All German Center for Infection Research articles
-
NewsBlood-based immunological signatures for extrapulmonary tuberculosis decoded
Scientists have deciphered the immunological properties of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in the blood of affected patients. The results may help to develop new targeted treatments and tests for this important disease.
-
NewsRare virus transmitted by rats infects woman in Germany—link to private pet rat breeding facility
The Seoul virus, which has been rarely detected in Germany to date and can be transmitted by rats, caused a woman to become seriously ill. Given that rats are becoming increasingly popular as pets, health experts view this as a warning sign.
-
NewsHow HIV enters the genome – researchers identify previously unknown mechanism
Researchers have decoded a previously unknown mechanism by which HIV-1 selects its integration targets in the human genome. A research team identified RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops) as molecular signposts for the virus.
-
NewsFrom Miami to Berlin: stowaway rat delivers valuable pathogen lessons
in 2017, a Miami–Berlin flight took an unexpected turn when passengers spotted a rat on board. The incident underscored how easily pathogens can spread across continents—and why standardized testing of animal stowaways is so important.
-
NewsFighting infections with the power of the microbiome
Scientists have discovered that bacteria of the species Klebsiella oxytoca can displace pathogenic bacteria from the gut and want to develop a living biotherapeutic based on this finding. The DZIF is now providing 2.2 million euros in funding for product development.
-
NewsTherapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B enters first clinical trial in patients
TherVacB, a novel therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B, has entered its first clinical trial in patients. A successful phase 1a trial in healthy volunteers saw the vaccine demonstrate a favorable safety profile and trigger the desired immune responses.
-
NewsClinical trials reveal promising alternatives to high-toxicity tuberculosis drug
Research shows two novel antibiotics could spare patients from severe side effects. The drugs sutezolid and delpazolid have demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity and a notably better safety profile compared to linezolid.
-
NewsComputer-identified antiviral drug candidates confirmed by lab experiments
An interdisciplinary research team has identified two antiviral drug candidates effective against a wide range of viruses. The study demonstrates how combining computer-aided modeling with laboratory validation can speed up the development of new antiviral drugs.
-
NewsNew study reveals bats are key players in cross-species spread of morbilliviruses
Researchers studying the spread of morbilliviruses in bats and monkeys in Brazil and Costa Rica have discovered new virus species and host switches from bats to other mammalian species.
-
NewsEliminating worm infections as a key strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention
Scientists who found that infection with the worm Wuchereria bancrofti increases the risk of contracting HIV have now confirmed, as part of a national program in Tanzania, that containment of this worm infection leads to a reduction in new HIV infections.
-
NewsNew agent inhibits Staphylococcus aureus toxin – hope for pneumonia patients
Researchers have developed a miniaturized test system that allowed them to screen over 180,000 compounds for their ability to block the effect of the key virulence factor α-hemolysin in S aureus. Drug candidates from the quinoxalinedione class, in particular the compound H052, proved to be highly effective, both in cell culture and in animal models.
-
NewsNovel antibiotic BTZ-043 also reaches tuberculosis bacteria hiding in dead lung tissue
Researchers have shown that the novel antibiotic BTZ-043 effectively penetrates tubercolous lesions and accumulates there in high concentrations. Consequently, the drug can fight Mtb bacteria even in hard-to-reach areas.
-
NewsNew study sheds light on the causes of fevers of unknown origin in sub-Saharan Africa
By conducting a retrospective observational study, the causes of fevers of unknown origin (FUO) in sub-Saharan Africa were investigated using conventional diagnostic methods, highlighting the appropriate needs of point-of-care testing in the regions.
-
NewsStart-up EBViously announces its launch
EBViously, a spin-off of Helmholtz Munich, officially started operations on 11 November 2024. The company is developing a preventive vaccine against diseases caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
-
NewsNew guidelines unveil advanced strategies for HIV treatment and prevention
The International Antiviral (formerly AIDS) Society-USA (IAS-USA) has published new international guidelines for the treatment and prevention of HIV, based on significant advances in antiretroviral therapies and new prevention strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis.
-
NewsHuman clinical study launched using phage lysin to eliminate staph in the nasal microbiome
A “first-in-human” study with the novel drug candidate HY-133 began on 10 July with the recruitment of clinically healthy volunteers who tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus colonisation of the nose.
-
NewsScientists investigate effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against pathogens
Scientists have investigated the success of non-pharmaceutical interventions, analysing almost two million SARS-CoV-2 genomes that occurred in the German population during the years of the pandemic.
-
NewsTwo ways that members of the microbiome fight salmonella infections
Researchers have identified two mechanisms through which Klebsiella bacteria combat the spread of salmonella in the gut.
-
NewsCall issued for actionable steps in response to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
The AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform has developed key recommendations for action on antimicrobial resistance for consideration by United Nations (UN) Member States in the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR.
-
NewsCompeting bacteria yield possible alternative to antibiotics
Scientists have discovered a new so-called lantibiotic, namely epilancin A37. It is produced by staphylococci that colonize the skin and acts specifically against their main competitors there, the corynebacteria.