Edward L. Kaplan, M.D.

Professor, Pediatrics and Epidemiology
Head, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Streptococci
Mayo Mail Code 296
420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-1112
Fax: (612) 626-2467
kapla001@umn.edu

Dr. Kaplan is Professor in the Divisions of Pediatric Infectious Disease and of Pediatric Cardiology. As Head of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Streptococci, Dr. Kaplan is primarily interested in the study of group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae. This streptococcal reference and research laboratory was established by the late Dr. Lewis W. Wannamaker in the early 1950's and has maintained a productive record of studying the relationship between the human host and the group A streptococcus. This laboratory is one of only five World Health Organization Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Streptococci in the world. Currently, the laboratory addresses the epidemiology, microbiology, immunology of group A streptococci, applied research which involves investigations of the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of streptococcal infections, as well studies of the prevention and therapy of group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae. 

Since the latter 1980's and continuing to the present, there has been an unexpected and unexplained resurgence of serious group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae in the United States and throughout the world. Dr. Kaplan's laboratory has been working for a more complete understanding and delineation of this resurgence of serious streptococcal infections. This includes definition of specific organisms involved with this resurgence and examination of the dynamic epidemiology of group A streptococcal serotypes associated with uncomplicated infections. This is important in order to document changes in microbial virulence and communicability of responsible serotypes.

Laboratory emphasis has been concentrated on more completely understanding the shifting prevalence of group A streptococcal strains by correlation of classical laboratory techniques for characterizing group A streptococci with newer molecular techniques. The laboratory is an active participant in an international network of reference laboratories in these studies.

Active studies of the epidemiology and spread of group A streptococci include prospective studies comparing the relative influence of the school and the home in the spread of these organisms in the community.

An active program of applied research of optimal diagnosis and therapy of group A streptococcal infections has been conducted in Dr. Kaplan's laboratory for many years. These have been directed to improving clinical management of patients with streptococcal infections. Recent investigations include optimal and cost-effective laboratory techniques to aid clinicians and epidemiologists. The laboratory has actively participated in studies of optimal antibiotic therapy for these infections. As a part of this latter program, there has been continuing surveillance for detecting clinically significant changes in antimicrobial susceptibility of group A streptococci obtained from countries around the world.

As a laboratory with long standing international interests, epidemiological studies have been carried out in collaboration with colleagues in many parts of the world. Currently, active clinical and laboratory collaborations include countries in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and South America.

A program to further delineate possible genetic predisposition to development of rheumatic fever has been carried out in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute for Medical Education and Research in India.

Possibilities exist for post-graduate training in Dr. Kaplan's laboratory. Recent laboratory studies have been coordinated with trainees' enrollment in the School of Public Health's Masters Degree Program. In addition, specific laboratory projects have been made available to appropriately qualified individuals from other countries to master laboratory techniques for beginning or upgrading laboratory facilities in other countries.