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EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR COMPETITIVE COEXISTENCE OF TWO SPECIES OF PNEUMOCYSTIS WITHIN RAT LUNGS

ICENHOUR, CRYSTAL RENEE PERRY

Abstract Details

2002, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Medicine : Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine.
Pneumocystis burden were associated with Pneumocystis fluctuations, suggesting that the competition was mediated by environmental factors. Microscopic analysis of rat lung sections showed that both species could exist in close apposition within the same alveoli, excluding habitat heterogeneity as a mechanism for coexistence. The immediate environment of the rat colony was surveyed for the presence of both species to find reservoirs of Pneumocystis, resulting in their identification from walls, floor, air vents, bedding, fur, and feces. Putative infective forms were isolated from air vents and oral cavities with P. carinii-specific antibody coated magnetic beads. These findings indicate that the immediate environment may harbor viable Pneumocystis. Differences between acquisition/transmission of both species were evaluated using targeted PCR of DNA from oral swabs, an ante mortem method developed to monitor P. carinii and P. ratti within the same rat. This technique could predict P. carinii infection outcome, but not P. ratti. Application of this technique showed that P. carinii could be acquired by neonatal rats within the first hour of life, but there was no evidence for vertical transmission of P. carinii by PCR analysis of fetal tissues. These studies suggested that Pneumocystis was acquired early in life. When P. carinii and P. ratti were present in the same lung, a competitive relationship occurred. Neither species was eliminated from the colony, suggesting coexistence. The competition interaction of the two species was likely influenced by environmental factors, suggesting such extrinsic conditions had an influence on the life cycle of these organisms.
Dr. Melanie T. Cushion (Advisor)
146 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • ICENHOUR, C. R. P. (2002). EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR COMPETITIVE COEXISTENCE OF TWO SPECIES OF PNEUMOCYSTIS WITHIN RAT LUNGS [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1012244966

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • ICENHOUR, CRYSTAL. EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR COMPETITIVE COEXISTENCE OF TWO SPECIES OF PNEUMOCYSTIS WITHIN RAT LUNGS. 2002. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1012244966.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • ICENHOUR, CRYSTAL. "EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR COMPETITIVE COEXISTENCE OF TWO SPECIES OF PNEUMOCYSTIS WITHIN RAT LUNGS." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1012244966

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)