Neonatal infections

M. Butin, PU-PH / A. Tristan, MCU-PH in close collaboration with P. Verhoeven PU-PH-GIMAP

Nosocomial infections are a common complication among hospitalized very preterm infants and are responsible for life-threatening risks, with potential neurosensory and pulmonary sequelae. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are the primary causative agent of these infections, particularly S. capitis and S. haemolyticus. 

Our team aims to monitor the emergence of clones in neonatal intensive care units and identify virulence factors and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, in collaboration with the National Reference Center of Staphylococci (CNR Staph). Additionally, we are conducting research with the aim of deciphering:

• The mechanisms of environmental persistence and biofilm production of the strains involved
• The host-pathogen interactions facilitating intestinal translocation of staphylococci across the gut epithelium of preterm newborns, with the aim of developing new preventive strategies