DNA biosensors could be a new tool against schistosomiasis

An international team has teamed up to develop a DNA biosensor that can detect and distinguish between different types of disease-causing parasites. schistosomiasis.

In a study published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical DiseasesThe team of researchers from Imperial College London, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia and the National Institute of Medical Research in Tanzania have announced a new DNA biosensor that could be an important tool in preventing schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis, better known in Brazil as “water belly”, is a parasitic disease caused by snail and slug larvae that accumulate in water or soil.

Widespread in Africa, South America, Asia, and the French island of Corsica, this disease is potentially fatal, causing at least 280,000 deaths per year on the African continent alone.

The way to prevent and control the disease is through the use of drugs, dredging contaminated water and soil, as well as improved sanitation. However, these methods are time consuming and often difficult to implement.

With the development of the DNA biosensor, the researchers hope to speed up the detection process and learn more accurately and quickly what type of parasite is infecting that area, so they can be more assertive in the fight.

The biosensor already distinguishes between the two types of schistosomes, and the identification band is expected to increase soon. The work will continue, and now they want to implement drug resistance testing of infectious agents.

With better detection tools, it will be easier prevention.

ARTICLE PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010632