Jeff Tornheim, MD, MPH

Role: 
Faculty
Associate Professor
Dr. Jeffrey Tornheim
Jeff Tornheim, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases here at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research explores the application of new diagnostic technologies to improved health outcomes in the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis among both adult and pediatric patients in India. 

Dr. Tornheim recently completed his infectious diseases fellowship at Johns Hopkins, during which he worked with Drs. Amita Gupta, Vidya Mave, Bob Bollinger of Johns Hopkins, and with Dr. Zarir Udwadia at the Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. His interest in clinical outcomes for underserved populations led him to practice in physician training environments in Bolivia, Peru, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, and the United States.

Dr. Tornheim completed a clinical fellowship in infectious diseases in June 2017. Prior to that he completed residencies at Yale University in both internal medicine and pediatrics. He received an MD/MPH from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, with his thesis evaluating the impact of water policy on rates of pediatric diarrhea in Bolivia. After completing undergraduate studies in International Development and Economics at Brandeis University he moved to East Africa where he engaged in health system strengthening for returning refugees to South Sudan and worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the epidemiology of pneumonia and diarrhea in Western Kenya. At the same time he worked at the Bureau of TB Control for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and was actively engaged in the operations of an East Harlem free clinic. As a Fogarty International Clinical Scholar, he spent 2 years in rural Bolivia establishing and managing operations for a Chagas Disease treatment program.

 

The Regional Prospective Observational Research In Tuberculosis (Report) India Phase II Common Protocol

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2022-01-10
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Purpose and Scientific Aims The purpose of the RePORT India Phase II Common Protocol is to collect and utilize data and specimens for tuberculosis (TB) research, leveraging the existing infrastructure, processes, and scientific partnerships established under RePORT India consortium. The RePORT...

Pharmacokinetic Assessment of MDR-TB Drugs in the Treatment of TB Meningitis

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2020-08-23
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Rationale: MDR-TBM is a devastating disease with high mortality and severe neurologic sequelae among survivors. We recognize the importance of sufficient drug concentrations at the site of infection for efficacy of anti-TB drugs and believe it is likely that drug distribution into brain and CSF...

Epidemiology and Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 in India (ECO-19)

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2020-07-09
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This study was terminated May 25, 2021 This is a prospective cohort study of adults with suspected COVID-19 to address key knowledge gaps in the epidemiology of disease severity and poor clinical outcomes in India. Results from this study may help clinicians in India focus limited health resources...

Evaluation of a Urinary Biomarker Assay for Diagnosis and Test of Cure for Tuberculosis

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2019-09-09
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Dr. Jeff Tornheim is PI of this study. METHODS This study will make use of biorepository samples from the Cohort for TB Research by the Indo-US Medical Partnership (CTRIUMPh). CTRIUMPh, funded by the US NIH and Indian Department of Biotechnology, is an academic collaboration between Johns Hopkins...

Host RNA Expression for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Pediatric TB in Africa and India

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2018-12-13
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We are leveraging the RePORT platform by including a cohort of Indian children together with South African children in a large validation study to study on changes in gene expression profiles during treatment for TB

Validation of Sputum as Direct DNA Source for Whole Genome Sequencing of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

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2018-09-20
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This study was terminated on September 27, 2021 Dr. Jeffrey Tornheim is Principal Investigator for this study. There are limited studies available from India on whole genome sequencing (WGS). This is a first-of-its-kind wherein WGS for MTB will be carried out utilizing direct sputum DNA and...

Assessing Tuberculosis Transmission Dynamics, Drug Resistance and Recurrence Using Whole Genome Sequencing in Pune, India

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2018-06-12
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Indo-JHU researchers are using combined geospatial and genotyping methods to describe TB transmission dynamics in a hyperlocal region of Pune City in Western India.

Predictors of Resistance Emergence Evaluation in Multidrug Resistant-Tuberculosis Patients on Treatment (PREEMPT Pilot Study)

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2018-03-20
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Indo-JHU Clinical Resarch Partnership is participating with Brazilian colleagues in a 3-year effort led by Boston University to identify what contributes to TB drug resistance.

