
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Christian Merlo
Professional Titles
- Director of Outpatient Clinical Operations
Primary Academic Title
Associate Professor of Medicine
Background
Dr. Merlo is an internist who specializes in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Dr. Merlo also has clinical expertise in the care of patients with cystic fibrosis as well as clinical expertise in the care of patients with advanced lung disease who may require or have undergone lung transplantation. Dr. Merlo holds a joint appointment in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr. Merlo attended the College of the Holy Cross and completed medical school and residency training in internal medicine at Georgetown University. He completed both clinical and research fellowships in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins, and earned his M.P.H. at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
His research interests include outcomes in lung transplantation and cystic fibrosis, HIV-related pulmonary disease, and outcomes in Osler Weber Rendu.
Dr. Merlo serves as the Associate Program Director of Scholarship for the Osler Medical Housestaff Training Program. He has contributed numerous scientific papers and book chapters related to cystic fibrosis and lung transplantation, and his awards include the Harry Shwachman Clinical Investigator Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Centers and Institutes
Research Interests
Clinical outcomes in cystic fibrosis, HIV-related pulmonary disease, Outcomes after lung transplantation
Lab Website
Christian Merlo Lab
- Work in the Christian Merlo Lab includes studies on pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, outcomes in lung transplantation and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF), and HIV-related pulmonary disease. We have studied methods of diagnosing and managing pulmonary arteriovenous malformations as well as the outcomes of adult CF patients who are infected with multiple antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our recent research has also explored recipient and donor variables in the success or failure of lung transplants, and ways in which national healthcare delivery systems impact lung transplant outcomes for CF patients.
Research Summary
Dr. Merlo’s research is focused on outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis and specifically studies the effect of infection, genetics, and the environment in cystic fibrosis. His research also focuses on the transition process for those patients with advanced lung disease who may require lung transplantation as well as outcomes and predictors of survival after lung transplantation.
Selected Publications
Braun AT, Dasenbrook EC, Shah AS, Orens JB, Merlo CA. “Impact of lung allocation score on survival in cystic fibrosis lung transplant recipients.” J Heart Lung Transplant. 2015 Jun 11. pii: S1053-2498(15)01294-2. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2015.05.020. [Epub ahead of print]
Drummond MB, Merlo CA, Astemborski J, Kalmin MM, Kisalu A, Mcdyer JF, Mehta SH, Brown RH, Wise RA, Kirk GD. The effect of HIV infection on longitudinal lung function decline among IDUs: a prospective cohort. AIDS. 2013 May 15;27(8):1303-11. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835e395d. PMID: 23299176
Eberlein M, Diehl E, Bolukbas S, Merlo CA, Reed RM. An oversized allograft is associated with improved survival after lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2013 Dec;32(12):1172-8. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2013.06.011. Epub 2013 Jul 19. PMID: 23876630
Eberlein M, Reed RM, Bolukbas S, Parekh KR, Arnaoutakis GJ, Orens JB, Brower RG, Shah AS, Hunsicker L, Merlo CA. Lung size mismatch and survival after single and bilateral lung transplantation. Ann Thorac Surg. 2013 Aug;96(2):457-63. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.04.064. Epub 2013 Jun 26. PMID: 23809729
Eberlein M, Reed RM, Maidaa M, Bolukbas S, Arnaoutakis GJ, Orens JB, Brower RG, Merlo CA, Hunsicker LG. Donor-recipient size matching and survival after lung transplantation. A cohort study. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2013 Oct;10(5):418-25. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201301-008OC. PMID: 23988005
Fischer Ii WA, Drummond MB, Merlo CA, Thomas DL, Brown R, Mehta SH, Wise RA, Kirk GD. Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Not An Independent Risk Factor For Obstructive Lung Disease. COPD. 2013 Jul 17. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23862666
Fischer WA 2nd, Drummond MB, Merlo CA, Thomas DL, Brown R, Mehta SH, Wise RA, Kirk GD. “Hepatitis C virus infection is not an independent risk factor for obstructive lung disease.” COPD. 2014 Feb;11(1):10-6. doi: 10.3109/15412555.2013.800854. Epub 2013 Jul 17.
Grimm JC, Valero V 3rd, Kilic A, Crawford TC, Conte JV, Merlo CA, Shah PD, Shah AS. “Preoperative performance status impacts perioperative morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation.” Ann Thorac Surg. 2015 Feb;99(2):482-9. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2014.09.038. Epub 2014 Dec 18.
