Gerald Domingue

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Gerald Domingue
Born(1927-03-02)March 2, 1927
Lafayette, Louisiana
Alma mater
Scientific career
Institutions

Gerald Domingue (born March 2, 1937) is an American medical researcher (bacteriology, immunology, experimental urology) and academic who served as Professor of Urology, Microbiology and Immunology in the Tulane University School of Medicine and Graduate School for thirty years and also as Director of Research in Urology. He is currently retired and resides in Zürich, Switzerland, where he is engaged in painting and creative writing. At retirement he was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus at Tulane (1967–1997). Prior to Tulane, he was faculty of Saint Louis University School of Medicine); was a lecturer at Washington University School of Dentistry and director of clinical microbiology in St. Louis City Hospital (Snodgrass Laboratory of Pathology and Bacteriology), St. Louis, Missouri.

Contents

Over the course of his thirty-nine-year career, Domingue received funding from the National Institutes of Health, Veterans Administration, and a variety of national and international research foundations; served on grant review committees of these agencies as well as consultant to various journal review boards. He also served as clinical microbiology and research consultant to hospital clinical laboratories and to industry. He enjoys international recognition as an authority on the basic biology and medical significance of atypical bacterial organisms and is considered a pioneer and an expert on the role of these unusual bacteria in the persistence and expression of kidney and urological infectious diseases.

Domingue was named a Fellow of the American Academy for Microbiology (1973) and a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (1975). [1] [2] In 1995, he received the prestigious Palmes Academiques Medal (Chevalier) from the country of France.

Education and early work

Domingue was born in 1937 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He was educated at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (presently University of Louisiana at Lafayette), receiving the Bachelor of Science degree in three years (bacteriology with minors in chemistry and French); matriculating to graduate school at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (presently University of Louisiana at Lafayette)(graduate courses in bacteriology, atomic physics and advanced qualitative organic chemistry; served as instructor of laboratory courses in bacteriology and immunology in university); Louisiana State University(basic medical sciences) and Tulane University where he earned the doctorate (1964); holds the PhD degree in medical microbiology and immunology; followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship in microbiology/infectious diseases and a residency in clinical microbiology under the mentorship of the late distinguished bacteriologist/immunologist, Erwin Neter at The Children's Hospital of the University at Buffalo.

He first became interested in the role of atypical bacterial forms after noting that a large number of patients with urinary tract infections suffer from continual relapsing illness. Using a direct phase microscope, he examined the urine specimens of several patients with urinary tract infections and found atypical bacteria in his samples.

He began to investigate atypical bacteria (cell wall-defective, L-forms and difficult-to-culture bacteria) striving to better understand their biology and the role they play in causing disease. Over the course of the next 30 years, he was able to explain much of the mystery behind how the bacteria are able to persist in the body, and published a wide array of clinical and experimental studies on the subject.

L-form bacteria – electron dense bodies

Domingue worked with a team that included pre and post-doctoral students and fellows along with faculty colleagues and laboratory assistants. Together they discovered that L-form bacteria are able to form tiny dense bodies within parent cells that already lack cell walls. They noted that the forms, which they called electron dense bodies were so small that they could pass through bacterial filters that normally withheld ordinary bacteria with cell walls. [3] [4]

The electron dense bodies could persist inside tissue culture cells in the laboratory. After applying these data to the human condition, Domingue reasoned that in some patients who suffer from chronic bacterial infections, the disease process could be related to the fact that bacteria are able to differentiate into the resistant electron dense bodies that he observed in tissue cultures. [5]

Significant papers

In 1974, he and his graduate student, Mary Green, along with Paul Heidger, a faculty collaborator, published two landmark companion papers in the journal Infection and Immunity. [3] [4] The papers detail how L-form bacteria inside an experimental human embryonic kidney tissue culture system are able to persist in cells and explains how they are able to revert into the cell wall-containing parent bacterial form. They also proposed a detailed reproductive cycle for L-form bacteria, followed by electron microscopy of the microorganisms.

These papers set the stage for Domingue and his team to delve even further into the role that cryptic atypical bacteria play in causing persistent and recurrent infections. In 1997, he and a colleague, the late Hannah Woody published an invited extensive review article on chronic bacterial infection in Clinical Microbiological Reviews. [5] Among their conclusions was the claim that "difficult to culture and dormant bacteria are involved in the latency of infection and that these persistent bacteria may be pathogenic."