MDR-TB Free: Monitoring Adverse Effects, Utilizing Resources Optimally, Knowing Resistance Patterns, and Treatment Strategy

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2017-03-24
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This study is also known as MDR-TB MUKT: Monitoring Adverse Effects, Utilizing Resources Optimally, Knowing Resistance Patterns, and Treatment Strategy. Purpose: To establish an observational cohort of MDR-TB cases and household contacts with accompanying biorepository at PD Hinduja National...

Multicenter Study of the Accuracy of the BD MAX MDR-TB Assay for Detection of M. tuberculosis Complex and Mutations Associated with Resistance to Rifampin or Isoniazid

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2017-03-01
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In a multi-country study, we are assessing the accuracy of the BD MAX rapid MDR-TB assay to detect rifampin and isoniazid resistance.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis of Microbiologically Confirmed Pediatric Tuberculosis Patients and Uninfected Household Contacts

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2016-09-01
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This study was terminated in June 2020. This study is using stored samples from the Cohort for Tuberculosis Research by the Indo-US Medical Partnership (C-TRIUMPH), under the Regional Prospective Observational Research for Tuberculosis (RePORT) Network, an international TB...

Establishing an Observational Cohort Database for Patient Care and Research at the Hinduja Hospital Chest Clinic

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2016-08-30
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India has the largest burden of global tuberculosis (TB), accounting for one quarter of the total number of cases reported. Together with South Africa, India sees one-third of the total number of deaths from TB. Drug-resistant strains of the disease are also on the rise, with India having one...

Whole Genome Sequencing and Trek Sensititre Testing of Stored Isolates of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis from a Clinical Cohort at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai

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2016-05-02
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Among HIV-positive TB patients presenting to Médecins San Frontières (MSF) clinics in Mumbai, 78% carried MDR-TB strains, with nearly half also found to have additional drug resistance. A previously published cohort of 202 patients cared for at these MSF clinics have enrolled in a...

Whole Genome Sequencing of Clinical Isolates from Patients with Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis in India 

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2015-11-12
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This study was terminated August 9, 2019. Comparative genomic analysis using whole genome sequencing (WGS) offers an opportunity to understand the specific mutations associated with drug resistance and the phenotypic behavior of TB. As treatment programs incorporate more...

BWI CTU: Baltimore-Washington-India Clinical Trials Unit

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2007-02-02
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Comprising clinical trial sites at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Whitman Walker Health in Washington, DC, and the BJGMC-CCGHE collaboration in Pune, India, the Baltimore-Washington-India Clinical Trials Unit (BWI-CTU) is one of only 25 international HIV/TB clinical trial sites funded by the...

Characterising cause of death among people treated for drug-susceptible TB in India

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2023-01-12
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The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Annually, 1.5 million people die of TB.1 India has thehighest burden of TB,1 and in 2020, the case fatality ratio (CFR) among people with drug-susceptible TB was 4.3%.2 Even after treatment, mortality is more than two-fold higher among people with prior TB compared to the general population.3...

Pharmacokinetic analysis of linezolid for multidrug resistant tuberculosis at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai, India

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2023-01-04
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Frontiers in Pharmacology
Linezolid is an oxazolidinone used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), including in the recently-endorsed shorter 6-month treatment regimens. Due to its narrow therapeutic index, linezolid is often either dose-adjusted or discontinued due to intolerance or toxicity during treatment...

The Kynurenine / Tryptophan Ratio is a Sensitive Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Tuberculosis among Indian Children

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2022-12-22
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Frontiers in Immunology
Objectives: Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains difficult to diagnose. The plasma kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (K/T ratio) is a potential biomarker for TB diagnosis and treatment response but has not been assessed in children. Methods: We performed a targeted diagnostic accuracy analysis of four...

