Kaylee Dillard

Ms. Kaylee Dillard


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 July 2026 in Bioengineering
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NNNezam Newman
Nezam Newman
KSKayvan Sasaninia
Kayvan Sasaninia
WAWajiha Akif
Wajiha Akif
KDKaylee Dillard
Kaylee Dillard
DJDestiny Jaime
Destiny Jaime
Vishwanath VenketaramanVishwanath Venketaraman
Vishwanath Venketaraman
Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) is an opportunistic intracellular pathogen causing chronic pulmonary disease in immunocompromised individuals, particularly in those with HIV/AIDS. Current treatments present challenges due to duration, antibiotic resistance and toxicity, creating a need for novel treatments. Glutathione (GSH), a key intracellular antioxidant, is depleted in immunocompromised individuals. This study evaluated the direct and intracellular antimycobacterial activity of liposomal glutathione (L-GSH) against M. avium. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and depolarization effects of L-GSH were also determined. Our results indicate that L-GSH has potent direct antimycobacterial activity against M. avium through membrane depolarization and reduces intracellular survival of M. avium in human macrophages. Given the established GSH deficiency in HIV-infected individuals and the clinical need for novel Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) therapies with favorable safety profiles, these findings support further investigation of L-GSH as a host-directed therapeutic agent for HIV-associated M. avium infections.