Grimm JC, Valero V 3rd, Kilic A, Magruder JT, Merlo CA, Shah PD, Shah AS. “Association between prolonged graft ischemia and primary graft failure or survival following lung transplantation.” JAMA Surg. 2015 Jun;150(6):547-53. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2015.12.
Grimm JC, Valero V 3rd, Magruder JT, Kilic A, Dungan SP, Silhan LL, Shah PD, Kim BS, Merlo CA, Sciortino CM, Shah AS. “A novel risk score that incorporates recipient and donor variables to predict 1-year mortality in the current era of lung transplantation.” J Heart Lung Transplant. 2015 Jul 22. pii: S1053-2498(15)01358-3. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2015.07.001. [Epub ahead of print]
Kilic A, Beaty CA, Merlo CA, Conte JV, Shah AS. Functional status is highly predictive of outcomes after redo lung transplantation: an analysis of 390 cases in the modern era. Ann Thorac Surg. 2013 Nov;96(5):1804-11; discussion 1811. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.05.080. Epub 2013 Aug 20. PMID: 23968759
Kilic A, Shah AS, Merlo CA, Gourin CG, Lidor AO. Early outcomes of antireflux surgery for United States lung transplant recipients. Surg Endosc. 2013 May;27(5):1754-60. doi: 10.1007/s00464-012-2674-9. Epub 2012 Dec 28. PMID: 23271270
Lambert AA, Merlo CA, Kirk GD. Human immunodeficiency virus-associated lung malignancies. Clin Chest Med. 2013 Jun;34(2):255-72. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2013.01.008. Epub 2013 Apr 8. Review. PMID: 23702175
Merlo CA, Clark SC, Arnaoutakis GJ, Yonan N, Thomas D, Simon A, Thompson R, Thomas H, Orens J, Shah AS. “National healthcare delivery systems influence lung transplant outcomes for cystic fibrosis.” Am J Transplant. 2015 Jul;15(7):1948-57. doi: 10.1111/ajt.13226. Epub 2015 Mar 24.
Merlo CA, Yin LX, Hoag JB, Mitchell SE, Reh DD. “The effects of epistaxis on health-related quality of life in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.” Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014 Nov;4(11):921-5. doi: 10.1002/alr.21374. Epub 2014 Aug 21.
Reh DD, Hur K, Merlo CA. Efficacy of a topical sesame/rose geranium oil compound in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia associated epistaxis. Laryngoscope. 2013 Apr;123(4):820-2. doi: 10.1002/lary.23736. Epub 2013 Feb 9. PMID: 23401038
Yarmus L, Akulian J, Gilbert C, Illei P, Shah P, Merlo C, Orens J, Feller-Kopman D. Cryoprobe transbronchial lung biopsy in patients after lung transplantation: a pilot safety study. Chest. 2013 Mar;143(3):621-6. PMID: 23328889
Honors
Harry Shwachman Clinical Investigator Award, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Graduate Program Affiliations
Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 7, Baltimore, MD 21287
- phone: 410-550-5864
- fax: 410-367-2014
- Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 7, Baltimore, MD 21287
- phone: 410-614-4898
- fax: 410-614-7008
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
- 10751 Falls Road, Falls Concourse Suite 412, Lutherville, MD 21093
- phone: 410-550-5864
- fax: 410-367-2376
Expertise
Education
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Fellowship, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 2004MedStar Georgetown University Medical Center
Residency, Internal Medicine, 2000Georgetown University School of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 1996Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
5 out of 5
37 ratings, 11 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/15/2025
The doctor and nurse were both caring, friendly, and professional. The doctor kindly dressed a wound I had sustained after slipping and falling on ice.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/27/2024
Dr Merlo has always been a great listener and communicator.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/13/2024
DR.Merlo is the most kindest Dr. Nurse [staff] is the best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/14/2024
Dr. Merlo is great!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2024
Dr. Merlo is a top doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/31/2024
Never have had a bad experience with transplant teamJulie
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/11/2024
He is very good.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/10/2024
Dr. Merlo and his [Staff] are truly exceptional professionals. I have great confidence in them and I thoroughly trust their guidance and recommendations.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/2/2024
Dr. Merlo is an excellent provider and I really appreciate him finding a diagnosis for my condition. He is very down to earth.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/24/2024
The best that has ever treated me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/12/2024
Such a wonderful provider!