Research

AHN Research Retreat 2023
Dr. George Bchech, 1st Place Case Report
Dr. Adriana Betancourth, 1st Place QI
Dr. Matt Moffa, 2nd Place, Oral Presentation

Fellows are introduced within the curriculum to research design, statistics, and study interpretations, as well as critical review of literature to acquire skills that foster lifelong learning.

Physicians in training, with guidance from faculty members of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, have contributed to the writing of manuscripts and publications in peer reviewed journals and have participated in poster presentations at national conferences, including ID Week and ATS.

Fellows in our program can take full advantage of the following resources:

• Elective Research Time - Fellows receive protected time away from rotations to complete key research-oriented tasks.
• Travel Grants – Fellows receive funding to help relieve the cost of travel and conference expenses when presenting their work.
• Academic Support - Fellows can count on support from dedicated faculty in the form of reviewing and critiquing their work, offering revisions and editorial assistance, and staging mock presentations of their work.
• Research Conference – This monthly meeting provides a forum to discuss ongoing and upcoming research projects. This is also an opportunity to teach fellows how to formulate a research question and design and complete a project.
• Research and Scholarship Day - Fellows have the opportunity to present their work at this internal poster competition. In addition to circulating their work and networking across the Medicine Institute at Allegheny Health Network, residents and fellows compete for prizes.

Medicine Institute Trainee Research Day May 2024
Dr. Adriana Betancourth, 2^nd Place QI
Dr. Ryan Rothman, Finalist, Case Report

Select Publications

Published in 2023

Holden K, Rao S, White R, Bangash S, Magdula A, Schmetzer A, Sangli S, Ivanova V, Balaan M. Hematologic and Oncologic Emergencies. Crit Care Nurse Q. 2023 Jan-Mar;46(1):100-113. PMID: 36415070.

Keller SC, Hannum SM, Weems K, Oladapo-Shittu O, Salinas AB, Marsteller JA, Gurses AP, Klein EY, Shpitser I, Crnich CJ, Bhanot N. Rock C, Cosgrove SE; Home Infusion CLABSI Prevention Collaborative. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Apr 20:1-12: doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.70. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37078467.

Ogbebor O, Tariq S, Jabel T, Super J, Bhanot N, Rana S, Malik K. Neurological Emergencies in the Intensive Care Unit. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2023 Jan – Mar 01;46(1):17-34. PMID: 36415065.

Saini V, Ashraf O, Babowice J, Hamilton HA, Khan U, Bhanot N. Surgical Emergencies in the ICU. Crit Care Nurse Q. 2023 Jan-Mar 01; 46(1):48-65. PMID: 36415067.

Saini V, Como J, Abdulmassih R, Min Z, Bhanot N.  Utility of Direct Specimen Sequencing in Addition to Conventional Testing in Management of Infections in an Urban Referral Health Center.  2023 May 4; 8(3): 559-567.  PMID: 36759952.

Wrynn A, Bhanot N.  A case of fever in a returning traveler.  J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2023 June 1. Doi: 10.1097.  Online ahead of print.  PMID: 37260274.

Published in 2022

Attah A, Uchin J, Mount C, Min Z, Bhanot N. Atypical Herpetic Rash: 'Knife-Cut' Sign. Am J Med. 2022 Mar;135(3):327-330. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.10.004. Epub 2021 Oct 27. PMID: 34715062.

Bhalodi AA, MacVane SH, Ford B, Ince D, Kinn PM, Percival KM, Bremmer DN, Carr Dr, Walsh TL, Bhatti MM. Real-World Impact of the Accelerate PhenoTest BC Kit on Patients With Bloodstream Infections in the Improving Outcomes and Antimicrobial Stewardship Study: A Quasiexperimental Multicenter Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2022 Aug 25;75(2):269-277. PMID: 34718456.

Cain AR, Finoli LM, Guarascio A, Ogbebor O, Shively NR, Andrea T, Bremmer DN. Ceftaroline Pharmacokinetics in a Critically Ill Adult Receiving Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration. Ann Pharmacother. 2022 Aug;56(8):965-966. doi: 10.1177/10600280211053868. Epub 2021 Oct 28. PMID: 34711073.

Magdula A, Nestasie M, Link C, Lander MM, Jandhyala D, Lee C, Kanwar M. Tackling the paradox of orthotopic heart transplantation from SARS-CoV-2 positive donors: A single center experience. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2022 Nov;41(11):1650-1653. PMID: 36050205.

Min Z, Alvarez G, Rao S, Khoury F, Cheema T, Bhanot N, Bishop HS, Qvarnstrom Y, Sapp SGH, Cantey PT. A Bicyclist’s Tale. Clin Infect Dis. 2022 Sep 10;75(4):729-731. PMID: 36087346.

