UNICEF, in Its Bid to Protect Future Generations, Joins with TDR | Page 2 |

No. 71 February 2004 TDR UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)

CONTENTS

2 UNICEF: a new TDR co-sponsor

4 Carlos Morel: an appreciation

6 Prospects for schistosomiasis vaccine development

9 Implementation Research: bridging the gap between efficacy trials and application

10 Vector Control Research Centre: TDR Partner

12 South-South Initiative for tropical disease research

14 Globalization, inequalities and infectious diseases

15 Latest grants

19 Publications

20 Deadlines

WHO/TDR/Crump KEYNOTE ARTICLE UNICEF, in its bid to protect future generations, joins with TDR | page 2 |

www.who.int/tdr CO-SPONSORSHIP UNICEF as a new TDR co-sponsor: strategy for shared success

CONTACT The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is UN Special Session on Children: A World Fit for the driving force that helps build a world where the Children, provide a focus for scaling up pro- rights of every child are realized.We believe that grammes for child survival. Globally, nearly 11 Dr. Pascal Villeneuve nurturing and caring for children are the corner- million children under five years of age die every Chief, Health Section stones of human progress. UNICEF was created year due to preventable diseases such as pneu- Programme Division to work with others to overcome the obstacles monia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, malnutrition UNICEF that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination and AIDS, with 90% of these deaths occurring in place in a child’s path.We advocate for measures just 42 countries, mostly in Africa and South 3 UN Plaza, New York, to give children the best start in life, because proper Asia. UNICEF is therefore supporting countries NY 10017 care at the youngest age forms the strongest to scale up cost-effective interventions to prevent Tel: +1 (212) 824 6369 foundation for a person’s future. child deaths, toward achievement of the MDG to Fax: +1 (212) 303 7924 “reduce by two-thirds the mortality rate among This UNICEF mission, and the view that the sur- children under five” by 2015. E-mail: vival, protection and development of children are [email protected] universal development imperatives that are integral “Partnerships for shared success” is one of to human progress, links well with the TDR mission UNICEF’s strategies for implementing the World to help coordinate, support and influence global Fit For Children plan of action. Collaboration with research to combat a portfolio of major diseases energetic and diverse networks at global, regional, of the poor and disadvantaged.Anchored as they national and community level has long been a are in the United Nations system, both institutions hallmark of UNICEF’s work. It has also been a share in the global authority that advises decision- source of UNICEF’s strength, as the wide and TDRnews makers, and both can rely on a variety of partners diverse network of our partners multiplies the

is published three times a year by at grassroots level to effectively turn the most impact of our efforts. the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO innovative ideas into reality. Special Programme for Research and Becoming a TDR co-sponsor is viewed by UNICEF Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). Full article text available Over the past few years, UNICEF has developed as another important “strategic partnership”, on the TDR website. a collaborative working relationship with TDR and helping to facilitate evidence-based programming All material submitted to TDRnews has intensified its participation in TDR’s discussions for children, leading to greater recognition of undergoes editorial review. Articles and illustrations published at policy level – as an observer since the fall of child health issues in the portfolio of TDR and in TDRnews which are not 2001 and as a host to the TDR Standing Committee facilitating specific collaborations of relevance to copyrighted may be reproduced, meeting at UNICEF headquarters in April 2003. child health programmes. provided credit is given to TDR and provided such reproduction is During this time, discussions were held regarding not used for commercial purposes. closer links between UNICEF and the Special In line with the TDR Strategic Emphases Matrix, Articles do not necessarily Programme.This culminated at the TDR Joint it is clear that “new basic knowledge”,“new and reflect the views of WHO. Coordinating Board (JCB) meeting in June 2003, improved tools”,“new and improved intervention Editor Nina Mattock where UNICEF was officially welcomed as a new methods”, and “new and improved strategies and Production team TDR co-sponsor.At this JCB meeting in New Delhi, policies” are required if the international com- Nicole Biros, Jocelyne Bruyère, board members and co-sponsors recognized and munity wishes to reduce significantly the current Andy Crump, Jens Kastberg underlined the strengths that UNICEF brings to high levels of infant and under-five mortality.This Design Lisa Schwarb the partnership with regard to a strong country is particularly important in the fight against the Layout Nanette Vabø presence, particularly in relation to scaling up new major child killers such as malaria, diarrhoea and and improved tools for child health. pneumonia. UNICEF recognizes that a large pro- Tel. (+41) 22 791 3725 portion of the present TDR body of work is in Fax (+41) 22 791 4854 What this means for UNICEF the area of malaria, a priority for UNICEF country E-mail [email protected] UNICEF believes that the Millennium programmes in Africa as part of the Roll Back Web www.who.int/tdr Development Goals (MDGs), and goals con- Malaria partnership. Address TDR tained in the outcome document of the 2002 World Health Organization Avenue Appia 20 · 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland

2 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 UNICEF roles and responsibilities level, in order to better understand our role and One of the four key functions of TDR is to contribution to the TDR partnership.This will encourage “intervention development and imple- include collaboration with key researchers and mentation research”.With a strong field pres- research institutions operating at the country level. ence and over 6000 staff located in developing countries, UNICEF country programmes in sup- Working in collaboration with the other TDR co- port of national health system development can sponsors, UNICEF can make use of the mechanism help to identify needed interventions and provide of the UN Country Teams to promote the work of a large-scale programme base for implementation TDR at country level, strengthen the link between research activities at the country level. health research and implementation, and raise the profile of the key role played by health research There has already been active collaboration in improving health outcomes for children. between UNICEF and TDR in the area of implementation research for home and community UNICEF is very pleased to join the Special management of malaria and pneumonia, the results Programme as a new co-sponsor, acknowledging of which have direct relevance to a more effective the many major achievements that have been community approach to the sick child. It is hoped facilitated by TDR over the years and which have that this specific collaboration will lead to expan- contributed significantly to improving child health. sion into other areas of mutual interest. It is hoped that this partnership will continue to strengthen the impact of health programmes for UNICEF is in the process of undertaking a com- children, advocate for the protection of children’s prehensive analysis of current involvement in public rights, help meet children’s basic needs, and health research in general and collaboration with expand the opportunities for children to reach TDR in particular, at global, regional and country their full potentials.

Message from the Chairman,TDR/JCB, to Mrs Carol Bellamy, Executive Director, UNICEF

On behalf of the Joint Coordinating Board, I community, the arrival of UNICEF as a would like to warmly welcome UNICEF as a co-sponsor is timely and promising. new co-sponsor of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Together with the other TDR co-sponsors Diseases (TDR). (the World Bank, UNDP,WHO), JCB looks forward to collaborating with Dr. Pascal UNICEF brings to TDR a unique field per- Villeneuve and other UNICEF friends. spective on the infectious diseases that affect the poorest populations worldwide, and a growing technical expertise which will strengthen the Special Programme.At a time when TDR is consolidating its plans to develop Jean Larivière M.D. improved solutions to diseases which con- Chairman,TDR/JCB tinue to be neglected by the international December 2003

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 3 Carlos Morel: an appreciation

As many readers will be aware, Dr Carlos Morel, TDR’s director since 1998, departed TDR in December 2003 and returned to Brazil. Below, Dr Asamoa-Baah provides an appreciation of Dr Morel’s significant contribution to TDR.

