Special Pathogens

The Special Pathogens Program provides Canada’s diagnostic and reference services for risk group 4 (RG4) and selected other pathogens. Field and surveillance support is also made available nationally and internationally. Innovative research on RG4 and selected other pathogens as well as training of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and international partners are additional important focuses of the program. Research interests include investigations on the molecular biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and host immune responses of RG4 and selected other pathogens as well as the development of clinical modalities to cure or prevent infections (e.g. antivirals, vaccines etc.). Developing sensitive and specific diagnostic tests and systems to detect and monitor RG4 and selected other pathogens is also a priority, including approaches that can be used successfully in field studies and outbreak settings.