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Biological vector borne transmission of Salmonella by cockroaches

Award Number: R01AI171014
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 11/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/31/2027

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Biological vector borne transmission of Salmonella by cockroaches - PROJECT SUMMARY The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is the most common pestiferous cockroach species in human environments. B. germanica contributes to the transmission of bacteria that cause enteric (diarrheal) disease, including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, but the mechanisms of transmission are not well understood. Enteric bacterial pathogen transmission by cockroaches has previously been described as mechanical in nature. Mechanical transmission is a passive, non-replicative transfer of bacteria from one location or host to another. This mechanism is limited in impact relative to active biological transmission. However, recent data from our laboratory indicate that transmission of S. Typhimurium by German cockroaches is markedly more complex than simple mechanical transmission and instead resembles biological transmission by other insects that intake bacteria from infected hosts and are subsequently colonized, enabling active and prolonged shedding and transmission. In particular, we have observed that following ingestion, S. Typhimurium undergoes a lifestyle change and multiple replication events in the digestive tract of the German cockroach. Furthermore, we have identified several S. Typhimurium genes that are necessary for bacterial colonization and shedding from the gut of B. germanica, evidencing an active role of the bacteria. The central objective of the proposed research project is to gain a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of biological vector-borne transmission of S. Typhimurium by the German cockroach. Three independent specific aims are proposed. First, we will elucidate the fine spatiotemporal details of wild-type S. Typhimurium colonization and shedding in nymph and adult cockroaches. Second, leveraging an unparalleled array of mutant S. Typhimurium strains, we will identify specific bacterial genes and functions that are necessary for colonization of cockroaches and subsequent transmission. Third, we will determine the effects of two key host factors, namely antimicrobial effectors and the gut microbiota, on S. Typhimurium colonization and shedding. Together, the proposed studies will establish a picture of how bacterial and host factors interact to shape biological transmission of S. Typhimurium by the German cockroach, providing fundamental insight into the dynamics of a unique, poorly studied vector-pathogen system with a global distribution and public health impact.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $360,672 )
2025	2025	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	10/30/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$360,672
2025	2025	PURDUE UNIVERSITY	2550 NORTHWESTERN AVE # 1100	WEST LAFAYETTE	IN	47906	TIPPECANOE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	005	4	4/30/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$302,072
2025	2025	PURDUE UNIVERSITY	2550 NORTHWESTERN AVE # 1100	WEST LAFAYETTE	IN	47906	TIPPECANOE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	002	4	4/16/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$355,316
2025	2025	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	3	4/16/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$355,316
2025	2025	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	004	3	4/30/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$5,356
2025	2024	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	003	2	4/30/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$296,716
														Subtotal = $360,672

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $371,918 )
2024	2024	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	2	5/20/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$37,192
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	10/23/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$334,726
														Subtotal = $371,918

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $372,005 )
2023	2023	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA	414 E CLARK ST	VERMILLION	SD	57069	CLAY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	11/1/2022	NEW	$372,005
														Subtotal = $372,005

Grand Total All Awards = $1,104,595

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Biological vector borne transmission of Salmonella by cockroaches

Award Number: R01AI171014

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 11/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/31/2027

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