Roberta Migliavacca
e-mail: roberta.migliavacca AT unipv.it
affiliation: Università di Pavia
research area(s): Molecular Biology, Immunity And Infection
Course:
Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology
University/Istitution: Università di Pavia
University/Istitution: Università di Pavia
Graduated with a first-class degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Pavia on 5/03/1996, in December 2001 has specialized in Microbiology and Virology by a vote 50/50 cum Laude.
In the period 01/04/1999- 31/03/2001, following the award of a Research Grant in the area of Medical Sciences, she collaborates in the research program “Infections caused by emerging opportunistic pathogens: molecular epidemiology and antibiotic-resistance”, attending the laboratories of the Department of Morphological and Clinical Sciences, Sec. of Microbiology, where she collaborated with Prof. L. Pagani.
On 18 October 2002 she obtains a second level University Master in "Applied Mycology.
Enjoys, since March 2004 to an employment contract for a fixed term integrated educational support activities and for activities related to research programs.
From 1st January 2005 she works as full time researcher (scientific-disciplinary MED/07-Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology) at the Department of Morphological and Clinical Sciences, Sec. of Microbiology, at the University of Pavia.
Attached to science is settled teaching activities, seminars and tutorials, at the University of Pavia, under the: Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Degree Course in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Interfaculty Master Degree Course in Biotechnology, School of Specialization in Microbiology and Virology.
Thesis advisor Degree Course in Biotechnology of the University of Pavia.
Was speaker at the 5th Forum SIVIM (Italian Society of Medical Virology) held in Milan, 1-3 February 2007 and the AMCLI XXXVI National Congress (Italian Association of Clinical Microbiology), held in Rimini, 2-5 October 2007.
Has participated as a lecturer, at training event called "XI refresher course in laboratory medicine" organized by SIBioC (Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) and AMCLI held in the Larino 9/11/2007, with the report "Methods for testing the sensitivity / resistance."
Dr. Roberta Migliavacca was speaker at the following events:
-“Surveillance of infections in Long Term Care and Rehabilitation institutions”, organized by AMCLI Lombardy, with the report “Epidemiology of the ESβLs in the Italian Residential Health Care”. Legnano (MI) 29-03-2008.
- “The susceptibility test from the laboratory experience to the clinic interpretation” organized by AMCLI, with the report “Antibiotic resistance tests and interpretation criteria” Maddaloni 20 giugno 2009.
-“ The interpretive reading of the susceptibility tests.” Organized by AMCLI Lombardy, with the report “Microbiological and clinical breakpoints: interpretative criteria by EUCAST and CLSI”. Pavia, 10 december 2009.
- “The laboratory tools for the detection of KPC- producing bacteria” XL AMCLI congress 8-11 /11 2011. Rimini.
In the period 01/04/1999- 31/03/2001, following the award of a Research Grant in the area of Medical Sciences, she collaborates in the research program “Infections caused by emerging opportunistic pathogens: molecular epidemiology and antibiotic-resistance”, attending the laboratories of the Department of Morphological and Clinical Sciences, Sec. of Microbiology, where she collaborated with Prof. L. Pagani.
On 18 October 2002 she obtains a second level University Master in "Applied Mycology.
Enjoys, since March 2004 to an employment contract for a fixed term integrated educational support activities and for activities related to research programs.
From 1st January 2005 she works as full time researcher (scientific-disciplinary MED/07-Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology) at the Department of Morphological and Clinical Sciences, Sec. of Microbiology, at the University of Pavia.
Attached to science is settled teaching activities, seminars and tutorials, at the University of Pavia, under the: Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Degree Course in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Interfaculty Master Degree Course in Biotechnology, School of Specialization in Microbiology and Virology.
Thesis advisor Degree Course in Biotechnology of the University of Pavia.
Was speaker at the 5th Forum SIVIM (Italian Society of Medical Virology) held in Milan, 1-3 February 2007 and the AMCLI XXXVI National Congress (Italian Association of Clinical Microbiology), held in Rimini, 2-5 October 2007.
Has participated as a lecturer, at training event called "XI refresher course in laboratory medicine" organized by SIBioC (Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) and AMCLI held in the Larino 9/11/2007, with the report "Methods for testing the sensitivity / resistance."
Dr. Roberta Migliavacca was speaker at the following events:
-“Surveillance of infections in Long Term Care and Rehabilitation institutions”, organized by AMCLI Lombardy, with the report “Epidemiology of the ESβLs in the Italian Residential Health Care”. Legnano (MI) 29-03-2008.
- “The susceptibility test from the laboratory experience to the clinic interpretation” organized by AMCLI, with the report “Antibiotic resistance tests and interpretation criteria” Maddaloni 20 giugno 2009.
