University of Pittsburgh Division of Infectious Diseases

University of Pittsburgh Division of Infectious Diseases Official page for the Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine
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🎙️ Breaking Down Barriers in HIV PreventionSeason 3 of Microbe Matters concludes with a compelling discussion featuring ...
02/26/2025

🎙️ Breaking Down Barriers in HIV Prevention

Season 3 of Microbe Matters concludes with a compelling discussion featuring Dr. Urvi Parikh. This episode dives into how PrEP is reshaping HIV prevention strategies, the urgent need to address global inequities in care access, and the game-changing innovations on the horizon—like long-acting injectables and multipurpose prevention technologies.

Discover how research and advocacy are transforming the fight against HIV.
🎧 Tune in now wherever you listen to podcasts and join the conversation!
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Fungal infections are a silent but growing global health crisis. In a recent interview with Infection Control Today, Cor...
02/17/2025

Fungal infections are a silent but growing global health crisis. In a recent interview with Infection Control Today, Cornelius (Neil) Clancy, MD, of Pitt ID and VAPHS highlighted the rising threat of antifungal resistance and the urgent need for improved diagnostics, treatment strategies, and infection prevention efforts.

From superficial skin infections to deadly invasive diseases, fungi are becoming harder to treat — especially as resistance spreads in hospitals and the environment. Pathogens like Candida auris and Aspergillus fumigatus pose serious risks, particularly for immunocompromised patients. Clancy warns that we need better surveillance, antifungal stewardship, and cross-sector collaboration to tackle this crisis.

Read more:
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/fungal-infections-silent-epidemic-threatening-global-health

Fungal infections are a rising global threat, with antifungal resistance complicating treatment. Neil J. Clancy, MD, emphasizes the urgent need for research, better diagnostics, and stronger infection prevention strategies.

What were the most impactful infectious disease papers of 2024? Three members of Pitt’s MiGEL Lab — graduate students Na...
02/17/2025

What were the most impactful infectious disease papers of 2024? Three members of Pitt’s MiGEL Lab — graduate students Nathalie Chen and Nathan Rabbe, and, Lee Harrison, MD — joined a panel of experts on a recent podcast episode to break down this year’s biggest research in antimicrobial resistance.

From gram-positive and gram-negative resistance to mycobacterial and parasitic infections, they dive into the most significant findings shaping the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Plus, they discuss the high-level political declaration by the UN addressing the global AMR crisis.

Check out the full discussion here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh0DRmfDiwY

02/14/2025

We’re on BlueSky! 🌟 Follow us at .bsky.social for the latest in infectious diseases—cutting-edge research, faculty highlights, podcast updates, and more. Don’t miss out—join the conversation!

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨What do a McDonald's diet, a Barnes & Noble cookbook section, and molecular clocks have in common?...
02/12/2025

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨

What do a McDonald's diet, a Barnes & Noble cookbook section, and molecular clocks have in common? 🤔 They’ve all played a role in groundbreaking HIV research!

In this episode of Microbe Matters, Dr. Cristian Apetrei shares how studying non-human primates has reshaped our understanding of HIV—from its ancient evolutionary history to the surprising role of gut health in disease progression. He also discusses how chronic inflammation drives comorbidities, why simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) models are changing vaccine research, and the ethical challenges of animal studies.

Don’t miss this fascinating deep dive into the science shaping the future of HIV treatment!

🎧 Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

Norovirus, often called the "stomach bug," is making waves this season, and   Graham Snyder, MD, MS, Associate Professor...
02/05/2025

Norovirus, often called the "stomach bug," is making waves this season, and Graham Snyder, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Medical Director of Infection Prevention ahd Hospital Epidemiology, is here to break it down.

In his recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and City Paper interviews, Dr. Snyder explains what makes norovirus so contagious, how it spreads, and the best strategies for prevention. From proper hand hygiene to managing outbreaks, his expert advice is invaluable for staying healthy during peak season.

đź“– Read the full articles to learn more:

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2025/01/10/norovirus-what-is-it/stories/202501090100

https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/norovirus-is-surging-in-pittsburgh-heres-what-you-can-do-to-stay-healthy-this-winter-27359793

Thank you, Dr. Snyder, for sharing your expertise and helping our community stay informed and healthy!

Norovirus is raging alongside respiratory illnesses this winter, but there are steps you can take to mitigate its spread.

What’s behind the rising egg prices and empty shelves? The ongoing bird flu outbreak is causing egg shortages and price ...
02/03/2025

What’s behind the rising egg prices and empty shelves? The ongoing bird flu outbreak is causing egg shortages and price hikes across the country, including in Western Pennsylvania. In an interview with TribLIVE, Lee Harrison, MD, Associate Chief of Epidemiology and Microbial Genomics, Professor of Medicine, and Director of the Center for Genomic Epidemiology, sheds light on the situation.

Dr. Harrison discusses how avian influenza outbreaks impact poultry populations, the challenges in controlling the spread, and what it all means for our food supply. His perspective provides a crucial understanding of the intersection between infectious diseases and everyday life.

đź“– Read the full article:

https://triblive.com/local/regional/bird-flu-outbreak-causes-egg-shortages-price-increases-in-western-pa/

There’s been a shortage and price increase of eggs available at grocery stores nationwide, and Western Pennsylvania is not immune. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, is the culprit. It’s a virus that Dr. Lee Harrison, an infectious disease physician and profes...

We’re pleased to share that Cristian Apetrei, MD has been honored with the prestigious Negruzzi Prize, a Romanian nation...
01/30/2025

We’re pleased to share that Cristian Apetrei, MD has been honored with the prestigious Negruzzi Prize, a Romanian national honor of excellence recognizing exceptional contributions in the artistic, humanistic, and scientific fields.

