University of Pittsburgh Division of Infectious Diseases

A team led by Drs. @Ryan Shields (University of Pittsburgh) and Jason Pogue (University of Michigan College of Pharmacy) has recently published the CACTUS study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Across 28 hospitals in the United States, investigators found higher rates of clinical success for patients treated with ceftolozane-tazobactam compared to ceftazidime-avibactam for infections caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study matched patients 1:1 at each site through an innovative design and now represents the largest real-world evidence study for treatment of MDR P. aeruginosa infections published to date. For more information, follow the link below. 👇 CACTUS Study, The Lancet Infectious Diseases: https://lnkd.in/eAZCk8ge CACTUS Study About Page, Precedent Network: https://lnkd.in/eM4MQkUN

On behalf of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program, please welcome our new ID Fellows for July 2025. We wish you all the best! #infectiousdiseases #fellowship #idpittstop

🎥🍿 From the lab bench to the big screen! The Macatangay Lab traded pipettes for popcorn to catch Gladiator 2 on the big screen. A well-deserved evening of epic battles and team spirit! 🛡️⚔️ #LabLife #TeamOuting #Gladiator2 #IDPittStop

Congratulations to Stacey Edick, our PACT clinic’s Physician Assistant and Clinical Research Lead, for delivering a successful presentation!

Get ready for an extraordinary journey through the science, stories, and strategies shaping the fight against HIV/AIDS. Microbe Matters returns for its third season, spotlighting this urgent and evolving field through the voices of experts, advocates, and those on the frontlines of care. From innovative research to community-driven solutions, each episode brings you closer to the efforts aiming to end the epidemic. Season 3 premieres with a special feature on the Pitt Men’s Study 40th Anniversary Symposium — celebrating four decades of trailblazing HIV research. Tune in to Microbe Matters this January, where every story matters. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform─coming soon! #HIV #MicrobeMatters #Podcast #IDPittStop

We are pleased to announce that Cristian Apetrei, MD, PhD, has been awarded funding in the amount of  $3,146,215 for a five-year grant renewal by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH/NIDDK) entitled, “Assessing the Role of GI Tract Dysfunction to HIV/SIV Disease Progression.” Achieving a 2% score on the first submission of this renewal speaks to the innovative and impactful nature of Dr. Apetrei’s work. This innovative research investigates the role of microbiome in inducing intestinal dysfunction and progression to AIDS in people living with HIV. Enteropathy is characteristic to HIV/SIV infection and was described early in the pandemic, but a direct causative relationship between GI dysfunction and HIV/SIV disease progression has yet to be established. By studying natural hosts of SIV, such as African green monkeys, this project will assess the relative contribution of the different potential mechanisms resulting in mucosal dysfunction, because they maintain mucosal integrity throughout infection in spite of high levels of viral replication. aims to uncover the mechanisms that preserve mucosal integrity despite high viral replication—insights that could reshape our understanding of HIV pathology. The study will also explore how antibiotic-induced gut microbiome disruptions affect disease outcomes, particularly in people living with HIV (PWH) who consume alcohol excessively. Findings will guide future therapies and strategies to enhance gut health, reduce comorbidities, and improve the quality of life for PWH. This research holds immense clinical significance, offering hope for improved outcomes in HIV care. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Apetrei! #HIVResearch #Microbiome #idpittstop

