Alexis Wilcox
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Caitlyn Holmes
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 5 – 3:40pm – 4:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Alexis Wilcox, Caitlyn Holmes, Michael Bachman
Presenter: 21
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogenic Gram-negative bacterial species that can underlie many infections, including bacteremia. Healthcare-associated infections are particularly associated with K. pneumoniae, especially among the immunocompromised, so understanding bacterial bloodstream fitness is essential. In this study, these K. pneumoniae factors SspA and RecQ were analyzed, and their contributions to fitness in the bloodstream was investigated. SspA encodes the stringent starvation protein, which allows the bacteria to react and survive during periods of starvations and changes in acidity. Without this gene, is it probable that the bacteria may die under stressful conditions. This may be relevant to bloodstream infections because levels of glucose, an energy sources for Klebsiella pneumoniae, can deviate in the blood. RecQ encodes a DNA helicase, allowing the bacteria to replicate effectively. In the absence of DNA helicases, the bacteria would not replicate, and those that did would be filled with genetic mutations. Using strains of K. pneumoniae that have a transposon inserted within the SspA and RecQ genes, fitness defects can be analyzed through assays which characterize bacterial fitness in conditions which mimic the bloodstream environment. These studies will lead to a further understanding of how Klebsiella pneumoniae perpetuates infection as a bloodstream pathogen.
Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary, Natural/Life Sciences
