Pitt Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

A study led by Suresh V. Kuchipudi in the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health highlights the need for public health officials to ramp up bird flu surveillance in cats, which carry receptors for both bird flu (H5N1) and seasonal flu while also having high contact with humans and farm animals. “In the process of addressing the immediate problem—which is dairy farms and the milk as a food safety problem, and then human surveillance—we might be missing a much bigger, evolving story,” Kuchipudi said. “It may already have been happening in plain sight.” As of now, there is no evidence that cats have spread H5N1 to people and they may not represent a major avenue for the evolution of bird flu, experts said. Still, if a cat were simultaneously infected with H5N1 and a seasonal flu virus, the H5N1 virus could potentially acquire the mutations it needed to spread efficiently among people. https://lnkd.in/gzXP-J4J

The recent reporting on the first human fatality from H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. is a sobering reminder of the ongoing public health challenges posed by zoonotic diseases. Our chair, Suresh Kuchipudi, provided key insights in the discussion, emphasizing the importance of vigilance, robust surveillance systems, and preparedness in addressing emerging infectious threats. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eXQDMNJs

Today Peter Salk, professor of Pitt Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, spoke with CNN's Brianna Keilar about the importance of vaccines, misinformation and his views on today's vaccinations.   Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/eeDXHhQk

A new study being led by Pitt Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Chair Suresh V. Kuchipudi highlights the need for public health officials to ramp up bird flu surveillance in cats, which tend to have frequent contact with both wild animals and people. Read more about the study and why public health officials need to increase bird flu surveillance in feline companions here: https://lnkd.in/gzXP-J4J (subscription may be required).

The MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center, headquartered at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, hosted the daylong 2024 World AIDS Day conference: From Awareness to Action: Prioritizing Person-Centered HIV Prevention & Treatment.  The program was dedicated to the memory of Ron Goldschmidt, MD, Professor, UCSF, and founder of the AETC National Clinician Consultation Center. More than 200 people from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia and around the U.S. attended the virtual conference online! The program included content on HIV and related syndemics, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), role for AETC National Consultation Center, Interprofessional HIV practice, harm reduction and new methods and approaches to ART treatment.

Yesterday, at the Pitt Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Monday student seminar, I gained insights into the importance of updating and evolving sequencing technologies. The seminar highlighted how studying pathogens like COVID-19, HIV, Ebola, and Influenza requires accurate models that account for significant shifts in selective pressures. Without these considerations, sequencing models often underestimate lineages and branch lengths, resulting in "too young" estimates of disease origins. An example shared during the lecture was measles. Using outdated sequencing technology, it was estimated to have originated around 600 years ago. However, historical records indicate its origins are closer to 1,500 years ago—a major discrepancy caused by limitations in earlier models. The seminar was an excellent introduction for me on evolutionary technology and its critical role in identifying, dating, and differentiating diseases through their variable genomic regions.

This past week I participated in my departments annual Research Day. This is an opportunity for all of the students to present the exciting research they’ve been working on over the previous year. This year I was fortunate enough to have placed 1st in the PhD poster session 🎉This was truly an honor as there were so many incredible posters being presented. Now onto ASTMH to continue presenting and sharing our findings with fellow researchers in the field! Pitt Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

I’m very excited to share this past Friday, I presented my HPV vaccination quality improvement project from my internship at the Howard County Health Department at the annual Pitt Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Research Day! A huge thank you to Abigail Cobb and the entire Reproductive Health team at Howard County Health Department for encouraging me to pursue this work and carrying out the campaign following the completion of my internship in 2023. Utilizing health communications for vaccine-preventable disease mitigation is my passion, and I’m so happy I had the opportunity to present our successful intervention! 💉🩺

Last week, I attended Dr. Amy Hartman's Ascending Star Award seminar, and it quickly became a favorite of mine. Her work with Rift Valley Fever Virus and its neurological and in-utero effects on livestock and humans was fascinating to learn. Some of my favorite portions of the lecture included her in-depth descriptions of the mice models she created to formulate her research and the connections she made between these models and humans. Afterwards, I had the pleasure of being able to chat and congratulate her myself. I will be continuing to follow Dr. Hartman's work, and I thank Dr. Joshua Mattila for inviting me to the seminar with the Pitt Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Department.

Last week, I had the incredible opportuntity to attend and present some of my research at the IDWeek conference in Los Angeles, CA. My project focuses on how potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) and renal insuffiency impacts safe antiviral administration for COVID-19 among nursing home residents. Antiviral administration is complex as pDDI severity varies and polyphamacy creates complex scenarios for clinical prescribers. During the conference, I was also able to attend sessions on emerging research in infectious disease and network with fellow colleagues in both academia and industry. I can’t express enough gratitude for the co-authors on this project who have spent countless hours mentoring me on data science and clinical concerns in geriatric populations. Additionally, I extend my sincerest thanks to all those who have supported me during the research process at VANEOHS, VA-GRECC, and Pitt Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology. I look forward to expanding on this project as I conduct more data analyses, create a standard outline for assessing antivirals, and continue writing my masters thesis! #IDWeek2024