Research group Dominique Braun

The term sexually transmitted infection (STI) describes a large number of clinical syndromes and infections that can be acquired and transmitted through sexual contact by various pathogens. In industrialized nations, including Switzerland, the “classic” STIs such as syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea are on the rise and there are cases of multi-resistant STIs that are difficult to treat.

The number of newly diagnosed HIV cases in Switzerland has declined slightly over the past few years, which is primarily due to the wider availability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, increased testing and the immediate start of antiretroviral therapy in newly diagnosed individuals. However, there are still a number of unresolved problems such as a lack of cure, side effects of HIV medication, and the aging of people living with HIV.

For hepatitis C, it is estimated that around 40,000 infected people live in Switzerland, the majority of whom are undiagnosed and therefore exposed to a risk of complications.

COVID-19 dominates our everyday life in and outside the hospital and although progress has been made in treatment over the past few months, there is need for new therapeutic approaches. In this context, carefully carried out clinical studies are essential in order to be able to achieve medical progress in the treatment of COVID disease.

Improved prevention, diagnosis and therapy of the above-mentioned infectious diseases as well as the implementation of clinical studies to gain knowledge and progress are the main goals of this research group.