DEMO-NOPERSIST

Demonstration of NOPERSIST results leading to novel, validated diagnostic tests for active human and bovine tuberculosis

EU FP7-SME project: CORDIS (DEMO-NOPERSIST)

EU FP7-SME project. Tuberculosis (TB) in humans and bovine TB in farm animals are global health problems of immense social and economic importance.

Human TB: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a slowly replicating bacillus that resides intracellularly within phagosomes of macrophages. Co-infection with M. tuberculosis is estimated in about one-third of HIV-1 infected subjects. Drug resistance and the appearance of MDR and XDR strains are leading to challenges in therapy.

Bovine TB: Caused by Mycobacterium bovis, closely related to M. tuberculosis. M. bovis can be transmitted to humans through unpasteurised milk and aerosols. Bovine TB is found worldwide; incidence is increasing in many countries.

Aims of DEMO-NOPERSIST

• Development and evaluation of prototype test kits for active human TB: the World's first blood test for discriminating latent from active TB in humans.
• Development and evaluation of prototype test kits for active bovine TB.
• To develop marketable, improved diagnostic products for human and bovine TB within 2-3 years.

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Mahavir Singh, Lionex GmbH