I was privileged to be serving as Executive part, of most health interventions if they are to Director in WHO headquarters throughout the be truly sustainable. duration of Carlos Morel’s tenure and have a special attachment to TDR, considering myself TDR’s new prioritization framework was based ‘part of the family’, as prior to assuming my current on that devised by the Global Forum for Health post I had a close and rewarding relationship Research (GFHR) – itself a spin-off from TDR in with TDR, serving on the programme’s Scientific, the late-1990s.TDR convened panels of leading Technical and Advisory Committee for a number of interdisciplinary experts from around the globe years. Now, as I look back on Carlos’ duration as to adapt the mechanism to TDR’s special and Director of TDR, I am reminded of the words of unique needs.The result was a progressive strategy Henry Wordsworth Longfellow;“Let us then be up based on a comprehensive review of needs and and doing;With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, opportunities, one which was extremely well still pursuing; Learn to labour and to wait”. received within the scientific and tropical disease research communities and one which has already Carlos played an instrumental role in driving TDR spawned several imitations. forward in many areas. One of the elements that he oversaw was the realization of the need for a TDR has played a pivotal role in establishing new truly robust, evidence-based mechanism to add agencies with specific mandates to tackle neglected diseases to TDR’s portfolio – and to begin to diseases, such as the Medicines for Malaria Venture, drop those diseases that had been successfully Global Alliance for TB Drug Development and, overcome and that were rapidly diminishing in most recently, the Foundation for Innovative New significance as global public health problems.This Diagnostics.TDR is working with these new resulted in the development of a ‘sunrise’ and entities to focus available resources and efforts ‘sunset’ system for diseases which is beginning to towards the accelerated development of urgently be implemented.The programme embraced two needed new diagnostics and therapeutic drugs. new diseases, dengue and TB, into its disease Carlos also ensured that TDR continued to work portfolio, each bringing new challenges and new closely with the control community, notably Roll opportunities. Back Malaria, Stop TB, and the newly-established Global Fund to Fight AIDS,TB and Malaria. When resources are scarce it is necessary to limit and prioritize investments, in time, money Carlos’ time at TDR witnessed major scientific and goals. Carlos undertook this challenge breakthroughs which offer tremendous promise enthusiastically with characteristic Brazilian verve, for the future, such as the unveiling of the genomes skilfully guiding TDR through a challenging, and at of several parasites and vectors, which creates times painful, restructuring process. Introducing huge potential for the development of new and a new strategy, better tuned to prevailing global sustainable weapons and interventions against needs and conditions, devising new administrative TDR target diseases.TDR-supported efforts also and management systems more appropriate to brought success in the field of drug development meet changing operational systems, and introducing (the registration of new drugs for malaria and innovative monitoring and evaluation mechanisms leishmaniasis), field-based intervention mechanisms to help measure real progress. Moreover, research (such as the hugely successful community-directed and development has a fundamental,‘long-term’ treatment for onchocerciasis, now being expanded essence about it, which does not fit well with the to cover other diseases), and a markedly prevailing need for short-term, visible results de- successful programme of institutional and human manded by politicians and those facing continuing resource capacity building in disease endemic health crises. Carlos rose to the challenge, ably countries. In addition,TDR took pioneering steps convincing many that research and development in areas related to its core activities, such as the must be an essential component, and an integral area of ethics in biomedical research.

4 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 Carlos will return to head a new research institute and play a more ‘hands on’ research role.

WHO/TDR/Edwards

As a valuable member of the WHO Communicable Diseases (CDS) Senior Management Group, Carlos helped to maintain a balanced view of STOP PRESS research and control efforts.Whenever times were difficult or discussions became intense, Carlos A selection process, involving all TDR almost invariably had a Brazilian anecdote or co-sponsors and the Joint Coordinating proverb that not only succinctly encapsulated the Board, is under way to identify a state of affairs, but usually helped meetings to successor to Dr Morel. Until this flow smoothly onward. process is completed, Dr Rob Ridley will take up the position of Director With Carlos’ tenure at TDR unfortunately curtailed ad interim. before his vision could really metamorphose into the reality that he was striving for, I wish him and his family well and every success upon their return to Brazil, together with the new ventures and enterprises that await them there.

Dr A.Asamoa-Baah. ADG, CDS

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 5 SCHISTOSOMIASIS Prospects for schistosomiasis vaccine development

Robert Bergquist, Consultant

CONTACTS There is a strong need for vaccines to complement somiasis are based on DALY (disability adjusted drug therapy for schistosomiasis.This was the life year) analysis. Schistosomiasis has far greater conclusion of a meeting on schistosomiasis impact on health status than current burden of Dr Lester Chitsulo research with special reference to vaccine develop- disease estimates suggest, especially considering its Coordinator for ment, convened by TDR and the Philippine Council sequelae such as anaemia, growth retardation Schistosomiasis, TDR for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and impaired cognitive development. In addition, Tel: (+41) 22 791 3862 and held at the Research Institute for Tropical a serious limitation of the chemotherapy-based Medicine (RITM),The Philippines, October 2003. strategy is “rebound morbidity”, following Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 Mathematical models indicate that drug treatment reinfection. E-mail: [email protected] in combination with a vaccine would be beneficial, and would contribute to savings for the health At this point in time, there are only two serious care system as a whole, even if the protection vaccine candidates - Sh28-GST and Sm14-FABP. afforded by the vaccine were not absolute. The former has reached the stage of large-scale Dr Ali Mohammadi clinical validation while the latter is in the process Manager, Steering Committee Chemotherapy is currently the cornerstone of of industrial scale-up. Despite the considerable on Vaccine Discovery schistosomiasis control, especially following the sums spent on developing and validating schisto- Research, TDR reduction in price of the drug praziquantel seen some antigens, the current model vaccines are in the last decade. Use of this drug has already not perceived to be sufficiently protective and Tel: (+41) 22 791 1804 led to a dramatic reduction of morbidity in are characterized by irreproducible efficacy. Fax: (+41) 22 791 4774 endemic areas. However, this very success has Difficulties in scaling up production according to E-mail: fostered the widespread misconception that GMP standards have turned out to be a main [email protected] schistosomiasis is less serious than other infectious obstacle, and the feasibility of GMP-grade produc- diseases in tropical countries and that further tion is now an important criterion in assessing research is not a priority. vaccine candidates.

It was felt that a far more complete assessment of Most scientists in the field are, however, convinced the impact of the disease in endemic populations that it is possible to develop a vaccine against is needed, particularly with regard to school-age this complex metazoan parasite.There are a children, avoiding the narrow perspective of organ number of reasons for this. Human populations malfunction only. Estimations of impact of schisto- in endemic areas invariably develop some degree

Schistosomiasis has stunted this boy’s growth. Although drastic reduction in morbidity followed the use of praziquantel, this reduction could be greater if chemotherapy is combined with vaccination.

WHO/TDR/Crump

6 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 A health worker prepares to give praziquantel tablets to a water buffalo in a rural community.

