The objective of this proposal is to identify genes that are unique to E. coil O157:H7 (E. coil O157) isolates capable of causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans, and develop a signature profiling system for such isolates. Toward this objective, a HUS-causing E. coil O157 isolate will be compared to a bovine E. coil O157 isolate from lineage II that is incapable of human infection. Convalescent sera from patients who had HUS will be absorbed with a library made from the genomic DNA of the bovine E. coil O157 isolate, and then used to screen a library made from the genomic DNA of the HUS-causing E. coil O157 isolate. Genes unique to the HUS-causing isolate will be identified and PCR primer pairs derived from their DNA sequences will be used to establish a signature profiling system. All of these signature profiling primer pairs will then be evaluated against a collection of O157 isolates from different sources and disease outcomes. The proposed immunological approach will provide a more direct, powerful and relevant-to-infection approach to the detection of genes unique to the HUS-causing isolates. We anticipate that this research will facilitate the development of a signature profiling system to help prognosticate human disease outcome, aid in the development of specific therapeutic measures, and improve epidemiological surveillance. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03AI053700-02
Application #
6660335
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 2 (BM)
Program Officer
Schmitt, Clare K
Project Start
2002-09-15
Project End
2004-09-14
Budget Start
2003-09-15
Budget End
2004-09-14
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$86,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199