Research projects

Development and validation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to investigate the transmission potential of Toxoplasma gondii through various high-risk foods

Entwicklung und Validierung eines Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-Assays zur Untersuchung des Übertragungspotenzials von Toxoplasma gondii durch verschiedene Risikolebensmittel

Project Investigators: PD Dr. Amir Abdulmawjood; Dr. Antonia Kreitlow; Dr. Lisa Siekmann; Prof. Dr. Christina Strube; Prof. Dr. Madeleine Plötz

Duration: May 2025 until April 2027

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Country-wide survey of Borrelia prevalence and occurrence of tick-borne encephalitis in ticks in Germany

Bundesweite Erhebung der Borrelienprävalenz sowie Vorkommen des Frühsommermeningoencephalitis(FSME)-Virus in Zecken

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD; Dr. A. Springer

Duration: Beginning 2023 until Beginning 2027

Funding: Pfizer, 246.000 EUR

Project Details:
Tick-borne diseases are a major health concern, with Lyme disease and early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) among the most important. Although it is known that ticks infected with Borrelia in particular are almost ubiquitous, there is no comprehensive, area-wide picture of tick infection rates and thus the human risk of infection. Using a sample set of thousands of ticks, a reliable picture of Borrelia prevalence in Germany will be obtained for the first time.
The data on tick infections obtained, together with the data on tick density from the previous project, will enable the identification of factors associated with high local Borrelia prevalence.
In addition, tick pools from selected locations, e.g. TBE endemic areas or those where human TBE cases have occurred in the respective county, will be examined for TBE virus infections.

Results:

Topp, A.-K., Springer, A., Mischke, R., Rieder, J., Feige, K., Ganter, M., Nagel-Kohl, U., Nordhoff, M., Boelke, M., Becker, S., Pachnicke, S., Schunack, B., Dobler, G., Strube, C. (2023) Seroprevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in wild and domestic animals in northern Germany. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 14, 102220

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. G. Dobler, Nationales Konsiliarlabor für FSME, München

Dr. V. Fingerle, Nationales Referenzzentrum für Borrelien, Oberschleißheim

Dr. O. Kahl, tick-radar GmbH

Prof. Dr. U. Mackenstedt, Universität Hohenheim

Prof. Dr. M. Pfeffer, Universität Leipzig

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Zoonotic Toxocara infections

Zoonotische Toxocara-Infektionen

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD; V. Rüster, PhD; Prof. Dr. F. Richter Assencio

Duration: Beginning 2012 until Mid 2027

Project Details:
Roundworms of the genus Toxocara can infect humans and persist in tissues for years or decades. Although the parasite cannot complete its life cycle, the infective larvae migrate through the body and can reach various organs, and thus cause considerable health damage. To characterise the zoonotic risk by roundworms, studies are being conducted on environmental contamination, human infections and evaluation of diagnostic tools. At the level of parasite-host interaction, in addition to immunological interactions, neurological damage in the host as a result of roundworm infection is also being characterised. Thus, not only larval distribution in the entire body of the host, but also the distribution of larvae and resulting damage in the brain is investigated. Here, neuropathological changes and gene regulation in the paratenic host are assessed by histopathology, molecular biological methods and behavioural studies.

Results:

Waindok, P., Janecek-Erfurth, E., Lindenwald, D. L., Wilk, E., Schughart, K., Geffers, R., Strube, C. (2022) Toxocara canis- and Toxocara cati-induced neurotoxocarosis is associated with comprehensive brain transcriptomic alterations. Microorganisms 10, 177

Waindok, P., Kann, S., Aristizabal, A., Dib, J. C., Strube, C. (2021) Toxocara seroprevalence and risk factor analysis in four communities of the Wiwa, an indigenous tribe in Colombia. Microorganisms 9, 1768

Raulf, M.-K., Lepenies, B., Strube, C. (2021) Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati somatic and excretory-secretory antigens are recognised by C-type lectin receptors. Pathogens 10, 321