WHO/TDR/Crump

WHO/TDR/Stammers of natural protection, while mice can be afforded Sm14-FABP,Sm97-paramyosin, Sm37-GAPDH, 80% protection by immunization with irradiated Sm-p80 calpain and Sm/Sj TPI. Of great interest cercariae.A transmission-blocking vaccine in this connection is the new line of adjuvants developed for use in Chinese water buffaloes was becoming available, with well-characterized effects considered a short-cut to the human vaccine for modulation of human immune responses. that could have an impact within the next few years. On the other hand, current antigens and A vaccine would contribute to reduction of prototype vaccine formulations induce <50% schistosomiasis morbidity through induced protection in model systems, though expectations immuno-modulatory responses leading to of finding additional candidates through mining reduced worm burdens, reduced egg production the expanding genomics databases1 and through (anti-fecundity) and reduced viability of eggs proteomics analysis are justifiable. (anti-embryonation).The objective should be to develop vaccines that can reduce or delay the Schistosoma haematobium: miracidium in egg (differential interference con- Although there is lack of consensus regarding development of morbidity after intermittent trast microscopy) the desired type of immune response, and the rounds of chemotherapy. Use of chemotherapy protective responses evident in people are not followed by vaccination would not only mitigate necessarily those that would be elicited by a disease manifestations but could also result in potent vaccine, the next research issues should reduced transmission. However, a strategy of be on the mechanisms of human resistance to chemotherapy plus vaccination would increase the the disease and the identification of antigens to total costs of disease control, at least initially. which infected people respond. Identification of 1 Two schistosome genomes have recently been sequenced: antibody isotypes and cytokine correlates of Vaccine development should be re-emphasized • Verjovski-Almeida S et al. resistance and susceptibility in human populations using a coordinated approach to reposition Transcriptome analysis of the is a key approach to establishing the acceptability vaccination within the totality of disease control. acoelomate human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Nature of vaccine antigen candidates. Some antigens It was decided that a network be created to Genetics, 2001, 35(2):148-157 have been shown to require a Th2-type response, raise funds and act as a clearing house for work • Hu W et al. Evolutionary and others a Th1-type response.We now have a on all aspects of schistosomiasis vaccine develop- biomedical implications of a Schistosoma japonicum comple- basis for rational selection of the partially- ment from genetic informatics to clinical trials. mentary DNA resource. Nature protective antigens available, e.g. Sh28-GSTm Genetics, 2003, 35(2):139-147

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 7 GENOME SEQUENCING Tsetse genomics: an international Working Group comes together

1 Kathryn Aultman, National An international Working Group to investigate • Stimulate new vector control initiatives such as Institute of Allergy and Infectious the status of Glossina genomics and initiate development of targeted insecticides and stud- Diseases (NIAID), USA Serap Aksoy, Yale University activities that might eventually lead to a full ies on the host-seeking behaviour of Glossina. School of Medicine, USA genome sequencing project was brought together • Increase the size and impact of the Glossina Matt Berriman, The Sanger by TDR in January 2004.A fully sequenced research community. Institute, UK Neil Hall, Institute for Genomic Glossina genome would make a very significant • Develop research resources including access Research (TIGR), USA contribution to vector control efforts in African to them. Masahira Hattori, Kitasato trypanosomiasis. • Train and build capacity in disease endemic Institute for Life Science (RIKEN), Japan countries. Winston Hide, South African Vector control is a major element in the control National Bioinformatics Institute of African trypanosomiasis (see box), a disease The Working Group decided on a strategy (SANBI), South Africa Deborah Kioy, WHO/ TDR which is on the increase.Treatment consists of based on the genomic resources currently avail- Mike Lehane, Liverpool School of old, often dangerous drugs, to which there is able, which include 65 000 expressed sequence Tropical Medicine, UK increasing resistance. No new drugs are likely to tags (ESTs) and a bacterial artificial chromosome Joseph Ndung’u, Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research be in use in the next 5-10 years, and vaccines are (BAC) library for G. m. morsitans. Institute (KETRI), Kenya unlikely to be developed. So vector control based Ayoade Oduola, WHO/ TDR on insecticides, targets and traps will be important In phase I of the strategic plan, there will be a pilot Jane Rogers, The Sanger Institute, UK in the control of African trypanosomiasis for the feasibility study which will last until September Charles Roth, Institut Pasteur, foreseeable future, and it is essential that this is of this year. Initial work will include constructing France supported by a strong scientific base that a a BAC library, and BAC end sequencing and Philippe Solano, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement Glossina genome sequence would contribute to. analysis, for G. m. morsitans; and identifying, and (IRD), Côte d’Ivoire partially sequencing and analysing, B chromosome2- Anne Strauss, IRD, France The Working Group members1 expressed strong containing BAC clones.Work will also begin on Yeya Touré, WHO/TDR Patrick Wincker, Genoscope, France. commitment to the genome sequencing project a physical mapping project, and on G. palpalis. and expressed their willingness, as an International These phase I studies are intended to address 2 The genome size is estimated to be Partnership, to move such proposals forward. comparative analysis between the two species 7000 Mb for Glossina palpalis and 600 Mb for G. m. moristans. The B Other prominent members of the global vector using EST and full length cDNA data. chromosomes in G. m. morsitans biology community have also voiced strong support are a potential complicating factor. for an International Glossina Genomics Initiative During phase II of the project, from 2004 to They are believed to be parasitic DNA, largely consisting of hetero- (IGGI). 2006, in-depth full length cDNA construction, chromatin in the form of high sequencing and analysis will be undertaken for copy number repeats, and may The mission of the IGGI is to: G. m. morsitans and palpalis.There will be further account for 10% or more of the genome size. • Enhance trypanosomiasis control by developing BAC work for G. m. morsitans, and the complete resources for research on the biology of set of chromosomes and location of genes will Glossina, including studies on population be determined. Phase III of the project, 2005-2006, genetics, host-pathogen interactions, and the will see completion of the full genome sequence. genetics of vector competence. First however, funding for the IGGI has to be found. Initially, different members of the Working African trypanosomiasis: the current status Group are seeking short-term funding through • 300 000 cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) submission to a variety of possible funding bodies. • 40 000 new HAT cases a year For phase III of the project, the strategy and • 66 000 deaths from HAT in 1999 (up from 55 000 in 1993) partnerships for funding will be discussed at the • Estimated impact of HAT: 10-16M DALYs October 2004 meeting of the Working Group. • Estimated cost of animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) to In the meantime, activities will begin according to African agriculture: US$ 4.5 billion a year the roadmap developed at the January meeting. • Has a major impact on the health and development of large numbers of marginalized people

8 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH Implementation Research: bridging the gap between efficacy trials and application

For many years, researchers have assumed that by TDR in the past and which, despite having CONTACT an intervention deemed efficacious within clinical become cornerstones of disease control, still face trials will be easily transmitted to the reality of major obstacles to large-scale and sustained Dr Hans Remme control operations. Unfortunately, this is not the access. For example, among other things, IR is case; many examples can be given of effective being conducted on drug delivery strategies for Coordinator: Intervention disease control products which remain on the lymphatic filariasis elimination in urban areas Development and shelf, never reaching their full potential impact (i.e. strategies for delivery of single dose DEC Implementation Research on burden of disease.Take the drug praziquantel or ivermectin, with or without albendazole), and Tel: (+41) 22 791 3815 for treatment of schistosomiasis, for example. on strategies for improved delivery of prazi- Despite a new lower price, it is still not widely quantel for schistosomiasis at community level. Fax: (+41) 22 791 4774 used in Africa, the continent with the highest E-mail: burden of this disease. IR can be used as a tool to optimize control [email protected] appropriately, to contribute to the initiatives of The term ‘implementation research’ (IR) was many programmes, and to establish a closer first used by TDR in its strategy for 2000-2005 relationship between scientists and control staff. (see TDRnews, June 2000), to address the issue For example, the initiatives of the Global Fund of how to effectively deploy specific tools/inter- to Fight AIDS,Tuberculosis and Malaria, and of ventions within the real-world health services.A programmes related to the United Nation’s concept paper on implementation research has Millenium Development Goals can extensively now been developed,1 for which TDR’s Scientific benefit from implementation research. and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) defined the framework, including the criteria (e.g. focus on process and outcome indicators) and general operating principles (e.g. rapid and active response to needs of disease control). STAC recommended that the issue of access be de-coupled from the question of health impact because, although both are important, they generally require different study designs and need to be measured over different time scales.

Basically IR will answer two types of research question. Firstly, the question of how to implement and ensure effective access by those in need; this is the next logical step for products in the TDR research pipeline that are ready for implementation. For example,TDR helped take rectal arte- sunate through to registration, and now is con- ducting research on strategies and impacts of deployment of this drug formulation in highly endemic malarious areas. Similarly, research to WHO/TDR/Crump develop cost-effective delivery strategies for Health workers carrying out implementation research on mass miltefosine, another recently-registered TDR drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in India. product, for treatment of leishmaniasis, is ongoing.

