Publications by authors named "S M Levitz"

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent yet under-recognized and sub-optimally managed disease that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Primary care providers (PCPs) are at the frontlines of COPD management, and they play a critical role across the full spectrum of the COPD patient journey from initial recognition and diagnosis to treatment optimization and referral to specialty care. The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) recently updated their guideline on pharmacotherapy in patients with stable COPD, and there are several key changes that have a direct impact on COPD management in the primary care setting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: The global burden of infections due to the pathogenic fungus is substantial in persons with low CD4 T-cell counts. Previously, we deleted three chitin deacetylase genes from to create a chitosan-deficient, avirulent strain, designated as , which, when used as a vaccine, protected mice from challenge with virulent strain KN99. Here, we explored the immunological basis for protection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The fungal infection, cryptococcosis, is responsible for >100,000 deaths annually. No licensed vaccines are available. We explored the efficacy and immune responses of subunit cryptococcal vaccines adjuvanted with Cationic Adjuvant Formulation 01 (CAF01).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: The global burden of infections due to the pathogenic fungus is substantial in persons with low CD4 T cell counts. Previously, we deleted three chitin deacetylase genes from to create a chitosan-deficient, avirulent strain, designated which, when used as a vaccine, protected mice from challenge with virulent strain KN99. Here, we explored the immunological basis for protection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Creating a safe and effective vaccine against infection by the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is an appealing option that complements the discovery of new small molecule antifungals. Recent animal studies have yielded promising results for a variety of vaccines that include live-attenuated and heat-killed whole-cell vaccines, as well as subunit vaccines formulated around recombinant proteins. Some of the recombinantly engineered cryptococcal mutants in the chitosan biosynthesis pathway are avirulent and very effective at conferring protective immunity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF