Virulence | German Center for Infection Research

Short description

Virulence describes the extent of a pathogen’s disease-causing properties.

Detailed description

A pathogen’s virulence is influenced by various characteristics that contribute to causing an infection and harming the host. Such characteristics are referred to as virulence factors. Virulence factors can, for example, enable a pathogen to attach to host cells or penetrate tissue. However, the actual severity of a disease depends on the characteristics of the host.

Feb 2026

ChemMedChem

An Imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole Derivative Inhibits the Virulence Factor α-Hemolysin by Blocking the Pullout of Its Stem Domain

Autoren

Korotkov VS et al.

Scientist working with an automated bioreactor system in a biotechnology laboratory.

PANTIPA project: Antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa reaches next development phase

The DZIF flagship project PANTIPA has reached an important milestone. Following successful preclinical work at the University Hospital Cologne and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, the

Jul 2026

N Engl J Med

Klebsiella Brain Abscess and Evolution of Heterovirulence in the Urinary Tract

Autoren

Ernst CM et al.

Black-and-white electron micrograph of a rod-shaped, dark gray bacterial cell surrounded by a thick layer of light gray filaments.

From urinary tract infection to brain abscess: How bacterial subpopulations can spread to distant body sites

Researchers from the University of Cologne, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT present a remarkable clinical case in the New England Journal of

Sep 2025

mBio

Aspergillus fumigatus effector crpA orchestrates host prostaglandin signaling to promote fungal virulence

Autoren

Pinzan CF et al.

Portray photos of Prof. Rybniker and Dr. Simonis

Over five million euros for innovative therapy against hospital pathogen

The Cologne-based research project "INNOPAK", which focuses on developing innovative precision antibodies against infections with antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa-bacteria, will receive

Graphical representation of the crystal structures of LecA and tolcapone

Parkinson's drug as basis for new anti-infectives

When the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa infects the body, it uses the sugar-binding protein LecA to attach itself to human cells, invade them, and form so-called biofilms. LecA thus plays a

Two of the four winners of the Galenus von Pergamon Prize in the category of basic research—Dr. Alexander Simonis (center) and Prof. Dr. Florian Klein (second from right)—at the award ceremony. The Galenus Prize was presented by Professor Thomas Eschenhagen (second from left). The gala was hosted by Yve Fehring (left) and Matthias Gabriel (right). The individuals are standing next to each other on a stage in formal attire.

Research into alternatives to antibiotics wins Galenus von Pergamon Prize

In the future, antibodies against the virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may serve as an alternative to antibiotics. DZIF scientists at University Hospital Cologne have been awarded the 2025

University Hospital Cologne

PANTIPA: Preclinical development of patient-derived monoclonal antibodies targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterial pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections, such as sepsis and pneumonia. One of the key weapons used by this bacterium is the type III secretion system (T3SS), which contains the protein PcrV. Researchers at the DZIF discovered that chronically ...

Photo of a group of people consisting of the scientists Dr. Christian Brandstetter and Prof. Till Strowig as well as the scientist Dr. Lisa Osbelt-Block in the middle.

Fighting infections with the power of the microbiome

A balanced gut microbiome not only contributes to digestion, but is also an important protective factor against infections. Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) led by Prof