Secondly is the question of how to bring inter- 1 ventions to scale within the context of the health Implementation Research in TDR: conceptual and operational frame- system constraints in endemic countries.This work. Document number: question relates to tools that have been developed TDR/IDE/SP/03.1.

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 9 PARTNER PROFILE Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry

P. K. Das, Director, Vector Control Research Centre

Vector Control Research The Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) tists as consultants, advisors, and members of Centre, Medical Complex was established at Pondicherry in India in 1975, expert committees under the auspices of the Indian Council of • the nomination of VCRC as the first training Indira Nagar Medical Research (ICMR). Coincidentally, this was centre for the International Course on Pondicherry - 605008 the same year that TDR came into existence. Comprehensive Vector Control India Initially, the VCRC had a core group of about a • the great demand for VCRC as destination for Tel: (+91) 413 2272396/ dozen scientists, and its infrastructure was WHO Fellows from other countries. established with the financial and administrative 2272397 support of the ICMR. Apart from WHO/TDR, the VCRC has had close Fax: (+91) 413 2272041 links with WHOPES (the WHO Pesticide Evalua- In the early days, the major work of the Centre tion Scheme) and the WHO Regional Office for VCRC website: was in integrated vector control with a focus on South-East Asia. Under WHOPES, 31 compounds www.pon.nic.in/fil-free filariasis.This attracted some international have been evaluated in phase I and II trials for /vcrc/da5.html recognition.A WHO team visited the Centre in activity against disease vectors. Financial support 1976 and recommended studies on vector biology for VCRC activities comes from a variety of and control. Subsequently, in 1985,VCRC was sources (including ICMR and other national designated as WHO Collaborating Centre for science agencies such as the Department of Research and Training in Integrated Methods of Science and Technology, and the Department of Vector Control.WHO supported the short and Biotechnology) and the Centre closely interacts long-term training of 13 VCRC staff members in with international agencies (including the Welcome the fields of vector biology and control, parasito- Trust, London School of Hygiene and Tropical logy, molecular biology, entomology, bio-pesticides Medicine, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and epidemiology.This helped the Centre to gain Erasmus University, the US Centers for Disease expertise and become self-reliant. Control) in carrying out research in the fields of epidemiology, modelling and filariasis elimination. A particular strength of VCRC is its willingness to accept change in focus and priorities. Over time, VCRC’s active role in filariasis elimination1 has its key performance areas have shifted to topics been recognized and the Centre has now been such as operational research (giving the oppor- designated WHO Collaborating Centre for tunity to help solve problems in the control of Research and Training in Lymphatic Filariasis and vector borne diseases), molecular diagnostics, Integrated methods of Vector Control. development of sustainable and cost-effective control tools, development of decision-making Human resources development is an important tools, and development of human resources.The activity for VCRC. Four regional/international Centre has directed its research activities towards training courses on Comprehensive Vector developing products, methods and strategies to Control have been conducted with the support control vector borne diseases. of WHO, and a total of 86 participants from eight countries have been trained.Thirteen national/- The relationship with WHO/TDR has covered a international workshops on filariasis and vector range of activities from research, human resources control have been conducted in collaboration development, product evaluation and consultancy, with WHO, strengthening the skills and perfor- to development of training materials and policy mance of staff from various national control formulation. In the course of time, this investment programmes. So far, 15 VCRC scientists have been has paid off handsomely, and today the VCRC is trained outside India while eight VCRC scientists a leading partner of WHO/TDR.This is clearly have served as members of WHO steering com- manifest through: mittees or as consultants and advisors to WHO • the wide range of research projects pursued by in vector control. VCRC (to date, 40 with WHO/TDR support) 1 http://www.pon.nic.in/fil-free • the involvement of a number of VCRC scien-

10 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 Contributions of VCRC to research and control of vector borne diseases • 591 original research articles, 30 unpublished reports • 9 vector control products developed • 7 patents registered • 9 strategies for disease vector control developed and transferred • 4 disease prediction models developed • 4 master plans for mosquito control developed and transferred to cities • 4 reference cells set up at VCRC linking research with operational activities • human resources developed: 32 PhDs, 83 MScs in medical entomology, 16 diplomas in medical entomology, 256 short-term trainees

Services offered by VCRC • Mosquito identification • Mosquito rearing and colonization • Source of mosquito blood meal

An MSc course in medical entomology was diagnostics, were discussed.Visits to the field sites offered by VCRC for the first time in India, and so of research programmes supported by TDR gave far 83 students have successfully completed the an opportunity for the team members to inter- course. Currently a diploma course in medical act with drug distributors for filariasis elimination, entomology is being conducted to benefit public patients, and the community.The process of health personnel in state and central government mixing diethylcarbamazine powder (antifilarial services. drug) with salt to eliminate lymphatic filariasis was demonstrated and discussions were held with A seven-member team from TDR and its Joint members of a voluntary organization in a village Coordinating Board (JCB) visited the VCRC setting on their participation in the programme. laboratories and field sites of TDR-supported projects in June 2003.This team especially JCB members expressed the view that TDR/VCRC appreciated the interaction between VCRC and collaboration has been a clear success, as indicat- the Directorate of Public Health and the ed by VCRC’s competitiveness in generating funds, Government of Tamil Nadu, and the utilization success in human resources development, and of research findings in the programmes.Team contributions to programme strategy and policies members acquainted themselves with the wide in the WHO South-East Asian region. range of VCRC activities in research and human resources development through formal presentations by VCRC scientists and discussions in the laboratories. Possible lines of research in drug development, and the role of vector control in disease control programmes and modern

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 11 BIOINFORMATICS South-South Initiative for tropical disease research

CONTACT

Dr Ayoade Oduola Coordinator, Basic and Strategic Research Tel: (+41) 22 791 3212 Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 E-mail: [email protected]

Founding members of the South-South Initiative.

The South-South Initiative (SSI) in tropical diseases and links through to a host of handy protocols research that began in 2001 has now launched and tools, e.g. in molecular methods and sequence its own website (www.ssi-tdr.net).This initiative analysis, and to online training materials in bio- is based on the rationale that, although many informatics. disease endemic countries (DECs) have cutting- edge expertise in different research areas, this How does SSI function? Whereas the Initiative is potential is not fully exploited due to lack of hosted by TDR, the website is hosted by the opportunities for sharing information and Regional Bioinformatics Training Centre at Mahidol expertise among DEC institutions. University,Thailand, and the coordinating committee, which manages the Initiative, is drawn So the overall aim of the Initiative is to promote from three regions – Africa,Asia, and Latin America. interaction and collaboration between researchers This committee develops an annual plan of in DECs in the application of scientific and activities and identifies opportunities for research technological advances to the tropical diseases collaborations, training, networking and funding. in the TDR portfolio. More specifically, the aim Research proposals developed with the help of of the SSI is to help develop/promote collabora- SSI are submitted by the principal investigators tive research proposals, training and capacity to the Pathogenesis and Applied Genomics building in cutting-edge technologies, common (PAG) Committee in TDR, and applications for protocols, the sharing of information and reagents, funding of training activities are also submitted and a network for research groups in DECs. to PAG, or to the Research Strengthening Now, with the website up and running, this will be Group in TDR. much easier.The Site is a mine of information about bioinformatics resources, training oppor- For further information, visit www.ssi-tdr.net. tunities and training centres, networks, databases,

12 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 SOCIAL RESEARCH Globalization, inequalities and infectious diseases

