Harry Campbell
Well into the postwar years of the last century, tuberculosis, pneumonia, typhoid, polio and other infectious diseases were common causes for admissions to Massachusetts General Hospital, and in 1956 the hospital established a Division of Infectious Disease with a staff of three. Such disorders remain a global scourge, causing more than 23% of the world’s deaths—15 million annually. At MGH, 45 physicians have joined the fight, providing innovative care for patients while pursuing an HIV/AIDS vaccine, conducting genetic studies of cholera and working to unravel the molecular mechanisms of superbugs.
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Bringing Down AIDS
After a 30-year battle against AIDS, researchers have discovered vulnerabilities in the virus that may lead to its ultimate defeat. // More -
A Detective Story
When cholera hit earthquake-ravaged Haiti, MGH physicians moved in to investigate and traced the strain of bacteria to its source. // More -
Battling a New Breed of Bugs
MGH’s associate chief of infectious disease, who’s working to find new approaches to fight drug-resistant superbugs, discusses how he treated one of the most notorious: NDM-1. // More -
Dead or Alive
Molecular geneticists at MGH have designed an automated system that images and analyzes multiple bacterial samples at a time so they can more quickly test antibiotics. // More -
A Disarming Molecule
Could the active ingredient in Chanel No. 5 help defeat drug-resistant pathogens? // More -
Tracking Treatment
Mathematical simulation has helped shape policy about testing for and treatment of HIV/AIDS. // More
Video: Battling a New Breed of Bugs
David Hooper explains the evolving field of infectious disease research. // MORE
