Education:
B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology •
M.S. Cornell University • Ph.D. Cornell University
Postdoctoral Fellow, 1993-1995, LSU Medical Center, Shreveport
Dr. Elzer has a joint appointment in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Science in the LSU AgCenter. Dr. Elzer contributes to courses and laboratory exercises in immunology, microbiology, reproductive and abortifacient
diseases in the veterinary curriculum. He also is an active participant in
graduate courses related to the host response to infectious agents,
bacterial pathogenesis, and molecular and cellular immunology. He serves
as major professor or advisory committee member for both M.S. and Ph.D.
candidates. Dr. Elzer also serves on the Graduate Program Committee for
the Department of Pathobiological Sciences. Dr. Elzer holds membership in
10 professional societies including the American Association of
Immunologists, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Society
for Microbiology, and the Wildlife Disease Association. He serves as an ad
hoc reviewer for scientific journals and participates on ad hoc review
panels for granting agencies. He is currently the Chairman of the
Brucellosis Scientific Advisory Committee for the United States Animal
Health Association.
Research Interests
Dr. Elzer's area of research is in bacterial pathogenesis focusing on host-parasite interactions and immunity. He has several projects involving brucellosis, including animal modeling, vaccine efficacy, gene-deletion mutant characterization, in vitro bactericidal assays, and novel therapeutic agents. The research is directed towards a variety of animal species including cattle, swine, goats, sheep, bison, elk, moose, pronghorn antelope, reindeer, and coyotes. A mouse model for bovine and human brucellosis is also used as a primary screen to evaluate the host response. New technologies for identification of virulence factors are currently being investigated using Brucella melitensis and B. suis.
Brucella melitensis is considered a potential biological warfare agent due to the characteristic protracted debilitating disease caused by this organism. This species is highly infectious, especially when aerosolized, and it causes a severe debilitating disease that can last for months. While the disease is rarely fatal, transmission to large numbers of US or allied troops would seriously hamper military operations, leaving these forces susceptible to attack. Biological terrorism also poses a risk to the general public. At present, there is no vaccine that prevents human brucellosis. Furthermore, very little is known about the genetic basis of Brucella virulence. We propose to identify and characterize B. melitensis genes important in pathogenesis that are expressed during acute and chronic phases of infection, using a protocol known as SCOTS (Selective Capture of Transcribed Sequences). SCOTS permits the rapid identification of mRNAs whose steady state levels change dramatically under different growth conditions. B. melitensis genomic DNA that has been blocked to prevent the binding of constitutively expressed transcripts is used as a reagent to isolate cDNAs derived from transcripts synthesized following the infection of the host cell. As differentially expressed transcripts are identified, the corresponding genes will be inactivated by insertion mutagenesis using an in vitro transposition system adapted for use in B. melitensis. The resulting mutant strain will be evaluated for the ability to replicate in murine phagocytes ex vivo and in vivo and in the caprine host. Strains demonstrating lowered survival are potential candidates for the development of a live attenuated or recombinant vaccine against human brucellosis. We anticipate that the research outlined in this proposal will provide significant insights into the molecular basis of Brucella virulence for vaccine development and other novel strategies for prevention and treatment of disease caused by Brucella spp.
One of the major diseases of concern to the foreign buyers of pork and pork products is brucellosis. Although the USDA has made eradication of swine brucellosis a priority in recent years, this goal has yet to be achieved due to infection of feral or wild swine with Brucella suis. It has been estimated that between 3-50% of feral swine in some areas of the South and Southeastern regions of the United States are infected with B. suis. With the accidental and intentional mingling of feral and domestic swine, there is a constant threat of domestic herds contracting brucellosis in these regions. In the future the Southern US will become an increasingly important region for domestic swine production. Basic knowledge of swine brucellosis pathogenesis and virulence factors is important to the ultimate control of this disease. Consequently we plan to identify and characterize B. suis virulence factors using signature-tagged mutagenesis, a procedure that allows the simultaneous production, screening, and characterization of a large number of isogenic mutants. To accomplish this goal we propose to: 1.) Use signature-tagged transposon mutagenesis to identify B. suis genes that are important in maintaining an infection in swine; 2.) Evaluate the intracellular survival of stm mutants in porcine phagocytes (macrophages and neutrophils); 3.) Clone and sequence significant and interesting genes of B. suis that are important in maintaining an infection. This enhanced knowledge of B. suis pathogenesis and virulence factors will provide insight that can subsequently be applied to vaccine strategies for the prevention and control of swine brucellosis.
Dr. Elzer is also involved in mycobacterium projects to develop potential vaccines for Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis in cattle and wild ungulates.
Selected Publications
Edmonds, M.D., L.E. Samartino, P.G. Hoyt, S.D. Hagius, J.V. Walker, F.M. Enright, G.G. Schurig and P.H. Elzer. (2001). Oral vaccination of sexually mature pigs with Brucella abortus vaccine strain RB51. Am J Vet Res 62(8):1328-1331.
