Unit 12: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Viruses Affecting Immunocompromised Patients

Head:

Annette Mankertz

Deputy:

Sebastian Voigt

The unit is engaged in the monitoring of vaccine-preventable virus infections (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) in Germany and the clarification of molecular and pathogenetic properties of human pathogenic herpes-, polyoma-, paramyxo- and adenoviruses. The task of a National Reference Centre is taken over for measles, mumps and rubella. There is a close integration into the sentinel systems for Germany as well as in the global networks and elimination programmes of WHO.

Tasks

Measles, mumps, rubella

1. National Reference Centre for measles, mumps, rubella
2. Regional Reference Laboratory of the WHO, Region Europe
3. Genetic characterisation of currently circulating measles and mumps viruses
4. Investigation on population immunity against measles, mumps and rubella viruses
5. Investigations on the efficacy of MMR vaccines, mapping of immunorelevant epitopes
6. Analysis of virulence factors of paramyxoviruses

Herpesviruses

1. Laboratory-supported monitoring of vaccination against varicella within the framework of national surveillance
2. Investigation on the tolerability and efficacy of varicella vaccines
3. Identification and clarification of immune-subversive gene functions of the cytomegalovirus
4. Small animal model of the cytomegalovirus infection
5. Connatal and perinatal cytomegalovirus infections
6. Rapid detection of therapy-resistant mutants of the cytomegalovirus

Polyomaviruses, Adenoviruses

1. Adoptive immunotherapy for adenovirus-associated complications in children after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
2. Clarification of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of novel polyomaviruses
3. Zoonotic potential of polyoma- and adenoviruses

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