No. 70 October 2003 TDR UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)

CONTENTS

2 Lapdap: a new antimalarial for Africa 3 FIND: finding new diagnostics 4 SWG identifies focused research agenda for malaria 5 FAME: an initiative to promote medical research publishing in Africa 6 HINARI approaches major milestone 8 Partnership for Social Science in Malaria Control: five-year strategy envisages centres of excellence in Africa 9 Ethical, legal and social issues of genetically modified disease vectors in public health 10 TDR’s Co-artemether Product Development Team: a public-private partnership in action 12 WHO-Aventis Collaborative Working Group: one cornerstone of a global alliance for controlling and eliminating African sleeping sickness 13 Miltefosine: what next? 14 TDR meets the tropical disease research community in Germany 15 TDR trainee profile 16 New research awards 22 Publications WHO/TDR/Crump 24 Deadlines KEYNOTE ARTICLE Lapdap: a new antimalarial for Africa | page 2 |

www.who.int/tdr KEYNOTE ARTICLE Lapdap: a new antimalarial for Africa

CONTACT For children more than three months of age, half a Lapdap tablet is ground to powder on a Dr Tom Kanyok spoon and mixed with water. TDR/PRD Tel: (+41 22) 791 3684 Fax: (+41 22) 791 4954 A new antimalarial treatment, a E-mail: [email protected] combination of chlorproguanil and dapsone known as ‘Lapdap’ which was developed by TDR and partners,1 has been approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the treat- ment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum, the most WHO/TDR/Crump life-threatening malaria parasite, in adults and children more than three months of age. Lapdap is effective against drug-resistant para- 1 Partners involved in the sites and is anticipated to be available in several African countries development of Lapdap: by the end of 2003, assuming that national approval is granted. • TDR • University of Liverpool • Liverpool School of Tropical Affordable new antimalarials are badly needed in sub-Saharan Africa, Medicine TDRnews where first-line treatments (e.g. chloroquine, sulphadoxine/pyri- • London School of Tropical methamine) are failing due to increasing parasite resistance. Lapdap Medicine and Hygiene is published three times a year by • GlaxoSmithKline the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special is cheap to produce and has a short half-life, presenting a smaller • UK Department for Programme for Research and ‘window’ for selection of resistance than drugs with a longer half-life, International Development Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). so the antimalarial efficacy should be retained for longer. • Falade CO, Malaria Research Full article text available Laboratories, College of on the TDR website. Medicine, University of Ibadan, All material submitted to TDRnews The safety and effectiveness of Lapdap will now be further assessed Ibadan, Nigeria undergoes editorial review. through surveillance of phase IV trials; so far, in the phase III clinical • Kremsner PG, Medical Research Articles and illustrations published Unit, Albert Schweitzer in TDRnews which are not programme in sub-Saharan Africa, the most common adverse effect Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon copyrighted may be reproduced, was anaemia, which occurred in only a small proportion of patients • Kublin JG, The Malawi- provided credit is given to TDR and was of limited duration.The safety of Lapdap will also be assessed Liverpool-Wellcome Trust and provided such reproduction is Programme for Tropical not used for commercial purposes. in specific patient groups, e.g. very young children, pregnant women, Medicine Research, PO Box Articles do not necessarily those co-infected with HIV, those with a predisposition to certain 30096 Chichiri, Blantyre, reflect the views of WHO. kinds of anaemia. Since chlorproguanil-dapsone is pharmacologically Malawi (P Chimpeni, J Kublin, C Mkandala) Editor Nina Mattock similar to sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine, further work is also needed • Premji Z, Muhimbili Medical Production team to understand how the useful therapeutic life of chlorproguanil- Center, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania • Winstanley PA, the Kenya- Jocelyne Bruyère, dapsone will be affected by the growing resistance to S/P. Liverpool Wellcome Trust Andy Crump, Jens Kastberg Programme for Tropical Design Lisa Schwarb To what extent chlorproguanil-dapsone will, by itself, find use in the Medicine Research, Kilifi, Layout Nanette Vabø treatment of malaria is, however, uncertain.WHO strategy is to use Kenya; and the Department of Pharmacology and new antimalarial drugs in combination with an artemisinin derivative, Therapeutics, University of Tel. (+41) 22 791 3725 and Lapdap has the potential to be used in this way as a ‘loose’ Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK Fax (+41) 22 791 4854 combination with an artemisinin.The development of a fixed-dose • Wellcome Trust E-mail [email protected] combination of Lapdap with artesunate (chlorproguanil-dapsone- 2 Partners in discussion for the Web www.who.int/tdr artesunate or CDA) is already under way and is currently undergoing development of chlorpro- Address TDR phase II clinical trials in Malawi.The creation of a public-private part- guanil-dapsone-artesunate: World Health Organization • TDR Avenue Appia 20 · 1211 Geneva 27 nership to further develop this combination drug is at an advanced • GlaxoSmithKline Switzerland stage of negotiation.2 • Medicines for Malaria Venture

