Development and validation of systems for genetic manipulation of the Old World tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia duttonii.

Relapsing fever (RF), a vector-borne disease caused by Borrelia spp., is characterized by recurring febrile episodes due to repeated bouts of bacteremia. RF spirochetes can be geographically and phylogenetically divided into two distinct groups; Old World RF Borrelia (found in Africa, Asia, and Europe) and New World RF Borrelia (found in the Americas).

MicroRNAs Contribute to Host Response to .

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs, are critical to gene regulation in eukaryotes. They are involved in modulating a variety of physiological processes, including the host response to intracellular infections. Little is known about miRNA functions during infection by Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of human Q fever.

Neurotransmitter System-Targeting Drugs Antagonize Growth of the Q Fever Agent, Coxiella burnetii, in Human Cells.

Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious, intracellular, Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that causes human Q fever, an acute flu-like illness that can progress to chronic endocarditis. C. burnetii is transmitted to humans via aerosols and has long been considered a potential biological warfare agent.

Coxiella burnetii Requires Host Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α Activity for Efficient Intracellular Replication.

is the causative agent of human Q fever, eliciting symptoms that range from acute fever and fatigue to chronic fatal endocarditis. is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium that replicates within an acidic lysosome-like parasitophorous vacuole (PV) in human macrophages. During intracellular growth, delivers bacterial proteins directly into the host cytoplasm using a Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS).

Infection of Primary Human Alveolar Macrophages Alters Staphylococcus aureus Toxin Production and Activity.

Pulmonary pathogens encounter numerous insults, including phagocytic cells designed to degrade bacteria, while establishing infection in the human lung. is a versatile, opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe pneumonia, and methicillin-resistant isolates are of particular concern. Recent reports present conflicting data regarding the ability of to survive and replicate within macrophages.

Functional inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase disrupts infection by intracellular bacterial pathogens.

Intracellular bacteria that live in host cell-derived vacuoles are significant causes of human disease. Parasitism of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is essential for many vacuole-adapted bacteria. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) influences LDL cholesterol egress from the lysosome.