Penetration of bacteria through the lung and disruption of lung tissue.
We use advanced cell culture models to study bacterial host interactions. When these lung cells are grown under specific conditions, they mimic the physiological lung epithelium with an air side and a blood side. In an earlier HEA PRTLI (NICB) funded project we found (Duff et al., 2006, Microbial Pathogenesis 41: 183-192) that several species within the Bcc can interfere with tight junctions of lung cells and move from the air-side to the blood side demonstrating that four Bcc species have the potential to cause septicaemia.
We have also demonstrated that another species of Bcc, B. dolosa, which has been found to cause an outbreak of Bcc among 36 patients in a Boston Children’s Hospital and 5 deaths in these patients has comparable virulence in our in vitro models as the two previously identified more clinically relevant species (Caraher et al., 2007 J. Cystic Fibrosis. 6: 49-56)
In a recent study, in collaboration with Dr AnnaMaria Bevivino and Luisa Pirone (ENEA, Rome) we have investigated the pathogenesis of environmental B. cenocepacia strains with polarised epithelial cells in vitro.
In a recent study, in collaboration with Dr AnnaMaria Bevivino and Luisa Pirone (ENEA, Rome) we have investigated the pathogenesis of environmental B. cenocepacia strains with polarised epithelial cells in vitro.
