Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD
Associate Professor, Internal Medicine
Phone: 919.513.6295
Fax: 919.513.6336
Email: jody_gookin@ncsu.edu
Education & Specialty Certification
Ph.D. (Physiology/Biotechnology), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 2000
D.V.M., University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 1993
B.S. (Biology), San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 1988
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine), 1998
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HELP US IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST T. FOETUS INFECTION!
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Make a tax-deductible donation to STRIVE - Support for
T. foetus Research Innovation and Veterinarian Education - by clicking the following link:
Click here to help Dr. Gookin in her fight against TF!
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Submission of Samples for T. foetus PCR Testing
Click here for a sample submission form
Click here for answers to commonly-asked technical questions about our PCR test
When submitted to our laboratory all proceeds from PCR testing go to support research on T. foetus infection.
Up-to-date and comprehensive information about the treatment and diagnosis of feline T. foetus infection
An owners guide to diagnosis and treatment of feline T. foetus infection.
Educational Videos on Sample Collection and Analysis for Diagnosis of T. foetus
Videomicroscopy of T. foetus and Giardia spp. in feces
How to inoculate and prepare an In PouchTF culture for diagnosis of T. foetus
Fecal sample collection for diagnosis of T. foetus infection using the colon flush technique
Intestinal Pathogens Research Laboratory
Our Research Program
The long-term goals of our laboratory are to define mechanisms of intestinal defense and repair in infectious enteritis and identify rational approaches to nutritional and pharmacologic enhancement of epithelial repair. Toward this end, our laboratory is focused on the study of two enteric protozoal pathogens; Cryptosporidium parvum and Tritrichomonas foetus as well as the role of enteric bacteria in both inflammatory bowel disease and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Cryptosporidium parvum infects the single columnar epithelial lining of the small intestine. This epithelium is the first line of defense against translocation of luminal bacteria, antigens, or endotoxin into the body while also being responsible for selective absorption of the majority of nutrients, electrolytes and water required for life. Infection with C. parvum is a leading cause of diarrhea in infants worldwide and in adults with HIV. Contamination of municipal water supplies with C. parvum oocysts has resulted in the largest outbreaks of waterborne diarrhea in U.S. history. Despite intensive effort, a consistently effective antimicrobial therapy for C. parvum infection or means for decontamination of cysts shed into the environment has yet to be identified. Resistance, infectivity and potential for widespread morbidity have ranked C. parvum as a priority pathogen for biodefense research.
Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated protozoan parasite of domestic cats that resides within the lumen of the colon and causes colitis and chronic, foul-smelling diarrhea. The infection is prevalent among cattery cats where transmission via the fecal-oral route is suspected. Infected cats may have persistent diarrhea for up to 2 years and can remain infected for their lifetime.
Lab Personnel
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| Stephen Stauffer Research Specialist Phone: 919.513.6415 stephen_stauffer@ncsu.edu |
Dr. Derek Foster Ph.D. Candidate Phone: 919-513-6415 derek_foster@ncsu.edu |
Dr. Katie Tolbert Ph.D. Candidate Phone: 919.513.6415 katie_tolbert@ncsu.edu |
Our laboratory is proud to have hosted the following veterinary students as part of our Veterinary Scholars Program:
2010 - Hannah Preedy (Univ. of Surrey)
2007 - Sara Gray
2005 - Leah M. Zadrozny
2004 - Christina Copple
2003 - Jessica Allen, Carol St. John
2002 - Sophia Chiang, Laurel Duckett, Derek Foster
Our Research Funding
Our research is funded by the following agencies and foundations:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease at UNC-Chapel Hill
North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute
Morris Animal Foundation
Winn Feline Foundation
Waltham Foundation
Our Research Findings
A full listing of research publications on T. foetus and other feline diseases
A full listing of research publications of C. parvum and other basic GI diseases
To read most of our research publications online, click here.
Our Research Laboratory in the News
Morris Animal Foundation News 2011. Pesky parasite proves problematic.
Purina Pro Club Update August 2007. Researchers investigate T. foetus infection in catteries.
American Journal of Veterinary Research March 2006. Tindamax being studied as treatment for tritrichomoniasis in cats.
Clinician’s Brief January 2007. Treating T. foetus diarrhea in cats.
Veterinary Practice News June 2005. Researchers find a cause of chronic feline diarrhea.
Veterinary Medicine October 1, 2005. CVC Highlights: A new treatment for feline Tritrichomonas foetus infection.
North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Disease Trends Fall 2005. Feline trichomoniasis.
Veterinary Practice News 2004. Pathogens identified as diarrhea causes in cats.
Teaching Animations
An animated model of reticulorumen motility
An animated model of renal tubular function
An animated model of glomerular filtration regulation