Research group Barbara Hasse

There are almost no data regarding best treatment options of such vascular graft infections. Most recommendations are based on expert opinion and not on clinical trials or cohort observational data analyses. Evaluating infectious and other complications after vascular surgery procedures are important, and additionally, such studies may offer insights for quality improvement and improved patient outcomes.

The Vascular Graft Cohort Study (VASGRA) is an ongoing single-center research project at the University hospital Zurich dealing with adults aged 18 years or older with an implanted vascular graft and/ or vascular graft infection. VASGRA was established in 2013 and it is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

• SNF | P3 Forschungsdatenbank | Project 144277
• SNF | P3 Forschungsdatenbank | Project 163132
• SNF | P3 Forschungsdatenbank | Project 184918

Collaborators

• Prof. Dr. A. Zinkernagel, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, USZ
• Prof. B. Ledergerber, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, USZ
• Prof. Dr. L. Husmann, Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, USZ
• PD Dr. M. Hüllner, Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, USZ
• Prof. Dr. A. Zimmermann, Clinic for Vascular Surgery, USZ PD Dr. Z. Rancic, Clinic for Vascular Surgery, USZ

The Endovascular and cardiac valve infection cohort study (ENVALVE – ENdovascular and cardiac VALVEinfection Registry: New Pathogens and Diagnostic Possibilities) is an ongoing single-center research project at the University hospital Zurich dealing with adults aged 18 years or older with an endovascular infection. It was established in 2018.

• Epidemiology of infective endocarditis
• Accuracy of current diagnostic tools (TTE, TEE, PET/CT)
• Microbiology of infective endocarditis
• Biomarkers and Biobank
• Determine cut-off levels of blood leucocytes, ESR, CRP and procalcitonin raising suspicion of IE

Collaborators

• Dr. med. Michelle Frank, Heart center, USZ (Principle Investigator)
• Prof. Dr. med. Thierry Carrel, Heart center, USZ
• Prof. Dr. med.  Bauernschmitt, Heart center, USZ
• PD Dr. med. A. Breitenstein, Heart center, USZ
• PD Dr. Dr. med. P. Bode, Institute of Molecular Pathology, USZ
• PD Dr. med. R. Büchel, Clinic of Nuclear Medicine, USZ
• PD Dr. med. A. Flammer, Heart center, USZ
• Prof. Dr. med M. Greutmann, Heart center, USZ
• Prof. Dr. med. F. Ruschitzka, Heart center, USZ
• Prof. Dr. med. F. Tanner, Heart center, USZ
• Prof. Dr. med. R. Zbinden, Institute of Medical Microbiology, UZH
• Prof. Dr. med. A. Zinkernagel, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, USZ

Recurrent or chronic infections are an unsolved clinical problem despite the availability of antibiotics to which the bacteria are susceptible. Bacteria isolated from recurrent or chronic infections may be in a dormant, non-growing state, tolerate antibiotic challenges and are capable of resuming growth. These bacteria are called persisters. Persisters are protected from antibiotics, which target processes in growing cells.

As clinical scientists, we have the vision of improving the outcome of our patients suffering from chronic and recurring bacterial infection as well as identifying patients at risk and prevent chronic infections. In-depth characterization of both the patient as well as the pathogenic bacteria will help selecting custom-tailored antimicrobial therapy thus aiming to reduce the duration of antimicrobial treatment as well as avoiding extensive surgery, while at the same time reducing relapse rates. Improved and patient tailored microbiological diagnostics combined with biomarkers and imaging will help to optimize the necessary treatment duration.

With this research project, we aim to establish a multidimensional assessment of individual patients with bacterial infections combining clinicians, clinical microbiologists and computational biologists/scientists in order to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcome of chronic bacterial infections, namely endovascular, bone and prosthetic joint as well as skin and soft tissue infection.