Isabella Eckerle

Last updated

Isabella Eckerle
Born
Speyer
Alma mater Heidelberg University
Known forVirology
Scientific career
Institutions University Hospital Heidelberg
University of Bonn
Academic advisors Christian Drosten

Isabella Eckerle is a German virologist who is the co-Head of the Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases at the Geneva University Hospitals and the University of Geneva. Her research considers infectious diseases and the development of cell lines that allow a better understanding of their epidemiology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Eckerle studied the difference in response of adults and children to coronavirus disease.

Contents

Early life and education

Eckerle was born in Speyer, Rhineland-Palatinate. [1] As a child she wanted to be a veterinarian or a field biologist, but ended up studying medicine at Heidelberg University. [1] During her final year of medical school she visited Africa, which inspired her to work in infectious diseases. [1] She decided to specialize in tropical pathogens, and spent her early medical career working in the Department of Tropical Medicine at the University Hospital Heidelberg. As a junior doctor Eckerle investigated the pathogenesis of travellers returning to Germany from abroad. She focussed on viruses of zoonotic origin. [1]

Research and career

Eckerle moved to the University of Bonn Institute of Virology, where she worked with Christian Drosten on emerging zoonotic viruses. [2] Here Eckerle studied renal epithelial cell lines of various reservoir hosts, including bats, rodents and insectivores. [3] Until the works of Eckerle, the isolation of bat-borne viruses in cell culture had been challenging. Eckerle created an experimental approach to instantly freeze the organs of specimens, so-called cryo-conservation, allowing her access to cells from a variety of rare species. She visited Ghana and Gabon as part of field work missions to study and collect bat species. [1]

In 2018 Eckerle was made a Professor at the University of Geneva, where she studies exotic cell lines. Eckerle works with other physicians, veterinarians and microbiologists, to better understand the epidemiology of emerging viruses. [4] Eckerle looks to develop cell culture models to better understand the epidemiology of emerging diseases. [4] She has made use of artificial intelligence to generate the cell lines of small mammals from a diverse range of geographical locations, and then allows viruses to replicate in these algorithm-generated cell cultures in controlled laboratory setting. Using these cell lines, Eckerle demonstrated that ungulates, including goats and camels, were likely intermediate hosts of middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). [5]

At the Geneva University Hospitals, she is co-head of the Center for Emerging Viral Diseases. [6]

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eckerle was one of several Swiss physicians who requested access to the Early Warning and Response System; the European Union's network that looks to track the spread of infectious diseases. [7] She argued that better epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment options were essential in the global fight against coronavirus disease. [8] In late April 2020, a serological antibody test in Geneva revealed that only 5.5% of the population had been exposed to the disease, which Eckerle described as "smaller than hoped for,". [9] Eckerle investigated the different responses of adults and children to coronavirus disease. [10] [11] In particular, Eckerle studied the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tracts of neonates, children and teenagers. In early May, Eckerle reported that children who fell ill with coronavirus disease were just as infectious as adults. [12] [13] She investigated the viral loads of children and adults, and showed that whilst children can have a more mild form of the disease, there was little difference between the number of SARS-CoV-2 particles carried by adults and children. [14] She was awarded funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation to investigate the reaction of the pulmonary epithelium to SARS-CoV-2 infection, in an effort to create diagnostic guidelines that help healthcare workers evaluate whether someone will contract a mild or severe form of disease. [15]

Selected publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoonosis</span> Disease that can be transmitted from other species to humans

A zoonosis or zoonotic disease is an infectious disease of humans caused by a pathogen that can jump from a non-human to a human and vice versa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coronavirus</span> Subfamily of viruses in the family Coronaviridae

Coronaviruses are a group of related RNA viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans and birds, they cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal. Mild illnesses in humans include some cases of the common cold, while more lethal varieties can cause SARS, MERS and COVID-19, which is causing the ongoing pandemic. In cows and pigs they cause diarrhea, while in mice they cause hepatitis and encephalomyelitis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SARS-CoV-1</span> Virus that causes SARS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1), previously known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is a strain of coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the respiratory illness responsible for the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak. It is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that infects the epithelial cells within the lungs. The virus enters the host cell by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. It infects humans, bats, and palm civets. The SARS-CoV-1 outbreak was largely brought under control by simple public health measures. Testing people with symptoms, isolating and quarantining suspected cases, and restricting travel all had an effect. SARS-CoV-1 was most transmissible when patients were sick, so its spread could be effectively suppressed by isolating patients with symptoms.

