In vivo Investigation of the role of Paracytin and Pur B in Haemophilus Lung Infection (see comments)

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a bacterium that is a major cause of otitis media (middle ear infection), sinusitis and the infection exacertabations for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis. Paracytin and purB from NTHi have been identified by NCI as being involved in infection virulence. This study aims to evaluate the role of these proteins during acute and chronic lung infections using the animal models developed at UC. The NTHi mutant strains (developed by NVI where the genes encoding these proteins have been disrupted so that they are no longer expressed) will be used to achieve this aim. The study will determine if these proteins are involved in virulence and whether these mutants are a potential live attenuated vaccine.