Determinants for the spread of Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive Staphylococcus aureus in Africa

(C) Micha Scherbaum

Staphylococcus aureus can produce the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), which is associated with severe skin and soft tissue infections. In Europe, PVL is rarely found in S. aureus, but in Africa more than half of all S. aureus isolates produce this toxin. Together with our African cooperation partners, we now want to find out why PVL is so common in Africa. We are looking at the interaction of PVL with human cells (granulocytes, monocytes) and the humoral immune system at the molecular level. The project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SCHA 1994/5-1).

Improving the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections in Low and Middle Income Countries

At Masanga Hospital in Sierra Leone, we are currently conducting a research project to improve the care of skin and soft tissue infections. Staphylococcus aureus strains in sub-Saharan Africa often produce the pore-forming protein toxin "Panton-Valentine Leukocidin". We want to test whether the toxin effect can be attenuated by the additional administration of clindamycin in the treatment of S. aureus infections. This project is supported by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit/Else-Kröner Fresenius Stiftung.

Care of Buruli ulcer patients in Sierra Leone

Buruli ulcer is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, but the pathogen is very difficult to detect. At Masanga Hospital in Sierra Leone, patients with Buruli ulcer are treated in a special consultation. We want to support medical care by establishing a PCR-based rapid diagnostic test on site. This project is supported by the Gesellschsaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit / Else-Kröner Fresenius Stiftung. You can also find more information about the project here.

Transmigration of Staphylococcus aureus from blood to urine: a route to early sepsis diagnosis?

Patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) can have concomitant S. aureus bacteriuria (SABU), which is associated with a worse clinical outcome. Together with our collaborative partners from the Core Unit Proteomics (Prof. Simone König), we aim to understand how transmigration of S. aureus from blood to urine occurs and whether this phenomenon of secondary SABU can be exploited for a "point-of-care" detection of SAB. The urine proteome of individuals with SAB and non-S. aureus bacteremia will be compared with respect to S. aureus specific proteins. This should identify antigen candidates that could be used for the development of a rapid lateral flow test. The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (SCHU 3689/1-1).