dc.contributor.advisor | Hill, Sarah | |
dc.contributor.author | Corrigan, Emily | |
dc.date | 2019-05-19 | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2019-09-25T20:41:27Z | |
dc.date.available | 2019-09-25T20:41:27Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2019 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/27022 | |
dc.description.abstract | Individuals with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have an increased risk of a variety of diseases compared to those with a higher SES. The mechanisms underlying the relationship between SES and health are only beginning to be understood. However, recent research finds that a lower SES may induce changes in the immune system that play an important role in determining one's risk for disease. Building on these insights, I sought to examine whether having a lower SES may also increase one's susceptibility to infection by impacting bacterial growth in serum. I measured participants' SES and grew Staphylococcus aureus in their serumex vivo for 24 hrs. I then measured bacterial growth at 10 time points (1-8 hrs, 12 hrs., and 24 hrs.). Results revealed higher S. aureus growth in the serum of low SES participants (compared to high SES participants). These findings suggest that having a low SES may increase ones vulnerability to infection by making their blood more hospitable to bacterial growth. | |
dc.title | Socioeconomic Status and Growth of Bacteria in Human Serum | |
etd.degree.department | Psychology | |
local.college | College of Science and Engineering | |
local.college | John V. Roach Honors College | |
local.department | Psychology | |