Research

Project Details:
Surveys on the epidemiology or prevalence of helminth infections in wildlife will contribute to a better knowledge of parasite distribution and help implementing prevention strategies in terms of the One Health concept. Furthermore, the evaluation of new diagnostic tools will improve health monitoring in wildlife.

Results:

Bisterfeld, K., Raulf, M.-K., Waindok, P., Springer, A., Lang, J., Lierz, M., Siebert, U., Strube, C. (2022) Endoparasites of peritoneal organs and skeletal muscles of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in Germany. Parasite & Vectors 17, 473

 

Schütte, K., Springer, A., Brandes, F., Reuschel, M., Fehr, M., Strube, C. (2024) Ectoparasites of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Germany and their health impact. Parasites & Vectors 17, 2

 

Rehbein, S., Jůnková Vymyslická, P., Peterka, T., Strube, C., Visser, M., Mayr, S., Lackerschmid, J. (2024) Calicophoron daubneyi (Paramphistomidae) in deer of the ?umava National Park, Czech Republic - Consequence of prevalent rumen fluke infection in cattle. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports 50, 101012

 

Bisterfeld, K., Raulf, M.-K., Waindok, P., Springer, A., Lang, J., Lierz, M., Siebert, U., Strube, C. (2022) Cardio-pulmonary parasites of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in Germany. Parasite & Vectors 15, 452

 

Waindok, P., Raue, K., Grilo, M., Siebert, U., Strube, C. (2021) Predators in northern Germany are reservoirs for parasites of One Health concern. Parasitology Research 120, 4229-4239

Project Details:
Gap junctions (Gj) are composed of two hemichannels called connexons, which are responsible for direct intercellular communication between adjoining cells. Each cell contains one connexon, composed of six connexin (cx) proteins. The so far discovered functions of Gj are mostly limited to the transport of molecules and ions (< 1 kDa). Nevertheless these junctions tend to be selective and specialize in cellular growth and differentiation (Bruzzone et al., 1996; Kumar and Gilula, 1996). As of today there are at least twenty different cx genes coding for Gj in humans and mice. One of the most researched Gj proteins is Cx43. In the testis, Cx43 is located between two Sertoli cells (SC) and between SC and germ cells (GC), it is involved in testicular development, GC and SC differentiation and spermatogenesis. SC nurture the developing GC and aid in their translocation and development from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule. Cx43 is further participating in blood-testis barrier formation and composition together with tight and adherens junctions as member of the "SC-SC junctional complexes" (Carrette et al., 2010).
A conditional SC-specific knockout (KO) of the Gja1 gene (SCCx43KO) revealed Cx43 expression in SC as an absolute requirement for normal testicular development and initiation of spermatogenesis (Brehm et al., 2007; Sridharan et al., 2007). Adult SCCx43KO mice showed normal testis descent, but testis size and weight was drastically lower when compared with heterozygous and WT littermates. Histological analysis revealed that SC specific deletion of Cx43 mostly results in an arrest of spermatogenesis at the level of spermatogonia or SC-only syndrome, intratubular cell clusters, abnormal SC cytoplasmic vacuoles, increased SC numbers and reduced number of spermatogonia per seminiferous tubule. Furthermore, as SCs were found to be still proliferating in adult mice (Sridharan et al., 2007), it was postulated that lack of Cx43 expression in SCs caused these somatic cells to remain in an apparently permanent proliferative state. These results emphasize the critical contribution of Cx43 to the normal maturational progression of SCs which normally results in the cessation of SC mitogenesis during the pubertal period.
Thus, as of today only one mouse stem with SCCx43KO-/- has been established in vivo (Brehm et al., 2007; Sridharan et al., 2007), yet no successful in vitro culturization of a &#61508;Cx43 SC line has been published. Although Carette et al. (2010) were successful in a partial inhibition of the Gj through siRNAs, a complete in vitro knockout may provide beneficial results in understanding the roles of Cx43 for normal spermatogenesis and may help to develop a mechanistic hypothesis in understanding the altered functions of Cx43 in SC leading to impaired spermatogenesis.

