Diagnostic technology development

Guided by a Technical Advisory Group, contractors will conduct applied research on promising technologies, field test select technologies, and promote technology transfer. Contractors will conduct laboratory-based applied research aimed at developing kits which adapt promising technologies to LDC needs and capabilities. For malaria diagnosis, research will aim at increasing the sensitivity of two technologies - a DNA hybridization test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies - and at selecting indicator systems for these technologies which are simple, visually readable, and use heat stable reagants. For viral diarrheal disease diagnosis, research will be conducted on a second generation ELISA test using monoclonal antibodies; bacterial research includes developing a panel of tests aimed at identifying particular strains of Escherichia coli using a single stool sample. Candidate technologies for research on diagnosing acute respiratory infections include, inter alia, coagglutination for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae, immunofluorescent assays for detecting respiratory syncytial virus, and DNA or RNA hybridization techniques. Both existing technologies and those developed under the project will be field tested in coordination with international, regional, and national agencies and institutions before they are adopted for routine use. Field tests of technologies for diagnosing malaria will be coordinated with A.I.D."s malaria vaccine development project. Operations research will identify transferable technologies on the basis of their usefulness in treatment and public health planning. Contractors will also develop training materials and provide training courses, symposia, and/or workshops to LDC public health planners and health care providers in the use of these technologies. They will also provide TA to help LDC institutions plan, implement, and evaluate the technologies. Efforts will be made to ensure that the private sector (both U.S. and LDC) plays a major role in the transfer of technology to LDC"s.