Infectious Diseases Research

Fellowship Research

Christopher M. Oberholzer, M.D. (2004-present)

The “neonatal” mouse response to influenza virus.

  • Publications/Abstracts
    • Oberholzer CM, Caserta MT.  Antimicrobial update – Daptomycin.  Concise Rev Pediatr Infect Dis 2005;24(10):919-20.
    • Poster Presentation—St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN, February 9-10, 2007. "Amphiregulin is expressed by human CD4 T-lymphocytes."
  • Awards
    • Recipient of Clausen/Bradford Fellowship 2005-2006

Erik Thingvoll, M.D. (2005-present)

Evaluation of a 48-hour gentamicin dosing regimen in infants born <28 weeks gestation.

Jing Wang, Ph.D. (2006-present)

Immunopathogenesis of lung injury during P. carinii pneumonia.

  • Publications/Abstracts
    • Wang J, Gigliotti F, Bhagwat SP, Maggirwar SB, Wright TW.  Pneumocystis stimulates MCP-1 production by alveolar epithelial cells through a JNK-dependent mechanism.  Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2007 Feb 16; [Epub ahead of print].  In press.

Elliott (Ellie) Crow, M.D. (2002-2005)

The relative roles of CD8+ T-cells on control of P. carinii compared to their role in contributing to lung injury during P. carinii pneumonia (PCP).

  • Publications/Abstracts
    • Gigliotti F, Crow EL, Bhagwat SP, Wright TW.  Sensitized CD8+ T cells fail to control organism burden but accelerate the onset of lung injury during Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.  Infect Immun 2006;74:6310-16.

Mohamed Hashem, M.D. (2001-2004)

Ethanol-exposed placentae are at increased risk of transmitting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from the maternal circulation to the fetus. 

Reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) during pregnancy.

  • Publications/Abstracts
    • Hashem M, Menegus MA.  Molecular tools in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.  Pediatr Rev 2005;26:15-20.
    • Hashem M, Craig K, Plessinger MA, O’Bara M, et al.  Vertical transmission of HIV-1:  Transfer and infection in the dually perfused human term placental lobule.  J Soc Gynecol Invest 11:69a, 2004 (abstract).
    • Hashem M, Hall CB.  Respiratory syncytial virus in healthy adults:  the cost of a cold.  J Clin Virol 2003;27:14-21.
  • Awards
    • Recipient – Wyeth/Society for Gynecologic Investigation President’s Presenter Research Grant Award, 2004.

Joseph M. Bliss, M.D., Ph.D. (2000-2003)

The generation of human monoclonal antibodies to the fungus Candida albicans.

  • Publications/Abstracts
    • Wellington M, Bliss JM, Haidaris CG. Enhanced phagocytosis of Candida species mediated by opsonization with a recombinant human antibody single-chain variable fragment. Infect Immun 2003;71(12):7228-31.
    • Bliss JM, Wellington M, Gigliotti F.  Antifungal pharmacotherapy for neonatal candidiasis. Sem Perinatol 2003;27(5):365-84.
    • Bliss JM, Sullivan MA, Malone J, Haidaris CG.  Differentiation of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis by using recombinant human antibody single chain variable fragments specific for hyphae. J Clin  Microbiol 2003;41:1152-60.
    • Haidaris CG, Malone J, Sherrill LA, BlissJM, Gaspari AA, Sullivan MA. Recombinant human single chain variable fragments (scFv) reactive with Candida albicans surface antigens. Immunol Meth 257: 2001;185-202.

Melanie Wellington, M.D., Ph.D. (1999-2003)

The molecular genetic mechanism of fluconazole resistance in C. albicans as it relates to chromosomal instability.

  • Publications/Abstracts
    • Wellington M, Bliss JM, Haidaris CG.  Enhanced phagocytosis of Candida species mediated by opsonization with a recombinant human antibody single-chain variable fragment.  Infect Immun 2003;71(12):7228-31.
    • Bliss JM, Wellington M, Gigliotti F.  Antifungal therapy for neonatal candidiasis.  Sem Perinatol 2003;27(5):365-84.
    • Wellington M, Gigliotti F.  Update on antifungal agents.  Pediatr Infect Dis J 2001;20(10):993-5.
    • Wellington M, Kabir MA, Rustchenko E.  5-Fluoro-orotic acid induces chromosome alterations in genetically manipulated strains of Candida albicans.  Mycologia, in press.
    • Wang YK, Das B, Huber DH, Wellington M, Kabir MA, Sherman F, Rustchenko E.  Role of the 14-3-3 protein in carbon metabolism of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.  Yeast 2004;21(8):685-702.
    • Wellington M, Rustchenko E.  5-fluoro-orotic acid induces chromosome alterations in Candida albicans.  Yeast 2005;22(1):57-70.
  • Awards
    • Wilmot Cancer Research Fellowship Award 2000-2003.

Lauren Bruckner, M.D., Ph.D. (1999-2002)

Infections in the immunocompromised cancer patient.

  • Publications/Abstracts
    • Bruckner LB, Korones DW, Karnanchow T, Hardy DJ, Gigliotti F.  High incidence of penicillin resistance among a-hemolytic streptococci isolated from the blood of children with cancer.  J Pediatr 2002;140:20-6.
    • Bruckner L, Gigliotti F, Wright T, Notter RH, Chess P, Wang Z, Finkelstein J.  Pneumocystis carinii infection sensitizes the lung to radiation-induced injury after syngeneic marrow transplantation:  Role of CD4+ T cells.  Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol  2006;290(6):L1087-96.
    • Bruckner L, Gigliotti F.  Viridans group streptococcal infections among children with cancer and the importance of emerging antibiotic resistance.  Sem Pediatr Infect Dis 2006;17(3):153-60.