WHO/TDR/Mark Edwards TDR’s strategy for 2000-2005 places renewed emphasis on social research to help elucidate the In the shanty towns that spring up around big cities, social, economic, political and behavioural deter- inhabitants are exposed to minants that affect the emergence, resurgence, a wide variety of diseases. persistence, and control, of infectious diseases. There is increasing evidence that many of these determinants are “transnational”, and linked to large-scale changes which reverberate from global to national and subnational levels.“Upstream” basic social research is needed to reach a better understanding of the phenomena involved.TDR’s Steering Committee for Social, Economic and Behavioural Research has developed a research agenda (see TDRnews October 2001) and, for the WHO/TDR/Mark Edwards third consecutive year, is calling for research CONTACTS proposals focusing on globalization, inequality of access and infectious diseases.While TDR- supported research on these issues is already Dr Johannes Sommerfeld ongoing in a number of sites, new grant applica- Manager, Social Economic tions have been invited, to be submitted before and Behavioural Research, 26 February 2004. TDR A growing body of literature addresses the impact Tel.: (+41) 22 791 3954 of globalization on health, but less is known about E-mail: the linkages between globalization and infectious [email protected] diseases. Globalization has been defined in a Yanomami children await distribution of medication. Globally, number of ways, including as a “set of processes inequitable access to medicines and health services remaines a changing the nature of human interaction across major problem. Mr Erik Blas a wide range of spheres including the economic, Programme Manager, TDR 1 political, social, technological and environmental”. Tel: (+41) 22 791 3784 There is growing concern that globalization may E-mail: [email protected] affect the epidemiology of infectious disease. Some of the linkages are obvious, others need to be Latin American situation was held in Angra dos established through well-designed social research. Reis, Brazil, in October 2003, prior to the 7th While it is clear that the increase in global trade Latin American Congress of the International and travel is bringing about marked changes in the Forum for Social Sciences and Health (IFSSH). distribution of people and pathogens, it is less well Funded by TDR and organized by the Laboratorio understood which large-scale forces lead to de Ciencias Sociales (LACSO, Universidad Central changes in infectious disease epidemiology among de Venezuela, Caracas) and the Fundação Oswaldo poor and marginalized populations. One sequence Cruz (Rio de Janeiro), the workshop brought of interacting factors may be that, in a given together more than 20 scholars from across society, globalization affects the distribution of Latin America. Presentations on a wide range of wealth and power, thus leading to social inequal- topics were enriched by group discussions.The ities.These in turn increase risk, which may workshop produced a draft research agenda on eventually result in a higher burden of infectious the effects of globalization and social inequalities 1 This definition is found in disease, notably among the poor and marginalized. on infectious diseases.The proceedings will be Globalization and infectious published in a special issue of Cadernos de Saúde diseases: a review of the linkages, a TDR commissioned Other TDR-supported activities complement this Pública, by the National School of Public Health review to be published in 2004, research agenda.A workshop focusing on the of the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil. in the series on Special Topics in Social, Economic and Behavioural Research.

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 13 Latest Grants

Research in Pathogenesis • A30358 SUMALEE KAMCHON- • A20393 WALDEREZ ORNELAS and Applied Genomics WONGPAISAN, National Center DUTRA, Universidade Federal de for Genetic Engineering and Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciencias The TDR Committee on Pathogenesis Biotechnology, Pathumthani, Biologicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. and Applied Genomics (PAG) met in Thailand. Integrated genomic & CD8+T cells in human chagasic Recife, Brazil, in September 2003. proteomic studies for identifica- immunopathology, functional The projects listed below were tion of potential targets of arte- studies of CD28+ and CD28- selected from among a large number misinin and derivatives. populations. of applications received from investi- (budget: US$ 25 000) (budget: US$ 22 000) gators worldwide. • A30325 LUC JEAN G.VANHAMME, • A20305 ALBERTO CARLOS C. Free University Brussels, Brussels, FRASCH, Universidad Nacional de New grants in Pathogenesis Belgium. Characterization of try- General San Martin, Buenos Aires, and Applied Genomics panolytic activity of human apoli- Argentina. RNA-binding proteins poprotein LI and its neutralization involved in post-transcriptional These grants will be funded for 12 by Trypanosoma rhodesiense and regulation of gene expression in months in the first instance, and for gambiense. trypanosomes. an additional year if sufficient progress (budget: US$ 30 000) (budget: US$ 35 000) is made in the first 12 months toward reaching the scientific objectives, and • A20392 KENNETH J. GOLLOB, if sufficient funds are available. New South-South collabora- Univers. Federal de Minas Gerais, tion grants in Pathogenesis Inst. de Ciencias Biologicas, Belo • A30406 MARIANGELA CARNEIRO, and Applied Genomics Horizonte, Brazil. Determination Universidade Federal de Minas of functional activity and TCR Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. The following multicentre grant will usage of CD4-CD8-T cells in Longitudinal study of symptomatic be funded for one year in the first human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Leishmania chagasi infection in instance, and for an additional year if (budget: US$ 28 000) urban area of Minas Gerais State, sufficient progress is made in the Brazil. first year towards reaching the • A20382 GEORGES ER GRAU, (budget: US$ 18 000) scientific objectives and if sufficient Universite de la Mediterranee, funds are available. Marseille, France.ABCA1 gene • A30378 SUNGAE CHO,Yonsei and cerebral malaria: role in the University Medical Center, Seoul, • A30380 IKRAM GUIZANI, Institut pathogenesis and relevance in Republic of Korea. Identification Pasteur de Tunis,Tunis,Tunisia. genetic susceptibility. of HLA-A 0201 restricted CD8+ Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (budget: US$ 32 850) T cell specific peptide epitopes (PKDL): molecular epidemiology encoded from whole M. tuberculosis and prognostic markers. • A20289 EMANUELA HANDMAN, genome. (budget: US$ 61 740) Walter and Eliza Hall, Institute of (budget: US$ 35 000) Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia. Characterization of a • A30407 JOHN CHARLES KIBOKO Renewed grants in mucin-like proteophosphoglycan, a ENYARU, Livestock Health Pathogenesis and Applied Leishmania major amastigote viru- Research Institute (ILRI),Tororo, Genomics lence factor. Uganda. Evaluation of the epide- (budget: US$ 35 000) miological significance of an animal These projects were funded in 2002 reservoir in gambiense sleeping and are being renewed for a further • A20294 NADIRA D KARUNA- sickness in NW Uganda. year following successful progress WEERA, University of Colombo, (budget: US$ 34 020) made towards meeting the objectives Faculty of Medicine, Dept of during the first year. Parasitology, Colombo, Sri Lanka. • A30288 IDLE OMAR FARAH, Chemical and antigenic characteri- Institute of Primate Research, • A20369 OSCAR EDUARDO zation of bioactive parasite moie- National Museum of Kenya, CAMPETELLA, Universidad ties involved in paroxysms of Nairobi, Kenya. Prenatal exposure Nacional de General San Martin, P. vivax malaria. to schistosomiasis in the baboon: Instituto de Investigaciones (budget: US$ 35 000) the immunopathologic impact on Biotecnologicas, San Martin, the foetus. Argentina. Involvement of the • A20317 KRISTER KRISTENSSON, (budget: US$ 34 740) trans-sialidase from Trypanosma Karolinska Institute, Div. cruzi in the pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Disease • A30408 GIOVANNI GAZZINELLI, Chagas disease. Research, Stockholm, Sweden.The Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, (budget: US$ 30 000) role of chemokines and FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, chemokine receptors in trafficking Brazil. Role of S. mansoni-derived • A20342 PATRICK C.A. de BAET- of Trypanosoma brucei across the antigens in the regulation of cell SELIER,Vrije Universiteit Brussel, blood-brain barrier. cycle progression and lympho- Instituut voor Moleculaire, (budget: US$ 21 250) proliferation. Belgium. Molecular characteriza- (budget: US$ 35 000) tion of macrophage activation states elicited during parasitic infections: the trypanosome model. (budget: US$ 35 000)

