Understanding how environmental factors and hosts drive Visceral Leishmaniasis and PKDL spread in East 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-11520489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team will study how the environment, animals, and people interact to drive transmission of visceral leishmaniasis and PKDL in Eastern Africa.
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) | $60,332 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI168619-05S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people living in high-endemic regions who may be exposed to leishmaniasis, including military personnel and communities near animal reservoirs.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals in non-endemic areas or not involved in exposure pathways may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how eco-epidemiology influences Leishmania transmission in high-endemic areas. Researchers will examine vectors, hosts, and microbiomes, and map human exposure to understand what drives spread. The work will involve field sampling, lab assays, and analysis of transmission routes to identify key factors influencing infections in communities and animals. The goal is to uncover targets for preventing new infections and reducing disease burden in affected regions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to better prevention strategies and interventions to reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior eco-epidemiology studies have advanced understanding of transmission in other vector-borne diseases, with progressing potential for leishmaniasis.
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.