Infectious Diseases Research

RESEARCH

Laboratory Research

Microbial adherence to prosthetic devices.
Biofilms and their role in human disease
Vascular catheter related infections
In vitro and in vivo testing of new antibacterial and antifungal agents.
New and novel diagnostic methods for CMV infection.
Intracellular killing of MAC in HIV infected macrophages.

Clinical Research

5 - 7 clinical trials at a time. These involve study of new treatment for bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
Retrospective Reviews, Epidemiological studies and Prospective reviews of major Infectious Disease Clinical syndromes

LABORATORY RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Study of cells involved in immunity to candidiasis, characterization of subcellular antigens of Candida albicans and their use in lymphocyte transformation assays, natural, antibody mediated and lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity against Candida albicans.
Evaluation of neutrophil function in patients receiving granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Studies on chemotaxis, phagocytosis, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and bactericidal/fungicidal activity.
In vitro susceptibility of Nocardia species, Mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Aeromonas hydrophila to newer antimicrobial agents.
Studies on efficacy and toxicity of a new antifungal agent, Cilofungin (LY121019) against C. albicans in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis.
Studies on predisposing factors for Xanthomonas (Pseudomonas) maltophilia infections. Epidemiological and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility studies on X. maltophilia. Collaborative studies with Centers for Disease Control on serotyping as an epidemiological marker for X. maltophilia.
In vitro activities of newer antibacterial agents against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
In vitro susceptibility of Mycobacterium avium complex and other Mycobacterium species to newer antimicrobial agents including synergy studies.
In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus species to newer agents and correlation to treatment outcomes.
Mechanisms of Resistance to quinolones. Studies on DNA gyrase and outer membrane proteins and the role of efflux in quinolone resistance.
Studies on the incidence of multiresistance in serial gram negative isolates from intensive care unit.
A prospective study of Haemophilis influenza isolates from community acquired lower respiratory tract infections.
Antimicrobial resistance patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae from central Illinois.
Synergy studies of vancomycin, streptogramins and oxazolidinones against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
In vitro antimicrobial activity of designed antimicrobial peptides against gram positive and gram negative bacteria and Candida species.
Microbiological standardization of reteplase for its potential use in occluded central venous catheters.

ONGOING STUDIES ON VASCULAR CATHETER RELATED INFECTIONS:

Microbial colonization of vascular catheters. Study of host and bacterial factors, including glycocalyx, involved in microbial adherence. Establishment of an in vitro model for study of adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans to vascular catheters.
Effect of subinhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial agents on glycocalyx formation and adherence by S. epidermidis. Effect of S. epidermidis colonization on subsequent adherence of C. albicans. Characterization of receptors involved in microbial adherence to vascular catheters. Comparison of quantitative and qualitative methods of glycocalyx production by S. epidermidis. Effects of glycocalyx production on antimicrobial susceptibility of S. epidermidis.
A prospective study of infectious complications associated with indwelling vascular catheters and evaluation of a new method of catheter culture.
Effect of various enzymes, dextranase and glucose oxidase on glycocalyx formation and microbial adherence. Work supported by a grant from Memorial Medical Center - Foundation, Springfield, Illinois.
Effect of quinolones on adherence and on preformed biofilms of S. epidermidis.
Effect of quinolones on adherence and on preformed biofilms of P. aeruginosa.
Effect of antimicrobial agents on the adherence of S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa in a rat model of biofilm associated infection.
A prospective study of infectious complications associated with right atrial venous catheters.
Studies on the modulation of biofilm formation by Candida species.
Effect of antimicrobial agents and host protein on the adherence and biofilms of Candida species.
Effect of new antimicrobial agents on the biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

CLINICAL PROTOCOLS - NANCY KHARDORI - PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