2 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 DIAGNOSTICS RESEARCH FIND: finding new diagnostics

An independent non-profit foundation based in activities rather than through open requests for CONTACT Geneva and known as the Foundation for investigator-initiated proposals. However, some Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)1 was launched investigator-initiated proposals will be funded Dr Mark Perkins in May 2003 by TDR and the Bill and Melinda each year, and two joint FIND/TDR requests for Gates Foundation. applications have already been issued, calling for Manager, Diagnostics research towards 1) an antigen detection system Product Research and FIND represents an expansion of TDR’s ongoing for case-finding or follow-up, and 2) improved Development, TDR efforts to find and develop new diagnostics for sputum microscopy (this being the most widely Tel: (+41) 22 791 4141 neglected infectious diseases; in particular it builds available diagnostic test for tuberculosis, which on the former TDR Tuberculosis Diagnostics has been in use for more than 100 years). Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 Initiative (TBDI).With funding from the Gates E-mail: [email protected] Foundation (US$30 million for the first five years), FIND will be directed by Giorgio Roscigno, the FIND will be able to quickly turn methods into founding director of the Global Alliance for TB products, untested products into evaluated Drug Development, while TDR’s own Mark products, and promising tests into tools with Perkins will become FIND’s scientific director. demonstrated impact and feasibility. The FIND offices are located next door to TDR’s new premises (see page 11). Tuberculosis (TB) was chosen as the first target for FIND because of the magnitude of the TB “The recent outbreak of SARS illustrates the problem (TB kills one person every 15 seconds) need for easy-to-use and accurate diagnostics and because, once detected, cases can be ably to aid in the control of tropical diseases” says treated by existing health systems. Ultimately TDR director Carlos Morel.“Great strides have however, other neglected diseases will be the been made in developing drugs and increasing focus of attention. patient access to good medicines, but diagnosis remains a stumbling block in public health. Public FIND and TDR have a jointly elaborated work- health needs can only be met by partnerships at plan on TB diagnostics, which will be carried out all levels”. through managing a portfolio of focused research

Can sputum microscopy be improved? It has been in use for more than 100 years and is the most widely available diagnostic test for TB.

1 www.finddiagnostics.org/ WHO/TDR/Crump

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 3 SCIENTIFIC WORKING GROUP Scientific Working Group CONTACT identifies focused research Dr Yeya Touré Manager, Molecular agenda for malaria Entomology Committee, and Malaria Research Coordinator, TDR Intermittent preventive Tel: (+41) 22 791 3884/4453 therapy for malaria: Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 this woman will receive sulphadoxine/pyri- E-mail: [email protected] methamine tablets to combat possible malaria infection during her pregnancy.

WHO/TDR/Crump

The Scientific Working Group (SWG) is one of • Evaluation of artemisinin-based combination the major tools for TDR, for bringing the disease therapies. emphasis back into the Programme.An SWG • Development of new drugs with novel targets. meeting takes place once every five years for each • New approaches to drug-based malaria disease. It sets the research agenda not only for prevention including intermittent preventive TDR but for the whole of the disease field, from therapy in children and during pregnancy. basic science to policy-making. Experts from all • Strategies for scaling up the use of geographic areas, including disease endemic insecticide-treated nets. countries, take part in the meetings, which are • Genomics for discovery and development of five-day exercises. drugs, diagnostics, vaccines, insecticides, and anti-parasite effector molecules. The focus of the SWG meeting held in March • Strategic and basic research in vector-parasite- 2003 was malaria, which remains a major threat host interactions. to human health despite considerable national • Assessment of mechanisms for drug and and international efforts.The meeting brought insecticide resistance. together an interdisciplinary group of scien- • Development and field evaluation of transgenic tists, representing academic, government and methods for interrupting malaria transmission. non-governmental organizations, who reviewed • Investigation of the pathogenesis of malaria, in the current state of knowledge and identified particular of anaemia and mechanisms of gaps and opportunities in research and training immune response. to address these gaps. • Development and application of a common methodology for measuring socio-economic Recommendations for a focused research agenda status. included: • Policy and operational research on the impact, • Evaluation of treatment and access to treat- viability, sustainability, and optimal balance in ment for uncomplicated malaria in children public-private partnerships. and during pregnancy, with an emphasis on • Ethical, legal and social issues of new malaria- home management of malaria. related tools. • Evaluation of new approaches to preventing • Continuation and expansion of capacity and managing severe malaria. building and synergistic partnerships.

