ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9604-2269
Current Organisation
University of Leicester
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-11-2012
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-04-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-11-2015
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 08-2014
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00764-14
Abstract: Spontaneously expectorated sputum is traditionally used as the s ling method for the investigation of lower airway infections. While guidelines exist for the handling of these s les for culture-based diagnostic microbiology, there is no comparable consensus on their handling prior to culture-independent analysis. The increasing incorporation of culture-independent approaches in diagnostic microbiology means that it is of critical importance to assess potential biases. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of delayed freezing on culture-independent microbiological analyses and to identify acceptable parameters for s le handling. Sputum s les from eight adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients were collected and aliquoted into sterile Bijou bottles. Aliquots were stored at room temperature before being frozen at −80°C for increasing intervals, up to a 72-h period. S les were treated with propidium monoazide to distinguish live from dead cells prior to DNA extraction, and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing was used to characterize their bacterial compositions. Substantial variation was observed in s les with high- ersity bacterial communities over time, whereas little variation was observed in low- ersity communities dominated by recognized CF pathogens, regardless of time to freezing. Partitioning into common and rare species demonstrated that the rare species drove changes in similarity. The percentage abundance of anaerobes over the study significantly decreased after 12 h at room temperature ( P = 0.008). Failure to stabilize s les at −80°C within 12 h of collection results in significant changes in the detected community composition.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 29-08-2017
DOI: 10.1101/181982
Abstract: Persistent bacterial bronchitis is a leading cause of chronic wet cough in young children. This study aimed to characterise the respiratory bacterial microbiota of healthy children and to assess the impact of the changes associated with the development of persistent bacterial bronchitis. Blind, protected brushings were obtained from 20 healthy controls and 24 children with persistent bacterial bronchitis, with an additional directed s le obtained from persistent bacterial bronchitis patients. DNA was extracted, quantified using a 16S rRNA gene quantitative PCR assay prior to microbial community analysis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No significant difference in bacterial ersity or community composition (R 2 = 0.01, P = 0.36) was observed between paired blind and non-blind brushes, showing that blind brushings are a valid means of accessing the airway microbiota. This has important implications for collecting lower respiratory s les from healthy children. A significant decrease in bacterial ersity ( P 0.001) and change in community composition (R 2 = 0.08, P = 0.004) was observed between controls and patients. Bacterial communities within patients with PBB were dominated by Proteobacteria , and indicator species analysis showed that Haemophilus and Neisseria were significantly associated with the patient group. In 15 (52.9%) cases the dominant organism by sequencing was not identified by standard routine clinical culture. The bacteria present in the lungs of patients with persistent bacterial bronchitis were less erse in terms of richness and evenness. The results validate the clinical diagnosis, and suggest that more attention to bacterial communities in children with chronic cough may lead to more rapid recognition of this condition with earlier treatment and reduction in disease burden.
Publisher: American Thoracic Society
Date: 09-2014
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 17-10-2019
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 27-12-2017
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 28-08-2019
DOI: 10.1126/SCITRANSLMED.AAV3879
Abstract: Inhaled corticosteroids promote bacterial infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by suppressing the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Leah Cuthbertson.