Konstance Knox

Last updated
Konstance K. Knox
Born (1955-10-14) October 14, 1955 (age 68)
Wisconsin, US
Alma mater Marquette (BS; Medical Laboratory Sciences 1977), Cardinal Stritch (MA; Business Management 1990), Medical College of Wisconsin(PhD; Experimental Pathology 1994), St. Luke's Medical Center Milwaukee(Post Doctoral Fellowship)
Known forCo-founder Viracor., [1] [2] [3] Early work on multiple sclerosis. [2]
Scientific career
FieldsVirology, Laboratory Economics, Biotechnology Entrepreneur

Konstance K. Knox (born October 14, 1955) is an American virologist and entrepreneur who founded Coppe Laboratories, [4] Viracor, [1] [2] [3] the Wisconsin Viral Research Group (WVRG) [5] [6] and Viracor's Institute for Viral Pathogenesis (IVP). [2] [7] In 2000, Viracor became the first biotechnology company in the United States to correlate multiple sclerosis with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). [2] [8]

Contents

Contributions to HHV-6 Understanding

Knox was first to identify human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) as a cause of acute and subacute encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals. [9] [10] [11] [12]

Knox was first to identify human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) as a cause of pneumonitis in immunocompromised individuals. [13] [14]

Knox was first to identify human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) as a serious pathogen in immunocompromised individuals causing or contributing to immune suppression and immune dysregulation. [15] [16] [17] [18]

Biography

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Knox received her bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences from Marquette University and was board certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology in 1977. After receiving a master's degree in business management in 1990, Knox entered the Medical College of Wisconsin's graduate pathology program as a doctoral student in 1992, where she investigated the pathogenetic interactions between HIV and HHV-6 as her doctoral dissertation research project under Donald Carrigan with whom she collaborated on various publications during the period. [19] [20] She received her PhD in 1994. [21]

Founding Viracor

In 1996 Knox and Carrigan founded the Wisconsin Viral Research Group (WVRG), located in the Milwaukee County Research Park. In 2000 they incorporated Viracor as a spinoff of WVRG and hired Phillip Short as the founding CEO to manage business aspect of Viracor in exchange of a minority stake, according to Milwaukee County records. [2] [3] Viracor grew revenues to more than $25 million per year by 2008 with more than 100 employees. [22] In summer of 2009 Viracor was acquired by IBT Labs for US$44 Million in cash and a further unspecified amount of stock. [23] By 2014, Viracor-IBT Laboratories was valued at US$255 Million, when it was acquired by Eurofins Scientific Group. [24] As Viracor expanded Knox focused on WVRG and expanded research outside United States. Through WVRG, Knox collaborates with various research and philanthropic organizations to offer free research grants and develop research institutes. [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] Knox also runs the not-for-profit Institute for Viral Pathogenesis (IVP), which has successfully obtained research grants from major funding organizations for virological studies in patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. [30]

Recognition

Knox was named fifth of the 50 most innovative AIDS researchers in the United States in 1996 by POZ magazine in its "Survey of the American Scientific Landscape". In their recognition, survey authors Bob Lederer and Patrick Pacheco said Knox calls HHV-6 variant A "a big, dumb brute destroyer of tissue," which she and Carrigan had in their crosshairs. [31] The National CFIDS Foundation (NCF) awarded its largest research grant to Knox, for “The Potential Role of New Infectious Agents in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”. NCF medical director Alan Cocchetto said that Knox and her partner had assisted the NCF with previous projects that included research into the roles of HHV-6A/B and HTLV-II in CFS/ME. [32] Knox's work on the role of human herpesvirus six (HHV-6) in chronic diseases also led her to be named the 1995 Distinguished Alumna of the Program in Medical Laboratory Sciences at Marquette University. Her work was named as the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in 1995 by the Medical College of Wisconsin. Knox has served as a special reviewer for the National Prion Research Program of the National Institutes of Health and has served as a peer reviewer for several journals and funding agencies. She is a member of the American Society for Microbiology, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology. She has served on the scientific advisory board of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and also serves as a member of the scientific advisory board of the Wisconsin ME/CSF Foundation. [21] [33] [34] [35] [36]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cytomegalovirus</i> Genus of viruses

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales, in the family Herpesviridae, in the subfamily Betaherpesvirinae. Humans and other primates serve as natural hosts. The 11 species in this genus include human betaherpesvirus 5, which is the species that infects humans. Diseases associated with HHV-5 include mononucleosis and pneumonia, and congenital CMV in infants can lead to deafness and ambulatory problems.

