Olof Hertting

Olof Hertting

Affiliated to Research | Docent
Visiting address: CMM, L8, 17176 Stockholm
Postal address: K6 Kvinnors och barns hälsa, K6 Klinisk pediatrik Herlenius, 171 77 Stockholm

About me

  • Associate Professor and Teamleader for Paediatric infections at Karolinska Institutet and Consultant in paediatric infectious diseases at Karolinska University Hospital. My research is focusing on molecular immune responses in severe bacterial infections in children as well as epidemiological studies on children with a range of infectious diseases.

Research

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2025 - 31 December 2026
    Malaria is a potentially severe and fatal disease. Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is the first line therapy for malaria. Alarming emergence of resistance to artemisinin and partner drugs is now reported from Sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding treatment outcomes and identifying drug resistant markers could guide management and development of new treatment strategies. The purpose of this preparatory study is to plan: 1) a nationwide prospective treatment efficacy study using a new standardized follow-up protocol for all malaria patients in Sweden for detecting treatment failures, and 2) to plan a comprehensive prospective study in adults treated for Plasmodium falciparum malaria with more extensive sampling to assess parasite clearance time in relation to antimalarial drug concentrations, host immunity and parasite genomics. Within the preparatory study, we will assess current practice of diagnostics and management of malaria across Sweden. Moreover, we will perform a retrospective review of treatment outcomes since ACT was introduced, and also perform a pilot analysis of resistance mutations in available archived samples. The project involves experts in infectious diseases, pediatrics, microbiology and pharmacology
    and the aim is to establish a nationwide collaborative network including all treating clinics. The findings from this project will lead to improved management and monitoring of malaria in travelers, and could also inform treatment strategies in endemic areas.
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 December 2023 - 30 November 2027
    Infections are an important part of migrant health. Detecting infections could prevent potentially severe acute and chronic conditions in migrants. Migration from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased. Screening programmes therefore need to address infections that are highly prevalent in this region. Despite high parasite prevalence in endemic areas, malaria, schistosomiasis and strongyloides are not included in the current screening program for migrants and evidence-based guidelines are needed. In a recent study in Sweden, we detected an unexpectedly high malaria parasite prevalence in asymptomatic migrants screened at migrant health facilities with 9% prevalence overall, and up to 35% in children. Clinical observation when assessed for treatment, have detected health issues in parasite positive individuals. This project aims at establishing the need for a screening program, including exploring the parasite prevalence and health effects in migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as developing a diagnostic platform and time frame for screening. Moreover, we will perform a pilot clusterd randomised trial to assess the impact and feasibility of screening compared to standard of care without screening. Evaluation of introducing a screening program will include feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness. The project has the potential to guide screening strategies and make significant contributions to improved health in migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Employments

  • Affiliated to Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2025-2027
  • Affiliated to Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2024-2027

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Pediatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 2024
  • Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 2011
  • University Medical Degree, Karolinska Institutet, 2000

Leadership and responsibility assignments

  • Research team leader, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Kvinnor och barns hälsa, Karolinska Institutet, 2025-

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