Dhira Rani Saha

Unpacking the Virulence Plasmid of Bacteria: Role in Apoptosis and Disease Establishment Dhira Rani Saha

Aeromonas hydrophila ia a ubiquitous bacterial pathogen with a broad spectrum of host, ranging from molluscs to human. Therefore it is an important model to study bacterial pathogenicity. The disease spectrum in human includes gastroenteritis, septicemia, traumatic and aquatic wound infections. The world wide interest on this bacteria is increasing on the occurance of multidrug resistance and involvement in severe gastroenteritis in children. Presence of a virulence plasmid has been observed in clinical isolates. But their exact role in disease establishment and virulence is not clear. The goal is to unfold the role of plasmid in disease establishment in-vivo and triggering apoptosis in-vitro. Apoptosis or programmed cell death is actually a double sided sword that helps to maintain body homeostasis. Apoptosis triggering by pathogenic bacteria is paving a new way for future research which will help for better understanding of infectious diseases and provide new tools to control future outbreaks of new strains.