Shafran Gastroenterology Center

In Situ identification of mycobacteria in Crohn’s disease patient tissue using confocal scanning laser microscopy.
S.A. Naser, I. Shafran, D. Schwartz, F. El-Zaatari and J. Biggerstaff,
Molecular and Cellular Probes; Accepted for publication for 2002

Open clinical trial of Rifabutin and Clarithromycin therapy in Crohn’s Disease.
I. Shafran, L. Kugler, F.A.K. El-Zaatari, S.A. Naser, J. Sandoval,
Digestive and Liver Disease; Accepted for publication for 2002

Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis as one cause of Crohn's Disease
W. Chamberlain, D.Y. Graham, K. Hulten, H.M.T. El-Zimaity, M.R. Schwartz, S. Naser, I. Shafran, F.A.K. El-Zaatari, Aliment Pharmacol Ther 15:000-000 (2001).
Full text (.pdf)

Use of Short Term Culture for Identification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis in Tissue from Crohn’s Disease Patients.
D. Schwartz, I. Shafran, C. Romero, N. Naser, C. Piromalli, J. Biggerstaff, W. Chamberlain and S.A. Naser, Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 6:1-6 (2000).

Isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis from Breast Milk of Crohn’s Disease Patients.
S. Naser, I. Shafran, D. Schwartz.
American Journal of Gastroenterology. 95(4) 1094-1095 (2000).

Fistula Healing in MAP Positive Crohn’s Disease Patients Following Rifabutin and Macrolide Antibiotic Treatment.
I. Shafran, L. Kugler, J. Sandoval
(Submitted to DDW: Gastroenterology).

A Comparative Analysis of Anti-Saccharomyces Antibodies (ASCA) and p35 and p36 Recombinant Clones for the Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease (CD)
I. Shafran, C. Piromalli, S. Naser,
Gastroenterology. 118(4): A697 (2000).

Cost Analysis of Antibiotic Treatment in Crohn’s Disease Patients Serologically Positive for Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis.
I. Shafran, C. Piromalli and J. Davies
Gastroenterology 118(4): A5071 (2000).

Mycobacterium Identification in Stool Cultures of IBD Patients Serologically Positive for Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis.
I. Shafran M.D, C. Piromalli B.S
Gastroenterology 118(4): A6207 (2000).

Identification of Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis in Crohn's Tissue.
I. Shafran, C. Piromalli, C. Romero, D. Schwartz and S. Naser
Gastroenterology 118(4): A1767 (2000).

Rifabutin and Macrolide Antibiotic Treatment in Crohn’s Patients Identified Serologically Positive for Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis.
I. Shafran, C. Piromalli, S. Naser
Gastroenterology 118(4): A4182 (2000).

Specific seroreactivity of Crohn's disease patients against p35 and p36 antigens of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis.
Naser SA, Hulten K, Shafran I, Graham DY, El-Zaatari FA
Vet Microbiol 2000 Dec 20;77(3-4):497-504

Comparison of Serolgic Markers for the Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease.
I. Shafran, M.D., C. Piromalli, F. El-Zaatari, Ph.D
Am J of Gastroenterol. 94, 2761 (1999).

Serum sickness-like illness in Crohn’s Disease Patients Treated With Antibiotics.
I. Shafran M.D. and C. Piromalli
Am J of Gastroenterol. 94, 2737 (1999).

Treatment of Crohn’s Disease with Rifabutin and Macrolide Antibiotics.
I. Shafran, C. Piromalli
Am J of Gastroenterol 94, 2761 (1999).

Mycobacterium Avium, SS Paratuberculosis, in Crohn’s Disease is an Affirmative.
D. Schwartz, D. Campbell, C. Romero, I. Shafran, S. Naser
presented at the American Society of Microbiology Meeting, 99th meeting, Chicago, May of 1999, poster session.

In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Tuberculous Drugs Against M. Avium, Subspecies Paratuberculosis, for Treatment of Crohn’s’ Disease.
D. Campbell, D. Schwartz, C. Romero, I. Shafran, S. Naser
presented at the American Society of Microbiology 99th Meeting, May of 1999, poster session.

Endoscopic Healing of Crohn’s Disease After Antibiotic Treatment.
I. Shafran, C. Piromalli, S. Naser
Gastroenterology, A-929 (1999).

Humeral Immune Response of Crohn’s Patients for Mycobacterium Avium, Subspecies Paratuberculosis.
I. Shafran, W. Fenster, C. Piromalli, C. Romero, D. Schwartz, D. Campbell, F. El-Zaatari
Gastroenterology, A-929 (1999).

In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Tuberculous Drugs Against Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis for Treatment of Crohn’s Disease.
S.A. Naser, W. Fenster, C. Romero, D. Schwartz, C. Piromalli, I. Shafran
Gastroenterology, A-783 (1999).

Rapid Culturing and PCR Detection of Mycobacterium Avium, SS. Paratuberculosis, from Crohn’s Disease Tissue.
S. Naser, W. Fenster, C. Romero, D. Schwartz, C. Campbell, C. Piromalli, I. Shafran
Gastroenterology, A-782 (1999).

Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis in Crohn’s Disease Is Serologically Positive
S. Naser, I. Shafran
Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 6: 282 (1999).

Specific Seroreactivity of Crohn’s Disease Patients Against P 35 and P 36 Antigens of M. Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis, S.A. Naser, K. Hulten, I. Shafran, D.Y. Graham, F. El-Zaatari, presented at the 1999 6th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis in Melbourne, Australia.

