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Press Release of the Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., 31.03.2022 13:40
In North America, SARS-CoV-2 has spread from humans to white-tailed deer. The deer are now considered SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs and may even spill virus back to humans. A science team headed by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) and the Charité have now shown that in Germany and Austria this has not happened as all deer tested were negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The research is reported in the journal “Microorganisms” in a special issue on Viruses of Wild Mammals.
PhD introduction of the week: Pau De Yebra Rodó, Microbiologist and Bioinformatician in IPT6.
As water plays a key role as a vector and reservoir for AMR transmission in urban and rural areas, the primary objective of IPT5 "Water as habitat and vector for AMR microbes" is to determine the abundance and diversity of AMR and the bacteria carrying them in bodies of water and their sediments along an urban-rural gradient by means of metagenome analyses. In cooperation with the other IPTs, a broad overview of AMR profiles in different waters and potential disease vectors in the Berlin-Brandenburg region will be elaborated.
This week we introduce the PhD student of IPT5: Megarsa Bedasa Jaleta, Veterinarian and Veterinary Epidemiologist .
Within the framework of his project "AMR spread in animal husbandry- mechanisms and possible interventions", Megarsa is comparing the occurrence of AMR in pigs under different hygienic conditions and when different feed additives are administered. Based on these results, potential strategies to control the spread of AMR in livestock breeding will be defined in close collaboration with the other IPTs, thus reducing the potential contamination of the environment.
PhD introduction of the week: Maria Karolina Börger, Forestry Scientist and Ecologist in IPT4.
The project "Arthropods as vectors for AMR microbes", studies the role of the common house fly as a vector for antimicrobial resistant bacteria.
If flies ingest antimicrobial resistant bacteria, these can be passed on to humans, sometimes causing severe nosocomial infections. Through a better understanding of the flight radii and habitat binding of the house fly, strategies will be identified to hinder the spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.
PhD introduction of the week: Lena Merkel, Development Economist and Historian in IPT3.
The research project "Curbing antimicrobial resistance in humans through interventions, incentives and transparency" has the overall goal of supporting optimal use of antibiotics worldwide. To this end, Lena will assess different interventions to improve infection diagnostics and the role of information and transparency in curbing AMR at micro and macro levels.