The scientific focus of our mycological group leader Prof. Wieland Schrödl lies in the research of dermatophytoses, mycotoxins, calprotectin, Flavobacterium psychrophilum and bacteria in cooling lubricants. Prof. Wieland Schrödl has many years of experience in the differentiation of fungi. A MALDI-TOF device (Microflex Biotyper by Bruker) is available for the identification of fungi. In recent years, the database of MALDI-TOF mass spectra for numerous pathogenic fungi has been expanded.

RESEARCH PROJECTS MYCOLOGY

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Project

Establishment and evaluation of an in vitro skin infection model for the zoophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton benhamiae and its further molecular biological characterization

Summary

Within the framework of a pilot project (national zoonosis platform), an in vitro skin-dermatophyte infection model (guinea pig skin) with coordinated detection methods for dermatophytes and their enzymes was established. The novel and significant dermatophyte Trichophyton benhamiae, which can cause infections in animals and humans - especially in children - was used for the investigations. After the tissue culture method was established, guinea pig skin implants were infected with various isolates of the skin fungus. The subsequent investigations - also in comparison to naturally diseased animals - provided information about the infection process, the virulence factors contributing to pathogenicity and the extent of skin damage. The fungal strains used and the samples obtained were archived in a biobank and can therefore be used for further molecular biological investigations. This model will be continuously applied and further developed in the future.

Project Manager

  • apl. Prof. Wieland Schrödl
  • Dr. Jule Michler, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig

Participating Associate

Alumni

  • Theresa Bartosch

Publications

  • Baumbach CM, Schrödl W, Nenoff P, Uhrlaß S, Mülling CKW, Michler JK. 2020. Modeling dermatophytosis: Guinea pig skin explants represent a highly suitable model to study Trichophyton benhamiae infections. J Dermatol. 47(1):8-16. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.15150
  • Bartosch T, Frank A, Günther C, Uhrlaß S, Heydel T, Nenoff P, Baums CG, Schrödl W. 2019. Trichophyton benhamiae and T. mentagrophytes target guinea pigs in a mixed small animal stock. Med Mycol Case Rep. 23:37-42. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2018.11.005

Cooperation Partners

  • Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig

Founding

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)

 

 

Project

Development of a screening method for the highly sensitive detection of gliotoxin in food and animal feed

Summary

Within the framework of a cooperative project, gliotoxin, a secondary metabolite of microfungi, will be investigated as a marker for food and feed contamination with mycotoxins. In this project, antibodies with or without detection markers against the mycotoxin gliotoxin will be designed and produced. The antibodies will be used for the development and establishment of highly sensitive and specific quantitative detection methods based on ELISA for routine analysis.

Project Manager

Prof. Wieland Schrödl

Participating Associate

Jakob Lindenhahn

Founding

Frankenförder Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

 

 

Project

Detection of dermatophytes in domestic and farm animals, especially of novel zoophilic dermatophytes with great clinical importance for human medicine

Objectives

  • Optimisation of the cultural detection and the dermatophyte diagnostics
  • Establishment of mass spectrometric identification of dermatophytes by MALDI-TOF MS and expansion of the dermatophyte database

Project Manager

Prof. Wieland Schrödl

Cooperation Partners

  • Medical Faculty, University Leipzig

 

Project

Isolation, differentiation and cryopreservation of bacteria, production of antigen extract and quantitative bacterial count in cooling lubricants

Project Manager

Prof. Wieland Schrödl

Founding

Wirtschaft

Project

Bovine calprotectin as an inflammatory marker and biomarker

Objectives

Development of a quantitative detection method for bovine calprotectin

Summary

Calprotectin is released after activation of neutrophil granulocytes. It is associated with damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP) and has multiple functions. One component of the working program is the generation of monovalent antibody fractions for the development of an ELISA.

Project Manager

Prof. Wieland Schrödl

Cooperation Partners

  • Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig

Founding

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi)

 

 

Project

On-site detection of the causative agent of cold-water disease of salmonids

Objectives

Development of a detection method for the on-site diagnosis of the causative agent of cold-water disease of salmonids (salmonidae)

Summary

As part of a third-party funded project, a bacterial strain bank with the associated MALDI-TOF mass spectra for fish and aquarium water associated bacterial genera and species was established. This database will be continuously expanded. In further studies, the further development of detection methods for the infectious agent Flavobacterium psychrophilum (cold water disease of fish) will be promoted. Important components of the work program include the generation of pathogen-specific antibodies and the differentiation of Flavobacterium psychrophilum isolates using the MALDI-TOF-MS technology.

Project Manager

Prof. Wieland Schrödl

Founding

Frankenförder Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

Finished Research Projects

The results from completed projects provide an important basis for projects currently underway. Due to our active research activities we have been able to continuously expand our MALDI-TOF-MS database and thus improve the identification of fungi.

Project

Characterization of field and vaccine strains of Trichophyton verrucosum

Summary

Bovine trichophytosis (RT) is mainly caused by the dermatophyte Trichophyton (T.) verrucosum and, with a prevalence of approx. 30%, is a widespread infectious disease in German cattle herds. The disease is associated with skin lesions, reduction in milk yield and secondary bacterial infections. Furthermore, bovine trichophytosis is an important zoonosis. In this study, T. verrucosum strains of cattle and humans as well as vaccine strains are compared and characterized to gain a better understanding of epidemiology and to elucidate the mechanism of attenuation of vaccine strains.

Project Manager

Prof. Wieland Schrödl

Participating Associate

Theresa Bartosch

Publications

Bartosch T, Heydel T, Uhrlaß S, Nenoff P, Müller H, Baums CG, Schrödl W. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of bovine and zoonotic Trichophyton verrucosum isolates reveals a distinct peak and cluster formation of a subgroup with Trichophyton benhamiae. Med Mycol. 2018 Jul 1;56(5):602-609. doi: 10.1093/mmy/myx084

Cooperation Partners

  • Medical Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig

 

Project

Systemic mycoses in reptiles

Summary

Within the scope of the study, the pathogens and clinical pictures of systemic mycoses in reptiles are characterised.

Project Manager

Dr. Volker Schmidt

Participating Associate

Prof. Wieland Schrödl

Cooperation Partners

  • Department for birds and reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig

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