Transplant & Immunocompromised Host Infectious Diseases

Advances in transplant technique, immunosuppressive therapy and prophylaxis have improved the outcomes of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Despite these advances, infections surrounding transplant procedures remain a persistent cause of morbidity and mortality. The transplant and immunocompromised host infectious diseases research program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine focuses on epidemiologic and interventional studies to reduce the impact of infectious complications, with a focus on viral pathogens. 

The group has been a leading site for pharmaceutical and diagnostic company multi-center trials focused on influenza, RSV and CMV.  They rely on a team of two regulatory coordinators, three nurse coordinators and three non-nurse coordinators to conduct their studies. These studies generally include all members of the clinical team for the identification and enrollment of the subjects. The team also works closely with the Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaboration on numerous ongoing projects focused on access and allocation of organs and on optimizing informed consent of candidates in accepting donors with known infectious risks.

Infectious Disease Transplant Studies

• Studies in HIV and Organ Transplantation: Site PI: Valentina Stosor, MD
• The Infectious Complications after Heart Transplantation Study: An ongoing single center prospective study of all heart transplant recipients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital from June 2005-present and includes more than 300 heart transplant recipients. This study is designed to capture infection outcomes after heart transplantation. PI: Valentina Stosor, MD; Co-investigator: Michael Angarone, DO.