Division 16 Mycology/Parasitology/Intracellular Pathogens
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Project Leader:
Anton Aebischer
Deputy: Kathrin Tintelnot
This unit is concerned with medically relevant issues in the context of deep mycoses, infections with endemic or emerging parasites and infections with atypical mycobacteria. It provides specific expert knowledge on questions relating to these diseases and is involved in the edition of the corresponding RKI expert information. It conducts projects in research and development that are aiming at an improvement of diagnosis, therapy and prevention strategies and the more accurate assessment of the epidemiology and the risk of infections by these pathogens.
Diagnostic and consulting tasks:
The Unit is home to the consultant laboratory for Cryptococcus neoformans, Pseudallescheria boydii/Scedosporium sp. and pathogens of extra-European systemic mycoses that is concerned with:
- Recording of cryptococcoses and imported systemic mycoses caused by risk group 3 pathogenic fungi by means of cultural, serological and molecular biological methods
- Epidemiology, typing and characterisation of Cryptococcus neoformans, Coccidioides spp. and Pseudallescheria boydii
- Elaboration of guidelines for the diagnosis of deep mycoses
- Identification and characterisation of novel and difficult to identify fungal pathogen
Consulting tasks in Parasitology:
- Issues pertaining to head lice infestations
- Editorial responsibility of the parasitic and fungal pathogen chapters in the brochure ‘Profiles of rare pathogens’ published by the RKI
Research Projects
- Molecular characterisation of the intracellular habitat of Leishmania spp. in view of the development of new vaccination and therapy approaches
- Intestinal infections with unicellular parasites
- Infection biology of opportunistic free-living amoebae
- Mycobacterial infections: Virulence mechanisms of the pathogens and the immune response of the host
- Aetiology of invasive fungal infections
- New approaches to the therapy and diagnosis of toxoplasmosis
Information in German
- Kopflausbefall
- Mykosen (Pilzinfektionen)
- Konsiliarlaboratorium für Cryptococcus neoformans, Pseudallescheria boydii / Scedosporium sp. und Erreger außereuropäischer Systemmykosen
- DIN NA 057 Normenausschuss Lebensmittel und landwirtschaftliche Produkte (NAL)