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, Ann Arbor, 1975 - 1977
  • Intern, Riverside Methodist Hospital, 1974 - 1975
  • M.D., The University of Toledo, 1974

Grants

Publications

Thanh, Lam Tuan, Dena L. Toffaletti, Jennifer L. Tenor, Charles Giamberardino, Gregory D. Sempowski, Yohannes Asfaw, Hai Trieu Phan, et al. “Assessing the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans causing meningitis in HIV infected and uninfected patients in Vietnam.” Med Mycol 58, no. 8 (November 10, 2020): 1149–61. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myaa013.

PMID
32196550
Full Text

Ly, Vo Trieu, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Nguyen Thi Mai Thu, Jasper Chan, Jeremy N. Day, John Perfect, Cao Ngoc Nga, Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, and Thuy Le. “Occult Talaromyces marneffei Infection Unveiled by the Novel Mp1p Antigen Detection Assay.” Open Forum Infectious Diseases 7, no. 11 (November 2020): ofaa502. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaa502.

PMID
33269295
Full Text

Donnelly, J Peter, Sharon C. Chen, Carol A. Kauffman, William J. Steinbach, John W. Baddley, Paul E. Verweij, Cornelius J. Clancy, et al. “Revision and Update of the Consensus Definitions of Invasive Fungal Disease From the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium.” Clin Infect Dis 71, no. 6 (September 12, 2020): 1367–76. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciz1008.

PMID
31802125
Full Text

Rolfe, Robert, Wiley A. Schell, Becky Smith, Jacob Klapper, John R. Perfect, and Julia A. Messina. “Black mold takes hold and story told.” Med Mycol Case Rep 29 (September 2020): 12–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mmcr.2020.05.005.

PMID
32528839
Full Text

Johnson, Melissa D., Russell E. Lewis, Elizabeth S. Dodds Ashley, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Theoklis Zaoutis, George R. Thompson, David R. Andes, et al. “Core Recommendations for Antifungal Stewardship: A Statement of the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium.” J Infect Dis 222, no. Supplement_3 (August 5, 2020): S175–98. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa394.

PMID
32756879
Full Text

Pappas, Peter G., David R. Boulware, Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis, Marisa H. Miceli, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Andrej Spec, George R. Thompson, Sharon Chen, John R. Perfect, and John R. MSGERC investigators. “Clinical mycology today: A synopsis of the mycoses study group education and research consortium (MSGERC) second biennial meeting, September 27-30, 2018, Big Sky, Montana, a proposed global research agenda.” Med Mycol 58, no. 5 (July 1, 2020): 569–78. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myaa034.

PMID
32407483
Full Text

Thu, Nguyen T. M., Jasper F. W. Chan, Vo Trieu Ly, Hoa T. Ngo, Ha T. A. Hien, Nguyen P. H. Lan, Nguyen V. V. Chau, et al. “Superiority of a novel Mp1p antigen detection enzyme immunoassay compared to standard BACTEC blood culture in the diagnosis of talaromycosis.” Clin Infect Dis, June 21, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa826.

PMID
32564074
Full Text

Toplis, Barbra, Caylin Bosch, Ilan S. Schwartz, Chris Kenyon, Teun Boekhout, John R. Perfect, and Alfred Botha. “The virulence factor urease and its unexplored role in the metabolism of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fems Yeast Res 20, no. 4 (June 1, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1093/femsyr/foaa031.

PMID
32490521
Full Text

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

Pages