Digital Commons Network^™

Science In Service Of Society: My Journey In Immunology And Public Engagement, Prakash Nagarkatti

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Determining The Relatedness Of Simian Varicella Virus Strains Using Polymerase Chain Reactions And Delta Herpesvirus-Dervied Primers, Ellyn M. Waits

Honors Theses

This study examines genetic variation among strains of Simian Varicella Virus (SVV) using genomic analysis. The primary goal of this experiment was to observe potential genomic differences among the Liverpool vervet virus (LVV), the Tsukuba herpesvirus, and the Delta herpesvirus (DHV) strains using primer sets developed from the fully sequenced DHV strain. SVV strains were initially cultivated in Vero cell cultures to begin viral propagation. Viral proliferation in these cell cultures enables DNA isolation via standard purification methods. The extracted viral DNA is subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification targeting specific regions of open reading frames (ORFs) in the …

Community Composition Of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria On The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Marisa Martin, Colin Jackson

Honors Theses

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is an important resource for transportation, economic development, and recreation. Given its economic and cultural importance, it is crucial to maintain clean and safe conditions along the coast for public health, but other than routine beach monitoring, few studies have examined microbial contamination of coastal waters in this region. This study aimed to determine the quantity, composition, and distribution of bacteria resistant to six different antibiotics (Vancomycin, Kanamycin, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, or Amoxicillin) in seawater at seven public beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. No bacteria resistant to Ciprofloxacin were detected, and bacteria resistant to Kanamycin …

Evaluating Referral Coordination And Scheduling In Primary Care: A Qualitative Study Of Workflow Gaps, Aprupa Alahari, Philycia Foote, S. Vincent Grasso

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Healthcare referral workflows remain fragmented despite widespread adoption of electronic health records. Primary care to specialty referrals frequently rely on fax, phone calls, manual scheduling, and disconnected communication systems, creating delays, incomplete referrals, and administrative burden.1,2 Prior literature has identified a lack of referral tracking, referral leakage, and lack of closed-loop communication as major barriers to coordinated care. Altogether, efforts are required to keep cases from falling into the “referral black hole” that plagues health systems.2-4

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that:

1. there is substantial patient burden

2. there is substantial operational fragmentation

3. current referral systems contain limited visibility or verification

Methods …

Not All That Scratches Is Infection: Sweet Syndrome Mimicking Cat Scratch Disease, Clara Keum, Neelesh R. Parikh

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Sweet syndrome, or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by painful erythematous skin lesions, neutrophilic dermal infiltration on histopathology, and rapid response to corticosteroid therapy. Although classically associated with fever and leukocytosis, atypical presentations without systemic symptoms are increasingly recognized, often leading to diagnostic confusion.

The clinical presentation of Sweet syndrome frequently overlaps with infectious processes such as cellulitis, particularly when lesions involve the lower extremities. This overlap may result in misdiagnosis and delayed appropriate treatment. Distinguishing between infectious and inflammatory etiologies is critical, as management strategies differ significantly.

We present a case of Sweet syndrome …

An Unusual Cause Of Generalized Weakness: Cns Toxoplasmosis, Christopher Dellmyer, Danielle Kusmaul, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

No abstract provided.

Case Report: Necrotizing Pneumonia, Veroneka Mikhail Md

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Necrotizing pneumonia is an uncommon but severe complication of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), characterized by progressive parenchymal liquefaction, cavitation, and destruction of normal lung architecture, and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Clinicaly, early presentations may be indistinguishable from uncomplicated pneumonia (pna), with fever, cough, pleuritic chest pain, and dyspnea, which can delay recognition in the emergency department. Differential diagnosis for these symptoms is broad and includes uncomplicated pneumonia, septic emboli, lung abscesses, and pleural effusion. However, patients effected with necrotizing pneumonia often exhibit more severe systemic toxicity, rapid progression of respiratory failure, and hemodynamic instability. In this case report, we …

Improving Pediatric Vaccination Rates In The United States, Maanasi Dudi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Pediatric vaccination has been one of the most effective public health strategies for preventing infectious diseases and reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. However, vaccination rates have dropped in recent years, due to increasing vaccine hesitancy, as well as interruptions in regular healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been reflected in primary care settings, where pediatricians are seeing more parents refuse vaccinations.

