Alan J. Lesse MD
Alan J. Lesse
MD
Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Education; Senior Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Bioinformatics; Infectious Disease; Microbial Pathogenesis
Professional Summary:
My clinical interest work focuses on infectious diseases, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. I practice medicine and infectious diseases at the VA Western New York Healthcare System. The service here treats veterans with a wide variety of infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis C. I attend on the inpatient service. Medical students, residents, and fellows evaluate and follow infectious disease consultations with me on the inpatient service.
I am also the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum at the Jacobs School and I teach extensively in the Medical School. I also serve as Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine. I enjoy working with students throughout the full spectrum of medical education, from first-year medical students to senior fellows in Infectious Disease.
My research interests dovetail with my clinical work. I study Staphylococcal infections, particularly complications related to S. aureus bloodstream infections. My laboratory uses advanced molecular biology techniques to identify bacterial virulence factors. In collaboration with Steve Gill at the University of Rochester, we are analyzing three years of clinical data on S. aureus bacteremia in the Buffalo area and sequencing hundreds of bacteremia isolates of S. aureus to identify the genomic architectures associated with more severe complications and those associated with poor clinical outcomes. This work makes use of bioinformatics and database design, techniques that support my ongoing collaborations with other investigators on bioinformatics problems, particularly with Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae.
Prior to my studies in S. aureus, I conducted research on a fascinating pathogen, H. influenzae bio group aegyptius and Brazilian Purpuric Fever. Over that 10-year period my laboratory identified a unique epitope on a surface proteins associated with the disease. We were able to create the only isogenic mutant so far described with this pathogen that is highly refractory to genetic manipulation.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Research Fellowship in Infectious Diseases, University of Virginina (1987)
- Fellowship, Clinical Fellowship in Infectious Disease, University of Virginia Affiliated Program (1985)
- Residency, Internal Medicine, Temple University (1984)
- MD, University of Virginia (1981)
- BA, University of Virginia (1977)
Employment:
- Senior Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2015-present)
- Vice Chair for Education, Department of Medicine, Medicine, University at Buffalo (2012-present)
- Chief, Infectious Disease, Infectious DIsease, VA WNY Healthcare System, VA Western NY Healthcare System (2009-present)
- Associate Professor, Medicine, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo (1994-present)
- Acting Associate Chief of Staff, Research, VA Western New York Healthcare System (2010)
- Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicine, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, State University of New York at Buffalo (1987–1994)
- Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia School of Medicine (1985–1987)
- Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia Affiliated Hospitals Program (1984–1985)
- Medical Resident, Department of Medicine, Temple University (1982–1984)
- Medical Intern, Department of Medicine, Temple University (1981–1982)
Awards and Honors:
- Steven H. Noyes, MD, House Staff Teaching Award (2015)
- Faculty AOA (2015)
- 2014 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2014)
- Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (2014)
- Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (2012)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty Teaching Award, Department of Pharmacol (2011)
- Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (2010)
- Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (2005)
- Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (2001)
- White Coat Award, Resident Teaching Award in Medicine (1999)
- Recipient of Recognition Award from the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Associat (1999)
- Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1998)
- Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1997)
- Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1995)
- Letter of Commendation for Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching Exc (1993)
- Recipient of the Pre-Clinical Teaching Award, Siegel Committee for Teaching (1992)
- Recipient of the first F. Carter Pannill Housestaff Teaching Award (1991)
- Recipient of the Pre-Clinical Teaching Award, Siegel Committee for Teaching (1990)
- Letter of Commendation for Pre-Clinical Teaching, Siegel Cmte. for Teaching (1989)
Research Expertise:
- Infections with Staphylococcus aureus: I have both a research and clinical interest in infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. My clinical interest involves blood stream infections and community-associated MRSA infections. My research interests center on the clinical and molecular epidemiology of blood stream isolates, including whole genomic sequencing and the bioinformatic approach to analyzing virulence factors.
