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Investigation

Antibiotic Resistance

Research Lines

Content with Investigacion Virus del papiloma humano .

A) Effect of vaccination on the prevalence and distribution of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes. HPV vaccination was introduced in Spain in 2007-2008 for the prevention of cervical cancer and other cancers associated with these viral infections. The use of HPV vaccination is expected to lead to a decrease in vaccine genotypes in the population. However, it may also lead to an increase in other non-vaccine genotypes, similar to the change in vaccine serotypes observed in pneumococcal infections. This requires continuous surveillance of genotype frequency and data to monitor the efficacy of the HPV vaccination program.

B) Study of the distribution and dynamics of HPV infections in risk groups. There are some particularly vulnerable groups, some of them difficult to access (sex workers, transgender groups, etc.), in which HPV infections deserve special attention. The prevalence of HPV infection is especially high in people living with HIV and/or among men who have sex with men. Knowledge of the distribution and dynamics of infections is especially interesting in these groups, as they may help to improve current algorithms for the prevention of anogenital cancer.

C) Study of infection by HPV genotypes and their relationship with progression to neoplastic processes. The oncogenic capacity of some HPV genotypes and their involvement in the production of anogenital cancer is well known. In addition, there are other oncological processes, such as non-melanoma skin cancer, in which HPV could be implicated. Thus, members of the gamma-24 HPV species have recently been associated with skin cancer. It is to be hoped that the appearance of new genotypes and the performance of more extensive studies may lead to the identification of new associations between HPV and neoplastic processes.

D) Study of co-infections by different HPV genotypes. The presence of co-infections of different HPV genotypes is a very frequent finding, both in skin samples and in different mucous membranes. The great genetic diversity of HPV limits the ability of classical molecular methods to perform a comprehensive detection and study of the genotypes present. However, the use of massive sequencing makes it possible to eliminate some of these biases and to obtain more detailed information on the existing HPV populations, as well as to analyze interactions between the different genotypes.

E) Description of new HPV genotypes/variants. Currently at the International HPV Reference Center (Karolinska Institute, Sweden) more than 220 HPV genotypes are described, distributed in 5 different genera. However, improved molecular detection techniques, as well as the use of massive sequencing, are allowing this number to increase rapidly. The study of new genotypes and variants is essential for the validation and quality control of available diagnostic methods. Similarly, their characterization and the study of possible associations of HPV with pathologies other than those already known is a field of great interest for research.

Research projects

Content with Investigacion Neisseria, Listeria y Bordetella .

1. Project Title: Determination of the degree of identity of common antigens of N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae using genomic and immunological tools.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII. Program: Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI23CIII/00040
Period: 2024-2026
Amount Awarded: €68,500

2. Project Title: Meningococcal Disease and Molecular Epidemiology (MEMORY).
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca and Julio A. Vázquez Moreno
Funding Entity: Pfizer Inc.
Reference: MVP 352/21
Period: 2022-2024
Amount Awarded: €82,834.50

3. Project Title: Modelling Approaches to Guide Intelligent Surveillance for the Sustainable Introduction of Novel Antibiotics. MAGIcIAN.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / International Joint Action / Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) Program
Reference: AC19CIII/00002
Period: 2020-2024
Amount Awarded: €46,000

4. Project Title: Epidemiological, Microbiological, and Clinical Analysis of the Listeriosis Outbreak in Andalusia. LISMOAN Study.
Principal Investigator: José Miguel Cisneros Herreros
Funding Entity: FISEVI (Andalusian Public Foundation for Health Research Management)/FPS2020 Call for Proposals
Reference: PI-0001-2020
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €114,954

5. Project Title: Population Structure of Neisseria meningitidis Using Massive Sequencing: A Potential Tool for Estimating Vaccine Effectiveness?
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI19CIII/00030
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €67,153

6. Project Title: Management agreement between the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Directorate General of Public Health, Quality and Innovation) and the Carlos III Health Institute, for the laboratory determinations corresponding to the 2nd seroprevalence study in Spain.
Principal Investigator: Fernando de Ory and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Directorate General of Public Health, Ministry of Health
Reference: MEG151/17
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €565,663

7. Project Title: Effectiveness of the Meningococcal B Vaccine in Immunocompromised Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Foundation (SEHOP)
Reference: MVP 199/18
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €18,285

8. Project Title: Application of Massive Sequencing and Immunological Approaches in the Expression Analysis of New Vaccine Antigens in Meningococcal Populations
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI16CIII/00023
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €115,084