14 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • A20310 MARCELA de FREITAS • A20363 MARIANO JORGE • A30345 LUNA KAMAU, Kenya LOPES, Federal University of Rio LEVIN, Instituto de Investigaciones Medical Research Institute, de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. en Ingenieria Genetica y Biologia Nairobi, Kenya. Population genetic Immunopathogenesis mediated by Molecular, Buenos Aires,Argentina. structure and development of apoptosis: in vivo blockade of cell Specific molecular mechanisms as insecticide resistance in An. gambiae death in experimental Chagas targets of novel anti-parasitic drugs. s.1. and An. funestus in Kenya. disease. (budget: US$ 70 000) (budget: US$ 47 160) (budget: US$ 35 000) • A20308 HELMI MARDASSI, • A30328 ELENA A. LEVASHINA, • A20349 DANIEL MASIGA, Institut Pasteur de Tunis,Tunis, Institute of Molecular and Cellular International Centre for Insect Tunisia. Comparative genomics Biology of CNRS, Strasbourg, Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), and differential expression analysis France. Recognition and signalling Nairobi, Kenya. Expression of sur- of the PE-PGRS proteins of during Plasmodium infection in the face genes of T. b. rhodesiense in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. mosquito Anopheles gambiae. insect larvae for diagnosis and (budget: US$ 43 000) (budget: US$ 12 637) disease staging. (budget: US$ 29 000) • A30346 THANASIS LOUKERIS, Research in Molecular Institute of Molecular Biology and • A20399 GUILHERME CORREA Entomology Biotechnology (IMBB), Crete, de OLIVEIRA, Centro de Greece.A study of Anopheles and Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Fundacao The projects listed below were Plasmodium proteases focusing on Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, selected by the TDR Committee on ookinete/midgut interactions. Brazil. Characterization of the Molecular Entomology (BCV), at its (budget: US$ 47 500) genetic structure of Schistosoma meeting in Recife, Brazil, September mansoni populations in endemic 2003, from among a large number of • A30307 COLIN MALCOLM, areas with microsatellites. applications received from investi- Queen Mary University of (budget: US$ 15 000) gators worldwide. London, School of Biological Sciences, London, UK. • A20357 AHMED OSMAN EGIZA, Microsatellite & retroposon poly- State University of New York at New grants in Molecular morphism in Anopheles arabiensis Buffalo, Department of Entomology at the edge of its distribution in Microbiology, New York, USA. Northern Sudan. Mechanistic studies on male-ind- The following grants will be funded (budget: US$ 46 157) uced female-specific gene expres- for one year in the first instance, and sion in Schistosoma mansoni. for an additional year if sufficient • A30409 LUIZ PEREIRA-DA-SILVA, (budget: US$ 33 000) progress is made in the first year Instituto de Pesquisas Em towards reaching the scientific Patologias Tropicais, Porto Velho • A00529 JEAN PIETERS, University objectives and if sufficient funds are RO, Brazil.Analysis of genetic of Basel, Department of available. structure of Anopheles darlingi Biochemistry, Klingelbergstrasse populations from different sites 50, Basel, Switzerland. • A30420 BARRY BEATY, Colorado and seasonal density variations. Identification of mycobacterial State University, Fort Collins, (budget: US$ 24 000) genes involved in intracellular sur- USA.The Biology of Disease vival as targets for novel antibiotic Vectors Course, 2004. • A30289 GIUSEPPE SACCONE, compounds. (budget: US$ 50 000) Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia (budget: US$ 27 000) Generale e Moleculare, Naples, • A30272 NORA BESANSKY, Italy. Identification of sex determi- • A20285 ALEJANDRO GABRIEL University of Notre Dame, Depart- ning genes in Aedes aegypti and SCHIJMAN, Instituto de Investiga- ment of Biology, Notre Dame, improvement of transgene vectors ciones en Ingenieria Genetica y USA.The 2Rj inversion breakpoint to study their functions. Biologia Molecular, Buenos Aires, of An. Gambiae: molecular diagnosis (budget: US$ 12 500) Argentina. Role of the parasitic and characterization. load and its genetic diversity in (budget: US$ 29 612) • A30350 N’FALE SAGNON, the incidence of congenital trans- Centre National Recherche et mission of Chagas disease. • A30257 PAUL EGGLESTON, Formation sur le Paludisme, (budget: US$ 17 297) Keele University, School of Life Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Sciences, Keele, Staffordshire, UK. Génétique et comportement des Control of malaria through membres du complexe Anopheles Renewed grants in South- expression of novel peptides in gambiae au Burkina Faso. South collaboration in transgenic anophelines. (budget: US$ 37 550) Pathogenesis and Applied (budget: US$ 43 560) Genomics • A30268 STEVEN SINKINS, • A30371 GABRIELLA GIBSON, Liverpool School of Tropical These projects were funded in 2002 University of Greenwich, Natural Medicine,Vector Research Group, and are being renewed for a further Resources Institute, Chatham, Liverpool, UK. Wolbachia interspe- year following successful progress Kent, UK. Mating behaviour of cific transfer and tissue tropism in made towards meeting the objectives members of the Anopheles Aedes albopictus. during the first year. gambiae complex. (budget: US$ 37 009) (budget: US$ 29 000)

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 15 Latest grants (continued)>