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- August 2015–September 2017
BIG DATA SCIENTIST TRAINING ENCHANCEMENT PROGRAM (BD-STEP)-BD-STEP
VA and National Cancer Institute
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$60,000 - September 2014–November 2015
VA HSR&D Grant Title: Gown and Glove Use to Prevent the Spread of Infection in VA Community Living Centers
VA HSR&D
Role: Co-Investigator
$72,000 - January 2007–December 2012
Pathogenesis of Haemophilus influenzae Infections in COPD
NIH
Role: Co-Investigator
$1,225,125 - January 1987–June 2012
Development of a vaccine for Moraxella catarrhalis (RO1AI28304)Pathogenesis of Moraxella catarrhalis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2R56AI1028304)
NIH
Role: Co-Investigator
$1,250,000 - June 2007–December 2010
A Population-Based Study of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia In Western New York
Oishei Foundation
Role: Co-Investigator
$690,500 - September 2002–August 2007
Development of a vaccine for H. influenzae
NIH
Role: Co-Investigator
$1,200,000 - October 1996–September 2000
Virulence Factors of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius
Veterans Administration Merit Review
Role: Principal Investigator
$160,400 - April 1994–March 1996
Virulence Factors of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius
Veterans Administration Merit Review
Role: Co-Investigator
$174,100 - July 1987–March 1988
Pathogenesis of Bacterial Meningitis, Basic Science Research Group
Basic Science Research Group, SUNY Buffalo
Role: Principal Investigator
Patents:
- Vaccine Antigens for Moraxella catarrhalis Method for stimulating immune response against Moraxella catarrhalis (2010)
Journal Articles:
- Mergenhagen KA, Croix M, Starr KE, Sellick JA, Lesse AJ. The utility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nares screening for patients with a diabetic foot infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2020.
- Shafiq I, Bulman ZP, Spitznogle SL, Osorio JE, Reilly IS, Lesse AJ, Parameswaran GI, Mergenhagen KA, Tsuji BT. A combination of ceftaroline and daptomycin has synergistic and bactericidal activity in vitro against daptomycin nonsusceptible methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Infect Dis (Lond). 2017.
- Ibrahim LA, Sellick JA, Watson EL, McCabe LM, Schoenhals KA, Martinello RA, Lesse AJ. An Outbreak of Severe Group A Streptococcus Infections Associated with Podiatric Application of a Biologic Dermal Substitute. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2016; 37(3).
- Ibrahim LA, Sellick JA, Watson EL, McCabe LM, Schoenhals KA, Martinello RA, Lesse AJ, Sellick, Jr JA. An Outbreak of Severe Group A Streptococcus Infections Associated with Podiatric Application of a Biologic Dermal Substitute. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015.
- Schirmer P, Winston CA, Lucero-Obusan C, Winters M, Lesse A, de Comarmond C, Oda G, Martinello RA, Holodniy M, Lesse AJ. Reuse of Insulin Pens Among Multiple Patients at 2 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015.
- Tsuji BT, Harigaya Y, Lesse AJ, Forrest A, Ngo D. Activity of AFN-1252, a novel FabI inhibitor, against Staphylococcus aureus in an in vitro pharmacodynamic model simulating human pharmacokinetics. J Chemother. 2013; 25(1).
- Harigaya Y, Ngo D, Lesse AJ, Huang V, Tsuji BT. Characterization of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate resistance, MIC and accessory gene regulator (agr) dysfunction among clinical bloodstream isolates of staphyloccocus aureus. BMC Infect Dis. 2011; 11.
- Murphy TF, Lesse AJ, Kirkham C, Zhong H, Sethi S, Munson RS. A Clonal Group of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae with Two IgA Proteases Is Adapted to Infection in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. PLoS One. 2011; 6(10).
- Faden HS, Gill SR, Lesse AJ. Impact of Management and Bacterial Genomics on Outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Children. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2011; 50(10).
- Kreisel KM, Stine OC, Johnson JK, Perencevich EN, Shardell MD, Lesse AJ, Gordin FM, Climo MW, Roghmann MC. USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and the risk of severe sepsis: is USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus associated with more severe infections? Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011; 70(3).
- Almyroudis NG, Lesse AJ, Hahn T, Samonis G, Hazamy PA, Wongkittiroch K, Wang ES, McCarthy PL, Wetzler M, Segal BH. Molecular epidemiology and risk factors for colonization by vancomycin-resistant enterococcus in patients with hematologic malignancies. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011; 32(5).
- Lemmens N, van Wamel W, Snijders S, Lesse AJ, Faden HS, van Belkum A. Genomic comparisons of USA300 Staphylococcus aureus colonizating the nose and rectum of children with skin abscesses. Microb Pathog. 2011; 50(3-4).
- Murphy TF, Lesse AJ, Kirkham C., Zhong H., Sethi S, Munson Jr. R.S.. A Clonally Related Group of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Adapted to Infection in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.. PLoS ONE. 2011; 6(10).
- Kreisel KM, Johnson JK, Stine OC, Shardell MD, Perencevich EN, Lesse AJ, Gordin FM, Climo MW, Roghmann MC. Illicit drug use and risk for USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections with bacteremia. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010; 16(9).
- Qu J, Lesse AJ, Brauer AL, Cao J, Gill SR, Murphy TF. Proteomic expression profiling of Haemophilus influenzae grown in pooled human sputum from adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reveal antioxidant and stress responses. BMC Microbiol. 2010; 10.
