Staphylococcus and streptococcus infections are serious and frequently underestimated human health problems. These bacteria, among other things, are capable of inducing a sepsis, or septic shock. Sepsis – often wrongly referred to as blood poisoning – is an uncontrolled reaction of the human immune system to a severe bacterial infection. A sepsis is caused by bacteria at an infection site – for example, a wound – entering the blood and spreading throughout the body via the circulatory system. In Germany, between 125,000 and 300,000 people suffer a septic shock every year. Despite intensive medical treatment, the mortality rate for this illness is very high. The reasons for this are, on the one hand, the growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and, on the other hand, the lack of knowledge about the actual processes involved as the illness unfolds.
The goal of our research activities is to better understand the complex interaction between the bacteria and the human immune system. Why do some people have an exceptionally strong reaction to an infection, while others do not? Using mice as an infection model we are working to identify the molecular, cellular and genetic factors that play such a large part in the immunity or susceptibility to these infections. Understanding these processes better will help us establish the foundations for developing preventative measures and therapy options for streptococcus and staphylococcus infections.
You can find more information on the research group in these press releases.
