About
Developing a SHERLOCK platform for multipurpose detection of trypanosomatid Parasites
Neglected tropical diseases caused by vector-born trypanosomatids – African trypanosomiases, Chagas disease and leishmaniases – affect both humans and animals, and disproportionately levy an economic burden on those living in poverty. Progression towards their control or elimination is dependent on accurate surveillance using reliable diagnostic tests. SherPa is an original, cutting-edge, multidisciplinary translational project that aims (WP1) to develop highly sensitive and specific SHERLOCK-based detection tools for rapid diagnosis of trypanosomatid infections and drug resistance determination, adapted to both active and passive surveillance, and (WP2) to demonstrate the efficacy of these new tools by conducting epidemiological studies on both human and animal African trypanosomiases in Western Africa in order to investigate the impact of control programs on parasite circulation in endemic regions and determine host reservoir diversity.
African trypanosomiases, Chagas disease, leishmaniases, trypanosomatid parasites, SHERLOCK, diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance.
