Research Overview
Early and accurate detection and identification of causative pathogens are crucial for effective infectious disease treatment. However, there are few tests that can be easily performed in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, we are focusing on developing methods, primarily utilizing isothermal gene amplification techniques, to enable rapid and simple pathogen detection anywhere in the world. Our goal is to contribute to global infectious disease control through this development.
In addition, we are working on developing methods to easily detect various antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, which have become a growing global concern.
Key Research Achievements
- Lodh N, Mikita K, Bosompem KM, Anyan WK, Quartey JK, Otchere J, Shiff CJ. Point of care diagnosis of multiple schistosome parasites: Species-specific DNA detection in urine by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Acta Trop 2017; 173: 125-129.
- Mikita K, Thakur K, Anstey NM, Piera KA, Pardo CA, Weinberg JB, Mukemba J, Florence S, Mwaikambo ED, Granger DL, Sullivan DJ. Quantification of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 in cerebrospinal spinal fluid from cerebral malaria patients. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014;91(3):486-92.
- Mikita K, Maeda T, Yoshikawa S, Ono T, Miyahira Y, Kawana A. The Direct Boil-LAMP method: a simple and rapid diagnostic method for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Parasitol Int. 2014;63(6):785-9.