Division of Infectious Diseases

Nebraska ID Society Trainee Abstract Competition

The Nebraska Infectious Diseases Society is looking forward to hosting the 4th annual meeting and trainee abstract competition on Friday August 15, 2025, at the World-Famous Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo!

Last year more than 30 students, residents, and fellows presented their case reports and research.

Are you a trainee in Nebraska with an interest in Infectious Diseases? This is a perfect opportunity to submit a new clinical case or scholarly project, or present work submitted to a national conference. You will also get some feedback about presentation before time to present on the national stage!

The Nebraska ID Society Education committee welcomes abstract submissions from medical and pharmacy students, residents, and fellows enrolled in Nebraska training programs. Submit your abstract here.

The top two abstracts will be selected for oral presentation, and the best poster presentations in the research and clinical vignette categories will receive special recognition. The presenting author will receive complimentary registration to the meeting. The submission link has information about abstract guidelines and requirements.

2024 Case Vignette winners Sarah Uhm and Kari Shad (Havyer) giving their winning abstract oral presentation

Click this link to submit your abstract. More information below.

Timeline

Abstracts must be submitted by midnight on May 31st, 2025.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance by June 30th, 2025.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Submitter must be a currently enrolled trainee in a Nebraska health professions training program
Include abstract title and list all authors.
Should not contain tables, charts, or pictures.
No more than 3000 characters (including spaces; title, author, and affiliations not included in character count).
Include supervising mentor as the senior author.
Submit abstracts by May 31, 2025. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
Posters that have been presented at other conferences within the past year or those who plan to present at future conferences in the next year may be submitted
Posters must be educational and must not promote any commercial product or service.
Abstracts submitted to a prior NIDS meeting or representing work published prior to submission will NOT be accepted.

Poster Guidelines

NIDS will supply boards (36″ x 48″) to hang posters. Posters should be no larger than 36″ x 48″ to fit on the board/easel.
The poster can be horizontal or vertical.
Presenters will receive additional information about poster set up after abstract disposition.
Presenters will have 5 minutes to concisely present their posters for judging.

Abstract Review Guidelines

RESEARCH
- Background & Research Question/Aims: Background provides appropriate perspective/context for the subject. Research question(s), aims or hypotheses are clearly stated
- Methods: Research design/methods/modeling is appropriate and transparent; Data sources and/or sampling procedures are clear and appropriate
- Results: Factual information is kept separate from interpretations or implications
- Scientific Merit and Relevance: Has a high impact on the institution and ability for generalization
- Originality: Innovative and presented in an unbiased manner
VIGNETTE
- Background: A brief general description of the medical condition
- Case History: Briefly summarized patient’s presentation, workup, diagnosis, and treatment. Discussed key points of the case presented in a clear, organized, and easy to read fashion.
- Originality: Innovative and presented in an unbiased manner
- Clinical Impact/Teaching Value: How useful is the case as a teaching tool? How significant or relevant were the conclusions in increasing understanding of a disease process, or in improving the diagnosis or treatment of a disease?
- Case Novelty: Does the case represent a rare condition or rare presentation of a common condition?

Submit your abstracts today!

Submit your abstract today!

Nebraska ID Society to Hold 4th Annual Meeting

The Nebraska Infectious Diseases Society is excited to announce the date of this year’s annual meeting, which promises to be a local destination event! Save the date and join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and the latest updates in the field of infectious diseases. This in-person event will take place at the World-Famous Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo on Friday, August 15th, 2025, providing a comfortable and professional setting for attendees to connect and learn from each other, and option for enjoying the zoo after the meeting.

A large geodesic dome structure with a glass and metal framework, set against a bright blue sky. The dome is surrounded by a landscaped area with trees, shrubs, and a walkway. Patches of snow cover the ground, indicating a winter setting. The structure appears to be part of a public space, possibly a botanical garden or zoo exhibit — Desert Dome at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Here’s what you can expect at this year’s meeting:

Riveting presentations focused on one-health, Nebraska health, and hot topics
Infectious diseases experts across the spectrum of our specialty: infection prevention/hospital epidemiology, antimicrobial stewardship, pediatric infections, public health, microbiology/pathology/laboratory medicine, and more!
Outstanding trainee oral and poster presentations
Opportunities to network with exhibitors and learn about what’s new in industry
Annual Business Meeting (Members only)
Delicious food and snacks throughout the day

Save the date August 15, 2025, and stay tuned for more information about registration information!

