Éric Frost, Ph.D.

• Contact informations
• Academic Qualifications
• Main interests
• Publications récentes

E-mail : Eric.Frost@USherbrooke.ca
Phone : 819 346-1110, ext. 15534
Fax : 819 564-5392

Department of Microbiology and Infectiology
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Université de Sherbrooke
3001 12th Avenue North
Sherbrooke, Québec  J1H 5N4

• M.Sc. - Ph.D., Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec (1975)
• Postdoctoral studies, Institute of Virology, Glasgow (1977)

Our research projects fall under two main areas:

1)  Adapting molecular methods to microbiological diagnostic problems in clinical settings.

2)  Using molecular diagnostic methods to help understand the role of micro­organisms in the epidemiology of diseases.

Our specific interests are:

Chlamydia and atherosclerosis

Chlamydia makes most people think of an STD (now called STI: sexually transmitted infection), i.e. the infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. However, there are other species of chlamydia such as Chlamydophila pneumoniae (formerly called Chlamydia pneumoniae), a very widespread species that can cause pneumonia, bronchitis and sinusitis. Various studies have shown the presence of C. pneumoniae in atheroma plaques. Other studies suggest that individuals with C. pneumoniae antibodies are at a higher risk of having an infarct.

In addition to assisting with the study of the molecular epidemiology of Campylo­bacter, we are working with Dr. Sophie Michaud of the Department of Micro­biology and Infectiologyon the development of a bacterial typing system based on MLST (multilocus sequence typing, see www.mlst.net) for C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis. This pilot project could lead to further research on the molecular epidemiology of this family of bacteria and efforts to determine if particular strains of C. pneumoniae permit intravascular colonization, persistent infection or cause pneumonia. The potential of different strains of C. trachomatis to lead to a persistent infection will also be examined.

In collaboration with Dr. Fulop of the Sherbrooke University Geriatrics Institute and Dr. Herbein of Bésançon, France, we are looking at the role of Chlamydophila pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, HIV and hepatitis C virus in aging, and in particular their association with lipid rafts and signal transduction in T cells and macrophages.

Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

For many years we have been working with Dr. Pepin of the International Health Centre at the Université de Sherbrooke on the diagnosis of agents of sexually transmitted infections in Africa and Asia. The aim of these studies is to develop patient management algorithms, confirm the role of the different microorganisms in genito­­urinary syndromes and explore how controlling these microbes could help combat AIDS.

With our colleagues, Dr. Benoît van Caloen of the Social Services Department and Dr. Françoise Gendron, a physician at the CLSC, we are investigating the role of street youth in the epidemiology of STIs in Canada. This study involves the use of non-invasive diagnostic methods to draw up a profile of current and previous infections in this population versus the general youth population and examining the social habits of these young people.

Pub Med