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

Project Details:
In diesem Projekt werden in einem transgenen Mausmodell die Folgen einer Sertoli Zell-spezifischen Deletion des Connexin43-Gens auf die Regulation der Spermatogenese u.a. mittels Microarray und qRT-PCR untersucht. Ausgewählte signifikant veränderte Kandidatengene aus den Mausversuchen werden zudem mit Hodenbiopsien von infertilen Männern verglichen.
Das Projekt bildet die Grundlage verschiedener Forschungsprojekte und Dissertationen sowie künftiger Drittmittelprojekte.
Geldgeber:
DFG, Klinische Forschergruppe KFO181, Male factor infertility due to impaired spermatogenesis
Volumen: 250000 ?

Results:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1642431X17302371?via%3Dihub

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Daniela Fietz, JLU Giessen

Klinische Forschergruppe Giessen + Marburg

http://www.uni-giessen.de/cms/fbz/fb11/forschung/forschergruppen/kfo_181/home

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

Project Details:
The project is aimed at the modelling and analysis of diverse veterinary epidemio-logic data arising from consultant work. The range of statistical modelling ap-proaches includes general models and special topics like logistic regression, zero inflation, non-linear regression (especially growth curves), cluster analysis, contin-gency table analysis and multi-block redundancy analysis (multi-factorial and multi-variate linear regression analysis).

Results:

Kreienbrock L, Pigeot I, Ahrens W.

Epidemiologische Methoden. Berlin: Springer Spektrum; 5. Auflage 2012.

ISBN: 978-3-8274-2333-7

 

Berke, O. Modified median polish kriging and its applica-tion to the Wolfcamp-Aquifer data.

Environmetrics. 2001;12(8):731-48.

 

Kreienbrock L, Broll S. Methodische Aspekte zur Qualitätssicherung veteri-närepidemiologischer Studien. [Methodologic aspects of quality assurance in veterinary epi-demiological studies].

Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 1999 Sep;106(9):381-5.

Cooperation Partners:

- Fachbereich Statistik, Universität Dortmund

- Leibniz-Institut für Epidemiologie, Bremen

- Hochschule Hannover

- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph

Project Details:
Ziel der Entwicklung von Leitlinien zur Guten Klinischen Praxis war die Gewährleistung international anerkannter ethischer und wissenschaftlicher Qualitätsanforderungen in zulassungsrelevanten Arzneimittelstudien. Da ein hoher Qualitätsstandard aber auch in anderen Bereichen wünschenswert ist, werden GCP Prinzipien zunehmend auch bei anderen Studien oder Untersuchungen angewandt.

Dieses Projekt verfolgt das Ziel, den Inhalt der Guideline dem betroffenen Personenkreis bekannt zu machen und darauf hinzuwirken, die Qualitätsanforderungen auch im Bereich der universitären Forschungsprojekte umzusetzen. Aus biometrischer Sicht wird dabei besonderes Gewicht auf die die Statistik und das Datenmanagement betreffenden Teile der Leitlinie gelegt.

Neben der Information werden dazu auch Dienstleistungen, etwa die Mitarbeit bei der Erstellung von Prüfplänen oder Review von Studienprotokollen angeboten. Insbesondere wird angestrebt, bei vom Institut betreuten und ausgewerteten Studien GCP-konform zu arbeiten und ggf. dazu notwendige "Standard Operating Procedures" (SOPs) zu erarbeiten.

Results:

Kreienbrock L, Pigeot I, Ahrens W. Epidemiologische Methoden. Berlin: Springer Spektrum; 5. Auflage 2012. ISBN: 978-3-8274-2333-7

 

Glaser S, Kreienbrock L. Stichprobenplanung bei veterinärmedizinischen Studien. Ein Leitfaden zur Bestimmung des Untersuchungsumfangs. Hannover: Schlüter-sche; 2011. ISBN-13: 978-389993-078-8 ISBN-10: 3-89993-078-9

 

Glaser S, Dahms S, Röhmel J, Weiß H, Kreienbrock L. Statistische Grundlagen von "Good Clinical Practice" in der Veterinärmedizin - ein Positionspapier zur Planung, Durchführung und Auswertung empirischer Untersuchungen. Dtsch Tierarztl Wo-chenschr. 2002 Feb;109(2):68-72.

