Objective
Tuberculosis is still a serious health problem especially in developing countries, where the incidence is increasing. Tanzania, which is the third World partner in this project observed a doubling of new TB cases in 1990 compared With 1983. This increase has been ascribed to the AIDS epidemic. Mány aspects of the relationship between TB and HIV infection are not fully understood.
The proposed project aims at characterizing mycobacteria from HIV positive and HIV negative patients in terms of species - , strain distribution, and drug sensitivities.
By applying methods Which are considered conventional in developed countries but which are not being used to any greater extent in the third world it may be possible to get a new picture of the species distribution and drug sensitivity pattern from a high endemic area.
By applying the Restriction Fragment Length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis on the M.tuberculosis isolates it may be possible to follow strain pattern s and compare isolates from HIV positive and HIV negative patients. These data may add information to our understanding of the role of reactivation versus infection.
It has been proposed that the BCG vaccine may get reactivated in patients immunosuppressed by HIV. This study may also adress this aspect. The training component is an important aspect of this proposal as staff from the Tanzanian laboratory will receive training at the KIT and at SSI. An ELISA based method for the identification of various mycobacterial Species will be evaluated. The method should be easily transferable to modestly equipped laboratories.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineallergologydrug allergy
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesHIV
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinepneumologytuberculosis
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccines
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
2300 KOEPENHAGEN
Denmark