University of Minnesota Infectious Diseases

Results: ✅ Inpatient initiation is non-inferior, safe and feasible. ✅ Higher completion: 76% completion in the inpatient group vs. 66% in the outpatient group. ✅ Safety: Adverse events were similar across both groups, though grade 4 anemia was actually less frequent in the inpatient group.

Inpatient initiation of tuberculosis preventive therapy with 1 month of isoniazid and rifapentine for adults with advanced HIV disease and cryptococcal meningitis (IMPROVE): a non-inferiority, randomi... 1HP initiation before hospital discharge was non-inferior to outpatient initiation among adults with AHD and cryptococcosis. These data suggest that following exclusion of active tuberculosis disease,...

Can we improve TB preventive therapy (TPT) for those with advanced HIV? 🏥

A new phase-3 trial from @drboulware.bsky.social and colleagues evaluated two strategies for the 1-month 1HP (rifapentine + isoniazid) regimen in patients with cryptococcal meningitis. #IDSky

Immediate or high-dose antituberculosis therapy for HIV-related sepsis in Tanzania and Uganda (ATLAS): a phase 3, open-label, randomised, controlled, 2 × 2 factorial, superiority trial Among all participants with HIV-related sepsis, 28-day mortality was not significantly reduced with immediate or high-dose antituberculosis therapy. In the subgroup with later confirmed tuberculosis, ...

ATLAS trial by faculty Dr. David Boulware and colleagues, studied TB treatment timing in people with HIV & sepsis in East Africa. Overall mortality unchanged, but early standard-dose TB therapy saved lives in confirmed TB cases. #IDSky #MedSky

Faculty research spotlight: Dr. Rajasingham and colleagues studied point-of-care CD4 testing for advanced HIV in Uganda. Visitect CD4 enabled faster ART initiation with similar 24-week survival and retention-in-care at comparable cost. #IDSky

Faculty highlight: Dr. Dimitri Drekonja and colleagues conducted a study showing AI can streamline infection surveillance after cardiac device procedures—reducing chart review time from ~25 to 5–7 minutes, with excellent accuracy and needed human oversight. #IDSky #AI

Headache as a predictor of cryptococcal meningitis in ambulatory patients with symptomatic HIV-associated cryptococcal antigenemia AbstractBackground. People with HIV-associated cryptococcal antigenemia are at high risk for meningitis and death. In resource-limited settings, lumbar pun

New faculty research in @ofidjournal.bsky.social shows that headache plus high plasma CrAg titer is the strongest predictor of cryptococcal meningitis in people with HIV. When titers are unavailable, combining neurologic symptoms improves triage decisions. #IDSky #MedSky

P-206. Change in Cryptococcal Antigen Titer Over Time in Uganda AbstractBackground. Cryptococcal meningitis causes an estimated 19% of AIDS-related deaths globally and is the leading cause of meningitis in adults with H

@drboulware.bsky.social and team tracked plasma cryptococcal antigen titers over time. Median titers in advanced HIV showed a modest, non-significant upward trend, while the proportion on ART declined.

P-1130. Promoting De-Implementation of Inappropriate Antimicrobial Use Following Cardiac Device Procedures AbstractBackground. Despite a strong evidence base and clinical guidelines specifcally recommending against prolonged post-procedural antimicrobial use, st

Dr. @dimitridrekonja.bsky.social and colleagues examined inappropriate antimicrobial use after cardiac device procedures.

P-90. Microbiology of Spinal Fusion Infections: An Analysis of the National Healthcare Safety Network Database AbstractBackground. Understanding the current microbial causes of surgical site infections (SSIs) following spinal fusion surgeries is essential for guidin

Using cases reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network, Dr. Tai and team analyzed more than 5,000 spinal fusion surgical site infections from 2021–2022 to better understand the role of gram-negative organisms.

University of Minnesota Infectious Diseases researchers presented multiple abstracts at #IDWeek2025, spanning antimicrobial stewardship, global health, and orthopedic infections. Proud of our faculty and trainees. #IDSky

Induction Regimens and Kidney Re‐Transplant Outcomes after BK Nephropathy–Related Graft Loss: A U.S. Cohort Study This study investigated the association between induction type and long-term outcomes in kidney retransplant recipients who experienced graft loss due to BK virus–associated nephropathy (BKVAN). Usin...

New work from Dr. Fontana and colleagues examines induction immunosuppression after BK virus–associated nephropathy–related graft loss. Depletional vs nondepletional induction showed no difference in 10-year graft or patient survival. 🧬🩺 #IDSky
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Photo credit to @idsainfo.bsky.social

A late reflection on @idweek.bsky.social , but a memorable start to the meeting. The opening plenary with Drs. Michael Osterholm and Ruth Lynfield set the tone on preparedness, public trust, and why public health partnerships matter. #IDSky

Prolonged antibiotic therapy for spinal implant infection may not improve outcomes ATLANTA — Results presented at IDWeek showed prolonged antibiotic therapy beyond 12 weeks may not improve outcomes for early postoperative spinal implant infections.“Shorter, standardized ...