4 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 CAPACITY BUILDING FAME: an initiative to promote medical research publishing in Africa

TDR supports major health research projects in Africa and other regions through a variety of grants.The results of this research are published in well known biomedical journals rather than in national medical journals; repeated bibliometric analyses to assess the impact of TDR grants in published literature have shown that the vast majority of grant recipients publish in mainstream biomedical journals with a high impact factor. Since the same bibliometric analyses show that most of these research results are cited by scientists outside Africa, the impact of this research on local researchers, health professionals and policy-makers, all of whom have little access to major international health journals, is questionable.

To give greater visibility to African medical research therefore,TDR/Research Capability Strengthening (RCS) has launched an initiative to strengthen local publication of health research Members of the FAME conducted in or relevant to Africa.A postal survey, Steering Committee. in July 2002, of 69 African medical and health journals found that the majority were under- funded, did not publish regularly, lacked high quality articles and standard peer review, and were mostly invisible to the rest of the inter- national medical community.

In October 2002, 15 African medical journal editors, four mainstream medical journal1 editors, Working Groups enable and representatives of international editors’ all members of FAME to associations2 and other interested partners,3 contribute their ideas. were brought together in a consultative meeting and workshop in Geneva. Setting up the Forum of African Medical Editors (FAME), a professional public health facilitator, was participatory, enabling 1 British Medical Journal, Tropical association and network, was the first step taken all members to contribute their ideas to the Medicine and International Health, by the African editors in reviewing the problems establishment of FAME.The report of the meeting Médecine tropicale, Cahiers Santé. faced by their journals and trying to find common includes proposals, a workplan, and the draft 2 World Association of Medical solutions.The FAME secretariat is located at constitution.The FAME general founding meeting Editors, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya, will be held in Addis Ababa in September 2003. Council of Science Editors. and a list-serv for FAME members and interested 3 Fogarty International Center, partners is now operational at [email protected]. It is expected that capacity building within existing BioMed Central, African medical journals, and collaborative projects BIREME (Centro Latino-Americano The FAME steering committee met for the first with interested parties, will lead to greater journal e do Caribe de Informação em Ciencias da Saúde), time in Mombasa, Kenya, 22-24 April 2003.The sustainability and publishing regularity, improved US National Institutes of meeting was attended by members from Ethiopia, quality of peer review and contents, and higher Health/National Library of Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda, and Switzer- regional and international visibility of African Medicine, International Network for the land (WHO/TDR/RCS).The work planning medical research through indexing in major biblio- Availability of Scientific meeting, which was facilitated by a professional graphic databases. Publications.

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 5 UPDATE HINARI approaches major milestone

Barbara Aronson

HINARI, the Health Internetwork Access to at regional and country level are providing sup- Research Initiative, is approaching a major mile- port to help institutions equip themselves, many stone: 1000 registered institutions.The Initiative institutions now hold regular training courses on has expanded in two phases; at the time of writing, how to use HINARI.TDR also actively supports a total of 945 institutions in 96 countries in all HINARI, and recently, for example, provided regions of the world are registered users. infrastructure support for connectivity of the largest hospital in Honduras and of the Armauer HINARI was launched in 2002 as a public-private Hansen Research Institute in Ethiopia. initiative aiming to enable access to international biomedical journals for scientists and health care Users seem to be very happy with HINARI. workers in developing countries so they will be “On behalf of our scientific team, I would like to better able to participate in the global research express my deep gratitude and sincere thanks to agenda (see TDRnews nos. 64, 66, 69).A total of HINARI.Access to the right information is of 39 publishers, including most of the major scien- paramount importance if one wants to do good tific presses, are now participating by providing science.At this point, HINARI is unique, especially free or low-cost access to their publications for for the poor countries of the Third World, like universities, medical schools, research institutions, Madagascar” (Philippe Rasoanaivo, Institut teaching hospitals, and government offices in Malgache de Recherches Appliquées). low-income countries.While some WHO offices

WHO/SEARO/Library Many institutions now hold regular training courses on how to use HINARI, as here in Bhutan at the Royal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS), Health Literature, Library and Informationn Services (HEL- LIS) national focal point library.

