Prof Kevin Urdahl

Seattle Childrens Research Institute

Host: Prof Tom Scriba [IDM/Dept of Pathology]

Kevin Urdahl, MD, PhD, is an Investigator at the Center for Global Infectious Disease Research at Seattle Childrens Research institute and a Professor of Pediatrics and Immunology at the University of Washington. His research uses novel mouse models to dissect mechanisms of TB immunology and pathogenesis, seeking to address questions relevant to human TB. Kevin received his MD and PhD from the University of Minnesota and completed a pediatrics residency and an infectious disease fellowship at Seattle Children’s Hospital. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially outdoors.

Abstract: Studies performed in animals without prior Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure have led to a model in which the granuloma is central to TB pathogenesis. However, human post-mortem studies from the pre-antibiotic era describe a different process in which pneumonia is an initiating component. Here we describe findings and insights derived from a mouse model that recapitulate the main findings from these historical human studies.