Melanie Fiedler

Dr. Melanie Fiedler leads a research group (AG Fiedler) at the Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, focusing on viral infections in immunocompromised individuals. Her primary research investigates Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infections in transplant recipients, particularly chronic HEV in kidney transplant patients under immunosuppression and the efficacy of ribavirin therapy. A second major focus is assessing immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) in pediatric transplant populations, evaluating functional antibody responses beyond standard IgG testing to inform vaccination strategies.

Her research spans virology, immunology, and translational medicine, with emphases on:

• Viral Pathogenesis in Immunosuppression: Mechanisms of chronicity (HEV) and reactivation (CMV, Norovirus) in transplant recipients.
• Diagnostic Assay Development: Validating novel serological (Rabies VNA, SARS-CoV-2 antigen) and cellular immune monitoring (QuantiFERON-CMV, T-Track) tests.
• Therapeutic Interventions: Evaluating antiviral therapies (ribavirin for HEV) and immunotherapies (adoptive T-cell transfer for CMV).
• Vaccine Immunology: Studying vaccine responses in immunosuppressed cohorts (COVID-19 vaccines in cancer/transplant patients, HBV vaccines).

Publication analysis (2018-2023) reveals a strong focus on transplant virology and pandemic response, with recurring themes: COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity in immunocompromised hosts, optimization of viral diagnostics (SARS-CoV-2, HEV, CMV), and immune evasion mechanisms (HDV). Clinical collaborations dominate, particularly with nephrology, hepatology, and hematology departments.