This study investigates how human nasal epithelial cells respond to H. influenzae infection, revealing an initial inflammatory response followed by tolerance and reactivation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

bioRxiv · Jul 11, 2023 · PreprintMicrobiology

A transmission chain linking Mycobacterium ulcerans with Aedes notoscriptus mosquitoes, possums and human Buruli ulcer cases in southeastern Australia

P. T. Mee, A. H. Buultjens, J. Oliver, K. Brown, J. C. Crowder, J. L. Porter, E. C. Hobbs, L. M. Judd, G. Taiaroa, N. Puttharak, D. A. Williamson, K. R. Blasdell, E. L. Tay, R. Feldman, M. O. Muzari, , S. E. Lynch

The paper investigates the transmission chain of Mycobacterium ulcerans between mosquitoes, possums, and humans in southeastern Australia, finding a significant association between M. ulcerans and Aedes notoscriptus mosquitoes.

bioRxiv · May 7, 2023 · PreprintMicrobiology

Structured surveys of Australian native possum excreta predict Buruli ulcer occurrence in humans

K. Vandelannoote, A. H. Buultjens, J. L. Porter, A. Velink, J. R. Wallace, K. R. Blasdell, M. Dunn, V. Boyd, J. A. M. Fyfe, E. L. Tay, P. D. R. Johnson, S. Windecker, N. Golding, T. P. Stinear

This study uses structured surveys of possum excreta to predict human Buruli ulcer cases, showing improved predictive performance compared to null models.

eLife · Apr 14, 2023Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Vaccine-specific immune responses against Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in a low-dose murine challenge model

K. M. Mangas, A. H. Buultjens, J. L. Porter, S. L. Baines, E. Marion, L. Marsollier, N. J. Tobias, S. J. Pidot, K. M. Quinn, D. J. Price, K. Kedzierska, W. Zeng, D. C. Jackson, B. Y. Chua, T. P. Stinear

This study evaluates a prime-boost vaccine against Mycobacterium ulcerans in mice, finding that both the experimental ER vaccine and BCG provide significant protection through distinct immune profiles.

bioRxiv · Oct 10, 2019Immunology

Increasing tolerance of hospital Enterococcus faecium to hand-wash alcohols

S. J. Pidot, W. Gao, A. H. Buultjens, I. R. Monk, R. Guerillot, G. P. Carter, J. Y. H. Lee, M. M. C. Lam, S. A. Ballard, M. L. Grayson, A. A. Mahony, E. A. Grabsch, D. Kotsanas, T. Korman, G. W. Coombs, , T. P. Stinear

The paper shows hospital Enterococcus faecium isolates from 2010 onward are 10-fold more tolerant to alcohol-based disinfectants than older isolates, leading to increased gastrointestinal colonization in mice.

bioRxiv · May 16, 2016Microbiology