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| Dr. Jason LeBlanc |
What is your current research project?
Within the CIRN SOS Network, I have been afforded many opportunities and have been immersed in many interesting collaborative research projects. My particular area of expertise is molecular diagnostics and molecular epidemiology, and I have helped develop new laboratory methods to better our understanding of the burden of respiratory illnesses caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza virus, or new or emerging microbial threats to public health.
How did you become interested in your research topic?
To be honest, my interest in vaccine-preventable diseases was serendipitous, and I had lots of help along the way. Whether studying pathogenesis, epidemiology or diagnostics, I have always had research interests with a molecular techniques at its backbone. On the other hand, the ability to perform the translational research required to make informed decisions on vaccine use in Canada has been guided by my two mentors, Drs. Todd Hatchette and Shelly McNeil. Dr. Hatchette, the service chief in the Division of Microbiology, has helped to guide my career path and establish my research profile. Dr. Shelly McNeil, head of Infectious Diseases and principal investigator of the CIRN SOS Network, has captivated my interest in vaccine-preventable diseases and assisted in the dissemination of my research both nationally and internationally.
What has been unexpected about your findings so far?
Our research has helped assess the need for adult immunization with conjugated pneumococcal vaccine, given the anticipated herd immunity from childhood immunization. In a recent publication from the CIRN SOS Network, we described that a significant proportion of pneumonia in adults was attributed to vaccine-preventable S. pneumoniae. Over the years, this proportion declined through herd immunity, but one vaccine serotype (i.e. serotype 3) emerged to become predominant. The persistence of serotype 3 was surprising given conjugate vaccines were shown to be effective against this serotype.
We concluded that herd immunity afforded from childhood vaccination was insufficient to provide protection to adult against pneumococcal disease. Ongoing surveillance will be required to assess the potential benefits of direct adult immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, and whether it will help reduce the burden of serotype 3.
What’s innovative about your research?
Before our studies, little was known about the burden of pneumonia attributed to S. pneumoniae in hospitalized Canadian adults. There was also a paucity of data describing the distribution of S. pneumoniae serotypes causing in this patient population.
One word that best describes how you work: Collaboratively!
What technology can’t you live without?
Given I develop molecular methods to help the identification and understand the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases, I could not live without sequencing technology. Sequencing allows us to understand the fundamental basis of all living things, and the genetic code within DNA can be exploited to develop diagnostic methods to identify pathogens or understand their evolution.
How do you envision your research benefiting the “public at large”?
Understanding the epidemiology of diseases and the impact of vaccine, enables us to determine who would benefit from specific vaccines. Data generated by the CIRN SOS Network on the burden of pneumococcal disease and serotype distribution has, and continues to help the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) make informed recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccines in adults. We have shown that older adults are at risk of pneumococcal pneumonia and most of this disease is vaccine-preventable. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is now recommended for individual use in adults.
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