Research
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This year, in the Section on Infectious Diseases, external research funding exceeded $1.2 million. The Section is currently conducting twenty clinical research trials in areas that include HIV and other immuno-compromised patients, antimicrobial therapy, and vaccines. Extramurally funded basic and translational research activities focus on transmission of infections,HIV, antimicrobial resistance, infections in the elderly, hepatitis B and C, and viral bacterial interactions. |
The Section on Infectious Diseases has a cadre of clinician-scientists with broad areas of interest, and chosen to build the Section around clinical breadth while focusing on collaborative, translational research with partners in many areas of the Medical Center. Collaborations include faculty with cross appointments in Hematology/Oncology, Microbiology/Immunology, Molecular Medicine, the J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging, Public Health Sciences, and the North Carolina Baptist Hospital Departments of Pharmacy and Infection Control.
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Clinical Trials
Publications
Highlights
Werner E. Bischoff, M.D., M.S., Ph.D. Dr. Bischoff’s work focuses primarily on the transmission dynamics of human pathogens, the epidemiology of antibiotic resistant organisms such as Vancomycin-resistant enterococci and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the modification of preventive practices of healthcare providers.
Charles A. De Comarmond, M.D, M.Sc. Dr. De Comarmond’s interests lie in chronic hepatitis C infection diagnosis and management, with a specific focus on the following:
- The role of biochemical markers for staging of liver disease in hepatitis C infection,
- Clinical research for using new strategies for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, and
- The impact of mental health on the outcome of hepatitis C treatment.
Kevin P. High, M.D., M.Sc., focuses his clinical research on the immuno-compromised adults. With joint appointments in Infectious Diseases and Hematology/Oncology, many of his patients are cancer patients with infectious complications, transplant recipients, HIV-infected or with other immune compromise. His research activities focus on nutritional modulation of immune responses.
Charles E. McCall, M.D., the director of the new WFU Translational Sciences Institute (TSI), directs an NIH funded basic-translational research program that seeks to define the molecular events that accompany sepsis- or trama-induced severe systemic inflammation (SSI) with multi-organ failure. The most recent focus is on the Epigenetics of Severe Systemic Inflammation.
Joseph T. O'Flaherty, M.D. Dr. O’Flaherty’s laboratories study the biochemistry and biology of cellular lipids such as the phospholipid metabolite, platelet-activating factor, and certain arachidonic acid metabolites, i.e., hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. The labs focus on defining the 1) cell types producing and responding to the lipids, 2) the mass of metabolites produced, 3) the conditions causing this production, 4) the metabolic pathways for this synthesis, 5) the lipids’ biological activity in cells, tissues, and animals, and 6) the mechanisms by which the lipids act.
Over the past nine years, Marina Núñez, M.D., Ph.D., has developed multiple research projects on HIV and HIV-hepatitis viral co-infections: Liver toxicity secondary to antiretroviral therapy; clinical outcome and treatment of chronic hepataitis C and B in the HIV-infected population; and interactions between HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, as well as between HIV, HCV and hepatitis B viruses (HBV).
Christopher A. Ohl, M.D. Dr. Ohl’s research interests focus on the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance, the pharmacoepidemiology of antimicrobial use and the relationship between the two. There is much need for information about antimicrobial resistance in the hospital and outpatient community and the potential to improve susceptibility through the proper and prudent use of antibiotics.
James Peacock,M.D. Dr. Peacock’s clinical research focuses on the following areas: Prosthetic Device Infections; Bone and Joint Infections; Infections due to S. aureus; Fungal Infections.
P. Samuel Pegram, Jr., M.D. Dr. Pegram’s research interests center on clinical efficacy and safety studies of antimicrobials, sexually transmitted diseases, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and infections in oncology patients.
For almost 15 years, Robert J. Sherertz, M.D., has been interested in the pathogenesis and prevention of vascular catheter infections. This has involved obtaining a better understanding of the diagnosis of vascular catheter infections using sonication.
Aimee Wilkin, M.D., M.P.H. Dr. Wilkin's research interests include access and quality of care for HIV infected patients and the study of factors affecting successful implementation of antiretroviral therapy in community clinics.