Development of rapid diagnostic tools for Buruli ulcer and other skin NTDs

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17936
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: MIKITA Kei 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (40793881)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ブルーリ潰瘍 / 簡易診断法 / Buruli ulcer

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Buruli ulcer is a skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans that is endemic mainly in West Africa and is one of the 20 NTDs listed by WHO. Without early diagnosis and treatment, extensive ulcers will develop throughout the body, and lead to permanent functional disability. In recent years, the endemic area of Buruli ulcer has been expanding, but in West Africa, the main endemic area, it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis except at specific facilities.
Therefore, to develop a diagnostic method for Buruli ulcer that can be performed anywhere, we have developed a detection method using LAMP chromatography and have obtained good results.

Free Research Field

熱帯医学・寄生虫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究をさらに発展させ、ブルーリ潰瘍流行地域のフィールドでの実施を可能にすることで、早期の発見・治療が容易になり、ブルーリ潰瘍の疾病対策に資することが期待される。