Infectious Diseases

John Robert Perfect, MD

Professor of Medicine
James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases
Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Campus mail Duke Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710
Phone (919) 684-4016
Email address perfe001@mc.duke.edu

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.

Education and Training

  • Fellow, Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, 1977 - 1980
  • Resident, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 1975 - 1977
  • Intern, Riverside Methodist Hospital, 1974 - 1975
  • M.D., University of Toledo, 1974

Grants

Publications

Eichenberger, Emily M., Jennifer Saullo, Danielle Brander, Shih-Hsiu Wang, John R. Perfect, and Julia A. Messina. “A case of CNS aspergillosis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia on first-line ibrutinib therapy.” Med Mycol Case Rep 27 (March 2020): 17–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mmcr.2019.12.007.

PMID
31879587
Full Text

Kiyani, Musa, Beiyu Liu, Lefko T. Charalambous, Syed M. Adil, Sarah E. Hodges, Siyun Yang, Promila Pagadala, John R. Perfect, and Shivanand P. Lad. “The longitudinal health economic impact of viral encephalitis in the United States.” J Med Microbiol 69, no. 2 (February 2020): 270–79. https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001153.

PMID
32040394
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Baker, Arthur W., Eileen K. Maziarz, Christopher J. Arnold, Melissa D. Johnson, Adrienne D. Workman, John M. Reynolds, John R. Perfect, and Barbara D. Alexander. “Invasive Fungal Infection After Lung Transplantation: Epidemiology in the Setting of Antifungal Prophylaxis.” Clin Infect Dis 70, no. 1 (January 1, 2020): 30–39. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciz156.

PMID
30801642
Full Text

Hope, William, Neil R. H. Stone, Adam Johnson, Laura McEntee, Nicola Farrington, Anahi Santoro-Castelazo, Xuan Liu, et al. “Fluconazole Monotherapy Is a Suboptimal Option for Initial Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis Because of Emergence of Resistance.” Mbio 10, no. 6 (December 3, 2019). https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.02575-19.

PMID
31796539
Full Text

So, Yee-Seul, Shinae Maeng, Dong-Hoon Yang, Hyelim Kim, Kyung-Tae Lee, Seong-Ryong Yu, Jennifer L. Tenor, et al. “Regulatory Mechanism of the Atypical AP-1-Like Transcription Factor Yap1 in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Msphere 4, no. 6 (November 20, 2019). https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00785-19.

PMID
31748248
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Kovanda, Laura L., Charles Giamberardino, Laura McEntee, Dena L. Toffaletti, Kelly S. Franke, Andrew Bartuska, Gordon Smilnak, et al. “Pharmacodynamics of Isavuconazole in a Rabbit Model of Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis.” Antimicrob Agents Chemother 63, no. 9 (September 2019). https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.00546-19.

PMID
31209006
Full Text

Hommel, Benjamin, Aude Sturny-Leclère, Stevenn Volant, Nathanaël Veluppillai, Magalie Duchateau, Chen-Hsin Yu, Véronique Hourdel, et al. “Correction: Cryptococcus neoformans resists to drastic conditions by switching to viable but non-culturable cell phenotype.” Plos Pathog 15, no. 9 (September 2019): e1008070. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008070.

PMID
31527911
Full Text

Jaeger, Martin, Vasiliki Matzaraki, Raúl Aguirre-Gamboa, Mark S. Gresnigt, Xiaojing Chu, Melissa D. Johnson, Marije Oosting, et al. “A Genome-Wide Functional Genomics Approach Identifies Susceptibility Pathways to Fungal Bloodstream Infection in Humans.” J Infect Dis 220, no. 5 (July 31, 2019): 862–72. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiz206.

PMID
31241743
Full Text

Hommel, Benjamin, Aude Sturny-Leclère, Stevenn Volant, Nathanaël Veluppillai, Magalie Duchateau, Chen-Hsin Yu, Véronique Hourdel, et al. “Cryptococcus neoformans resists to drastic conditions by switching to viable but non-culturable cell phenotype.” Plos Pathog 15, no. 7 (July 2019): e1007945. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1007945.

PMID
31356623
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Nguyen, M Hong, Cornelius J. Clancy, A William Pasculle, Peter G. Pappas, George Alangaden, George A. Pankey, Bryan H. Schmitt, et al. “Performance of the T2Bacteria Panel for Diagnosing Bloodstream Infections: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.” Ann Intern Med 170, no. 12 (June 18, 2019): 845–52. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-2772.

PMID
31083728
Full Text

Pages