Projects / Programmes
Host-parasite relationship
January 1, 2022
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.01.00 |
Medical sciences |
Microbiology and immunology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.01 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Basic medicine |
bacteriology, immunology, virology, zoonoses, syndromic approach, microbiota, next-generation sequencing, commplement system, APC, HPV, immunopathogenesis, orthoreovirus, vector, Borrelia, SARS-CoV-2, TBE, HFRS
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
September 14, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
1,228 |
29,537 |
26,416 |
21.51 |
| Scopus |
1,286 |
34,781 |
31,147 |
24.22 |
Researchers (61)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The program research group consists of various work packages of medical microbiology, which are connected by research in molecular epidemiology, ecology and the study of genetic characteristics and pathogenesis of certain microorganisms with which we want to identify the prevalence of pathogens and their genetic and phenotypic diversity. BACTERIOLOGY: In the future, we will use molecular methods to determine the genetic diversity of the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium. We will introduce molecular techniques and next-generation sequencing to identify mutations associated with antibiotic resistance of bacteria. We will introduce a syndromic approach to bacterial infections and introduce molecular methods to detect low virulence pathogens of joint implant infections. We want to define the ecological niche of C. neoformans sensu lato in Slovenia and the cave microbiota and its impact on humans and vice versa. IMMUNOLOGY: In the field of immunology, we will focus on innate immune disorders in the coming years. We want to identify different types of APC and analyze the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory and regulatory immune response in patients with specific autoinflammatory diseases, namely PFAPA, CAPS and SJIA. We want to determine whether disease activity is related to the frequency of occurrence of certain DC subgroups and their function. In patients with different levels of genetic risk factors for the development of aHUS, we want to explain the degree of influence of environmental factors that activate complement. VIROLOGY: We will try to identify risk factors that are typically associated with the aggressive clinical course of laryngeal papillomatosis. We want to determine which HPV genotypes are associated with the formation of common skin warts and the method of quantification of target HPV genotypes. We will define the genomic diversity of the molluscum contagiosum virus and the pathogenesis of the genetic variants of the bat mammalian orthoreovirus. We will focus on the pathogenesis of HFRS and TBE, which represent an important public health burden, not only in Slovenia but also in Europe. In addition, we will focus on developing a metagenomic approach to detect rare and unknown central nervous system pathogens to improve the diagnostic approach. ZOONOSES: We will establish systematic sampling of zoonotic vectors in Slovenia and identify the microorganisms that they transmit. We will determine the incidence of individual species of pathogens (Borrelia sp., Leptospira sp., Cryptosporidium sp., Leishmania sp.) of zoonotic diseases in humans in Slovenia and introduce methods for typing individual species. We will follow the genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, study the phenotypic differences between different genetic variants, and compare the ability to neutralize different strains. We will study the causes of unexplained febrile illness with bicitopenia after a tick or mosquito bite.
Significance for science
In the field of bacteriology, we will determine the extent of resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones of the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium in Slovenia and define the genotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis that occur in Slovenian patients with lymphogranuloma venereum. We will introduce syndromic approach for the detection of the most common bacterial pathogens and identify selected species from the enterobacteriaceae family by deep-sequencing methods. We will develop a combination of methods to improve the susceptibility and specificity of microbiological diagnostics of implant infections and identify ways to determine resistance to biocides. We will determine the distribution and species representation of Cryptococcus neoformans sensu lato on different plant species in all phytogeographical regions of Slovenia and define the susceptibility of isolated cryptococci to antifungals and determine the anthropogenic impact on the structure and dynamics of the cave microbiota. In the immunological study of autoinflammatory disorders, we will develop a diagnostic algorithm and look for specific markers that could reliably predict the response to treatment of these patients, thus facilitating the control of inflammation and reducing the risk of subsequent complications. As the spectrum of renal diseases associated with complement regulation disorders has increased in recent years, we will try to contribute to the detection of pathophysiological processes in the kidneys resulting from atypical hemolytic uraemic syndrome and C3-glomerulopathy, the detection of new clinical phenotypes of the disease and diagnostic treatment of patients with complement deficiencies. In the field of virology, we will identify risk factors that are typically associated with the aggressive clinical course of laryngeal papillomatosis. For the first time ever, we will reliably determine which genotypes of human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with the occurrence of 95% of cases in samples of ordinary skin warts. We will obtain accurate data on the quantification of target HPV genotypes obtained by real-time PCR or digital PCR. In the following, we will define the global genomic diversity of the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). In the field of enteric viruses, we will monitor the molecular epidemiology of noroviruses and rotaviruses, which remain the leading causes of gastroenteritis in humans, and conduct pathogenetic research on the ability of newly discovered mammalian orthoreoviruses to spread to the central nervous system. We will identify the causes of respiratory infections in children, since as many as 40% of them are unexplained. We will try to identify immunopathogenetic mechanisms in TBE and hanta- viral infections, because such infections are still major public health threats both in Slovenia and Europe. To detect rare and unknown pathogens of the central nervous system, we will develop a metagenomic approach and thus improve knowledge of the etiologies of central nervous system infections. In the coming years, we want to establish a modern monitoring system for various zoonotic agents. We will follow the emergence of both new and medically and epidemiologically important genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We will define the frequency of infections with Borrelia and Leptospira and the geographical and temporal differences in the incidence of individual species, based on which we will then create a library of isolates and define the importance of molecular diagnostics of these infections. We will define the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium parvum in our country and thus contribute to the international standardization of the typing scheme. Information on the type of leishmania that causes leishmaniasis in a patient influences the introduction of appropriate treatment and the introduction of appropriate protective measures, so we will introduce appropriate tests to determine the presence of this microorganism. We will perform an extensive statistical analysis based on which we will obtain information on the presence of Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Slovenia, which will significantly contribute to the placement of Slovenia in the European epidemiological picture and to consider the need / meaningful introduction of the Slovenian congenital toxoplasmosis registry.
