Molecular epidemiology of Leishmania in samples from dog and humans, its implications to public health in the region of Bauru, São Paulo

• Grant number: 12/21145-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Virgínia Bodelão Richini Pereira
• Grantee: Virgínia Bodelão Richini Pereira
• Host Institution: Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Andrea de Faria Fernandes Belone ; Patrícia Sammarco Rosa

Abstract

Zoonoses caused by trypanosomatids are diseases with severe sanitary, social and economic consequences all over the world. Leishmaniases are caused by several protozoan species of the genus Leishmania which mainly affect humans and dogs. Identification of endemic areas based on the pathogen detection is of extreme importance for epidemiological studies aimed at learning the species that circulate in a certain focus of disease transmission. In this study, blood and tissue samples from dogs and humans from 39 municipalities of Bauru Region, São Paulo State, will be assessed; of these, 25 already have notification of cases of human and/or canine visceral and/or tegumentary leishmaniasis in the period 1998-2012. Techniques to characterize the biological, immunological and molecular profile of isolates from this area will be employed. In addition, education campaigns will be conducted in order to multiply information in public health. Thus, the present proposal aims to accumulate information about both the parasite and the host, since such data can be useful in phylogenetic studies to prevent the disease, as well as to develop drugs and/or vaccines. (AU)