Physicians

Departments / Divisions

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

Address
DUMC 3499
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone
919-684-6335

Office Telephone
919-681-1504

Fax Telephone
919-668-4859

Training

• MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 1998

Residency

• Pediatrics, Stanford University Medical Center, 1998-2001

Fellowship

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, 2001-2004

Clinical Interests
Immunocompromised pediatric patients, especially children with invasive fungal infections

Research Interests
Our laboratory focuses on studying the molecular pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus, the leading infectious killer in immunocompromised patients with cancer or following transplantation.  All of our work is very translational in nature – all of it is performed with the specific goal of directly improving our fundamental understanding of how and why this organism is so deadly and how to best prevent and treat it.  Our laboratory uses molecular genetics to knock-out pathogenesis genes and analyze their function and role in disease, including microarray, real-time PCR, proteomics, and biochemical approaches.  We also perform extensive in vitro testing of both antifungal compounds and genetic screens.  Since we are focused on the pathogenesis, we utilize numerous different animal models specifically designed to mimic the immune system of a cancer patient or transplant recipient.

Currently we are focused on the calcineurin cell signaling pathway as a model for studying pathogenesis – both as a stress response and as a mechanism for defeating disease establishment and progression.  We have knocked out numerous genes in the calcineurin pathway and have performed extensive analyses on their functions leading to several exciting results with real implications for advanced clinical management.  Several of the mutants in the calcineurin pathway are defective in cell wall structure, which has led us to perform detailed investigations of the cell wall components and propose novel ideas regarding how to further destroy this deadly fungus.

I am also a leader in several clinical trials for invasive aspergillosis management, linking nicely with the scientific work to marry the clinical and scientific arenas.  I have been the co-chair of all five of the international Advances Against Aspergillosis conferences, most recently in Istanbul (www.AAA2012.org), as well as co-chair of the 2nd International Fungal Cell Wall meeting, most recently in France.  I am the co-editor of the largest textbook in the field, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillosis (ASM Press, 2009).

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.
• Merck & Co. USA (not assoc'd with Merck KGaA)
• Pfizer Inc.

Representative Publications
Steinbach WJ, Cramer RA Jr, Perfect BZ, Asfaw YG, Sauer TC, Najvar LK, Kirkpatrick WR, Patterson TF, Benjamin DK Jr, Heitman J, Perfect JR. Calcineurin controls growth, morphology, and pathogenicity in Aspergillus fumigatus. Eukaryot Cell. 2006 Jul;5(7):1091-103. (2006) Abstract

Zaoutis TE, Heydon K, Chu JH, Walsh TJ, Steinbach WJ. Epidemiology, outcomes, and costs of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised children in the United States, 2000. Pediatrics. 2006 Apr;117(4):e711-6. (2006) Abstract

Steinbach WJ, Benjamin DK Jr, Kontoyiannis DP, Perfect JR, Lutsar I, Marr KA, Lionakis MS, Torres HA, Jafri H, Walsh TJ. Infections due to Aspergillus terreus: a multicenter retrospective analysis of 83 cases. Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Jul 15;39(2):192-8. (2004) Abstract

Steinbach WJ, Benjamin DK Jr, Trasi SA, Miller JL, Schell WA, Zaas AK, Foster WM, Perfect JR. Value of an inhalational model of invasive aspergillosis. Med Mycol. 2004 Oct;42(5):417-25. (2004) Abstract

Steinbach WJ, Schell WA, Blankenship JR, Onyewu C, Heitman J, Perfect JR. In vitro interactions between antifungals and immunosuppressants against Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004 May;48(5):1664-9. (2004) Abstract

Steinbach WJ, Singh N, Miller JL, Benjamin DK Jr, Schell WA, Heitman J, Perfect JR. In vitro interactions between antifungals and immunosuppressants against Aspergillus fumigatus isolates from transplant and nontransplant patients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004 Dec;48(12):4922-5. (2004) Abstract