2012 Program Booklet - MCD Biology - University of Colorado Boulder

JoAnne Flynn, PhD
Professor, Department of Microbiology and
Molecular Genetics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Title: Tuberculosis: Seeing is Believing
Saturday, October 13
1:15 – 2:00 pm
JSCBB Butcher Auditorium
Abstract:
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Humans infected with this bacillus can
present with active TB (symptomatic) or clinically latent (asymptomatic) infection. The factors
that determine the outcome of infection are not fully understood. Active TB can present in a
variety of ways, from mild to fulminant disease. Recently, we have proposed that latent
infection also represents a spectrum of infections, and those that are “higher” on the
spectrum of latency are more likely to develop reactivation TB. Using a non-­‐human primate
model of tuberculosis, we have assessed the factors and events that influence outcome of
infection, and have used sophisticated whole-­‐body imaging to track the infection. Our findings
indicate that the spectrum of M. tuberculosis infection that exists in the population can also
exist in a single host. Using imaging, immunology, bacteriology and modeling, we have data to
demonstrate the heterogeneity of infection within a single host at the level of the granuloma.
Data on the variability in granulomas will be presented. This variability has implications for
development of drugs to effectively and efficiently treat tuberculosis, as well as vaccines to
prevent infection or disease.