For trainees interested in participating in the abstract competition, learn more and submit your abstract here!

Research Digest – Central Venous Catheter Infections

Research Digest is a periodic installment that recognizes the world-class clinical research performed right here at UNMC ID. Today, we review two recent articles highlighting prevention and identification of central venous catheter contamination or infection. As always, check out the linked full articles for more details.

In vitro assessment of effect of initial specimen diversion device on detection of central venous catheter contamination or colonization. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an initial specimen diversion device (ISDD) in reducing contamination of central venous catheter (CVC) blood cultures. Using an in vitro model, researchers simulated CVC colonization and contamination and compared standard blood culture methods with ISDD. The ISDD detected 100% of colonized CVCs while reducing false-positive cultures from 36% to 16%.

Colonization models showed that while both methods detected bacteria, ISDD cultures had significantly lower bacterial loads and longer time-to-positivity (TTP), indicating exclusion of the heavily colonized initial blood sample. The contamination model demonstrated a 56% reduction in contamination rates with ISDD use, though statistical significance was not reached (p = 0.196).

Findings suggest that ISDD use may enhance the specificity of CVC blood cultures by reducing contamination while maintaining sensitivity. Given the clinical burden of blood culture contamination—leading to unnecessary antibiotics, catheter removals, and prolonged hospital stays—the study supports further clinical trials to assess ISDD utility in obtaining blood cultures via CVCs. Read the full article here.

Utilizing whole genome sequencing to characterize central line-associated bloodstream infections due to Staphylococcus epidermidis. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2025.

This study applied whole genome sequencing (WGS) to differentiate true catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) from blood culture contamination in 14 cases of Staphylococcus epidermidis central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). WGS analysis showed disparate strains in 42.9% of cases, suggesting contamination, while clinical review suggested contamination in 57.1% of cases.

Researchers analyzed 42 S. epidermidis isolates from peripheral blood and central venous catheters (CVCs) from 14 patients at a 680-bed academic hospital who were classified as having a CLABSI per CDC criteria. Clinical review categorized cases as likely CRBSI, likely contamination, or ambiguous. WGS determined strain relatedness to definitively classify strains as identical or disparate. Identical strains in peripheral and CVC cultures were suggestive of true infection, whereas disparate strains indicated contamination. In 69.2% of cases, WGS and clinical assessments aligned; however, in four cases, clinical assessment favored contamination while WGS suggested true infection.

The findings highlight the limitations of traditional CLABSI definitions, which may overdiagnose infections due to blood culture contamination. WGS can improve diagnostic precision by distinguishing true infections from contaminants, potentially refining CLABSI surveillance metrics and antibiotic stewardship. Further studies are needed to integrate WGS into routine clinical decision-making. Read the full article here.

*We are trying a new approach using AI to help summarize articles. These publications were summarized by ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/) and approved by the authors. There is always room for improvement. Let us know if we got it right, or if we got it wrong!*

Research Digest – HIV and STI updates

Research Digest is a periodic installment that recognizes the world-class clinical research performed right here at UNMC ID. Today, we review two recent articles highlighting STI post-exposure prophylaxis and HIV treatment in patients with substance use disorders. As always, check out the linked full articles for more details.

Utilization of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis at a Midwestern United States HIV/PrEP Clinic. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, January 30, 2025 (Editor’s Choice)

This study assessed doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) prescribing and adherence to CDC guidelines at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Specialty Care Center (UNMC SCC). Doxy PEP reduces sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Treponema pallidum.

Researchers retrospectively analyzed prescriptions from March 2023 to February 2024 for adherence to recommended follow-ups and STI screenings. Among 90 patients (97.8% male, average age 38.6), 70% received doxy PEP per protocol, while 30% had non-adherent prescriptions, primarily due to missed STI screenings (89%), particularly for syphilis.

The median prescription was five doses, with a median 32% coverage of days. While 13% of patients were diagnosed with an STI during doxy PEP use, syphilis incidence was significantly lower compared to the clinic’s background rate (1.8% vs. 6.9%, p = 0.01). Missed screenings, possibly due to cost barriers, pose a challenge to doxy PEP’s effectiveness and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance risks.

