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Research and Development of Prevention and Diagnosis for Neglected Tropical Diseases, especially Kala-Azar

Infectious Diseases Control

People's Republic of Bangladesh

Finished

Research and Development of Prevention and Diagnosis for Neglected Tropical Diseases, especially Kala-Azar

Fighting against Neglected Tropical Diseases, Maladies of the World’s Poorest People

Principal Investigator

- Associate Prof.
  NOIRI Eisei
  The University of Tokyo Hospital

ODA Recipient Country

People's Republic of Bangladesh

Research Institutions in Japan

The University of Tokyo / Aichi Medical University

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

International Center for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), etc.

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2010

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Kala-azar, a lethal disease caused by parasites
Kala-azar* is a serious disease that infects another 300,000 of the world's poorest people every year. It has long been ignored in Bangladesh and other countries where it mainly afflicts the poorest people, and is not only a health hazard, but also a major obstacle to socioeconomic development. This project aims to establish genetic diagnostic, immuno-diagnostic, urine test and other diagnostic techniques tailored to local conditions, and get to grips with the malady.*Kala-azar, also known as black fever, is a zoonotic disease affecting internal organs that is caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Symptoms include fever, severe anemia, abdominal swelling, desiccation, and blackening of the skin.

Launch of research aimed at introduction of Japanese diagnostic, treatment, and disease control techniques
We plan to introduce loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a highly precise genetic diagnostic technique, together with simplified diagnosis based on analysis of specific proteins in urine, and other techniques developed in Japan suitable for localities that lack sophisticated equipment. We will also conduct research on drugs with only light side effects, and on drug-resistant parasites, as well as studying the behavior of the sand fly, the insect vector of kalaazar, and exploring means of preventing the spread of the disease using mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide. In addition, with the collaboration of the government of Bangladesh, icddr,b (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh), and DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative), a facility for research, diagnosis and treatment has been established in a district with a high incidence of kala-azar, and research has commenced.

Photo gallery

A joint international research team of SATREPS investigating sand fly behavior in Trishal, a subdistrict of the district of Mymensingh in northern Bangladesh