About

Dr. Joseph V. Schwab is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He graduated from New Jersey Medical School in 1990 and completed his residency in pediatrics at the same institution from 1990 to 1994. Following his residency, he pursued a fellowship in Human Rights and Medicine at Columbia University, with fieldwork conducted in Honduras. In 1995, he returned to NJMS as a faculty member, where he sees patients and teaches medical students, pediatric residents, and nurse practitioner students in outpatient primary care. Dr. Schwab has a particular interest in pediatric tobacco control, having conducted research, lectured, and taught on this subject for many years. His current research focuses on pediatric tobacco control, including the safety and efficacy of medications for smoking cessation in adolescents and the role of pediatricians in parental tobacco cessation.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Immunology
• Pediatrics
• Pathology
• Nursing
• Family medicine

Selected publications

• SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Prevalence and Associated Factors in COVID-19-Unvaccinated Children: A Cross-sectional Study

  The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal · 2026-03-03

  article

  BACKGROUND: Understanding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposures among unvaccinated children, particularly the impact of activities, masking behaviors, and household characteristics, remains limited. This study examines associations between masking behaviors, out-of-home activities, and household characteristics with SARS-CoV-2 infection among inner-city children. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the New Jersey Department of Health's Covid Antibody Surveillance Project at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. This study included 250 children (18 months-11 years) who had not received SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The children were recruited from the pediatric clinic. Guardians provided data on activity participation, masking behaviors, and household characteristics via an online survey. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were assessed using the Diabetomics CovAb oral gum swab test. RESULTS: Antibody positivity was 67.1% for the preschool cohort (18 months-5 years) and 70.5% for the school-age children (5-11 years). Antibody positivity was higher for children in households without vaccinated adults (82.1%) compared with those with at least 1 vaccinated adult (63.9%) (P = 0.03). Antibody positivity did not significantly differ by household size: 68.1% in the 2-4-member group, 66.2% in the 5-7-member group, and 40% in the 8- or more-member group. No significant differences in antibody positivity were found between children participating in school and nonschool-based activities, masking during activities, or households with/without members reporting a history of SARS-CoV-2 illness. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not find a significant link between antibody positivity and household size, household member history of SARS-CoV-2 illness, activities, or masking. There is a relationship between vaccination of household members and lower antibody positivity rates.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 7459: Localized co-delivery of hyaluronidase enhances CSPG4 CAR-T cells cytotoxicity against chordoma

  Cancer Research · 2026-04-03

  articleSenior author

  Abstract Background: Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor characterized by a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) and an immunologically “cold” microenvironment that limits immune cell infiltration and therapeutic efficacy. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) has emerged as a promising tumor-associated antigen in chordoma. However, the hyaluronan-rich ECM forms a physical and biochemical barrier that hampers CAR-T cell trafficking and function. We hypothesized that localized co-delivery of hyaluronidase (PH20) could remodel the ECM and enhance the cytotoxic activity of CSPG4-directed CAR-T cells. Methods: CSPG4 CAR-T cells were generated using a third-generation lentiviral construct containing CD28-Ox40-CD3ζ signaling domains. Human chordoma cell lines and patient-derived 3D organoids were used to evaluate cytotoxicity and infiltration. Electrical impedance assays were applied to monitor real-time changes in surface charge and cell-matrix interactions following PH20 treatment. Transwell migration assays and 3D organoid co-cultures were used to assess CAR-T infiltration, and cytokine secretion was quantified by ELISA. In vivo efficacy and safety were examined in xenograft models following localized co-delivery of PH20 and CAR-T cells. Results: CSPG4 CAR-T cells exhibited antigen-specific cytolytic activity against chordoma cells, but their infiltration was markedly restricted in hyaluronan-rich environments. Electrical impedance analysis revealed that PH20-mediated ECM degradation significantly altered the charge distribution and impedance profile, indicating reduced matrix density and improved accessibility for CAR-T cells. In Transwell assays, PH20 enhanced CSPG4 CAR-T transmigration across hyaluronan-containing barriers. Similarly, in 3D chordoma organoids, PH20 co-treatment promoted deeper CAR-T infiltration and led to greater cytotoxicity with elevated IFN-γ and Granzyme B production. Consistent findings were observed across multiple patient-derived organoid models. In xenograft studies, localized co-delivery of PH20 with CSPG4 CAR-T cells resulted in stronger tumor regression and prolonged survival compared with CAR-T monotherapy (p < 0.01), without observable systemic toxicity. Conclusion: ECM degradation through localized hyaluronidase co-delivery effectively enhances CSPG4 CAR-T cell infiltration and cytotoxicity against chordoma. This combinatorial approach overcomes stromal barriers, reshapes the tumor microenvironment, and represents a feasible strategy to improve CAR-T efficacy in solid tumors with dense ECM architecture. Citation Format: Maoyang Qi, Giulia Cattaneo, Zan Chen, Cristina Ferrone, Joseph Schwab. Localized co-delivery of hyaluronidase enhances CSPG4 CAR-T cells cytotoxicity against chordoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 7459.