Edmonds, M.D., A. Cloeckaert, N.J. Booth, W.T. Fulton, S.D. Hagius, J.V. Walker, and P.H. Elzer. (2001). Attenuation of a Brucella abortus mutant lacking a major 25 kDa outer membrane protein (Omp 25) in cattle. Am J Vet Res 62(9):1461-1466.
Roop, R.M., II, R.W. Phillips, S.D. Hagius, J.V. Walker, N.J. Booth, W.T. Fulton, M.D. Edmonds, and P.H. Elzer. (2001) Reexamination of the role of the Brucella melitensis HtrA stress response protease in virulence in pregnant goats. Vet Microbiol 82(1):91-95.
Edwards, J.F., D.S. Davis, T.J. Roffe, F. Ramiro-Ibanez, and P.H. Elzer. (2001) Fushobacteriosis in captive, wild-caught pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana). Vet Pathol 38(5):549-552.
Kabagambe, E.K., P.H. Elzer, J.P. Geaghan, J. Opuda-Asibo, D.T. Scholl, and J.E. Miller. (2001). Risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in goat herds in eastern and western Uganda. Prev Vet Med 52(2):91-108.
Elzer, P.H. Coordinator: Brucella abortus and B. melitensis. IN: Perry, B.D., McDermott, J.J., Randolph, T.F., Sones, K.R., and Thornton, P.K. (2002). Investing in Animal Research to Alleviate Poverty. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
Cook, W.E., E.S. Williams, E.T. Thorne, T.J. Kreeger, G. Stout, K. Bardsley, H. Edwards, G.G. Schurig, L.A. Colby, F.M. Enright and P.H. Elzer. (2002) Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccination in elk. I. Efficacy of reduced dosage. J Wildl Dis 38(1):18-26.
Kreeger, T.J., W.E. Cook, W.H. Edwards, P.H. Elzer, and S.C. Olsen. (2002) Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccination in elk. II. Failure of high dosage to prevent abortion. J. Wildl Dis 38(1): 27-31.
DelVecchio, V.G., V. Kapatral, R.J. Redkar, G. Patra, C. Mujer, T. Los, N. Ivanova, I. Anderson, A. Bhattacharayya, A. Lykidis, G. Reznik, L. Jablonski, N. Larsen, M. D'Souza, A. Bernal, M. Mazur, E. Goltsman, E. Selkov, P.H. Elzer, S. Hagius, D. O'Callaghan, J. Letesson, R. Haselkorn, N. Kyrpides, and R. Overbeek. (2002) The genome sequence of the facultative intracellular pathogen Brucella melitensis. PNAS 99(1):443-448.
Yokum, T.S., R.P. Hammer, M.L. McLaughlin, and P.H. Elzer. (2002) Peptides with indirect and in vivo activity against an intracellular pathogen: selective lysis of infected macrophages. J Pept Res 59(1): 9-17.
Edmonds, M.E., A. Cloeckaert, and P.H. Elzer. (2002). Brucella species lacking the major outer membrane protein Omp25 are attenuated in mice and protect against Brucella melitensis and Brucella ovis. Vet Microbiol 88(3):205-221.
Murphy, E.A., G.T. Robertson, M. Parent, S.D. Hagius, R.M. Roop, P.H. Elzer, and C.L Baldwin. (2002). Major histocompatibility complex class I and II expression on macrophages containing a virulent strain of Brucella abortus measured using green fluorescent protein-expressing brucellae and flow cytometry. Immunol Med Microbiol 33(3):191-200.
Parent, M, B.H. Bellaire, E.A. Murphy, R.M. Roop II, P.H. Elzer, and C.L. Baldwin. (2002). Brucella abortus siderophore 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) facilitates intracellular survival of the bacteria. Microb Pathog 32(5):239-248.
Edmonds, M.D., A. Cloeckaert, S.D. Hagius, L.E. Samartino, W.T. Fulton, J.V. Walker, F.M. Enright, N.J. Booth, and P.H. Elzer. (2002). Pathogenicity and protective activity in pregnant goats of a Brucella melitensis
DOmp 25 deletion mutant. Res Vet Sci. 72(3):235-239.
Wagner, M.A., M. Eschenbrenner, T. A. Horn, J.A. Kraycer, C. V. Mujer, S. D. Hagius, P.H. Elzer, and V. G. DelVecchio. (2002) Global analysis of the Brucella melitensis proteome: Identification of proteins expressed in laboratory-grown culture. Proteomics 2(8):1047-1060.
Eschenbrenner, M., M.A. Wagner, T.A. Horn, J.A. Kraycer, C.V. Mujer, S.D. Hagius, P.H. Elzer, and V.G. DelVecchio. (2002) Comparative proteome analysis of Brucella melitensis vaccine strain Rev 1 and a virulent strain, 16M. J Bacteriol 184(18):4962-4970.