He implicated atypical bacteria in several kidney-related diseases including pyelonephritis, [6] [7] glomerulonephritis, idiopathic hematuria, [8] and interstitial cystitis. [9] He also speculated about their role in other diseases such as rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, syphilis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

In the review Domingue stated, "Clearly, any patient with a history of recurrent infection and persistent disability is sending the signal that the phenomenon (infection with atypical bacteria) could be occurring. The so-called autoimmune diseases in which no organism can be identified by routine testing techniques are particularly suspect." [5] He went on to conclude, "Bacteriologic advances, which include special culture media and stains, electron microscopy and molecular techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), have revealed an increasing number of previously unidentifiable organisms in a variety of pathological conditions. It is unwise to dismiss the pathogenic capacities of any microbe in a patient with a mysterious disease." [5] Over the course of his thirty-nine-year career Domingue published numerous papers, monographs, and book chapters devoted to atypical bacterial research. He delivered many invited international and national lectures about bacterial persistence and expression of disease and wrote a book on the subject, Cell Wall-Deficient Bacteria: Basic Principles and Clinical Significance. [10]

Other research

Although Domingue's primary research focus was on bacterial L-forms, he also published extensively on the biological significance of the enterobacterial common antigen of gram negative bacteria– its antigenicity, immunogenicity, and vaccine potential against urinary tract infections. [11] [12]

He studied the immunological consequences of a vasectomy, as well as the role of various gram negative pathogens in the host-pathogen interaction in pyelonephritis, and the effects of antibiotics and chemotherapy on urinary tract infections. [13] [14]

He also published microbiological and immunological studies on bacteria that produce chorionic gonadotropin-like hormone and their role in an experimental tumor model. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gram stain</span> Investigative procedure in microbiology

In microbiology and bacteriology, Gram stain, is a method of staining used to classify bacterial species into two large groups: gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria. The name comes from the Danish bacteriologist Hans Christian Gram, who developed the technique in 1884.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gram-positive bacteria</span> Bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test

In bacteriology, gram-positive bacteria are bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test, which is traditionally used to quickly classify bacteria into two broad categories according to their type of cell wall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urinary tract infection</span> Infection that affects part of the urinary tract

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract. When it affects the lower urinary tract it is known as a bladder infection (cystitis) and when it affects the upper urinary tract it is known as a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Symptoms from a lower urinary tract infection include pain with urination, frequent urination, and feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder. Symptoms of a kidney infection include fever and flank pain usually in addition to the symptoms of a lower UTI. Rarely the urine may appear bloody. In the very old and the very young, symptoms may be vague or non-specific.

<i>Salmonella</i> Genus of prokaryotes

Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped (bacillus) gram-negative bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The two known species of Salmonella are Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori. S. enterica is the type species and is further divided into six subspecies that include over 2,600 serotypes. Salmonella was named after Daniel Elmer Salmon (1850–1914), an American veterinary surgeon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biofilm</span> Aggregation of bacteria or cells on a surface

A biofilm comprises any syntrophic consortium of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and often also to a surface. These adherent cells become embedded within a slimy extracellular matrix that is composed of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). The cells within the biofilm produce the EPS components, which are typically a polymeric conglomeration of extracellular polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and DNA. Because they have three-dimensional structure and represent a community lifestyle for microorganisms, they have been metaphorically described as "cities for microbes".

The excretory system is a passive biological system that removes excess, unnecessary materials from the body fluids of an organism, so as to help maintain internal chemical homeostasis and prevent damage to the body. The dual function of excretory systems is the elimination of the waste products of metabolism and to drain the body of used up and broken down components in a liquid and gaseous state. In humans and other amniotes most of these substances leave the body as urine and to some degree exhalation, mammals also expel them through sweating.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a very small bacterium in the class Mollicutes. It is a human pathogen that causes the disease mycoplasma pneumonia, a form of atypical bacterial pneumonia related to cold agglutinin disease. M. pneumoniae is characterized by the absence of a peptidoglycan cell wall and resulting resistance to many antibacterial agents. The persistence of M. pneumoniae infections even after treatment is associated with its ability to mimic host cell surface composition.