We are pleased to announce that Deborah McMahon, MD, has been recognized with the 2024 UPMC Senior Physician Excellence Award, honoring her exceptional contributions to clinical care, high practice standards, exceptional teamwork, engagement and passion for medicine. Dr. McMahon holds the rank of Professor of Medicine. She has been a member of the ID Division for the past 30 years. Her work on behalf of patients with HIV-1 has made a huge difference in the lives of many patients and families throughout the world impacted by the AIDS epidemic. Dr. McMahon serves as the Clinical Director of UPMC’s HIV Program, and the Project Director for the HRSA Ryan White Program to enhance HIV primary care at UPMC and affiliated sites to more than 1,700 men, women, and children with HIV. HRSA Ryan White funding (McMahon, PI; over $1.5 million/year since 1994) ensures access to comprehensive HIV primary care for persons with HIV, particularly those who are under- or uninsured. Without this support, many services for persons with HIV/AIDS would never have been available. She also served as Project Director for a HRSA-Funded Special Project of National Significance (SPNS) in response to HRSA’s initiative to build HIV workforce capacity in community health care settings and improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum. This work remains ongoing through an HIV Track available to UPMC Family Medicine residents. Dr. McMahon's influence extends beyond Pittsburgh. Her pioneering efforts include establishing Pitt’s first HIV clinical research program in 1987, contributing to NIH-funded studies, and leading transformative global health initiatives. Through a PEPFAR-funded Twinning Partnership with the Catholic University of Mozambiquehealthcare providers train to care for the tens of thousands of persons with HIV/AIDS in Beira, Mozambique on the eastern coast of sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. McMahon’s role as Medical Director of the Brother’s Brother Foundation further highlights her dedication to global health equity, guiding the distribution of critical pharmaceuticals and supplies to communities in need worldwide. Dr. McMahon has earned the utmost respect and admiration of her colleagues, and the gratitude of her patients. Her work demonstrates clinical excellence and she has made exceptional contributions to the UPMC clinical mission. Dr. McMahon epitomizes the dedicated, compassionate and selfless physician, and shines as a role model for all UPMC physicians. Please join us in congratulating Dr. McMahon! #PhysicianLeadership #HIVCare #idpittstop

We are pleased to share that TIME magazine recently covered “The Pitch: Patient Safety’s Next Generation,” a new documentary exploring the transformative role of technology in modern healthcare. Among the featured innovators is Lee Harrison, MD, Associate Chief of Epidemiology and Microbial Genomics, whose team is pioneering the use of genomic testing combined with machine-learning technology to swiftly detect hospital-associated infections to quickly identify outbreak sources improving patient outcomes. This documentary shines a light on the collaboration between medicine and technology that is essential to advancing patient safety. Click the link below to read the full article, and watch “The Pitch: Patient Safety’s Next Generation,” now available to stream on Apple TV+ and Prime Video: https://lnkd.in/gUhWe7s4 #genomic #epidemiology #machinelearning #AI #idpittstop

We are pleased to announce that Nina Singh, MD, has been conferred the title of Emeritus Professor of Medicine, retroactive to September 1, 2022. Dr. Singh has made an indelible impact on the field of Transplant Infectious Diseases (TID) over her three-decade career. A tenured faculty member for 20 years, Dr. Singh is internationally recognized for her pioneering clinical and translational research in the field of opportunistic viral and fungal infections in transplant recipients. Dr. Singh has had a major impact as an academic leader in the field of transplant ID. Her legacy is exceptionally strong and enduring. We are extremely fortunate to have her as a faculty member and we are sure she will continue to contribute to the academic environment at the University of Pittsburgh. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Singh! #TransplantInfectiousDiseases #idpittstop 

We are pleased to announce that Leah Brandt, PhD, has been awarded funding in the amount of $199,998 for a two-year grant by Merck & Company, Inc., entitled, "Evaluation of the Stability of the Intact HIV-1 Reservoir and Low-Level HIV-1 Viremia in People with HIV-1 Suppressed on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).” This proposal was submitted in response to the competitive funding opportunity entitled, "Merck Investigator Studies Program.” Dr. Brandt’s research will 1) assess the intra-individual stability of low-level viremia (LLV), intact and total HIV-1 DNA, and cell-associated HIV-1 RNA in people with HIV-1 on effective ART, and 2) determine the influence of sex, age, and menopausal status on the longitudinal detectability of LLV and characteristics of the latent and expressed HIV-1 reservoir. Understanding the stability of LLV is critical to determining its value as a biomarker of response to interventions designed to clear virus-producing cells and achieve HIV-1 remission without continuous ART. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Brandt on this important research! #HIVResearch #ViralSuppression #idpittstop