The BMBF-funded Integrated Research and Treatment Center for Sepsis and Control and Care (CSCC) celebrated its 10th anniversary in the summer of 2020. This is associated with the expiration of BMBF funding. Thus, new projects with an internal funding were started for the last time in the four research fields BUGS, DRUG, DAMAGE and REPAIR. The total number of projects since the beginning of the 2nd funding period increased to over 75.

In 2019, so-called tandem projects were initiated in addition to new projects for the promotion of young researchers and clinical pilot studies. In the latter, physicians and basic scientists worked together on translational issues, creating entirely new impulses for interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, CSCC scientists were significantly involved in the acquisition of large national and international collaborative projects and have been strongly dedicated to SARS-COV2 research from 2020.

Speakers: Prof. Michael Bauer, Prof. André Scherag
Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena

Center for Sepsis Control and Care

Research projects

PEONS-Pilot study: Vorhersage einer neonatalen Sepsis (EONS) nach frühem vorzeitigen Blasensprung durch vaginale Mikrobiom-Analyse

Principal investigators:
Prof. Dr. Ekkehard Schleußner, Obstetrics
PD Dr. Kristin Dawczynski, Pediatrics

CSCC (BMBF) 2019 - 2020

Vaginal infection is the most common cause of preterm birth, due to early rupture of the bladder and is associated with a high risk of infection for the preterm infant. To date, there are no diagnostic methods to estimate the development of a resulting fetal infection. The question of whether a prognosis for the child can be derived from the composition of the bacteria in the birth canal of a pregnant woman after early premature rupture of the membranes was being investigated in this multicenter pilot study.

CanCVC - Investigating the contribution of bacteria and host proteins to the development of central venous catheter-associated Candida albicans biofilms

Principal investigators:
PD Dr. Frank Bloos, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
Dr. Slavena Vylkova, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute

CSCC (BMBF) 2019 - 2020

Biofilms on artificial surfaces, such as central venous catheters, can be causative for the development of bloodstream infections. In this observational study, protein depositions in central venous catheters (CVCs) and their influence on biofilm formation by Candida albicans were investigated. The results may contribute to the development of suitable surface materials that impede biofilm formation.

Stardust - Stratifying and treating sepsis-associated cognitive dysfunction

Principal investigators:
PD Dr. Kathrin Finke, Neurology
Prof. Dr. André Scherag, Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer and Data Sciences
Prof. Dr. Christian Geis, Neurology

CSCC (BMBF) 2019 - 2020

Cognitive deficits in attention and executive functions are among the most common long-term consequences after septic encephalopathy and thus represent a central and debilitating problem for those affected. The pilot project addresses this issue via different approaches. On the one hand, a possible predictive marker for the development of septic encephalopathy was investigated. On the other hand, first data were collected on whether cognitive dysfunctions can be improved by neuropsychological training.

Further information

ImmunoSep - Personalized immunotherapy in sepsis: a precision medicine based approach

Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Michael Bauer
EU (Horizon2020) 2020 - 2023

The mission of the project is to design and complete a proof-of-concept clinical trial of personalised immunotherapy in sepsis, and develop a next-generation theranostics platform for future personalised immunotherapy trials in sepsis. Theranostics is a new approach that combines specific targeted therapy based on specific targeted diagnostics. The theranostics platform of the current project will be based on a multidimensional systems biology analysis of omics-based data sets, to identify clinically relevant biomarkers and therapeutic targets for precision medicine.

Project homepage: www.immunosep.eu

ImSavar - Immune Safety Avatar: nonclinical mimicking of the immune system effects of immunomodulatory therapies

Principal investigator: PD Dr. Alexander Mosig
EU (Horizon2020) 2019 - 2025

Modulation of the immune system is emerging as an attractive approach for treating a plethora of conditions from immune-mediated diseases to cancer. However, responses in clinical trials have been variable, underscoring the need for better biomarkers, endpoints and monitoring approaches. Towards this goal, the EU-funded imSAVAR project will develop a platform for testing the safety and efficacy of immunomodulators. Researchers will work on novel assays, reliable models and predictive biomarkers to improve the safety of immunotherapy. In collaboration with big pharmaceutical companies, the ultimate goal of the imSAVAR effort is to transfer the knowledge from preclinical models into first-in-human studies.

project homepage: https://imsavar.eu/

SARS-COV2 research at the CSCC

The strong expertise and networking in the field of infectious disease research is also reflected in a variety of SARS-COV2 research activities led by CSCC members.

These include clinical studies, such as the point prevalence study of infection incidence in Neustadt am Rennsteig - CoNAN (coordination: infectiology) or a study investigating viral load and tissue damage in deceased persons.

In the nationwide network of university hospitals for COVID-19 research (NUM) coordinated by Charité, CSCC researchers are actively involved in six of the thirteen collaborative projects.

Selected publications

Rubio I, Osuchowski MF, Shankar-Hari M, Skirecki T, Winkler MS, Lachmann G, et al. Current gaps in sepsis immunology: new opportunities for translational research. The Lancet infectious diseases. 2019;19(12):e422-e36.
Hagel S, Ludewig K, Pletz MW, Frosinski J, Moeser A, Wolkewitz M, et al. Effectiveness of a hospital-wide infection control programme on the incidence of healthcare-associated infections and associated severe sepsis and septic shock: a prospective interventional study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019;25(4):462-8.
Stengel S, Quickert S, Lutz P, Ibidapo-Obe O, Steube A, Kose-Vogel N, et al. Peritoneal Level of CD206 Associates With Mortality and an In flammatory Macrophage Phenotype in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis. Gastroenterology. 2020;158(6):1745-61.
Deinhardt-Emmer S, Rennert K, Schicke E, Cseresnyes Z, Windolph M, Nietzsche S, et al. Co-infection with Staphylococcus aureus after primary influenza virus infection leads to damage of the endothelium in a human alveolus-on-a-chip model. Biofabrication. 2020;12(2):025012.
Fleischmann-Struzek C, Mellhammar L, Rose N, Cassini A, Rudd KE, Schlattmann P, et al. Incidence and mortality of hospital- and ICU-treated sepsis: results from an updated and expanded systematic review and meta-analysis. Intensive Care Medicine. 2020;46(8):1552-62.

Outstanding achievements

Tony Bruns, a “pioneer member” and manager of several CSCC projects, received the 2019 habilitation award of the Friedrich Schiller University worth 5,000 euros for his work “Investigations into the immunological mediation of inflammation, infection and organ failure in the course of chronic liver diseases”.

Together with her project partners Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp (IPHT) and Prof. Dr. Michael Bauer (UKJ), Prof. Dr. Ute Neugebauer (Core Unit Biophotonics) was awarded the Thuringian Research Prize 2019 for the development of a rapid test for the detection of infectious agents and their antibiotic resistance.

The redefinition of sepsis published in 2016 was selected as one of the most important articles for clinical medicine and public health in the decade 2010-2020 by the JAMA editors.