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The application of DNA fingerprinting to the parthogenesis of HIV-related tuberculosis in Africa

Objective



This is a collaborative project between the Department of Clinical Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the Department of Medicine and pathology (DMP), University of Zambia and the National Institute for public Health and Environmental protection (RIVM), Bilthoven. The aim is to apply the technique of DNA fingerprinting of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) that has recently been developed at RIVM to fundamental questions about the pathogenesis of Hiv-related tuberculosis (TB) in Africa. The project continues the collaborative study of the impact of Hiv on TB in Zambia between the LSHTM and the DMP set up three years ago with EC funding. The project leader is a Clinician/Scientist from LSHTM who will be based in the DMP for the duration of the study. Patients with TB will be recruited at the university Teaching Hospital (UTH), their clinical and demographic data will be stored and their isolates of M.tb will be collected at the Chest Diseases Laboratory for subsequent typing. 750 isolates will be typed with an emphasis on those from relapse cases where the isolates can be paired with the original. The nurse and driver will visit the homes of patients with microscopy positive disease and symptomatic contacts will be screened. This will allow transmission to be studied and the risks in HIV seropositive and seronegative contacts to be established. Other isolates of epidemiological interest will also be typed and a database established to compare patterns with other regions of the country and the world. A Zambian scientist will be trained both in the fingerprinting technique but also in general molecular biology by means of a visit to the LSHTM. Computer analysis of the fingerprint data will be carried out in collaboration with RIVM which is already involved in establishing a global database.

Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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Coordinator

London School of Hygiene and TropicalMedicine
EU contribution
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Address
Keppel Street
WC1E 7HT London
United Kingdom

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Total cost
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Participants (2)