Department of Infectious Diseases

Inselspital Bern

Scientific research and teaching is top priority in the Department of Infectious diseases. The knowledge gained through comprehensive research is implemented in clinical practice and teaching. The active contribution to science makes it possible to treat patients optimally and according to the latest scientific knowledge.

To the Inselspital website

Director and Chief Physician

Prof. Andri Rauch

Profile

  • Comprehensive teaching in undergraduate medical education in Infectious Diseases (ID): lectures, clinical skills training, problem-based learning modules, practical training. Lectures in undergraduate education in dental medicine and biomedical sciences. Supervision of master thesis and dissertations.
  • Accredited for postgraduate education in Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and control, and Tropical and Travel Medicine.
  • Postgraduate courses and continuous medical education lectures in infectious diseases.
  • Lectures, symposia and workshops for general practitioners and hospital-based physicians.
  • Broad expertise and activities in clinical-epidemiological research and longitudinal cohort studies (e.g. Swiss HIV Cohort Study, NIH-IeDEA, Swiss Transplant Cohort Study, Swissnoso).
  • Translational research collaborating with core facilities of the Faculty of Medicine of Bern and institutes of the University of Bern, including the Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK).
  • Clinical aspects and epidemiology of infectious diseases with clinical partners Insel Group and Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK).
  • Research collaboration and implementation science in Sub-Saharan Africa (e.g. Guinea-Conakry; Harare, Zimbabwe)
  • Publications

External Partners

In Switzerland

Swissnoso; Fungal Infections Network of Switzerland; Swiss HIV Cohort Study; Swiss Transplant Cohort Study; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel; Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance, Anresis, Ruedi Lüthy Foundation, AFRAVIH

International

NIH-IeDEA; EUROSIDA; Kirby Institute Sydney, Australia; Centre Hospitalier Macenta Guinée-Conakry, Newlands Clinic Harare, Zimbabwe, AFRAVIH; HEPSANET; SMIT Dakar, Sénégal

Grants

  • SNSF grants: B-free trail IICT, #205829 (PI G. Wandeler), Swiss HIV Cohort Study, #229621 (PI: A. Rauch), SNSF Professorship #PP00P3_211025 (to G. Wandeler)
  • SHCS nested projects (www.shcs.ch)
  • Krebsliga Schweiz KLS-4879-08-2019 (G. Wandeler)
  • SNF SPARK 221410 (PI L. Salazar-Vizcaya)
  • SPHN Personalized Swiss Sepsis Study (PSSS), C. Thurnheer (co-applicant)
  • Federal Quality Commission: Implementation of the Swiss National Sepsis Action Plan, C. Thurnheer (co-applicant)
  • SF Board Grants: “Immune responses and inflammation following vaccination in immuno-suppressed persons: A prospective translational multi-cohort study”, director C. Thurnheer, “Towards reducing infections after healthcare associated interventions”, co-director P. Jent
  • Bangerter-Stiftung “Effects of electronic health record EHR transitioning on antibiotic ordering errors in an academic hospital setting (ABOXER)”, Co-applicant P. Jent
  • Roche Diagnostics and Gilead Sciences: Investigator-Initiated Studies
  • MCID Grants: BE-READY, One-health influenza, COVID-19 and influenza in schools, HBV and malaria, strongyloides infections, leishmania in West Africa (Research: MCID-funded projects - Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID)

Highlights 2025

Bacterial contamination of HCW attire

Bacterial contamination of healthcare workers’ attire

In this microbiological sampling and cohort study, we investigated the degree and drivers of microbial contamination of HCWs attire (e.g. scrubs). The work was elected Editors’ Choice manuscript by ASHE.

Damonti et al., Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol. 2025

2. Kolloquium Transplantationszentrum

Interdisciplinary Transplant Colloquium Inselspital

Organ donation and transplantation is a complex interdisciplinary endeavour. To foster transplant education and the clinical and scientific network around transplantation at our institution, our transplant infectious diseases specialists established together with the team of the “Transplantzentrum” at Inselspital the bi-yearly Insel Transplant Colloquium.

Over the last year, three highly praised colloquiums have taken place. A variety of topics were covered, including donor and recipient selection, strategies to improve organ donation, post-transplant follow up as well as post-transplant infections. The next meeting is planned to take place in June 2026.

To the program of the Colloquium

B-FREE_SNSF_IICT

B-Free: A multistage randomized trial to assess HIV treatment simplification among people with HIV and a history of virological failure

People with HIV and a history of virological failure are often treated with complex antiretroviral regimens, potentially leading to adverse effects and drug-drug interactions. In this ongoing SNF-funded investigator-initiated clinical trial, we compare the efficacy of a new booster-free treatment consisting of doravirine, dolutegravir and lamivudine with the current standard of care. Randomization and follow-up are ongoing in eight centers throughout Switzerland.

Information about B-Free study

Ballif et al., HIV Med. 2025

To the SNSF Website

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Is PrEP for all? An interdisciplinary approach to improve HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness, access and use in Switzerland

In the frame of a transdisciplinary SNSF-project, including quantitative and qualitative epidemiology, mathematical modelling and legal analyses, we investigate access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Switzerland, with a focus on underserved and gender-diverse populations. Patient and public involvement (PPI) will be embedded throughout the project.

To the SNSF Website

The barriers to implement HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in serodiscordant couples in rural Tanzania

This study was conducted in collaboration with the Ifakara Health Institute and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Ifakara, rural Tanzania. In HIV-discordant couples, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was offered to the HIV-negative person, however PrEP awareness was very low (9%) and only 41% completed follow-up. Effective measures of HIV prevention, such as HIV PrEP, are often difficult to implement due to lack of knowledge of their effectiveness and lack of disclosure to the partner for fear of stigma.

Eichenberger et al., AIDS Behav. 2025 Nov