AG Drexler - Virus Epidemiology

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) infect millions of people annually and are major threats to public health. Fueled by global warming and increasing human mobility, arboviruses and their vectors spread rapidly. Arboviruses of major importance in recent years are the Zika virus, the Chikungunya virus and the Yellow fever virus, which all caused large outbreaks in Latin America. In close collaboration with Brazilian partners, we conduct epidemiological studies to gain insights into the ecology, the evolution and the pathogenesis of arboviruses. We are particularly interested in why Zika virus causes congenital malformations in some, but not all pregnant women infected. Our research includes the examination of potential co-factors affecting the disease outcome and the exploration of potential animal reservoirs which could allow Zika to survive in sylvatic transmission cycles in Latin America.

Funding: ZIKAlliance (EU), ZikaStock (Roche), ZIKApath (DZIF)

Robust and timely diagnosing of arbovirus infections is fundamental to provide optimal patient care and forms the basis of successful outbreak surveillance and response. Diagnostics of arbovirus infections are hampered by inconclusive symptoms and co-circulation of different arboviruses, often in resource-limited settings. We support diagnostic laboratories by developing innovative tests amenable for resource-limited settings, provide optimized protocols and conduct external quality assessments. We focus on molecular surveillance of Chikungunya virus, molecular diagnostics of Zika virus and broad detection of alphaviruses and flaviviruses.

Funding: Alphanet (BMBF), ArboFusion (BMBF), HONOURs (EU)

We focus on the evolutionary biology of human-pathogenic viruses originating from animal reservoirs. Recent studies of our group revealed evolutionary origins of major human viruses like hepatitis A virus in marsupials, hedgehogs and bats, all belonging to some of the oldest mammalian orders. Characterization of functional and genomic properties of these highly diversified viruses contributes to understanding their macro-evolutionary patterns to elucidate why and which reservoir-bound viruses have become major human pathogens.

Funding: DZIF, Probing persistence paradigms (HFSP), HONOURs (EU)

The "Pandemic Dialogue" aims to promote scientific exchange between Latin American countries on pandemic containment. This format aims to promote dialogue with experts from partner countries beyond the emergency response. Scientific findings on how to deal with the pandemic will lead to policy exchanges among stakeholders to derive approaches for government action and adapt measures.

Selected publications and information materials:

• Factsheet 
• Rapid review of the literature on zoonoses in the context of One Health in the Selva Maya region (Spanische Version hier)
• Statement of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina on antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2
• Spanish translations for pandemic control in Germany

Networking:

Red del Diálogo sobre la Pandemia entre Alemania, América Latina y el Caribe (LinkedIn Plattform)

Funding: Federal Foreign Office - Latin America and Caribbean Initiative

Global change is challenging the relationship of viruses to their animal reservoirs and the environment. To understand the emergence of new viruses and their potential impact on human health, we combine interdisciplinary One Health/Global Health approaches that include bacterial and viral pathogens, human and veterinary medicine, laboratory-based and clinical medicine, and the influence of ecological factors on the emergence and pathogenesis of infectious diseases. This work has enabled us to build a relevant transnational and multidisciplinary network in the Global South.

International collaboration includes research projects in Madagascar and Guatemala, the development of global pandemic prevention centers in Latin America and Africa, and active scientific communication work.

Links: 

• GLACIER DAAD project on pandemic prevention with partners from Central America and Cuba 
• Podcast Climate Change and Health 
• Column on the coronavirus in latin america

SEEG Missions

In cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Professor Drexler's team supported the COVID-19 diagnostic work in the countries of the global South. Within the framework of Rapid Health Expert Group (SEEG) missions, the Charite experts supplied reagents and laboratory equipment and provided training to local laboratory staff in the use of diagnostic tools. The SEEG is a joint project of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).