The Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pennsylvania develops and conducts clinical trials and novel therapies for all types of infectious diseases to improve health locally and around the world.
Our numerous research studies focus on fostering translational research and encouraging training and educational initiatives that result in the recruitment of top physicians, including the highest quality HIV/AIDS faculty.
Our investigators and clinicians are known for their teaching excellence and have a wide range of experience in scientific investigation including bench science, translational and epidemiologic research, clinical trials, health policy, and public health.
Screening and treating Hepatitis C at the Penn Center for Viral Hepatitis
An associate of the Penn Center for Viral Hepatitis, Vincent Lo Re III, MD, MSCE, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this video, Dr. Lo Re discusses how HCV affects the body, patient populations at increased risk, and potentially curative HCV treatments available at Penn Medicine.
"Direct acting oral treatments are available," Dr. Lo Re explained. "These therapies typically only require 8 to 12 weeks of once-daily pills, have few side effects and result in greater than 94% chance of curing chronic Hepatitis C."
Patient education and counseling is a critical focus of the Penn Center for Viral Hepatitis.
"We perform a comprehensive evaluation, focusing on hepatitis C and liver health, providing detailed education about all aspects of HCV infection — including a proper diet — to avoid liver infections," Dr. Lo Re continued. Additionally, Penn uses cutting edge treatment technology to diagnose fibrosis and cirrhosis. "Our Fibroscan® imaging machine noninvasively measures liver scarring, so we can accurately evaluate and treat any liver damage."
Patient populations at increased risk for contracting HCV who should be screened for infection include baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1965); transfusion recipients (before 1992); patients who have had hemodialysis; patients who have used injection or intranasal street drugs; and children of HCV-infected mothers.
The Penn Center for Viral Hepatitis specializes in hepatitis C and HIV-HCV co-infections. A section of the Division of Infectious Disease, the Clinic is comprised of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and behavioral counselors.
Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)
Established in 1999, the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), one of 21 NIH-funded CFARs, has advanced HIV/AIDS research by:
- Coordinating efforts to develop resources on campus that would be of general use to AIDS researchers.
- Creating an infrastructure to foster basic, clinical, social and integrated HIV/AIDS research on campus.
- Identifying funding opportunities and encouraging involvement by Penn investigators in new and emerging areas of AIDS research Identifying underrepresented research areas in order to facilitate faculty recruitment.
- Promoting educational activities and training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Strengthening the capacity for HIV/AIDS research in developing countries.
- Supporting research on prevention and treatment of HIV infection in hard-to-reach, and hardest hit domestic populations, especially: those in inner cities, the rural poor and disadvantaged minorities.
Botswana U-Penn Partnership
Before the Botswana-UPenn Partnership was established, Botswana was suffering from a shortage of doctors as the country battled a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic that had struck nearly 40 percent of its population.
Since its founding, the BUP has trained more than 4,000 Botswana healthcare workers in clinical care at Princess Marina Hospital, district hospitals, local clinics, and the University of Botswana.
The partnership, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to building healthcare capacity, consists of the Government of Botswana, the University of Botswana, and the University of Pennsylvania. BUP’s three programs include clinical care, research, and medical education.
The clinical care program focuses on areas related to HIV and co-morbidities, tuberculosis, cervical cancer, dermatology, and pediatrics, while the partnership’s education initiatives include training healthcare personnel in prevention and treatment. In addition, joint research programs have been developed to address issues relevant to the health and welfare of the citizens of Botswana. The partnership also offers invaluable experience to UPenn trainees in global health.