Improving tests for diagnosing congenital Chagas disease
Development of Improved Serological Diagnostic and Parasite Genotyping Tools for Congenital Chagas Disease
This study is working on creating better blood tests to help find congenital Chagas disease in newborns and pregnant women, making sure the tests are more accurate and reliable than the ones we have now.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10827849 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing better diagnostic tools for congenital Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The project aims to create serological tests that are more accurate and reliable, addressing the limitations of current methods that often yield discordant results. By utilizing a broader range of parasite antigens, the research seeks to enhance the detection of various T. cruzi genotypes in newborns and pregnant women. The methodology includes improving PCR techniques to increase sensitivity when testing blood samples from affected individuals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include newborns and pregnant women in Latin America who are at risk of congenital Chagas disease.
Not a fit: Patients who are not from regions where Chagas disease is prevalent or those who do not have a risk of exposure to T. cruzi may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses of congenital Chagas disease, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that improving diagnostic tools for infectious diseases can significantly enhance patient care, suggesting a promising outlook for this approach.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Tulane University of Louisiana — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herrera, Claudia P — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Herrera, Claudia P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.