Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form
D-Scholarship @ Pitt Banner and Links to Homepage

The impact of glucose on Staphylococcus aureus virulence

Stephens, Amelia C (2023) The impact of glucose on Staphylococcus aureus virulence. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

This is the latest version of this item.

[img]
Preview
 PDF (Stephens Dissertation)
Primary Text
Download (6MB) | Preview
[img] Microsoft Excel (tableS1; RNA-Seq Data from Chapter 4)
Supplemental Material
Download (694kB)

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a dangerous human pathogen capable of causing a variety of infections, from minor skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening invasive infections such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and bacteremia/sepsis. Garnering more information on how this pathogen is so infectious in so many environments is key to understanding how severe infections can be treated. The rise of antibiotic resistance makes this knowledge even more important, as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is pervasive in the community today. Historically, focus on S. aureus pathogenesis has been on the production of toxins and proteases by the bacterium during infection. In the past few decades, a rising appreciation for other aspects of pathogenesis has arisen; for example, investigation of how bacterial metabolism has been shaped by the host immune system. This dissertation will focus on how carbon source metabolism, specifically, the metabolism of glucose, results in alterations to S. aureus pathogenesis in the following areas: 1) the impact of glucose on virulence factor expression in a hyperglycemic host environment; 2) the impact of metabolic regulators of carbon metabolism on virulence factor expression; 3) the impact of glucose on gene expression under host immune stress and the connection to phosphate transport; and 4) the impact of glucose on ldh1 expression and the downstream effects this expression has on immune response resistance. These insights are collectively discussed and their contribution in the context of understanding S. aureus pathogenesis is presented.

Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Stephens, Amelia Cameliastephens94@yahoo.comacs2080000-0002-6356-4546
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairCooper, Vaughn Svaughn.cooper@pitt.edu
Committee MemberAlcorn, JohnJohn.Alcorn@chp.edu
Committee MemberBomberger, Jenniferjbomb@pitt.edu
Committee MemberLee, Naranara.lee@pitt.edu
Thesis AdvisorRichardson, Anthony Ranthony.richardson@pitt.edu
Date: 15 September 2023
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 7 September 2022
Approval Date: 15 September 2023
Submission Date: 13 September 2022
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 214
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Medicine > Microbiology and Immunology
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; S. aureus; bacterial metabolism; metabolism; virulence; Agr; glucose; inorganic phosphate; phosphate; diabetes; infection; diabetic infection; bacterial genetics;
Date Deposited: 15 Sep 2023 15:21
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2023 15:21
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/44156

Available Versions of this Item

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item