Group items tagged

Going along with the immunology portion of class, this article talks about a new food allergy that a little boy suffers.  He is allergic to almost all food, except a handful of things.  it causes an immune response that is non-IgE, which is the case in most allergies.  

This paper does an excellent job researching the correlation of the methylation of the STAT-1 gene and genetic mutations in coccidiodiomycosis and histoplasmosis. The paper shows evidence of the methylation of the STAT-1 by the PIAS1 protein. This gene mutation immunologically challenges the IFN-γ and alters the body's defense mechanisms. Excellent paper on a very scary disease. Hopeful for a vaccine!!! 

This article was used as a resource for our presentation. This is the article where we obtained the information regarding the patient case studies.

This paper is an overview of Coccidioidomycosis. The explains the demographics, the life cycle, history, immunology, and treatment. The hope for a vaccine is also prevalent in this paper.  The paper summarizes Coccidioidomycosis and gives quick details about it.  Excellent paper on learning about the disease without diving in too deeply.

This article discusses the etiology and epidemiology of coccidiodiomycosis as well as the potential for a vaccine to treat the devastating symptoms brought about by this disease.

Supplementary paper for presentation.

Supplemental paper for presentation.

Bernhard Kaltenboeck, Editor Abstract Debilitating infectious diseases caused by Chlamydia are major contributors to the decline of Australia's iconic native marsupial species, the koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus). An understanding of koala chlamydial disease pathogenesis and the development of effective strategies to control infections continue to be hindered by an almost complete lack of species-specific immunological reagents.

We briefly discussed this in my immunology class, and, after hearing about it, I wanted to learn more. While I think these people are crazy for infecting themselves with hookworms (one participant didn't even consider the risks before exposing himself), the fact is that their allergies and asthma did improve, almost to the point of vanishing. Studying hookworms and what exactly they do to the immune response to suppress allergies could lead to a brand new treatment, possibly helping people to elimnate their allergies altogether.

Porphyrins represent a potential treatment for burn wound infections

Another support paper that talks about the use of OMVs to boost immune memory.