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Eric  R.  Houpt
Degree(s): M.D.
Graduate School: Emory University
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and International Health
Research Interests:
Parasite Immunology

Email Address: erh6k@virginia.edu
Research Description

Our laboratory is involved in two projects.  The first entails study of the host response to intestinal Entamoeba histolytica infection using a mouse model of amebic colitis that we have developed. The model permits delineation of both innate and acquired immune responses to the parasite. Only certain mouse strains are susceptible to infection, and we are characterizing the host genetic contribution to natural resistance to the parasite, which appears to reside at the level of the epithelium and host microflora.  We are also defining the nature of protective and deleterious acquired immunity, tools that are being used for development of vaccines and new therapeutic approaches to colitis. To complement this work at the bench, we have a field-site in Moshi, Tanzania where we develop and test PCR-based diagnostics for enteric infection, particularly in the setting of AIDS.  These molecular assays are then utilized to examine how parasite genotype contributes to transmission, virulence, and host response.

Selected Publications
  • Kibiki GS, Myers LC, Kalambo CF, Hoang SB, Stoler MH, Stroup SE, Houpt ER. Bronchoalveolar neutrophils, interferon gamma-inducible protein 10 and interleukin-7 in AIDS-associated tuberculosis. Clin Exp Immunol. Feb 6, 2007.
  • Hamano S, Asgharpour A, Stroup S, Wynn T, Leiter E, Houpt E. Resistance of C57BL/6 mice to amoebiasis is mediated by nonhematopoietic cells but requires hematopoietic IL-10 production. J Immunol, 2006, 177(2):1208-13.
  • Stroup, S. E., S. Roy, J. Mchele, G. Kang, H. Ward, B. Kirkpatrick, R. L. Guerrant, R. Fayer, R. Haque, and Houpt E. Species-specific real-time PCR for Cryptosporidium in stool using Scorpion probes. J Med Microbiol 2006, 55: 1217-1222.
  • Haque R, Roy S, Kabir M, Stroup S, Mondal D, Houpt E. Giardia assemblage A infection and diarrhea in Bangladesh. J Inf Dis 2005, 192(12):2171-2173.
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 800136, MR-4, 2115, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-243-9326
      Fax Phone: +1 434-924-0075

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