The study highlights the need for affordable STI screening, routine monitoring, and individualized prescribing to optimize doxy PEP’s impact on STI prevention. Read the full article here.

Sara Bares, MD, photographed with the Kaneko columns on Medical Center Plaza on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. — Josh Havens, PharmD

Week 96 Results of Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide for HIV Treatment in People With Substance Use Disorders. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, December 20, 2024

The BASE study evaluated the long-term efficacy and adherence of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in people with HIV and substance use disorders (PWH/SUD). At 96 weeks, viral suppression (HIV RNA <50 copies/mL) declined to 44% (intent-to-treat), with adherence decreasing by 18% compared to the first 48 weeks. Despite lower adherence, no treatment-emergent resistance was observed, supporting B/F/TAF’s high barrier to resistance. Retention in care remained stable at 83.7%, but substance use, particularly methamphetamines, persisted in 83% of participants.

Higher adherence (≥4 doses/week) significantly increased the likelihood of viral suppression (84% vs. 16%, p <0.01). Participants who lost suppression at week 96 had a 55% decline in adherence. Adverse events were common (53.5%), though none were attributed to B/F/TAF. Syphilis was the most frequently diagnosed infection (11.6%), and neuropsychiatric events occurred in 7%. Despite adherence challenges, B/F/TAF remained effective and well tolerated in this high-risk population.

The findings underscore the need for adherence support, substance use treatment, and social interventions to optimize HIV outcomes in PWH/SUD. Read the full article here.

Welcoming our new Division Chief – Dr. David Warren

We are pleased to welcome our new UNMC ID Division Chief, Dr. David Warren. Dr. Warren succeeds Dr. Mark Rupp, who served as Division Chief since 2011.

Dr. Warren comes to us from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, where he was the director of the Clinical Research Training Center, director of the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation Program, and Hospital Epidemiologist for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. University leaders including Dean Bradley Britigan, immediate past IM Department Chair Dr. Debra Romberger, and interim Department Chair Dr. Mark Rupp all praise Dr. Warren’s reputation of leadership and excellence in clinical research, education and mentorship, and clinical expertise, which will support and enhance the strong reputation of our division as we move into this new era. He has a keen interest and wealth of experience in mentoring trainees and junior faculty as we grow the next generation of infectious diseases physicians and scholars. Read on to get to know more about Dr. Warren!

Tell us a little about your background.

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I was a molecular and cell biology major at Penn State. My original plan was to get a PhD, but after a summer internship at the NIH where, on my first day of work, I had to sacrifice about 100 rats for a gene therapy study, I re-evaluated my goals. I attended the University of Pittsburgh for medical school, before going to Washington University in St. Louis for internal medicine residency and infectious diseases fellowship. I have conducted clinical research in the epidemiology and prevention of healthcare-associated related infections, particularly device- and procedure-related infections. I have a clinical interest in orthopedic infectious diseases. On a personal note, my wife is an internist – we met during residency. I have two children – my daughter, who lives in Pheonix, and my son who is currently a sophomore at the University of Colorado.

Why did you choose UNMC?

I am very excited to join the Infectious Diseases Division. The faculty at UNMC excel in many areas of clinical care and research, including transplant ID, orthopedic ID, the care of individuals living with HIV, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and biopreparedness, just to name a few. They serve as experts and leaders on national and international committees and panels. But most importantly, there is a spirit of support and camaraderie in the division. I felt it when I was interviewing for my position, and when I met several faculty and fellows at ID Week in October.

What about ID makes you excited?

The field of infectious diseases is never dull. ID specialists think of the whole patient. To us, social history is a critical part of our assessment. We often work with vulnerable individuals, and see firsthand how social determinants of health impact the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Some of the accomplishments that I have been most proud of have been my work in healthcare epidemiology and the prevention of catheter-associated bloodstream infections. Since infections are often a consequence of system issues, ID specialists are in an ideal position to advocate for changes at a population level.

Tell us something interesting about yourself unrelated to medicine.

I enjoy the outdoors. One of my favorite vacations I have had was when my wife and I were residents and took a two-week trip to Colorado and Utah to go hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Gunnison Wilderness Area, and Arches National Park. I have done winter hikes in the Rocky Mountains. I have taken several weekend bicycle trips on the KATY Trail in Missouri.