9. Project Title: fHbp variability over time and potential coverage of the new meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (bivalent rLP2086/fHbp) in Spain.
Principal Investigators: Raquel Abad and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Pfizer SLU
Reference: MVP 1273/16
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €125,350

10. Project Title: Estimation of protection of a conjugate vaccine against meningococcus serogroup C based on a mathematical model.
Principal Investigator: Julio A. Vázquez and Javier Díez
Funding Entity: Higher Center for Research in Public Health (CSISP)
Reference: MVP 1116/11
Period: 2011-2017
Amount awarded: €143,750

Publications

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Cytotoxic cell populations developed during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors protect autologous CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infection

Cytotoxic cell populations developed during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors protect autologous CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infection. Vigón L, Rodríguez-Mora S, Luna A, Sandonís V, Mateos E, Bautista G, Steegmann JL, Climent N, Plana M, Pérez-Romero P, de Ory F, Alcamí J, García-Gutierrez V, Planelles V, López-Huertas MR, Coiras M (AC). Biochem Pharmacol. 2020 Dec;182:114203. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114203. PMID: 32828803.

PUBMED DOI

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition: a New Perspective in the Fight against HIV

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition: a New Perspective in the Fight against HIV. Rodríguez-Mora S, Spivak AM, Szaniawski MA, López-Huertas MR, Alcamí J, Planelles V, Coiras M (AC). Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2019 Oct;16(5):414-422. doi: 10.1007/s11904-019-00462-5. PMID: 31506864. Review.

PUBMED DOI

Dasatinib protects humanized mice from acute HIV-1 infection

Dasatinib protects humanized mice from acute HIV-1 infection. Salgado M, Martinez-Picado J, Gálvez C, Rodríguez-Mora S, Rivaya B, Urrea V, Mateos E, Alcamí J, Coiras M (AC). Biochem Pharmacol. 2020 Apr;174:113625. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113625. PMID: 31476293.

PUBMED DOI

Evaluation of resistance to HIV-1 infection ex vivo of PBMCs isolated from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with different tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Evaluation of resistance to HIV-1 infection ex vivo of PBMCs isolated from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with different tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Bermejo M, Ambrosioni J, Bautista G, Climent N, Mateos E, Rovira C, Rodríguez-Mora S, López-Huertas MR, García-Gutiérrez V, Steegmann JL, Duarte R, Cervantes F, Plana M, Miró JM, Alcamí J, Coiras M (AC). Biochem Pharmacol. 2018 Oct;156:248-264. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.031. PMID: 30142322.

PUBMED DOI

Content with Investigacion Neisseria, Listeria y Bordetella .

List of staff

Additional Information

Our general objective is to provide early knowledge about any emerging antibiotic resistance mechanism in our country. This contribution of knowledge is based on transversal objectives that we consider key, such as 1) the ability to adapt research to emerging resistance problems, 2) the promotion of cooperative and multidisciplinary research studies working in networks with different Spanish and foreign centers, 3) the transfer of research results in an agile way to the clinical practice of the national health system, and 4) the promotion of the interrelation of research with reference, advice, training and dissemination seeking the empowerment of all. 

More specifically, our main scientific objectives are the characterization of the molecular bases of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria, the study of the molecular epidemiology and population structure of resistant bacteria, the characterization of the mobile genetic elements that carry resistance genes, and the development of diagnostic techniques and therapeutic alternatives against bacteria with extensive resistance to antibiotics. In this sense, research into the dissemination pathways of Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii and carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (as a paradigm of extensive resistance and pan-resistance) is one of our current priority objectives.

Our general objective is to provide early knowledge about any emerging antibiotic resistance mechanism in our country. This contribution of knowledge is based on transversal objectives that we consider key, such as 1) the ability to adapt research to emerging resistance problems, 2) the promotion of cooperative and multidisciplinary research studies working in networks with different Spanish and foreign centers, 3) the transfer of research results in an agile way to the clinical practice of the national health system, and 4) the promotion of the interrelation of research with reference, advice, training and dissemination seeking the empowerment of all. 

More specifically, our main scientific objectives are the characterization of the molecular bases of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria, the study of the molecular epidemiology and population structure of resistant bacteria, the characterization of the mobile genetic elements that carry resistance genes, and the development of diagnostic techniques and therapeutic alternatives against bacteria with extensive resistance to antibiotics. In this sense, research into the dissemination pathways of Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii and carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (as a paradigm of extensive resistance and pan-resistance) is one of our current priority objectives.

Content with Investigacion Neisseria, Listeria y Bordetella .