Scientific research into tuberculosis and leprosy
For over 60 years, Damien Foundation has been internationally renowned for its medical expertise in support of vulnerable people affected by tuberculosis and skin-related neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy and leishmaniasis.
Innovation and scientific research are at the heart of our activities, as they are indispensable for the eventual elimination of these diseases. In our empirical research, we work in close collaboration with our partners (local authorities, public health facilities, foundations and companies, national and international NGOs, universities and research institutes).
Research topics
Our research topics include technological innovations (geographical data analysis instruments, artificial intelligence, new diagnostic methods, etc.), prevention, diagnosis and treatment (especially of side effects and resistance to medications), and scientific research into the organisation of healthcare systems, the rehabilitation of people affected by disease, and their socio-economic reintegration.
Scientific research into antimicrobial resistance in tuberculosis
Damien Foundation performs extensive research into antimicrobial resistance in tuberculosis, including in Niger, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Guinea. Aiming to curb the spread of resistant strains worldwide, we’re looking into faster diagnostic methods and alternative treatment plans.
Scientific research into preventive treatments for leprosy
In the Comoros, Damien Foundation is collaborating with the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp to carry out cutting-edge research into preventive treatments for leprosy. By administering antibiotics to the close relations of people with leprosy, we managed to reduce the risk of them also contracting the disease by no less than 44%. The same preventive approach was used in Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bolivia.
Scientific publications
Scientific publications in 2026
- Preliminary outcomes of the first population-based project on pulmonary rehabilitation for post-TB lung disease. Rifat, M. Piubello, A. Islam, S. Rahman, T. Chakma, P. Kamruzzaman Rony, S.M. Dutta, T.K D’Ambrosio, L. Centis, R. Migliori, G.B. IJTLD Chronic Respiratory Disease. 2026
- Feasibility and efficacy of a population-based pulmonary rehabilitation for post-tuberculosis lung disease in Bangladesh. Rifat M, Silva DR, Mahmud AM, Bennoor KS, D’Ambrosio L, Centis R, Ardesi F, Visca D, Piubello A, Migliori GB. Int J Infect Dis. 2026
- Drug-resistant tuberculosis in war and complex emergencies: jeopardising progress towards TB elimination and antimicrobial resistance control – a scoping review and perspective. Monedero-Recuero I, Wei X, Jouberton F, Duarte R, Rodríguez-Ortega M, Santiago MRT, Adekunle AO, Daru P, Felker I, Conradie F, Isani AK, Chiang CY, Mahmoud M, Hamdan HM, Sharma S, Skrahina A, Thuy HTT, Wei S. BMJ Glob Health. 2026
- Feasibility and outcomes of diabetes mellitus screening in people with tuberculosis in Burundi. Ciza F, Sawadogo M, Nsanzerugeze J, Roggi A, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Ndabaniwe E, Munezero B, Nimpagaritse M, Gils T. Int Health. 2026
- Demographic and clinical profile of patients with leprosy in Lagos, Nigeria: a 17-year retrospective study. Cole-Adeife O, Dairo G, Agaga L, Ajose F. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2026
- Fifteen years of rifampicin-resistant TB control in Niger: high countrywide treatment uptake and success. Maman Lawan I, Decroo T, Souleymane MB, Soumana A, Aboubacar CL, Gagara A, Hamissou Moussa R, Kabirou Amoussa AA, Hamidou I, Hamidou Moussa S, Adamou M, Adehossi E, Mamadou S, Catherine de Jong B, Rigouts L, Lorent N, Doutchi M, Piubello A. IJTLD Open. 2026
- Breaking barriers in extensively drug-resistant TB: pretomanid-centred long regimen achieves cure in a bedaquiline-resistant strain. Schiuma M, Piubello A, Saluzzo F, Cattaneo D, Salari F, Covizzi A, Rizzo A, Fama F, Ciubotariu C, Lombardi A, Antinori S, Riva A, Cirillo DM, Gori A, Torre IJTLD Open. 2026
- Evaluating Treatment and Safety Outcomes of a Shorter Regimen for Drug-Resistant TB in Nigeria: An Implementation Research Study. Babawale V, Adesigbin C, Merle CS, Veronese V, Sall FB, Sombie BS, Jiya-Chitumu EN, Onyeaghala C, Oyefabi AM, Owolabi RS, Eltaye O, Ige O, Sam O, Akaniro O, Lawanson A, Ombeka V, Fadeyi M. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2026
- Prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolates and pulmonary disease from respiratory tract samples in persons investigated for presumed tuberculosis from three West African countries, an analysis of three prospective cohort studies. Abbew ET, Bassirou SM, Ahmadu I, Adu JB, Laryea R, Amenyo RPF, Sorvor F, Poku YA, Obiri-Yeboah D, Decroo T, Lynen L, Lorent N, Rigouts L. BMC Infect Dis. 2026
- A drug-resistant TB cluster in a refugee family with Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSDM). Boktor HAZ, Monedero-Recuero I, Al Shatnawi A, Halaseh H, Nejm MA, Satyanarayana S, Wilson N, Dent R, Maaia I, Okkeh K. IJTLD Open. 2026
- End-user global study to identify countries’ challenges and solutions in the uptake and implementation of new tuberculosis treatment regimens. Global Tuberculosis Network and FAST-TB End-User Survey Group. 2026
Scientific publications in 2025
In 2025, Damien Foundation was involved in scientific research into tropical diseases.