This literature review examines current trends in pediatric vaccination rates, factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy, and interventions that have been used to improve vaccination uptake. A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted on PubMed to identify studies …

Unusual Etiology Of Cauda Equina Syndrome In An Aids Patient: A Case Report, Wesley Augustus Kim, Brandon Velazquez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Patients with advanced HIV/AIDS are at high risk for primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma due to impaired immune surveillance and HIV-driven B-cell proliferation. While intracranial lesions are well recognized, spinal involvement remains underrecognized due to the scarcity of well documented report cases in current literature. In this patient,we describe the case of a 35-year-old male with a new HIV diagnosis who experienced acute bilateral lower extremity weakness and urinary retention during hospitalization for fever, perianal abscess, and urinary tract infection. Initial CD4 count revealed profound immunosuppression with a CD4 count less than 20 cells/μL and a viral load of …

Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis Due To Hypertriglyceridemia: A Case Report, Samantha Alyse Walkow, Pranaya Gade, Marina Bastawross, Ayesha Ain, Antonios Tsompanidis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Title: Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis due to Hypertriglyceridemia: A Case Report

Background: Necrotizing pancreatitis is a severe complication of acute pancreatitis with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is an uncommon but increasingly recognized etiology, often associated with more severe disease compared to biliary or alcoholic pancreatitis. Early recognition and targeted management are critical to prevent multiorgan failure.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 39-year-old Hispanic male with a history of chronic hypertriglyceridemia and epilepsy who presented with acute onset of severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory evaluation revealed markedly elevated serum triglycerides (TG) levels …

Case Report: Adult Distal Lleal Perforation Mimicking Meckel's Diverticulum, Dip Patel, Wayne Tamaska, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, but clinically significant disease in adulthood is uncommon and often difficult to diagnose before surgery. In adults, symptomatic Meckel’s most often presents with obstruction, bleeding, or inflammation, and cross-sectional imaging may not clearly distinguish it from other distal ileal processes.

We report the case of a 35-year-old man who presented with several days of fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. CT imaging suggested a complicated distal ileal diverticular process, most concerning for perforated Meckel’s diverticulum with an adjacent abscess. He underwent emergent small bowel resection and abscess drainage. …

Case Report: Acute Encephalopathy Revealing Severe Babesiosis With Lyme Co-Infection, Czarina Gebrelle K. Soriano, James Espinosa, Alan Lucer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Acute confusion in older adults is a common emergency department presentation with a broad differential diagnosis. Tick-borne illnesses can cause significant systemic disease and may present with nonspecific neurologic or constitutional symptoms, making early recognition challenging. Babesiosis is a tick-borne parasitic infection transmitted by Ixodes ticks and may occur concurrently with other infections such as Lyme disease, further complicating diagnosis. We present a case of a 67-year-old male who presented with acute confusion and was found to have concurrent babesiosis and Lyme disease. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for tick-borne co-infections in patients …

When Venom Isn’T The Only Threat: Roseomonas Mucosa Bacteremia Following A Snake Bite, Cyrus Davati, Kishan Patel, James A. Espinosa Md, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Snake bites in the ED  overall are rare in the United States. While mortality is low due to modern interventions, the sequelae - including tissue necrosis, digit amputation, and subsequent infection  remain a significant concern.  Here we present the case of a  presumptively non-venomous snakebite, which  was associated with R. mucosa bacteremia.

A Pain In The Neck: Lemierre Syndrome Presenting With Retropharyngeal Abscess, Clara Keum, Leo Midure

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Lemierre syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein following an oropharyngeal infection. It is most commonly associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum,  and typically begins with pharyngitis or deep neck space infections, which can extend into adjacent vascular structures. Retropharyngeal abscesses are among the deep neck infections that may predispose patients to this complication due to their proximity to the internal jugular vein and surrounding fascial planes.

