"CONTAGION": A Deadly Virus Spreads Around the World

The film addresses, among other things, the feverish search by scientists and authorities for the pathogen, its origin and characteristics, its transmission routes, and the possibilities of curbing the global pandemic. The National Research Platform for Zoonoses engages in a discussion with virologists Prof. Dr. Christian Drosten (University of Bonn) and Prof. Dr. Stephan Ludwig (University of Münster), as well as genome researcher Prof. Dr. Dag Harmsen (University of Münster), about the current state of research in Germany and whether we are prepared for the outbreak of such a new pathogen. In addition, it provides background information.

The three scientists are also available to the media for further information or interviews.

Film Release "CONTAGION": Background Information

What Are Zoonoses?

Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted reciprocally between animals and humans. The word "zoonosis" comes from Greek and is derived from "zoon" – living being and "nosos" – disease.

Sixty-six percent of all human infectious diseases are zoonoses, and three-quarters of all emerging diseases are classified as zoonoses. Newly emerging zoonoses often originate from animals whose habitats humans have recently entered. These pathogens then frequently come into contact with humans for the first time and cause severe illnesses. Other zoonoses, however, have been known for a long time and were often transmitted through animal products such as milk, eggs, or meat before spreading from person to person.

Viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, or prions can cause zoonotic diseases. Known zoonoses include rabies, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, plague, fox tapeworm, or BSE.

Anyone who deals with animals or animal products can theoretically become infected. If the pathogen can also be transmitted from person to person (this is not the case with every pathogen), then anyone can become infected. Zoonoses can be transmitted directly – e.g., through touching – or indirectly, for example, through food or surfaces.

What Is the Difference between Viruses and Bacteria?

Viruses are tiny pathogens that can only be seen with an electron microscope. They consist minimally of a protein coat surrounding the genetic material. They do not have their own metabolism and can only reproduce within living cells.

Bacteria are much larger than viruses. They can be seen with a light microscope. They are cell-like in structure and can reproduce independently through division without the support of other living cells.

How Can the Genetic Information of a Pathogen Be Identified?

The genetic information of a pathogen is the text in which its shape and characteristics are determined. The carrier of the information is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA). The genetic code is determined by four basic building blocks: ATCG. Each letter represents a base: A for adenine, T for thymine (in RNA, this position is occupied by U = uracil), C for cytosine, and G for guanine).

Sequencing can decrypt the code – the sequence of the four bases. Massively parallel systems have been established for this purpose in recent years, allowing entire genomes to be decoded in a single experiment. The speed of these systems has recently been increased so that results from DNA to sequence are now available within one to two days.

The genome can unequivocally identify whether the samples under investigation can all be attributed to the same outbreak or whether they are separate events. In addition, conclusions can be drawn about certain characteristics of the pathogen. For example, it can be determined whether the pathogen is resistant to certain drugs, whether particularly severe forms of a disease are to be expected, or whether an existing vaccination is likely to provide protection.

How Does Vaccination Work?

Vaccination exposes the body's immune system to a substance similar to the pathogen. The vaccinated person's body then produces very specifically fitting defense substances, so-called antibodies, which can last for months to years. When exposed to the actual pathogen, these antibodies are immediately mobilized and fight the invading pathogens, preventing them from multiplying and causing the disease.

The substances similar to the pathogen can be strongly weakened forms of the pathogen against which vaccination is to be performed – so-called live vaccines. But killed pathogens can also be used – so-called dead vaccines – or even only parts of a pathogen – so-called split vaccines. The type of vaccine that can be used depends on the characteristics of the respective pathogen.

Various Scientific Disciplines Are Involved in Research on Combating Epidemics. What Do the Respective Researchers Deal With?

Bacteriology: A branch of biology and medicine that deals with bacteria. Among other things, the properties of bacteria are analyzed, and new approaches for diagnosis and therapy are researched. An important research field in bacteriology is resistance. Some bacteria have adapted their metabolism to existing antibiotics so that they can no longer be attacked by them. In addition, bacteria can exchange these properties among themselves. This poses new challenges for research and patient care.

Virology: Virology researches the shape and function of viruses. The search for origin, classification into known virus families, and the search for new viruses play a significant role. The aim of the research is often new therapy or vaccination possibilities. It also investigates the mechanisms by which viruses evade innate or acquired immune defenses or adapt to new hosts.

Immunology: A branch of medicine that deals with the basics of the body's defense system. A distinction is made between innate and acquired immune defense. All living beings are equipped with an innate immune system. It is the first barrier that an invader encounters upon entering a body. In addition to real barriers such as the skin, this includes immune cells that can eliminate foreign intruders in mucous membranes and blood. The mechanisms of innate immune defense are nonspecific but broad in effect. Acquired immune defense includes, for example, antibodies produced by the body after contact with a new pathogen. These significantly contribute to the rapid recognition and neutralization of pathogens by immune cells and to the healing of a disease. However, the development of acquired immunity takes several days, during which the innate immune system, within its capabilities – for example, with fever – takes on the task of keeping an unfamiliar pathogen in check. The mechanisms of acquired immune defense are highly specific to individual pathogens and often remain active for many years or a lifetime after being developed. Upon repeated contact with the pathogen, the acquired immune defense can react within a very short period, preventing the outbreak of a disease.