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

Viral meningitis, also known as aseptic meningitis, is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection. It results in inflammation of the meninges. Symptoms commonly include headache, fever, sensitivity to light and neck stiffness.

Viral load, also known as viral burden, is a numerical expression of the quantity of virus in a given volume of fluid, including biological and environmental specimens. It is not to be confused with viral titre or viral titer, which depends on the assay. When an assay for measuring the infective virus particle is done, viral titre often refers to the concentration of infectious viral particles, which is different from the total viral particles. Viral load is measured using body fluids sputum and blood plasma. As an example of environmental specimens, the viral load of norovirus can be determined from run-off water on garden produce. Norovirus has not only prolonged viral shedding and has the ability to survive in the environment but a minuscule infectious dose is required to produce infection in humans: less than 100 viral particles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neutropenia</span> Abnormally low concentration of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood

Neutropenia is an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils make up the majority of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria, bacterial fragments and immunoglobulin-bound viruses in the blood. People with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections and, without prompt medical attention, the condition may become life-threatening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roseola</span> Human disease caused by human herpesviruses

Roseola, also known as sixth disease, is an infectious disease caused by certain types of human herpes viruses. Most infections occur before the age of three. Symptoms vary from absent to the classic presentation of a fever of rapid onset followed by a rash. The fever generally lasts for three to five days, while the rash is generally pink and lasts for less than three days. Complications may include febrile seizures, with serious complications being rare.

Roseolovirus is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales, in the family Herpesviridae, in the subfamily Betaherpesvirinae. There are currently six species in this genus. Diseases associated with this genus include: HHV-6: sixth disease ; HHV-7: symptoms analog to the 'sixth disease'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganciclovir</span> Chemical compound

Ganciclovir, sold under the brand name Cytovene among others, is an antiviral medication used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human herpesvirus 6</span> Informal grouping of viruses which caused human herpesvirus 6 Infection

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is the common collective name for human betaherpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and human betaherpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B). These closely related viruses are two of the nine known herpesviruses that have humans as their primary host.

<i>Herpesviridae</i> Family of DNA viruses

Herpesviridae is a large family of DNA viruses that cause infections and certain diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word ἕρπειν, referring to spreading cutaneous lesions, usually involving blisters, seen in flares of herpes simplex 1, herpes simplex 2 and herpes zoster (shingles). In 1971, the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) established Herpesvirus as a genus with 23 viruses among four groups. As of 2020, 115 species are recognized, all but one of which are in one of the three subfamilies. Herpesviruses can cause both latent and lytic infections.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) refers to a condition in which the patient has an elevated temperature (fever) but, despite investigations by one or more qualified physicians, no explanation is found.

<i>Gammaherpesvirinae</i> Subfamily of viruses

Gammaherpesvirinae is a subfamily of viruses in the order Herpesvirales and in the family Herpesviridae. Viruses in Gammaherpesvirinae are distinguished by reproducing at a more variable rate than other subfamilies of Herpesviridae. Mammals serve as natural hosts. There are 43 species in this subfamily, divided among 7 genera with three species unassigned to a genus. Diseases associated with this subfamily include: HHV-4: infectious mononucleosis. HHV-8: Kaposi's sarcoma.

<i>Betaherpesvirinae</i> Subfamily of viruses

Betaherpesvirinae is a subfamily of viruses in the order Herpesvirales and in the family Herpesviridae. Mammals serve as natural hosts. There are 26 species in this subfamily, divided among 5 genera. Diseases associated with this subfamily include: human cytomegalovirus (HHV-5): congenital CMV infection; HHV-6: 'sixth disease' ; HHV-7: symptoms analogous to the 'sixth disease'.

<i>Human betaherpesvirus 5</i> Species of virus

Human betaherpesvirus 5, also called human cytomegalovirus (HCMV,HHV-5), is a species of virus in the genus Cytomegalovirus, which in turn is a member of the viral family known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is also commonly called CMV. Within Herpesviridae, HCMV belongs to the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily, which also includes cytomegaloviruses from other mammals. CMV is a double-stranded DNA virus.

Human betaherpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) is one of nine known members of the Herpesviridae family that infects humans. HHV-7 is a member of Betaherpesvirinae, a subfamily of the Herpesviridae that also includes HHV-6 and Cytomegalovirus. HHV-7 often acts together with HHV-6, and the viruses together are sometimes referred to by their genus, Roseolovirus. HHV-7 was first isolated in 1990 from CD4+ T cells taken from peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Neurovirology is an interdisciplinary field which represents a melding of clinical neuroscience, virology, immunology, and molecular biology. The main focus of the field is to study viruses capable of infecting the nervous system. In addition to this, the field studies the use of viruses to trace neuroanatomical pathways, for gene therapy, and to eliminate detrimental populations of neural cells.

