The overall goal of this project is to develop innovative molecular diagnostic assays for rapid and inexpensive detection of typhoid fever as well as to better understand its molecular mechanisms and host response to facilitate the development of next-generation typhoid fever vaccines.
Objectives of the project are to:
- Define typhoid fever-specific host response classifier genes using gene expression microarrays.
- Discover specific serum anti-typhoid fever proteins using newly established S. Typhi proteome microarrays.
- Develop prototype serologic assay for acute typhoid.
- Validate classifier genes and filed-test prototype ELISAs using new, independent cohorts.