LEISHNATDRUG-R: Molecular tools for monitoring emergence and spreading of drug resistance among natural population of leishmania

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0089

Key words (English)

Leishmania; drug resistance; antimonials;
Coordination; Cooperation; Economic Aspects; Scientific Research

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: ICA4-2001-10076

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 2.3 Developing countries

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève HUG
Département de médecine communautaire
Unité de médecine des voyages et migrations

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Prins Leopold Instituut, Antwerpen (B)

Abstract (English)

Leishmaniasis is a severe health problem in DCs and Europe. Pentavalent antimonials (SbV)will remain the first line drug for the forthcoming years. Control is being challenged by increased SbV resistance. Our aim is to desig molecular tools for detecting emergence and spreading of drug resistance in visceral and mucocutaneous leishmaniases. To achieve this, we will obtain samples from SbV susceptible and refractory patients (Nepal, Bolivia, Peru ), identify molecular modifications associated with SbV resistance in FIELD isolates, transfer this Knowledge into molecular tools for drug resistance diagnosis, and define the population structure of sensitive and resistant isolates for understanding the epidemiological dynamics of drug resistance.

Outputs:
- collection of naturally resistant parasites;
- knowledge on natural mechanisms generating SbV resistance and its transmission;
- PCR tools for preventing therapeutic failure and guidelines for their use in epidemiological surveillance.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0089