Infectious Diseases : VHIR Annual Report 2020

Infectious Diseases

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Overview

The groups of this area aim to improve the outcomes of patients with infectious diseases. During 2020, we have developed basic, translational and clinical research in the field of the COVID-19 infection, including the virus characterization, the study of the mechanisms of pathogenesis, the diagnosis, the epidemiology, the prevention of the disease and the therapeutics and management options to improve the outcome of the infected people. Additionally, we have continued working on the development of strategies to diagnose, prevent and solve clinical problems related to other infectious diseases and in the characterization of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance of different infectious disease agents. Likewise, we have advanced in the research in critical care and sepsis as well as in aspects related to children’s infectious diseases and primary immunodeficiencies.

Publications

298
total
1734
impact factor
5.82
average impact factor

Group Leader: Benito Almirante Gragera

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Research Areas

During 2020, we established a new line of research on COVID-19. From one hand we set-up relevant tissue models for the “Identification of repurposing therapeutics inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 entry in human lung explants”. On the other, we are studying cell-host interactions, including lung biopsies, to address immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and we are part of the Task-Force initiative.

In International Health and Tuberculosis, several international projects have been completed (the MyHealth project, the Multibenz clinical trial that evaluates different benznidazole regimens in patients with Chagas disease, framed within the European BERENICE project). On the other hand, research lines such as tuberculosis and soil-transmitted helminthes infections have been strengthened, obtaining projects in competitive calls to evaluate new therapeutic schemes. In addition, the group consolidates its presence in Angola, obtaining two European projects to carry out there with financing of more than 7 million Euros.

In the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory, in vitro proof-of-concept testing of HeatShot technology for the prevention of biofilms in the endotracheal tubes of intubated patients in the ICU was carried out. A prototype has also been developed for this purpose.

VHIR Annual Report 2020

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