New mechanism of parasite defence discovered

How does the immune system manage to combat intestinal parasites? Researchers at BNITM have identified a key molecule that plays a crucial role in controlling the early immune response. The findings provide new insights into the complex defence against worm infections and open up perspectives for future therapies. The results were published in the journal Mucosal Immunology.

The latest official communication from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccines and autism is undermining trust in vaccinations and health authorities. This is the finding of a study led by the University of Vienna, in collaboration with the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM). The findings have been published in the prestigious scientific journal "Science".

New technologies for malaria research

Malaria remains a global health threat, with case numbers rising again in recent years. Researchers at BNITM have been working for decades to better understand the pathogen. New bioinformatic analysis tools and artificial intelligence from the Data Science Center help to analyse complex data and open up new avenues for malaria research.

Why vaccines are often more effective in women

Women often show a stronger immune response to vaccines than men. A study by the BNITM provides new evidence of a possible mechanism: monocytes expressing the CD64 receptor are more common in women and are more active. These cells play a key role in transmitting vaccine signals to the immune system and may thus contribute to the stronger response.

What is “normal”? Study from Madagascar expands understanding of vaginal health

Researchers at BNITM have, for the first time, comprehensively analysed the vaginal microbiota of women of reproductive age in Madagascar, closing an important data gap. The study also examines associations with common infections such as HPV and Schistosoma haematobium. The findings were published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.