6 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 Nearly 1000 institutions in nearly 100 countries, including Bhutan as here at the RIHS HELLIS national focal point, are registered users of HINARI.

WHO/SEARO/Library

Below Barbara Aronson talks to Dr Howard Engers about his CONTACT perspective of HINARI from the field.A long-time staff member of TDR,Dr Engers now works as Scientific Director of the Mrs Barbara Aronson Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI),Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. WHO information and library services Dr Howard Engers was at WHO in June. He level, and of course researchers.We have a Tel: (+41) 22 791 2034 dropped by the library to tell us how pleased bus service to transport staff to and from the Fax: (+41) 22 791 4150 he and his colleagues are with HINARI. Institute.They arrive on the 08:00hrs bus, and leave on the bus at 17:00hrs.We have one late E-mail: • Dr Engers, tell us about your institute. bus at 19:30hrs. Since we have HINARI, there [email protected] are always six or eight people staying for the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) is last bus, so they can use HINARI. Staff also named for the Norwegian country physician, come in on Saturdays and Sundays.They set Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who first their experiment up, and then go to the library described the leprosy bacillus (Mycobacterium to use HINARI. Scientists are also coming from leprae) and who indeed was first to link a the University of Addis Ababa to use HINARI. disease to a microorganism.AHRI is now part They have their own password, but their of the Ministry of Health ALERT – the All Africa connectivity is not always as reliable as ours. Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Center, a large hospital with both in-patient and out- • What impact is HINARI having on the patient services.These days the research scope work of AHRI? of the Institute has been widened to mycobac- terial research in general, mainly tuberculosis. Research proposals coming from African institu- tions can be very out of date.You see it in the • I know that last year AHRI was not able to bibliographies – they are just not aware of connect to HINARI. How have you solved what has been happening in the last year or this problem? so, because they don’t have ready access to For more information about the journals. So the ideas may be very good, but HINARI, and to register In order to be able to use HINARI, we have in- can be irrelevant. It’s hard to get funding this stalled a leased line. It costs us about US $500 way. Now that we have HINARI, when I see a online, please visit our per month.There are not many leased lines draft proposal – for a thesis chapter, for a grant website: available in Addis Ababa, but we were able to – if I don’t see 2003 references, I send them www.healthinternetwork.org get ours with the help of the Ministry of back to the library to get 2003 and even pre- Health. Our line is not as fast as broadband – publication articles from HINARI.This changes about half as fast – but it works.We have 12 things for us completely. AGORA, an agriculture version workstations on line, with two in the library. of HINARI, will be launched Dr Engers and his institute have recently been by the FAO in October 2003. • How has HINARI been received at AHRI? incorporated as part of the Ministry of Health. You can register online for We asked if he intends to get HINARI working We are all very excited about it.AHRI has there and he assures us it will be one of his first AGORA at graduate students – masters and doctoral priorities. www.aginternetwork.org

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 7 PARTNERSHIP Partnership for Social Science in Malaria Control: five-year strategy envisages centres of excellence in Africa

