-specific CD4 T-cell scoring discriminates tuberculosis infection from disease.

Background: Rapid and reliable diagnostic work-up of tuberculosis (TB) remains a major healthcare goal. In particular, discrimination of TB infection from TB disease with currently available diagnostic tools is challenging and time consuming. This study aimed at establishing a standardised blood-based assay that rapidly and reliably discriminates TB infection from TB disease based on multiparameter analysis of TB antigen-reactive CD4 T-cells acting as sensors for TB stage-specific immune status.

Start moving - benefits of an onsite workplace health program in the age of digitalization.

Background: The process of digitization should simplify our work and improve related processes (i.e. quality, transparency).

Safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of homologous and heterologous prime-boost immunisation with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BNT162b2: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Heterologous vaccine regimens have been widely discussed as a way to mitigate intermittent supply shortages and to improve immunogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to assess the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of heterologous immunisations with ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNtech, Mainz, Germany) compared with homologous BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 immunisation.

Methods: This is an interim analysis of a prospective observational cohort study enrolling health-care workers in Berlin (Germany) who received either homologous ChAdOx1 nCov-19 or heterologous ChAdOx1 nCov-19-BNT162b2 vaccination with a 10-12-week vaccine interval or homologous BNT162b2 vaccination with a 3-week vaccine interval.

Delayed Antibody and T-Cell Response to BNT162b2 Vaccination in the Elderly, Germany.

We detected delayed and reduced antibody and T-cell responses after BNT162b2 vaccination in 71 elderly persons (median age 81 years) compared with 123 healthcare workers (median age 34 years) in Germany. These data emphasize that nonpharmaceutical interventions for coronavirus disease remain crucial and that additional immunizations for the elderly might become necessary.

Improving compliance to colorectal cancer screening using blood and stool based tests in patients refusing screening colonoscopy in Germany.

Background: Despite strong recommendations for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, participation rates are low. Understanding factors that affect screening choices is essential to developing future screening strategies. Therefore, this study assessed patient willingness to use non-invasive stool or blood based screening tests after refusing colonoscopy.

Needlestick and sharps injuries among medical undergraduate students.

Background: Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) can cause a transmission of bloodborne diseases. In this study, injury rate, accident mechanisms, and targets for preventive strategies were investigated at a major university hospital hosting different medical study programs.

Methods: In 2009 and 2010, cross-sectional anonymous surveys were carried out among medical undergraduate students.

Self-reported adverse reactions in 4337 healthcare workers immunizations against novel H1N1 influenza.

Purpose: The use of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine has generated much debate concerning safety issues among the general population and physicians. It was questioned if this is a safe vaccine. Therefore, we investigated the safety of an inactivated monovalent H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine

Methods: We focused on the H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine Pandemrix® and applied a self reporting questionnaire in a population of healthcare workers (HCWs) and medical students at a major university hospital.

Influenza A (H1N1) 2009: Impact on Frankfurt in due consideration of health care and public health.

Background: In April 2009 a novel influenza A H1N1/2009 virus was identified in Mexico and in the United States which quickly spread around the world. Most of the countries established infection surveillance systems in order to track the number of (laboratory-confirmed) H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Methods: The impact of the emergence of the novel pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus on Frankfurt was statistically evaluated by the Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt am Main.

Mobile Air Quality Studies (MAQS)-an international project.

Due to an increasing awareness of the potential hazardousness of air pollutants, new laws, rules and guidelines have recently been implemented globally. In this respect, numerous studies have addressed traffic-related exposure to particulate matter using stationary technology so far. By contrast, only few studies used the advanced technology of mobile exposure analysis.