Viral and Bacterial Infections

Although mortality from infectious disease has declined globally, viral and bacterial infections still disproportionately impact the world's most vulnerable populations. Pneumonia and diarrhoea are major killers in young children while syphilis is the main cause of stillbirth and perinatal mortality. HIV, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis are among the leading causes of deaths due to infectious disease in adults living in low and middle income countries.
Treatment for these devastating diseases exists, but their use and effectiveness face numerous challenges including timely diagnosis, drug resistance and access to healthcare.
Multi-resistant bacteria are found in all regions of the world and spread easily, thus constituting one of the most serious threats to global health. In the last decades, emerging infectious diseases, especially those related to emerging viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika, have become an increasingly important area of concern in public health at a global level. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 70% of the world’s people living with HIV and the highest tuberculosis burden in the world. Although treatment has saved many lives, daunting challenges in reaching, diagnosing and treating patients hamper their control.
Main research lines
At ISGlobal, we use our experience to improve the diagnosis and treatment of viral and bacterial diseases, to understand the causes of antibiotic resistance, and to find novel ways of reaching underserved populations in the following areas:
Our Team
Head
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Jordi Vila Research Professor, Director of the Antimicrobial Resistance Initiative and Head of the Viral and Bacterial Infections Programme
Co-chair
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Denise Naniche Research Professor, Co-Chair of the Viral and Bacterial Infections Programme
Our Team
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Quique Bassat ICREA Research Professor, Head of the Malaria Programme
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Climent Casals-Pascual Associate Research Professor
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Alberto García-Basteiro Assistant Research Professor
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Jeffrey Lazarus Associate Research Professor
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Emili Letang Assistant Research Professor
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Mª Angeles Marcos Maeso
Highlighted Projects
Evaluation of Strategies for Yaws Eradication
Yaws eradication
http://pian.isglobal.orgNovel Marine Biomolecules against Biofilm (NoMorFilm)
Application to medical devices
http://www.nomorfilm.euCOMBACTE-CARE
Combatting Bacterial Resistance in Europe - Carbapenem Resistance
https://www.imi.europa.eu/content/combacte-careXpatial-TB
Improved case detection through TB contact risk stratification by Xpert results and spatial parameters in Mozambique
WHIP3TB
Evaluation of the effect of weekly high dose rifapentine and isoniazid (3HP) vs periodic 3HP vs 6H for preventing TB among HIV-positive individuals
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02980016VINCI
Optimizing provider-initiated HIV testing, linkage, and retention in care in the district of Manhiça, Mozambique
INTE-AFRICA
Integrating and decentralizing diabetes and hypertension services in Africa
http://inteafrica.org/Other projects
See Past ProjectsCOMBACTE
Combating Bacterial Resistance In Europe
Prioritising Antimicrobial Resistance: establishing an interdisciplinary International Research Partnership to tackle an evolving global health threat
An interdisciplinary International Research Partnership to tackle an evolving global health threat
Development of new metal-antibiotics against pathogens causing chronic infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.
New metal-antibiotics for patients with cystic fibrosis
HU-MEN (High frequency Ultrasound-based MENingitis screening)
Non-invasive ultrasound-based screening for meningitis: Proof-of concept in infants
New antibacterial agents against 'Acinetobacter baumannii'
Search for new target proteins and use of antibacterial or inhibitory peptides against resistance mechanisms in 'Acinetobacter baumannii'
Development of New Metalloantibiotics Against Pathogens Associated to Chronic Infections in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
AVATAR
Searching the hidden: evaluating dengue, chikungunya and Zika autochthonous transmission in the city of Barcelona.