Dr. Zerr’s research has focused on two main areas: (1) Defining the epidemiology of viral pathogens in healthy children and immunocompromised hosts and (2) describing the epidemiology and defining effective prevention strategies for healthcare-associated infections. Dr. Zerr’s research has contributed to defining the natural history of primary infection with human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B), a virus that infects most people by age 3 years. Her work has also helped define the epidemiology and disease associations of HHV-6B reactivation following transplantation. Dr. Zerr currently leads a trial through Children’s Oncology Group to determine whether bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate reduces central line-associated bloodstream infections in children with cancer. Secondary aims include determining whether use of CHG 1) reduces acquisition of multi-drug resistant organisms and 2) results in increases in CHG MICs and/or resistance to commonly-used antibiotics in cutaneous bacteria. She collaborates with Drs. Boeckh, Englund, and Weissman.