- Kreisel K, Roghmann MC, Shardell M, Stine OC, Perencevich E, Lesse A, Gordin F, Climo M, Johnson JK, Lesse AJ. Assessment of the 48-hour rule for identifying community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection complicated by bacteremia. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010; 31(6).
- Faden HS, Lesse AJ, Trask J, Hill JA, Hess DJ, Dryja D, Lee YH. Importance of colonization site in the current epidemic of staphylococcal skin abscesses. Pediatrics. 2010; 125(3).
- Harigaya Y, Bulitta JB, Forrest A, Sakoulas G, Lesse AJ, Mylotte JM, Tsuji BT. Pharmacodynamics of vancomycin at simulated epithelial lining fluid concentrations against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): implications for dosing in MRSA pneumonia. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009; 53(9).
- Tsuji BT, Harigaya Y, Lesse AJ, Sakoulas G, Mylotte JM. Loss of vancomycin bactericidal activity against accessory gene regulator (agr) dysfunctional Staphylococcus aureus under conditions of high bacterial density. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2009; 64(2).
- Ruckdeschel EA, Kirkham C, Lesse AJ, Hu Z, Murphy TF. Mining the Moraxella catarrhalis genome: identification of potential vaccine antigens expressed during human infection. Infect Immun. 2008; 76(4).
- Murphy TF, Brauer AL, Sethi S, Kilian M, Cai X, Lesse AJ. Haemophilus haemolyticus: a human respiratory tract commensal to be distinguished from Haemophilus influenzae. J Infect Dis. 2007; 195(1).
- Lesse AJ, Mylotte JM. Clinical and molecular epidemiology of nursing home-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Am J Infect Control. 2006; 34(10).
- Fernaays MM, Lesse AJ, Cai X, Murphy TF. Characterization of igaB, a second immunoglobulin A1 protease gene in nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Infect Immun. 2006; 74(10).
- Murphy TF, Kirkham C, Lesse AJ. Construction of a mutant and characterization of the role of the vaccine antigen P6 in outer membrane integrity of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Infect Immun. 2006; 74(9).
- Fernaays MM, Lesse AJ, Sethi S, Cai X, Murphy TF. Differential genome contents of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae strains from adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Infect Immun. 2006; 74(6).
- Murphy TF, Kirkham C, Sethi S, Lesse AJ. Expression of a peroxiredoxin-glutaredoxin by Haemophilus influenzae in biofilms and during human respiratory tract infection. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2005; 44(1).
- Adlowitz DG, Hiltke T, Lesse AJ, Murphy TF. Identification and characterization of outer membrane proteins G1a and G1b of Moraxella catarrhalis. Vaccine. 2004; 22(20).
- Johnson JR, Gajewski A, Lesse AJ, Russo TA. Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli as a cause of invasive nonurinary infections.. J Clin Microbiol. 2003; 41(12).
- Segada LM, Carlone GM, Gheesling LL, Lesse AJ. Characterization of P1-deficient isogenic mutant of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius associated with Brazilian purpuric fever.. Microb Pathog. 2000; 28(3).
- Russo TA, Wenderoth S, Carlino UB, Merrick JM, Lesse AJ. Identification, genomic organization, and analysis of the group III capsular polysaccharide genes kpsD, kpsM, kpsT, and kpsE from an extraintestinal isolate of Escherichia coli (CP9, O4/K54/H5).. J Bacteriol. 1998; 180(2).
- Segada LM, Lesse AJ. Creation of an isogenic P1-deficient mutant of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius.. Gene. 1997; 204(1-2).
- Inzana TJ, Hensley J, McQuiston J, Alan Lesse, Anthony Campagnari, Boyle SM, Apicella MA. Phase variation and conservation of lipooligosaccharide epitopes in Haemophilus somnus.. Infect Immun. 1997; 65(11).
- Reed RB, Frost JB, Kort K, Myers SD, Lesse AJ. DNA sequence analysis and restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the P1 gene of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius associated with Brazilian purpuric fever.. Infect Immun. 1996; 64(9).
- Antalek MD, Mylotte JM, Lesse AJ, Sellick JA. Clinical and molecular epidemiology of Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia, with special reference to strains with high-level resistance to gentamicin. Clin Infect Dis. 1995; 20(1).
- Anthony Campagnari, Karalus R, Apicella M, Melaugh W, Alan Lesse, Gibson BW. Use of pyocin to select a Haemophilus ducreyi variant defective in lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis.. Infect Immun. 1994; 62(6).
- Lesse AJ, Bittner WE. Expression of an immunoreactive 72 kDa protein in strains of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius associated with Brazilian purpuric fever.. Microb Pathog. 1993; 15(4).
