Research on the Development of a Rapid Diagnostic Method for Leishmaniasis

🔴 Research on the Development of a Rapid Diagnostic Method for Leishmaniasis

📍 Mr. Dej-Ism Khaothong, Deputy Minister of Public Health and Chairman of the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), visited the exhibition of research findings on “Development of a rapid diagnostic method for local Leishmaniasis strains found in Thailand” at the HSRI 2025 Academic Conference, “Innovations for a Stronger Thai Health System.” He was accompanied by Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Director of HSRI, Ms. Bunyavee Ueasiriwan, Research Manager, Genomics Research and Development Division, HSRI, and Mr. Kantapon Tanguthairuang, Project Management Officer, HSRI, who presented the information. The event took place at the Aswin Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok.

📌 Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania spp., transmitted by sandflies. Epidemiological data is from the Department of Disease Control. The Ministry of Public Health found that from 1996 to 2025, 45 cases of leishmaniasis were reported in Thailand, with 7 deaths. In 2025, 2 cases of leishmaniasis were reported, with 1 death.

🔬 Development of Diagnostic Testing: In-depth study of the genomes of normal leishmaniasis strains isolated from patients in Thailand was conducted to create a reference genome database. This was compared with the genomes of drug-resistant strains, and a diagnostic test using the TaqMan qPCR technique was developed. This technique utilizes primers and probes specific to the genetic locations of L. martiniquensis (ITS1) and L. orientalis (HSP70-I IR), which are endemic leishmaniasis strains prevalent in Thailand. This newly developed diagnostic method allows doctors to accurately and quickly identify strains of the bacteria, reduces diagnostic costs, decreases the risk of complications, reduces drug resistance, and lowers mortality rates, especially among immunocompromised patients, who are often socially disadvantaged.