The continuation of the hospital partnership between the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Bugando Medical Center aims to expand and establish laboratory methods for detecting malaria and vector-borne pathogens in the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania.
Background:
Malaria and other acute febrile diseases are one of the main causes of child mortality in Tanzania. Due to the lack of diagnostic tools to differentiate between the various potentially causative pathogens, incorrect treatment decisions are often made. New diagnostic tools therefore need to be developed to identify and distinguish between the vector-borne pathogens that are present.
Activities:
-\tMonitoring collected samples for resistance to antimalarial medication
-\tApplying precise diagnostic tests to reduce the misclassification of mosquito-borne diseases
-\tReducing unnecessary antibiotic and malaria treatment so as to prevent the emergence of resistance
Impact:
Thanks to the creation of a treatment based on rapid malaria tests, unnecessary forms of treatment can be avoided. The systematic monitoring of pathogens also enables epidemics to be detected at an early stage and prophylactic measures such as vaccinations and medication to be developed.