Introduction
Research interests in my laboratory are focused on understanding and trying to control bacterial infections of animals.
A long-term interest has been Rhodococcus equi, an important bacterial pathogen of foals. We are especially interested in the pathogenicity island found on the virulence plasmid, and how this interacts with chromosomal genes to interfere with the usual process of killing by foal macrophages. We are also interested in the role of virulence-associated proteins (Vaps), and especially of VapA, in immunity of foals to this infection. Recent immunization studies have focused on developing a live attenuated bacterial vaccine for oral administration to foals.
A second increasing interest is in poultry microbiology, specifically Clostridium perfringens as the agent of necrotic enteritis in broilers. There is a need for an effective way to control this infection and, as society increasingly frowns on the use of antimicrobial drugs because of resistance issues, we have focused on understanding immunity to this infection. The work is at an early stage but we have shown that birds become immune following infection and are trying to characterize its basis.
Interests in bacterial infections of dogs has included the basis of the association of necrotizing fasciitis caused by Streptococcus canis with fluoroquinolone use, and documentation of the emergence of canine leptospirosis in Canada because of urban wildlife and climate change, and promotion of vaccination of dogs against the causative serovars. I am also interested in understanding the basis of the increasing resistance of bacteria isolated from dogs, and finding ways to stop this problem.
Other work in the lab is looking at the use of a gamma-interferon assay on a test on whole blood taken from sheep in the eradication of caseous lymphadenitis. Noel Harrington is finishing studies at the Animal Disease Research Institute on a real time-PCR assay for cytokines in whole blood of elk with bovine tuberculosis, that he hopes will be applied to naturally infected animals.
We are always interested in finding energetic graduate students to work in these or related areas, especially if they bring their own stipend funding. The lab and department is well equipped to do the really interesting work required to understand how bacteria cause disease, and how to prevent them from doing so.
Biography
John F. Prescott, MA VetMB PhD, Professor, Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
John F. Prescott graduated VetMB from the University of Cambridge, England, in 1973 and PhD from the same University in 1977. He has worked at the Ontario Veterinary College as a bacteriologist since 1976, initially as an Assistant Professor and clinical bacteriologist and since 1979 as a teacher and research worker. He was promoted to Professor in 1988. He is currently Chair of the Department of Pathobiology.
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