Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Uwe Truyen and PD Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed, the institute works closely with European and international partners in Africa and Asia to conduct research into zoonoses, antibiotic resistance, animal hygiene, and transboundary animal diseases. Among other things, innovative diagnostic technologies such as the mobile suitcase laboratory for field diagnostics in resource-poor areas are being developed, reflecting the holistic One Health concept in practical application.
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Further Informations
Lead: Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Funded by: Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
Project duration: 2024-2028
Website: https://prepare-tid.eu/
Brief description:
The PREPARE-TID project aims to improve EU-wide preparedness, prevention, and response to animal diseases. It develops innovative tools and strategies for better management of animal health risks, particularly for transboundary infectious diseases. The main objectives include:
Improving early detection and surveillance of animal diseases
Developing new prevention and control measures
Strengthening cooperation between EU member states
Promoting resilience in animal husbandry
The project brings together experts from different disciplines and countries to work together on sustainable solutions for animal health in Europe.
MOLECULAR EVOLUTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM SUBSP. PARATUBERCULOSIS IN AFRICA - PHASE II
Leadership:
Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Research assistant:
Paula Emily Schweizer
Financed by:
German Research Foundation
Project duration:
2022 - 2025
Short description:
Paratuberculosis is a bacterial infectious disease that mainly affects ruminants and leads to severe inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Common symptoms of the disease include chronic diarrhea, emaciation due to decreased nutrient absorption, and decreased milk yield. Since therapy does not lead to a cure, paratuberculosis is always fatal. The causative agent of the disease, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), has also been found in people with Crohn's disease. To date, the zoonotic potential of MAP has not been conclusively determined. Due to a lack of surveillance programs and high infection rates, paratuberculosis is one of the so-called neglected tropical diseases in Africa. In the first phase of the project, over 1800 fecal and serum samples from different animal species were collected and analyzed in Sudan and Uganda. In addition, the microbiome of 67 test subjects affected by gastrointestinal disease was analyzed. MAP was detected in 40% of the subjects. n the current project period, the preliminary work of Phase I will be continued. In the foreground on the occurrence of the pathogen in the environment and in animal foodstuffs. foodstuffs. In addition, the interactions between host and pathogen will be investigated in more detail.
African One Health Network for Disease Prevention: Building Capacity for Sustainable Antimicrobial Stewardship Across sub-Saharan Africa
Leadership:
Prof. Dr. med. Vet. habil. Uwe Truyen
Financed by:
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
Project duration:
Januar 2023-Dezember 2027
Web-Page:
Short discription:
Although African institutions have demonstrated the ability to detect and control communicable disease outbreaks, communicable disease prevention and management-particularly with regard to antimicrobial resistance (AMR, a prevalent global health threat) and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), as well as NTD co-infections and drug-resistant bacteria-remain a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (the region with the highest AMR burden worldwide). To best understand and combat AMR, the linkages and transmission between humans, animals, and the environment must be tracked as part of a One Health approach. The goal of this project is to build capacity in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa to improve AMR and NTD management and antimicrobial stewardship using a One Health approach in partnership with state, local, and regional stakeholders.
IDAlert: Infectious Disease decision-support tools and Alert systems to build climate Resilience to emerging health Threats
Leadership:
Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Financed by:
Drittmittel (Horizon Europe)
Project duration:
01.06.2022-31.05.2027
Website:
Short discription:
Climate change favors recurrent as well as novel disease outbreaks. Decision makers need tailored information, early warnings and impact assessments to address these issues. In this context, the EU-funded IDAlert project will investigate the occurrence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens through the development of novel indicators, innovative early warning systems and tools for decision makers. The project will collaboratively develop novel policy-relevant indicators that highlight past, present, and future climate-related disease risks in the areas of hazard, exposure, and susceptibility at the animal-human-environment interface. The central goal of the project is to use novel surveillance approaches to provide operational and actionable infectious disease intelligence to rapidly detect and respond to increased risks from pathogens, vectors, and wildlife in the context of climate change. Novel surveillance tools will be implemented at five different study sites, including the mobile suitcase laboratory. This will collect new data on animals, humans and the environment. In this way, new and valuable information will be generated, taking into account the One Health approach.
Head: Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed
The Mobile Suitcase Lab is a fully portable and rapidly deployable mobile laboratory system for pathogen detection directly on site. The consortium was established in 16 countries and aims to investigate disease outbreaks and detect pathogens at the point of care.
Key features:
- Equipment: Suitcase laboratory (62x49x30 cm) with glove box for safe pathogen handling.
- Technologies: Molecular diagnostics with rapid nucleic acid extraction (15-20 minutes), nanopore sequencing, and isothermal amplification tests.