Waindok, P., Raulf, M. K., Springer, A., Strube, C. (2020) The zoonotic dog roundworm Toxocara canis, a worldwide burden of public health. In: Strube C., Mehlhorn H. (Hrsg.) Dog Parasites Endangering Human Health. Parasitology Research Monographs, Band 13. Springer, Cham, Schweiz. S. 5-26

Strube, C., Waindok, P., Raulf, M. K., Springer, A. (2020) Toxocara-induced Neural Larva Migrans (neurotoxocarosis) in rodent model hosts. Advances in Parasitology 109, 189-218

Strube, C., Raulf, M. K., Springer, A., Waindok, P., Auer, H. (2020) Seroprevalence of human toxocarosis in Europe - a review and meta-analysis. Advances in Parasitology 109, 375-418

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. G. Gerold, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Österreich

Prof. Dr. B. Lepenies, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Prof. Dr. M. Pfeffer, Universität Leipzig

Dr. S. Kann, Missionsärztliches Institut Würzburg

Prof. Dr. M. Leschnik, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Österreich

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Development of antiparasiticides

Entwicklung von Antiparasitika

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD; M.-K. Raulf, PhD

Duration: Beginning 2020 until Beginning 2026

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Monitoring and control of pasture-borne helminthoses in ruminants

Monitoring und Bekämpfung von Weide-assoziierten Helminthosen bei Wiederkäuern

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD

Duration: Beginning 2016 until Mid 2026

Project Details:
Helminth infections influence animal health and thus also production parameters in ruminants. In the course of this project, epidemiological investigations and modelling will provide new insights into the distribution and infection dynamics of lungworms, gastrointestinal worms and liver fluke. At the same time, the influence of these parasitoses on production parameters will be determined and innovative control strategies evaluated.

Results:

Teschner, V., Zablotski, Y., Knubben-Schweizer, G., Bootz, F., Strube, C., Wenzel, C. (2025) Impact of the rumen fluke Calicophoron daubneyi on milk production parameters, β-hydroxybutyrate, fertility and feces consistency in southern German dairy cows. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports 58, 101200

Leinmueller, M., Adler, F., Campe, A., Knubben-Schweizer, G., Hoedemaker, M., Strube, C., Springer, A., Oehm, A.W. (2024) Animal health as a function of farmer personality and attitude: Using the HEXACO model of personality structure to predict farm-level seropositivity for Fasciola hepatica and Ostertagia ostertagi in dairy cows. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11, 1434612

Oehm, A.W., Leinmueller, M., Zablotski, Y., Campe, A., Hoedemaker, M., Springer, A., Jordan, D., Strube, C., Knubben-Schweizer, G. (2023) Multinomial logistic regression based on neural networks reveals inherent differences among dairy farms depending on the differential exposure to Fasciola hepatica and Ostertagia ostertagi. International Journal for Parasitology 53, 687-697

Vande Velde, F., Hektoen, L., Phythian, C.J., Rinaldi, L., Bosco, A., Hinney, B., Gehringer, M., Strube, C., May, K., Knubben-Schweizer, G., Martins, O.M.D., Mateus, T.L., Simion, V.E., Charlier, J., Bartley, D.J., Claerebout, E. (2023) Understanding the uptake of diagnostics for sustainable gastrointestinal nematode control by European dairy cattle farmers: a multi-country cross-sectional study. Parasite 30, 4

Vanhecke, M., Charlier, J., Hamdi, R., Duchene, F., Strube, C., Claerebout, E. (2022) Associations between Dictyocaulus viviparus bulk tank milk seropositivity correlated with meteorological variables. International Journal for Parasitology 52, 659-665

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. G. Knubben-Schweizer, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Prof. Dr. Edwin Claerebout, Ghent University

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Parasite occurence and diagnostics in wildlife

Parasitenvorkommen und Diagnostika bei Wildtieren

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD; Prof. Prof. h. c. Dr. U. Siebert

Duration: Beginning 2012 until Mid 2026

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Epidemiology of parasites and development or evaluation of diagnostic anf control tools in livestock and companion animals

Epidemiologie von Parasiten und Entwicklung beziehungsweise Evaluierung von Diagnostika und Bekämpfungsoptionen bei Haus- und Heimtieren

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD

Duration: Beginning 2012 until Mid 2026

Project Details:
Monitoring the epidemiology and prevalence of parasite infections in livestock and companion animals will contribute to a better knowledge of parasite distribution and improved control strategies. Furthermore, new diagnostics will be developed or existing ones improved.