EcoHealth Alliance is a US-based non-governmental organization with a stated mission of protecting people, animals, and the environment from emerging infectious diseases. The nonprofit focuses on research aimed at preventing pandemics and promoting conservation in hotspot regions worldwide.

An emergent virus is a virus that is either newly appeared, notably increasing in incidence/geographic range or has the potential to increase in the near future. Emergent viruses are a leading cause of emerging infectious diseases and raise public health challenges globally, given their potential to cause outbreaks of disease which can lead to epidemics and pandemics. As well as causing disease, emergent viruses can also have severe economic implications. Recent examples include the SARS-related coronaviruses, which have caused the 2002-2004 outbreak of SARS (SARS-CoV-1) and the 2019–21 pandemic of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). Other examples include the human immunodeficiency virus which causes HIV/AIDS; the viruses responsible for Ebola; the H5N1 influenza virus responsible for avian flu; and H1N1/09, which caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic. Viral emergence in humans is often a consequence of zoonosis, which involves a cross-species jump of a viral disease into humans from other animals. As zoonotic viruses exist in animal reservoirs, they are much more difficult to eradicate and can therefore establish persistent infections in human populations.

A reverse zoonosis, also known as a zooanthroponosis or anthroponosis, is a pathogen reservoired in humans that is capable of being transmitted to non-human animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MERS-related coronavirus</span> Species of virus

Middle East respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), or EMC/2012 (HCoV-EMC/2012), is the virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). It is a species of coronavirus which infects humans, bats, and camels. The infecting virus is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus which enters its host cell by binding to the DPP4 receptor. The species is a member of the genus Betacoronavirus and subgenus Merbecovirus.

Novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a provisional name given to coronaviruses of medical significance before a permanent name is decided upon. Although coronaviruses are endemic in humans and infections normally mild, such as the common cold, cross-species transmission has produced some unusually virulent strains which can cause viral pneumonia and in serious cases even acute respiratory distress syndrome and death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MERS</span> Viral respiratory infection

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory infection caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe depending on age and risk level. Typical symptoms include fever, cough, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. The disease is typically more severe in those with other health problems.

<i>Human coronavirus 229E</i> Species of virus

Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) is a species of coronavirus which infects humans and bats. It is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus which enters its host cell by binding to the APN receptor. Along with Human coronavirus OC43, it is one of the viruses responsible for the common cold. HCoV-229E is a member of the genus Alphacoronavirus and subgenus Duvinacovirus.

Spillover infection, also known as pathogen spillover and spillover event, occurs when a reservoir population with a high pathogen prevalence comes into contact with a novel host population. The pathogen is transmitted from the reservoir population and may or may not be transmitted within the host population. Due to climate change and land use expansion, the risk of viral spillover is predicted to significantly increase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife trade and zoonoses</span> Health risks associated with the trade in exotic wildlife

Wildlife trafficking practices have resulted in the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Exotic wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry that involves the removal and shipment of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish all over the world. Traded wild animals are used for bushmeat consumption, unconventional exotic pets, animal skin clothing accessories, home trophy decorations, privately owned zoos, and for traditional medicine practices. Dating back centuries, people from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe have used animal bones, horns, or organs for their believed healing effects on the human body. Wild tigers, rhinos, elephants, pangolins, and certain reptile species are acquired through legal and illegal trade operations in order to continue these historic cultural healing practices. Within the last decade nearly 975 different wild animal taxa groups have been legally and illegally exported out of Africa and imported into areas like China, Japan, Indonesia, the United States, Russia, Europe, and South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SARS-CoV-2</span> Virus that causes COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the respiratory illness responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus previously had the provisional name 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and has also been called human coronavirus 2019. First identified in the city of Wuhan, Hubei, China, the World Health Organization designated the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern from January 30, 2020, to May 5, 2023. SARS‑CoV‑2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that is contagious in humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19</span> Contagious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Drosten</span> German virologist researching emergent viruses

Christian Heinrich Maria Drosten is a German virologist whose research focus is on novel viruses (emergent viruses). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Drosten came to national prominence as an expert on the implications and actions required to combat the illness in Germany.

