Identifying the effects of anaerobic exposure on Listeria monocytogenes infection of the central nervous system
Presenter(s)
Rebecca Marie Rudd
Files
Description
The foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is capable of crossing the gastrointestinal epithelium and invading macrophages and non-phagocytic cells. As an intracellular pathogen, L. monocytogenes replicates inside the host cell cytosol to be transported throughout the bloodstream and avoid any extracellular immune defenses. In this mechanism, the bacteria can reach and cross the blood brain barrier, resulting in bacterial meningitis that can be severe in immunocompromised patients. In this project, the goal of the research is to determine how anaerobic exposure, a typical process during the intestinal phase of infection, affects L. monocytogenes invasion of the central nervous system. Neuro-2A cells, acting as the model host cell for neuronal cells, are grown and infected with L. monocytogenes pre-exposed to anaerobic or aerobic conditions for different lengths of time. The 10403s strain, a neurotropic strain, and a cardiotropic strain are used to identify strain-dependent variations. Intracellular growth is measured to determine whether bacteria anaerobic adaptations alter the infection outcome. From these results, we will identify intestinal conditions that can potentially influence L. monocytogenes neural invasion to better understand this particular pathogenic process.
Publication Date
4-20-2022
Project Designation
Independent Research
Primary Advisor
Yvonne Y. Sun
Primary Advisor's Department
Biology
Keywords
Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Good Health and Well-Being
Recommended Citation
"Identifying the effects of anaerobic exposure on Listeria monocytogenes infection of the central nervous system" (2022). Stander Symposium Projects. 2414.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/stander_posters/2414
Comments
Presentation: 11:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Kennedy Union 311