Disease

Millions of patients around the world suffer from persistent, infected and potentially life-threatening wounds. They are not only painful, but also restrict the life of every individual. The patients are exhausted – socially, physically and emotionally.

Cause

The common cause are bacterial pathogens that hinder the patients’ pain-free lives. Wound care can rapidly become more complicated when doctors have to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, develop resistance to one or more antibiotics.

Effect

This makes the treatment of chronic wounds immensely more difficult and results in a serious and permanent health risk for the patient. In Germany alone, over 1 million people suffer from chronic wounds.

Disease

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing, and lifelong inflammatory and eczematous skin disease. The currently available treatment options are not effective or have significant or adverse side effects. Symptoms include red and dry patches of skin, which may ooze or bleed when scratched, as well as thickening and hardening of the skin.

Cause

The cause of AD is still not fully understood. Research suggests that changes in the protective layer of the skin can cause it to become dry, which may lead to damage and inflammation. Scratching the skin can further exacerbate the damage and increase the risk of bacterial infection. Scientists increasingly link Staphylococcus aureus to the severity of atopic dermatitis. In many individuals with severe symptoms, 70% of the skin is colonized with Staphylococcus aureus.

Effect

Worldwide, approximately 2.4% of humans suffer from atopic dermatitis, with the majority being children. Like many other chronic disorders, AD can have serious psychological effects on patients, such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

Disease

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections of the bladder and kidneys. Antibiotics are typically the first line of treatment for UTIs, although there is a rise in the prevalence of resistant bacterial strains.

Cause

UTIs are predominantly caused by Escherichia coli strains that are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Effect

Every year, approximately 150 million UTIs occur worldwide, with a 60% probability of becoming chronic. Women are particularly affected, accounting for over 80% of all cases.

Disease

Acne is caused by sebaceous glands being clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin. There are different types of acne like Acne vulgaris or Acne tarde. Acne vulgaris is the most frequent dermatosis in adolescence with a prevalence of almost 90%.

Cause

Within these sebaceous glands, Cutibacterium acnes is the most prevalent and abundant species, representing approximately 90% of the local skin microbiome. Although being part of the healthy skin microbiome, C. acnes is directly involved in the disease pathogenesis of acne.

Effect

Acne is the most common dermatological disorder worldwide and over 780 million people globally bear the burden of it. Acne causes physical and mental pain for the affected people in many different ways.