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With a total of 19 faculty members, the Division of Infectious Diseases, headed by Stanley Chapman, MD, continues to grow in patient services and research initiatives. The administrative structure of the division includes six working groups to address the following programmatic areas: (1) HIV/AIDS, (2) Microbial Pathogenesis, (3) Mycotic Research, (4) Hospital Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance, (5) International Health, and (6) Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The division’s HIV/AIDS working group is directed by Harold Henderson, MD, and provides a full range of clinical services. Henderson serves as principal investigator on several grants, which total more than $2 million in annual funding. The division continues to be involved in clinical research evaluating new anti-HIV medications and treatment strategies. The program was recently honored by its designation as a member of the SMART study, a 10-year longitudinal study comparing standard anti-HIV therapy to intermittent therapy based on virologic and immunologic parameters. Henderson was also recognized by the Infectious Diseases Society and the HIV Medical Association as the 2004 recipient of the national HIV Clinician and Educator Award. The microbial pathogenesis working group is headed by Ed Swiatlo, MD, PhD, and includes faculty members from the division, the Medical Center’s Department of Physiology and Microbiology, and the G.V. ("Sonny") Montgomery Department of Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. Areas of inquiry among this group include the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, DNA vaccines, and parasitology. The mycotic research working group, headed by Chapman, comprises two areas of inquiry: John Cleary, PharmD, leads the antimycotic component, and Donna Sullivan, PhD, leads the mycotic component. Several grants, totaling slightly more than $1 million in external funding, help support this working group’s research efforts. The Hospital Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance working group is headed by Rathel Nolan, MD. Working with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University, this group is studying selective effects of antimicrobial use in the poultry industry. The Hospital Epidemiology Program was recently awarded a grant by the Mississippi State Department of Health to implement TheraDoc® computer programs for hospital epidemiology, antibiotic usage, and antibiotic resistance surveillance. The availability of this software will enhance patient care and research at the Medical Center. Nolan also heads the International Health working group. The International Travelers Clinic has expanded its scope of operations to five days a week along with a walk-in immunization program. Under Nolan’s leadership, the division continues to return annually to Iquitos, Peru. This trip is a favorite elective of medical students and house staff. Participants spend two weeks in the jungle treating approximately 2,000 Peruvian Indians in need of basic healthcare. Clinical research is also being performed to identify public health initiatives that can improve the health status of the Amazonians. Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, who heads the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) working group, in collaboration with the Mississippi State Department of Health, heads the STD Clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall. Mena was recently appointed the state coordinator for sexually transmitted diseases. Soon to open is a combined HIV and STD Center, the first program of its kind integrating clinical care, dental care, and clinical research for patients with AIDS and/or sexually transmitted diseases. Under the leadership of Harriet Jones, MD, a home antibiotic monitoring program was established and has proven effective in facilitating the early discharge of patients requiring long-term antibiotic treatment. An Antibiotic Infusion Center is also being developed in the University Medical Pavilion to facilitate home antibiotic therapy. Over the coming year, the division also will be participating in two emerging interdisciplinary centers: the Comprehensive Wound Center and the Complicated Sinusitis Center. Under the leadership of Shehla Islam, MD, the Hepatitis Center has made great strides in its development. Islam has also taken on the role of tuberculosis consultant to the Mississippi State Department of Health. | ||||||
