A5060284649- Legionella and Acanthamoeba research
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide
- Amoebic Infections and Treatments
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Infection Control in Healthcare
- Infant Nutrition and Health
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Water Treatment and Disinfection
- Bioactive natural compounds
- Fecal contamination and water quality
- Occupational and environmental lung diseases
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms
- Surgical site infection prevention
- HIV/AIDS oral health manifestations
- Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Infection Control and Ventilation
- Listeria monocytogenes in Food Safety
- Free Radicals and Antioxidants
- Genomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stress
Middle Tennessee State University
2000-2023
Tennessee Department of Health
2010
University of Central Florida
2006
Tennessee Technological University
2006
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
1991-1994
Indiana University School of Medicine
1991-1994
Emory University
1985-1987
University of Memphis
1981
Using electron microscopy we documented some of the intracellular events that occur in Naegleria fowleri suspended Page amoeba saline after ingestion Legionella pneumophila. Photomicrographs showed vacuoles containing bacteria process binary fission was accompanied by alignment mitochondria and ribosome-like structures along vacuole membrane. Although these are remarkably similar to seen replication within human monocytes, could not demonstrate an increase number CFU or dark-field...
ABSTRACT Acanthamoeba species can cause serious, debilitating, and sometimes life-threatening infections. Three groups have been identified using morphological immunological comparisons. Previous serological studies utilized a variety of antigen preparations assay methods reported disparate (3 to 100%) results. This study was designed (i) optimize an enzyme-linked immunosorbent for detecting serum antibodies each the serogroups (ii) test 55 healthy individuals specific immunoglobulin G...
Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein common to exocrine secretions and the specific granules of neutrophils. Each molecule capable high-affinity coordinate-binding two ferric ions with bicarbonate or carbonic anions. The initial aspect present study was directed at determining nature anion involvement in LF bactericidal activity. It found that selective anions were inhibiting expression activity by on S. mutans 10449. ability block directly related capacity serve as a coordinate...
There are numerous in vitro studies documenting the multiplication of Legionella species free-living amoebae and other protozoa. It is believed that protozoa serve as host cells for intracellular replication certain a variety environmental settings. This study describes isolation characterization bacterium initially observed within an amoeba taken from soil sample. In laboratory, multiplied was highly pathogenic Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Extracellular on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar...
Many species of bacteria pathogenic to humans, such as Legionella, are thought have evolved in association with amoebal hosts. Several novel unculturable related Legionella also been found amoebae, a few which be causes nosocomial infections humans. Because amoebae can cooling towers, we wanted know whether tower environments might enhance the between and bacterial pathogens order identify potential "hot spots" for emerging human pathogens. To compare occurrence infected natural those 40...
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease. Autochthonous human and canine transmission T. has been documented in Tennessee, but little known about its ecology, including prevalence among wildlife Tennessee. Serum samples from 706 raccoons (Procyon lotor) 10 counties Ridge Valley Blue Mountains ecoregions eastern Tennessee were tested for antibodies reactive with using indirect fluorescent antibody assay. Two hundred six (29.2%) seropositive, 9 yielding positive (range...
Lactoferrin (LTF) is a multifunctional iron-binding protein that also capable of binding other divalent metal cations, especially Zn2+. Recent investigations indicate lactoferrin levels are elevated in many disease conditions which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-2, elevated, suggesting the 2 proteins may interact. This possibility was examined by determining effect LTF its holo (metal-bound) and apo (metal-free) forms on proteolytic activity MMP-2 similar zinc...
Deferrioxamine B and rhodotorulic acid, iron-chelating agents of microbial origin, exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on pathogenic Naegleria fowleri at microgram levels. This inhibition was diminished by adding iron to the chelators before incubation with isolates. These related occur naturally in environment. could be considerable ecological significance provides novel hypothesis account for proliferation spp. certain aquatic habitats.
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreaks have occurred in individuals engaged athletic activities such as wrestling and football. Potential disease reduction interventions include the or elimination of bacteria on common use items equipment. Chlorine dioxide has a long history disinfectant. The purpose this investigation was to evaluate ability novel portable chlorine generation devices eliminate contamination helmets pads used by football.In field studies,...
Abstract Use of potassium persulfate (K 2 S 0 8 ) for oxidation 7.0 mM ABTS to a stable radical antioxidant studies was first reported in 1999. A feature this popular assay has been the requirement an overnight reaction (6 12 h) formation colored radical. It is now that when concentration lowered 0.7 mM, complete cation occurs 30 min, thus circumventing necessary step. Using format, it possible accurately assess activity based on persulfate/ABTS format less than one hour which includes time...
Acanthamoeba species infect humans occasionally and act as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised individuals. This study demonstrates the application of cytocentrifugation an aid to identification Acanthamoebae. In addition, certain staining procedures clearly optimized visualization characteristic amoebic features. was demonstrated by adding amoebae from laboratory cultures bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. preparations stained Papanicolaou, trichrome, or hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)...
Prominent antigens of pathogenic and nonpathogenic free-living amoebae were identified by using polyclonal rabbit immune sera in immunoblot assays. The intent was to determine if prominent epitopes with could also be recognized human sera. With sera, the development immunoreactive bands restricted molecular masses greater than 18.5 kDa for Naegleria, Hartmannella, Vahlkampfia antigens. Two or more broad less features three different Acanthamoeba species. Few cross-reactive antibodies...
Naegleriafowleri, a normally free-living amoeba, is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), and since its first description in 1965 over 100 cases have been reported worldwide (John, 1982, Annual Review Microbiology 36: 101-123). A perplexing aspect PAM that pathogenic N. fowleri are often isolated from recreational waters, yet exposed individuals only rarely develop it occurs apparently healthy humans. Although affected might some underlying immune dysfunction most...
Development of decontamination methods and strategies to address potential infectious disease outbreaks bioterrorism events are pertinent this nation's biodefense general biosecurity. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas has a history use as agent in response an act bioterrorism. However, the more widespread ClO2 meet current unforeseen needs been hampered because is too unstable for shipment must be prepared at application site. Newer technology allows easy, onsite generation without need dedicated...
Abstract Free-living amoebae are distributed worldwide and can be found in a variety of environments. While most Acanthamoebae have been isolated from soil water, A. royreba culbertsoni were mammalian cell cultures. royreba’s isolation placental tumoral tissue, its unusual ability to grow culture media at 35°C, the presence primitive centriole, prompted us investigate potential for information royreba. some amoeba contain small amounts fungal bacterial information, presumably microbes they...