# MECHANISMS OF HOST RESISTANCE TO GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 1987 · $112,894

## Abstract

Group B streptococci continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and
mortality in human neonates and other immunocompromised hosts.  Although
great strides have been made in understanding the mechanisms of host
defense against these organisms, we still do not understand a great deal
about the pathogenesis of this most fulminant of bacterial infections.  We
wish to concentrate on three aspects of the pathogenesis of, and immunity
to group B streptococcal infection that we feel have exciting potential.
First, we will seek to determine exactly what role fibronectin (FN) has in
promoting epithelial cell adherence to group B streptococci.  In addition,
we will determine how FN enhances the opsonic activity of polyclonal and
monoclonal antibody.  Second, we will determine if the profound neutropenia
and marrow granulocyte store depletion commonly observed in human and
experimental animal group B disease is the result of decreased production
of leukocyte mobilizing factors, such as C3e, derived from the complement
system.  Lastly, we will determine if group B streptococci or their soluble
products affect vascular endothelial cell-neutrophil interactions and,
thus, contribute to the pathogenesis of the lung damage in this serious and
often overwhelming bacterial infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125394
- **Project number:** 5R01AI013150-11
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LL8GLEVH6MG3
- **Principal Investigator:** HARRY R HILL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $112,894
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-01-01 → 1990-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125394

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125394, MECHANISMS OF HOST RESISTANCE TO GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI (5R01AI013150-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125394. Licensed CC0.

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