Determinants for the spread of Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive Staphylococcus aureus in Africa

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Bettina Löffler; Professor Dr. Frieder Schaumburg; Professor Dr. Peter F. Zipfel
• Subject Area: Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: from 2018 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 404893180

Staphylococcus aureus is a worldwide bacterial pathogen, which can cause various infections (e.g. skin infections, pneumonia, heart valves infections). S. aureus forms a variety of toxins (virulence factors) which influence the course of S. aureus infections. One toxin is the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which can be associated with severe skin and soft tissue infections. This toxin is very rare in European isolates (1-2%). In African isolates, however, it is much more common (about 50%). Since the toxin very likely has a great clinical significance, we will examine in this proposal possible reasons for the spread of PVL-positive S. aureus in Africa. Preliminary work has shown that possible factors for this dissemination are most likely associated with the human host and not with the pathogen itself or the environment. To find possible factors of the host that favor the spread of PVL-positive S. aureus, we want to compare African and German participants. For this purpose, we will take blood samples from African and German volunteers in order to investigate the interaction of the host with PVL at three levels. We want to examine (i) the interaction of PVL with serum proteins, (ii) the interaction of PVL with its binding receptor on leukocytes, and (iii) the reaction inside the cell after binding of PVL at the cell surface.A key point of the proposed research is the creation of resources in Africa and the continuous training of our African partners. This is the basis for a sustainable development perspective for future collaborations.The project involves two research sites in Germany (Münster, Jena) and three research laboratories in Africa (Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, Ile-Ife in Nigeria, Lambaréné in Gabon).By comparing Africans and Germans, we hope to find the factors that explain the high prevalence of PVL-positive S. aureus isolates in Africa. Only when the factors for the spread of PVL-positive isolates in Africa are known, one could develop appropriate infection control measures.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Gabon, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo
• International Co-Applicants: Dr. Abraham Alabi; Professorin Dr. Francine Ntoumi; Dr. Adebayo Shittu