Significance for the country
The main contribution of the program in the development of Slovenia is its impact on the health of individuals in the country. Good knowledge of the situation in the country in terms of the prevalence, species specificity of microorganisms and their resistance to antiviral drugs is crucial for all of us. Slovenia is part of the wider European space and an increasingly global world, so it must be prepared for the introduction of many microorganisms or their variants, and their correct and rapid identification, as this has a significant impact on both treatment and restriction measures. Knowledge of the occurrence of resistance to antibiotics, antifungals and biocides and rapid and effective detection of these will have a key impact on the successful treatment of patients, which will also indirectly reduce the burden on the public health system. Modern molecular genotyping methods will contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of bacterial and fungal infections and to the improvement of various approaches in hospital hygiene. Knowledge of the mechanisms that enable microorganisms to resist antibiotics at the molecular level will enable both the development of treatment guidelines and the development of new, more effective antimicrobials. Whole bacterial genomes will be obtained by deep sequencing and archived in publicly accessible collections. The development of methods for detection of implant infections will allow for more appropriate treatment of patients and improvement of existing treatment algorithms. Knowledge of the ecological niche Cryptococcus neoformans sensu lato will have a significant impact on the interpretation of the epidemiological situation of cryptococcosis in Slovenia. Information of the effect of anthropogenic factors on the changing the structure and dynamics of cave air microbiota will influence the interpretation of biospeleogenesis and ecology of sensitive cave ecosystems. As part of the research on autoinflammatory disorders, we will develop diagnostic algorithms and look for specific markers that could reliably predict patients' response to treatment. This will make it easier to control inflammation and reduce the risk of subsequent complications, which are indirectly associated with increased treatment costs. Identification of pathogenic genetic changes with the help of molecular diagnostics will allow a more accurate diagnosis of renal diseases, such as the typical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and an individual approach to the treatment and treatment of these patients. Our findings will significantly contribute to the knowledge of the pathogenesis, clinical course and treatment of patients with laryngeal papillomatosis, as we will be able to identify patients at risk of a more aggressive disease course at the time of diagnosis. The HPV genotype that causes common skin warts could be important in introducing HPV-dependent treatment for skin warts and determining the most appropriate target HPV genotypes in the development of new vaccines against HPV skin genotypes that are particularly important for immunocompromised individuals. HFRS and TBE are still a major public health concerns, as a large number of people in Slovenia become infected each year, so we will focus on research into the pathogenesis of these important viruses. We will try to define the etiologies of both respiratory diseases in children and central nervous system infections, as a large proportion of these are still unknown. Participation in many international networks that include experts from Europe and around the world will continue to provide us with access to the necessary information to improve research and add value to our results, and last but not least contribute to Slovenia's reputation and recognition at the international level. Information on the prevalence of pathogens in different vectors (mosquitoes, ticks, sand flies and rodents) and knowledge of vectors, which is one of the main purposes of the zoonosis work package, is extremely important for risk assessment and early warning systems with our research team. Our team will continue to help to create guidelines for diagnosing Lyme disease, treating patients, and preventing infections, which will have a significant impact on reducing the burden on the public health. Through research, we will contribute to the international standardization of the Cryptosporidium parvum typing scheme based on MLVA. With research on leishmaniasis, we will influence the introduction of appropriate treatment of these patients and check the feasibility of introducing a national registry of congenital toxoplasmosis. We will monitor genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is crucial to control the epidemiological situation, assessing vaccine efficacy and protection in patients, and potentially limiting problematic genetic variants of the virus.
