Prof. Dr. med. Benjamin Maasoumy working group
Welcome to the website of Prof. Dr. Dr. Maasoumy's research group. Our research group deals with the topics "Complications of liver cirrhosis", "Portal hypertension" and "Viral hepatitis". The research projects carried out are generally very closely focused on specific clinical problems and treatments. We pursue clinical, diagnostic and translational research approaches. In the following, we would like to briefly outline our main areas of research.
Liver cirrhosis is the final stage of a chronic liver disease in which the liver tissue has been completely scarred. Initially, the function of the liver is still preserved (compensated liver cirrhosis). Subsequently, decompensation or even acute-on-chronic liver failure may occur, either due to progression of the underlying disease or the occurrence of complications such as infection or bleeding from oesophageal varices. Especially in the stage of advanced liver cirrhosis, patients are at risk of a number of specific complications (e.g. encephalopathy and ascites). Hepatic decompensation and in particular acute-on-chronic liver failure is associated with a high mortality rate. Infections in particular must be avoided and treated effectively. The treatment of patients is a major clinical challenge. Our working group is trying to improve the care of patients, especially those with decompensated liver cirrhosis. We are particularly interested in the complications of infections, ascites and encephalopathy. In order to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms and individual treatment options, a prospective register study was initiated together with the Cornberg/Kraft working group (INFEKTA), in which various translational projects are being worked on.
Portal hypertension" refers to high pressure in the portal vein system. This can lead to complications such as ascites, hypertensive enteropathy, splenomegaly and bleeding from oesophageal varices. The most common cause is liver cirrhosis. Here, "portal hypertension" is one of the most important mechanisms for the disruption of the intestinal barrier. The result is a translocation of bacteria and bacterial components, which contribute to systemic inflammation. This is of central importance for damage to other organs and immunodeficiency in advanced liver cirrhosis. However, portal hypertension can also occur as a result of other diseases, e.g. portal vein thrombosis. Drug and interventional therapies (e.g. the installation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, TIPS) are available. Among other things, our working group deals with the pathophysiological changes in portal hypertension and the influence of various therapeutic procedures.
Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) can have many causes. One common cause is an infection with a hepatotropic virus. Exciting new treatment options for hepatitis B, C and D in particular have emerged in recent years or are currently at an advanced stage of development. Hepatitis E is particularly dangerous for patients with a weakened immune system (e.g. after transplantation). Chronic courses have been described here and treatment is difficult. One of the aims of our working group is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis. To this end, we conduct clinical and epidemiological studies. Another focus is the investigation of new virological and serological markers for diagnosis and individualized treatment management.
Further information
- DZIF
- Young Academy/ PRACTIS
- KlinStrucMed program
Our working group
Prof. Dr. med. Benjamin Maasoumy
Hannover Medical School OE 6810
Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1
30625 Hannover
Phone +49 511 532-8757
maasoumy.benjamin@mh-hannover.de
- Dr. med. Julia Eichholz (medical doctor)
- Alena F. Ehrenbauer (medical doctor)
- Dr. med. Marie Griemsmann (medical doctor)
- Dr. med. Valerie Ohlendorf (physician, biologist)
- Hannah Rieland, née Schneider (doctor)
- Dr. med. Lisa Sandmann (medical doctor)
- Dr. med. Tammo L. Tergast (physician)
- Laura Buttler (medical student, doctoral candidate)
- Julius F. M. Egge (medical student, PhD student)
- Sophia Geißelbrecht (medical student, doctoral candidate)
- cand. med. Martin A. Kabelitz (medical student, PhD student)
- cand. med. Matthias Klimanek (medical student, PhD student)
- cand. med. Jim B. Mauz (medical student, PhD student)
- cand. med. Jendrik Peters (medical student, PhD student)
- Nina Pleus (medical student, doctoral candidate)
- cand. med. Sarah L. Schütte (medical student, doctoral candidate)
- Anja Tiede (medical student, doctoral candidate)
- Jonna Frederike Zimmermann (medical student, doctoral candidate)
- cand. med. Ida Edler (research work as part of the science module)
- Birgit Bremer (MTLA)
- Vera Spielmann (Study Nurse)
- Annika Zietz (Study Nurse)
- Liv Grete Ahl (FWJ)
- Caroline Graf (FWJ)
- Vaira Elisa Schöpe (FWJ)
- cand. med. Lea Wagner (medical student, HiWi)
- Dr. med. Michael Dölle (doctor)
- Dr. med. Annika Hillert (physician)
- Dr. med. Abdul R. Kabbani (Physician)
- Dr. med., M. Sc. Lena Stockhoff (physician, biochemist)
- Dr. rer. biol. hum. Benjamin Schulte (Pharmacist)
- Denise Menti (Study Nurse)
- Charlotte Lorenz (FWJ)