Infectious Diseases and International Medicine

• PREVENT COVID U COVID-19 Vaccination & Transmission Study (CoVPN 3006)
  Dr. Susan Kline and the Department of Medicine is partnering with The COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN) to conduct a research study to learn whether the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine stops the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus: both initial infection and transmission. We already know that the Moderna vaccine can prevent serious COVID-19 disease, but we do not know if the vaccine will prevent the spread of the virus and stop transmission to others. This study will answer those questions.

• Jo-Anne H. Young (co-author George R. Thompson, III, M.D.) was published in the New England Journal of Medicine for her publication "Aspergillus Infections"

• Phase 3 Prevention Trial showed 81% reduced risk of symptomatic SARS-COV-2 infections with subcutaneous administration of REGEN-COV™ (CASIRIVIMAB WITH IMDEVIMAB). University of Minnesota Medical School, Site Investigators: Dr. Anne-Marie Leuck, Dr. Mahsa Abassi, Dr. Matthew Pullen | View Press Release
• Dr. Susan Kline, Principal Investigator, is Enrolling volunteers for Phase 3 Study of NVX-CoV2373 Vaccine. Learn More
• Has someone in your household recently been diagnosed with COVID-19? Volunteer for a Clinical Trial. University of Minnesota is enrolling volunteers in a research study for individuals living with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19. Learn More 
• Dr. David Boulware's hydroxychloroquine trial on early outpatient treatment of COVID-19 has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Hydroxychloroquine in Nonhospitalized Adults With Early COVID-19
• Dr. David Boulware discusses his Hydroxychloroquine trial on Open Forum Infectious Diseases podcast. How to Conduct a Clinical Trial During a Pandemic

• COVID-19 persists while flu declines in Minnesota
  "The latest sampling showed substantial increases in coronavirus material in wastewater in certain parts of the state, according to results through Sunday published by the University of Minnesota. Viral levels reported in central and southwestern Minnesota were at their highest since August. 
  "It will be important to watch this over the next few weeks to see if a stronger trend emerges," said Dr. Timothy Schacker, vice dean for research at the University of Minnesota Medical School."

• The World Needs Effective Covid Drugs as Ivermectin Persists
  Bloomberg - 01/24/2023
  Dr. David Boulware

• New variants show little impact so far on COVID-19 trends in Minnesota
  Star Tribune - 01/19/2023
  Dr. Timothy Schacker

• Rare cases of COVID returning pose questions for Pfizer pill
  Dr. David Boulware in the Department of Medicine spoke with the Associated Press about the Pfizer pill. He said regarding information on COVID-19 drug treatments, “That’s the population I care about in 2022 because that’s who we’re seeing -- vaccinated people with COVID -- so do they benefit?

• Boost now or boost later: What eligible Minnesotans should consider in timing COVID-19 booster shots
  MinnPost - 05/6/2022
  Dr. Susan Kline

• Dr. Serin Erayil took part in a show with PBS and the Center of the Art of Medicine "Art + Medicine: Speaking of Race". Connecting the arts and healthcare, physicians share stories about race, racism and antiracist efforts in the medical community. 

• In year three of the pandemic, public health shifts its focus to COVID’s burden on hospitals
  KNBJ-FM - 04/15/2022
  Dr. Timothy Shacker, vice dean for research, spoke with MPR about the University's wastewater statewide research. He said, “If you look at wastewater, everybody contributes, and you really get a population-based analysis of what's going on with that particular pathogen.”

• Vaccines, antibodies, antivirals: How some immunocompromised can cut Covid risk
  NBC News - 04/20/2022
  Dr. David Boulware in the Department of Medicine spoke with NBC News about what vaccines doses mean for those who are immunocompromised. He said, “For those who are immunocompromised, that additional dose is kind of that primary series, where three doses is kind of the same as two doses in people with healthy immune systems.”

