The partnership between Mainz University Medical Center and the Department of Paediatrics at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal has been in place since 2019. The partners are working together on a clinical study to identify the pathogens that lead to paediatric eosinophilia (see below).\r
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Context: \r
Infections caused by parasites are not uncommon in Nepal. Eosinophilia is a reaction of the immune system to parasites or allergies causing symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, weight loss, chest and abdominal pain or ascites. Often, the exact cause of eosinophilia is not known, making it difficult to target treatment.\r
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Activities:\r
-\tCollecting stool samples in children with eosinophilia, subsequent DNA sequencing and bioinformation analysis in Germany \r
-\tConducting a study on the aetiology of paediatric eosinophilia in Dhulikhel \r
-\tTraining Nepalese doctors on how to work with the data sets from the evaluations and how to use them in a clinical context\r
-\tTraining for German doctors on rare parasites in Nepal \r
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Result: \r
By identifying the parasite causing the disease, children are treated appropriately and measures for targeted prevention are developed. \r