Although Lemierre syndrome classically occurs in otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults, it can also develop in immunocompromised individuals or patients with complex medical conditions. …

Case Report: Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Faecium Urinary Tract Infection With Stercoral Colitis Presenting In An Elderly Patient, Muhammad Zain Raza, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 76-year-old female who presented with altered mental status characterized by confusion, decreased verbal interaction, and reduced responsiveness noted by her spouse. The patient had a history of chronic constipation and was brought from home for further evaluation. Initial evaluation raised concern for infection or intracranial hemorrhage as a possible cause of altered mental status. Imaging of the CT brain without contrast was unremarkable, however; abdomen and pelvis revealed a large rectal stool impaction with rectal wall thickening and surrounding perirectal fat stranding consistent with Stercoral Colitis. Urine culture subsequently identified vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium. The …

A Rare Intervention: Emergency Ultrasound-Guided Pericardiocentesis Using A Central Line Kit, Alec Mirchandani, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening emergency requiring rapid diagnosis and drainage.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) expedites recognition and guides pericardiocentesis. We report a case of acute large pericardial effusion with hemodynamic collapse in a previously healthy 46-year-old female, managed emergently with ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis using a central line introducer and subsequent pigtail catheter exchange; the clinical course was complicated by presumed septic pulmonary emboli and death.

Bacteriophage Therapy Vs. Standard Antibiotics: A Review Of Treatment Efficacy For Recurrent Pediatric S. Pyogenes (Gas) Infections, Kartik Kannan Oms-I, Karina Malhotra Oms-I, Gabrielle Coccio Oms-I, Janhavi Belwalkar Oms-I, Jason Rienzo Oms-I, Samay Shukla Oms-I, Valerie J. Carabetta Phd

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Antibiotic resistance poses a growing threat to pediatric infectious disease management, particularly in the treatment of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) infections.¹ While β-lactam antibiotics remain the first-line standard of care, their utility is limited by allergy prevalence and rising resistance among alternative antibiotic agents, such as macrolides, lincosamides, and tetracycline.^2,3 Given these trends, bacteriophage therapy has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment modality, offering targeted bacterial lysis while sparing commensal microbiota.⁴

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed and Embase (2000–2025) using terms related to antibiotic resistance, Streptococcus pyogenes, bacteriophage therapy, and pediatric populations. …

Comparing Community-Based And Social Media Interventions To Improve Vaccine Uptake In Low-Income U.S. Populations, Tanisha Shah, Nico Santorelli, Maureen Kennedy, Aastha Lele, Syed Ahmad Bilal, Megan Chien, Judith Anne Lightfoot

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

In recent years, vaccination has become a highly politicized topic, contributing to decreased trust in medical professionals. Exposure to medical misinformation, distrust in government and research, and concerns about vaccine safety have all led to increased vaccine hesitancy and decreased vaccine uptake. These trends are more widely seen in low socioeconomic status (SES) and certain racial populations, posing a significant public health concern despite the effectiveness of vaccines.

Objective: This literature review aims to compare the effectiveness of community-based interventions led by clinicians and community health leaders with social media campaigns in increasing vaccine uptake among low-income populations in …

Defining Success In Collegiate Recovery Programs: A Systematic Review, Brooke Trogdon, John B. Moore

The Corinthian

Background: The transition to higher education is a critical period for emerging adults. Often marked by increased substance use experimentation due to a variety of internal and external factors. This group faces a heightened risk of developing substance-related health issues, necessitating targeted intervention and prevention efforts. Purpose: To systematically review and define key indicators of success for collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) that support students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted using GALILEO and Google Scholar databases. Articles were appraised using the JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: CRPs provide a supportive …

Cross-Sectoral Collaborations And Funding And Coordination Mechanisms In One Health Zoonoses Management In Peru, Lisset Dumet Poma, Erin S. Kenzie, Julia Goodman, Veronika Merino, Vanessa Cruz, Ruth Atto, Percy Vilchez, Seth O’Neal

