Projects per year
Organization profile
Organisation profile
The Unit of Parasite Diagnostics studies human and animal African trypanosomiases, visceral leishmaniasis and Chagas’ disease. All these diseases are caused by infections with single-cell (unicellular) Trypanosomatidae parasites.
We focus on parasitological, serological, biochemical and genetic markers for diagnosis-, and determination of the disease stage, including treatment failure and healthy carier status. We are dedicated to the development of simple, quick and reliable tests that can also be used outside the laboratory.
Our methods include the genetic modification of suitable hosts to express candidate antigens for serodiagnosis. Furthermore, we genetically modify trypanosomes with bioluminescent and fluorescent reporter genes for easy in vivo tracking of the parasites in animal models in studies on pathogenicity and treatment efficacy.
We work together with partner institutions in many developing countries, as well as with private companies and organizations. We are a Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Human African Trypanosomiasis Diagnostics of the World Health Organization and a Reference Laboratory for Surra of the World Animal Health Organization.
The unit is led by Prof Philippe Büscher.
Research themes
- Development of new serological tests for diagnosis and surveillance of human and animal African trypanosomiases and visceral leishmaniasis
- Determination of the disease stage and healthy carrier status in human African trypanosomiasis
- Simplified molecular diagnosis for African trypanosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis and Chagas’ disease
- Improved detection of parasites in human African trypanosomiases
- Gentechnological production of diagnostic antigens
- Pathogenesis, neuropathogenesis and tissue tropism in human and animal African trypanosomiases by means of bioluminescent and fluorescent trypanosomes
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Profiles
Projects
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CHARHAT-DRC: Cryptic human and animal reservoirs compromise the sustainedelimination of gambiense-human African trypanosomiasis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Büscher, P., Van Reet, N., Boelaert, M., Inocêncio da Luz, R., Miaka, E. M., Phanzu, D. M., Ngoyi, D. M., Mposhi, M. & Stas, M.
Flemish Government - Department of Economy, Science & Innovation
1/12/18 → 30/11/23
Project: Research Project
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DRC - FA4: Building capacity for health research in three DRC partner institutions Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (IRNB), Ecole de Santé Publique de l’Université de Lubumbashi (ESP) en Centre de Recherche Sanitaire de Kimpese (CRS), and rationalize the fight against Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) while strengthening local health systems with the support of all partners.
Boelaert, M., Jacobs, J., Büscher, P., Polman, K., Rigouts, L., Dorny, P., Hardy, L., Corsmit, E., Roucher, C., Eddyani, M., Dermauw, V., Bebronne, N., Snijders, R., Inocêncio da Luz, R., Van Cauwenberg, I. & Everaert, R.
1/01/17 → 31/12/21
Project: Development project
Research output
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Global distribution, host range and prevalence of Trypanosoma vivax: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Fetene, E., Leta, S., Regassa, F. & Büscher, P., 2021, In : Parasites and Vectors. 14, 1, p. 80Research output: Contribution to journal › A1: Web of Science-article
Open AccessFile -
Pediatric visceral leishmaniasis: a retrospective study to propose the diagnostic tests algorithm in southern Iran
Rezaei, Z., Pourabbas, B., Asaei, S., Kühne, V., Sepehrpour, S., Pouladfar, G., Keihani, N. & Büscher, P., 2021, In : Parasitology Research.Research output: Contribution to journal › A1: Web of Science-article
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Alternative antigens for a point of care test for serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in East Africa
Kühne, V., 2020, Antwerp: University of Antwerp, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Veterinary Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences. 199 p.Research output: Thesis › Doctoral dissertation - Doctoral dissertation
Open Access