Oliver Kurzai

National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections · Head Fungal Septomics · Head +49 3641 532-1347 oliver.kurzai@leibniz-hki.de

Curriculum 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

Aldejohann AM, Menner C, Thielemann N, Martin R, Walther G, Kurzai O (2024) In vitro activity of ibrexafungerp against clinically relevant echinocandin-resistant Candida strains. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 68(2), e0132423.

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Banz M, Stallmach A, Gaßler N, Schulze PC, Fritzenwanger M, Cornely O, Kurzai O, Pletz MW (2024) Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumothorax and skin necrosis caused by IRIS to an Aspergillus flavus infection in a young patient with metamizole associated agranulocytosis. Infection 52(2), 685-690.

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Heilig L, Fariha N, Trinks N, Aimanianda V, Wong SSW, Fontaine T, Terpitz U, Strobel L, Lemauff F, Sheppard D, Schaeuble S, Kurzai O, Hünniger K, Weiss E, Vargas M, Howell PL, Panagiotou G, Wurster S, Einsele H, Löffler J (2024) CD56-mediated activation of human natural killer cells is triggered by Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan. PLOS Pathog 20(6), e1012315.

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Krone M, Rauschenberger V, Blaschke V, Claus H, Kurzai O, Kampmeier S (2024) Ralstonia pickettii bloodstream infections with potential genomic link to internationally distributed contaminated saline solution, Germany, October 2023. Euro Surveill 29(3), 2400010.

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Kurotschka PK, Borgulya G, Bucher E, Endrich I, Figueiras A, Gensichen J, Hay AD, Hapfelmeier A, Kretzschmann C, Kurzai O, Lam TT, Massidda O, Sanftenberg L, Schmiemann G, Schneider A, Simmenroth A, Stark S, Warkentin L, Ebell MH, Gàgyor I; Bavarian Practice-Based Research Network (BayFoNet) (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.

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Marschollek M, Marquet M, Reinoso Schiller N, Naim J, Aghdassi SJS, Behnke M, Ehrenberg S, von Landesberger T, Misailovski M, Prasser F, Scherag A, Schlueter D, Wulff A, Pletz M, Scheithauer S (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.

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Salmanton-García J, Simon M, Groll AH, Kurzai O, Lahmer T, Lehrnbecher T, Schroeder M, Cornely OA, Stemler J (2024) Insights into invasive fungal infection diagnostic and treatment capacities in tertiary care centres of Germany. JAC Antimicrob Resist 6(3), dlae083.

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Schneider S, Bergmann C, Becker F, Risse L, Isner C, Stocker H, Feufel MA, Röhrig A, Kurzai O, Lâm TT, Hagel S, Pletz MW, Gastmeier P, Wiese-Posselt M (2024) Teaching prudent antibiotic use on the go: a descriptive report on development, utilization and listener satisfaction of an educational podcast format for medical students and young professionals. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 13(1), 50.

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Schrenker B, Zimmermann A, Koch T, Walther G, Martin R, Kampik D, Kurzai O, Theuersbacher J (2024) Polyhexanide based contact lens storage fluids frequently exhibit insufficient antifungal activity against Fusarium species. Int J Med Microbiol 314, 151602.

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Seidel D, Sal E, Nacov JA, Cornely OA, Kurzai O (2024) [Mucormycosis in the time of COVID-19: risks and challenges]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 149(10), 569-578. (Review)

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