Houpt, Eric R.
Primary Appointment
Jack Gwaltney Professor and Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Medicine: Infectious Diseases and International Health
Education
- BA, , Colgate University
- MD, , Emory University
Contact Information
PO Box 800136
MR-6, Room 1526
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Telephone: 434-982-1700
Fax: 434-924-0075
Email: erh6k@virginia.edu
Website: https://med.virginia.edu/houpt-group/people/
Research Interests
Molecular diagnostics, Tuberculosis, Global Health
Research Description
My group is involved in several projects focused on molecular diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. Most work involves developing panels of PCR-based diagnostic tests to detect a broad range of pathogens. We have developed TaqMan Array Cards for the syndrome of diarrhea and have deployed these tools to large collaborative multi-center studies such as the MAL-ED and GEMS studies throughout Africa, Asia, and South America, to better document the cause of diarrhea and malnutrition. We have devised similar assays for acute febrile illness which we are utilizing with the CDC Global Disease Detection Program. Through these diagnostics we also measure burden of disease and vaccine coverage, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae serotyping, rotavirus and ETEC typing, and Shigella speciation. I have a program on tuberculosis, both on developing rapid genotypic diagnostics to identify which drugs to use for multidrug-resistant TB, and I am clinically active in TB here in Virginia as the Virginia Department of Health consultant.