Dr. G. (Govert) van Dam

In 1987 I graduated with a major in analytical chemistry at the University of Utrecht. To pursue a career towards tropical diseases I took up a Ph.D. in schistosomiasis host-parasite relationships, which I concluded in 1995 (cum laude).

Since 1997, I participated in multiple immunoepidemiological studies in endemic settings in Africa (a.o. Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe) and China, leading to the development of field-friendly, accurate diagnostics using detection of schistosome antigens CAA and CCA.

Recently I am also engaged in initiatives to make these diagnostics available as affordable commercial rapid diagnostic tests (following REASSURED criteria).

Current research focused on the validation and implementation of these assays in resource-limited settings, simultaneously maintaining optimal sensitivity and specificity as well as allowing detection down to single worm infections in laboratory and experimental studies. UCP-LF CAA assay is developed in close collaboration with Dr. Paul Corstjens (CCB).

Rapid diagnostic field test been made available from company in South-Africa as a commercial assay (urine POC-CCA, www.rapid-diagnostics.com), now being recommended by WHO as replacement of Kato-Katz microscopy. Implementation of the POC-CCA in rural test-and-treat clinical settings was evaluated in an EDCTP funded clinical trial in Madagascar, www.freeBILy.eu. Use of digital imaging and mobile health applications on further application of POC-CCA in rural settings is studied through the MEDSCAN project.

UCP-LF CAA assay is used for routine clinical diagnosis and in experimental and immunoepidemiological studies.