Infectious Disease

Emphasizing a culture of discovery and innovation, we are committed to reducing the impact of infectious diseases, giving every child the opportunity to thrive.

Our Vision

To translate knowledge into care by reducing the impact of infectious diseases, giving every child the opportunity to thrive.

Our Mission

We are researchers & clinicians based at Emory University, who work collaboratively with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Grady Health System, and the Atlanta Clinical & Translational Science Institute to optimize the care of children with infectious diseases by improving diagnosis, treatment and vaccination strategies.

In close proximity to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Rollins School of Public Health and the Carter Center, we are committed to advancing the care of children both locally and globally.
We are dedicated to training the next generation of clinicians and researchers who will advance the vision, mission and values of our Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division.

Our Values

P - Prevent infectious diseases
E - Educate the next generation of researchers & clinicians
D - Develop diagnostics
S - Share advances with colleagues & the community
I - Innovate with research & Clinical Care
D - Develop strategies to improve the care of children & communities in which they reside

Over 50 fellows in Pediatric Infectious Disease and 20 post-doctoral Ph.D. fellows have trained with us. Faculty members have participated as visiting professors, speakers or chairs in over 200 institutions in the US and more than 100 abroad. They have contributed over 300 peer-reviewed journal publications, more than 90 book chapters and authored 4 books. Division members have had continuous federal grant support, institutional grants, eleven CDC grants and one U.S. Army grant. Non-governmental funding includes: March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Stanley Foundation, and the Macy Foundation. More than sixty clinical trials have been supported by pharmaceutical companies.

We look forward, as always, to seeing the next chapter unfold.

Andrea Shane, MD, MPH, MSc
Marcus Professor, Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
Division Chief, Pediatric Infectious Disease

News Feature Infection and vaccine-induced neutralizing antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.1 variant

SARS-CoV-2 has caused a devastating global pandemic. The recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that are less sensitive to neutralization by convalescent sera or vaccine-induced neutralizing antibody responses has raised concerns. A second wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in India is leading to the expansion of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

News Feature Evaluation of Cellular and Serological Responses to Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection Demonstrates the Functional Importance of the Receptor-Binding Domain

The factors that control the development of an effective immune response to the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 virus are poorly understood. In this study, we provide a cross-sectional analysis of the dynamics of B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Retropharyngeal Edema and Neck Pain in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-c)

We defined the prevalence of neck pain, trismus, or dysphagia (28.4%) and retropharyngeal edema (2.9%) among 137 patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-c). Retropharyngeal edema or phlegmon has been documented radiologically in at least 9 children. Symptoms of neck inflammation are common in MIS-c.

CD8 lymphocyte depletion enhances the latency reversal activity of the SMAC mimetic AZD5582 in ART-suppressed SIV-infected rhesus macaques

Inducing latency reversal to reveal infected cells to the host immune system represents a potential strategy to cure HIV infection. In separate studies, we have previously shown that CD8+ T cells may contribute to the maintenance of viral latency and identified a novel SMAC mimetic/IAP inhibitor (AZD5582) capable of reversing HIV/SIV latency in vivo by activating the non-canonical (nc) NF-κB pathway.