MOTIVATION

Cardiovascular infections, including endocarditis, infected pacemakers, or driveline infections, are steadily increasing due to demographic changes and are associated with high mortality rates. Conservative antibiotic therapy is often insufficient, as many pathogens form biofilms on heart valves or implants, protecting them from antibiotics and the immune system. Patients with non-exchangeable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are particularly affected, with driveline infections often leading to lifelong antibiotic therapies or severe septic bloodstream infections.​

The increasing prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Enterococcus spp. in these infections further complicates therapy. Microbial biofilm formation significantly reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics and often necessitates surgical interventions -- an option that is not always possible due to anatomical location or patient history. At the same time, microbiological diagnosis remains a challenge due to the hard-to-grow dormant persistents.

OBJECTIVE

The scientific goal of IKARUS is to explore open questions on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular infections, especially endocarditis, through the close interdisciplinary collaboration of experts in molecular biology, microbiology and clinical medicine. The aim is to develop new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic concepts to sustainably improve the care of affected patients.