Research interests

Antimicrobial defense mechanisms, by host and microorganisms

Host-microbial interaction, with a focus on gastro-intestinal commensals and opportunistic pathogens

Non-communicable diseases and predisposition to infection, focus on anaerobic bacteria

Molecular diagnostic development

Current projects

1. Characterisation of anaerobic bacteria isolated from clinical samples at Groote Schuur Hospital.
2. Development and validation of molecular assays to detect pathogens in clinical samples:
   1. Bartonella in patients with infective endocarditis
   2. Leptospira in patients with clinical suspicion of leptospirosis
3. Characterisation of the microbiome associated with diabetic foot infections.

Current Students

Dr. Raphael Chanda; M. Med project

Dr. Ghowa Booley, M. Med project

Papers

1. Valafar, F., Ramirez-Busby, S., Torres J., Paul. L., Rodwell, T., Victor, T., Rodrigues, C., Gler, M., Crudu, V., Catanzaro, T. (2015) Prognostic significance of novel katG mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. International Journal of Mycobacteriology 4(1): 51-52.

2. Torres, JN, Paul, LV, Rodwell, T, et al. (2015) Novel katG mutations causing isoniazid resistance in clinical M. tuberculosis isolates. Emerging Microbes & Infections (2015) 4, e42.

3. Paul, L., Patrick, S., Nord, C.E. and Abratt, V. (2011) The role of Bacteroides fragilis RecQ DNA helicases in cell survival after metronidazole exposure. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 319: 125–132.

4. Steffens, L.S., Nicholson, S., Paul, L.V., Nord, C.E., Patrick, S., Abratt, V.R. (2010) Bacteroides fragilis RecA protein overexpression causes resistance to metronidazole. Microbiol. 161(5): 346-54.

5. Patel, E.H., Paul, L.V., Casanueva, A.I., Patrick, S., Abratt, V. (2009) Over-expression of the rhamnose catabolism regulatory protein, RhaR: a novel mechanism for metronidazole resistance in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. J Antimicrob Chemother 64(2): 267-73.

6. Patel, E.H., Paul, L.V., Patrick, S., Abratt, V.R. (2008) Rhamnose catabolism in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron is controlled by the positive transcriptional regulator RhaR. Res Microbiol. 159(9- 10):678-84

7. Patel, E.H., Paul, L.V., Casanueva, A.I., Patrick, S., Abratt, V. (2008). An AraC/XylS family transcriptional regulator homologue from Bacteroides fragilis is associated with cell survival following DNA damage. FEMS Microbiol Lett.278 (2):249-56.