Published September, 2014

Name: Ashish Tiwari

From: India

Degrees and institute where received:

BVSc & AH, College of Veterinary Science, JNKVV, Jabalpur, India

MVSc (Vet. Microbiology), Anand Veterinary College, AAU, Gujarat, India

Influenza virus is one of the important pathogens of animals and humans. Viruses have always intrigued Ashish Tiwari and inspired him to pursue a career researching influenza virus.

The laboratory of Thomas Chambers, PhD, professor of veterinary virology at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, is the only OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) reference laboratory for equine influenza in the Western hemisphere and one of the best places to work on influenza virus, Tiwari said.

One of the major complications and causes of mortality during influenza infection is bacterial pneumonia. Secondary bacterial pneumonia during equine influenza could potentially be fatal or at least significantly reduce the rate of recovery, resulting in significant economic losses to the equine industry. Tiwari is exploring how influenza virus modulates the host innate immune system for secondary bacterial infection.

“In my PhD project I am investigating how influenza virus inhibits a cytokine (IL-23/IL-17) response, which is important in the antibacterial defense in the lungs of the host,” he said.

Tiwari is also investigating whether external supplementation of IL-23 could help prevent secondary pneumonia and possibly hasten recovery as well as reduce the associated mortality. The project is funded by Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council.

“In addition to my project, I have worked on development of a real-time PC- based diagnostic assay for influenza viruses, and I have also studied the molecular epidemiology of equine influenza virus,” he said.

With emerging drug resistance among bacterial populations, it is important to develop alternative treatment strategies. Results from this study will identify the targets that could help prevent and/or treat secondary bacterial infections even in case of a drug-resistant infection, Tiwari said.

After finishing his PhD, Tiwari said he would like to pursue his research interests in virology with emphasis on antiviral immunity.

Shaila Sigsgaard is an editorial assistant for the Bluegrass Equine Digest.