Overview: Clinical Research in Infectious Diseases

Dr. Azimi’s areas of interest include clinical and laboratory investigation of antimicrobial agents in childhood infections, and the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccines. Additional research projects have focused on the epidemiology and determination of protective levels of maternal antibody against early-onset neonatal Group B streptococcal disease. Most recently, the ID department has conducted a three-year surveillance study of rotaviral disease in the inpatient population of Children’s Hospital Oakland and was followed by a two-year surveillance study of this disease in the CHO Emergency Department. A paper has been submitted for publication entitled, “Non-medical Costs Associated with Rotavirus Disease Requiring Hospitalization,” by Dr. Brian Lee. This paper summarizes the non-medical cost of severe rotavirus infection, a result of the multicenter prospective study conducted in the United States. The medical cost component of this study as well as the burden of rotavirus disease in emergency departments, subject of a different completed study, are pending.