The necessity for gram-negative antimicrobial coverage: Ampicillin-sulbactam versus clindamycin in head and neck surgical prophylaxis.
Randomized trial of intravenous immunoglobulins as an adjunct to antimicrobial therapy of Candida spp, Aspergillus spp and Herpes virus infections.
Maintenance intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patient with AIDS and recurrent bacterial infections.
Role of open lung biopsy versus broncho-alveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy in the evaluation of pulmonary infiltrates in cancer patients.
Prospective study of factors involved in vascular catheter infections. Evaluation of a new culture method.
Prospective, controlled, randomized study comparing the efficacy and safety of intravenous ciprofloxacin with standard antibiotic therapy in the treatment of selected tissue infections.
Retrospective evaluation of seizure episodes associated with imipenem cilastatin therapy.
Comparative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Cefmetazole and Cefoxitin in surgical prophylaxis.
Fleroxacin in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia of mild to moderate severity. A double-blind, randomized, multi-dose, comparative study versus ciprofloxacin.
Randomized, non-blinded study of intravenous ciprofloxacin monotherapy or combination therapy in the treatment of severe infections.
Efficacy of HA-1A in septic shock (CHESS trial). Randomized, blinded study of efficacy of antiendotoxin monoclonal antibody in Gram negative septic shock.
Prospective controlled, randomized study to compare the safety and efficacy of levofloxacin with ceftriaxone/doxycycline in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease.
In vitro susceptibility of Enterococcus species to ampicillin plus sulbactam and its correlation to outcome of treatment.
Variations in the treatment and outcome of candidemia.
Prospective, controlled, randomized study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ofloxacin intravenous followed by ofloxacin Po versus ceftriaxone intravenous followed by cefuroxime Po in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia.
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of E5 antiendotoxin. Monoclonal antibody in patients with severe sepsis.
Randomized, Phase II, multicenter study of Synercid versus ceftriaxone in the treatment of acute bacterial pneumonia.
Randomized, Phase III, study of Synercid versus ceftriaxone plus erythromycin in the treatment of acute bacterial pneumonia.
A three arm trial for treatment of MAC bacteremia in AIDS.
Treatment of Infections due to Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) with Synercid.
Synercid plus Aztreonam versus Vancomycin plus Aztreonam in the Treatment of Gram Positive Nosocomial Pneumonia.
Preventive Therapy of Latent Tuberculosis in HIV Positive Individuals. Isoniazid versus Rifabutin.
Effect of Chronic Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Body Cell Mass and Body Weight in Hypogonadal Males with AIDS.
Efficacy of Central Venous Catheters, Minocycline and Rifampin versus Chlorhexidine and Silver Sulfadiazine.
Treatment of Candidemia in Non-Neutropenic Patients. Itraconazole versus Fluconazole. Sequential IV to Po therapy.
Placebo Controlled Trial of Recombinant Human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (rhu GM-CSF) in Patients with Advanced HIV Disease.
A Phase II study of Lodenosine in Combination with Stavudine and Indinavir in Antiretrovial-naive, HIV Adult Patients.
Open Study of Synercid (quinupristin/dalfopristin) for Emergency Use (Infections Die to Resistant Bacteria, Treatment Failure or in Treatment-Intolerant Patients).
Open Label Study to Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of NYOTRAN (liposomal nystatin) in the Treatment of Patients with Proven or Probable Aspergillus Infection Who are Failing Standard Parenteral Antifungal Therapy.
Comparative Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of MK-0826 Versus Ceftriaxone sodium in the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections in Adults.
Linezolid for the Treatment of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal Infections: A Double Blind Trial Comparing 600 mg Linezolid Every 12 Hours with 200 mg Linezolid Every 12 hours.
A Randomized, Partially blinded, Multicenter, Phase III, Three-Arm Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Peg interferon alfa-2a Monotherapy vs Combination Therapy of Peg interferon alfa-2a with Ribavirin for 28 weeks and 24 weeks of followup in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Coinfection with HIV.
Untunneled central venous catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin versus Tunneled uncoated catheters: Comparison of rates of catheter colonization and catheter related bloodstream infections

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