Dr. Rafal Tokarz is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center, where he directs the Center for Infection and Immunity. Dr. Tokarz is a leading expert in microbial discovery and the epidemiology of human infectious diseases, with a primary emphasis on tick-borne pathogens. His research focuses on developing and applying advanced molecular diagnostic tools, particularly next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, to identify and characterize infectious agents in clinical specimens.
Dr. Tokarz has made significant contributions to the field through the development of innovative capture sequencing assays that enable detection of multiple pathogens simultaneously with superior sensitivity compared to conventional molecular diagnostics. His work has been deployed globally for outbreak response, surveillance programs, and analysis of previously undiagnosed clinical specimens through collaborations with the NIH, CDC, WHO, and Ministries of Health in numerous countries. His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and has direct applications to improving diagnosis and clinical care of tick-borne diseases.
Project Description:
Bartonella is an emerging tick-borne pathogen that has been detected in ticks across the United States and around the world. There is growing evidence that Bartonella may be transmitted by ticks and could co-infect patients with Lyme disease, potentially worsening disease outcomes. However, the role of Bartonella in tick-borne disease remains controversial, largely because current diagnostic tests lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity to reliably detect the organism in patient blood samples.
This project aims to develop and validate a highly sensitive molecular assay specifically designed to detect Bartonella directly in patient blood. Using advanced next-generation sequencing technology, Dr. Tokarz will create a diagnostic tool that can simultaneously detect multiple tick-borne pathogens with unprecedented sensitivity. This research will help clarify whether Bartonella is indeed transmitted by ticks and plays a role in Lyme disease co-infections, ultimately improving diagnosis and treatment for patients with tick-borne illnesses.