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Viracor Eurofins Laboratories is a diagnostic laboratory specializing in infectious disease, immunology and allergy testing for immunocompromised and critical patients. Viracor Eurofins works with medical professionals, transplant teams, reference labs and bio-pharmaceutical companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HHV-8-associated MCD</span> Disease subtype

Human herpesvirus 8 associated multicentric Castleman disease is a subtype of Castleman disease, a group of rare lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by lymph node enlargement, characteristic features on microscopic analysis of enlarged lymph node tissue, and a range of symptoms and clinical findings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease</span> Medical condition

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a subtype of Castleman disease (also known as giant lymph node hyperplasia, lymphoid hamartoma, or angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia), a group of lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by lymph node enlargement, characteristic features on microscopic analysis of enlarged lymph node tissue, and a range of symptoms and clinical findings.

<i>Human betaherpesvirus 6B</i> Species of virus

Human betaherpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) is a species of virus in the genus Roseolovirus, subfamily Betaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, and order Herpesvirales.

References

  1. 1 2 Robert Huntington. "A giant leap for ME research!". National CFIDS Foundation.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Joe Manning (November 10, 2000). "Wauwatosa lab links virus to MS - Small study finds signs of herpes in lesions". Journal-Sentinel. Milwaukee. Archived from the original on 2001-03-06. First to correlate HHV-6 to MS.
  3. 1 2 3 "List of graduates and past tenants" (PDF). Milwaukee County Research Park. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-24.
  4. ↑ "About Coppe Laboratories". Coppe Laboratories. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  5. ↑ Julie Steenhuysen (May 31, 2011). "Mouse virus doesn't cause chronic fatigue: reports". Reuters.
  6. ↑ "Murine viruses not linked to human infection". MD News. June 1, 2011. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Mult sclerosis".
  8. ↑ Knox KK; Brewer JH; Henry, James M.; Harrington, Daniel J.; Carrigan, Donald R. (2000). "Human herpesvirus 6 and multiple sclerosis: systemic active infections in patients with early disease". Clin Infect Dis. 31 (4): 894–903. doi: 10.1086/318141 . PMID   11049767.
  9. ↑ Carrigan, Donald R.; Harrington, Daniel; Knox, Konstance K. (July 1996). "Subacute leukoencephalitis caused by CNS infection with human herpesvirus-6 manifesting as acute multiple sclerosis". Neurology. 47 (1): 145–148. doi:10.1212/WNL.47.1.145. ISSN   0028-3878. PMID   8710068. S2CID   40953285.
  10. ↑ Knox, K. K.; Carrigan, D. R. (1995-05-01). "Active human herpesvirus (HHV-6) infection of the central nervous system in patients with AIDS". Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology. 9 (1): 69–73. ISSN   1077-9450. PMID   7712236.
  11. ↑ Drobyski, William R.; Knox, Konstance K.; Majewski, David; Carrigan, Donald R. (1994-05-12). "Fatal Encephalitis Due to Variant B Human Herpesvirus-6 Infection in a Bone Marrow-Transplant Recipient". New England Journal of Medicine. 330 (19): 1356–1360. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199405123301905 . ISSN   0028-4793. PMID   8152447.
  12. ↑ Knox, Konstance K.; Harrington, Daniel P.; Carrigan, Donald R. (March 1995). "Fulminant human herpesvirus six encephalitis in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected infant". Journal of Medical Virology. 45 (3): 288–292. doi:10.1002/jmv.1890450309. ISSN   0146-6615. PMID   7775950. S2CID   7418822.
  13. ↑ Knox, K. K.; Carrigan, D. R. (1994-06-25). "HHV-6 and CMV pneumonitis in immunocompromised patients". Lancet. 343 (8913): 1647. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(94)93105-4. ISSN   0140-6736. PMID   7911957. S2CID   37166318.
