Team:Aberdeen Scotland/Project/Methods

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<h1><i>E. coli</i>-based Trypanosomiasis Diagnostic System</h1>
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<h1>Current Methods</h1>
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<p>Getting back at the Sleeping sickness by detecting it early.</p>
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<p>Diagnostics and Treatment</p>
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<p>The goal of our project is to to develop a novel method for diagnosing Trypanosomiasis. Our aim is to provide a simpler, cheaper alternative to current methods that would be more versatile in developing countries and their remote regions. We wish to create a test that would be portable, endure harsh environmental conditions and most importantly be sensitive to the early stages of the disease.</p>
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<p>Given proper facilities, it is possible to diagnose using Card Agglutination Tests (CATT) for stage 1 and lumbar punctures with visual identification by microscopy for stage 2. Treatment is through infusions of pentamidine or suramin during stage 1. Stage 2 requires eflornithine in combination with nifurtimox. Drug resistance is not currently a great issue.</p>
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<p>All current forms of diagnostics require access to electricity for microscopes, rockers, centrifuges, and refrigeration.</p>
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<p>Most sufferers are living in poor and remote areas with limited access to adequate health services, which complicates the surveillance and therefore the diagnosis and treatment of cases. In addition, displacement of populations, war and poverty are important factors that facilitate transmission. This means that villagers are effectively given a death sentence once infected.</p>
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Revision as of 22:54, 14 August 2014

Team:Aberdeen Scotland/Project/Methods - 2014.ogem.org



Current Methods

Diagnostics and Treatment


Given proper facilities, it is possible to diagnose using Card Agglutination Tests (CATT) for stage 1 and lumbar punctures with visual identification by microscopy for stage 2. Treatment is through infusions of pentamidine or suramin during stage 1. Stage 2 requires eflornithine in combination with nifurtimox. Drug resistance is not currently a great issue.

All current forms of diagnostics require access to electricity for microscopes, rockers, centrifuges, and refrigeration.

Most sufferers are living in poor and remote areas with limited access to adequate health services, which complicates the surveillance and therefore the diagnosis and treatment of cases. In addition, displacement of populations, war and poverty are important factors that facilitate transmission. This means that villagers are effectively given a death sentence once infected.



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