Results:

Rüster, V., Lückemann, A.K., Wittmann, M., Strube, C., Bartels, T. (2023) Successful long-term control of poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) infestations in floor-kept laying hens via integrated pest management - a case report. Parasitology Research 122, 2549-2555

Rüster, V., Werner, H., Wieneke, S., Avramidis, G., Ten Bosch, L., Krause, E.T., Strube, C., Bartels, T. (2022) Short-time cold atmospheric pressure plasma exposition can kill all life stages of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, under laboratory conditions. Experimental and Applied Acarology 88, 139-152

Vismarra, A., Schnyder, M., Strube, C., Kramer, L. Colombo, L., Genchi, M. (2023) Diagnostic challenges for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in cats from endemic areas in Italy. Parasites & Vectors 16, 187

Hauck, D., Raue, K., Blazejak, K., Hannah, R.M., Elsmore, D.A., Pantchev, N., Strube, C. (2023) Evaluation of a commercial coproantigen immunoassay for the detection of Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme in cats and Uncinaria stenocephala in dogs. Parasitology Research 122, 185-194

Waindok, P. Raulf, M.-K., Strube, C. (2022) Potentials and challenges in the isolation and detection ascarid egg in complex environmental matrices. Food and Waterborne Parasitology 28, e00174

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. M. Schnyder, Universität Zürich, Schweiz

Prof. Dr. D. Traversa, Universität Teramo, Italien

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Occurrence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens

Vorkommen von Zecken und zeckenübertragenen Pathogenen

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD; Dr. A. Springer

Duration: Beginning 2010 until Mid 2026

Funding: EU-Interreg, Bavarian Nordic, 270.000 EUR

Project Details:
Ticks transmit various human and animal pathogens. With regard to pathogens, the vector function of ticks for the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex), human and animal granulocytic anaplasmosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE virus) is of particular importance. Studies on the abundance and distribution of ticks and their pathogens are therefore essential for assessing the One Health risk. Regarding tick-transmitted pathogens, this project collects data not only for Germany but also at the international level.

Results:

Rapp, J., Springer, A., Strube, C. (2024) Ixodes ricinus ticks survive flooding.  Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 15, 102417

Springer, A., Jordan, D., Höltershinken, M., Barutzki, D., Strube, C. (2024) Endemisation and management of Babesia divergens on a beef production farm. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases 6, 100188

Springer, A., Lindau, A., Probst, J., Fachet, K., Schäfer, I., Dobler, G., Mackenstedt, U., Strube, C. (2024) Germany-wide Citizen Science study reveals spread of Babesia canis-infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks by dogs travelling within the country. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases 6, 100d187

Probst, J., Springer, A., Fingerle, V., Strube, C. (2024) Frequency of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia spp. and coinfections in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from dogs and cats in Germany. Parasites & Vectors 17, 87

Probst, J., Springer, A., Topp, A.-K., Bröker, M., Williams, H., Dautel, H., Kahl, O., Strube, C. (2023) Winter activity of questing ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus) in Germany − Evidence from quasi-natural tick plots, field studies and a tick submission study.  Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 14, 102225

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. O. Kahl, tick-radar GmbH

Prof. Dr. U. Mackenstedt, Universität Hohenheim

Dr. V. Fingerle, Nationales Referenzzentrum für Borrelien, Oberschleißheim

Prof. Dr. G. Dobler, Nationales Konsiliarlabor für FSME, München

Dr. L. Chitimia Dobler, Fraunhofer-Institut für Immunologie, Infektions- und Pandemieforschung