  14. ↑ Knox, Konstance (February 1, 1995). "Progressive Immunodeficiency and Fatal Pneumonitis Associated with Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection in an Infant". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 20 (2): 406–413. doi:10.1093/clinids/20.2.406. PMID   7742449 . Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  15. ↑ Knox, Konstance (May 1, 1992). "In Vitro Suppression of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cell Differentiation by Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 165 (5): 925–929. doi:10.1093/infdis/165.5.925. PMID   1314872 . Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  16. ↑ Knox, Konstance (January 1, 1996). "Chronic Myelosuppression Associated with Persistent Bone Marrow Infection Due to Human Herpesvirus 6 in a Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 22 (1): 174–175. doi:10.1093/clinids/22.1.174. PMID   8824992 . Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  17. ↑ Knox, K (March 5, 1994). "Disseminated active HHV-6 infections in patients with AIDS". The Lancet. 343 (8897): P577-578. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(94)91524-5. PMID   7906332. S2CID   29042116.
  18. ↑ Carrigan, D. R.; Knox, K. K. (1994-11-15). "Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) isolation from bone marrow: HHV-6-associated bone marrow suppression in bone marrow transplant patients". Blood. 84 (10): 3307–3310. doi:10.1182/blood.V84.10.3307.3307. ISSN   0006-4971. PMID   7949085.
  19. ↑ Knox, K.K.; Carrigan, D.R. (March 5, 1994). "Disseminated active HHV-6 infections in patients with AIDS". The Lancet. 343 (8897): 577–578. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(94)91524-5. PMID   7906332. S2CID   29042116.
  20. ↑ Burd, E. M.; Knox, K. K.; Carrigan, D. R. (1993). "Human herpesvirus-6-associated suppression of growth factor-induced macrophage maturation in human bone marrow cultures" (PDF). Blood. 81 (6): 1645–1650. doi: 10.1182/blood.V81.6.1645.1645 . PMID   8384028.
  21. 1 2 "Konstance K. Knox Background". Chubbybrain. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  22. ↑ "Viracor IBT Merger" (PDF). Laboratory Economics. July 2009. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  23. ↑ Steve Vockrodt (May 2, 2010). "Jury awards ex-ViraCor Laboratories president $7.3M". Kansas City Business Journal.
  24. ↑ "Eurofins signs agreement to acquire ViraCor-IBT Laboratories, Inc". Eurofins Scientific Group. May 9, 2014. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  25. ↑ Jason Bardi (May 31, 2011). "Mouse virus erroneously linked to chronic fatigue syndrome". University of California at San Francisco. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
  26. ↑ "Advisors". Physiogenix. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
  27. ↑ "News and views" (PDF). Lifeline. Wisconsin ME/CSF Foundation.
  28. ↑ "Murine viruses not linked to human infection". Doctors Lounge. June 1, 2011.
  29. ↑ Knox, K; Carrigan, D; Simmons, G; Teque, F; Zhou, Y; Hackett, J; Qiu, X; Luk, KC; et al. (Jul 2011). "No evidence of murine-like gammaretroviruses in CFS patients previously identified as XMRV-infected". Science. 333 (6038): 94–7. Bibcode:2011Sci...333...94K. doi:10.1126/science.1204963. PMID   21628393. S2CID   27655741.
  30. ↑ Knox, KK; Brewer, JH; Henry, JM; Harrington, DJ; Carrigan, DR (Oct 2000). "Human herpesvirus 6 and multiple sclerosis: systemic active infections in patients with early disease" (PDF). Clin Infect Dis. 31 (4): 894–903. doi: 10.1086/318141 . PMID   11049767.
  31. ↑ Lederer, Bob; Pacheco, Patrick (August–September 1996). "The POZ 50 Most Innovative AIDS Researchers". POZ magazine. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  32. ↑ "NCF Announces its Latest Research Grant Recipients". National CFIDS Foundation. 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2011. (primary source)
  33. ↑ "Fiscal Year 2002 National Prion Research Program Funded Awards" (PDF). US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Peer Reviewers. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
  34. ↑ Russler, SK; Tapper, MA; Knox, KK; Liepins, A; Carrigan, DR (Jun 1991). "Pneumonitis associated with coinfection by human herpesvirus 6 and Legionella in an immunocompetent adult". Am J Pathol. 138 (6): 1405–11. PMC   1886405 . PMID   1647138.
  35. ↑ "Herpes link could solve AIDS riddle". CNN. August 12, 1996. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  36. ↑ Carrigan, DR; Harrington, D; Knox, KK (1 December 2011). "Subacute leukoencephalitis caused by CNS infection with human herpesvirus-6 manifesting as acute multiple sclerosis". Neurology. 47 (1): 145–148. doi:10.1212/wnl.47.1.145. PMID   8710068. S2CID   40953285.
  1. Coppe Laboratories (official site)
  2. Wisconsin Viral Research Group (official site)
  3. Viracor-IBT (official site)
  4. The Institute for Viral Pathogenesis (official site)
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