Melanie A. Wellington, M.D., Ph.D.

See information for Patients. Viewing information for Researchers.

Dr. Wellington's research interests are:

1) Host defense against infection with Candida

2) Fungal infections in children

3) Infections in the immunocompromised host.

Candida is the most common cause of invasive fungal infection. Most individuals are colonized with Candida, but healthy individuals rarely develop disease from the organism. Candida does cause serious disease in patients who are immunocompromised because of malignancies, AIDS, congenital immunodeficiency disorders, or who are receiving medications that inhibit the immune response. Candida disease is extremely difficult to treat and has a high rate of mortality. Therefore, new modalities, such as the use of anti-Candida antibodies are being investigated. However, very little is known about how antibodies function to protect individuals from infection.

The focus of Dr. Wellington's laboratory is to investigate how the immune response to Candida is affected by the presence of anti-Candida antibodies. The major area of investigation is the interaction of phagocytes with Candida. These investigations include characterization of the mechanisms through which antibody enhances the phagocyte response to the organism. In addition to antibody, receptors on the phagocyte surface that recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns may play an important role in activating the anti-Candida response. The ability of phagocytes to respond appropriately to Candida is important for activation of innate and adaptive immune responses to Candida and may lead to protection from the development of Candida disease. We expect these studies to lead to a better understanding of host-fungal interactions, which will allow us to improve the care of patients at risk for Candida disease.

Specialty

Infectious Diseases

Current Appointments

• Assistant Professor - Department of Pediatrics (SMD)

Lab Description

Using molecular biology, cell culture, and animal model systems, Dr. Wellington's laboratory investigates the host phagocyte response to Candida albicans.