-“ The interpretive reading of the susceptibility tests.” Organized by AMCLI Lombardy, with the report “Microbiological and clinical breakpoints: interpretative criteria by EUCAST and CLSI”. Pavia, 10 december 2009.
- “The laboratory tools for the detection of KPC- producing bacteria” XL AMCLI congress 8-11 /11 2011. Rimini.
Study of resistance to antibacterial drugs (particularly in Enterobacteriaceae and emerging opportunistic pathogens) in all its many aspects: genetic, biochemical, molecular and clinical ii) study of nosocomial infections in high risk wards and molecular typing of micro-organisms for the surveillance/containment of the epidemic episodes iii) studies of prevalence, spread and persistence of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms, iiii) correlation between antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation.
iiiii) susceptibility testing from the laboratory experience (from screening experimental approaches to recent guidelines EUCAST useful for antibiotic susceptibility reporting) to the clinic interpretation.
iiiii) susceptibility testing from the laboratory experience (from screening experimental approaches to recent guidelines EUCAST useful for antibiotic susceptibility reporting) to the clinic interpretation.
- Mezzatesta M. L., D’Andrea M. M., Migliavacca R., Giani T., Gona F., Nucleo E., Fugazza G., Pagani L., Rossolini G. M., Stefani S.
Epidemiological characterization and distribution of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates in Italy.
Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011 Apr 4 doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03527.x. [Epub ahead of print]
-Nucleo E., Fugazza G., Migliavacca R., Spalla M., Comelli M., Pagani L., Debiaggi M..
Differences in biofilm formation and aggregative adherence between β- lactam susceptible and β-lactamase producing P. mirabilis clinical isolates”.
New Microbiol. 2010 Jan;33 (1):37-45.
- Nucleo E, Steffanoni L, Fugazza G, Migliavacca R, Giacobone E, Navarra A, Pagani L, Landini P.
Growth in glucose-based medium and exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of imipenem induce biofilm formation in a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate of Acinetobacter baumannii. BMC Microbiol. 2009 Dec 22; 9:270.
- Rossolini GM, Luzzaro F, Migliavacca R, Mugnaioli C, Pini B, De Luca F, Perilli M, Pollini S, Spalla M, Amicosante G, Toniolo A, Pagani L.
First countrywide survey of acquired metallo-beta-lactamases in gram-negative pathogens in Italy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Nov;52(11):4023-9.
- Migliavacca R, Migliavacca A, Nucleo E, Ciaponi A, Spalla M, De Luca C, Pagani L. Molecular epidemiology of ESbetaL producing P. mirabilis strains from a long-term care and rehabilitation facility in Italy. New Microbiol. 2007 Jul;30(3):362-6.
- Migliavacca R, Nucleo E, D'Andrea MM, Spalla M, Giani T, Pagani L. Acquired AmpC type beta-lactamases: an emerging problem in Italian long-term care and rehabilitation facilities. New Microbiol. 2007 Jul;30(3):295-8.
- Debiaggi M, Canducci F, Terulla C, Sampaolo M, Marinozzi MC, Alessandrino PE, Colombo AA, Caldera D, Bragotti LZ, Migliavacca R, Bianchi E, Romero E, Clementi M.
Long-term study on symptomless human metapneumovirus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. New Microbiol. 2007 Jul;30(3):255-8.
- Monno R, Rizzo C, De Vito D, Nucleo E, Migliavacca R, Pagani L, Rizzo G. Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases characterization of Salmonella isolates in Apulia, southern Italy (2001-2005).
Microb Drug Resist. 2007 Summer;13(2):124-9.
- Endimiani A, Luzzaro F, Migliavacca R, Mantengoli E, Hujer AM, Hujer KM, Pagani L, Bonomo RA, Rossolini GM, Toniolo A.
Spread in an Italian hospital of a clonal Acinetobacter baumannii strain producing the TEM-92 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007 Jun;51(6):2211-4.
- Debiaggi M, Canducci F, Sampaolo M, Marinozzi MC, Parea M, Terulla C, Colombo AA, Alessandrino EP, Bragotti LZ, Arghittu M, Goglio A, Migliavacca R, Romero E,Clementi M. Persistent symptomless human metapneumovirus infection inhematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. J Infect Dis. 2006 Aug15;194(4):474-8.
- D'Andrea MM, Nucleo E, Luzzaro F, Giani T, Migliavacca R, Vailati F, Kroumova V, Pagani L, Rossolini GM.
CMY-16, a novel acquired AmpC-type beta-lactamase of the CMY/LAT lineage in multifocal monophyletic isolates of Proteus mirabilis from northern Italy.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Feb;50(2):618-24.
Epidemiological characterization and distribution of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates in Italy.
Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011 Apr 4 doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03527.x. [Epub ahead of print]
-Nucleo E., Fugazza G., Migliavacca R., Spalla M., Comelli M., Pagani L., Debiaggi M..
Differences in biofilm formation and aggregative adherence between β- lactam susceptible and β-lactamase producing P. mirabilis clinical isolates”.
New Microbiol. 2010 Jan;33 (1):37-45.
- Nucleo E, Steffanoni L, Fugazza G, Migliavacca R, Giacobone E, Navarra A, Pagani L, Landini P.
Growth in glucose-based medium and exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of imipenem induce biofilm formation in a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate of Acinetobacter baumannii. BMC Microbiol. 2009 Dec 22; 9:270.
- Rossolini GM, Luzzaro F, Migliavacca R, Mugnaioli C, Pini B, De Luca F, Perilli M, Pollini S, Spalla M, Amicosante G, Toniolo A, Pagani L.
First countrywide survey of acquired metallo-beta-lactamases in gram-negative pathogens in Italy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2008 Nov;52(11):4023-9.
- Migliavacca R, Migliavacca A, Nucleo E, Ciaponi A, Spalla M, De Luca C, Pagani L. Molecular epidemiology of ESbetaL producing P. mirabilis strains from a long-term care and rehabilitation facility in Italy. New Microbiol. 2007 Jul;30(3):362-6.
- Migliavacca R, Nucleo E, D'Andrea MM, Spalla M, Giani T, Pagani L. Acquired AmpC type beta-lactamases: an emerging problem in Italian long-term care and rehabilitation facilities. New Microbiol. 2007 Jul;30(3):295-8.
- Debiaggi M, Canducci F, Terulla C, Sampaolo M, Marinozzi MC, Alessandrino PE, Colombo AA, Caldera D, Bragotti LZ, Migliavacca R, Bianchi E, Romero E, Clementi M.
Long-term study on symptomless human metapneumovirus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. New Microbiol. 2007 Jul;30(3):255-8.
- Monno R, Rizzo C, De Vito D, Nucleo E, Migliavacca R, Pagani L, Rizzo G. Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases characterization of Salmonella isolates in Apulia, southern Italy (2001-2005).
Microb Drug Resist. 2007 Summer;13(2):124-9.
- Endimiani A, Luzzaro F, Migliavacca R, Mantengoli E, Hujer AM, Hujer KM, Pagani L, Bonomo RA, Rossolini GM, Toniolo A.
Spread in an Italian hospital of a clonal Acinetobacter baumannii strain producing the TEM-92 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007 Jun;51(6):2211-4.
- Debiaggi M, Canducci F, Sampaolo M, Marinozzi MC, Parea M, Terulla C, Colombo AA, Alessandrino EP, Bragotti LZ, Arghittu M, Goglio A, Migliavacca R, Romero E,Clementi M. Persistent symptomless human metapneumovirus infection inhematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. J Infect Dis. 2006 Aug15;194(4):474-8.
- D'Andrea MM, Nucleo E, Luzzaro F, Giani T, Migliavacca R, Vailati F, Kroumova V, Pagani L, Rossolini GM.
CMY-16, a novel acquired AmpC-type beta-lactamase of the CMY/LAT lineage in multifocal monophyletic isolates of Proteus mirabilis from northern Italy.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Feb;50(2):618-24.
Project Title:
- Study of pathogenicity, mechanisms of resistance, persistence and clinical impact of emerging pathogens, iie: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter b
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are important nosocomial pathogens in health care settings. Treatment of serious nosocomial infections caused by these microorganisms is complicated by multi-drug resistance. Increasing of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii resistance to carbapenems mediated by Metallo-beta-Lactamases (MBLs), by acquired OXA-23, OXA-40 or OXA-58-like carbapenemases and other mechanisms, is a cause for concern.
Resistance in P. aeruginosa may be mediated via several distinct mechanisms. TEM, SHV and CTX-M Extended-Spectrum-beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) all have been reported in P. aeruginosa, but are uncommon. The presence of multiple efflux pumps, outer membrane changes and acquisition of MBLs, remain significant resistance problems in this species as well as in other non-fermenters. In MDR isolates, the relative contributions of different molecular mechanisms toward phenotypic multidrug resistance are not well established. It is commonly believed that in MDR P. aeruginosa isolates, reduced virulence may result due to decreased biofitness. However, recent data suggest otherwise, and MDR P. aeruginosa may remain fully pathogenic. Molecular virulence factors characterization and clonality studies could be therefore essential in demonstrating the whole pathogen potential, the bacterial environmental persistence and ability to cause outbreaks.