• Study examines health care workers and their likelihood to get a COVID vaccine
  KARE-TV - 04/14/2022
  Christine Thomas, a fellow in the Department of Medicine, spoke with KARE 11 about the results of a survey, led by NRC-RIM and the Migrant Clinicians Network, that looked at healthcare workers' acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

• KARE 11 News at 10  
  KARE-MIN (NBC) - 03/22/2022
  Dr. Timothy Schacker, vice dean for research, spoke with KARE-11 about what to expect for the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, "We don't have any signals right now — in the Twin Cities or in Minnesota — that something is going to happen (with the stealth variant). But I think that we're all on alert that that is a possibility."

• Information key to healthcare workers' vaccine acceptance: 6 findings  
  Becker's Hospital Review - 03/24/2022
  Dr. William Stauffer in the Department of Medicine and Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility was featured in a story by Becker’s Hospital Review about healthcare workers' willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine. He said, "Healthcare workers, especially those serving (refugee, immigrant and migrant) communities, are vaccine accepting.”

• Covid pills are easier to find as the omicron surge subsides
  NBC News - 02/23/2022
  Dr. David Boulware in the Department of Medicine spoke with NBC News about COVID-19 antiviral drug treatments. He said when supply becomes more available, that people can live “a somewhat normal life without utmost fear of death, should they contract COVID.”

• Do Covid treatments work against omicron subvariant? Scientists keep close watch
  NBC News - 02/18/2022
  Dr. David Boulware

• New data shows efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota
  Dr. Tim Schacker, vice dean for research, spoke with KARE 11 about how to interpret data from the Minnesota Department of Health about COVID-19 hospitalizations and vaccinations.

• Treatments will change the pandemic, but they can’t end it alone - Dr. David Boulware

• Delta and waning immunity: Why boosters are recommended for nearly everyone now 
  Dr. Susan Kline in the Department of Medicine was interviewed by the Pioneer Press about COVID-19 booster shots 

• Dr. Tyler Bold’s Lab is conducting research on antibody prevention of reinfection in his study SERUM SARS-COV-2 NEUTRALIZATION ACTIVITY. Learn More 
• A study led by Infectious Diseases Dr. Geoffrey Hart and Dr. Marco Pravetoni (Pharmacology): Understanding Protective Antibody Mechanisms in COVID-19 to Engineer Universal Coronavirus Vaccine. Learn More
• Dr. Timothy Schacker and Dr. Bradley Benson presented COVID-19: The University of Minnesota Response at the DOM Grand Rounds on April 09, 2020
• Study: COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant was received by Dr. Jose Debes and co-investigator Dr. Thomas Leventhal, for their study: Immune Signature to Evaluate COVID-19 Related Liver Injury and Outcomes
• COVID-19 Research at UMN, presented by Dr. Sarah Lofgren, at the Infection & Immunity Research Conference - March 26, 2020

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• In the News
• Treatment & Clinical Trials

Talented Faculty

The Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine (IDIM) has more than 50 faculty overseeing programs in clinical care, education, and research at five teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Minnesota Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC), Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Hennepin County Medical Center, Regions Hospital, and Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Each of these institutions serves somewhat different patient populations, and the clinical and research programs at these sites together with opportunities in global health, provide a remarkable breadth of expertise and academic experiences for trainees in the IDIM Division.

Research & Collaboration

In addition to our clinical scholars and physician scientists with clinical responsibilities, five full-time research faculty contribute importantly to the research mission of our division. The Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Translational Research, an interdisciplinary research center, is the base of operation for these faculty members. Epidemiological research is carried out with colleagues in the School of Public Health, which helps administrate the division’s NIH-funded MPH/MSc-related training program. The Division also benefits from collaborations with faculty members who hold joint academic appointments in other departments, colleagues in the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Minnesota Department of Health, and a number of community-based Infectious Diseases faculty.

Opportunities for Fellows

During their research training, Infectious Diseases Fellows can enter an NIH-supported epidemiology (MPH)/clinical research (MSc) pathway coordinated by the School of Public Health, or they can select a laboratory-based research project at several training sites, including the Center for Translational Research in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Think & Act Globally

Because of a large influx of immigrants to Minnesota and increasing challenges from emerging infections here and abroad, especially in developing countries, our goal is to: "Think and act locally and globally."