Project description
ChagasEpiNet is a European Union Seventh Framework Program funded project whose aim is to elucidate the epidemiology of the genetic lineages of Trypanosoma cruzi for improved understanding and prevention of Chagas disease. Approximately 10 million people are infected T. cruzi in Latin America and Chagas disease claims an estimated 13,000 lives annually. This project unites compatible research skills across 15 partner institutions in Europe and South America to study the disease in different endemic areas.
- Improve and standardise techniques for genotyping T. cruzi.
- Improve our understanding of the population genetics of T. cruzi
- Sequence the genome of T. cruzi lineage I.
- Develop lineage specific immunological diagnosis.
- Pilot studies to evaluate T. cruzi lineage specific associations with 1) Clinical outcome; 2) Congenital infection; 3) Cellular infectivity; & 4) Susceptibility to trypanocidal drugs.