CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS
Infectious Disease Case Conference takes place for 90 minutes every Monday afternoon. Fellows who are currently on the outpatient consultation service present selected cases. These cases are usually presented in segments, with faculty being asked to develop an approach to the case and discuss interpretation of clinical data, differential diagnosis and management and pathophysiology, appropriate use of technology and prevention. The fellow then presents a definitive discussion of some aspect of the case, with the discussion accompanied by a formal handout. Two such cases are usually presented at each meeting. Cases are regularly presented from the Pediatric Infectious Disease Service and are occasionally presented by extramural fellows or faculty. A third “management” case involving a patient currently being followed by the consultation service is also discussed. This case is presented in its entirety, and the audience is asked for advice. A clinical microbiologist is present weekly at the conference and contributes to the discussion of the cases while providing visual data in the form of Gram stains, biopsy slides, special stains, etc. from the clinical laboratory to illustrate cases. Surgical pathology is also presented at the conference on a regular basis.
The Infectious Diseases Didactic Lecture Series takes place at noon on Tuesdays three out of four weeks. Lectures are presented by faculty. The topics are selected by the third year fellows and usually cover the spectrum of infectious disease over a two to three year interval. Lectures specifically devoted to issues in tropical medicine are included.
The Infectious Diseases and Biodefense Research Conference takes place on the first Tuesday of each month at noon. Fellows and graduate students present their research in progress, which is then open to critical discussion by faculty.
The Infectious Diseases and Biodefense Research in Progress Seminar takes place one evening each month. One senior and one junior investigator present work in progress. Fellows are exposed to much of the research in the Infectious Disease division and within our affiliated basic science departments.
Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal Club takes place at noon on the first and third Fridays of each month. Fellows and faculty are assigned responsibility for specific journals. Each fellow reviews the journal and presents articles of interest. A small handout is usually provided. The discussion focuses on critical evaluation and interpretation of the infectious disease literature.
Microbial Pathogenesis Journal Club meets the second and fourth Fridays of each month and discusses articles related to the basic science aspects of microbial pathogenesis and interaction with host defenses. Topics from this year's program included:
HIV Viral replication
HIV Modulation of host cell biology
Tropheryma whipplei Intracelluar survival
Legionella Role of small GTP proteins/intracellular life
H. pylori Host phosphatases as target
Burkholderia cepacia Interactions with host cells
Enteropathogenic E. coli Modifications of host cells by bacteria
N. gonorrhoeae Invasion
B. anthracis Anthrax toxin
The Infectious Diseases Research Retreat occurs every spring. This half-day event includes research presentations by each of the fellows and graduate students supported by the training grant.
The Internal Medicine Research Day is a departmental event occurring each spring. Each of the fellows gives an oral or poster presentation.
More detailed schedule information can be found on the Infectious Diseases Seminars and Events webpage.