(2024)
Genomic reconstruction of an azole-resistant Candida parapsilosis outbreak and the creation of a multilocus sequence typing scheme: a retrospective observational and genomic epidemiology study.
Lancet Microbe 6(1),
100949.

Oliver Kurzai
National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections · Head Fungal Septomics · Head +49 3641 532-1347 oliver.kurzai@leibniz-hki.deCurriculum vitae
Main Research Areas
- Infection biology of human pathogenic fungi (especially Candida albicans)
- Infection biology of Neisseria meningitidis
Professional Career
Since 2017 | Chair of Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Julius Maximilians University Würzburg and head of the research group Fungal Septomics at Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans-Knöll-Institute Jena |
2009-2016 | Professor (W2) for Fungal Septomics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena |
2008 | Habilitation in medical microbiology, University Würzburg |
2006 | Medical specialist in microbiology, virology and infection epidemiology (Bayerische Landesärztekammer) |
2003 | Head of a working group, Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, University Würzburg |
2001-2002 | Doctor in practical training (AiP), Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, University Würzburg |
2002 | Dr. med., “summa cum laude” University Würzburg |
2001 | Staatsexamen (state examination) in human medicine, University Würzburg |
Awards · Appointments · Scientific Activities
Since 2014 | Head of the Nationales Referenzzentrums für invasive Pilzinfektionen (NRZMyk) |
Since 2013 | Board member of the Integriertes Forschungs- und Behandlungszentrum “Center for Sepsis Control and Care” (CSCC) at the University Hospital Jena |
Since 2012 | Scientific Manager of the consortium “InfectControl 2020 – New Antiinfection Strategies – Science • Society • Economy” within the BMBF-Programme “Zwanzig 20 – Partnership for Innovation” (Head: Prof. A. Brakhage) |
Since 2012 | Editor-in-chief, Medical Mycology Case Reports, member (ex officio) of the executive board of the International Society for Human & Animal Mycology (ISHAM) |
Since 2011 | Elected note taker at the Deutschsprachige Mykologische Gesellschaft DMykG |
2015-2016 | Speaker of the ZIK Septomics |
2011-2013 | Editor, Journal of Basic Microbiology |
2009 | Hans-Rieth-poster prize from the Deutschsprachige Mykologische Gesellschaft (DMykG) |
2008 | Award from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie |
2003 | Science award from the Unterfränkische Gedenkjahrstiftung |
2003 | Dissertation award from the medical faculty of the University Würzburg |
2002 | Becton-Dickinson PhD award from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie |
Publications
(2024)
Pathogenicity is associated with population structure in a fungal pathogen of humans.
bioRxiv
[Preprint]
(2024)
CD56-mediated activation of human natural killer cells is triggered by Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan.
PLOS Pathog 20(6),
e1012315.
(2024)
[Can SARS-CoV-2 infection status in preschool children be predicted by pandemic-related attitudes and concerns of their parents? Data from the Würzburg Daycare Centre Studies (Wü-KiTa-CoV, 2020-2022)].
Gesundheitswesen 87(3),
216-226.
(2024)
[Continuous SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in day care centres: A qualitative interview study on the experiences of childcare workers and parents with different self-sampling methods in the home environment].
Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes 189,
24-32.
(2024)
Ralstonia pickettii bloodstream infections with potential genomic link to internationally distributed contaminated saline solution, Germany, October 2023.
Euro Surveill 29(3),
2400010.
(2024)
Dipsticks and point-of-care Microscopy to reduce antibiotic use in women with an uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection (MicUTI): protocol of a randomised controlled pilot trial in primary care.
BMJ Open 14(3),
e079345.
(2024)
[Automated surveillance and risk prediction with the aim of risk-stratified infection control and prevention (RISK PRINCIPE)].
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 67(6),
685-692.
(2024)
Albumin orchestrates a natural host defense mechanism against mucormycosis.
Res Sq ,
(2024)
Insights into invasive fungal infection diagnostic and treatment capacities in tertiary care centres of Germany.
JAC Antimicrob Resist 6(3),
dlae083.