Ann Petru, MD

Title(s)Professor, Pediatrics
SchoolSchool of Medicine
Address3333 California Street, #4417
San Francisco CA 94118
Phone510-428-3336 ext. 2289
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse Education and Training
    Children's Hospital & Research Center, Oakland, CAResidencyPediatrics
    University of California, San FranciscoMD
    Collapse Awards and Honors
    Oakland Magazine 2009  - 2010Best East Bay Doctors
    Children's Miracle Network1994 "Miracle-Maker" Award
    Children's Hospital Oakland1985Teacher of the Year
    Alameda County2015Women's Hall of Fame Inductee
    Children's Hospital Oakland2008Bronze Bambino

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse Overview
    Ann Petru, MD is a Pediatric Infectious Diseases physician who has been working at Children’s Hospital Oakland since completing her residency there. She was involved in many clinical trials in the 1980s and 1990s, then started to focus more on HIV and AIDS as that epidemic started to affect children. In addition to HIV and AIDS, she has focused on common and challenging problems in the field, including use of antibiotics in children, common “Staph” and “Strep” infections, bacterial and other forms of meningitis, Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBV), and coccidioidomycosis (the fungus that causes Valley Fever). However, her primary focus has been the treatment support of children living with HIV/AIDS and preventing transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies.

    Dr. Petru provided care for the first pediatric HIV/AIDS case in the Bay Area in 1983. In 1986, she started the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Program, which has treated more than 1000 HIV-infected and HIV-exposed infants, children and adolescents. Many of her patients were among the first to participate in clinical trials that provided zidovudine (AZT or ZDV) treatment for children, then followed by many other drugs as they were becoming available for adults and where data in children was lacking. These groundbreaking studies allowed her and her staff to evaluate many drug combinations for HIV management, immunizations in children with HIV, and the long-term effects on children receiving drugs for HIV disease. Because drug therapies have been so successful, children are living much longer and their treatment has become far simpler and better tolerated. Aggressive identification of HIV infection before and during pregnancy and improved therapies have dramatically reduced transmission of HIV from mothers to their children over the last 20 years.

    Since 2023, she has worked with colleagues at UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital to enable women with HIV to consider breastfeeding their infants without substantially increasing the risk of transmission of HIV to those babies. Her clinic continues to follow children with HIV who were born elsewhere but relocated to the Bay area, while a colleague follows adolescents with infection acquired beyond the newborn and early childhood years.