Renewed grants in • A10424 ANA MARIA PERALTA • A30401 MAMUKA DJIBUTI, Molecular Entomology de MERIDA, Universidad del Valle State Medical Academy, Dept. of de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Epidemiology and Public Health, The following projects were funded Guatemala. Population genetics of Tbilisi, Georgia. Social and econo- in 2002 and are being renewed for a Aedes aegypti in Chiapas (Mexico) mic impact of tuberculosis on further year following successful and Central America. (budget: Georgian households: a cohort progress made towards meeting the US$ 30 655) study. objectives. (budget: US$ 23 892) • A20315 ROSEMARY SANG, • A10435 ALESSANDRA DELLA Kenya Medical Research Institute, • A30399 QIAN WANG, Sichuan TORRE, Università di Roma “La Nairobi, Kenya.A comparative Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Sapienza”, Rome, Italy. Molecular study of populations of Aedes Chengdu, China.Access con- and cytological characterization of aegypti in dengue endemic and straints of Tibetan herdsmen com- Anopheles gambiae molecular non-endemic areas of Kenya. munities with respect to tubercu- forms and evaluation of their role (budget: US$ 39 900) losis care, Sichuan, China. as malaria vectors. (budget: US$ 24 580) (budget: US$ 35 000) • A10410 ANN SODJA,Wayne State University, Detroit, USA. • A30368 CHIAKA I.ANUMUDU, • A20338 GEORGE DIMOPOU- Isolation and characterization of University of Ibadan, Ibadan, LOS, Imperial College of Sciences, an antenna-specific gene in Aedes Nigeria. Socio-economic factors in Technology and Medicine, London, aegypti. drug resistant malaria in Nigeria: UK. Genome expression analysis of (budget: US$ 40 000) linking molecular epidemiology mosquito salivary gland function with social analysis. and characterization of specific • A10429 GUIYUN YAN, State (budget: US$ 5000) promoters. University of New York, Buffalo, (budget:US$ 34 624) USA.Assessing the spread rate of • A30367 ANNE J. MILLS, London introduced genes in Anopheles School of Hygiene and Tropical • A20269 QI GAO, Jiangsu Institute gambiae. Medicine, London, UK. of Parasitic Diseases,Wuxi, (budget: US$ 40 000) Understanding health seeking Jiangsu, China. Identification of behaviour in South Africa: implica- Anopheles sinensis and Anopheles • A10402 LAURENCE ZWIEBEL, tions for improving health equity. anthropophagus and their role in Vanderbilt University, Nashville, (budget: US$ 26 329) malaria transmission in China. USA. Isolation and characteriza- (budget: US$ 18 900) tion of odorant receptor genes • A30339 QIANG SUN, Shandong from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Medical University, Jinan, China. • A20330 LIZETTE KOEKEMOER, (budget: US$ 39 750) Study on the patient’s adherence National Health Laboratory to directly observed treatment Services, Johannesburg, South for tuberculosis in China. Africa.The role of mono-oxygen- Social, Economic & (budget: US$ 24 350) ases in insecticide resistant Behavioural Research Anopheles funestus Giles. (SEB) • A30298 XIAO-NONG ZHOU, (budget: US$ 35 900) National Institute of Parasitic The projects listed below were Diseases, Shanghai, China. • A00351 CHRISTOS LOUIS, selected by the TDR Committee on Biosocial & environmental risks Institute of Molecular Biology and Social, Economic & Behavioural related to disease burden of Biotechnology, Greece.Analysis of Research (SEB), at its meeting in schistosomiasis in the Yangtze the ookinete invasion of Anopheles Recife, Brazil, September 2003, from river basin, China. and subsequent transformation to among a large number of applications (budget: US$ 40 300) oocyst using mRNA microarrays. received from investigators worldwide. (budget: US$ 32 200) • A30286 NEPHIL MATANGI MAS- KAY, Nepal Health Economics • A10360 DOUGLAS NORRIS, New grants in Social, Association, Kathmandu, Nepal. Johns Hopkins University, Economic & Behavioural Access to information, prevention Baltimore, USA. Population and Research and therapy for kala-azar and its genomic approaches to insecticide economic impact on the house- resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.l. These grants will be funded for one holds in Nepal. in Mali. year in the first instance, and for an (budget: US$ 24 945) (budget: US$ 43 996) additional year if sufficient progress is made in the first year towards • A30276 YANG WANG, • A10708 SCOTT LESLIE O’NEILL, reaching the scientific objectives and Chongqing Medical University, University of Queensland, School if sufficient funds are available. Chongqing, China. Comparing of Life Sciences, Brisbane, access to TB diagnosis between Australia. Characterization of • A30419 KAMOLNETR OKANU- migrants and residents in Wolbachia as a tool to modify RAK, Mahidol University, Faculty Chongqing, China. insect vector competence. of Tropical Medicine, Bangkok, (budget: US$ 24 890) (budget: US$ 34 810) Thailand. Factors associating with completion & default among DOTS and self-administered therapy (SAT) for treatment of TB. (budget: US$ 24 999)

16 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • A30275 GILLIAN MANN, • A20099 YING BIAN,Shandong • A30112 MICHELLE WYKES, Liverpool School of Tropical Medical University, National Queensland Institute of Medical Medicine, EQUI-TB Knowledge Institute of Health Economics and Research Brisbane, Queensland, Programme, Lilongwe, Malawi.An Policy, Jinan, China. Gender equity Australia. Regulation of B and T investigation of delays and costs study of schistosomiasis patients’ cell memory to MSP1-19. faced by rural households acces- health services in Hunan China. (budget: US$ 38 208) sing TB care in Malawi. (budget: US$ 24 000) (budget: US$ 21 515) • A30133 SEDDIKEH ZAKERI, Pasteur Institute of Iran Tehran, • A30244 BIAO XU, Fudan Vaccine Discovery I.R. Iran.The analysis of genetic University, Shanghai, China. Does Research variation in the malaria vaccine TB care reach the poor? Study of candidate PvMSP-1 gene and eva- the TB control programme in two The projects below were selected luation of its immune response. counties in rural China. from among the large number of (budget: US$ 15 000) (budget: US$ 25 000) applications received from investigators worldwide.TDR wishes to thank • A30221 SUSILOWATI TANA, members of the Vaccine Discovery Renewed grants in Vaccine Center for Health Policy and Research Committee and external Discovery Research Social Studies,Yogyakarta, reviewers for their critical assessments Indonesia. Factors contributing to and contributions to the selection • A10153 PAUL ANDREW BATES, the resilience of IDPs, and how process. Unsuccessful investigators are Liverpool School of Tropical current social inequalities affect encouraged to re-compete next year. Medicine, UK.Testing of vaccines the persistence of TB. against visceral leishmaniasis. (budget: US$ 24 990) (budget: US$ 45 000) New grants in Vaccine • A30623 VARY JACQUET, Discovery Research • 980455 ROSS LEON COPPEL, Ministère de la Santé publique et Monash University, Clayton, de la Population, Port-au-Prince, • A30118 VIRANDER SINGH Australia. Malaria protein and Haiti. Les dynamiques biosociales CHAUHAN, International Centre gene database. de dépistage et de prise en charge for Genetic Engineering and (budget: US$ 18 200) de la tuberculose en Haiti. Biotechnology, New Delhi, India. (budget: US$ 82 989) Study of immunogenicity and pro- • A10161 MICHAEL FRANCIS tective efficacy of rodent homo- GOOD, Queensland Institute of logs of P. falciparum merozoite Medical Research, Brisbane, Renewed grants in Social, surface protein-9. Australia.Targets for malaria cell Economic & Behavioural (budget: US$ 36 200) mediated immunity from MSP1 Research and other proteins. • A30134 IKRAM GUIZANI, Institut (budget: US$ 45 000) These projects were funded in 2002 Pasteur de Tunis,Tunisia. and are being renewed for a further Comparative structure-function • A20198 WEIQING PAN, Second year following successful progress analysis of LelF, a unique Military Medical University, made towards meeting the objectives. Leishmania protein bearing pro- Shanghai, China. Construction and perties of a Th 1 type adjuvant. immunogenicity of combined • A20093 CHAMPAKLAL CHA- (budget: US$ 35 000) malaria vaccine containing PfCP- GANLAL JINABHAI, University of 2.9 and pre-erythrocytic stage Natal, Faculty of Medicine, • A30125 LIM MIAO, Fourth antigen. Congella, South Africa. Military Medical University, Xian, (budget: US$ 37 700) Investigating socio-behavioural & China. Protective immune respon- health system dynamics to impro- se induced by the combination of • A10115 SEYEDI YAZDY SIMA ve tuberculosis control program- P. falciparum MSP1 and AMA+ RAFATI, Pasteur Institute of Iran, mes in Kwazulu-Natal. based protein, DNA and rMVA Tehran,Iran. Evaluation of immune (budget: US$ 25 000) vaccine. responses against L. infantum (budget: US$ 23 000) cysteine proteinases in kala-azar • A10166 XI LI LIU, Henan individuals and DNA vaccinated Provincial Institute of Parasitic • A30158 ABHY SATOSKAR, Ohio dogs. Diseases, Zhengzhou, China. State University, Colombus, USA. (budget: US$ 35 000) Impact of China’s changing econo- Development of amastigote-speci- my and health services on tuber- fic gene chimeric vaccine against culosis, its socio-economic effects visceral leishmaniasis. and its control. (budget: US$ 15 000) (budget: US$ 21 666) • A30137 ALLEN WILSON, • A20107 B. FOLASADE IYUN, Department of Biology, University University of Louisville, Pan of York, UK. Protective antigens in African Studies Department, animal models of schistosome Kentucky, USA.The growing crisis immunity. of tuberculosis in Nigeria: a case (budget: US$ 40 000) study of Oyo State. (budget: US$ 37 906)

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 17 Publications

• The involvement of community- directed distributors of ivermectin in other health and development activities (Report of a multicountry study; TDR/IDE/CDD/03.1).

