Kociolek Laboratory
The Kociolek laboratory houses a translational research program focused on various aspects of pediatric healthcare epidemiology and infection prevention and control, particularly Clostridium difficile colonization and infection in children. This research program is integrated with the Host-Microbial Interactions, Inflammation, and Immunity (HMI3) Program at Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, housed within Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Our laboratory is primarily focused on various aspects of C. difficile colonization and infection, including clinical and molecular epidemiology, genomics, clinical microbiology and diagnosis, antibiotic resistance, and host immune response. Our overarching goal is to rigorously investigate this important pathogen in children to improve our ability to diagnose, prevent, and treat this infection.
Research Topics
Infection Prevention and Control
Contact
Larry K. Kociolek, MD, MSCI
lkociolek@luriechildrens.org
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Searle Medical Research Building
320 E Superior St, Room 15-560
Chicago, IL 60611
Lab Phone 312.503.6918 | Hospital Office Phone 312.227.4080 | Fax 312.227.9709
Research Highlights
OPTIMIZING THE DIAGNOSIS OF PEDIATRIC C. DIFFICILE INFECTION
The primary goal of this NIAID K23-supported study is to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of commercially available diagnostic tests and diagnostic tests in development for differentiating C. difficile colonization and infection in children. Using whole genome sequencing, we are seeking to identify genomic biomarkers that may differentiate strains that colonize vs. those that infect.
IMMUNOLOGIC CONSEQUENCES OF INFANT C. DIFFICILE COLONIZATION
This prospective cohort study seeks to identify the incidence and molecular epidemiology of C. difficile colonization in infants, as well as the association between toxigenic C. difficile colonization and development of potentially protective anti-toxin antibody responses in infants.
