Jose Debes, MD, MS

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine

Jose Debes

Contact Info

Mailing Address:
420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 250
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Administrative Assistant Name
IDIM Admin

Administrative Phone
612-624-9996

Administrative Email
IDIMDivision@umn.edu

Administrative Fax Number
612-625-4410

Additional Locations

South American Liver Research Network

African Hepatitis B Network

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine


Viral Hepatitis


Medical School, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina

Residency, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Master's Degree, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Summary

Dr. Debes graduated from medical school at Universidad Nacional de Cordoba in Argentina. Following his graduation he completed a postdoctoral research fellowship and Masters in Science-Molecular Biology at the Mayo Clinic. He later pursued residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Gastroenterology both at the University of Minnesota. During his gastroenterology fellowship Dr. Debes was awarded an NIH NRSA-F32 grant to study regulation of gene expression by the hepatitis C virus. Between residency and Fellowship Dr. Debes spent time in Tanzania and Argentina developing research initiatives in viral hepatitis and HIV as well as the transition of viral hepatitis to liver cancer. Dr. Debes is currently leading research collaborations in Argentina, Tanzania, the Netherlands and Nepal, as well as a multinational study in South America.

Expertise

  • Viral hepatitis
  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • liver fibrosis in HIV

Awards & Recognition

  • NIH National Research Science Award (2011)
  • American College of Ggastroenterology, Clinical Research Award (2016)
  • AMFDP Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholar (2016)

Professional Associations

  • American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
  • American College of Gastroenterology
  • American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
  • European Association for the Study of the Liver

Research

Research Summary/Interests

  • Viral hepatitis in HIV
  • Hepatitis E infection in the immunosuppressed host
  • Mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Single cell hepatocyte sequencing for prediction of liver cancer
  • Education, prevention and treatment of hepatitis B and liver cancer in developing settings

Research Funding Grants

  • American College of Gastroenterology, Clinical Research Award
  • AFMDP, Robert Wood Johnson Scholar
  • Mitialto Foundation, Research Grant
  • National Institutes of Health

Publications

Selected out of 46 publications

  • Debes JD, van Tilborg M, Groothuismink Z, de Knegt R, Boonstra A. Serum immune signatures associated with HCC development in DAA-treated HCV patients. Gastroenterology, 2018 Feb;154(3):515-517.e3. doi: 10.1053
  • Ashhab AA, Rodin H, Powell J, Debes JD. Hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and surveillance: Socioeconomic factors don't seem to matter, unless you are an immigrant. J Hepatol, 2017 May 10. pii: S0168-8278(17)32012-3. doi
  • Debes JD, Janssen HL, Boonstra A. Hepatitis C treatment and liver cancer recurrence: cause for concern? Lancet Gastroenterol and Hepatol, 2017 Feb;2(2):78-80
  • Debes JD, Pas SD, Groothuismink Z, van der Ende M, de Man R, Boonstra A. Progesterone receptor mutation predisposes to HEV infection in HIV-positive patients. Liver Int. 2017 Dec 28. doi: 10.1111/liv.13678
  • Debes JD, Pisano MB, Lotto M, Re V. Hepatitis E virus infection in the HIV-positive patient. J Clin Virol. 2016 Jul;80:102-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.05.006. Epub 2016 May 17. Review. PubMed PMID: 27243210.
  • Debes JD, Kayandabila J, Pogemiller H. Knowledge of Hepatitis B Transmission Risks Among Health Workers in Tanzania. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2016 May 4;94(5):1100-2. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0797. Epub 2016 Feb 29. PubMed PMID: 26928835; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4856610.
  • Debes JD, Martínez Wassaf M, Pisano MB, Isa MB, Lotto M, Marianelli LG, Frassone N, Ballari E, Bohjanen PR, Hansen BE, Ré V.Increased Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence Correlates with Lower CD4+ Cell Counts in HIV-Infected Persons in Argentina. PLoS One. 2016 Jul 28;11(7):e0160082. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160082. eCollection 2016. PubMed PMID: 27467394
  • Yang JD, Gyedu A, Afihene MY, Duduyemi BM, Micah E, Kingham TP, Nyirenda M, Nkansah AA, Bandoh S, Duguru MJ, Okeke EN, Kouakou-Lohoues MJ, Abdo A, Awuku YA, Ajayi AO, Omonisi AE, Ocama P, Debes JD, Onyekwere C, Ekere F, Rufina I, Roberts LR; Africa Network for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Occurs at an Earlier Age in Africans, Particularly in Association With Chronic Hepatitis B. Am J Gastroenterol. 2015 Nov;110(11):1629-31. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2015.289. PubMed PMID: 26618430.
  • Debes JD, Stauffer WM, Jacobson M, Boulware DR. Low rates of Hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus coinfection in rural northern Tanzania. J Glob Infect Dis. 2015 Jan-Mar;7(1):47-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-777X.150893. PubMed PMID: 25722626; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4338456.
  • Debes JD, Smith CI. NS5A: a new target for antiviral drugs in the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatology. 2012 Sep;56(3):797-9. doi: 10.1002/hep.25696. PubMed PMID: 22392653.
  • Debes JD. Hepatitis B in refugees, guessing the prevalence. Hepatology. 2010 Aug;52(2):802-3. doi: 10.1002/hep.23635. PubMed PMID: 20683977.
  • Debes JD, Tindall DJ. Mechanisms of androgen-refractory prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004 Oct 7;351(15):1488-90. PubMed PMID: 15470210.

    • Teaching

    Teaching Areas

    • Global Health
    • Translational Research

    Clinical

    Board Certifications

    • Internal Medicine
    • Gastroenterology

    Clinical Interests

    Hepatology Viral; Hepatitis and immunosupression; HCC