Characterizing the interactions between airway microbial species and their physiopathological consequences in respiratory infections in humans and animals
1. Characterizing the interactions between airway microbial species and their physiopathological consequences in respiratory infections in humans
The co-existence of several microorganisms, such as A. fumigatus and S. maltophilia, into the same microbiota, in humans and animals, implied the presence of interactions. We developed an in vitro fungal-bacterial model of biofilm in the laboratory to understand: - Who is the first to colonize airway epithelium? - Whether the presence of one microorganism promotes or limits the adhesion of the other - How these microorganisms adhere to the host cells when they are alone or together? - Whether all the strains are able to form a mixed biofilm - What does the formation of a mixed biofilm mean for the colonization in airway epithelium/on the immune response/on the response to antimicrobial treatment ?
Study of cellular and molecular interactions between A. fumigatus and S. maltophilia to analyse synergic, antagonism and/or mutualism effects
2. Characterizing the interactions between airway microbial species and their physiopathological consequences in respiratory infections in animals
The avian respiratory system hosts a wide range of commensal and potential pathogenic bacteria and/or fungal agents that interact with each other. Such interactions could be either synergistic or antagonistic, which subsequently determines the severity of the disease. Among those pathogenic agents,A. fumigatus would be able to interact with bacteria such as Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale or Escherichia coli, and cause acute highly contagious diseases in poultry, while mortality rate may stay extremely variable. Our main objectives is to identify the role and interactions between A. fumigatus and bacteria, such as either O. rhinotracheale either E. coli on the physiopathology of respiratory mixed infection in poultry, and to uncover biofilm-driven mechanisms that would manipulate host innate response during the establishment of infection or could play a role on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
Development of experimental co-infection in vitro and in vivo in birds (chicken and turkeys) and mouse. Analysis of immunity factors, such as inflammasomeassociated cytokines and Th17-like cytokines, during bacterial and fungal co-infections in avian models (chicken versus turkey) to elucidate their ability to influence innate immune response.