- Murphy TF, Kirkham C, Lesse AJ. The major heat-modifiable outer membrane protein CD is highly conserved among strains of Branhamella catarrhalis.. Mol Microbiol. 1993; 10(1).
- Tunkel AR, Wispelwey B, Quagliarello VJ, Rosser SW, Lesse AJ, Hansen EJ, Scheld WM. Pathophysiology of blood-brain barrier alterations during experimental Haemophilus influenzae meningitis.. J Infect Dis. 1992; 165 S.
- Lesse AJ, Gheesling LL, Bittner WE, Myers SD, Carlone GM. Stable, conserved outer membrane epitope of strains of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius associated with Brazilian purpuric fever.. Infect Immun. 1992; 60(4).
- Mandrell RE, McLaughlin R, Aba Kwaik Y, Lesse A, Yamasaki R, Gibson B, Spinola SM, Apicella MA, Lesse AJ. Lipooligosaccharides (LOS) of some Haemophilus species mimic human glycosphingolipids, and some LOS are sialylated. Infect Immun. 1992; 60(4).
- Spinola SM, Kwaik YA, Alan Lesse, Anthony Campagnari, Apicella MA. Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of a Haemophilus influenzae type b lipooligosaccharide synthesis gene(s) that encodes a 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid epitope.. Infect Immun. 1990; 58(6).
- Anthony Campagnari, Spinola SM, Alan Lesse, Kwaik YA, Mandrell RE, Apicella MA. Lipooligosaccharide epitopes shared among gram-negative non-enteric mucosal pathogens.. Microb Pathog. 1990; 8(5).
- Mandrell RE, Lesse AJ, Sugai JV, Shero M, Griffiss JM, Cole JA, Parsons NJ, Smith H, Morse SA, Apicella MA. In vitro and in vivo modification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae lipooligosaccharide epitope structure by sialylation.. J Exp Med. 1990; 171(5).
- Alan Lesse, Anthony Campagnari, Bittner WE, Apicella MA. Increased resolution of lipopolysaccharides and lipooligosaccharides utilizing tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.. J Immunol Methods. 1990; 126(1).
- Wispelwey B, Hansen EJ, Lesse A, Scheld WM, Lesse AJ. Haemophilus influenzae virulence factors in experimental meningitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1989; 8(12).
- Wispelwey B, Lesse AJ, Hansen EJ, Scheld WM. Haemophilus influenzae lipopolysaccharide-induced blood brain barrier permeability during experimental meningitis in the rat.. J Clin Invest. 1988; 82(4).
- Lesse AJ, Moxon ER, Zwahlen A, Scheld WM. Role of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and Haemophilus influenzae type b capsule on blood brain barrier permeability during experimental meningitis in the rat.. J Clin Invest. 1988; 82(1).
Abstracts:
- Parameswaran GI, Sethi S, Willet A., Lesse AJ. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in COPD. ATS International Conference, Philadephia, PA. 2013.
- Berim I.G., Lesse AJ, Eberhardt E., Grove L.J., Wrona C., Murphy TF, Sethi S. New Strain Acquisition Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Not Associated With Exacerbations. ATS International Conference, Denver, CO. 2011.
Presentations:
- "Faden H, Majeed K, MD, Lesse AJ. Impact of Influenza A 2009 H1N1 (IA) on S. aureus Nasal Colonization in Children" 49th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Disease Society of America, Infectious Disease Society of America (2011)
- "Lesse AJ, Gill SR, Tsuji BT , Amsterdam D, Sellick JA, Qazi KJ, Mylotte JM Bloodstream infections with Staphylococcus aureus. New data on infections in the era of increased rates of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus)" General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, 109th Annual Meeting, ASM (2009)
- "Tsuji BT, Harigaya Y, Lesse, AJ, Mylotte JM. Attenuation of Vancomycin Killing Activity Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccocus aureus from Bloodstream Infection" Infectious Diseases Society of American 44rd Annual Meeting, IDSA (2006)
- "Tsuji BT, Mylotte, JM, Forrest A, Lesse AJ. Relationship Between Accessory Gene Regulator (agr) Function and Complications in Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection" Infectious Diseases Society of American 44rd Annual Meeting, IDSA (2006)
- "Soltani, K. Blake, M.P. Bratoeva, A.J. Lesse, J.F. John. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis." Infectious Diseases Society of American 43rd Annual Meeting, IDSA (2005)
Service Activities:
- SMBS Phase II Committee; Member (2015–present)
- SMBS Phase 1 Committee; Member (2012–present)
- VHAW WNY Institutional Review Board; VA IRB; Member (2011–2015)
- Student Progress Committee; Member (2009–2015)
- SMBS Curriculum Committee; Member (2009–present)