In situ methodologies towards the understanding of the host's immune reponse in infectious diseases

• Grant number: 12/05745-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: July 16, 2012
• End date: January 15, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Tereza Cristina Cardoso da Silva
• Grantee: Heitor Flávio Ferrari
• Supervisor: Charles D. Mackenzie
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMVA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Michigan State University (MSU), United States

Abstract

Infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are frequently reported. Studies involving such illnesses often focus on the pathologic phenotypes, identification, and isolation of the infectious agent; however, the underlying immunopathogenic mechanisms of diseases like bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) are not always completely understood. Such knowledge is paramount for, among other things, implementing preventive measures. This research aims to use formalin-fixed samples of tissues infected by Onchocerca volvulus, for the application of molecular hybridization techniques to study the pathogenic mechanisms involved in this disease. Furthermore, the standardization of this methodology, will allow this tool to also be used in detecting and studying other etiologic agents, such as bacteria and viruses by the Pathology and Microbiology laboratory at the Michigan State University. Finally, these techniques can effectively assist my PhD research project towards understanding the interactions between BoHV-5 and the host's central nervous system (CNS). (AU)