Dr. Guy Handley, Assistant Professor of Medicine with the Division of Infectious Diseases, USF Morsani College of Medicine, provides an overview of Human Herpesvirus 6 in Stem Cell Transplant Patients. Dr. Handley uses clinical cases to describe several scenarios related to HHV6 infection. Topics discussed include background, HHV6 latency, reactivation, clinical presentation, encephalitis, treatment strategies, and outcomes. Guidelines for HHV care are also discussed. Dr. Handley closes by discussing controversies and future directions in HHV6 management.

In a lively case-based format, Dr. Jackie Sherbuk, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Division of Infectious Diseases, Moroni College of Medicine at USF, reviews important opportunistic infections (OI’s) in HIV/AIDS patients. Included in the talk, Dr. Sherbuk discusses effective timing of antiretrovirals in the setting of an opportunistic infection. She addresses HIV associated pulmonary disease, cerebral Toxoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, esophageal candidiasis, cryptosporidiosis, Mycobacterium Avian Complex, and Histoplasmosis. Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) is also discussed as a phenomenon when antiretroviral therapy is started in the setting of an OI.

Dr. Jamie Morano, Professor of Medicine at the Division of Infectious Diseases, USF Morsani College of Medicine, reviews the epidemiology of Tuberculosis and its relationship to Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection. Topics discussed include TB trends in the US, factors contributing to an increase in TB morbidity, tuberculosis transmission, TB screening, and progression to active disease. Next, Dr. Morano outlines the relationship between tuberculosis and HIV infection. She also presents pearls on the use of antiretrovirals in active TB treatment and how to utilize TB meds in patients who are on antiretrovirals.

Dr Guy Handley, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Division of Infectious Diseases, Morsani College of Medicine, discusses the Clinical manifestations of Pneumocystis Jirovecii infections in a question and answer format. Dr. Handley begins the talk by giving an overview of Pneumocystis, including its history and taxonomy. He then discusses the typical presentation when it causes pneumonia (PCP), the most likely clinical manifestation. Dr. Handley then covers PCP treatment, including the most commonly used therapy (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole) and other alternatives. Next, diagnostic testing is discussed, including the use of the 1,3 Beta-Gucan test. Lastly, the use of Echinocandins for the treatment of PCP pneumonia is covered.

Dr. Jackie Sherbuk, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Morsani College of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, presents this case-based review of the use of antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients. Dr. Sherbuk begins by reviewing and available antireturovial options, including those that are considered first line. She also covers the use of antiretrovirals in special groups, including expectant mothers, elite controllers, treatment experienced patients, HBV/HIV connected patients, and patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Lastly, Dr. Sherbuk discusses the nuances of using co-formulated combinations of antiretrovirals and mentions the newer long-acting injectable preparations.

Jessica Kennedy, MD, Infectious Diseases Fellow at the University of South Florida Division of Infectious Diseases, discusses the scientific basics around many of the primary Infectious Diseases tests ordered by providers. Dr. Kennedy discusses the scientific basis for EIA/ELIZA, Quantiferon, chemiluminant immunoassays, lateral flow assays, RT-PCR, Fungitell, and LC/MS-MS. In explaining these diagnostic assays, Dr. Kennedy helps the provider understand the limitations and advantages of each test and when they are best used in a clinical scenario.

Dr. Arun Sunny, Infectious Diseases Senior Fellow at the University of South Florida Division of Infectious Diseases, presents a second overview of the current infectious diseases literature focusing on studies that may influence your medical practice. Dr. Sunny focuses on the areas of climate change, prophylaxis, antimicrobial stewardship, and the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in medicine. From a talk originally presented in February, 2024.

Dr. John Sia, Infectious Diseases Fellow at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, looks at the field of Infectious Diseases Medicine, and its prospects for continued success in recruitment and the economics of practice. Dr. Sia looks at some of the challenges for the infectious Diseases clinician, what ID needs to do to continue to attract some of the brightest and most talented medical professionals to the field, and how ID continues to be one of the most satisfying and rewarding of all the medical subspecialties. Dr. Sia also shares some of the reasons he chose Infectious Diseases as part of his own personal journey.

Dr. Diaz Vera, Infectious Diseases Fellow at the University of South Florida Division of Infectious Diseases, presents a companion lecture to his original talk on bacteriophage therapy. Because of the rising tide of antimicrobial resistance, many experts believe that we are entering the post-antibiotic era in medicine. As a result, researchers are exploring phage-antimicrobial synergy in an attempt to make our antibiotic armamentarium go farther. Dr. Diaz elaborates on the application of phage-antimicrobial synergy and provides examples of phage therapy utilized in the clinical setting.

For Dr. Diaz’s original talk, please click here: Intro to Bacteriophage therapy

In the second of his two part series, Dr. John Toney reviews additional infectious syndromes involving the eye. For Part 2, Dr. Toney begins by discussing uveitis, and then covers preseptal and postseptal orbital cellulitis. Next he shares information on endogenous endophthalmitis and dacrocystitis. Finally, in a lightning round, trachoma, Parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome, and Herpes Zoster ophthalmicus are presented. For Part I of this talk, please see the previous week’s posted presentation.