Healthcare-associated and Antibiotic-resistant bacterial Infections
DZIF scientists aim to develop new strategies against the development and spread of resistance.
Doctors are particularly concerned about the increase of infections with bacterial pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics. This type of infection has been increasing immensely over the last years. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL) are responsible for causing the most severe bacterial hospital infections. Treatment with conventional antibiotics is failing more and more often.
The DZIF research field “Healthcare-associated and Antibiotic-resistant bacterial Infections” aims to develop new strategies against the development and spread of resistance. These include both improved control of the spread of infection and using antibiotics more responsibly, e.g. through antibiotic stewardship, in addition to developing new vaccines and drugs.
Central Themes
Multidrug-resistant bacteria: decolonisation
Many pathogens that lead to problematic infections in hospitals are brought into the hospitals by humans. Scientists aim to develop treatment forms that eliminate these bacteria in time, i.e. before a surgical intervention.
Prevention and therapy of infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria
Containing the spread of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria through improved hygiene management and antibiotic stewardship programmes.
Monitoring and managing hospital outbreaks
In hospitals, bacterial strains are monitored by means of genome sequencing through which dangerous outbreaks can be identified and contained in time.
