Infection and Immunity nieuws
Aug 28: Nursing of carriers of the ESBL bacteria is safe in multiple-bed rooms
Carriers of the highly resistant ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) can be nursed in a hospital together with wardmates in a multiple-bed room if contact precautions are taken without without additional risk of infection. Dutch research, coordinated from Amphia Hospital and UMC Utrecht, has shown that the risk of infection by nursing in a multiple-bed room is not higher as compared to a single-bed room.
Read moreAug 8: Bariatric surgery in obese patients changes the composition of the intestinal flora
In people with morbid obesity who undergo a crash diet, the diversity of the intestinal flora (microbiota) is temporarily reduced. When these patients subsequently undergo bariatric surgery (stomach reduction), the intestinal flora recovers over time with a composition similar to that found directly 1 week after the surgery. According to investigators, such a "healthy" composition of the intestinal flora may contribute to weight loss in people with morbid obesity after bariatric surgery.
Read moreAug 1: Staphylococcus aureus sugar coats may be useful for vaccination
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the antibiotic-resistant variant MRSA are usually harmless to healthy people, but can cause fatal infections in case of immunodeficiency. MRSA bacteria are in particular feared because they become resistant to most available antibiotics. One of the alternative strategies to antibiotics is vaccination. Nina van Sorge and her team at UMC Utrecht now demonstrate that our immune system recognizes well-known and new sugar coat on MRSA, making these structures interesting components for a future vaccine.
Read moreJune 12: 10 million for One Health research in the Netherlands
Partners within @NCOHnl will investigate the coming 5 years with help of a grant of 10 mln. euro vector-borne diseases. @UMCUtrecht contributes with the ZIeKA-monitor to investigate transmission of infectious diseases in travellers
Read moreJune 5: Can a rapid blood test reduce the use of antibiotics in children with respiratory infections
A rapid blood test helps GPs to distinguish between serious respiratory infections (such as pneumonia) and non-serious respiratory infections. However, it does not seem that this test contributes to a lower use of antibiotics in children, says Marjolein Schot who obtained her PhD on June 4.
Read moreMay 29: Dutch hospitals start trial to improve care for people with systemic sclerosis
A new way of working, based on eHealth, should improve the care for people with systemic sclerosis. With an app, patients with systemic sclerosis and their practitioner can exchange data with national experts. University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht is working together with other hospitals through this app, which helps to generate the best treatment plan.
Read moreMay 24: Micro-RNAs disrupt the immune system in both systemic sclerosis and Sjögren's syndrome
MicroRNAs disrupt the functioning of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and thereby play a role in the development of systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis and Sjögren's syndrome. This is the conclusion of Eleni Chouri in her dissertation, on which she was awarded a PhD in Utrecht on May 23.
Read moreMay 23: Infectious disease control research projects receive ZonMw grant
In a supplemental round of the Infectious Disease Control program of ZonMw (subsidy provider in the field of health research and care innovation), 12 projects with a duration of up to 18 months were approved. Three of these projects went to researchers who are connected to the strategic theme Infection & Immunity at UMC Utrecht.
Read moreMay 21: Research UMC Utrecht provides new insights into the in vivo dynamics of lymphocytes
PhD student Mariona Baliu-Piqué investigated the lifespan, the loss and the production rates as well as the circulation through the body of different types of lymphocytes.
Read moreMay 13: Tailor-made chemo reduces mortality risk from stem cell transplantation
More accurate dosing of fludarabine chemotherapy may lead to a better chance of survival after donor stem cell transplantation. This was concluded from the doctoral research at University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht by Jurgen Langenhorst into mathematical models that can improve the results of stem cell transplantation.
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