The Use of Combined Antigens for Specific Diagnosis of Crohn’ Disease.
I. Shafran, W. Fenster, S. Ishak, F. El-Zaatari, S. Naser
presented at the American Society of Microbiology, 98th General Meeting, in Atlanta, Georgia, May of 1998.

IRA SHAFRAN M.D., P.A. As a Board Certified Gastroenterologist practicing in the Orlando area since 1979, Dr. Shafran completed his Internal Medicine & GI training at Ohio State University Medical School. During the past several years, he has been on the forefront of researching a cause & a cure for Crohn's disease. He continues to pursue ground breaking research, producing numerous publications and becoming internationally renown for his expertise using novel, successful therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dr. Shafran was acknowledged as one of America's "Top" Gastroenterologist in the Guide to Top Doctors '99 publication. He is considered among the "Top 70 Doctors" in Central Florida according to his peers and featured in the Orlando Magazine's December 2000 and 2001 issues. Frequently, he can be seen on TV for newsworthy GI developments on America's Health Network and PBS HealthWeek. Featured in Saturday Evening Post's May-June 2004 article, Reducing the Risk of Crohn's Disease. He has also been an outspoken patient advocate & supporter of Patient Rights. At the Shafran Gastroenterology Center, our associates & staff take great pride in providing our patients with the highest quality medical care in a warm & friendly way, tailoring treatment to meet each patient’s specific needs.
EDUCATION
1967-1971	B Sc., in Zoology, cum laude; Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
1971-1974	M.D., cum laude; Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
1974-1975	Medical Internship; Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus, OH
1975-1977	Medical Residency; Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus, OH
1977-1979	Gastroenterology Fellowship; Ohio State Univ. Hospital, Columbus, OH
BOARD CERTIFICATION
6/1977	American Board of Internal Medicine #61873
6/1979	American Board of Internal Medicine, Subspecialty of Gastroenterology #61873
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1975-1979	Participated in National Cooperative on Crohn's Disease
1979-Present	Private Practice in Gastroenterology in Orlando, FL Assistant Professor-Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology-University South Florida Assistant Professor-Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology-Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL Dr. Shafran performs procedures at Florida Hospital South (601 E. Rollins St., Orlando) and at the MNH Surgery Center ( 1101 North Maitland Avenue, Suite #4, Maitland).
1978-Present	Active Medical Staff, Florida Hospital
1979-1996	Active Medical Staff, Winter Park Memorial Hospital
1980-1990	Chairman Department of Endoscopy, Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL
1984-1996	Active Medical Staff, South Seminole Community Hospital
1992-1997	Chairman Department of Endoscopy, Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL
1990-Present	Risk Management Advisor, Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL
1990-Present	Founder, Concerned Physicians of America, Non-profit organization asserting the rights of the Doctors and the Patients
1994-Present	Volunteer Physician, Health Care Clinic for the Homeless, Orlando, FL
1997	Special Advisor to Florida Hospital. Dr. Shafran performs procedures at Florida Hospital South (601 E. Rollins St., Orlando) and at the MNH Surgery Center ( 1101 North Maitland Avenue, Suite #4, Maitland).
PUBLICATIONS (separate page)
ORGANIZATIONS & SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
Current American Gastronenterolocic Association Florida Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy National Illeitis and Colitis Foundation Member Foundation for Excellence and Ethics in Medicine Paratuberculosis Aggressive Research Association Alpha Epsilon Delta Society Phi Beta Kappa American Society of Microbiology International Paratuberculosis Association Past American College of Legal Medicine American College of Physician Executives Orange County Medical Society Florida Society of Internal Medicine American Society of Internal Medicine American Association for the Study of Liver Disease Member American Academy of Fellow Physicians Member International Colloquium on Mycobacteria Paratuberculosis
EDUCATOR
Dedicated educator and lecturer to students, colleagues, patients, and the public AIDS activist, along with his wife, who is the co-founder of the HIV Awareness Program for the Florida Medical Association and both have lectured & contributed greatly to the cause of AIDS prevention. Preceptor Teacher in flexible sigmoidoscopy (certified by ASGE) Set up flexible sigmoidoscopy clinic in large teaching hospital, allowing hundreds of residents to learn the skills of flexible sigmoidoscopy. Preceptorship enables residents, students, and pharmacy reps to work with and shadow Dr. Shafran Instrumental in developing clinical guidelines and algorithms for a variety of internal medicine subspecialties.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Dr. Shafran has participated in QA and continued quality improvement issues since 1979 and has been an active leader in QA in his specialty. Served as an independent QA review since 1980, reviewing other gastroenterologists procedures for proctorship and re-certification. Participant in regular risk management issues where standard of care issues and medical-legal decision-making violations may occur.
MEDICAL-LEGAL
Founded Specialty Review Xperts (SRX) in 1994. Dedicated to expert review for the defense council in medical-legal issues & medical malpractice cases. Dr. Shafran has participated in medical-legal liason efforts through the Orange County Medical Society, participating on the medical-legal subcommittee. Successful in expert consultation in dismissing numerous frivolous malpractice actions against individual physicians and hospitals. Member of the American College of Legal Medicine.
PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATE & HEALTH CARE REFORM
Through Concerned Physicians of America (CPA), a non-profit Florida corporations founded in 1996, he is educating patients in healthcare reform issues. Involving patients in the healthcare reform process by showing them how to be in touch with their elected officals regarding a variety of health care issues. Instrumental in combating fraud and abuse Reaffirming the importance of the Doctor/Patient Relationship and the Hippocratic Oath with patients and colleges.
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
Crohn's Disease and Mycobacterial infection Serologic diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease Antibiotic treatment of Crohn's Disease.
PUBLICATIONS