Healthcare-Associated Infections

Surveillance of healthcare-associated multidrug-resistant bacteria

Genome sequencing is used to investigate the mechanisms and spread of healthcare-associated resistant bacterial strains in order to prevent the development of resistance and infections with multi-resistant pathogens.

Understanding the antibiotic resistance mechanisms of clinically relevant bacteria is key to preventing the emergence and spread of healthcare-associated multidrug-resistant bacteria. Reliable surveillance and epidemiological data complement the intelligent and sustainable use of antibiotics in implementing efficient infection prevention and control measures.

The DZIF R-Net project provides essential data in this context and organises itself in a network of six DZIF partner sites collaborating to investigate the epidemiology of bloodstream infections, the influence of genetic resistance mechanisms/markers and possible microbial interactions in the emergence and spread of multi-resistant pathogens.

Research about "Surveillance of healthcare-associated multidrug-resistant bacteria"

Tübingen

Clinical Research Unit "Healthcare-associated Infections"

The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) for healthcare-associated infections, headed by Dr. med. Siri Göpel, combines knowledge from clinical practice, microbiology, basic research and epidemiology. Scientists and physicians work closely together, investigate various aspects of hospital-associated infections and develop measures to combat the increase in antibiotic-resistant pathogens in hospitals. The working [...]

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Bonn - Köln | Gießen - Marburg - Langen | Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems | Tübingen

R-Net: Core network for the study of multidrug-resistant bacterial organisms

Implementation of evidence-based infection control practices to reduce healthcare-associated infection remains a national and international priority. R-Net investigates the effect of various interventions aimed at limiting the spread of infections due to multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO)—including infection prevention and control, decolonisation, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and the development of new antimicrobials [...]

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News about the Research Field

Resistenzgene nachweisen
© JLU Gießen

Learning lessons from the coronavirus pandemic on containing other infections

Healthcare-associated infections have been growing continuously for years, resulting in hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths each year. The main culprit is bacteria that have become resistant to
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
© E. Abda & I. Alio/ Mikrobiologie, Universität Hamburg

Global spread of the multi-resistant pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

An international consortium found a remarkable global spread of strains of a multi-resistant bacterium that can cause severe infections – Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The study, published under the
Enrichment of bacterial cultures
© JLU Gießen

Rapid test detects mobile resistance gene mcr-1

Colistin is used as the “last-resort antibiotic” for dreaded multidrug-resistant pathogens, especially in hospitals. However, gut bacteria that have become insensitive to colistin now exist—owing to