  PublisherDOI

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibody Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in a Large Cohort of US Children

  Open Forum Infectious Diseases · 2024-12-23 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Background Household transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may play a key role in times of increased infection, particularly among children. We aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and identify risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in children. Methods Unvaccinated children aged 18 months to 11 years between August 2022 and June 2023 underwent oral fluid testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Caregivers completed electronic surveys at 4 major healthcare practices in Northern and Central New Jersey. Information was collected on demographics, household size, vaccination status, and prior SARS-CoV-2–related illness. Multivariable logistic regression determined individual and household-level factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity. Results A total of 870 children provided tests and corresponding surveys. Children were predominantly Hispanic (37%) or non-Hispanic Black (30%), and on average 5.7 years old. Overall SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity was 68%. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 positivity include Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity (adjusted odds ratios [aOR], 2.29 and 1.95 vs. White race/ethnicity; P < .01) and later enrollment in the study period. Children from households with ≥1 vaccinated adult were 52% less likely to be antibody positive than those from households with no vaccinated adults (aOR: 0.38, [95% confidence interval 0.2 to 0.69]). Conclusions There is high burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children over time. Adult vaccination appears to be a protective factor in helping to mitigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among children. Increased vaccination of adults in the community can help inform COVID-19 prevention strategies for minors in the household.

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• Validation of the Diabetomics CovAB SARS-CoV-2 antibody test in children: comparison with serology

  Microbiology Spectrum · 2024 · 1 citations

  • Medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Immunology

  ABSTRACT Monitoring antibody prevalence is a valuable tool to evaluate the burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a community, identify risk factors, and assess the impact of clinical and public health intervention strategies. The antibody prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in children in the United States in early 2022 was estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be 74.2%, using seroprevalence from a variety of sources. A study by the New Jersey Department of Health in late 2022/early 2023 in unvaccinated children found a lower prevalence, 68% when using a gum swab method to detect antibodies. This study compared the accuracy of the gum swab method to detect antibodies with simultaneously obtained serological samples in additional children. This cross-sectional study recruited well children, not vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, aged 18 months to 11 years, who were scheduled for routine bloodwork at an inner-city university-based pediatric clinic. With parental consent, an extra 5 cc of blood and a gum swab sample were collected. Results from Diabetomics CovAb SARS-CoV-2 gum swab antibody test and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serology test for spike protein antibody were compared. The seropositivity of these paired samples was compared using McNemar’s test, Cohen’s kappa statistic, and other diagnostic accuracy statistics. From June through August 2023, 86 children were recruited. Antibody positivity by gum swab was 70.9% and by serology was 87.2%. The Cohen’s kappa statistic was 0.39 indicating minimal agreement and McNemar’s test was significant ( P -value of 0.0010). Compared with serology, gum swab was 78.7% sensitive (95% CI 68.7% to 87.3%) and 81.8% specific (95% CI 48.2% to 97.7%). Positive and negative predictive values were 97.5% and 29.9%, respectively, and accuracy was 79.0%. Sensitivity in non-Hispanic versus Hispanic children was 74.2% versus 82.5%, and in children 6–11 years versus 18 months to 5 years, it was 74.2% versus 81.8%. While the gum swab method of antibody detection is not as sensitive or specific as serology, sample collection can be done in settings where phlebotomy is not feasible. This method could be useful in non-clinical settings such as surveillance, for assessing epidemiological trends and associations. IMPORTANCE Recently a study determining the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in unvaccinated children in NJ (Katic et al. 2023. Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting; Washington, D.C. https://2023.pas-meeting.org/searchbyposterbucket.asp?bm=Public+Health+%26+Prevention&t=Public+Health+%26+Prevention&pfp=Track ) was conducted using a gum swab method for antibody detection. The Diabetomics CovAB test, which qualitatively identifies antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, is a point-of-care, low-cost test, that is easy to administer in children. While this test provides sensitive and specific results in adults [US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2022. Center for devices and radiological health. EUA authorized serology test performance. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/eua-authorized-serology-test-performance ], data on its accuracy in children is lacking. As a follow-up to the above-mentioned study, we compared the results of the gum swab test to a serologic antibody test. We found that the gum swab test was inferior to serology but was fairly sensitive and specific with a high positive predictive value. While the test is not ideal for diagnostic purposes in children it can be a valuable tool for public health officials and pediatricians to understand the extent of past health interventions.

