KIT 2026 in Cologne, 17.-20.06.2026
The Global Health Group Düsseldorf and the GHIDA team was strongly represented at the 17th Congress for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (KIT 2026), held in Cologne from 17-20 June 2026. The congress is one of Germany’s major interdisciplinary meetings in infectious diseases and tropical medicine and provided an important platform to present ongoing research from the longstanding Düsseldorf–Asella collaboration.
In total, eight scientific contributions from our research group were presented as oral presentations and posters, highlighting the broad scope of current research activities in Ethiopia and other partner countries. Topics ranged from antimicrobial resistance, genomic surveillance and novel molecular diagnostics to tuberculosis, HIV-associated infections, One Health and global child health. Among the highlights were preliminary results from the ISAVE study on innovative cell-free DNA-based diagnostics for sepsis in resource-limited settings, first data from the implementation of portable Nanopore-based genomic surveillance of measles in Asella (both presented by Anna Rommerskirchen) and results from our study on risk factors for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) during tuberculosis treatment in Ethiopia (presented by Dr. Kristina Vogel). The program also included work on genomic characterization of Gram-negative bacteria from flies and wound infections, vancomycin-resistant enterococci among hospitalized patients in Asella, intestinal coccidian infections among people living with HIV, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in livestock, and the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and early childhood development.
Beyond the scientific presentations, members of the team contributed actively to the congress program. Prof. Torsten Feldt and Dr. Pascal Massion chaired scientific sessions, further strengthening the visibility of the Global Health Group within the congress. Prof. Feldt additionally served as one of the DTG congress presidents for KIT 2026.
The congress also offered an important opportunity for scientific exchange, networking and maintaining the long-standing personal links created through the work of the institute in Asella. A particular highlight was the reunion with several former HITM/GHIDA coordinators and colleagues, including Dr. Frieder Pfäfflin, Dr. Yannik Eggers and Dr. Helge Sill. Their participation underlined the strong network that has developed around the institute over many years and continues to connect former and current team members.
The team was also actively involved in activities beyond the scientific sessions, including the membership meetings of the German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health (DTG) and the Young DTG. The official congress program included the DTG General Assembly as well as a dedicated meeting of the young professional networks, providing further opportunities to contribute to developments within the German tropical medicine community.
Finally, Dr. Pascal Massion contributed substantially to the organization of the first KIT Charity Run, which took place along the Rhine on the morning of 19 June. Organized by the Network Young Infectious Medicine (jUNITE e.V.), run raised funds for action medeor and CAYA, supporting access to essential medicines internationally and healthcare for people experiencing homelessness locally.
Overall, KIT 2026 demonstrated both the scientific productivity and the strong integration of the Global Health Group Düsseldorf and the GHIDA team within the German infectious diseases and tropical medicine community.