The Partnership for Social Science in Malaria • support for four African social scientists to Control (PSSMC), an organization whose member- attend international conferences and meetings to ship comprises individuals from institutions present research and facilitate panel discussions; committed to “the effort to Roll Back Malaria • creation of a database of social science con- through building partnerships, and promoting sultants that will be distributed to national quality social science contributions to developing malaria control programmes through the WHO and implementing evidence-based strategies,” Regional Office for Africa; held its third annual steering committee meeting • development of an annotated bibliography of 15-17 January 2003 at WHO headquarters in socio-behavioural issues related to malaria Geneva, Switzerland. Present at the meeting were and pregnancy that was distributed through members of the Steering Committee, represen- the US Agency for International Development tatives of partner organizations, and invited guests.1 and the Pregnancy, Malaria,Anemia Network; • expansion of the PSSMC network of social This year’s meeting was well represented by WHO scientists interested in malaria control in sub- personnel, including staff members from TDR and Saharan Africa to 113 members representing Roll Back Malaria. Dr Carlos Morel, Director 20 countries; TDR, gave the opening and welcome remarks, • development of a postdoctoral social science expressing a desire to see greater involvement position within the US Centers for Disease of TDR in the activities of the PSSMC. During his Control and Prevention Malaria Fellowship remarks at the opening session, Mr David Alnwick, Program. (then project manager of Roll Back Malaria; now director of WHO’s malaria unit) also commended As part of its strategic plan, the PSSMC is seeking the PSSMC on being at the “cutting edge” of funds to establish four regional resource centres effecting behaviour change in malaria control to be located in the regions represented by the efforts. African members of the Steering Committee (Kenya, Mozambique, Ghana, Mali).These centres 1 Organizations represented: • US Centers for Disease Control and One of the main accomplishments of this year’s are envisioned to be centres of excellence for Prevention meeting was the development of a five-year applied social science in malaria control and • TDR strategic framework, produced as a result of a sources of technical expertise for the regions. • WHO Regional Office for Africa • WHO/Roll Back Malaria highly participatory process incorporating input • UK Department for International from all attendees. Major achievements of the The next annual steering committee meeting is Development organization over the past year were also reviewed, tentatively scheduled for January 2004 in Accra, • Malaria programme of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical including: Ghana. Plans are under way to host an “add-on” Medicine • expansion of the Clearinghouse for Social scientific day in order to bring together social • Ghana Health Services Science and Malaria Literature, a PSSMC- science researchers, staff of national malaria control • University of Nairobi • National Institute of Health, created citation database that includes programmes, and local malaria stakeholders, to Mozambique published literature, technical reports and begin the process of establishing an open dialogue • Environmental Health Project oral/poster presentations from national, regional and sharing resources and expertise, and to • Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory • Multilateral Initiative on Malaria and international meetings.The Clearinghouse develop approaches for social scientists to secretariat is hosted by the Malaria Foundation Inter- contribute to malaria control programmes in a • Malaria Consortium national on its website (www.malaria.org); more effective manner. • Gates Malaria Program, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine • Center for Health, Society and Culture, Emory University.

8 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 ETHICAL ISSUES Ethical, legal and social issues of genetically modified disease vectors in public health

Before a genetically- modified mosquito could be released, environmental and human health concerns must be CONTACTS: assessed. Dr Johannes Sommerfeld Manager, Steering Committee on Strategic Social, Economic and Behavioural Research, TDR Tel: (+41) 22 791 3954 Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 Email: [email protected]

WHO/TDR/Stammers

Dr Yeya Touré During the past seven years,TDR has led a num- • Evaluating risk – e.g. through setting up a spe- ber of efforts to develop the tools necessary for cialized ethical review committee to offer Manager, Molecular producing genetically modified insect vectors advice to researchers on the ethics of their Entomology Committee, TDR that are no longer able to transmit pathogens.A projects; carrying out environmental, medical Disease Research major focus, under its Basic and Strategic Research and social studies prior to selecting a site for Coordinator for malaria, TDR area (STR), has been to develop a genetically- field trials; developing a contingency plan for modified mosquito that cannot transmit malaria. aborting a field trial. Tel: (+41) 22 791 3884 The concurrent publication of the malaria and • Exchanging information – with community Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 mosquito genomes in 2002 brought this goal one leaders, community members, and the mass Email: [email protected] big step closer. However, before any genetically media, including discussing intrinsic ethical modified organism can be released, important issues such as whether gene transfer between environmental and human health concerns must species challenges the community’s concept of be assessed. living organisms, and the ecological impacts of the genetically-modified organism on other A recently published monograph on the ethical, animal species. legal and social issues (ELSI) involved,1 prepared • Getting consent from the individuals and under the auspices of TDR’s Steering Committee communities involved, including for the environ- on Social, Economic and Behavioural (SEB) mental and agricultural risks as well as the research (see publications page), helps to prepare human risks of a trial, even though the exact the ground for this.The monograph introduces cultural interpretation of the informed consent issues that are relevant not only to TDR but to process may vary between countries. anyone planning to utilize genetically-modified • Making commitment to the local communities organisms in the environment for public health involved in the field trial such that they will be purposes.A number of issues need to be con- the first beneficiaries of more permanent use sidered well in advance and prior to considering of a genetically-modified vector, if appropriate. use of any transgenic organism in disease control. • Sharing information, technology, and data with 1 Ethical, legal and social issues of genetically modified disease all in order to benefit from global expertise vectors in public health. The issues include: and develop international consensus; and not Social, Economic and • Assessing risk – taking up all the scientific and letting intellectual property concerns become Behavioural Research, Special Topics No. 1, 2003, social issues that pose potential risks and barriers to implementing public health measures document number: developing safety precautions to address them. using genetically-modified vectors. TDR/STR/SEB/ST/03.1.