- Autonomy: Solar panel with rechargeable battery, cold chain independent, suitable for resource-poor areas
- Speed: Results in about 20 minutes, including extraction process
The project brings together researchers from Germany (University of Leipzig), Africa (Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Senegal, etc.), Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka) and Europe for capacity development in molecular field diagnostics.
Areas of application: Detection of various pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and other pathogens for rapid outbreak investigation in Africa and other regions.
Development of a new test for the diagnosis of PKDL/leprosy.
Leadership:
Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Funded by:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Project duration:
October 2022-September 2024
Short discription:
Leishmaniasis, caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania, is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Leishmania donovani (LD) is a major problem in many countries in South Asia and East Africa, causing kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis, VL) and its dermal sequelae, post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). In 2022, cases of PKDL became important to the ongoing Kala Azar Elimination Program (KAEP) in Southeast Asia because they harbor LD parasites in skin lesions that are readily accessible to the vector and thus play a key role in maintaining the transmission cycle. The main differential diagnosis for PKDL is leprosy, a chronic infection of the skin and peripheral nerves caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The goal of this project is to develop a combined diagnostic test for PKDL and leprosy based on technology already developed for PKDL in a previous project. With the development of a rapid extraction method, the focus is on field evaluation of the RPA test for monitoring parasite burden of PKDL in India and Bangladesh. In addition, an isothermal amplification based assay for monitoring leprosy cases is being developed and additionally evaluated in the field
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Completed projects from recent years
Criteria for keeping domestic pigs outdoors in the endangered area following the detection of African swine fever
Leadership:
Prof. Dr. med. vet. habil. Uwe Truyen
Financed by:
Drittmittel (Sächsisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie)
Project duration:
01.05.2022-31.05.2024
Short discription:
The planned restructuring of livestock farming in Germany is intended to improve animal welfare in pig farming as well. At the same time, African swine fever (ASF), a contagious and often fatal pig disease, has been on the rise in Germany since 2020. Strict animal disease control measures go hand in hand with this. For farms in the endangered area after the detection of ASF, there is currently a stall ban, so that regardless of the possibility of the outdoors, the animals must be stalled. This is associated with considerable economic losses for the affected farmers and prevents investments in higher animal welfare standards. The possibility to keep pigs in housing systems with an appropriately secured outdoor run would provide farmers with planning security for pig farming as well as the possibility for higher animal welfare despite an increased animal disease risk. Therefore, in this research project a structured hygiene analysis shall be developed, which particularly considers the biosecurity measures for a risk minimization for the entry of ASF. The economic impact caused by necessary construction measures to secure the outlets against the entry of contagious material by birds and small mammals will also be evaluated. Finally, a scientifically based decision support for the application in individual cases for the support of farmers and responsible authorities will be developed and published.
MobLabResp: Implementation of a portable sequencing technology for rapid identification of respiratory viruses in poultry.
Leadership:
Prof. Dr. med. Vet. habil. Uwe Truyen
Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Financed by:
Drittmittel (Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung)
Project duration:
01.06.2022-31.05.2024 ??
Short discription:
Poultry meat is the most important animal protein source for the Egyptian population. Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to the poultry industry worldwide. Respiratory Disease Complex (RDC) is one of the most common and critical diseases affecting poultry with major health and economic implications. Several viral, bacterial, and mycotic pathogens are involved in RDC. Next generation sequencing, NGS, was developed to overcome the limitations of laboratory reference methods by enabling the detection of multiple pathogens with higher accuracy and providing deep molecular information. However, due to the high cost and complexity of NGS, it falls far short of routine diagnosis. In this project, the use of Oxford Nanopore Technologies' MinION sequencer will provide accurate, rapid and simple investigation of the causes of RDC in poultry. The sequencer is so small that it can be deployed directly at the site and is capable of identifying hidden expected or unexpected pathogens in the field. Thus, the study of the complicated pathobiology of RDC under field conditions will be facilitated and elaborated in this research project. In addition, the training of young scientists from different research institutions in this technology will sustainably complement the diagnostic and research capabilities in Egypt.
Mobile TB Lab: Diagnostic algorithm for peripheral lymph node tuberculosis using portable station
Leadership:
Dr. Ahmed Abd El Wahed
Financed by:
Global Health Research Alliance (GLOHRA)
Project duration:
November 2022 - October 2024
Short discription:
This project relies on a trilateral collaboration between European partners and institutions from Africa and Asia to support TB diagnostics. The main objective of the project is to introduce mobile diagnostic capabilities and capacity for peripheral lymph node TB in resource-poor settings in Uganda and Bangladesh. The strategy will follow a 4D approach: Decentralization of diagnostics; Delivery of results in a short time; Provision of testing in low-resource settings; Reduction of operational costs.
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