Olsen, S.C., P.H. Elzer. (2002) Wildlife Vaccines: The Promise and the Perils. ed. T. Kreeger. Brucellosis in Elk and Bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area. 38-42.
Chirgwin, S.R., P.H. Elzer, S.U. Coleman, J. M. Nowling, S.D. Hagius, M.D. Edmonds, and T.R. Klei. (2002) Infection outcome and cytokine gene expression in Brugia pahangi-infected gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) sensitized with Brucella abortus. Infect Immun 70(11):5938-5945.
Elzer, P.H., J. Smith, T. Roffe, T. Kreeger, J. Edwards, and D. Davis. (2002). Evaluation of Brucella abortus Strain RB51 and Strain 19 in Pronghorn Antelope. Ann NY Acad Sci 969:102-105.
Mujer, C.V., M.A.Wagner, M. Eschenbrenner, T.A. Horn, J.A. Kraycer, R. Redkar, S. Hagius, P. Elzer, and V.G. DelVecchio. (2002) Global Analysis of Brucella melitensis proteomes. Ann NY Acad Sci 969:97-101.
Elzer, P.H., S.D. Hagius, D.S.Davis, V.G. DelVecchio, and F.M. Enright. (2002). Characterization of the caprine model for ruminant brucellosis. Vet Microbiol 90(1-4):425-431.
DelVecchio, V.G., V. Kapatral, P.H. Elzer, G. Patra, and C. Mujer. (2002). The genome of Brucella melitensis. Vet Microbiol 90(1-4):587-592.
Davis, D.S. and P.H. Elzer. (2002). Brucella Vaccines in Wildlife. Vet Microbiol 90(1-4): 533-544.
DelVecchio, V.G., M.A. Wagner, M. Eschenbrenner, T.A. Horn, J.A. Kraycer, F.Estock, P.H. Elzer, and C. V. Mujer. (2002). Brucella Proteomes - A Review. Vet Microbiol 90(1-4):593-603.
Cloeckaert, A., N. Vizcaino, J. Y. Paquet, R. A. Bowden, and P.H. Elzer. (2002). Major outermembrane proteins of Brucella spp.: Past, Present, and Future. Vet Microbiol 90(1-4):229-247.
Colby, L, G.G. Schurig, and P.H. Elzer, (2002) An indirect ELISA to detect the serologic response of elk inoculated with Brucella abortus strain RB51. J Wildl Dis 38(4) 752-759.
Elzer, P.H. (2002) Brucellosis Vaccines for Twenty-First century: Research Update. National Institute for Animal Agriculture. 51-56.
Elzer, P.H, S.D. Hagius, T.J. Roffe, S. Holland and D.S. Davis. (2002). Failure of RB51 as a calfhood bison vaccine against brucellosis. Proc U.S. Anim. Health Assoc 106:183-187.
Roffe, T.J., L.C. Jones, M. Drew, K. Coffin, S. Sweeney and P.H. Elzer. (2002). Effectiveness of Brucella abortus strain 19 single calfhood vaccination in elk (Cervus elaphus). Proc U.S. Anim Health Assoc 106:203-208.
Bellaire, B.H., P.H. Elzer, C.L. Baldwin, and R.M. Roop II. (2003) Production of the siderophore 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid by is required for wild-type of Brucella abortus in the presence of erythritol under low iron conditions in vitro. Infect Immun 71(5):2927-2832.
Bellaire, B.H., P.H. Elzer, S.D. Hagius, J.V. Walker, C.L. Baldwin, and R.M. Roop II. (2003) Genetic organization and iron responsive regulation of the Brucella abortus 2,3-hydroxybenzoic acid biosynthesis operon, a cluster of genes required for wild-type virulence in pregnant cattle. Infect Immun 71(4):1794-1803.
Elzer, P.H. (2003) History and Future of Brucellosis Vaccine Development, Applications of Genomics and Proteomics for Analysis of Bacterial Biological Warfare Agents. (2003) V.G. DelVecchio and V. Krcmery (eds.). IOS Press, Amsterdam 352:123-127.
Tsoktouridis, G., Merz, C.A., Manning, S.P., Giovagnoli-Kurtz, R., Williams, L.E., Mujer, C.V., Hagius, S., Elzer, P.H., Redkar, R.J., Patra, G., and V.G. DelVecchio. (2003).
Molecular characterization of Brucella abortus chromosome II recombination J. Bacteriol. 185(20):6130-6138.
Elzer, P.H., D.S. Davis, D. Evans, B. Martin, S. Olsen, J. Rhyan, and G. Schurig (2003) Review of Brucella vaccine research in bison and elk. Proc U.S. Anim. Health Assoc 107:183-187.
Elzer, P.H. and S.D. Hagius (2003) Scientists help in search for vaccines to protect people from germ warfare. Louisiana Agriculture, Fall:47.
Elzer, P.H. (2003) Brucella species as potential biological weapons. CBRMTS-Industry III, Chemical, biological, and radiological terrorism, Applied Science and Analysis, Inc 98:1,10-11.
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