  PublisherDOI

• 1727. Household Vaccination Status and Attitudes towards Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination: A survey at four New Jersey clinic-based pediatric practices

  Open Forum Infectious Diseases · 2023 · 1 citations

  • Medicine
  • Family medicine
  • Pediatrics

  Abstract Background Although COVID-19 vaccination has been recommended for all children 6 months of age and older since August 2022, vaccine uptake among the pediatric population is low. Underlying caregiver attitudes towards pediatric COVID-19 vaccination have not been adequately classified or described. A better understanding of how caregiver attitudes influence household vaccination behavior can help tailor future vaccine interventions. Methods Unvaccinated children aged 18 months to 11 years underwent antibody testing and their caregivers were asked to complete an electronic survey at four clinic-based practices in Northern and Central NJ from September 2022 to April 2023. Information was collected on household exposures, vaccination status, COVID-19 infection, and caregiver beliefs about pediatric vaccination. Latent class analyses were conducted to group caregivers into four distinct profiles based on how safe, effective, useful and necessary they felt vaccination was. Results A total of 656 survey participants were grouped into a vaccine acceptance class based on their level of agreement on each attitudinal item, from low to high. Those in Class 1 had the most disagreement and lowest vaccine acceptance; those in Class 4 had the most agreement and highest vaccine acceptance. The majority of the sample fit into Class 2 (39%), indicating moderate disagreement and low COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Caregivers in the lowest vaccine acceptance classes (1 & 2) were significantly less likely to plan to vaccinate their children compared to those in higher classes (3 & 4); (9.8% and 5.5% vs. 31.9% and 61%). Those in Class 2 were significantly less likely to have at least one adult household member fully vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19 than those in higher classes; and were significantly more likely to be from households where at least one adult was diagnosed with COVID in the past year than those in Class 3 (54.2% vs 37.7%). Conclusion Caregiver attitudes towards vaccination, and inclusion in vaccine acceptance classes, is closely associated with household vaccination status and COVID-19 infection history. Educational efforts and messaging should target the different aspects of caregiver profiles to address vaccine hesitancy and make future vaccine programming for children more successful. Disclosures Joseph V. Schwab, MD, MPH, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Stocks/Bonds|GE Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds|Johnson and Johnson: Stocks/Bonds

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Cultural perceptions of breastfeeding are major determinants of breastfeeding habits

  PEDIATRICS · 2018-05-01 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Effects of Immigration on Infant Feeding Practices in an Inner City, Low Socioeconomic Community

  Journal of the National Medical Association · 2018-09-01 · 10 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Cultural perceptions of breastfeeding are major determinants of breastfeeding habits

  PEDIATRICS · 2018-05-01

  article

  Purpose The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age. Studies have shown that immigrant mothers have higher breastfeeding rates compared to American-born mothers. This difference diminishes the longer immigrant mothers reside in the US. It has been suggested that the availability of formula through The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a strong contributing factor in this lowering of breastfeeding rate. We set out to test this hypothesis by examining breastfeeding habits …

  PublisherDOI

• Management of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction with Infection in Infants using Besifloxacin-A Prospective Study

  2015-06-11 · 2 citations

  article

• Sleep complaints in cerebral palsy and/or epilepsy: A pediatric sleep questionnaire study

  Journal of Pediatric Neurology · 2015-07-30 · 8 citations

  article

  This study determined whether common symptoms of sleep disorders were more prevalent in children with cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, and with CP comorbid with epilepsy. The pediatric sleep questionnaire was administered to the guardians of healthy co

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Recent grants

• NIH Grant R01HD040683

  NIH · $1.4M · 2007

Frequent coauthors

• Norman Hymowitz

  38 shared

• C. Keith Haddock

  23 shared

• Sara A. Pyle

  Kansas City University

  16 shared

• Sarah Meshberg

  13 shared

• Stephanie B. Oliveira

  University of Cincinnati Medical Center

  10 shared

• Ayelet Rosenthal

  Northwestern University

  10 shared

• Hanan Tanuos

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  9 shared

• Uche Madubuko

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  9 shared

Education

• M.D.

  UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School

  1990

• B.A.

  Cornell University

  1985