<i>Proteus</i> (bacterium) Genus of bacteria

Proteus is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. It is a rod shaped, aerobic and motile bacteria, which is able to migrate across surfaces due its “swarming” characteristic in temperatures between 20 and 37 °C. Their size generally ranges from 0.4–0.8 μm in diameter and 1.0–3.0 μm in length. They tend to have an ammonia smell. Proteus bacilli are widely distributed in nature as saprophytes, being found in decomposing animal matter, sewage, manure soil, the mammalian intestine, and human and animal feces. They are opportunistic pathogens, commonly responsible for urinary and septic infections, often nosocomial.

<i>Proteus mirabilis</i> Species of bacterium

Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium. It shows swarming motility and urease activity. P. mirabilis causes 90% of all Proteus infections in humans. It is widely distributed in soil and water. Proteus mirabilis can migrate across the surface of solid media or devices using a type of cooperative group motility called swarming. Proteus mirabilis is most frequently associated with infections of the urinary tract, especially in complicated or catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacterial capsule</span> Polysaccharide layer that lies outside the cell envelope in many bacteria

The bacteria capsule is a large structure common to many bacteria. It is a polysaccharide layer that lies outside the cell envelope, and is thus deemed part of the outer envelope of a bacterial cell. It is a well-organized layer, not easily washed off, and it can be the cause of various diseases.

Mycoplasmataceae is a family of bacteria in the order Mycoplasmatales. This family consists of the genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyelonephritis</span> Medical condition

Pyelonephritis is inflammation of the kidney, typically due to a bacterial infection. Symptoms most often include fever and flank tenderness. Other symptoms may include nausea, burning with urination, and frequent urination. Complications may include pus around the kidney, sepsis, or kidney failure.

<i>Staphylococcus saprophyticus</i> Species of bacterium

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a Gram-positive coccus belonging to the genus Staphylococcus. S. saprophyticus is a common cause of community-acquired urinary tract infections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacteria</span> Domain of microorganisms

Bacteria are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among the first life forms to appear on Earth, and are present in most of its habitats. Bacteria inhabit soil, water, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste, and the deep biosphere of Earth's crust. Bacteria play a vital role in many stages of the nutrient cycle by recycling nutrients and the fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere. The nutrient cycle includes the decomposition of dead bodies; bacteria are responsible for the putrefaction stage in this process. In the biological communities surrounding hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, extremophile bacteria provide the nutrients needed to sustain life by converting dissolved compounds, such as hydrogen sulphide and methane, to energy. Bacteria also live in symbiotic and parasitic relationships with plants and animals. Most bacteria have not been characterised and there are many species that cannot be grown in the laboratory. The study of bacteria is known as bacteriology, a branch of microbiology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical microbiology</span> Branch of medical science

Medical microbiology, the large subset of microbiology that is applied to medicine, is a branch of medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. In addition, this field of science studies various clinical applications of microbes for the improvement of health. There are four kinds of microorganisms that cause infectious disease: bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, and one type of infectious protein called prion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacteriuria</span> Medical condition

Bacteriuria is the presence of bacteria in urine. Bacteriuria accompanied by symptoms is a urinary tract infection while that without is known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. Diagnosis is by urinalysis or urine culture. Escherichia coli is the most common bacterium found. People without symptoms should generally not be tested for the condition. Differential diagnosis include contamination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronic bacterial prostatitis</span> Bacterial infection of the prostate gland

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a bacterial infection of the prostate gland. It should be distinguished from other forms of prostatitis such as acute bacterial prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L-form bacteria</span>

L-form bacteria, also known as L-phase bacteria, L-phase variants or cell wall-deficient (CWD) bacteria, are growth forms derived from different bacteria. They lack cell walls. Two types of L-forms are distinguished: unstable L-forms, spheroplasts that are capable of dividing, but can revert to the original morphology, and stable L-forms, L-forms that are unable to revert to the original bacteria.

Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains of E. coli that can cause disease

Escherichia coli is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms (endotherms). Most E. coli strains are harmless, but pathogenic varieties cause serious food poisoning, septic shock, meningitis, or urinary tract infections in humans. Unlike normal flora E. coli, the pathogenic varieties produce toxins and other virulence factors that enable them to reside in parts of the body normally not inhabited by E. coli, and to damage host cells. These pathogenic traits are encoded by virulence genes carried only by the pathogens.

