Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases can be transmitted to others and can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi or prions.

Services

The inpatient infectious diseases service sees a wide range of consultations, including transplant, surgical, intensive care, cardiac (endocarditis and device-related), and injection drug use related infection complications.

The clinical service plays a major role in both the inpatient and outpatient management of patients with HIV/AIDS, including the 20-bed HIV inpatient ward. St. Paul’s Hospital continues to be a national and international leader in AIDS care, and the members of the Division of Infectious Diseases make up an integral component of the AIDS Program both at St. Paul’s Hospital and the Oak Tree Clinic. 



Division of Infections Disease

The Division of Infectious Diseases at St. Paul’s is comprised of a faculty of seven clinicians (including four associate members): Dr. Peter Phillips, division head and clinical professor; Dr. Peter Phillips, clinical professor; Dr. Valentina Montessori, clinical assistant professor; Dr. Natasha Press, clinical assistant professor; Dr. Mark Hull, clinical assistant professor, associate member; Dr. Melanie Murray, assistant professor, associate member; Dr. Victor Leung, clinical assistant professor, associate member; and Dr. Mary Kestler, associate member.

The members are responsible for the clinical, research, administrative and teaching activities of the division. The program provides general infectious disease consultation. Areas of particular expertise include: HIV and opportunistic infection management; HIV and hepatitis B or C co-infection; HIV and tuberculosis co-infection; human papilloma virus (HPV) infection; invasive fungal infections; and infection control.

Teaching

The infectious diseases group is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate educational programs. The venues for infectious diseases teaching include: bedside teaching, outpatient clinics, a weekly city-wide case conference, an academic half day and AIDS care rounds. These are available to medical students, medical residents and residents in the infectious diseases and medical microbiology training programs.

Research

The current areas of clinical research are:

  • HIV and Hepatitis C co-infection
  • Human papillomavirus related anal dysplasia in the HIV-positive population.
  • Cryptococcus gattii infection in British Columbia
  • Access and use of health resources in the HIV-positive injection drug using population
  • Clinical trials of antiretroviral therapies
  • Antibiotic stewardship

For more information on infectious diseases, please explore these useful websites:

Contact + Location

Division of Infectious Diseases
1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6
Telephone: 604-806-8640
Email: pphillips@cfenet.ubc.ca