TRYLEIDIAG | A new challenge to combat the diseases

TRYLEIDIAG is a Euro-African co-operation network funded by the European Commission from 2005 to 2009. Its main objectives are:

· Contribute to strengthen institutional research in African countries through North-South Co-operation and regional exchanges allowing new dialogues, technology transfer and policy development. The African partners are from:

- the Makerere University in Uganda

- the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Kenya

- the University of Khartoum in Sudan

- the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

· Identify DNA and RNA sequences that are specific for the species and subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania. These sequences will be the basis for the development of primers and probes in molecular diagnostic tests for both diseases.

· Develop and validate novel rapid and sensitive field and laboratory molecular tests for Human African Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis diagnosis. These tests comprise point-of-care and laboratory formats for detection and identification of the parasites.

· Establish protocols for sampling, preparation and storage of bioclinical material under field conditions. Bioclinical samples from patients will be collected for the development and evaluation of the diagnostic tests. This will be implemented after appropriate training of medical and laboratory personnel involved in bioclinical sample collection.

The overall objective of the network is to generate new knowledge and technologies for improved diagnosis and control

of Human African Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis.

The TRYLEIDIAG network activities aim at developing new diagnostic tools that will have impact on disease control at three levels:

· Improvement of disease and drug resistance surveillance since diagnostic tools will improve systematic screening of communities at risk

· Improvement of Leishmaniasis and Human African Trypanosomiasis case-finding and case-management with appropriate treatment

· Improvement of efficacy monitoring in clinical trials since diagnostic tools will be highly specific and sensitive