Dr. Johl studies infections caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli, which are bacteria that can lead to urinary tract infections, particularly in vulnerable demographics. She also investigates the challenges of treating patients who are co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C, focusing on factors that lead to treatment failure or relapse. In the realm of oncology, her research includes evaluating the safety and effectiveness of cancer treatments for patients with advanced tumors, looking at how certain drugs impact those whose previous treatments were unsuccessful.
Key findings
In her study on kidney infections, Dr. Johl revealed that the assembly of P pili in uropathogenic E. coli occurs in stages, which helps these bacteria attach to the urinary tract and cause infections.
In a cohort of 41 HIV/HCV co-infected patients, 100% of those who relapsed had persistently elevated levels of specific B cells and antibodies, indicating possible ongoing infection despite suppressed HCV levels.
In liver transplant patients co-infected with HIV, only 14% successfully cleared the hepatitis C virus after treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin, while 85% experienced severe side effects.
In a trial of cancer treatments, the combination of irinotecan and carboplatin showed that 58% of patients had low white blood cell counts, and the safe dosage was determined to be 150 mg/m² for irinotecan.
The study on posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease found that 24 out of 30 tumors with the Epstein-Barr virus marker LMP1 expressed TRAF1, indicating a strong link between these proteins in lymphomas.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Johl study urinary tract infections?
Yes, she researches the mechanisms of how uropathogenic E. coli bacteria cause urinary tract infections.
What treatments has Dr. Johl researched for patients with HIV and Hepatitis C?
She has studied the effectiveness of antiviral treatments like peginterferon and ribavirin and identified factors that may indicate treatment failure.
Is Dr. Johl's work relevant to cancer patients?
Yes, her research focuses on the safety and effectiveness of cancer drugs for patients with advanced tumors and those who have not responded to other treatments.
What are the implications of Dr. Johl's research on lymphomas?
Her findings help understand the molecular links in lymphomas related to the Epstein-Barr virus, which can improve treatment options for infected patients.
How does Dr. Johl's work benefit patients?
Her research aims to improve treatment strategies for patients with complex health issues, leading to better health outcomes.
Publications in plain English
Processive dynamics of the usher assembly platform during uropathogenic Escherichia coli P pilus biogenesis.
2021
Nature communications
Du M, Yuan Z, Werneburg GT, Henderson NS, Chauhan H +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how uropathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria build P pili, which are structures that help them attach to the urinary tract and cause infections. Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to understand how the assembly process of these pili works, discovering specific steps in their formation. They found that the P pili are built up in stages, which helps explain how these bacteria can cause kidney infections.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with urinary tract infections, particularly those caused by uropathogenic E. coli.
Persistently elevated abnormal B-cell subpopulations and anti-core antibodies in patients co-infected with HIV/HCV who relapse.
2015
Journal of medical virology
Kohli A, Funk E, Burbelo P, Barrett L, Meissner EG +7 more
Plain English This study looked at patients who are infected with both HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) to better understand why some of them keep getting sick again after treatment. Researchers found that among the 41 patients studied, those who relapsed had higher levels of certain antibodies and abnormal types of B cells, which indicate ongoing infection, even when their HCV levels were suppressed. This finding matters because it could help doctors identify patients at higher risk of relapse earlier and improve treatment strategies.
Who this helps: This helps patients with HIV/HCV co-infection and their doctors.
Peginterferon and ribavirin for treatment of recurrent hepatitis C disease in HCV-HIV coinfected liver transplant recipients.
2014
American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
Terrault N, Reddy KR, Poordad F, Curry M, Schiano T +13 more
Plain English The study focused on the effectiveness and safety of peginterferon and ribavirin, two antiviral medications, for treating hepatitis C in liver transplant patients also infected with HIV. Among 39 patients treated, only 14% achieved long-term success in clearing the virus after treatment, while a staggering 85% experienced severe side effects, leading to hospitalizations and other complications. These findings show that the current treatment is not very effective or well-tolerated for these patients, highlighting the need for better treatment options.
Who this helps: This helps liver transplant recipients who are also living with HIV.
A population-based clinical trial of irinotecan and Carboplatin.
2009
Journal of oncology
Lau D, Huynh M, Johl J
Plain English This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of combining two cancer drugs, irinotecan and carboplatin, in 50 patients whose tumors did not respond to previous treatments. Researchers found that the most common side effects were low white blood cells (58% of patients), low platelet counts (16%), and diarrhea (8%). They determined that the best dosage that most patients could tolerate safely was 150 mg/m² for irinotecan and a specific measure for carboplatin, which they used in further trials for small-cell lung cancer.
Who this helps: This research benefits cancer patients, especially those with small-cell lung cancer.
Population-based phase I trial of irinotecan and epirubicin.
2008
American journal of clinical oncology
Lau D, Johl J, Huynh M, Davies A, Tanaka M +2 more
Plain English This research studied the safety and maximum doses of two cancer drugs, irinotecan and epirubicin, given together to patients with advanced tumors. They found the highest safe dose for patients who had previously been treated with chemotherapy was 100 mg/m² of irinotecan and 50 mg/m² of epirubicin, while for patients who had not yet received chemotherapy, it was higher at 150 mg/m² for irinotecan and the same amount for epirubicin. This information is important for guiding future cancer treatment studies and improving the care of patients facing advanced solid tumors.
Who this helps: This benefits cancer patients and doctors looking for effective treatment options.
Frequent expression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 in latent membrane protein 1-positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease and HIV-associated lymphomas.
Plain English This study looked at a protein called TRAF1 in different types of lymphomas related to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), particularly in patients who have had organ transplants or those with HIV. Researchers found that in a sample of 42 tumors, 36 showed signs of EBV infection, and among those, 30 had high levels of a protein linked to EBV (LMP1). Notably, 24 out of the 30 tumors with LMP1 also expressed TRAF1, whereas only 3 out of 12 tumors without LMP1 expressed TRAF1, showing a strong link between LMP1 and TRAF1 in these cancers.
Who this helps: This research benefits doctors treating patients with EBV-related lymphomas, particularly those who are immunocompromised.