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Long-term monitoring of tick abundance and prevalence of Borrelia spp. and other pathogens in the city of Hannover, Germany

Langzeit-Monitoring der Zeckenabundanz und Befallshäufigkeit mit Borrelia spp. und anderen Pathogenen im Stadtgebiet Hannover

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD; Dr. A. Springer

Duration: Beginning 2005 until Beginning 2026

Project Details:
Ticks of the genus Ixodes transmit various human and animal pathogens. In this long-term project running since 2005, pathogen prevalence in ticks in the city of Hannover, Germany, is monitored to investigate potential effects of climate change. In addition to the infection status of the ticks, the tick density in the Hannover area will also be determined.

Results:

Glass, A., Springer, A., Raulf, M.-K., Fingerle, V. Strube, C. (2023) 15-year Borrelia prevalence and species distribution monitoring in Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus populations in the city of Hanover, Germany. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 13, 102074

Glass, A., Springer, A., Strube, C. (2022) A 15-year monitoring of Rickettsiales (Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp.) in questing ticks in the city of Hanover, Germany. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 13, 101975

Hauck, D., Springer, A., Chitimia-Dobler, L., Strube, C. (2020) Two-year monitoring of tick abundance and influencing factors in an urban area (city of Hanover, Germany). Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases 11, 101464

Blazejak, K., Raulf, M.-K., Janecek, E., Jordan, D., Fingerle, V., Strube, C. (2018) Shifts in Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) geno-species infections in Ixodes ricinus over a 10-year surveillance period in the city of Hanover (Germany) and Borrelia miyamotoi-specific Reverse Line Blot detection. Parasites & Vectors 11, 304

Blazejak, K., Janecek, E., Strube, C. (2017) A 10-year surveillance of Rickettsiales (Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum) in the city of Hanover, Germany, reveals Rickettsia spp. as emerging pathogens in ticks. Parasites & Vectors 10, 588

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. V. Fingerle, Nationales Referenzzentrum für Borrelien, Oberschleißheim

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Host-parasite genotype (Gh x Gp) interactions and identification of genetic mechanisms underlying the host-parasite interface in liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infected dairy cows

Analysen zu Wirt-Genotyp x Endoparasit-Genotyp (Gw x Gp) Interaktionen in mit dem großen Leberegel (Fasciola hepatica) infizierten Milchkühen und Identifikation der zugrundeliegenden genetischen Mechanismen

Project Investigators: Prof. Dr. C. Strube, PhD; M.-K. Raulf, PhD

Duration: Beginning 2021 until End 2025

Funding: DFG, 491.000 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to analyse host-parasite interactions between the Fasciola hepatica as parasite and dairy cows as host, taking into account the genome of both interaction partners. Until now, studies on endoparasite resistance have focused exclusively on the genome of the host or the parasite, without considering genotype-genotype interactions between these two players. Therefore, for the first time, interactions will be modelled considering bovine genotypes (Gh) and F. hepatica genotypes (Gp).

Results:

May, K., Hecker, A.S., Strube, C., Tong, Y., König, S. (2025) Genetic parameters and single-step genome-wide association analysis for trematode (Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron / Paramphistomum spp.) infections in German dairy cows. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 128, 105712

Hecker, A.S., Raulf, M.-K., König, S., Knubben-Schweizer, G., Wenzel, C., May, K., Strube, C. (2024) In-herd prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron/Paramphistomum spp. infections in German dairy cows with comparison of two coproscopical methods and establishment of real-time pyrosequencing for rumen fluke species differentiation. Veterinary Parasitology 327, 110142

May, K., Hecker, A.S., König, S., Strube, C. (2024) Helminth co-infections have no additive detrimental impact on milk yield and milk quality compared to mono-infections in German dairy cows. Parasites & Vectors 17, 398

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Dr. Katharina May, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

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