Ilan Schwartz
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germhuntermd.bsky.social
Ilan Schwartz
@germhuntermd.bsky.social
14K followers 3.9K following 2.4K posts
ID doctor and fungal enthusiast. #IDSky community builder. #TxID, global health, MedEd. @idjclub.bsky.social

Posts don't represent my employer (obviously)
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germhuntermd.bsky.social
Ilan Schwartz @germhuntermd.bsky.social · Mar 24
Our patients persecuted; colleagues and public health institutions under attack. Our field needs to rise up & fight back

Silence=Death Redux: Infectious Diseases, Public Health, and the Imperative to Resist

Viewpoint by @ericmeyerowitz.bsky.social & me

OpenAccess: academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Silence=Death Redux: Infectious Diseases, Public Health, and the Imperative to Resist
The second Trump administration has released a torrent of executive policies hostile to public health, science, and marginalized populations. We outline th
academic.oup.com
germhuntermd.bsky.social
“This is not a system failure. It is a system working exactly as it was intended. And that’s the problem.”

👏 👏 👏 @darcy-id-doc.bsky.social #idsky @cidjournal.bsky.social
germhuntermd.bsky.social Ilan Schwartz @germhuntermd.bsky.social · 19h
“… our ID fellows alone receive an average of 4.1 chat messages per patient, every day. With 15–20 patients, that’s easily 60–80 interruptions daily … a recent study showed that… 99% were non-urgent and 66% were non-actionable.”
darcy-id-doc.bsky.social Darcy Wooten (she/her) @darcy-id-doc.bsky.social · 20h
Check out our article and guidance on Epic chat messages in CID. Anyone doing frontline clinical work understands the substantial downsides of constant, on-demand, text communication in the EHR. So great to write this with ID fellows. doi.org/10.1093/cid/...
February 14, 2026 at 4:19 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
“… our ID fellows alone receive an average of 4.1 chat messages per patient, every day. With 15–20 patients, that’s easily 60–80 interruptions daily … a recent study showed that… 99% were non-urgent and 66% were non-actionable.”
darcy-id-doc.bsky.social Darcy Wooten (she/her) @darcy-id-doc.bsky.social · 20h
Check out our article and guidance on Epic chat messages in CID. Anyone doing frontline clinical work understands the substantial downsides of constant, on-demand, text communication in the EHR. So great to write this with ID fellows. doi.org/10.1093/cid/...
More than a message: Death by a 1,000 “Chats”
Abstract. Secure electronic messaging within the electronic health record (EHR), such as Epic Chat, has transformed communication in hospitals by enabling
doi.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
darcy-id-doc.bsky.social
Check out our article and guidance on Epic chat messages in CID. Anyone doing frontline clinical work understands the substantial downsides of constant, on-demand, text communication in the EHR. So great to write this with ID fellows. doi.org/10.1093/cid/...
More than a message: Death by a 1,000 “Chats”
Abstract. Secure electronic messaging within the electronic health record (EHR), such as Epic Chat, has transformed communication in hospitals by enabling
doi.org
February 14, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
darcy-id-doc.bsky.social
Check out this fabulous @cidjournal.bsky.social state of the art review on prostatitis from some powerhouse authors (who also happen to be some of my fave peeps)!!!

academic.oup.com/cid/article/...
State-of-the-Art Review: Diagnosis and Management of Acute and Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Abstract. Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) and chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) are poorly defined clinical entities, and diagnosis can be challenging.
academic.oup.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:50 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
Mucormycosis

Review in @nejm.org by Dimitrios Kontoyiannis and Tom Walsh

www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...

#IDSky #TxID #MedMycoSky @msgerc.bsky.social
Pathogenesis of Mucormycosis, Host Defenses, and Potential Future Therapeutic Targets. Mucorales sporangiospores released into the air from sporangia are inhaled, and the sporangiospore coat protein CotH3 binds to GRP78 on the pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells of the upper resp tract, where the sporangiospores may germinate into hyphae to invade nasal airways and sinuses (Panel A). Sporangiospores, by means of another coat adhesin (CotH7), also bind to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and integrin α3β1 receptor on pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells of the lower respiratory tract, which triggers a downstream transcriptional response involving cytokines (interleukin-6 and interleukin-8), chemokines (CCL2 and CCL5), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Hyphal invasion also triggers production of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and release of proinflammatory cytokines. In wound-related mucormycosis, traumatic inoculation of fungal elements (found on the surfaces of rocks, wood, glass, and metal) into damaged tissue allows for the development of infection in a host with immune paralysis due to trauma. The release of endogenous host-derived molecules known as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) reduces phagocytosis, impairs chemotaxis, and induces immune paralysis. Mucoricin released by the invading hyphae induces death of immune and endothelial cells, which results in tissue necrosis and accelerates endovascular thrombosis, ischemia, and infarction (Panel B). PMNs and monocytes recognize early germinated sporangiospores by pattern recognition receptors (e.g., TLR2) that detect mucorales-associated molecular patterns (e.g., 1,3-βD-glucans exposed on hyphal structures). Intrinsic host colony-stimulating factors such as granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IFN-γ further contribute to augmentation of innate host defenses against the invading hyphae, which in turn dampen immune responses. Factors in the tissue … Risk factors for Mucormycosis Risk factors for mucormycosis continued
February 13, 2026 at 6:40 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
Fungal diagnostic stewardship in immunocompromised populations: a focus on molds and dimorphic fungi

