ERANET-LAC PROJECT: DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HELMINTHIC NEGLECTED DISEASES

FRANCHINI GISELA; KOZIOL URIEL; BRUNETTI ENRICO; ROSENZVIT MARA CECILIA; BELGAMO JULIAN; MARICONTI MARA; CASULLI ADRIANO; CÓRSICO BETINA; PÉREZ M.G; CUCHER MARCELA; CASTILLO ESTELA; BREHM KLAUS

Congreso; 28th World Congress of Echinococcosis 2019; 2019

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Our project aims at developing new therapeutic and diagnostic tools to contribute to the control of neglected diseases caused by helminthic parasites, such as cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specific Echinococcus molecules are being evaluated as new therapeutic/diagnosis targets using bioinformatics, molecular biology, biochemistry and biophysical methods integrated with relevant clinical and epidemiological information.RESULTS: The evaluation as therapeutic targets of highly expressed, specific molecules that may exert essential functions for the parasite, such as microRNAs and lipid binding proteins is underway. The small RNAs and proteins actively secreted by larval stages of the parasites are being characterized to assess their potential as biomarkers. Ultrasound surveys and sera collection from humans affected by CE are being performed in order to link the potentially new biomarkers in the stage specific Approach according to WHOIWGE (Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis).CONCLUSION: The expected outcomes of the project are the development of new compounds that bind and inhibit essential and unique molecules of these parasites and to find new detection tools, to improve the status of both treatment and early diagnosis of these complex and neglected diseases.