Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology

Campus Address:
2136 Medical Laboratories

Phone: (319) 335-7779

Email: patrick-schlievert@uiowa.edu

Research Description

Research in my laboratory studies superantigen and cytolysin exotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus and group A streptococci, as immune system modulators, evaluating their roles in serious human illnesses, including pneumonia and infective endocarditis, atopic dermatitis, and diabetes mellitus. Included in the larger family of superantigens are toxic-shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), the major cause of TSS; staphylococcal enterotoxins, causes of food poisoning and TSS; and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins, causes of scarlet fever and a TSS-like illness. Additionally, my laboratory identifies novel strategies to prevent and manage serious human infectious diseases. Specific areas of ongoing research include: 1) elucidation of the mechanisms of cytolysin and superantigen subversion of the immune system at mucosal surfaces; 2) structure-function studies of novel superantigens; 3) development of novel therapeutic agents to prevent infections and treat serious human diseases; 4) characterization of staphylococcal, streptococcal, and enterococcal factors required for development of TSS, pneumonia, infective endocarditis, atopic dermatitis, diabetes mellitus, and selected other illnesses; 5) characterization of the pathogenesis of novel human illnesses associated with gram-positive bacteria.

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