- Yield of community outreach events for TB screening. Rifat M, Faisal SM, Naher KM, Biswas DK, Piubello A, Hambridge T, Migliori GB. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. 2025.
- Drivers of Lassa fever in an endemic area of southwestern Nigeria (2017-2021): An epidemiological study. Cadmus S, Akinseye V, Cadmus E, Famokun G, Fagbemi S, Ogunde G, Philip A, Ansumana R, Ayinmode A, Taiwo O, Oluwayelu D, Tomori O, Odemuyiwa S. PLOS One. 2025 Jun 25
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Optimal dosing and duration of linezolid for the treatment of multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: an individual patient data meta-analysis. Kwak N, Kim JY, Han A, Berry C, Beumont M, Tweed C, Crook A, Dheda K, Fabiane S, Fadeyi MO. European Respiratory Journal. 2025 Aug 22.
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Management of individuals exposed to multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. Seddon JA, Achar J, Malik AA, Hughes J, Burzynski J, Chen C, Denholm JT, Dravniece G, Fox GJ, Furin J, Geliukh E, Goncharova O, Guglielmetti L, Harries AD, Hesseling AC, Nguyen BH, Kavenga F, Khan U, Kherabi Y, Kiria N, Kock Y, Liu Q, Mesic A, Moore DAJ, Mubanga A, Naidoo L, Nilsen D, Piubello A. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2025 Jun 5.
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Using linezolid as a substitute for the injectable in case of ototoxicity is safer and as effective as all-oral treatment for rifampicin-resistant TB. Souleymane MB, Decroo T, Soumana A, Lawan IM, Aboubacar AC, Gagara-Issoufou A, Moussa RH, Kabirou AA, Hamidou I, Moussa SH, Adamou M, Adehossi E, Mamadou S, de Jong BC, Rigouts L, Piubello A. IJTLD Open. 2025 Aug 13.
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Exploration of tongue dorsum sampling to support clinical diagnosis of leprosy patients in the Comoros: A cross-sectional study. Krausser L, Van Nieuwenhove M, Attoumani N, Grillone SH, Van Dyck-Lippens M, Rigouts L, Baco A, Abdou W, Mzembaba A, Hasker E, Assoumani Y, de Jong BC, Braet SM. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2025 Sep 17.
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Assessing the feasibility of an intensified extended contact survey (IECS) compared to passive household screening for leprosy in Bangladesh. Naher K, Rifat M, Biswas DK, Faisal SM, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Hasker E. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2025.
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Improving tuberculosis diagnosis: evaluation of tongue swabbing as a complementary method to sputum analysis in Guinea. Hassane-Harouna S, Condé M, Bah K, Braet SM, Van Dyck-Lippens M, Ruhwald M, Gaichiri M, De Vos M, De Jong BC, Rigouts L. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2025
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Demographic and clinical profile of leprosy patients in Lagos, Nigeria: a 17-year retrospective study. Cole-Adeife O, Dairo G, Agaga L, Ajose F. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2025
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Roadmap towards zero leprosy, Pakistan. Fastenau A, Murtaza A, Salam A, Iqbal M, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Schlumberger F, Unterkircher SC, Treml E, Hambridge T, Hasker E, Schmotzer C, Saunderson P. Bull World Health Organ.
