Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene

Nanopore sequencing in infectious disease diagnostics and surveillance

ABSTRACT The global burden of infectious disease is on the rise, driven by antibiotic resistance, emerging pathogens, and gaps in accessible, decentralized diagnostics. To address these demands, there is a need for the development of diagnostic platforms for detection, surveillan...

Diagnostic performance of Baermann technique, urine-ELISA, stool-PCR and Strongyloides IgG4 rapid test for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis: a study protocol

Strongyloidiasis is caused by a parasitic worm, primarily Strongyloides stercoralis . In rural settings of Côte d’Ivoire, parasitological surveys have revealed that the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection can reach up to 50%. The World Health Organization has included S. sterc...

Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacter cloacae complex in obstetric and neonatal units in Tanga, Tanzania

Abstract Background Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) poses a significant threat to neonatal healthcare, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aimed at characterizing the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-producing ECC isolates collected...

Tracheal tuft cell-released leukotrienes promote antibacterial immune responses

SUMMARY Tuft cells act as crucial sentinels in the airways that detect bacterial metabolites. In response, tuft cells release signaling molecules that trigger immune responses essential for clearing the infection. The molecular mechanisms driving immune cell activation following...

Combination of antibody-based screening methods for the identification and quantification of Legionella pneumophila in process water

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe and often fatal pneumonia primarily caused by the inhalation of aerosols contaminated with the waterborne pathogen Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. While conventional culture-based detection is often standard for monitoring evaporative cooling...

Primary splenic Alveolar Echinococcosis: a case report from Germany

PURPOSE: We are reporting on a rare case of a primary manifestation of Alveolar Echinococcosis in the spleen in a German patient. METHODS: The patient was initially presented to her gastroenterologist and subsequently referred to a district hospital for surgical management. The f...

Ruling In and Ruling Out Sepsis Using Likelihood Ratios of a Host Response Assay

Overview: SeptiCyte RAPID is an FDA-cleared gene expression test that quantifies host immune response to aid in the diagnosis of sepsis. The test yields a score (the SeptiScore) ranging from 0–15, distributed across four bands (1–4) based on increased likelihood of sepsis. Each b...

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Disrupts Microbial Wound Bioburden: In Vitro, Porcine MRSA Biofilm, and Clinical Fluorescence Evidence from Bench to Bedside

Background: Biofilm-associated microbial burden is a major barrier to wound healing and is increasingly difficult to control in the era of antimicrobial resistance. This translational study evaluated the antimicrobial performance and tissue compatibility of a commercially availab...