Prolonged antibiotics may not improve outcomes in early spinal implant infections. At IDWeek, SPIRIT researchers showed no benefit to therapy >12 weeks when optimal surgical source control is achieved. #IDSky

Trial of High-Dose Oral Rifampin in Adults with Tuberculous Meningitis | NEJM Tuberculous meningitis is often lethal, and many survivors have disabilities despite antimicrobial treatment and adjunctive glucocorticoid therapy. Standard-dose rifampin has limited central nervou...

High-dose rifampin did not improve survival in adult tuberculous meningitis. In a trial across 3 countries, 6-month mortality was similar to standard dosing, with more liver injury at higher doses. Important evidence for TB care from @natebahrid.bsky.social @drboulware.bsky.social . #IDSky

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Check out the library here.

Enhancing the Care of Patients With Bone and Joint Infections Through Educational Interventions Abstract. Musculoskeletal infections represent a significant proportion of the clinical workload for infectious diseases (ID) providers, often presenting c

Musculoskeletal infections make up a major share of the ID clinical workload, yet many clinicians feel underprepared for their complexity.
Faculty member Dr. Tai created an online resource to make high-yield MSK ID knowledge accessible and practical for all learners. #IDSky

Welcome to our fellows.

Celebrating Match Day! 🎉
Welcome to our future colleagues. We can’t wait for you to join the University of Minnesota ID team! #Match2025 #IDSky

The hepatitis B birth dose is safe, effective, and a critical shield against lifelong infection. Delaying it puts infants at risk for preventable, chronic HBV. Universal newborn vaccination saves lives and remains essential public health practice. #HepatitisB #VaccinesWork #IDSky

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New HIV vaccine research shows that escalating dose mRNA priming plus protein VLP boosts produced strong antibody responses in rabbits. Broad neutralization remains difficult and continued innovation is essential. #HIVresearch #UMNproud #IDSky

Genetic Analysis of Metabolic-associated Steatosis Liver Disease in a Colombian Cohort Numerous studies have identified genetic variations linked to the development and progression of Metabolic Associated Steatosis Liver Disease (MASLD), but their relevance is not completely understood ...

New research from Dr. Debes:
In a Colombian cohort with Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, the PNPLA3 risk allele was highly prevalent and strongly linked to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Gene combinations also increased risk. #GISky

Highly efficient production of HIV-1AD8 gp120 in mammalian cells | Journal of Virology There are approximately 40.8 million people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) worldwide, with an estimate of about 1.3 million new HIV-1 infections in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for an effective HIV-1 ...

New research from Dr. Alon Herschhorn and team reveals a more efficient way to produce the HIV-1 gp120 protein, a key component for vaccine and viral entry studies. The stable cell line method yields 50× more protein than traditional approaches. #IDSky

NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

@nejm.org + @cidrap.bsky.social are launching Public Health Alerts — a new rapid-report platform to rival MMWR. Free, timely, and aimed at practitioners & researchers alike.
#IDSky

Mortality from advanced HIV disease remains high. The NIRVANA trial, led by Dr. Caleb Skipper and colleagues, tests whether treating CMV viraemia with valganciclovir can save lives. A phase 2b study now underway in Uganda and South Africa. #IDSky #Research

2025 ICM: Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention (DAIR) James Cashman, Paul McCarroll, Peter Choong, Pedro Ivo Carvalho, Nicolaas Budhiparama, Ewout S Veltman, David Dewar, Mehmet Kursat Yilmaz

What’s the optimal antibiotic duration after DAIR for acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI)?

🌍 An international consensus led by ID faculty Dr. Geno Tai and colleagues recommends at least 12 weeks of therapy. #IDSky #MedSky #OrthoSky

🌍 Diseases cross borders—and ID specialists need global skills to match.

Take our new online course: “Travel and Tropical Medicine for the Infectious Disease Specialist.”

🎓 30 CME credits
🧬 Prep for CTropMed®
📚 Interactive, case-based, flexible learning

#IDSky #MedSky

New research from Dr. Susan Kline and colleagues shows that antibody levels after the Novavax (NVX-CoV2373) vaccine strongly predict protection against severe COVID-19. Higher neutralizing antibodies meant far fewer severe Delta infections.
#IDSky
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...

We’re heading to #IDWeek2025!

Along with our colleagues at the Minnesota Department of Health and across the Twin Cities, we will be sharing:

📰 26 posters
🎤 12 symposiums
🗣️ 4 oral abstracts
🏆 1 plenary

We’re excited to showcase the incredible work coming out of Minnesota. See you there! #IDSky