P fimbriae or P pili or Pap are chaperone-usher type fimbrial appendages found on the surface of many Escherichia coli bacteria. The P fimbriae is considered to be one of the most important virulence factor in uropathogenic E. coli and plays an important role in upper urinary tract infections. P fimbriae mediate adherence to host cells, a key event in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections.

References

  1. ↑ Marquis Who's Who, Inc. (2000). Who's who in medicine and healthcare. New Providence NJ: Marquis Who's Who[ page needed ]
  2. ↑ Marquis Who's Who, Inc. (1993). Who's who in science and engineering. Wilmette, Ill: Marquis Who's Who.[ page needed ]
  3. 1 2 Green MT, Heidger PM, Domingue G (October 1, 1974). "Proposed Reproductive Cycle for a Relatively Stable L-Phase Variant of Streptococcus faecalis". Infection and Immunity. 10 (4): 915–27. doi:10.1128/iai.10.4.915-927.1974. PMC   423038 . PMID   4214786.
  4. 1 2 Green MT, Heidger PM, Domingue G (October 1, 1974). "Demonstration of the Phenomena of Microbial Persistence and Reversion with Bacterial L-Forms in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells". Infection and Immunity. 10 (4): 889–914. doi:10.1128/iai.10.4.889-914.1974. PMC   423037 . PMID   4214785.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Domingue GJ, Woody HB (April 1, 1997). "Bacterial persistence and expression of disease". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 10 (2): 320–44. doi:10.1128/CMR.10.2.320. PMC   172922 . PMID   9105757.
  6. ↑ Domingue GJ, Schlegel JU (December 1970). "The possible role of microbial L-forms in pyelonephritis". The Journal of Urology. 104 (6): 790–8. doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)61838-x. PMID   5499826.
  7. ↑ Ponig B, Domingue G, Schlegel J (January 1972). "The role of in vitro induced microbial L-forms in experimental hematogenous pyelonephritis". Investigative Urology. 9 (4): 282–5. PMID   4550878.
  8. ↑ Domingue GJ, Schlegel JU (December 1978). "Novel bacterial structures in human blood. II. Bacterial variants as etiologic agents in idiopathic hematuria". The Journal of Urology. 120 (6): 708–11. doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)57337-1. PMID   731811.
  9. ↑ Domingue GJ, Ghoniem GM, Bost KL, Fermin C, Human LG (April 1995). "Dormant microbes in interstitial cystitis". The Journal of Urology. 153 (4): 1321–6. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)67594-3. PMID   7869536.
  10. ↑ Domingue, Gerald J. (1982). Cell wall-deficient bacteria: basic principles and clinical significance. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison–Wesley. ISBN   978-0-201-10162-1. OCLC   8284964.
  11. ↑ Domingue GJ, Neter E (January 1, 1966). "Opsonizing and Bactericidal Activity of Antibodies Against Common Antigen of Enterobacteriaceae". Journal of Bacteriology. 91 (1): 129–33. doi:10.1128/jb.91.1.129-133.1966. PMC   315921 . PMID   4955466.
  12. ↑ Domingue, G. J.; Johnson, E.J. (1975). "The Common Antigen of Enterobacteriaceae and its Biologic Significance". In Erwin Neter; Felix Milgrom (eds.). The immune system and infectious diseases. Basel: Karger. pp. 242–262. ISBN   3-8055-2177-4. OCLC   1823430.
  13. ↑ Kawahara M, Human LG, Winningham JS, Domingue GJ (December 1994). "Antibodies to Escherichia coli 06 porins cross-react with urinary pathogens". Immunobiology. 192 (1–2): 65–76. doi:10.1016/S0171-2985(11)80408-0. PMID   7538488.
  14. ↑ Domingue GJ, Roberts JA, Laucirica R, et al. (June 1985). "Pathogenic significance of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli in urinary tract infections". The Journal of Urology. 133 (6): 983–9. doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)49341-4. PMID   2860251.
  15. ↑ Domingue GJ, Acevedo HF, Powell JE, Stevens VC (July 1, 1986). "Antibodies to bacterial vaccines demonstrating specificity for human choriogonadotropin (hCG) and immunochemical detection of hCG-like factor in subcellular bacterial fractions". Infection and Immunity. 53 (1): 95–8. doi:10.1128/iai.53.1.95-98.1986. PMC   260080 . PMID   3721581.
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