Georg Theodor August Gaffky

Prof. Dr. G. Gaffky

Georg Theodor August Gaffky (17 February 1850 – 23 September 1918) was a German bacteriologist and a key figure in the field of microbiology. He is best known for his work on the bacterium that causes typhoid fever.

Early Life and Education

Gaffky was born in Hannover, Kingdom of Hanover. He studied medicine at the University of Göttingen and the University of Berlin, where he earned his medical degree in 1873. During his studies, he developed a keen interest in pathology and bacteriology.

Career

After completing his education, Gaffky worked at the Charité Hospital in Berlin, where he collaborated with prominent scientists such as Robert Koch and Friedrich Loeffler. In 1884, he joined Koch's team at the newly established Institute for Infectious Diseases in Berlin.

Discovery of Salmonella Typhi

Gaffky is most renowned for his discovery of the Salmonella typhi bacterium, the causative agent of typhoid fever. In 1884, he successfully isolated the bacterium from the spleen of a patient who had died of typhoid fever. This discovery was a significant milestone in the field of medical microbiology and helped in the development of diagnostic methods and treatments for the disease.

Later Work and Contributions

In addition to his work on typhoid fever, Gaffky made significant contributions to the study of other infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and cholera. He also played a crucial role in the development of aseptic techniques in medical practice.

Legacy

Gaffky's work laid the foundation for modern bacteriology and had a lasting impact on the field of infectious disease research. His contributions to the understanding and treatment of typhoid fever have saved countless lives.

Related Pages

• Robert Koch
• Friedrich Loeffler
• Salmonella typhi
• Typhoid fever
• Institute for Infectious Diseases
• Medical microbiology