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

One Health (OH) is a comprehensive approach that recognizes the human-animal-environment interconnection to health and is applied to prevent and control zoonoses—diseases transmitted between animals and people. Using a multiple-method case study, we examined zoonoses networks, resource management mechanisms, and coordination strategies among policymakers and decision-makers of Peru’s human, agricultural, and environmental systems at national and sub-national levels. Social network analysis revealed collaborations between the human and agricultural systems, with limited connection with environmental systems. Only a few links were reported between national and sub-national government levels. Qualitative analysis identified structural barriers, including insufficient regulatory mechanisms for funding cross-sectoral activities. …

+Cd49a+Cd103+ Cytotoxic Tissue-Resident Natural Killer Cells Infiltrate And Control Solid Epithelial Tumor Growth In Mice, Nina B Horowitz, Jennifer A Foltz, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Human tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells (trNK cells), broadly defined by markers of tissue residency, such as CD49a [

Comparison Of Ecg Features, Cardiac Biomarkers, And Clinical Outcomes In Three Waves Of Hospitalized Covid-19 Pneumonia Patients With Cardiovascular Events, Yuchen Han, Jahnavi Sunkara, Tshura S Ali, Harideep Samanapally, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Fnu Deepti, Emma C. Huang, Justin J. Huang, Maiying Kong, Jiapeng Huang

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a rapidly evolving virus that can severely impact the cardiovascular system. With new variants, it is important to characterize wave-specific (defined by dominant circulating variants) clinical changes.

Methods

A multi-center retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 community acquired pneumonia at eight adult acute-care hospitals in the city of Louisville, KY was conducted. Patients hospitalized with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) community acquired pneumonia who experienced a cardiovascular event between March 2020 and July 2022 were included in this analysis. Variant assignment was based on temporal prevalence rather than genomic confirmation, and …

Airborne Fungal Monitoring In Healthcare Environments: A Systematic Review, Dana L. Surwill, Patricia Cruz, Mark P. Buttner, Jennifer R. Pharr, Nancy Lough, Theresa T. Roehr

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Background: Fungal infections pose a significant threat to public health, with over 6.55 million cases and 2.55 million deaths annually. Exposure to fungal spores in indoor environments primarily occurs through inhalation or direct contact with surfaces. Monitoring is critical for early detection and prevention of outbreaks, yet routine airborne fungal testing is not universally mandated across healthcare settings. Methods: A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles from four databases was conducted to identify current airborne fungal monitoring guidelines and best practices for sample collection, culture media, incubation conditions, and results interpretation. Results: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and four studies …

Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Antibiotic Cement Bead Pouch Versus Negative Pressure Wound Therapy For The Management Of Severe Open Tibia Fracture Wounds: Beads Versus Vac (Bvv) Protocol, Lucas S Marchand, Gerard Slobogean, Nathan N O'Hara, Anthony D Harris, David W Grainger, Lehana Thabane, Mohit Bhandari, Gregory J Della Rocca, Patrick J Kellam, Robert D Zura, Debra Marvel, Jeffrey L Wells, I Leah Gitajn, Kyle J Jeray, Robert V O'Toole, Zachary M Working, Roman M Natoli, Patrick F Bergin, Jennifer E Hagen, Ashley E Levack, Ernesto Guerra-Farfan, Gregory M Schrank, Joan N Hebden, Franca Mossuto, Cassandra Tsoutsounakis, David Pogorzelski, Hailey Pineda, Sofia Bzovsky, Sheila Sprague, Bvv Investigators

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Early open fracture management aims to minimise the risk of complications. For the most severe open fracture wounds, multiple irrigation and debridement surgeries are required to overcome severe wound contamination, to reassess the evolving tissue injury or to temporise and plan further surgery. When multiple irrigation and debridement surgeries are needed, uncertainty remains about how the open fracture wound should be managed to best minimise complications. The primary aim of this trial is to compare the antibiotic cement bead pouch vs negative pressure wound therapy in the management of patients with severe open tibia fracture wounds.

Methods and analysis: …

Recommendations Made And Accepted By A Telehealth-Enabled Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Implemented At Rural Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Taissa A Bej, Jason P Burnham, Joshua D. Nordman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: To support Antimicrobial Stewardship programs (ASPs) as well as the clinical care of patients with infections, we disseminated and implemented a Videoconference Antimicrobial Stewardship Team (VAST) to connect multidisciplinary teams from rural Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers with geographically distant ID experts. Here, we describe the clinical syndromes discussed and the response to recommendations made during VAST sessions.