Dr. Rupp’s final End of Year Reflection as Division Chief

As we wind down 2024 and look forward to 2025, it is appropriate to spend some time in reflection.

I am immensely proud of the UNMC ID Division and our contributions and accomplishments in 2024 – truly a great team effort! UNMC ID faculty were recognized within the organization and community, as well as nationally and internationally, for our expertise and delivery of compassionate patient care, effective education, innovative research, and valuable service. The faculty could not have accomplished the mission without the tremendous assistance of our provider colleagues, research personnel, and administrative support. Again, UNMC ID was near the top of the list of internal medicine divisions in terms of publications, grants and contracts, and awards for teaching and service. Keep up the great work in 2025!

For me personally, 2025 will be bittersweet as I stepdown from the ID Division Chief position. It has been an incredible honor for me to serve as the Chief for nearly the past 14 years and to see the Division flourish and rise to such great heights. It gives me great comfort to know the Division is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory and I have full faith that with the leadership of the new Chief, Dr. David Warren, the ID Division will continue to exceed expectations. One thing for sure, there will be a friendly presence in Chair’s office as I serve my stint as Interim Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.

My warmest wishes to the UNMC ID Division family for a joyous holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2025!

Dr. Mark Rupp: Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation and Impact

On December 31, our UNMC ID Division Chief Dr. Mark Rupp will step down from this role and assume a new position as interim Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. We celebrate his legacy in our ID Division and look forward to his continued leadership of the department during this interim period. Many Thanks to our outstanding Division Administrator Libby Morgan, for writing this heartfelt tribute message on behalf of the UNMC ID Division.

For the last 14 years, Dr. Mark Rupp has been dedicated to leading the UNMC Infectious Diseases Division with unwavering commitment, unparalleled expertise, and a compassionate heart. Dr. Rupp has not only been a brilliant physician and leader but also a mentor, a guide, and a true inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him

For over a decade and a half, Dr. Rupp has shaped the landscape of infectious disease care, and the culture of our entire team. Over the last 14 years, the Infectious Diseases division has grown, adapted, and thrived in the face of challenges, from local outbreaks to global pandemics. His steady hand, keen intellect, and profound dedication to both patient care and medical education have been the cornerstone of our success.

Dr. Rupp has a unique ability to make complex concepts clear, instill confidence in those around him, and bring out the best in everyone. Whether guiding a newly minted fellow through their first difficult case or offering wisdom to a seasoned colleague facing tough decisions, Dr. Rupp’s approach has always been one of patience, kindness, and unwavering support.

But it is not just his clinical expertise that sets Dr. Rupp apart. His unwavering compassion for patients, dedication to advancing research, and tireless work to improve public health outcomes makes him an irreplaceable force within our institution. Under his leadership, our division has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research, patient advocacy, and efforts to reduce health disparities, often in the most difficult and uncertain of times.

As we look back on 15 years of service, we are reminded of the countless lives touched by Dr. Rupp’s expertise and humanity. We are reminded of the long hours, the difficult cases, and the moments of triumph, both big and small, that have defined our shared journey. Dr. Rupp has been a steady source of inspiration for all of us, always pushing us to be better, to learn more, and to give our very best to our patients and to each other.

Thank you, Dr. Rupp, for your vision, your leadership, and your unwavering dedication to our division, our patients, and our profession. Your impact will be felt for many years to come, and we are privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside you. You have truly set a standard of excellence that will continue to inspire and guide us for generations.

At our final division meeting of 2024, we had the opportunity to surprise Dr. Rupp with a little tribute! As we usher in the new year with Dr. Rupp as our new interim chair, those of us in our ID Division feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from him as the fearless leader of the Division of Infectious Diseases, and others may have witnessed his influence and leadership more directly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We look expectantly towards 2025 with admiration for the past, anticipation for the future, and most importantly, appreciation for the present. Thank you, Dr. Rupp!

UNMC ID Ranks Highly in World Science Citations

_{From left to right: Dr. Diana Florescu, Dr. Alison Freifeld, Dr. Andre Kalil, Dr. Mark Rupp, and Dr. Susan Swindells}

As we round out the year, the UNMC ID blog would like to take a moment to recognize the academic successes of those in our Division. We routinely feature ground-breaking research from UNMC ID faculty though our Research Digest post series (see these posts here), and we are very lucky to have such amazing, productive, and insightful researchers in our Division.

