Abstract

The major long-term goal of this project is to determine the molecular mechanisms of virulence for the nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM). The major reservoir for NTM is municipal water systems, whereby gaining access to human hosts. Species of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infect half of AIDS patients, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. These intracellular pathogens are the primary clinical bacterial infection for AIDS patients, and are also a source of significant nosocomial infections. The central biological question addressed is, how do NTMs, especially MAC, survive in water systems and how do they cause disease? NTM move from the hostile, nutrient- deprived environment of water systems to the likewise antagonistic location of macrophage phagosomes. The primary hypothesis is that the central prokaryotic mechanism to survive starvation, the stringent response, will be critical in the success of NTM in these two extreme environments. Knowledge gained will lead to protection of water systems from NTM contamination, and development of new therapies for those infected with NTM.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Career Transition Award (K22)
Project #
5K22AI001812-02
Application #
6510220
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Sizemore, Christine F
Project Start
2001-07-01
Project End
2004-06-30
Budget Start
2002-07-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$107,996
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Texas El Paso
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
El Paso
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
79968

  Publications

Rajabi, L; Courreges, C; Montoya, J et al. (2005) Acetophenones with selective antimycobacterial activity. Lett Appl Microbiol 40:212-7
Montoya, Jessica; Varela-Ramirez, Armando; Shanmugasundram, Muthian et al. (2005) Tandem screening of toxic compounds on GFP-labeled bacteria and cancer cells in microtiter plates. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 335:367-72
Bland, Christopher S; Ireland, Jamie M; Lozano, Eduardo et al. (2005) Mycobacterial ecology of the Rio Grande. Appl Environ Microbiol 71:5719-27
Archuleta, Rebecca Joy; Yvonne Hoppes, Patricia; Primm, Todd P (2005) Mycobacterium avium enters a state of metabolic dormancy in response to starvation. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 85:147-58
Primm, Todd P; Lucero, Christie A; Falkinham 3rd, Joseph O (2004) Health impacts of environmental mycobacteria. Clin Microbiol Rev 17:98-106
Tran, Thuyanh; Saheba, Ekta; Arcerio, Ariana V et al. (2004) Quinones as antimycobacterial agents. Bioorg Med Chem 12:4809-13