METHODS: Between September 2021 to February 2024, eight ID consultants established VASTs with ten rural VAMCs, holding regularly scheduled videoconference sessions to discuss clinical cases and provide recommendations. Data were collected on patient demographics, clinical syndromes, and recommendations. Acceptance of recommendations …

Late Hepatitis B Reactivation After Hsct And B-Cell Depleting Therapy: Case Vignettes Challenging Fixed-Duration Prophylaxis, Ariana Cho, Harrison Moses, Muaz Alchirazi, Vishakh Keri, Lea Monday

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation remains a critical concern in immunosuppressed oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients, yet the optimal duration of antiviral prophylaxis is unresolved. Current guidelines recommend 12–18 months of prophylaxis after HSCT or B-cell depleting therapy for patients who are isolated anti-HBc positive, based on documented cases of late reactivation beyond the traditional 12-month threshold. However, these recommendations largely derive from studies in HBsAg-positive patients or those receiving rituximab-containing regimens, with limited data addressing the broader range of high-risk scenarios encountered in practice. We present two vignettes highlighting this gap. Patient 1 is a 60-year-old …

Mycobacterium Chimaera In A Young Patient Without Underlying Cardiac Surgery History, Kate A. Szczesniak, Rakesh Shah, Malitha Hettiarachchi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction/Objective Mycobacterium chimaera (M. chimaera), within the Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC), is a slow-growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species that is most often characterized by nonspecific symptoms of night sweats, fever, and fatigue. Due to the nonspecific symptoms of M. chimaera and the rarity of this infection, delayed or misdiagnosis occurs in these patients. Risk factors of contaminated heater-cooler units used in cardiac surgery have been reported; however, cases without this exposure, such as this case, have been cited less commonly. This case of M. chimaera will present a young patient initially presenting with dyspnea who was found to have a …

Prognostic Predictors Of Developmental And Functional Outcomes In Children With Global Developmental Delay: A Retrospecive Chart Review, Rachel Lynne Kuechle, Sadie Elizabeth Olson, Eliana Hazel Parks, Hailee Lynn Schauer, Mara Marie Vannyhuis, Audrey Elizabeth Whitman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Global developmental delay (GDD) is a broad, global disorder in which children do not reach the appropriate gross and fine motor milestones as expected for their age. GDD’s impact can extend beyond motor skills to include speech and language development, cognitive abilities, social and personal skills, and ADL’s. This study aims to investigate the prognostic predictors of developmental and functional improvement of children with GDD. Our study also examines how the prognosis of children diagnosed with GDD will be affected based on therapeutic intervention in order to offer evidence-based recommendations to support children with GDD and their …

Testing The In Vitro Effectiveness Of Protease Inhibitors Against Histomonas Meleagridis, Evy Belle Hafer

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoal parasite able to exist in a flagellated or amoeboid form that infects gallinaceous birds, particularly turkeys, and causes significant mortality. There is currently no effective treatment for this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-histomonal activity of commercially available protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, using an established in vitro model. Three protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, were evaluated across five assays. Treatment groups included: 1) non-treated control, 2) leupeptin 100 µM, 3) bestatin hydrochloride 100 µM, and 4) antipain dihydrochloride 100 µM. Histomonads were enumerated using a hemocytometer after …

Ai×Life 2026: Advances In Computational Biology Across Scales For Life & Health Sciences, Suma Mohan S., Devika N. T., Pranavathiyani G.

Conference Proceedings

Book of Abstracts of the International Conference, AIxLife 2026: Advances in Computational Biology Across Scales for Life & Health Sciences, held on 17–18 April 2026, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, INDIA 

About the Conference

Conventional computational biology laid the foundation for biological data analysis through statistical models, algorithms, and curated databases, enabling insights into genes, proteins, and pathways. Today, the integration of artificial intelligence, spanning machine learning, deep learning, and large language models (LLMs) is driving a transformative shift across biological scales, from atomic and molecular interactions to pathways, cellular systems, organisms, and populations.

AI-powered approaches …