Paola Salvatore
Analysis of the pathogenetic role of bacterial virulence determinants

Paola Salvatore

E-mail
psalvato@unina.it
Biosketch

CURRENT POSITION

Since 2011-Full Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II.

Since 2017- Director of Operative Complex Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Federico II

Since 2019- Director of Postgraduate Specialization School in Microbiology and Virology, University of Naples Federico II.

EDUCATION

1990- M.D. degree summa cum laude, University of Naples Federico II

1994- PhD Postdoctoral Fellow in Cellular and Molecular Genetics

1994-1995- Visiting Fellow at the Diabetes Branch, of NIDDK of the NIH, Bethesda, (USA)

1999- Residency in Clinical Pathology

PAST POSITIONS

1997-Assistant Professor of General Microbiology, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples

2001-Associate Professor in Molecular Biology, School of Biotechnological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II

2006-Full Professor in Molecular Biology, School of Biotechnological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II

2010-Full Professor of Microbiology and clinical microbiology, School of Biotechnological Science

2012-Physician Manager with leadership positions, U.O.C. of Clinical Microbiology, Federico II University Hospital

FUNDING FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Prof. Salvatore has been Scientific Responsible for the following research projects:

PRIN 2012 [grant number 2012WJSX8K]

PRIN 2008 [grant number 2008232P4H_002]

2006 Project funded by the Regione Campania (L.R. N.5_28.03.2002)

2000 Project funded by the Regione Campania (L.R. N.41_31.12.1994)

2000 University research fund, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples

SKILLS AND COMPETENCES

Prof. P. Salvatore leads a group of young researchers, some of whom have permanent positions at the University, and she is the author of 55 original articles in journals cited in the Journal Citation Report.

Attachments
Curriculum55.19 KB
Research

Infectious diseases remain the cause of approximately 30% of deaths worldwide, and antibiotic therapy still represents the primary treatment. However, the recent emergence and dissemination of extensively- and pan-drug-resistant clones of bacterial pathogens is limiting the treatment options to a few last-resort antibiotics which are also losing efficacy, thus representing a worrisome clinical problem worldwide. Furthermore, the extraordinary capability of surface structures to variate allows the bacterial pathogens to adapt and survive in a continuously changing host environment, modulating their tissue tropism and evading the immune system.

In this alarming scenario, the analysis of genetic, molecular and immunological mechanisms underlying the host-microbe interaction process combined with a better understanding of the mechanisms and dynamics of antibiotic resistance has not only theoretical relevance, but is essential to set the basis for improving old therapeutic approaches and developing new ones.

In this context, the research interest of Prof. Paola Salvatore is mainly aimed to investigate and understand the mechanisms involved in the host-microbe interaction and in the evolution of the virulence of main human pathogens that represent a public health problem in Italy and worldwide, focusing in particular on Neisseria meningitidis.

Research lines
  1. Characterization and regulation of bacterial virulence determinants and development of animal and cellular models of infection.
  2. Bacterial Metabolism: adaptation, stressful condition and antimicrobial resistance.
  3. Characterization and identification of new pathogens in the different clinical frameworks.
  4. Characterization of the gastrointestinal microbiota and micobiota in celiac disease.
Research Group
  • Roberta Colicchio, Ricercatore Universitario di Microbiologia e Microbiologia clinica, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.
  • Chiara Pagliuca, RTDa di Microbiologia e Microbiologia clinica, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.
  • Elena Scaglione, Dottoranda in Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.
  • Giuseppe Mantova, Borsista, Dipartimento di Medicina clinica e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.
Most relevant publications

Colicchio R, Pagliuca C, Ricci S, Scaglione E, Grandgirard D, Masouris I, Farina F, Pagliarulo C, Mantova G, Paragliola L, Leib SL, Koedel U, Pozzi G, Alifano P, Salvatore P. Virulence Traits of a Serogroup C Meningococcus and Isogenic cssA Mutant, Defective in Surface-Exposed Sialic Acid, in a Murine Model of Meningitis. Infect Immun. 2019 Mar 25;87(4). pii: e00688-18.

D'Argenio V, Petrillo M, Pasanisi D, Pagliarulo C, Colicchio R, Talà A, de Biase MS, Zanfardino M, Scolamiero E, Pagliuca C, Gaballo A, Cicatiello AG, Cantiello P, Postiglione I, Naso B, Boccia A, Durante M, Cozzuto L, Salvatore P, Paolella G, Salvatore F, Alifano P. The complete 12 Mb genome and transcriptome of Nonomuraea gerenzanensis with new insights into its duplicated "magic" RNA polymerase. Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 21;6(1):18.

Pagliuca C, Cicatiello AG, Colicchio R, Greco A, Cerciello R, Auletta L, Albanese S, Scaglione E, Pagliarulo C, Pastore G, Mansueto G, Brunetti A, Avallone B, Salvatore P. Novel Approach for Evaluation of Bacteroides fragilis Protective Role against Bartonella henselae Liver Damage in Immunocompromised Murine Model. Front Microbiol. 2016 Nov 7;7:1750.

D'Argenio V, Casaburi G, Precone V, Pagliuca C, Colicchio R, Sarnataro D, Discepolo V, Kim SM, Russo I, Del Vecchio Blanco G, Horner DS, Chiara M, Pesole G, Salvatore P, Monteleone G, Ciacci C, Caporaso GJ, Jabrì B, Salvatore F, Sacchetti L. Metagenomics Reveals Dysbiosis and a Potentially Pathogenic N. flavescens Strain in Duodenum of Adult Celiac Patients. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Jun;111(6):879-90.

Colicchio R, Pagliuca C, Pastore G, Cicatiello AG, Pagliarulo C, Talà A, Scaglione E, Sammartino JC, Bucci C, Alifano P, Salvatore P. Fitness Cost of Rifampin Resistance in Neisseria meningitidis: In Vitro Study of Mechanisms Associated with rpoB H553Y Mutation. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015 Dec;59(12):7637-49.