Title : Innovative approaches to impede the pathogens implicated in COPD exacerbation
Abstract:
Innovative medical devices have enhanced health care and improved the overall quality of life. Although providing significant medical benefits, there are unfortunately a myriad of diseases that can be attributed to the presence of medical devices. Microbes can colonize on a medical device surface and cause infections, and at times can even lead to malfunction of the device. Microbial species are present either as planktonic cells or incorporated into biofilms.
While different types of medical devices harbor microbes, dental prostheses are some of the most pervasive. Previously we reported that edentulous patients were at greater risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as compared to dentate individuals. Most of the oral microbes are commensal organisms. Those that are pathogenic microbes can result in oral infections, and at times initiate systemic diseases. COPD is the third leading cause of death world-wide. COPD manifests as an inflammatory condition involving the airways, lung parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature. COPD exacerbation correlates with bacterial colonization of the upper and lower airways.
In this study we focus on: (a) the identification and characterization of a commensal bacteria that elicits a strong anti-Haemophilus influenzae response; (b) defining the mechanism of the anti-Haemophilus influenzae response; and (c) the identification of natural compounds that inhibit and eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.
