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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

Biomarkers and clinical scores to aid the identification of disease severity and intensive care requirement following activation of an in-hospital sepsis code.

PMID: 31940096
Journal: Annals of Intensive Care
Year: 2020
Reference: Ann Intensive Care. 2020 Jan 15;10(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s13613-020-0625-5.
Impact factor: 4.124
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Baldira, Jaume, Ruiz-Rodriguez, Juan Carlos, Wilson, Darius Cameron, Ruiz-Sanmartin, Adolf, Cortes, Alejandro, Chiscano, Luis, Ferrer-Costa, Roser, Comas, Inma, Larrosa, Nieves, Fabrega, Anna et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s13613-020-0625-5

Serum IL-10 Levels and Its Relationship with Parasitemia in Chronic Chagas Disease Patients.

PMID: 31701864
Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
Year: 2020
Reference: Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Jan;102(1):159-163. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0550.
Impact factor: 2.126
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Molina, Israel, Silgado, Aroa, Moure, Zaira, Bosch-Nicolau, Pau, Salvador, Fernando, Sanchez-Montalva, Adrian, Martinez-Gallo, Monica, Sulleiro, Elena, Franco-Jarava, Clara, Sao Aviles, Augusto et al.
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0550

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

Does the economic recession influence the incidence of pertussis in a cosmopolitan European city?

PMID: 30717741
Journal: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH
Year: 2019
Reference: BMC Public Health. 2019 Feb 4;19(1):144. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6448-3.
Impact factor: 2.567
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Santoma, Maria Jose, Gorrindo, Pilar, Palau, Pilar, Cunille, Montse, Masdeu, Eva, Avellanes, Ingrid, Rodrigo, Jose Angel, Codina, Gema, Martin, Maria Teresa, Gonzalez, Juan Jose et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6448-3

Simultaneous CMV and Listeria infection following alemtuzumab treatment for multiple sclerosis.

PMID: 30587519
Journal: NEUROLOGY
Year: 2019
Reference: Neurology. 2019 Feb 5;92(6):296-298. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006801. Epub 2018 Dec 26.
Impact factor: 8.689
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Pappolla, Agustin, Midaglia, Luciana, Boix Rodriguez, Claudia P, Puig, Adaia Albasanz, Lung, Maiylyi, Camps, Isabel Ruiz, Castillo, Joaquin, Mulero, Patricia, Arrambide, Georgina, Rodriguez-Acevedo, Breogan et al.
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006801

Teicoplanin for treating enterococcal infective endocarditis: a retrospective observational study from a referral center.

PMID: 30315920
Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
Year: 2019
Reference: Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2019 Feb;53(2):165-170. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2018.10.003. Epub 2018 Oct 10.
Impact factor: 4.615
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Almirante, Benito, Bartolome, Rosa, Gonzalez-Lopez, Juan Jose, Pigrau, Carlos, Rodriguez-Pardo, Dolors, Escola-Verge, Laura, Fernandez-Hidalgo, Nuria et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2018.10.003

Risk factors for antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and characteristics of patients infected with gonorrhea.

PMID: 30100098
Journal: ENFERMEDADES INFECCIOSAS Y MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA
Year: 2019
Reference: Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2019 Feb;37(2):145-146. doi: 10.1016/j.eimc.2018.07.004. Epub 2018 Aug 9.
Impact factor: 1.685
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Serra-Pladevall, Judit, Espasa, Mateu, Andreu, Antonia, Barbera, Maria-Jesus et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2018.07.004

Blog

News

The collaboration will focus on several key areas of mutual interest in microbiology in particular antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.

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.