. In this study, metabolomics approaches were to evaluate small molecule metabolites from patients with ELD (n = 14), mononucleosis 14) and healthy controls 14). Metabolic biosignatures versus...
The use of prototypic strains is common among laboratories studying infectious agents as it promotes consistency for data comparability and between laboratories. Schu S4 the virulent strain Francisella tularensis has been used extensively such over past six decades. Studies have demonstrated virulence differences two clinically relevant subspecies F. tularensis, (type A) holarctica B) more recently type A subpopulations (A1a, A1b A2). belongs to most tularensis. In this study, we...
We used whole-genome analysis and subsequent characterization of geographically diverse strains using new genetic signatures to identify distinct subgroups within Francisella tularensis subsp. group A.I: A.I.3, A.I.8, A.I.12. These exhibit complex phylogeographic patterns North America. The widest distribution was observed for A.I.12, which suggests an adaptive advantage.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial illness that occurs in areas of North America, Europe, and Asia. Early infection typically presents as generalized symptoms with an erythema migrans (EM) skin lesion. Dissemination the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi can result multiple EM lesions or extracutaneous manifestations such neuroborreliosis. Metabolic biosignatures patients early potentially provide diagnostic targets well highlight metabolic pathways contribute to pathogenesis. Sera from...
Abstract The tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia miyamotoi , is an emerging pathogen of public health significance. Current B . serodiagnostic testing depends on reactivity against GlpQ which not highly sensitive acute phase serum samples. Additionally, anti- antibodies can cross-react with C6 antigen for burgdorferi the causative agent Lyme disease, underscoring need improved serological assays that produce accurate diagnostic results. We performed immunoproteomics analysis proteins to identify...
Post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms/syndrome (PTLDS) occurs in approximately 10% of patients with following antibiotic treatment. Biomarkers or specific clinical symptoms to identify PTLDS do not currently exist and the classification is based on report persistent, subjective for ≥6 months treatment disease.Untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics was used determine longitudinal metabolic responses biosignatures clinically cured non-PTLDS patients. Evaluation included...
Genotyping of Francisella tularensis (A1a, A1b, A2, and type B) novicida has identified multiple differences between species among F. subspecies subpopulations. Variations in virulence, geographic distribution, ecology are also known to exist this group bacteria, despite the >95% nucleotide identity their genomes. This study expands description phenotypic by evaluating ability degrade chitin analogs produce active chitinases. Endochitinase activities were observed vary strains. The activity...
Francisella tularensis causes disease (tularemia) in a large number of mammals, including man. We previously demonstrated enhanced efficacy conventional antibiotic therapy for tularemia by postexposure passive transfer immune sera developed against F. LVS membrane protein fraction (MPF). However, the composition this immunogenic was not defined. Proteomic approaches were applied to define and identify immunogens MPF. MPF consisted at least 299 proteins 2-D Western blot analyses using from...
ABSTRACT A serology-based tiered approach has, to date, provided the most effective means of laboratory confirmation clinically suspected cases Lyme disease, but it lacks sensitivity in early stages disease and is often dependent on subjectively scored immunoblots. We recently demonstrated use immuno-PCR (iPCR) for detecting Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies patient serum samples that were positive disease. To better understand performance iPCR assay, repeatability variability background assay...