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse Publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. From Microcytosis to Macrodiagnosis. Pediatrics. 2021 08; 148(2). El-Haj N, HarnEnz Z, Singer ST, Kim S, Cham E, Ling N, Karakas SP, Nguyen VA, Petru AM. PMID: 34326177.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    2. Twelve-year-old With Chronic Chest and Abdominal Pain. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2017 05; 36(5):533. Takayanagi A, Petru A. PMID: 28403062.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    3. Paucity of Intact Non-Induced Provirus with Early, Long-Term Antiretroviral Therapy of Perinatal HIV Infection. PLoS One. 2017; 12(2):e0170548. Rainwater-Lovett K, Ziemniak C, Watson D, Luzuriaga K, Siberry G, Petru A, Chen Y, Uprety P, McManus M, Ho YC, Lamers SL, Persaud D. PMID: 28178277; PMCID: PMC5298215.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    4. Comparison of moderate and severe hospitalized Pediatric 2009 H1N1 influenza cases. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 Feb; 32(2):e90-3. Labeaud AD, Wentworth B, Gildengorin G, Tam K, Guardia-Labar L, Petru A. PMID: 23080289.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    5. Photo quiz. Painful arthritis and extremity rash in an 8-year-old boy. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 May; 54(10):1473, 1514-5. Islam S, Cooney T, Singh A, Petru AM, LaBeaud AD. PMID: 22527963.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    6. Vaccine-acquired rotavirus in infants with severe combined immunodeficiency. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jan 28; 362(4):314-9. Patel NC, Hertel PM, Estes MK, de la Morena M, Petru AM, Noroski LM, Revell PA, Hanson IC, Paul ME, Rosenblatt HM, Abramson SL. PMID: 20107217; PMCID: PMC4103739.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 69     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    7. Purulent pericardial effusion in a 14-year-old girl. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2009 Dec; 28(12):1140, 1147-8. Yeh J, Culbertson C, Petru AM. PMID: 19953691.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    8. Rhinovirus associated with severe lower respiratory tract infections in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2009 Apr; 28(4):337-9. Louie JK, Roy-Burman A, Guardia-Labar L, Boston EJ, Kiang D, Padilla T, Yagi S, Messenger S, Petru AM, Glaser CA, Schnurr DP. PMID: 19258921.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 67     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    9. Altered iron metabolism in children with human immunodeficiency virus disease. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2009 Mar; 26(2):69-84. Butensky James E, Harmatz P, Lee M, Kennedy C, Petru A, Wara D, Miaskowski C. PMID: 19322737.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Severe pneumonia due to adenovirus serotype 14: a new respiratory threat? Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Feb 01; 46(3):421-5. Louie JK, Kajon AE, Holodniy M, Guardia-LaBar L, Lee B, Petru AM, Hacker JK, Schnurr DP. PMID: 18173356.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 57     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    11. A seven-month-old infant with acute onset of neurologic deterioration. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2007 Nov; 26(11):1072-3, 1078-9. Chang K, Petru AM, Lee BP. PMID: 17984823.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    12. Perinatal transmission of multidrug-resistant HIV-1 despite viral suppression on an enfuvirtide-based treatment regimen. AIDS. 2005 Jun 10; 19(9):989-90. Cohan D, Feakins C, Wara D, Petru A, McNicholl I, Schillinger D, Lu J, Kuritzkes D, Deeks SG. PMID: 15905684.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic Health
    13. Temporal trends in early clinical manifestations of perinatal HIV infection in a population-based cohort. JAMA. 2005 May 11; 293(18):2221-31. Berk DR, Falkovitz-Halpern MS, Hill DW, Albin C, Arrieta A, Bork JM, Cohan D, Nilson B, Petru A, Ruiz J, Weintrub PS, Wenman W, Maldonado YA, California Pediatric HIV Study Group. PMID: 15886377.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 20     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    14. Safety and immunogenicity of a heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infants with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Pediatrics. 2003 Jul; 112(1 Pt 1):66-73. Nachman S, Kim S, King J, Abrams EJ, Margolis D, Petru A, Shearer W, Smith E, Moye J, Blanchard S, Hawkins E, Bouquin P, Vink P, Benson M, Estep S, Malinoski F, Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study 292 Team. PMID: 12837869.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic HealthCTClinical Trials
    15. When the time comes to talk about HIV: factors associated with diagnostic disclosure and emotional distress in HIV-infected children. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2002 Nov 01; 31(3):309-17. Lester P, Chesney M, Cooke M, Weiss R, Whalley P, Perez B, Glidden D, Petru A, Dorenbaum A, Wara D. PMID: 12439206.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 33     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Oral ganciclovir in children: pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerance, and antiviral effects. The Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group. J Infect Dis. 2000 Dec; 182(6):1616-24. Frenkel LM, Capparelli EV, Dankner WM, Xu J, Smith IL, Ballow A, Culnane M, Read JS, Thompson M, Mohan KM, Shaver A, Robinson CA, Stempien MJ, Burchett SK, Melvin AJ, Borkowsky W, Petru A, Kovacs A, Yogev R, Goldsmith J, McFarland EJ, Spector SA. PMID: 11069232.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsCTClinical Trials