As recently reported in UNMC Today, updated analysis of paper citations using a standardized citation metric identified over 100 UNMC researchers as top-cited in the world. Among these were multiple current and former members of UNMC ID, including: Dr. Diana Florescu, Dr. Alison Freifeld, Dr. Andre Kalil, Dr. Mark Rupp, and Dr. Susan Swindells! These rankings identify the top 100,000 scientists (by citations and extrapolated impact) across all fields and institutions. Given that there is an estimated more than 8.8 million scientists in the world, this places these individuals near the top 1% of researchers- a huge achievement.

However, the authors of this analysis admit that, “If an author is not on the list it is simply because the composite indicator value was not high enough to appear on the list. It does not mean that the author does not do good work…Citation metrics have limitations.” Therefore, we celebrate all of the fantastic scientists and work out of UNMC ID this year and thank everyone for their dedication to the advancement of ID practice, science, and the field at large!

UNMC ID’s Dr. Fadul Recognized by the NIH Office of Research on Woman’s Health

A huge congratulations to Dr. Nada Fadul, who was recently featured in the the NIH Office of Research on Woman’s Health’s quarterly publication: Woman’s Heath In Focus at NIH. The article explores Dr. Fadul’s work advancing long-acting antiretroviral medications, especially for women living in rural areas. See below for a snapshot of the feature, and here to check out the full story (see page 5).

“So much attention is focused on racial disparities among men living with HIV that disparities among women are sometimes overlooked, says Nada Fadul, M.D., who serves as assistant dean and professor of medicine in the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and medical director of the UNMC Specialty Care Center. Yet, disparities among women are often stark. In Nebraska, for example, Black women are diagnosed with HIV at eight times the rate of White women. Although effective antiviral regimens are available, multiple social and structural factors can reduce women’s ability to adhere to therapy and maintain viral suppression, including substance use, lack of health insurance or health care access, and intimate partner violence. In addition, health care access can be particularly challenging for women living in rural areas.

Dr. Fadul is now testing a new program to facilitate access to long-acting antiviral injections, taken every 2 months, at rural clinics. Women living in rural areas often cannot drive for hours every 2 months to receive their injections, so this program is providing injectables to local clinics and then using telehealth to monitor for viral suppression and side effects. One area Dr. Fadul would like to see explored further is promoting a sense of self-efficacy among women living with HIV. Researchers have found that higher self-efficacy corresponds to better treatment adherence and viral suppression among women. She shared that clinicians and other health care workers should do more while “working with women living with HIV to improve their self- efficacy and to empower them to see themselves as still beautiful, still worthy, still effective, still contributing to the society in a positive way while living with HIV.”

Congrats Dr. Fadul! Understanding and correcting HIV woman’s health disparities is a critically important effort, and your work does not go unnoticed (by us or the NIH). Thank you for all you do for patients, HIV care, and the ID community!

UNMC ID Recognizes National Influenza Vaccination Week

This week (December 2nd-6th, 2024) is National Influenza Vaccination Week. It is a time to spread awareness about, and celebrate, one of the most successful public health interventions.

As the CDC notes:

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a critical opportunity to remind everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this flu season by getting their annual flu vaccine if they have not already. CDC data shows that flu vaccination coverage was lower last season, especially among certain higher risk groups, including children. When you get a flu vaccine, you reduce your risk of illness, and flu-related hospitalization if you do get sick. This week is meant to remind people that there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine today.

While vaccine coverage was lower last season, there are also many things to celebrate regarding vaccination efforts. By the numbers:

For the 2022–2023 flu season, the CDC estimated that flu vaccination prevented:
- 6 million flu-related illnesses in the U.S.
- 2.9 million medical visits
- 65,000 hospitalizations
- 3,700 deaths.
Added to the estimated 64,000 lives saved in the 12 years prior, the flu vaccine is clearly a critical and effective component of healthcare.
All vaccination efforts in sum have been estimated to save over 154 million lives in the past 50 years!

Here at UNMC ID, we recognize the importance and the success of the influenza vaccine. Influenza viruses are constantly shifting. Additionally, your protection from last years vaccine wanes over time. Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to reduce your risk from flu. Help prevent illness, hospitalization, and deaths- talk to your healthcare provider and get a flu vaccination today.