Whole Genome Sequencing Assessing Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Tuberculosis Mutations and Type of Recurrence in India

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2022-10-06
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Clinical Infectious Diseases
Dr. Vidya Mave and colleagues concluded considerable intrahost mycobacterium tuberculosis mutation rates were present at recurrence among patients with diabetes mellitus.

Cycloserine did not increase depression incidence or severity at standard dosing for MDR-TB

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2022-03-24
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European Respitory Journal
In 2018 cycloserine was elevated to World Health Organization (WHO) group B status for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and is recommended in longer MDR-TB treatment regimens [ 1 ]. Inclusion of cycloserine is associated with improved MDR-TB treatment success and reduced mortality, but is...

Integrating services for HIV and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a global cross-sectional survey among ART clinics in low- and middle-income countries

Post Date: 
2022-03-01
Publication: 
PLOS Global Public Health
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among PLHIV and multidrug-resistant-TB (MDR-TB) is associated with high mortality. We examined the management for adult PLHIV coinfected with MDR-TB at ART clinics in lower income countries. Between 2019 and 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey...

Increased Moxifloxacin Dosing among MDR-TB Patients with Low-Level Resistance to Moxifloxacin did not Improve Treatment Outcomes in a Tertiary Care Center in Mumbai, India

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2021-12-23
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Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains resistant to isoniazid and rifampin (multidrug-resistant tuberculosis [MDR-TB]) are increasingly reported worldwide, requiring renewed focus on the nuances of drug resistance. Patients with low-level moxifloxacin resistance may benefit from higher...

Modern lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were recently introduced in western India and demonstrate increased transmissibility

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2021-08-21
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Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmissibility may vary between lineages (or variants) and this may contribute to the slow decline of tuberculosis (TB) incidence. The objective of our study was to compare transmissibility across four major lineages (L1-4) of Mtb among participants...

Targeted next generation sequencing directly from sputum for comprehensive genetic information on drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

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2021-07-13
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Tuberculosis
Background: Timely drug resistance detection is essential to global tuberculosis management. Unfortunately, rapid molecular tests assess resistance to only a few drugs, with culture required for comprehensive susceptibility test results. Methods: We evaluated targeted next generation sequencing (...

Linezolid resistance mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates at a tertiary center in Mumbai, India

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2021-07-01
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Indian Journal of Medical Research
Background & objectives: Linezolid (LZD) is increasingly being used in tuberculosis (TB) treatment. However, LZD resistance has already been reported, which is highly alarming, given its critical therapeutic role. This study was aimed to phenotypically and genotypically assess LZD resistance in...

Delayed rise of oral fluid antibodies, elevated BMI, and absence of early fever correlate with longer time to SARS-CoV-2 RNA clearance in a longitudinally sampled cohort of COVID-19 outpatients

Post Date: 
2021-04-16
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Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Background Sustained molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract (URT) in mild to moderate COVID-19 is common. We sought to identify host and immune determinants of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. Methods Ninety-five outpatients self-collected mid-turbinate nasal,...

The clinical course of COVID-19 in the outpatient setting: a prospective cohort study

Post Date: 
2021-01-05
Publication: 
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Background Outpatient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been insufficiently characterized. To determine the progression of disease and determinants of hospitalization, we conducted a prospective cohort study. Methods Outpatient adults with positive reverse transcription polymerase chain...

Aspergillosis Complicating Severe Coronavirus Disease

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2021-01-01
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EID Journal
Aspergillosis complicating severe influenza infection has been increasingly detected worldwide. Recently, coronavirus disease–associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been detected through rapid reports, primarily from centers in Europe. We provide a case series of CAPA, adding 20 cases to the...

Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics reveals novel biomarkers in the blood for tuberculosis diagnosis in children

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2020-11-11
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Scientific Reports
Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem. Improved pediatric diagnostics using readily available biosources are urgently needed. We used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze plasma metabolite profiles of Indian children with active TB (n = 16) and age- and sex...