    17. Oral manifestations and dental status in paediatric HIV infection. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2000 Mar; 10(1):3-11. Ramos-Gomez FJ, Petru A, Hilton JF, Canchola AJ, Wara D, Greenspan JS. PMID: 11310124.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    18. Use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) human hyperimmune immunoglobulin in HIV type 1-infected children (Pediatric AIDS clinical trials group protocol 273). J Infect Dis. 2000 Feb; 181(2):548-54. Stiehm ER, Fletcher CV, Mofenson LM, Palumbo PE, Kang M, Fenton T, Sapan CV, Meyer WA, Shearer WT, Hawkins E, Fowler MG, Bouquin P, Purdue L, Sloand EM, Nemo GJ, Wara D, Bryson YJ, Starr SE, Petru A, Burchett S. PMID: 10669338.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsCTClinical Trials
    19. Influence of HLA alleles on the rate of progression of vertically transmitted HIV infection in children: association of several HLA-DR13 alleles with long-term survivorship and the potential association of HLA-A*2301 with rapid progression to AIDS. Long-Term Survivor Study. Hum Immunol. 1997 Jul; 55(2):154-62. Chen Y, Winchester R, Korber B, Gagliano J, Bryson Y, Hutto C, Martin N, McSherry G, Petru A, Wara D, Ammann A. PMID: 9361967.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 18     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    20. A descriptive survey of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus-infected long-term survivors. Pediatrics. 1997 Apr; 99(4):E4. Nielsen K, McSherry G, Petru A, Frederick T, Wara D, Bryson Y, Martin N, Hutto C, Ammann AJ, Grubman S, Oleske J, Scott GB. PMID: 9099779.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    21. Severe esophagitis in a newborn infant. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996 Apr; 15(4):385. Azimi PH, Willert J, Petru A. PMID: 8866817.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Altered representation of naive and memory CD8 T cell subsets in HIV-infected children. J Clin Invest. 1995 May; 95(5):2054-60. Rabin RL, Roederer M, Maldonado Y, Petru A, Herzenberg LA, Herzenberg LA. PMID: 7738172; PMCID: PMC295792.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 45     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    23. No evidence of perinatal transmission of HTLV-II. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr (1988). 1993 Oct; 6(10):1168-70. Gallo D, Petru A, Yeh ET, Hanson CV. PMID: 8410673.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Reliability of polymerase chain reaction in the detection of human immunodeficiency virus infection in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1992 Jan; 11(1):30-3. Petru A, Dunphy MG, Azimi P, Janner D, Gallo D, Hanson C, Sohmer P, Stanley M. PMID: 1549405.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    25. Multisystem disease in an eight-year-old boy. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1991 Jul; 10(7):550, 553-4. Petru A. PMID: 1876475.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Foreign body pulmonary granulomas in an abuser of nasally inhaled drugs. Pediatrics. 1991 Jul; 88(1):159-61. Johnson DC, Petru A, Azimi PH. PMID: 2057254.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. Fatal adenovirus infection in a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1990 Jun; 9(6):434-6. Janner D, Petru AM, Belchis D, Azimi PH. PMID: 2164186.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Randomized comparative study of ampicillin/sulbactam vs. ceftriaxone for treatment of soft tissue and skeletal infections in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1989 Sep; 8(9):605-10. Kulhanjian J, Dunphy MG, Hamstra S, Levernier K, Rankin M, Petru A, Azimi P. PMID: 2677956.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:HumansCTClinical Trials
    29. Malassezia furfur: a cause of occlusion of percutaneous central venous catheters in infants in the intensive care nursery. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1988 Feb; 7(2):100-3. Azimi PH, Levernier K, Lefrak LM, Petru AM, Barrett T, Schenck H, Sandhu AS, Duritz G, Valesco M. PMID: 3125516.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    30. African sleeping sickness in the United States. Successful treatment with eflornithine. Am J Dis Child. 1988 Feb; 142(2):224-8. Petru AM, Azimi PH, Cummins SK, Sjoerdsma A. PMID: 3124603.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    31. Mycoplasmas: their role in pediatric disease. Curr Probl Pediatr. 1984 Aug; 14(8):1-46. Azimi PH, Chase PA, Petru AM. PMID: 6386349.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    32. Esophagitis associated with Candida infection in a neonate. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1984 Mar; 23(3):179-81. Petru A, Azimi PH. PMID: 6697625.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
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