Epidemiology: The science of the distribution of diseases and epidemics in specific populations (animal or human populations). Epidemiologists investigate where a disease comes from, where the source is located, how it spreads, and what health, social, or economic impacts it has. Epidemiologists also deal with the prevention of diseases.

Zoology: Zoology is a branch of biology that deals with animal species. In this research discipline, the shape and characteristics of animal species – from insects (see Entomology) to bats – are studied. In addition to the distribution of animal species, this includes environmental relationships (ecology), behavioral science, and genetics. Zoology considers the influence of human interventions in the environment, as these often lead to animals having to find a new habitat – possibly closer to humans than before.

Entomology: A branch of zoology that deals with insects. In the context of infectious diseases, collaboration with entomologists is important because, for example, mosquitoes can act as vectors when transmitting diseases. Entomologists investigate where certain insects occur and to what extent their geographical distribution changes over time. Due to climate change, they observe that insects are advancing into areas where they previously had no chance of survival.

Ecology: Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. In the context of infectious diseases, ecology examines, among other things, the essential aspects of environmental changes that contribute to the spread of infection agents differently than before or create new transmission routes.

Bioinformatics: Many questions in biology, medicine, or veterinary medicine are now addressed using computers. Many analyses, especially in the field of genetics and sequencing, are inconceivable without computer programs. Bioinformaticians, who combine knowledge from life sciences and computer science, support this.

Veterinary medicine: Veterinary medicine primarily deals with animal health. Since animals interact with humans in diverse ways, whether as pets or as food suppliers, animal health is an essential prerequisite for human health. Rudolph Virchow recognized this in 1873 when he stated that veterinary and human medicine differ not in substance, only in object. This is reflected in the modern world in the so-called "One Health" concept.

Human medicine: Human medicine is medicine for humans. In addition to individual health, public health ("Public Health") is always a focus. Many aspects of human medicine affect both areas: This is the case, for example, with vaccination. In addition to protection for the individual, vaccination against a dangerous disease also provides indirect protection for other individuals who are not vaccinated, as they are then less likely to become infected.

Basic research: Basic research is hypothesis-driven research on pathogens and disease mechanisms. This includes studying the basic properties of pathogens, hosts, and immune defenses. Subsequently, the interaction of these factors is considered. Basic researchers test initial ideas and attempt to develop drugs, diagnostic aids, or vaccines before they can be developed for application.

Clinical research: Clinical research examines treatment options or drugs for their effectiveness and tolerability in patients or healthy subjects. In some clinical studies, it is also investigated how existing treatments can be improved. Strict legal and ethical guidelines must be observed here. Regulatory requirements for patient protection are very strict in Germany.

Was ist die Nationale Forschungs­plattform für Zoonosen?

The National Research Platform for Zoonoses is an information and service network for scientists researching zoonoses in Germany. It was founded in 2009 at the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV), and the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and has been funded by the BMBF since then.

The work of the Zoonoses Platform aims to strengthen and expand networked research and close integration between human and veterinary medicine. This is achieved, among other things, by initiating pilot and cross-sectional projects on overarching issues and by organizing symposia and workshops. The Zoonoses Platform also provides information for scientists and informs the interested public about zoonoses research.

The Zoonoses Platform is jointly operated by the TMF - Technology and Methods Platform for Networked Medical Research (TMF), the Institute for Molecular Virology at the University of Münster, and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald/Insel Riems.

Zoonosis Researchers Often Talk about Hosts, Reservoirs, Vectors, or Habitats. What Do They Mean by That?

Host: Hosts are animals and humans in which a specific pathogen can multiply and spread after infection.

Reservoir: The reservoir is the host in which a pathogen usually occurs and to which it is well adapted. The reservoir host usually does not become ill.

Vector: Vectors are divided into living and non-living. Non-living vectors can be objects and surfaces while living vectors are often insects or other animals.

Habitat: A habitat is the characteristic habitat of a species of animal or plant. The change of habitats or the intrusion of humans into original ecosystems can contribute to the spread of new zoonotic pathogens.

National Research Platform for Zoonoses - Media Contact

Dr. Ilia Semmler, Phone: 030 31 01 19 72
Antje Schütt, Phone: 0173 61 41 663 (Corrected telephone number!)
(Also mediation of further contacts)

About the National Research Platform for Zoonoses

The National Research Platform for Zoonoses is an information and service network funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for all research groups active in Germany in the field of zoonoses research. Its aim is to promote research activities in the field of zoonoses research through increased exchange of experience at the national and international levels and to foster broad horizontal networking between human and veterinary medicine.

The Zoonoses Platform is operated by the TMF - Technology and Methods Platform for Networked Medical Research (TMF), the Institute for Molecular Virology at the University of Münster, and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald/Insel Riems.