Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Division of Infectious Diseases

Faculty Profiles

[Return To Index page]
photo Karin E. Byers, MD, MS

Infectious Diseases

Professor of Medicine and Neurosurgery

Associate Chief of Clinical Care

Clinical Director, Division of Infectious Diseases

Director, Surgical Infections Unit

Email: byerke@upmc.edu

Phone: 412-647-7228

Contact
Office: Falk Medical Building
3601 Fifth Avenue, 7th floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
 
Phone: 412-647-7228
Fax: 412-647-7951
E-mail: byerke@upmc.edu
Administrative Assistant:
Barbara J Holliday
Email: bjh31@pitt.edu
Phone: 412-648-6601
Fax: 412-648-6399
Education and Training
Education
BS, Pennsylvania State Hospital, University Park, PA, 1987
MD, Temple University of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 1991
MS-Epidemiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1996
Training
Internship, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 1992
Residency Training, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 1994
Infectious Diseases Fellowship, University of Virginia School of Medicine, VA, 1997
Research Interest
Dr. Byers’ major areas of interest are orthopedic and neurosurgical infections. She is also interested in preventing adverse outcomes from antibiotics.
Clinical Interest
Dr. Byers' major clinical interests are in the area of surgical infections with a particular interest in neurosurgical infections and orthopedic infections. She is also interested in nosocomial pathogens and optimal use of antimicrobials.
Publications
Selected Publications:
Tunkel, A. R., Hasbun, R., Bhimraj, A., Byers, K., Kaplan, S. L., Scheld, W. M., Van De Beek, D., Bleck, T. P., Garton, H. J., Zunt, J. R. 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America's Clinical Practice Guidelines for Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2017; 64(6): e34-e65.
Viehman JA, Oleksuik LM, Sheridan KR, Byers KE, He P, Falcione BA, Shields RK. Adverse events lead to drug discontinuation more commonly among patients who receive nafcillin compared to oxacillin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2016; pii: AAC.03122-15: 2697858.
Hobson CE, Moy JD, Byers KE, Raz Y, Hirsch BE, McCall AA. Malignant Otitis Externa: Evolving Pathogens and Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014; 151(1): 112-116.
Kono Y, Prevedello DM, Snyderman CH, Gardner PA, Kassam AB, Carrau RL, Byers KE. One thousand endoscopic skull base surgical procedures demystifying the infection potential: incidence and description of postoperative meningitis and brain abscesses. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011; 32(1): 77-83.
Christini AB, Shitt KA, Byers KE. Influenza vaccination rates and motivators among healthcare worker groups. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2007; 28(2): 171-7.
Harris AE, Hennicke C, Byers KE, Horowitz M, Venkataramanan R, Paterson DL. Postoperative discitis due to Propionibacterium acnes: a case report and review of the literature. Pharmacotherapy. 2004; 24 (6): 803-7.
Notable Achievements
"Best Doctors in America", 2015-2020
Clinical Educator of the Year Award, 2017
Infectious Diseases Fellows' Excellence in Teaching Award, 2014
"Best Doctors in America", 2015-2016
Clinical Educator of the Year Award, 2008