Advancing Mycobacterium leprae transmission research: Insights from the R2STOP fund.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, remains a significant global health issue.
• Transmission pathways of M. leprae are not fully understood, hindering effective control.
• The Research to Stop Transmission of Neglected Tropical Diseases (R2STOP) fund was established to address this knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the R2STOP fund's project selection process.
• To summarize the impact and findings of R2STOP-funded research on M. leprae transmission.
• To illustrate collective progress in understanding leprosy transmission.

Main Methods:

• R2STOP prioritized research on human-to-human transmission, non-human reservoirs, host-pathogen interactions, and transmission networks.
• A rigorous selection process involved remote and in-person proposal reviews by a Scientific Review Committee.
• A total budget of CAD one million funded six research projects.

Main Results:

• Funded projects investigated diverse transmission aspects, including persistent transmission in the Comoros, the role of patients and soil, tick-borne transmission, and biomarkers.
• Research also focused on ofloxacin resistance in India and developing methods for growing M. leprae axenically.
• The program involved 24 students and resulted in 29 scientific publications.

Conclusions:

• The R2STOP funding scheme significantly advanced the understanding of M. leprae transmission pathways.
• The initiative highlighted the importance of dedicated funding for neglected aspects of leprosy control.
• Ongoing research is supported by the Leprosy Research Initiative.