Pandemic prevention is the organization and management of preventive measures against pandemics. Those include measures to reduce causes of new infectious diseases and measures to prevent outbreaks and epidemics from becoming pandemics.

Marylyn Martina Addo is a German infectiologist who is a Professor and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Head of Infectious Disease at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Addo has developed and tested vaccinations that protect people from Ebola virus disease and the MERS coronavirus EMC/2012. She is currently developing a viral vector based COVID-19 vaccine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcel Salathé</span> Swiss digital epidemiologist

Marcel Salathé is a Swiss digital epidemiologist. He is currently an associate professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) He is the director of the Lab of Digital Epidemiology, based at EPFL's Geneva Campus. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Salathé was the most quoted scientist in the Swiss media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of coronavirus</span> History of the virus group

The history of coronaviruses is an account of the discovery of the diseases caused by coronaviruses and the diseases they cause. It starts with the first report of a new type of upper-respiratory tract disease among chickens in North Dakota, U.S., in 1931. The causative agent was identified as a virus in 1933. By 1936, the disease and the virus were recognised as unique from other viral disease. They became known as infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), but later officially renamed as Avian coronavirus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Woelfel</span> German physician, virologist and Bundeswehr colonel

Roman Wölfel [roˈmaːn ˈvœlfl̩] is a German physician and medical officer in the rank of Colonel (OF-5) in the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). Since October 2019, he is the director of the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology in Munich and since 2021 a professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cellosaurus - invitromaticists spotlight". web.expasy.org. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  2. ↑ Semmler, Ilia. "Drosten Lab". Institute of Virology. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Eckerle, Isabella; Ehlen, Lukas; Kallies, René; Wollny, Robert; Corman, Victor M.; Cottontail, Veronika M.; Tschapka, Marco; Oppong, Samuel; Drosten, Christian; Müller, Marcel A. (13 January 2014). "Bat Airway Epithelial Cells: A Novel Tool for the Study of Zoonotic Viruses". PLOS ONE. 9 (1): e84679. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...984679E. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084679 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   3890267 . PMID   24454736.
  4. 1 2 "[993] Emerging viruses". www.unige.ch. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "MERS: Getting a Handle on a Serious Zoonotic Coronavirus Infection". GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "Organisation du laboratoire de virologie à Genève aux HUG | HUG - Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève". www.hug.ch (in French). 6 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "Swiss seek access to EU early-warning system as coronavirus spreads". Reuters. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. ↑ Vetter, Pauline; Eckerle, Isabella; Kaiser, Laurent (19 February 2020). "Covid-19: a puzzle with many missing pieces". BMJ. 368: m627. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m627 . ISSN   1756-1833. PMID   32075791.
  9. ↑ "Geneva Covid-19 study: undetected cases, but too few for herd immunity". swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  10. ↑ "The Lurking Mystery of the Pandemic: Why Is It Gentler on Children?". OZY. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. ↑ "Enfants et contagion: une nouvelle étude questionne les certitudes de l'OFSP". rts.ch (in French). 1 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  12. ↑ Vogel, Gretchen; Couzin-Frankel, Jennifer (4 May 2020). "Should schools reopen? Kids' role in pandemic still a mystery". Science | AAAS. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  13. ↑ Arens, Marianne. "Germany reopens schools, endangering thousands of lives". www.wsws.org. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  14. ↑ Staton, Bethan (8 May 2020). "Effects of coronavirus in children adds to list of Covid-19 unknowns" . Financial Times . Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  15. ↑ "Le FNS encourage 36 nouveaux projets de recherche sur les coronavirus - SNF". www.snf.ch. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
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