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Geospatial tools in leprosy elimination: Enhancing precision in active case detection and resource allocation. Fastenau A, Gadah DAY, Bakoubayi AW, Gnossike P, Schwermann F, Willis M, Schlumberger F, Hambridge T, Vedithi SC, Stuetzle SCW, Deps PD, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N. PLOS Digit Health. 2025
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Understanding stigma: The experiences of people with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Stein R, Fastenau A, Aman H, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Schmotzer C, Unterkircher SC, Pilot E. PLoS One. 2025
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From Knowledge to Practice: The Effect of Multimodal Strategies on Hand Hygiene Improvement in Tunisia. Ben Jmaa M, Ben Hmida M, Ben Ayed H, Maamri H, Trigui M, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Sargsyan A, Kassis M, Zachariah R, Yaich S. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2025
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Challenges and opportunities in the development and implementation of zero leprosy roadmaps in low-endemic settings: Experiences from Bolivia, Pakistan, and Togo. Fastenau A, Schwermann F, Mora AB, Maman I, Hambridge T, Willis M, Vedithi SC, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025
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Tracing leprosy trends in Pakistan: a two-decade analysis of geographic and demographic shifts (2001-2023). Fastenau A, Van Heesewijk NS, Willis M, Saunderson P, Schlumberger F, Murtaza A, Iqbal M, Salam A, Unterkircher SC, Treml E, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Hambridge T. BMC Glob Public Health. 2025
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Non-exanthematous mpox infections in Nigeria: a possible explanation of the sporadic outbreaks in city centers? Cadmus S, Besong M, Akinseye V, Ayanwale S, Ayinmode A, Oluwayelu D, Ebenyi H, Fowotade A, Olisa M, Sampson E, Nwanga E, Orum TG, Alayande O, Ansumana R, Cadmus E, Odemuyiwa S, Tomori O. Pan Afr Med J. 2025
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Pakistan on the Road to Zero Leprosy, an analysis of routine data for the period 1980-2022: a retrospective cohort study. Iqbal M, Fastenau A, Salam A, Sadia II, Fernandes I, Murtaza A, Ali MA, Willis M, Unterkircher SCW, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Schlumberger F, Hambridge T, Cloots K, Schmotzer C, Hasker E. Lancet Glob Health. 2025
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Large-scale field application of a fingerstick blood test for Mycobacterium leprae infection: Monitoring population-wide effects of case finding and post-exposure prophylaxis on transmission in the Comoros and Madagascar. Pierneef L, Braet SM, de Jong D, Ramboarina S, van Hooij A, Abdou MW, Ortuno-Gutierrez N, Snijders R, Maharavo L, Grillone SH, Randrianantoandro A, Rakoto-Andrianarivelo M, Rasamoelina T, Hasker E, Corstjens P, de Jong BC, Cauchoix B, Assoumani Y, Geluk A. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025
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Barriers to leprosy elimination in Bolivia: Exploring perspectives and experiences of medical professionals and leprosy patients-A phenomenological study. Messa Carmona P, Chaudhuri N, Mora AB, Paniagua DZ, Willis M, Schlumberger F, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Fastenau A. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025
- Poor glycemic control among people with diabetes mellitus is associated with tuberculosis infection: a cross-sectional study in Nepal. Shrestha SK, Koirala S, Bhattarai PR, Gautam R, Hasker E, Mitchell E BMC Infect Dis. 202
Scientific publications in 2024
In 2024, researchers associated with Damien Foundation published a number of articles on tuberculosis and leprosy.
- Armand Van Deun ‐ pioneering public health physician (1953–2023). Rieder HL, Declercq E, Rigouts L, Piubello A, Billo NE, Ba F, et al. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease [Internet]. 2024 Jan 1;28(1):68–9.
- Feasibility of post-exposure-prophylaxis with single-dose rifampicin and identification of high prevalent clusters in villages’ hyperendemic for leprosy in Senegal. Batista G, Dioussé P, Diagne PM, Cissé M, Tamba IT, Diop F, et al. Blacksell SD, editor. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases [Internet]. 2024 Feb 1;18(2):e0011755.
- Community-Based Intervention for Active Detection and Provision of Single-Dose Rifampicin Post-Exposure Prophylaxis to Household Contacts of Leprosy in Bolivia. Baptista Mora, A.; Ortuño-Gutiérrez, N.; Zurita Paniagua, D.; Hurtado Solares, C.; Fastenau, A.; Kasang, C. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2024, 9, 101.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis in leprosy (PEOPLE): a cluster randomised trial. Hasker, E., Assoumani, Y., Randrianantoandro, A., Ramboarina, S., Braet, S. M., Cauchoix, B., Baco, A., Mzembaba, A., Salim, Z., Amidy, M., Grillone, S., Attoumani, N., Grillone, S. H., Ronse, M., Peeters Grietens, K., Rakoto-Andrianarivelo, M., Harinjatovo, H., Supply, P., Snijders, R., Hoof, C., Tsoumanis, A., Suffys P., Rasamoelina, T., Corstjens, P., Ortuno-Gutierrez, N., Geluk, A., Cambau, E., de Jong, B. C. (2024). The Lancet Global Health, 12(6), e1017–e1026.
