Multidisciplinary study of factors driving visceral and PKDL leishmaniasis transmission in Eastern Africa
Official title: A multidisciplinary approach to study ecotypes driving transmission and pathogenesis of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in Eastern Africa
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11520040 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team from Ohio State University is studying what drives transmission of visceral leishmaniasis and PKDL in Eastern Africa, with goals to identify hosts, vectors, and environmental factors that sustain spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $85,923 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI168619-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520040 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include individuals and communities in high-endemic regions where leishmaniasis is transmitted, as well as animals involved in the transmission cycle and vectors studied in field settings.
✕Less likely to help
Populations outside high-endemic transmission settings may see limited direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project brings together experts to map how Leishmania parasites spread in high-endemic areas, including how vectors, animal reservoirs, and human interactions influence transmission. Researchers will examine vector biology, gut microbiota, reservoir diversity, and human exposure patterns to understand why outbreaks occur and persist. The work will use field studies, ecological analyses, and collaboration with local communities to identify points where interventions could reduce transmission. Results could inform targeted public health actions and future prevention strategies in affected regions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better prevention and control strategies for leishmaniasis, reducing illness among people and at-risk military personnel deployed in endemic areas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have advanced understanding of vector ecology and zoonotic transmission in leishmaniasis, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Satoskar, Abhay R — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Satoskar, Abhay R
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.