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PARAsite Detection, Isolation and Evaluation (EJP PARADISE)

01/2020-06/2022

Funding programme / funding institution: Europäische Union

Grant number: 773830

Project homepage: https://onehealthejp.eu/jrp-paradise/

Project description:

Foodborne parasites (FBPs) are major contributors to the global burden of gastrointestinal disease. In Europe, according to recent estimates, protozoa of the genera Cryptosporidium and Giardia are of particular relevance. These parasites are transmitted through direct and indirect routes, and cause large outbreaks linked to contaminated water and food. Outbreak investigation and source attribution remain difficult, also due to the existence of genetically highly variable species and genotypes of zoonotic origin.

PARADISE aims to deliver informative typing schemes and innovative detection strategies applicable to food matrices for both parasites. Using NGS technologies (genomics and metagenomics), the project will generate much needed data that will enrich our understanding of the epidemiology and genomics of these organisms, and provide the basis on which improved strain-typing schemes will be developed and rigorously tested. In parallel, strategies (nanobodies, aptamers, use of hybridization probes) to enrich for the target pathogens in different matrices will also be developed and tested. Furthermore, PARADISE will engage in multicentre studies to validate the newly developed methods, testing their applicability across the spectrum of relevant matrices in an unprecedented effort at the EU level. These new methodologies will form the basis for integrated approaches aimed at controlling FBPs in the European food chain.

Project partners:

• National Veterinary Instiute (Schweden)
• ANSES - Französisch Agentur für Lebensmittel, Umwelt und Arbeitssicherheit
• Rijksinstituut Voor Volksgezondheid En Milieu
• Robert Koch-Institut
• Statens Serum Institute
• University of Surrey

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