Canada

McGill University

Expertise

The Institute of Parasitolology at McGill Universty has expertise in molecular parasitology, with a special emphasis on understanding the mechanisms of anthelmintic resistance. It has experience with developing DNA-based diagnostic tests to detect anthelmintic resistance in parasitic worms in both people and animals. Pyrosequencing and LAMP- based assays have been designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms in the β-tubulin genes that have been associated with benzimidazole resistance in parasitic worms.

Role in the project

To assess the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the β-tubulin genes., the Institute of Parasitology will analyze DNA from stool samples containing eggs of soil-transmitted helminths collected during the Starworms study.

Team members

From left to right: Roger Prichard, Kathy Keller, Nour Rashwan

Main publications linked to the project

• Rashwan N et al., 2017. Rapid genotyping of β-tubulin polymorphisms in Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides associated with benzimidazole drug resistance. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11(1):e0005205.
• Rashwan N et al., 2016. Isothermal diagnostic assays for monitoring single nucleotide polymorphisms in Necator americanus associated with benzimidazole drug resistance. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 10:e0005113.
• Diawara A et al., 2013. Association between response to albendazole treatment and β-tubulin genotype frequencies in soil-transmitted helminths. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 7:e2247.
• Diawara A et al., 2013. Molecular and biological diagnostic tests for monitoring benzimidazole resistance in human soil-transmitted helminths. Am J Trop Med Hyg 88:1052–1061.
• Diawara A et al., 2009. Assays to detect β-tubulin codon 200 polymorphism in Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 3:e397.

Back to overview