2017, Number 3
Leishmania and leishmaniasis. Twenty years of research at Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute: contributions and perspectives
Montalvo ÁAM, Monzote FL
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 1-19
PDF size: 202.34 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of the genus Leishmania. These protozoan parasites do not circulate autochthonously in Cuba, but imported cases may be found. There are three main clinical forms, and various methods are used to make the diagnosis. Among these are parasitological, serological and more recently molecular methods. The treatment of choice is pentavalent antimonials, though they have drawbacks which have led to the search for new therapeutic alternatives.Objectives: summarize the work results obtained from the study of Leishmania for twenty years and explain the reasons fostering training, professional development and research about this condition at Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute.
Methods: a bibliometric study was conducted and an analysis was performed of all the results obtained by the Leishmania group at Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute in twenty years. All the materials published by the group were consulted, and determination was made of the fundamental results obtained in the main research lines.
Results:
a description is provided of the most important contributions in research areas such as DNA immunization, molecular diagnosis and the search for new therapeutic alternatives, and readers are directed to the publications containing the details of each study. Mention is made of the main forms of cooperation with national and foreign institutions. Comments are provided on the future perspectives of the work of the research group.
Conclusions: the group has engaged in research lines of interest, and is responsible for the greatest contribution to the country in the field of research about the study parasite, in keeping with its mission. A challenge for the years to come is to maintain the continuity of the research, contribute to the solution of some problems still to be solved concerning this parasitic disease, and the application of the results obtained.