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 9 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TDR’S Co-artemether Product CONTACTS Development Team: a public- Bernard Nahlen private partnership in action Roll Back Malaria, WHO Tel: (+41) 22 791 2869 Win Gutteridge, Consultant (previous Coordinator TDR/PRD) E-mail: [email protected]

Co-artemether is the first fixed Juntra Karbwang, combination of an artemisinin derivative and another antimalarial Clinical Coordinator, drug to be produced to inter- TDR/PRD national good manufacturing practice standards. Tel: (+41) 22 791 3867 Fax: : (+41) 22 791 4854 E-mail: [email protected]

Patricia Ibarra de Palacios Novartis Clinical Program Leader

Tel. : (+41) 22 324 7540 WHO/TDR/Crump Fax : (+41) 22 324 6537 E-mail : patricia.ibarra_ Co-artemether is a fixed combination of two Coartem® at cost,WHO indicated it would like drugs, artemether and lumefantrine, which was to see the six-dose regimen as the sole global de_palacios@pharma. developed in the 1990s by Novartis for the dosing regimen for co-artemether. In addition, novartis.com treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria. It is WHO stressed the need in sub-Saharan Africa registered in developed countries as Riamet® for the drug to be registered for treatment of and in disease-endemic countries as Coartem®. infants as well as young children; at that time, it It is the first fixed combination of an artemisinin was only registered to treat individuals of 10 kg derivative and another antimalarial drug to be body weight and above. produced to international standards of good manufacturing practice.While Riamet® is priced Analysis of these two requirements quickly by the normal commercial criteria and is thus revealed the need for more R&D, especially for unaffordable in the developing world, further assessment of the safety of the six-dose Coartem®, in a pioneering move, is being regimen of co-artemether in sub-Saharan African offered through WHO to the national malaria populations, and assessment of the safety and control programmes of developing countries by efficacy of the product in infants.WHO and Novartis at cost. Novartis senior managements agreed that this was best done in partnership, hence the establishment Co-artemether is currently recommended to be in 2001 of the Co-artemether Product Develop- given in two different dosage regimens: ment Team (PDT),which includes representatives • a four-dose regimen for partially immune from Novartis, Roll Back Malaria (RBM) and patients, with four tablets given as a single TDR.The budget is mostly provided by Novartis, dose at the time of initial diagnosis and then in return for guarantees about the ongoing sup- again after 8, 24 and 48 hours; ply of Coartem® at cost, though contributions • a six-dose regimen for non-immune have also been made by RBM and TDR. patients and for those who live in areas of multidrug-resistant malaria, with four tablets The specific objective of the PDT is to obtain given as a single dose at the time of initial regulatory approval of the six-dose regimen of diagnosis, again after 8 hours, and then twice Coartem® for the treatment of acute uncom- daily on each of the following 2 days. plicated malaria in patients down to 5 kg in body However, both regimens are not registered in all weight in all countries, mostly in sub-Saharan countries and, during the discussions with WHO Africa, where only the four-dose regimen is which led to the agreement for supply of currently registered.To facilitate this, permission

10 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 to extend existing Swiss regulatory approval of to not be a problem.A very high cure rate was the six-dose regimen to include infants of 5-10 kg achieved in all patient groups and an expert body weight will first be sought. clinical report is now being prepared for regula- tory purposes. Submission to Swissmedic, the The design of the clinical study was challenging. drug regulatory authority in Switzerland, is For various reasons, a normal double-blind study planned for later this year.The Swiss submission would have been unethical and it was decided will be followed by submissions to authorities in that an open label study would be done with sub-Saharan Africa. the primary objective of assessing safety and the secondary objective of assessing efficacy. It was A debriefing with the PDT’s principal investigators planned to enrol 300 male and non-menarche will take place in October 2003 and will provide female patients of ≥5 and ≤25 kg body weight, an opportunity for feedback. One issue has with half of them in the >5-10 kg range.Three already emerged – the challenge of persuading centres were used, one each in Kenya, Nigeria and infants to swallow antimalarial drugs! A positive 1 Principal Investigators: Michael Tanzania.1 Agreed enrolments were completed response from Novartis is already on the table Makanga, Kenya Medical Research early in 2003. – a commitment to develop a paediatric formu- Institute, Kilifi; Catherine Falade, University College Hospital, lation of co-artemether.The next challenge has Ibadan; Zul Premji, Muhimbili The results were essentially the same in all three also been laid down by WHO – what about University College of Health centres.The drug combination was well tolerated pregnant women? Novartis have not said yes, but Science, Dar es Salaam. in all patient groups and cardiotoxicity was shown neither have they said no! Watch this space.

