Author Interviews, Infections / 09.12.2020
Vector-Borne Bartonella Organisms Associated with Skin and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_56179" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Breitschwerdt[/caption]
Ed Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM
The Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professorship in Medicine
Professor, Internal Medicine
NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Bartonella species represent a medically underappreciated group of vector-transmitted bacteria that are increasingly implicated in a spectrum of animal and human diseases. Most recently, our research group has focused on the potential role of these bacteria as a cause or co-factor in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. This focus is based upon prior case reports and case series generated by our research group and others.
Dr. Breitschwerdt[/caption]
Ed Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM
The Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professorship in Medicine
Professor, Internal Medicine
NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Bartonella species represent a medically underappreciated group of vector-transmitted bacteria that are increasingly implicated in a spectrum of animal and human diseases. Most recently, our research group has focused on the potential role of these bacteria as a cause or co-factor in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. This focus is based upon prior case reports and case series generated by our research group and others.
Dr. Mishra[/caption]
Santosh K. Mishra M.Tech., PhD
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences
NC State Veterinary Medicine
Raleigh, NC 2760
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you briefly explain what is meant by atopic dermatitis?
Response: Chronic allergic itch is a worldwide problem that leads to substantial health expenses,but what causes this universal urge to scratch remains elusive in chronic allergic itch. Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease that often associated with extremely itchy and inflamed skin.
In our study, we showed, for the first time, a molecular pathway that is involved in chronic allergic itch as we identified an endogenous mediator (periostin) and a new role for its sensory neuron receptor, the integrin αVβ3, which drives the excitability and transmission of itch signal to the spinal cord.