WGHA Discovery Series Lecture: Nature, Nurture, and Nutrition
Date: Thursday October 27, 2011
“Nature, Nurture, and Nutrition: Genetic Clues As To Why Children Are Not Created Equal In Susceptibility To Malnutrition”
William Petri, MD, PhD
Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health
University of Virginia Health System
William A. Petri, Jr., M.D., Ph.D. studies enteric infections and their consequences in children of the developing world. Focusing on amebic colitis, he identified the Gal/GalNAc-binding lectin of the parasite Entamoeba histolytica that mediates contact-dependent killing of host cells. Petri pioneered DNA transformation of the parasite, and applied it to validate in vivo the lectin’s role in pathogenesis. Clinically, Petri developed FDA-approved antigen-detection tests that allow sensitive and specific diagnosis of amebiasis. Using these tests in a now 10 year study of 300 children in Bangladesh, he discovered that 10% developed amebic disease annually. Long-term, both malnutrition and cognitive dysfunction were more common in children who had suffered from amebiasis. Acquired immunity to amebiasis was shown to exist, and was associated with interferon gamma and mucosal IgA anti-lectin immune responses. A genetic polymorphism in the leptin receptor, which is a regulator of T cell development, influenced the development of immunity. Petri is now developing an amebiasis vaccine, and has just started an 8 country study of the role of enteric infections, microbiome and human genome on child malnutrition.
This event is free and open to the public. Networking reception to follow at Foege’s Vista Court Cafe 5:30-6:30 p.m.
For information about the WGHA Discovery Series, contact the Global Health Resource Center at ghrc@uw.edu or 206.568.7362.