TDR apologizes for the delay in publishing TDRnews no. 70, which suffered a setback due to the office move.

Mailing address: TDR World Health Organization Avenue Appia 20 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland

Location: TDR Centre Casai Avenue Louis-Casai 53 1216 Geneva Switzerland

TDR moved to new premises in September 2002.

WHO/Virot

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 11 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WHO-Aventis Collaborative Working Group: one cornerstone of a global alliance for controlling and eliminating African sleeping sickness

TDR, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Drugs for Surveillance of populations at risk Neglected Diseases Initiative, and many institu- from sleeping sickness is a main factor in control: the WHO-Aventis tions in both developed and disease endemic Collaboration has so far screened countries; some 200 000 people. • concerted vector control actions in collabora- tion with other UN agencies (International Atomic Energy Agency, the Food and Agri- culture Organization) and the African Union; • inter-country collaborations towards elimina- tion by establishing sub-regional elimination programmes, standardized methods for screen- ing, diagnosis and treatment, and training for

WHO/TDR/Mark Edwards WHO/TDR/Mark heads of programmes and technicians; • country/endemicity specific strategies to CONTACTS An agreement signed between Aventis and WHO facilitate cost-effective and high-quality in May 2001 had clocked up a number of achieve- screening and treatment activities as well as ments by July 2003. Under the agreement,Aventis sustainable surveillance. Dr Deborah Kioy donates US$25 million over five years, including Disease Research the drugs pentamidine, melarsoprol and eflorni- In addition, national programmes for control of Coordinator for African thine, to support WHO activities in management sleeping sickness in more than 15 countries have trypanosomiasis, TDR and control of African trypanosomiasis, and in re- been revived and strengthened through ‘seed search and development of drugs for this disease. rehabilitation funding’ from the Aventis donation Tel: (+41) 22 791 3524 as well as through WHO organized screening Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 By July 2003, the WHO-Aventis Collaboration had: which has leveraged funding from other sources E-mail: [email protected] • financed 31 active screening tours in which (country governments, France). 200 000 people were screened • financed reagents for diagnostic tests on Resurgence of sleeping sickness in the last 40 years Dr Annette Kuesel 500 000 people in 15 countries followed cutbacks in vector control, surveillance Scientist, Product Research • financed equipment e.g. electric generators, and screening, and decreased access to drugs. and Development, TDR centrifuges Today, only an estimated 10% of those suffering Tel: (+41) 22 791 1541 • provided, via Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), from the disease receive proper treatment, yet 183 295 vials of pentamidine for treating the probability of cure is high if the disease is Fax: (+41) 22 791 4774 26 200 patients in 16 different countries diagnosed and treated in its early stages. E-mail: [email protected] • provided, via MSF,227 403 vials of melarsoprol for treating 23 000 patients in 26 countries TDR is working with the WHO Communicable Dr Jean Jannin • provided, via MSF, 92 500 vials of eflornithine Disease Control, Prevention and Eradication unit for treating 10 000 patients in 17 countries. (WHO/CPE) and Aventis on technical aspects of Communicable Disease ensuring sustainable drug manufacture at lower Control, Prevention and Other achievements so far have included than current cost, with particular emphasis on Eradication (CDS/CPE), WHO developing: eflornithine.This drug, which was first registered for Tel: (+41) 22 791 3779 • activities (surveillance of drug resistance, treatment of late-stage African trypanosomiasis implementation of research projects at field in 1990 by the United States Food and Drug E-mail: [email protected] level) of the WHO Treatment and Drug Administration following its discovery in 1981 as Resistance Network in collaboration with an anti-trypanocidal agent by Cyrus Bacchi, Pace

