My laboratory is studying the role of virus-specific T lymphocytes in the clinical manifestations of virus diseases. Dengue virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the topics of our current research.
Dengue: We are participating in several international collaborative clinical studies to define the risk factors for and pathophysiology of severe dengue disease in humans. In one study, we are analyzing the kinetics of viral replication, T cell and monocyte activation, and cytokine production in children with acute dengue virus infections. In another study, we are defining immunologic responses prior to dengue infection that are associated with an increased risk for severe disease. We are also using laboratory mice as a model of the T lymphocyte response to dengue infection.
Hepatitis C: We are studying CTL responses in patients with chronic HCV infections and their association with hepatic inflammation and viral persistence. We are isolating HCV-specific CTL from liver tissue and blood specimens of patients and analyzing their recognition of endogenous viral sequences.
This is an official Page/Publication of the University of Massachusetts Worcester Campus Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research 55 Lake Avenue North Worcester, MA 01655
Questions or Comments?
Email: cidvr.mail@umassmed.edu
Phone: 508-856-4182