Paul D. Fey, Ph.D.
Phone: 402.559.2122
Email:
pfey@unmc.edu
Interests:
Associate Director, NHS Microbiology Section
Associate Director, Nebraska Public Health Laboratory
Director, Epidemiology Division, Nebraska Public Health
Laboratory NHS Molecular Epidemiologist, Department of
Healthcare Epidemiology
Research:
My research interests lie in two main areas: the genetics of bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic
resistance. Our bacterial pathogenesis program is focused on the study of Staphylococcus epidermidis,
which is the preeminent cause of infections involving prosthetic heart valves, intravascular catheters,
and other bio-material based devices. These infections result in significant morbidity, mortality and
economic cost. One of the defined virulence factors of S. epidermidis is polysaccharide intercellular
adhesin (PIA) which is synthesized by enzymes encoded by a 3.4 Kb gene operon ica. PIA mediates
intercellular adhesion between cells on the biomaterial and hence creates biofilm or slime. We have
recently shown that ica knockout mutant strains are significantly less virulent in two separate animal
models. The ica operon has been shown to undergo phase variation, whereby a certain proportion of the
cellular population switch off transcription of ica. Phase variation is thought to have pathogenic
significance. Individual cells that are not producing biofilm therefore are less adherent and may be
free to disperse and colonize other fertile areas. Chemical inhibition of regulators that mediate
induction and/or phase variation of ica would be a novel method to inhibit S. epidermidis mediated
bio-material based infections. We hypothesize that phase variation is primarily mediated through a
trans-acting regulator. My laboratory is focused on defining these possible regulators.
The laboratory is also performing studies in collaboration with scientists and epidemiologists from
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Europe to characterize ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella from the
United States. Ceftriaxone is standard empiric therapy for invasive, life-threatening cases of
salmonellosis in children. We are studying the molecular epidemiology of these isolates to determine
any potential relatedness. Many other studies are ongoing, including those with public health impact.
These studies include the molecular epidemiology of a cluster of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing an
extended-spectrum b-lactamase, the prevalence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in Nebraska,
and also the epidemiology of non-hospital acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Education and Training
B.S., Kansas State University, 1990 (Biology and Microbiology)
Ph.D., Creighton University, 1995 (Medical Microbiology)
Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Medical College of Virginia, 1995-1997
National Activities
Member-American Society for Microbiology
Journal Reviewer-Journal of Infectious Disease
Committee-Nebraska state bill LB1206 Escherichia coli O157;H7 scientific committee
National Speaking Engagements
“Salmonella Typhimurium resistant to third-generation cephalosporins in Nebraska” Status of Molecular
Characterization of antimicrobial-resistance in Salmonella.” Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA.
Feb 11, 1999.
“b-lactamase analysis of ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella isolated in United States.”
Food Safety Symposium on Antimicrobial Resistance. Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA.
September 24, 1999
