Prof. Pierre-Yves BOCHUD

Prof Pierre-Yves Bochud is leading research projects into the factors that influence patients' susceptibility to infections. He conducted numerous association studies to determine which genetic variants may put patients at greater risk of developing infections, particularly after immunosuppressive treatment (following a diagnosis of leukemia or an organ transplant), paving the way for personalized management strategies. In a series of more fundamental studies, he aims at finding genetic variants associated with the occurrence of particularly rare or severe infections (such as herpes encephalitis), and to understand the mechanisms by which these variants cause a deficiency in the immune system.

Functional Immunogenetics of Viral Infections

Increasing evidence suggest that susceptibility to viral infections depends, at least in part, from host genetic factor. Over the years, our groups developed several lines of research to detect such factors and understand the biological mechanisms by which they influence immune responses to viruses such as Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), SARS-CoV-2 and the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

MINCO, a Cohort & Biobank for Infections in Onco-Hematological Patients

Patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy for onco-haematological disease have prolonged episodes of neutropenia, which put them at high risk to develop severe infections. We developed a registry and biobank of immunosuppression episode from patients hospitalized within the isolation Unit of the Infectious diseases at CHUV. With >2000 exhaustive records, it represents a valuable tool for epidemiological/quality surveillance and research, offering numerous projects for students, residents and fellows.

Host Genetics in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

While immunomodulatory drugs have reduced the incidence of rejection and graft loss after solid organ transplantation (SOT), patients have become more susceptible to infections. The idenfitication of genetic factors influencing host susceptibility to infections will allow development of preventive stragetegies to further improve transplantation outcomes.

Immunogenetics of Fungal Infections

Aspergillus species and other mold (e.g. Mucorales) cause life-threatening infections among patients with hematological cancer and/or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCT) or solid organ (SOT) transplantation. Along with other investigators, we showed that variants in the gene encoding long pentraxin-3 (PTX3), an immune detector of fungal components, are robust predictors of susceptibility to such infections. Through a SNF funding (IICT), we are currently performing “real life” PTX3 genotyping to optimize the use of antifungals in the prophylaxis of patient with acute leukemia.