Skip to main content

Microbiology

The Microbiology research group of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) focuses on the study of microbiological aspects —in basic, translational and clinical research— that could improve the outcome of patients with infectious diseases.

Our priority research areas are:

  • Microbiological surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
    • Diseases due to viral infections of the respiratory tract
    • Microorganisms that cause vaccine-preventable diseases
    • Infectious diseases of sexual transmission
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Sepsis
  • Development and validation of rapid microbiological diagnostic devices.
  • International Health
  • Hepatitis 

We actively collaborate with other microbiology laboratories, health services, national and international centres and organizations, as well as with the different research networks of the Carlos III Health Institute in Spain.

In addition, we carry out an important activity in the surveillance of the genotypic and phenotypic evolution of microorganisms present in the community in terms of their virulence, transmissibility, antigenic escape and antimicrobial resistance, in collaboration with public administrations, both at the national and international level.
 

Publications

Infectivity of Norovirus GI and GII from Bottled Mineral Water during a Waterborne Outbreak, Spain.

PMID: 31855546
Journal: EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Year: 2020
Reference: Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jan;26(1):134-137. doi: 10.3201/eid2601.190778.
Impact factor: 6.259
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Bosch, Albert, Guix, Susana, Fuentes, Cristina, Pinto, Rosa M, Blanco, Albert, Sabria, Aurora, Anfruns-Estrada, Eduard, Garrido, Virginia Rodriguez, Alonso, Manuel, Bartolome, Rosa et al.
DOI: 10.3201/eid2601.190778

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Traveler Returning from Nepal to Spain.

PMID: 31674901
Journal: EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Year: 2020
Reference: Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jan;26(1):150-153. doi: 10.3201/eid2601.181685. Epub 2020 Jan 17.
Impact factor: 6.259
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Salvador, Fernando, Sanchez-Montalva, Adrian, Espasa, Mateu, Molina, Daniel, de Ory, Fernando, Sanchez-Seco, M Paz, Molina, Israel, Diaz-Lagares, Candido, Martinez, Miguel J, Pumarola, Tomas et al.
DOI: 10.3201/eid2601.181685

Vancomycin-Gentamicin Prefabricated Spacers in 2-Stage Revision Arthroplasty for Chronic Hip and Knee Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Insights Into Reimplantation Microbiology and Outcomes.

PMID: 31530462
Journal: JOURNAL OF ARTHROPLASTY
Year: 2020
Reference: J Arthroplasty. 2020 Jan;35(1):247-254. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2019.07.043. Epub 2019 Aug 19.
Impact factor: 3.709
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Corro, Sebastian, Vicente, Matias, Rodriguez-Pardo, Dolors, Pigrau, Carles, Lung, Mayli, Corona, Pablo S et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2019.07.043

Surveillance of enteroviruses from paediatric patients attended at a tertiary hospital in Catalonia from 2014 to 2017.

PMID: 30530096
Journal: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
Year: 2019
Reference: J Clin Virol. 2019 Jan;110:29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2018.11.004. Epub 2018 Nov 30.
Impact factor: 3.02
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Pumarola, Tomas, Andres, Cristina, Vila, Jorgina, Gimferrer, Laura, Pinana, Maria, Esperalba, Juliana, Codina, Maria Gema, Barnes, Meritxell, Martin, Maria Carmen, Fuentes, Francisco et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2018.11.004

High-dose benznidazole in a 62-year-old Bolivian kidney transplant recipient with Chagas central nervous system involvement.

PMID: 30391324
Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Year: 2019
Reference: Int J Infect Dis. 2019 Jan;78:103-106. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.10.014. Epub 2018 Oct 25.
Impact factor: 3.538
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Horcajada, J P, Grau, S, Pascual, J, Monge, I, Crespo, M, Veliz Espinosa, G, Montero, M, Mir, M, Sulleiro, E, Avalos Esquivel, J L et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.10.014

Blog

News

On European Antibiotic Awareness Day, we highlight the importance of using these medications responsibly and finding innovative solutions to combat this issue.

The new diagnostic method, designed for use in endemic regions, combines a mobile application with a low-cost robotic microscope.

The European network EUPertStrain celebrates its annual meeting, focused on the study of the evolution of Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium responsible for this disease that can be very serious in children under one year.