Min Z, Saini V, Mount CE, Bhanot N. Type II minocycline-induced cutaneous and scleral hyperpigmentation. Intern Emerg Med. 2022 Mar;17(2):569-571. doi: 10.1007/s11739-021-02853-2. Epub 2021 Sep 21. PMID: 34549380.

Moffa MA, Shively NR, Walsh TL. Characteristics of Postvaccination Coronavirus Disease 2019 Hospitalizations Prior to Booster Vaccines. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Feb 4;9(4):ofac014. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac014. PMID: 35308487; PMCID: PMC8903381.

Moffa MA, Shively NR, Carr DR, Bremmer DN, Buchanan C, Trienski TL, Jacobs MW, Saini V, Walsh TL. Description of Hospitalizations due to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Based on Vaccination Status. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Aug 25;9(9). PMID: 36092825.

Rothman R, Saini V, Min Z, Bhanot N. Brain abscess associated with Mycoplasma faucium – The initiation presentation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. ID Cases. 2022 Jul 14;29e01575. PMID: 35865084.

Saini V, Balikani L, Ahn J, Min Z, Bhanot N. Axillary lymphadenopathy in a liver transplant recipient: Initial manifestation of disseminated cryptococcosis. IDCases. 2022 Feb 1;27:e01437. doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2022.e01437. PMID: 35145867; PMCID: PMC8819122.

Saini V, Shah A, Jaber T, Como J, Min Z, Bhanot N. Scedosporium apiospermum mediastinitis in an orthotopic heart transplant recipient. IJID Reg. 2022 Sep 28;5:117-120. PMID: 36277499.

Shively NR, Jacobs MW, Moffa MA, Schorr RE, Walsh TL. Factors Associated with Acceptance of Telehealth-Based Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Recommendations in a Community Hospital Health System. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Sep 3;9(9). PMID: 36168548.

IDSA Week 2023

Published in 2018

Bremmer DN, DiSilvio BE, Hammer C, Beg M, Vishwanathan S, Speredelozzi D, Moffa MA, Hu K, Abdulmassih R, Makadia JT, Sandhu R, Naddour M, Chan-Tompkins NH, Trienski TL, Watson C, Obringer TJ, Kuzyck J, Walsh TL. Impact of Procalcitonin Guidance on Management of Adults Hospitalized with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations. J Gen Intern Med. 2018 May;33(5):692-697. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4312-2

Bremmer DN, Trienski TL, Walsh TL, Moffa MA. Role of Technology in Antimicrobial Stewardship.Med Clin North Am. 2018 Sep;102(5):955-963. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2018.05.007. Epub 2018 Jul 14. Review.

Bremmer DN, Shively NR, Walsh TL. Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Use. N Engl J Med. 2018 Nov 15;379(20):1972. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1811150.

Moffa MA, Walsh TL, Tang A, Bremmer DN. Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program on healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile rates at a community-based teaching hospital.J Infect Prev. 2018 Jul;19(4):191-194. doi: 10.1177/1757177418767760. Epub 2018 May 19.

Walsh TL, DiSilvio BE, Hammer C, Beg M, Vishwanathan S, Speredelozzi D, Moffa MA, Hu K, Abdulmassih R, Makadia JT, Sandhu R, Naddour M, Chan-Tompkins NH, Trienski TL, Watson C, Obringer TJ, Kuzyck J, Bremmer DN.

Impact of Procalcitonin Guidance with an Educational Program on Management of Adults Hospitalized with Pneumonia. Am J Med. 2018 Feb;131(2):201.e1-201.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.08.039.

Walsh TL, Bean HR, Kaplan RB. Neisseria cinerea bacteremia in a patient receiving eculizumab: a case report. Infection. 2018 Apr;46(2):271-274. doi: 10.1007/s15010-017-1090-4

Published in 2017

Hampe HM, Graper L, Hayes-Leight K, Olszewski D, Moffa M, Bremmer DN. Accurate Identification of Infection Source in Burn Trauma Patients With Central Line Infection to Determine Appropriate Treatment Option As Well As Proper Public Reporting. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2017 Jan/Mar;40(1):16-23.

Min Z, Veer M, Rali P, Singh A, Bhanot N. Early-onset de novo invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in an orthotopic heart transplant recipient. Lung India. 2017 Jul-Aug;34(4):376-379. doi: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_454_16.

Min Z, Garcia RR, Murillo M, Uchin JM, Bhanot N. Vancomycin-associated Henoch-Schönlein purpura.J Infect Chemother. 2017 Mar;23(3):180-184. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2016.08.012. Epub 2016 Sep 25.

Sandhu R, Mareddy C, Itskowitz M, Mount CE, Bhanot N, Min Z. Mycoplasma-induced rash and mucositis in a young patient with red eyes, oral mucositis, and targetoid cutaneous vesicles. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 May;17(5):562. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(16)30515-1.