The Negruzzi Prize, established to celebrate Romania’s cultural heritage, has previously been awarded to notable figures such as Romanian writers, philosophers, and President Maia Sandu of the Republic of Moldova. This year’s recipients exemplify a rich diversity of talent and achievement.

The award ceremony, held in Iași on Romania’s National Day, also included the extraordinary honor of Dr. Apetrei being named an Honorary Citizen of Iași for the second time!

Congratulations to Dr. Apetrei and all of the awardees for their impactful contributions!

Swipe through for photos capturing these moments:
📸 The recipients and their sponsors
📸 Dr. Apetrei receiving the honorary citizenship
📸 Dr. Apetrei with Mircea Lucescu

📢 New Episode Alert! 🎙️This week on Microbe Matters, we honor the 40th Anniversary of the Pitt Men’s Study—a groundbreak...
01/29/2025

📢 New Episode Alert! 🎙️

This week on Microbe Matters, we honor the 40th Anniversary of the Pitt Men’s Study—a groundbreaking HIV research initiative that has transformed science, care, and lives over four decades.

Join us as we sit down with: Dr. Charles Rinaldo, one of the founding P*s, Nathaniel Soltesz, a dedicated study employee, and Jeffrey, a long-time study participant.

Together, they reflect on the study’s impact on HIV research, its role in the fight against the epidemic, and how it has fostered resilience and support within the LGBT community.

Don’t miss this powerful conversation on the legacy of science and community.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.

We are very pleased to announce that four faculty members were named 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers. Highly Cit...
01/28/2025

We are very pleased to announce that four faculty members were named 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers. Highly Cited Researchers have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their fields of research. Each researcher selected has authored multiple Highly Cited Papers™ which rank in the top 1% by citations for their field(s) and publication year in the Web of Science™ over the past decade. However, citation activity is not the sole selection indicator. A preliminary list based on citation activity is then refined using qualitative analysis and expert judgment. Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers™ are 1 in 1,000.

Congratulations to:

Cornelius (Neil) Clancy, MD, Associate Chief of VA Pittsburgh Health System (VAPHS) and Opportunistic Pathogens, Professor of Medicine, Director of Mycology Program, and, Chief, Infectious Diseases Section VAPHS.

Yohei Doi, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, and, Co-Director, Center for Innovative Antimicrobial Therapy.

Minh-Hong Nguyen, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director of Transplant Infectious Diseases, and, Director of Antimicrobial Management Program.

Ryan K. Shields, PharmD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Co-Director, Center for Innovative Antimicrobial Therapy, and, Co-Director of Antimicrobial Management Program.

We are pleased to announce that Christian O. Perez, MD, was recently promoted to the rank of Clinical Associate Professo...
01/17/2025

We are pleased to announce that Christian O. Perez, MD, was recently promoted to the rank of Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Perez joined the Infectious Diseases Division faculty in 2016 at the rank of Clinical Assistant Professor. He became the UPMC Course Coordinator for the Inpatient Tele-ID Elective with the Internal Medicine Residency and ID Fellowship programs in 2020. He was one of the first physicians to transition to a 100% remote ID telemedicine position and given his extensive experience in Tele-ID, in 2020, Dr. Perez was appointed Director of Tele-ID Education with Infectious Disease (ID) Connect, Inc., a UPMC Enterprises telemedicine company connecting infectious diseases specialists with patients and physicians at remote hospitals for clinical consultation services.

Since 2021, Dr. Perez holds the position of Associate Medical Director of ID Connect. His main responsibilities include: (1) training and onboarding all new tele-ID providers and arranging for cross-coverage back up for busy Tele-ID services; (2) performing evaluations and providing improvement feedback to physicians; (3) performing an initial evaluation of new remote site needs and integrating individualized site workflows to meet site demands; (4) maintaining uniform quality of service among physicians for all remote sites; and, (5) creating “Best Practices Guidelines” for clinical workflows. Additionally, Dr. Perez is involved in the oversight of clinical services operations,nsuch as arranging for cross-coverage back up for busy services; maintaining even census numbers across all services by shuffling hospital sites into different services as needed; and, collaborating with remote site leaders to enhance sites’ clinical care. Despite an increase in administrative responsibilities, Dr. Perez spends 60% of his time providing clinical services and is credentialed at 18 hospitals and is familiar with 5 different Emergency Medical Records (EMR) systems. He frequently assists busier services by providing cross-coverage while on his own and has provided double coverage to multiple services due to his licensing across almost all sites. Dr. Perez is a critical member of the Infectious Diseases faculty, he has played a key role in the growth and expansion of the ID Connect services and has made an impact on patients’ lives in multiple communities in over 18 states. His record of accomplishments in clinical care, leadership, and teaching auger a bright future for him and continued contributions that will change the way ID care is provided in our country.

Please join us in congratulating Christian!

🎙️ Microbe Matters is Back! New Episodes Dropping January 15! 🦠The wait is over—Microbe Matters returns with brand-new e...
01/15/2025

🎙️ Microbe Matters is Back! New Episodes Dropping January 15! 🦠

The wait is over—Microbe Matters returns with brand-new episodes that dive deep into the world of infectious diseases, groundbreaking research, and the people behind the science. This season, we’re exploring the latest in HIV treatment and prevention, emerging pathogens, and the critical work being done to end epidemics.

Join us for expert insights, compelling stories, and the conversations that matter most in public health and microbiology.

First episode drops January 15, 2025.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotfiy, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow the conversation:

Stay curious. Stay informed. Because microbes matter.

https://idpittstop.com/podcast/ryanwhite/

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