Mycobacterium ulcerans is causing the chronic skin disease Buruli ulcer (BU) which is characterized by skin ulcers that expand over extended periods, if not treated. The major burden of BU falls on children in West Africa, where BU is often leading to stigmatization and permanent disabilities. As…

The current gold standard for the laboratory diagnosis of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) is a PCR-based assay. In the endemic African countries this assay is established only at a few central reference centers. Therefore, there is urgent need for the development of a rapid…

Treatment of the neglected tropical skin disease Buruli Ulcer (BU) relies currently on a single drug, rifampicin, which is given in combination with streptomycin. Development of an alternative treatment modality for patients suffering from severe side effects of the antibiotic treatment and in view…

Clinical testing of two components for a synthetic peptide-based virosomal malaria vaccine has yielded promising results, encouraging the search for additional components for inclusion in a final multivalent vaccine formulation. This CTI project should support design, optimisation and final…

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. After an incubation period that can last years, the disease mainly affects peripheral nerves and the skin. If untreated, it may lead to loss of sensation and result in serious disabilities. The reported number of new leprosy patients…

Leishmaniasis was declared at the 60th WHO Assembly (2007) one of the world’s most neglected diseases. Leishmaniasis affects largely the poorest of the poor, mainly in developing countries as India, Bangladesh, Sudan, Ethiopia and Latin America. Existing treatments have severe drawbacks: side…