Pearson, Richard D.
Education
- Clinical Fellowship, , University of Rochester School of Medicine
- Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine
- BS, , University of Michigan
- MD, , University of Michigan
Contact Information
PO Box 800739
Charlottesville, VA
Telephone: 434-243-6832
Fax: 434-924-0075
Email: rdp9g@virginia.edu
Research Interests
Leishmaniasis, immunoparasitology
Research Description
Dr. Pearson in collaboration with Selma M.B. Jeronimo, M.D., Ph.D., Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil, and Mary E. Wilson, M.D., University of Iowa School of Medicine, and their colleagues has studied the immunogenetics, epidemiology and natural history of Leishmania infantum chagasi infection and visceral leishmaniasis in residents of northeastern Brazil. The majority of persons infected with L. i. chagasi develop protective, cell mediated Th1 responses to leishmanial antigens that result in asymptomatic, self-resolving infection. A subset of infected persons fail to develop protective Th1 responses and progress to visceral leishmaniasis. The collaborators are currently addressing the genetic correlates of infection using a family cohort. Dr. Pearson has also participated in the development of novel approaches to antileishmanial chemotherapy, and he has collaborated with Dr. Anastasio Q. Sousa at the Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil, on the treatment of L. brazilinesis infections with fluconazole. Finally, he has worked with Janine Jagger, Ph.D., and colleagues on the prevention of sharp object and needle stick injuries among medical workers.