CAPNETZ STIFTUNG strengthens long-term partnership with the Reference Laboratory for Streptococci in Aachen
From 1 July 2026, the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG will expand its institutional partnership with the Reference Laboratory for Streptococci at RWTH Aachen University Hospital. This formalises and strategically advances a highly successful scientific collaboration that has existed for many years.
The Reference Laboratory for Streptococci in Aachen
has unparalleled expertise in Germany when it comes to the surveillance, specialised diagnostics, and scientific investigation of invasive streptococcal infections. For the past 30 years, the laboratory has systematically analysed clinical isolates of invasive streptococcal diseases collected throughout Germany, focusing particularly on Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci), as well as other clinically significant streptococcal species.
The extensive collection of microbiological data and biological specimens, accumulated over several decades, constitutes a distinctive research infrastructure of exceptional scientific value for public health. This provides a solid basis for robust studies on epidemiology, serotype distribution, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine impact and the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying invasive streptococcal diseases.
Since 2004, the Aachen Reference Laboratory has collaborated closely with the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG, performing microbiological analyses of patient specimens collected within the CAPNETZ study, one of the world’s largest prospective cohorts of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The expanded institutional partnership will further strengthen this long-standing collaboration through joint research projects, scientific publications, and shared research working group on streptococcal infections. Central to this initiative is the integration of high-quality microbiological reference data with the comprehensive clinical data generated by CAPNETZ.
Established services and submission procedures remain unchanged.
The full diagnostic portfolio of the Aachen Reference Laboratory will remain unchanged. All established laboratory services, specimen submission pathways, consultation services, specialised analyses and Streptococci surveillance activities will continue under the umbrella of the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG without interruption and to the same high standard of quality.
For submitting laboratories, hospitals and primary diagnostic institutions, the Reference Laboratory in Aachen will remain a reliable facility for submitting, characterising and analysing invasive streptococcal isolates.
Call for continued collaboration
The CAPNETZ STIFTUNG and the Reference Laboratory for Streptococci encourage all existing partners to continue submitting relevant clinical specimens and isolates to the Reference Laboratory in Aachen via the established channels. The continuous submission of isolates is essential to maintaining the integrity and continuity of this unique long-term surveillance programme. Participation over the long term enables the early detection of epidemiological changes and provides the scientific basis for monitoring serotype distribution, antimicrobial resistance, and the impact of vaccination and other preventive measures.
Scientific Value for the Future
The expanded partnership combines the complementary strengths of both institutions. CAPNETZ contributes its well-established clinical research infrastructure, deeply phenotyped patient cohorts, comprehensive biobank resources and a nationwide network of clinical study centres. The Reference Laboratory, which is recognised internationally for its excellence in streptococcal surveillance, complements these capabilities with its expertise in specialised microbiological diagnostics, well-established nationwide specimen submission networks and an unparalleled collection of clinical streptococcal isolates.
A particular strength of the collaboration lies in the future integration of data from both invasive and non-invasive streptococcal infections. This combined approach will provide a more comprehensive understanding of disease progression and enable more accurate characterisation of patient risk groups. It will also facilitate evidence-based advances in prevention, diagnostics, and clinical management.
The CAPNETZ STIFTUNG and the Reference Laboratory for Streptococci are jointly establishing a scientific platform with national and international visibility that integrates clinical outcome data, microbiological reference diagnostics, molecular pathogen characterisation and epidemiological surveillance. This platform will support future collaborative research, the evaluation of preventive strategies, including vaccination programmes, and a better understanding of bacterial respiratory tract infections in Germany.
CAPNETZ Statement
The pneumococcal surveillance programme in Aachen is of outstanding scientific importance to the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG and is internationally recognised as a leading resource in terms of quality, continuity and scientific visibility. With integration of the Reference Laboratory for Streptococci into the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG, we are strengthening a key interface between microbiological reference diagnostics, clinical research, and public health surveillance.
This partnership creates a unique opportunity to investigate invasive and non-invasive streptococcal infections within a unified scientific framework, generating new insights that will improve prevention, diagnostics, and patient care.
Together, CAPNETZ and the Reference Laboratory for Streptococci in Aachen are creating a lasting platform to advance research into pneumococcal and streptococcal infections. Our shared objective is to generate high-quality scientific evidence that will contribute to improving prevention, diagnostics, and patient care.