Community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) is currently the principal drug delivery strategy for onchocerciasis control. In this multicountry study, four research teams investigated the use of CDTI structures for other health interventions, such as for Expanded Programme of Immunization, and water and sanitation activities. Most health programmes were interested in building on the experiences and structures of CDTI and • Report of the Scientific Working everyone was very much in favour of greater Group on Insect Disease Vectors involvement of community directed distribu- and Human Health, 12-16 August tors of ivermectin in additional health and 2002 development activities. (TDR/SWG/03.1).

TDR Scientific Working Group meeting reports provide up-to-date reviews of the present situations and actual control needs, with recommendations for the overall strategic and scientific directions of research, capacity and partnership building for the next five years. Each meeting is attended by 30-40 scientists, including many from disease endemic countries.

• Drugs against parasitic diseases: R&D methodologies and issues. Discoveries and drug development. Eds: Fairlamb AH, Ridley RG,Vial HJ (TDR/PRD/03.1). Now available in hard copy • Handbook on non-clinical safety (see TDRnews No. 70, October 2003) testing (TDR/PRD/NCT/04.1).

This Handbook is designed as an aid for scientists undertaking nonclinical safety testing for regulatory purposes during product development; it is broadly based on current safety testing guidelines including those of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).The Handbook will provide laboratories in disease endemic countries, and trainers throughout these nations, with the necessary technical aid for planning and implementing nonclinical safety testing programmes.The Handbook attempts to high- light the differences between drug, vaccine and traditional medicine development programmes.

18 • TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • Schistosomiasis in the post- transmission phase (Acta tropica, Special Issue, 2000, 77 [1]; Giboda M, Engels D, Bergquist NR, eds).

Schistosomiasis is not always cured by treating the infection, and people may be left with the pathological effects of infection, e.g. fibrosis of the liver, for the rest of their lives.This ‘post- transmission’ schistosomiasis occurs in areas HOW TO OBTAIN where transmission of the disease and re- PUBLICATIONS infection is not a threat any longer – millions • Implementation research in TDR: of people continue to suffer in formerly endemic conceptual and operational frame- areas where the infection has been eliminated All TDR publications are work as a public health problem.This volume contains available to download from (TDR/IDE/SP/03.1). See article on page 9. global distribution figures and some fascinating the TDR website: historical notes on schistosomiasis; it paints a http://www.who.int/tdr/ broad picture of post-transmission schistosomiasis, putting the challenges of elimination publications/publications • Health research methodology. in perspective with pathological studies of late or are available free of A guide for training in research schistosomiasis. charge from: methods. Second edition. Manila,World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2001 (ISBN 92 TDR Communications 9061 157 X. Price CHF 50, in developing • Operational research in tropical diseases: WHO 1 countries CHF 35). Final Report summaries 1992-2000 20 Avenue Appia (Results portfolio of the Small Grants Scheme; 1211 Geneva 27 A practical training manual covering the basic WHO-EM/TDR/004/E/G).2 concepts and principles of scientific research, SWITZERLAND from the selection of objectives and study design, This document summarizes the outcomes of Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 through the execution of studies and trials, to 63 operational research projects conducted E-mail: [email protected] the analysis of data and presentation of results. during ten years under the Small Grants The manual, which can be used in training Scheme funded jointly by the WHO Regional courses or for self-instruction, is designed for Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and TDR. young health scientists who are getting started in research and need to understand the basic steps in research design, including the way a research idea is translated into a feasible re- • Scaling up home management of malaria: 1 search proposal and the steps that must then from research to implementation PLEASE ORDER THIS DOCUMENT FROM: be taken to implement the proposed study. (WHO/HTM/MAL/2004.1096; World Health Organization Throughout the manual, principles and methods TDR/IDE/HMM/04.1)3 Marketing and Dissemination, are illustrated with real data from research 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. http://www.who.int/bookorders/ projects concerned with common problems in Large-scale research studies and pilot studies on Direct fax: (+41) 22 791 4857 the health sciences.The core of the manual the implementation of home management of 2 consists of eleven training modules, moving malaria (HMM) have shown that scaling up HMM PLEASE REQUEST THIS DOCUMENT FROM: from an explanation of the basic principles of is both feasible and effective, and is already being World Health Organization the scientific method through advice on the practised on a limited scale in some African Regional Office for the Eastern design of epidemiological, experimental and countries.The experiences and lessons learnt Mediterranean Region Distribution and Sales clinical studies, to chapters dealing with bias and have been compiled in this handbook, which is WHO Post Office confounding, the measurement of reliability, intended to be a reference document to help Naser City, Cairo 11371, Egypt. significance tests, and the establishment of define the mechanisms for scaling up HMM in Fax: (202) 670 24 92/94 E-mail: [email protected] association and causation. the African region.The handbook is aimed at Also available at: malaria control programme managers, malaria http://www.emro.who.int/tdr/ interagency coordinating committees, interna- 3 PLEASE REQUEST THIS tional donor organizations, nongovernmental DOCUMENT FROM: organizations (NGOs) involved in malaria control, World Health Organization and research and training institutions. CDS Information Resource Centre, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. Fax: (+41) 22 791 4285 E-mail: [email protected]

TDRnews • No 71 • FEB 2004 • 19 DEADLINES Steering Committee meetings

Research proposals and reports submitted to TDR are reviewed by the relevant committees. To guarantee review at a given meeting, your proposal should in general be received in Geneva two Mailing address: calendar months before the date of the meeting, or earlier in the case of Research Capacity TDR Strengthening. Proposals received later than this may be reviewed at the following meeting of the World Health Organization relevant committee. When preparing your research proposal, it is important to bear in mind that Avenue Appia 20 TDR supports goal-oriented research and that your proposal should be consistent with the plans of the 1211 Geneva 27 relevant committee, therefore, please study the priorities of the relevant steering committee be- Switzerland fore submitting your proposal and, if you are applying for the first time, please contact the relevant research manager in TDR with an outline of your proposed research before developing a full proposal. Street address: TDR Centre Casai Meeting date Deadline Avenue Louis-Casai 53 1216 Geneva Switzerland BASIC AND STRATEGIC RESEARCH

• Molecular Entomology May 2005* Feb 2005* Tel: (+41) 22-791-3725 • Pathogenesis and Applied Genomics May 2005* Feb 2005* Fax: (+41) 22-791-4854 · Working Group on Applied Genomics E-mail: [email protected] for Drugs and Diagnostics 08-10 July 2004 30 Apr 2004 Web: www.who.int/tdr • Strategic Social, Economic and Behavioural Research May 2005* Feb 2005*

PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT • Chemotherapy Portfolio Review Apr 2005* Jan 2005* • Vaccine Discovery Research May 2004* • Diagnostics Research and Development Sep 2004* July 2004*

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH • Implementation Research 06-09 July 2004 14 May 2004 Deadline may very according to specific call for applications To our readers: • Proof of Principle 08-11 June 2004 30 Mar 2004 We are unfortunately unable to accept for RESEARCH CAPACITY STRENGTHENING publication in TDRnews announcements (for • Research Strengthening Group 07-11 Mar 2005 18 June 2004 meetings, new pro- letters of intent grammes, institutions, 31 Oct 2004 publications, etc.) Only pre-selected which readers send us. letters of intent are invited to submit full Announcements which proposals by 31 Oct relate to research on tropical diseases would • Malaria Research Capacity Strengthening in Africa Mar 2005* 30 Nov 2004* clearly be of interest to Full proposals, our readers. However, progress reports and renewals requests because of limited space in the newsletter, we regret that we can publish only those con- cerning events in which TDR is directly involved. * Tentative date.

20 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003