Date of Award

4-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Biomedical Sciences

Track

Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry

Research Advisor

Amber M. Smith, PhD

Committee

Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, PhD Jason W. Rosch, PhD

Keywords

Bacteria, Immunology, Microbiology, Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterial pathogen that continues to be a major cause of disease around the world. It is not only the number one cause of bacterial pneumonia but also the cause of about 15% of the deaths of children under 5 around the world. There is a lot of research done on this organism, but with around 100 known serotypes and each one producing a unique capsule, there is still much more to be studied. The Etiology of Pneumonia in the Community (EPIC) study conducted by the CDC observed the burden of hospitalizations caused by pneumonia while determining the organism responsible. One of the most common organisms isolated from both children and adult patients was S. pneumoniae. To look further into these clinical isolates, we chose three different type 3 pneumococcal isolates and observed the immune cellular dynamics as well as capsule production, and saw that even with the same serotype immune responses can differ.

Declaration of Authorship

Declaration of Authorship is included in the supplemental files.

ORCID

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7510-3069

DOI

10.21007/etd.cghs.2022.0587

Additional Files
2022-002-White-DOA.pdf (177 kB)
Declaration of Authorship
Download

Share

COinS