The laboratory of Dr. Bermudez is interested in the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of intracellular bacteria, with focus on mycobacteria. Mycobacteria are a common cause of infections in humans and animals. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects a third of the world population and is responsible for 3 million deaths annually. Mycobacterium avium, an environmental bacterium, commonly causes disseminated disease in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and pulmonary infection in patients with chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and in elderly women. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is an important agriculture pathogen causing Johne's disease, a wasting disease in cattle. Mycobacteria diseases have, as a hallmark, the formation of granulomas.