How bacteria trick the immune system; cannabis risks for youth

Tricking immune system

A McMaster University discovery about how bacteria evade the immune system has the potential to lead to new drugs to bolster the body’s ability to fight disease. The researchers found a new way bacteria trick the immune system into not attacking while comparing two strains of Salmonella.

After invading the host cell, Salmonella typhimurium made it difficult for the immune system to detect it and respond by turning off the flagella, which is what bacteria make on their surface that allows them to move. The flagella is also like a neon sign alerting the immune system to the bacteria’s presence.

The study, published Tuesday in the journal Cell Reports, was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Boris Family Fund for Health Research Excellence.

Award for neonatologist

A Hamilton neonatologist who was among the first to start documenting the possible outcomes for being born extremely premature is being recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Saroj Saigal is the third Canadian to receive the Virginia Apgar Award for a career with a continuing influence on the wellbeing of newborn infants.

The McMaster University professor emerita and McMaster Children’s Hospital doctor created one of the world’s only cohorts of extremely low birth-weight babies, making numerous significant discoveries along the way. Saigal will receive the award at the academy’s national conference in November. She is also being inducted into the Community of Distinction of the faculty of health sciences at McMaster on Nov. 16.

Let’s Talk Cannabis

Youth are especially vulnerable to an increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia from early and regular cannabis use.

The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario is hosting a community forum in Hamilton called Let’s Talk Cannabis on Nov. 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

It is being held in the Caretaker’s Club at Tim Hortons Field. Speakers will be on hand from Alternatives for Youth, the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario and the Cleghorn Early Intervention in Psychosis Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare.

Go to www.eventbrite.ca to register for the free event.

Health-care innovation

How to fill the gap between what is known and what is needed in health care will be the focus of two talks at McMaster Innovation Park.

The first will explore the deadly syndrome of sepsis and the role precision medicine will play in future treatment on Nov. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. The second will include a look at the impact of innovation versus evidencebased approaches to developing novel health-care technology on Nov. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Both talks are led by Dr. Michael Ackerman, director of the masters in health-care innovation and professor of clinical nursing at Ohio State University.

Register at www.eventbrite.ca. Tickets range from $6 to $15.

Children’s mental health

Pediatric mental health patients can now get fresh air and sunshine, considered crucial to their well-being and treatment, with the opening of the Wellness Courtyard at McMaster Children’s Hospital on Oct. 16.

The secure and monitored courtyard is particularly important to patients at increased risk of self-harm, who account for roughly 70 to 80 per cent of patients admitted.

Staff will be available to patients using the courtyard, which was built entirely with donated dollars.