Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses (IBIZ)

IBIZ, FLI Jena © Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut

The Institute for Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses is doing research on the etiology of and on countermeasures against communicable diseases of animals. Special emphasis is given to bacteria and bacterial toxins which are transmitted from animals to humans resulting in adverse health effects or disease (zoonoses). The most critical commitment of the IBIZ is to provide significant original research data on notifiable animal diseases, on diseases which may cause significant economical losses or severe disorders in man. Consequently, studies on the pathogenisis of these diseases, on the pathomechanisms of the causing agents, on epidemiology and diagnosis are integral part of the daily work. By monitoring current developments in animal husbandry and control of animal diseases, risks for human and animal health are identified early and corrective actions are proposed to authorities in charge before damage may result. Not only the classical farm animals and their diseases are in the focus of interest of the IBIZ but also companion animals, animals kept in zoos and wildlife. The outcome of the work of the IBIZ is used to develop new and to optimize current diagnostic means and strategies to combat these often highly dangerous diseases e.g. caused by Salomella, Brucella, Campylobacter, Clostridia, Francisella, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Yersinia, Staphylococcus, Mycoplasma spec. and pathogens of various other genera. Interdisciplinary cooperation (human and veterinary medicine but also biosciences) guarantees best mission and patient orientated research approaches and solutions. Main research topics of the IBIZ are: prevalence of agents in animal populations, characterisation of means of transmission, the circumstances for persistence of agents in the host and in populations, the identification of cycles of infection, the epidemiology of agents and toxins using classical and newer molecular techniques, the assessment of the zoonotic potential of ‘new’ agents, the development of models of infection and the evaluation of effectiveness of therapeutic means in the animal model. A BSL 3 laboratory platform is maintained by the IBIZ and provided as service for FLI and cooperation partners. The institute runs 11 national reference laboratories and the OIE reference laboratories for Glanders and Brucellosis.

Reference Laboratories