Clinical features associated with linezolid resistance among multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India

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2020-07-24
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Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and other Mycobacterial Diseases
Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an increasing problem worldwide, and 24% occurs in India. Linezolid is associated with improved MDR-TB treatment outcomes but causes significant side-effects and drug susceptibility testing (DST) is rarely available. This study assessed...

Whole genome enrichment approach for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and drug resistance-associated mutations from direct sputum sequencing

Post Date: 
2020-02-20
Publication: 
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), using routine culture-based methods is time consuming resulting in delayed diagnosis and poor treatment outcomes. Currently available molecular tests provide faster...

Transcriptomic profiles of confirmed pediatric tuberculosis patients and household contacts identifies active tuberculosis, infection, and treatment response among Indian children

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2019-12-04
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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Journal of Infectious Diseases: Gene expression profiles among Indian children with confirmed TB were distinct from those of adults, highlighting the importance of including distinct populations in differential gene expression models

Delamanid central nervous system pharmacokinetics in tuberculous meningitis in rabbits and humans

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2019-09-23
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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Central nervous system tuberculosis (TB) is devastating and affects vulnerable populations. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculous meningitis (TBM) specifically are nearly uniformly fatal, with little information being available to guide the treatment of...

Re: A Shorter Regimen for Rifampin-Resistant Tuberculosis

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2019-09-12
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New England Journal of Medicine
Dr. Jeff Tornheim and colleagues respond to an NEJM article about shorter course TB treatment.

Building the framework for standardized clinical laboratory reporting of next generation sequencing data for resistance-associated mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Post Date: 
2019-03-18
Publication: 
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Abstract Tuberculosis is the primary infectious disease killer worldwide, with a growing threat from multidrug- resistant cases. Unfortunately, classic growth-based phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) remains difficult, costly and time-consuming, while current rapid molecular testing...

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Pranay Vishwanath

Baltimore, Maryland
Pranay-Vishwanath
Pranay Vishwanath is a master's candidate in the field of Bioinformatics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and anticipated to graduate in Fall 2018. He is working with Drs. Amita Gupta and Jeffrey Tornheim, and is focusing on organization of data and generation/streamlining of bioinformatic pipelines for analysis of TB drug resistance assays. He received a bachelor's degree in Biotechnology at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology in 2016.

Madhurya Amirapu

Madhurya Amirapu
Madhurya Amirapu, a student at Basaveshwara Medical College, just spent 3 months doing a research elective with Dr. Jeff Tornheim at CCGHE. Learn more about her experience!

Arish Hussain

Baltimore, Maryland
Arish Hussain
ELECTIVE EXPERIENCE AT CCGHE My 6 week research elective commenced in the third week of September 2019 under the mentorship of Dr. Jeff Tornheim. I began by contacting Dr. Tornheim before coming to Baltimore and reading up on his work to familiarise myself with the topics. My primary aim for this block was to learn all the components that go into the making of an accurate scientific research paper. On reaching Baltimore, I attended an orientation session to meet my peers and toured the campus. We then set the first week’s targets. The first thing Dr. Tornheim recommended was a thorough read...

Tornheim Receives W. Leigh Thompson Excellence in Research Award

Post Date: 
2018-03-21
Photo of Dr. Jeffrey Tornheim
Jeff Tornheim's research on drug-resistant tuberculosis in India garners high honors from Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine.

Tornheim Promoted to Assistant Professor

Post Date: 
2017-08-31
His research explores whether 2 MDR-TB drug susceptibility tests using WGS & MIC can yield options for individualized treament.

CCGHE at ATS 2017

Post Date: 
2017-05-08
Abstract presentations from the American Thoracic Society International Conference in Washington, DC

Advancing Global TB Research through RePORT

Post Date: 
2016-02-29
Regional Prospective Observational Research for Tuberculosis (RePORT) International is a large, international tuberculosis research effort being undertaken by 4 regional consortia: RePORT Brazil, RePORT South Africa, RePORT Indonesia, and RePORT India. While each region collects and maintains...