Infectious Diseases

John Robert Perfect, MD

Professor of Medicine
James B. Duke 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

Ashton, P. M., L. T. Thanh, P. H. Trieu, D. Van Anh, N. M. Trinh, J. Beardsley, F. Kibengo, et al. “Three phylogenetic groups have driven the recent population expansion of Cryptococcus neoformans..” Nat Commun 10, no. 1 (May 2, 2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10092-5.

PMID
31048698
Full Text

Sundermann, Alexander J., Cornelius J. Clancy, A William Pasculle, Guojun Liu, Richard B. Cumbie, Eileen Driscoll, Ashley Ayres, et al. “How Clean Is the Linen at My Hospital? The Mucorales on Unclean Linen Discovery Study of Large United States Transplant and Cancer Centers..” Clin Infect Dis 68, no. 5 (February 15, 2019): 850–53. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy669.

PMID
30299481
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Le, Thuy, Vo Trieu Ly, Nguyen Thi Mai Thu, Ashley Nguyen, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Guy Thwaites, John Perfect, Ruwanthi Kolamunnage-Dona, and William Hope. “Population Pharmacodynamics of Amphotericin B Deoxycholate for Disseminated Infection Caused by Talaromyces marneffei..” Antimicrob Agents Chemother 63, no. 2 (February 2019). https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.01739-18.

PMID
30420478
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Mourad, Ahmad, Jonathan A. Stiber, John R. Perfect, and Melissa D. Johnson. “Real-world implications of QT prolongation in patients receiving voriconazole and amiodarone..” J Antimicrob Chemother 74, no. 1 (January 1, 2019): 228–33. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dky392.

PMID
30295798
Full Text

Ponzio, Vinicius, Yuan Chen, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Jennifer L. Tenor, Dena L. Toffaletti, José Osmar Medina-Pestana, Arnaldo Lopes Colombo, and John R. Perfect. “Genotypic diversity and clinical outcome of cryptococcosis in renal transplant recipients in Brazil..” Emerg Microbes Infect 8, no. 1 (2019): 119–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2018.1562849.

PMID
30866766
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Kluyts, H. -. L., Y. le Manach, D. M. Munlemvo, F. Madzimbamuto, A. Basenero, Y. Coulibaly, S. Rakotoarison, et al. “The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications..” Br J Anaesth 121, no. 6 (December 2018): 1357–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2018.08.005.

PMID
30442264
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Fernandes, Kenya E., Adam Brockway, Miriam Haverkamp, Christina A. Cuomo, Floris van Ogtrop, John R. Perfect, and Dee A. Carter. “Phenotypic Variability Correlates with Clinical Outcome in Cryptococcus Isolates Obtained from Botswanan HIV/AIDS Patients..” Mbio 9, no. 5 (October 23, 2018). https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.02016-18.

PMID
30352938
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Messina, Julia A., Cameron R. Wolfe, Marion Hemmersbach-Miller, Carmelo Milano, Jamie L. Todd, John Reynolds, Barbara D. Alexander, Wiley A. Schell, Christina A. Cuomo, and John R. Perfect. “Genomic characterization of recurrent mold infections in thoracic transplant recipients..” Transpl Infect Dis 20, no. 5 (October 2018). https://doi.org/10.1111/tid.12935.

PMID
29851203
Full Text

Smilnak, Gordon J., Lefko T. Charalambous, Drew Cutshaw, Alykhan M. Premji, Charles D. Giamberardino, Christi G. Ballard, Andrew P. Bartuska, et al. “Novel Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis via Neurapheresis Therapy..” J Infect Dis 218, no. 7 (August 24, 2018): 1147–54. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy286.

PMID
29788431
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Shaw, Karen Joy, Wiley A. Schell, Jonathan Covel, Gisele Duboc, C. Giamberardino, Mili Kapoor, Molly Moloney, et al. “In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of APX001A/APX001 and Other Gwt1 Inhibitors against Cryptococcus.” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 62, no. 8 (August 1, 2018). https://doi.org/10.1128/ACC00523;e00523-18.

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