Tailoring the Management of Tick-Borne Diseases Based on the Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens (TalkToTick)
Project leader: Dr. Snežana Tomanović
Project collaborators: Dr. Ratko Sukara, Dr. Dušan Škiljević, Dr. Dragana Marković, Dr. Gorana Veinović, Dr. Valentina Ćirković, Dr. Jasmina Poluga, Dr. Elizabeta Ristanović, Dr. Korana Kocić, Dr. Kaja Damnjanović, Dr. Jovan Malinić, Dr. Darko Mihaljica, Dr. Milica Kuručki
Duration of the project: 2023-2026.
Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade
Collaborating institutions: Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade
Description of the project:
TalkToTick (Tailoring Management of Tick-Borne Diseases Based on Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens) is a research project funded through the PRIZMA Programme of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia. The project aims to improve our understanding of the risks that ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose to human health. It addresses the apparent discrepancy between the remarkable diversity of ticks and the pathogens they carry and the relatively small number of clinically confirmed cases of tick-borne diseases. Through an integrated approach combining investigations of tick and pathogen diversity, molecular characterisation of pathogens, and analyses of clinical and epidemiological data, the project seeks to determine to what extent tick-borne diseases in Serbia remain unrecognised or are misdiagnosed.
A particular focus of the project is to identify the factors influencing the occurrence and clinical outcomes of tick-borne infections, including differences in the virulence of locally circulating pathogen strains, limitations of current diagnostic methods, and the level of awareness of tick-borne diseases. The findings are expected to contribute to improved diagnostics, more accurate risk assessment, and the development of more effective strategies for the surveillance, prevention, and management of tick-borne diseases in Serbia.
Тип пројекта:
National Projects