New diagnostic methods for fungal infections of the lung

Pulmonary infections are a common, life-threatening complication in immunosuppressed patients. In addition to bacterial pathogens, infections by fungal pathogens, in particular Aspergillus fumigatus, are taking on an increasingly important role.  Even with early suspicion of a fungal infection, proof is often difficult, requires great effort and is sometimes associated with risk for the patient, e.g. in the recovery of sample material during a bronchoscopy.

A diagnostic approach for the detection of pathogen-specific components in body fluids will be explored in the subproject. Because urine can be obtained non-invasively and continuously, detection of pathogen components in urine would be highly suitable for monitoring high-risk patients and for early diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate testing systems are already available for bacterial lung infections caused by single pathogens.

This research project is part of the campus project "Pneumonia in Immunosuppression"

Project duration
01.02.2015 – 31.01.2020

Project coordination
Leibniz Institute for Natural Products Research and Infection Biology, Reg. Assoc. – Hans Knöll Institute –