Funding: Ministerium für Landwirtschaft, ländliche Räume, Europa und Verbraucherschutz (MLLEV), 48.467 EUR

Project Details:
Title: Scientific investigation of seals released in accordance with animal welfare regulations, especially with regard to infectious diseases and zoonotic pathogens, as well as the scientifically based further training of personnel of the stranding network for the North and Baltic Seas of Schleswig-Holstein
The harbor seal is the most common marine mammal species in Schleswig-Holstein and causes the most call-outs for seal hunters. In the last three decades, seal populations have experienced several major epizootics, but have subsequently grown in size again. In recent years, however, it has been observed that this growth has stagnated and younger seals in particular are disappearing from the populations.
Seals can be carriers of infectious agents such as the Phocine distemper virus, influenza viruses, brucella and erysipelas, some of which can have fatal consequences for the individual animal or the population. These infectious agents are often zoonotic in nature and can promote secondary infections with other pathogens such as Bordetella bronchiseptica or toxoplasmosis.
In addition to comprehensive pathological examinations of the seals, microbiological, virological and parasitological examinations will also be carried out in this project.
Particular attention will be paid to the young animals in order to check whether there may be health related reasons for their decline. For this purpose, a representative number of all seals handed in by seal hunters from the North and Baltic Seas will be selected and subjected to complete post-mortems and further examinations.
The scientific findings will be directly incorporated into the work of the seal hunters, who will receive regular training in the detection of diseases and the handling of marine mammals. Hygiene measures and documentation materials will be developed and reviewed, and accident prevention training will be provided. To this end, a scientific exchange with the seal hunters will take place throughout the entire research project period.
The occurrence of infectious diseases such as brucellosis, erysipelas, bird flu and phocine distemper and the occurrence of the causative pathogens will be investigated. The focus is the assessment of the seals health status and the zoonotic potential of the infectious agents detected with regard to a possible risk of infection for the seal hunters and collectors involved in the stranding network. Seal hunters and collectors are therefore trained in the detection of infectious diseases, hygiene concepts, assessment of health conditions and accident prevention.

Funding: LKN, 5.885 EUR

Project Details:
Since 2002, ITAW has been conducting aerial surveys for harbour porpoises in the EEZ and the 12sm zone of the German North Sea. A dedicated monitoring of harbour porpoises in the North Sea and Baltic Sea has been carried out in projects of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) since 2008. Within the framework of this survey and monitoring, valuable data series on the spatio-temporal occurrence and density of harbour porpoises could be collected including the area of the whale sanctuary in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park.
ITAW also has proven expertise in bioacoustics and acoustic monitoring of cetaceans. Porpoise click detectors (PODs) have already been used in numerous projects to study harbour porpoise habitat use. The LKN POD monitoring has been operated by ITAW since 2011 and data on acoustic harbour porpoise activity could also be collected in the area of the whale sanctuary in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea.
The aim of the project is to update a previous report on the importance of the small whale sanctuary as a habitat for harbour porpoises for feeding and as a calving and breeding area, using most recent data.

Funding: Aarhus University, 76.538 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to process the survey data from the summer period and aggregate the quality-checked data for the North Sea in the period 2021-2024; or a period close to that depending on data and model checking. An extraction of relevant environmental covariates, describing the habitat of harbour porpoises, and a fit of a species distribution model (generalized additive model GAM) is planned. The final selected model enables the spatial prediction of the harbour porpoise summer density in the study area. Subsequently, a model validation, estimation of the model error and confidence intervals is planned. Finally, a short technical report will be written to describe the method and the results with a focus on Danish waters in the North Sea.