Physicians

Interim Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases

Departments / Divisions

• Medicine / Medicine-Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Address
DUMC 3353
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone
919-668-3271

Office Telephone
919-684-6854

Fax Telephone
919-684-8902

Training

• MD, Medical College of Ohio (University of Toledo College of Medicine), 1974

Residency

• Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, 1975-1977
• Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, 1977-1980

Clinical Interests
Fungal infections

Research Interests
Research in my laboratory focuses around several aspects of medical mycology.  We are investigating antifungal agents (new and old) in animal models of candida and cryptococcal infections.  We have examined clinical correlation of in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing and with in vivo outcome.  Our basic science project examines the molecular pathogenesis of cryptococcal infections.  We have developed a molecular foundation for C. neoformans, including transformation systems, gene disruptions, differential gene expression screens, and cloning pathogenesis genes.  The goal of this work is to use C. neoformans as a model yeast system to identify molecular targets for antifungal drug development.  There are a series of clinical trials in fungal infections which are being coordinated through this laboratory and my work also includes a series of antibiotic trials in various aspects of infections.  Finally, we have now been awarded a NIH sponsored Mycology Unit for 5 years with 6 senior investigators which is focused on C. neoformans as a pathogenic model system, but will include multiple areas of medical mycology from diagnosis to treatment.

Industry Relationships and Collaborations (What's this?)

This physician (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

• Astellas Pharma Inc.
• Basilea
• Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• F2G
• Merck & Co. USA (not assoc'd with Merck KGaA)
• Pfizer Inc.
• Schering-Plough Corp. (owned by Merck & Co, USA)

Representative Publications
Cox GM, Durack DT, Perfect JR. Fungal infections and the central nervous system (ed MJ Aminoff). Neurology and General Medicine, 3rd ed., pp 789-807, 2001. (2001)

D'Souza C, Alspaugh JA, Yue C, Cox GM, Perfect JR, Heitman J. cAMP dependent protein kinase controls virulence of the fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. Mol. Cell. Biol.21:3179-3191, 2001. (2001)

Luberto C, Toffaletti DL, Wills EA, Tucker S, Casadevall A, Perfect JR, Hannun YA, Del Poeta M. Roles for inositol-phosphoryl ceramide 1 (IPC1) in pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans. Genes and Dev. 15:201-212, 2001. (2001)

Stephens CE, Tanious F, Wilson DW, Schell WA, Perfect JR, Fransblau SG, Boykin DW. Diguanidino and "reversed" diamidino 2,5-diarylfurans as antimicrobial agents. J. Med. Chem. 44:1741-1748, 2001. (2001)

Wills EA, Roberts IS, Del Poeta M, Cox GM, Rivera J, Casadevall A, Perfect JR. Identification and characterization of the Cryptococcus neoformans phosphomannose isomerase-encoding gene, MAN1, and its impact on pathogenicity. Mol. Microbiol. 40:1-13, 2001. (2001)