Rapsinski GJ, Makadia J, Bhanot N, Min Z.
Pseudomonas mendocina native valve infective endocarditis: a case report.
J Med Case Rep. 2016 Oct 4;10(1):275.

Veer M, Abdulmassih R, Como J, Min Z, Bhanot N. Adenoviral nephritis in a renal transplant recipient: Case report and literature review. Transpl Infect Dis. 2017 May 3. doi: 10.1111/tid.12716.

Walsh TL, Bremmer DN, Moffa MA, Chan-Tompkins NH, Murillo MA, Chan L, Burkitt MJ, Konopka CI, Watson C, Trienski TL.Effect of Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Guidance on the Management of Uncomplicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Hospitalized Adults. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes. 2017 Apr 28;1(1):91-99. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2017.04.002. eCollection 2017 Jul.

Walsh TL, Chan L, Konopka CI, Burkitt MJ, Moffa MA, Bremmer DN, Murillo MA, Watson C, Chan-Tompkins NH. Appropriateness of antibiotic management of uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections in hospitalized adult patients. BMC Infect Dis. 2016 Nov 29;16(1):721.

Walsh TL, Bhanot N, Murillo MA, Uchin JM, Min Z. Creeping Skin Lesions: Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis. Am J Med. 2017 Jun; 130(6):666-668.

IDSA Week 2023

Published in 2016

Abdulmassih R, Makadia J, Como J, Paulson M, Min Z, Bhanot N. Propionibacterium acnes: Time-to-Positivity in Standard Bacterial Culture From Different Anatomical Sites. J Clin Med Res. 2016 Dec;8(12):916-918. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Abdulmassih R, Min Z. An ominous radiographic feature: cortical ribbon sign. Intern Emerg Med. 2016 Mar;11(2):281-3. doi: 10.1007/s11739-015-1287-

Rali P, Veer M, Gupta N, Singh AC, Bhanot N. Opportunistic Pulmonary Infections in Immunocompromised Hosts. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2016 Apr-Jun;39(2):161-75.

Published in 2015

Garcia RR, Bhanot N, Min Z. A mimic's imitator: a cavitary pneumonia in a myasthenic patient with history of tuberculosis. BMJ Case Rep. 2015 Jul 6;2015. pii: bcr2015210264. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-210264.

Garcia RR, Min Z, Narasimhan S, Bhanot N. Fusarium brain abscess: case report and literature review. Mycoses. 2015 Jan;58(1):22-6. doi: 10.1111/myc.12271. Review.

Makadia J, Bhanot N, Mancini SA, Min Z. Clinical evolution, management, and resolution of type II necrotizing fasciitis. Intern Emerg Med. 2015 Apr;10(3):389-91. doi: 10.1007/s11739-014-1139-7.

Min Z. Parenchymal neurocysticercosis. Intern Emerg Med. 2015 Feb;10(1):105-7. doi: 10.1007/s11739-014-1089-0.

Rimawi BH, Meserve J, Rimawi RH, Min Z, Gnann JW Jr.Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus with Fulminant Hepatitis.Case Reports Hepatol. 2015;2015:463825. doi: 10.1155/2015/463825. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

Sharff K, Min Z, Bhanot N. A Challenging Case of Multifocal Mycobacterium marinum Osteoarticular Infection in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa. Case Rep Orthop. 2015;2015:963138. doi: 10.1155/2015/963138.

Published in 2014

McEllistrem MC, McGraw M, Sahud AG, Chan-Tompkins NH, Goswami R, Bhanot N. High frequency of nonadherence to Clostridium difficile treatment guidelines. South Med J. 2014 Sep;107(9):597-9. doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000167.

Min Z, Zarrabi A, Woldesenbet A, Williams RB. Purple ear and retiform purura. Intern Emerg Med. 2014; 9(4): 475-477.

Min Z, Gnann JW Jr. Mosquito bites and eastern equine encephalitis. QJM 2014;107(5):397-398.

Min Z, Gnann JW Jr. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Intern Emerg Med. 2014; 9(3): 341-342.

Min Z, Amlani M. Pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii Infection Mimicking Malignancy on the (18)F-FDG PET Scan in a Patient Receiving Etanercept: A Case Report and Literature Review. Case Rep Pulmonol. 2014;2014:973573. doi: 10.1155/2014/973573. Epub 2014 Oct 20.

Min Z, Baddley JW. Mollaret's meningitis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014 Oct;14(10):1022. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70874-6.

Sandhu R, Min Z, Bhanot N. A gigantic anogenital lesion: buschke-lowenstein tumor. Case Rep Dermatol Med. 2014;2014:650714. doi: 10.1155/2014/650714.

Sawyer JR, Ma Q, Hsiao CB. Single-tablet, once-daily treatment regimens for HIV.Lancet Infect Dis. 2014 Apr;14(4):265-7.