Infectious Diseases
Pediatric Infectious Diseases assists in the diagnosis and management of children with a variety of known or suspected infections as well as immune deficiencies. Children are commonly referred for outpatient evaluation of recurrent or prolonged infections, persistent fever, suspected immune deficiency, enlarged lymph nodes, pneumonia, and a wide range of childhood infections. We also treat and manage children with chronic infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus. Our providers are also engaged in laboratory research of infectious disease mechanisms and development of vaccines to improve future options for prevention and treatment of children and adults.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES NEWS
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Hepatitis B Elimination in sub-Saharan Africa: Peyton Thompson Leads Kinshasa-based Research Team Paving the Way For Virus-Free Generations
As the World Health Organization pushes to eradicate the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) by 2030, preventing vertical transmission is key, says Peyton Thompson, MD, MSCR, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. But despite widespread availability of effective childhood vaccines, HBV remains endemic throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
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O’Connell Promoted to Professor of Pediatrics
Catherine O’Connell, PhD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective March 1, 2024. Dr. O’Connell has been a faculty member in Pediatric Infectious Diseases since 2013. Dr. O’Connell received her BA in Microbiology from Dublin University in 1987 and received her PhD in Microbiology from Dublin University in 1993. She joined us at UNC in 2013 as an Assistant Professor from the University of Arkansas Department of Pediatrics.
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Belhorn Receives 2024 UNC School of Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award
Tom Belhorn, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases, has been selected by UNC School of Medicine Medical Alumni to receive the 2024 UNC School of Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award. This award recognizes Dr. Belhorn’s decades of leadership within pediatric infectious disease and his commitment to training the next generation of providers. Congratulations Tom!
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Zheng Promoted to Professor of Pediatrics
Xiaojing Zheng, PhD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Zheng has been a faculty member in Pediatric Infectious Diseases since 2013. Dr. Zheng received her BS in Medicine from Tongji Medical School in Wuhan, China in 1995 and completed a MS in Nephrology from Tongji Medical School in August 2001. She completed a PhD in Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh in June 2007 as well as a PhD in Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh in May 2012.