Point-of-care test for Lassa and other arenavirus infections
Official title: Development of point-of-care testing for Lassa and other hemorrhagic fever arenaviruses
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11381848 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke research team is developing a fast, easy-to-use test to rapidly detect Lassa and related arenavirus infections, so people in affected regions can get quick care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $398,606 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170594-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381848 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with suspected Lassa or other arenavirus infections in endemic regions, or healthcare workers and laboratories that will deploy the diagnostic test.
✕Less likely to help
People without arenavirus infections or those in areas without access to the test may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating a point-of-care diagnostic tool that works reliably in remote settings where arenavirus outbreaks occur. Researchers will develop high-affinity antibodies and phage display libraries to enable broad and sensitive detection of Lassa virus and other arenaviruses. The approach aims to be practical for use at clinics or field sites, with a prototype test designed for rapid results and simple interpretation. The work builds on existing knowledge of arenaviruses to address a critical gap in timely diagnosis and outbreak control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could lead to faster diagnoses, earlier treatment, and better outbreak management in affected regions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts show that antibody-based diagnostics can be rapid and field-friendly, but not all cover multiple arenaviruses or work well at points of care.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gunn, Michael D — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Gunn, Michael D
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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.