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Humans are constantly exposed to pathogens like bacteria and viruses. In most cases, the immune system successfully detects and eliminates these invaders. However, the herpesvirus family has adapted brilliantly to the immune system: its members manage to stay in the host’s body for life after infection. A research team at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) recently discovered that a protein of the carcinogenic Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) commandeers an immune system component for its own benefit. This enables the virus to successfully infect its host. The researchers have published their results in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Pathogens.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are hospital germs and are often resistant to common antibiotics. They can infect all human organs and implants, and can persist in the body for long periods of time in a densely agglomerated community – a so-called biofilm. Agglomeration in the biofilm protects them from the immune system and even shields them from the effect of antibiotics. Scientists of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) recently developed a molecule that suppresses the production of biofilms by Pseudomonas. The molecule has another crucial benefit: Due to its small size, it is suitable for oral intake, unlike other drugs of this type. The scientists published their results in Journal of the American Chemical Society. The editors of the journal selected the article as their lead story because of the significance of its findings ("Editor's Choice"). The selection was associated with free-of-charge publication and free access ("Open Access"). The HIPS is a branch of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), operated in cooperation with the Saarland University and, being a part of the HZI, also is part of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

Time and again – the flu is coming to Germany. The number of cases of the current wave of influenza is still rising. When influenza viruses – the cause of the flu – enter our body, the immune system recognises them as being foreign by means of various receptors and starts a defence programme. Scientists of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig and of the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg recently studied the detailed role of a certain receptor in this first line of defence. They discovered that the receptor activates natural killer cells, which use messenger substances to activate other immune cells and then eliminate body cells that are infected by viruses. Deciphering these relationships can reveal new pathways for improvements in the prevention and therapy of influenza infections. The scientists published their results in Frontiers in Immunology.

Hepatitis E virus infections are usually subclinical and are considered as an underrated disease by physicians. The number of infections worldwide is estimated at 20 million infected people per year. In our latitudes, primarily people with weakened immune systems get sick. In Asia and Africa, however, a different genotype is present, which is a serious threat to a very special population group: pregnant women. One in four pregnant women dies there as a result of a hepatitis E infection. Scientists at TWINCORE have now investigated the differences in regional hepatitis E types in order to explore treatment approaches against this highly dangerous variant for pregnant women. With their investigations, they first developed a cell model with which they can test drugs for their suitability against hepatitis E. The project was funded by the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

Each year, bacteria of the Yersinia genus cause several thousand cases of gastrointestinal infections in Germany alone. In most cases, the human immune system manages to eliminate the bacteria. But in a fraction of the afflicted individuals, a chronic infection develops that can promote the manifestation of autoimmune diseases in the long term. Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig recently discovered the trick these Yersinia germs use to hide from the immune system: They reduce the production of a toxin by means of which they promote the inflammation of the afflicted tissue during an acute infection. As a result, the inflammation subsides allowing the bacteria to escape the attention of the immune system. The researchers published their results in PLOS Pathogens.

In January, Prof Petra Dersch, Head of the Department of Molecular Infection Biology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, was admitted to the European Academy of Microbiology. The Academy has been in existence since 2009 and has set itself the goal of promoting microbiological research in Europe and further strengthening exchange between scientists.