Infectious Diseases

October 2, 2024

VUMC awarded PCORI funding to improve antibiotic prescribing for childhood respiratory infections

The pediatric outpatient antibiotic stewardship project is the first implementation project funded at VUMC as part of the PCORI Health Systems Implementation Initiative, which aims to reduce the estimated 17-year gap between evidence publication and clinical application.

By Leigh MacMillan
(iStock)
September 13, 2024

VUMC joins national effort to prevent another pandemic

Developed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ReVAMPP will support a coordinating center and seven research centers, including VUMC, with a focus on nine virus groups that pose the greatest risk to human health.

By Bill Snyder
Kelly Dooley, MD, PhD, MPH. (photo by Susan Urmy)
September 11, 2024

Kelly Dooley’s TB research receives MERIT Award from the NIH  

Researchers must continually chase funding for their work. Kelly Dooley’s prestigious award from the NIH is intended to help provide respite from that chase.

By Paul Govern
September 4, 2024

RSV vaccine in older people cuts risk of hospitalization

A multicenter study conducted in 19 states between October 2023 and March 2024 demonstrated that RSV vaccination was 75% effective in preventing RSV-associated hospitalizations for adults age 60 and older.

By Bill Snyder
September 4, 2024

Bacterial metabolism plays role in staph antibiotic tolerance

Staph is a leading bacterial cause of death from bloodstream, bone and joint infections, in part because of high rates of antibiotic treatment failure.

By Leigh MacMillan
(iStock)
August 13, 2024

VUMC, DOD join forces for a hantavirus antibody “sprint”

VUMC’s antibody collaboration with the DOD goes back to 2018, when the medical center signed a five-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop protective treatments that can be rushed to health care providers within weeks after a viral outbreak.

By Bill Snyder
July 23, 2024

VUMC joins $31 million project to speed new TB therapies

Sweeping data integration and clinical trial simulations are needed to help decide which targets to prioritize in researching new tuberculosis treatment regimens.
By Paul Govern
July 12, 2024

Wesley Self named to leadership role in global clinical trials network

The Strategies and Treatments for Respiratory Infections and Viral Emergencies network includes more than 300 sites around the world and international experts in clinical trials, infectious diseases, critical care and pandemic preparedness.
By Bill Snyder
July 12, 2024

Anthony Flores named director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

In his clinical and research work, Flores examines the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease in humans.
By Christina Echegaray
July 11, 2024

Jennifer Gaddy receives grants from March of Dimes, Burroughs Wellcome Fund

She studies infection of the female reproductive tract in the context of pregnancy.
By Paul Govern
June 28, 2024

Antibody trial launched to address enterovirus threat

Enterovirus D68 has caused an increasing number of infections during the past decade and is associated with acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like condition that mostly affects children and causes sudden weakness and paralysis.
By Bill Snyder
June 21, 2024

Salmonella bacteria ‘steal’ nutrients from gut’s resident microbes

The discovery could point to novel strategies for treating food poisoning and other types of gastroenteritis.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 12, 2024

Scientists find antibodies that block parainfluenza virus infection

The antibodies may have clinical benefit as antiviral drugs to treat potentially life-threatening infections in elderly and immunosuppressed patients.
By Bill Snyder
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