@jmsteinbrink.bsky.social @hannah-imlay.bsky.social et al on behalf of @msgerc.bsky.social

journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... #IDSky #MedMycoSky #MicroSky #TxID
Table of recommendations part 1 Table of recommendations part 2
February 13, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
npr.org
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
RFK Jr. made promises to get his job as health secretary. He's broken many of them
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both.
n.pr
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
Just back from another excellent @wintercourseid.bsky.social

Highly recommend this meeting, especially for ID fellows and junior faculty. World class faculty, high yield topics, and lots of time to enjoy the 🏔️ #IDSky
Two adults and two kids in ski helmets and goggles on a snowy mountain
February 13, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
nejm.org
In this report from Singapore, the release of wolbachia-infected, irradiated male 𝘈𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘦𝘨𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘪 mosquitoes resulted in a reduction in the vector population and in the risk of dengue infection. Full report: nej.md/4atd2iN

#MedSky #IDSky
Panel A: The weekly Gravitrap Aedes aegypti index (GAI), which measures the abundance of adult A. aegypti mosquitoes, in the intervention and control clusters before and during the release of wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes. Panel B: A spatial visualization of the intervention (red) and control (teal) clusters.
February 11, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
juliezebrak.bsky.social
WSJ editorial board hits FDA: It’s hard to recall a regulator who has done as much damage to medical innovation in as little time as Vinay Prasad who rejected Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine without even a cursory review.
www.wsj.com/opinion/vina...
Opinion | Vinay Prasad’s Vaccine Kill Shot
Does the White House know the harm he’s doing to public health?
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
lizzylawrence.bsky.social
Scoop: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:34 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
An unintended consequence: a review of iatrogenic central nervous system mold infections and outbreaks

Kontoyiannis and colleagues @msgerc.bsky.social
#IDSky #MedMycoSky

journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Schematic representation of iatrogenic mold central nervous system infections (1). The source of mold includes contamination during medication manufacturing, storage in a mold-contaminated environment, and environmental contamination during procedures (2). Routes of mold inoculation can occur in four situations: spinal puncture (epidural or spinal injection; most common), ventricular drainage devices (VP shunt or external ventricular device), transsphenoidal surgery, and craniotomy (3). Clinical complications of mold CNS infection include aneurysm formation, hemorrhagic stroke due to ruptured aneurysm, ischemic stroke, and meningoencephalitis.
February 10, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
boghuma.bsky.social
#IDSky I always email residents rotating with me survival tips for their time of the ID consult service. I like to keep this short and high yield but I am constantly editing and improving the tip sheet. What would you add or remove. It cannot be longer that one page 😊.
February 8, 2026 at 10:31 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
Everyone needs to see this beauty
weratedogs.com WeRateDogs @weratedogs.com · 7d
This is Kinako. She is a phenomenally proportioned pup proving that bulbous is beautiful. 13/10 #SeniorPupSaturday (IG: nao77001048)
a reddish brown toy poodle stands majestically in an all-white living room. her body fur is teased out into a magnificent squishy mass, but the fur on her head and paws is groomed short, so it looks like she has a tiny head balanced atop an orblike body. and that she’s balanced atop four tiny little catlike feet. the fur around her snout is white, because it has taken her a lifetime to perfect this flawless aesthetic.
February 7, 2026 at 5:51 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
Time to re-evaluate combination antifungal therapy for invasive aspergillosis and other invasive mycoses

Tom Harrison & Tom Walsh

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... (paywall) #IDSky #TxID
Time to re-evaluate combination antifungal therapy for invasive aspergillosis and other invasive mycoses
Mortality from invasive aspergillosis remains unacceptably high, and the currently recommended treatment of triazoles is further challenged by rising resistance to these first-line agents. A previous ...
www.thelancet.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
gurujosh.bsky.social
My top 10 ID papers for 2025. Full citations and descriptions available at clarityinitiative.org/hot-takes

Also see/hear our Communicable podcast episode on this at communicable.transistor.fm/episodes/com...