- Scrutinising delay in leprosy diagnosis in Colombia: perceptions and experiences by leprosy health professionals. Duighuisen HNW, Fastenau A, Eslava Albarracin DG, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Penna S, Kamenshchikova A. Glob Public Health. 2024;19. doi:10.1080/17441692.2024.2354777
- Strategies for leprosy services in low-endemic areas and countries. van Brakel WH, Warne G, Cambau E, Vedithi SC, Chukwu J, Ebenso J, Fenenga C, Fiebig L, Groenendijk J, Hambridge T, Kreibich S, Mieras L, Mukhier M, Nobre ML, Ouss O, Quao B, Rao P, Saadi A, Schoenmakers A, et al. Leprosy Review. 2024;95. doi:10.47276/lr.95.3.2024073
- Does the use of antenatal corticosteroids reduce respiratory morbidity in babies born in late preterm period? Shittu KA, Ahmed B, Rabiu KA, Akinlusi F, Akinola OI. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2024 May 2;24(1):334. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06304-6. PMID: 38698318; PMCID: PMC11064281.
- Feasibility and accuracy of mobile QT interval monitoring strategies in bedaquiline-enhanced prophylactic leprosy treatment. Bergeman AT, Nourdine S, Piubello A, Salim Z, Braet SM, Baco A, Grillone SH, Snijders R, Hoof C, Tsoumanis A, van Loen H, Assoumani Y, Mzembaba A, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Hasker E, van der Werf C, de Jong BC. Clinical and Translational Science. 2024 Aug;17(8):e13861. doi: 10.1111/cts.13861. PMID: 39075882; PMCID: PMC11286973.
- A four-drug standardized short regimen for highly resistant TB in South-West Nigeria. Fadeyi MO, Decroo T, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, Ahmed B, Jinadu A, El-Tayeb O, Adebola W, Kehinde A, Lynen L, Gils T. International Health. 2024 Jan 2;16(1):123-125. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihad023. PMID: 37026448; PMCID: PMC10759290.
- Impact of COVID-19 on diagnosis of tuberculosis and tuberculosis infection in South America, Asia, and Africa. Silva DR, Centis R, D’Ambrosio L, Mello FCQ, Pereira GR, Aguirre S, Al-Abri S, Al-Thohli K, Yaquobi FA, Calnan M, Teixeira RC, Inwentarz S, Palmero DJ, Piubello A, Sharma S, Souleymane MB, Soumana A, Tham SM, Thong PM, Udwadia ZF, Boom MVD, Sotgiu G, Migliori GB. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia. 2024 Jul 8;50(3):e20240077. doi: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20240077. PMID: 38985022; PMCID: PMC11449606.
- Safety of single-dose bedaquiline combined with rifampicin for leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis: A Phase 2 randomized non-inferiority trial in the Comoros Islands. de Jong BC, Nourdine S, Bergeman AT, Salim Z, Grillone SH, Braet SM, Wirdane Abdou M, Snijders R, Ronse M, Hoof C, Tsoumanis A, Ortuño-Gutiérrez N, der Werf CV, Piubello A, Mzembaba A, Assoumani Y, Hasker E. PLOS Medicine. 2024 Oct 21;21(10):e1004453. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004453. PMID: 39432509; PMCID: PMC11534270.
- Successful Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture isolation from tongue swabs: Results from both experimentally infected and clinical swabs from pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Rigouts L, Condé M, Hassane-Harouna S, Bah K, Gumusboga M, Ruhwald M, Reenaers R, Fissette K, Gaichiri M, De Vos M, De Jong BC. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease. 2024 Oct;110(2):116423. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116423. Epub 2024 Jul 6. PMID: 39121811.
- Risk factors for rifampicin resistance tuberculosis among patients attending Directly Observed Treatments Centres in Southwestern Nigeria. Cadmus S, Akinseye VO, Olagunju T, Makolo A, Falodun O, Lawal O, Babalola J, Cadmus E, Yasir O, Fadeyi M, Ahmed B, Piubello A, Ortuno Guiterrez N, El-Tayeb O. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2024 Nov 22;49:87. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2024.49.87.43958. PMID: 40027092; PMCID: PMC11871884.
- Experience of People Living with Leprosy at Leprosy Settlements in Nigeria. Edith Nnenna Utaka, 1. Gabriel Ilerioluwa Oke, Ifeanyi Nsofor, et al. April 25, 2024.
- Bedaquiline/Linezolid-containing all-oral Regimen is Less Safe with Similar Efficacy Compared to the Niger Approach for Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis. Souleymane MB, Decroo T, Soumana A, Gutiérrez NO, Adehossi E, de Jong BC, Rigouts L, Piubello A. International Journal of Mycobacteriology 13 (Abstract Supplement): p S13, July–Aug 2024. | DOI: 10.4103