This analysis could be also important for documenting the start of chronic colonisation in patients for whom eradication treatment following the first isolation of P. aeruginosa has failed, for demonstrating cross-colonisations between patients, or for identifying hyper-transmissible clones.
A. baumannii, infections tend to occur mostly in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
The pathogenic determinants that have been reported for A. baumannii include a novel pilus assembly system involved in biofilm formation, an outer membrane protein (Omp38) that causes apoptosis and a conserved polycistronic siderophore-mediated iron-acquisition system.
Exopolysaccharide production by pathogenic bacteria is a major virulence factor. Quorum-sensing might be a central mechanism for auto-induction of multiple virulence factors in an opportunistic pathogen such as Acinetobacter and this process should be studied for its clinical implications. Many parameters, including host factors, bacterial burden and virulence of individual strains, may play important roles in causing infection in colonised patients. The aim of this study will be to investigate the relationships among antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii post-surgical invasive strains and host factors predisposing to infection.
The research plan will lead to completely characterize antibiotic-resistance, survival and persistence mechanisms of the highly successful gram-negative non-fermenter strains spread in Italian settings. A. baumannii clones will be evaluated for the association with major European clonal lineages.
The results will be instrumental for the development of novel strategies to counteract the persistence of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa invasive clones, for the design of novel specific inhibitors/or antimicrobials and to circumvent multidrug-resistance of these bacteria.
Recently Klebsiella pneumoniae producing class A carbapenemase of KPC type, characterized by multidrug- or pandrug- resistance has emerged as a new important nosocomial pathogen and the dissemination of KPC-producing K. pneumoniae is of great concern to public health services worldwide. In KPC-producing K. pneumoniae infections, antibiotic options are dramatically restricted. The study will investigate phenotypic/molecular features and clonal relatedness of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from different Italian settings. Improved detection of new resistant strains especially by using practical and affordable screening methods and by evaluating mechanisms of resistance is a priority to implement infection control measures and limit the spread of these worrisome strains.
Resistance in P. aeruginosa may be mediated via several distinct mechanisms. TEM, SHV and CTX-M Extended-Spectrum-beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) all have been reported in P. aeruginosa, but are uncommon. The presence of multiple efflux pumps, outer membrane changes and acquisition of MBLs, remain significant resistance problems in this species as well as in other non-fermenters. In MDR isolates, the relative contributions of different molecular mechanisms toward phenotypic multidrug resistance are not well established. It is commonly believed that in MDR P. aeruginosa isolates, reduced virulence may result due to decreased biofitness. However, recent data suggest otherwise, and MDR P. aeruginosa may remain fully pathogenic. Molecular virulence factors characterization and clonality studies could be therefore essential in demonstrating the whole pathogen potential, the bacterial environmental persistence and ability to cause outbreaks.
This analysis could be also important for documenting the start of chronic colonisation in patients for whom eradication treatment following the first isolation of P. aeruginosa has failed, for demonstrating cross-colonisations between patients, or for identifying hyper-transmissible clones.
A. baumannii, infections tend to occur mostly in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
The pathogenic determinants that have been reported for A. baumannii include a novel pilus assembly system involved in biofilm formation, an outer membrane protein (Omp38) that causes apoptosis and a conserved polycistronic siderophore-mediated iron-acquisition system.
Exopolysaccharide production by pathogenic bacteria is a major virulence factor. Quorum-sensing might be a central mechanism for auto-induction of multiple virulence factors in an opportunistic pathogen such as Acinetobacter and this process should be studied for its clinical implications. Many parameters, including host factors, bacterial burden and virulence of individual strains, may play important roles in causing infection in colonised patients. The aim of this study will be to investigate the relationships among antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii post-surgical invasive strains and host factors predisposing to infection.
The research plan will lead to completely characterize antibiotic-resistance, survival and persistence mechanisms of the highly successful gram-negative non-fermenter strains spread in Italian settings. A. baumannii clones will be evaluated for the association with major European clonal lineages.
The results will be instrumental for the development of novel strategies to counteract the persistence of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa invasive clones, for the design of novel specific inhibitors/or antimicrobials and to circumvent multidrug-resistance of these bacteria.
Recently Klebsiella pneumoniae producing class A carbapenemase of KPC type, characterized by multidrug- or pandrug- resistance has emerged as a new important nosocomial pathogen and the dissemination of KPC-producing K. pneumoniae is of great concern to public health services worldwide. In KPC-producing K. pneumoniae infections, antibiotic options are dramatically restricted. The study will investigate phenotypic/molecular features and clonal relatedness of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from different Italian settings. Improved detection of new resistant strains especially by using practical and affordable screening methods and by evaluating mechanisms of resistance is a priority to implement infection control measures and limit the spread of these worrisome strains.