What were your top 10? Any thoughts about what I missed welcome!

#IDSky #Top10papers
February 5, 2026 at 11:28 PM
germhuntermd.bsky.social
Sorry you lost me at “credible” which is incompatible with the byline
jama.com JAMA @jama.com · 9d
💬 Viewpoint: Adversarial collaboration is designed to move beyond traditional replication and consensus-building by engaging credible experts from opposing viewpoints to jointly resolve disputes in #BiomedicalScience.

bit.ly/4ko1gLl
An article titled "Adversarial Collaboration as a Strategy for Credible Biomedical Science" by David M. Kent, MD, MS; John P. A. loannidis, MD, DSc in JAMA, published online February 5, 2026. Article discusses public trust in science.
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
boghuma.bsky.social
"Ethical research requires that participant safety remains central, not subordinate to hypothesis testing....Vulnerability should never be seen as an opportunity to advance research at the expense of those it claims to serve." @natureportfolio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Whose ethics govern global health research?
Ethical research must not exploit scarcity as an experimental variable.
www.nature.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Sir Nicholas White @moru-mip.bsky.social

Nick was a visionary in #malaria treatment whose work transformed global health.
He will be remembered with great respect and affection

Read our tribute 👉 www.tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk/news/profess...
February 3, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
drboulware.bsky.social
ICE claims 3500 aliens arrested in Minnesota in past 9 weeks. Increase of 200 since Jan 22 (12 days).

3000-4000 federal agents capturing ~17 people per day, some of whom had legal status and are illegally detained.
1 US citizen murdered in exchange for 200 aliens.
But…

kstp.com/kstp-news/to...
Questions raised after DHS releases new Operation Metro Surge arrest data
The Department of Homeland Security claims it's taking the "worst of the worst" off the streets during its immigration surge, but many of their claims are difficult to verify or misleading.
kstp.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
thedlcc.bsky.social
A North Carolina woman died because she couldn’t access the reproductive health care she needed as a result of the state’s restrictive laws.

Republicans’ anti-abortion agenda is killing women.
A pregnant woman at risk of heart failure couldn’t get urgent care. She died waiting for an abortion • NC Newsline
In North Carolina, a state that had legislated its commitment to life, Ciji Graham spent her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers.
ncnewsline.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
boghuma.bsky.social
We lost a beloved a beloved ID colleague & friend unexpectedly this week. Dr. Lauren Collins' legacy and the many lives she touched will live on. A compassionate physician who was leader in the fight to end HIV locally and nationally.
#IDSky
gradyhealthfoundation.donorsupport.co/page/laurenc...
Dr. Lauren Collins Memorial Fund
This fund was created by Dr. Collins' family in her honor. The fund is dedicated to continue efforts at the Grady Ponce De Leon Center to end the HIV Epidemic through person-centered, interprofessiona...
gradyhealthfoundation.donorsupport.co
February 1, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
revmelanienola.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2026/01/31/u...
Judge orders 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father released from immigration detention, source says | CNN
A federal judge has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejos Ramos and his father from the South Texas Family Detention Center in Dilley, Texas, according to a source with knowledge of the feder...
www.cnn.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
paulisci.bsky.social
Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964.

The headline and lede from The Daily Mirror:
Nobel prize for a wife from OXford A HOUSEWIFE and mother of three yesterday won the 18,750 GBP Nobel chemistry prize -- for a lifetime devotion to science. --Daily Mirror, 30 Oct 1964
January 29, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Reposted by Ilan Schwartz
aetiology.bsky.social
Had not heard that Duesberg had passed. One of the century's mass murderers.
malar0ne.bsky.social Mallory Harris, PhD @malar0ne.bsky.social · 18d
AIDS denier Peter Duesberg passed away earlier this month. He gave disastrous advice to the president of South Africa, encouraging policies that led to an estimated 330,000 preventable deaths. 35,000 babies were born with HIV that could have been prevented. www.theguardian.com/world/2008/n...
Thabo Mbeki Aids policy 'led to 330,000 deaths'
Policies of former president directly responsible for avoidable deaths of a third of a million people in South Africa
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:22 PM