12 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 University, New York, USA, in collaboration with venous treatment, which limits its use on a large TDR, is now registered in 12 disease endemic scale. Oral formulations would be preferred, but countries.WHO has been working with Hoechst have lower bioavailability (of only 50%) than intra- Marion Roussel and now Aventis on sustained venous formulations and hence result in higher and affordable availability of eflornithine. relapse rates.Thus a Product Development Team in TDR is clinically evaluating the safety and efficacy TDR has undertaken to identify and register a of oral eflornithine; the first study in Côte safe and efficacious oral regimen of eflornithine. d’Ivoire has been completed.These development The drug is currently approved only as an intra- activities are supported by the Aventis donation.

UPDATE Miltefosine: what next? CONTACTS

Following on from the registration of miltefosine A quick assessment of the major anthroponotic Dr Philippe Desjeux (Impavido®) in India in the Spring of 2002 (see foci to evaluate the devastating impact of VL on TDRnews no. 68), a phase IV clinical trial was local populations and the exact burden in terms Leishmaniasis research launched. Currently almost 1200 visceral leish- of morbidity and mortality is needed. Based on Coordinator, TDR maniasis (VL) patients are included in the trial, the real needs and corresponding costs (economic Tel: (+41) 22 791 3870 most of them from Bihar State, India, with others projections),WHO, together with several other E-mail: [email protected] from Terai,Nepal.The results of the phase IV study institutions, could initiate a global public-private will be of great importance for undertaking a partnership for large-scale control of VL in these large-scale evaluation of the levels of patient foci. Dr Juntra Karbwang compliance and adverse events; the phase IV data Clinical Coordinator, will be analysed during a consultative meeting to Simultaneously,TDR and Zentaris, the company Product Research and be jointly organized by the ministries of health which produces miltefosine, are looking towards of India and Nepal, the WHO Regional Office for registration of the drug in countries of East Africa Development, TDR South-East Asia, and TDR and WHO in Geneva. and Europe, and in Brazil.To facilitate registration, Tel: (+41) 22 791 3867 studies on the efficacy of miltefosine will begin in Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 Based on results of the trial, the Ministry of Health these countries as soon as possible. E-mail: [email protected] of India may decide whether to recommend miltefosine as first-line drug for VL in India. Other studies will look at the efficacy of milte- The need to find a substitute for the pentavalent fosine in treatment of post kala azar dermal antimonials currently used as first-line treatment leishmaniasis, and in HIV-positive patients and in for VL is urgent since a growing proportion of children. patients (62% in 2002) no longer adequately respond to these drugs. In order to prevent Visceral leishmaniasis resistance, possible patient under milte- The Indian authorities are committed to a plan combination therapies fosine treatment: a phase IV trial is for elimination of visceral leishmaniasis.A window are undergoing labo- ongoing. of opportunity now exists as a result of recent ratory evaluation prior and substantial improvements in the tools avail- to their potential able for VL control and prevention, including more assessment in the field. field-applicable diagnostic tests, an oral drug (miltefosine), and long-lasting insecticide im- Finally, studies on pregnated nets, which make the elimination goal more cost-effective more reachable than ever.Within an integrated drug delivery strate- control programme, these new tools should gies, to secure full allow a drastic reduction in transmission, parti- access of the most cularly in anthroponotic foci such as those of affected populations to the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India, miltefosine, are soon Nepal) and East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan). to begin in India.

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 13 RESEARCH COLLABORATION TDR meets the tropical disease research community in Germany

CONTACTS The Federal Republic of Germany is one of TDR’s miltefosine for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis major donor countries; it has a well established with Zentaris AG (application for marketing network of institutions specialized in tropical authorization was recently submitted in Germany), Dr Johannes Sommerfeld diseases and international health research.TDR is and the ongoing development of a diagnostic Manager, Steering Committee always exploring mechanisms for more and better patch for onchocerciasis with Lohmann Therapie on Strategic Social, Economic collaboration with its donor countries, and a recent Systeme AG. meeting in Berlin was aimed at fostering scientific and Behavioural Research, and financial collaboration between German The symposium was co-sponsored by four German TDR institutions and TDR. ministries: the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Tel: (+41) 22 791 3954 Ministry for Health and Social Security, the Ministry Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 The two-day symposium held at the new Gesell- for Education and Research, and the Ministry for schaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) Economic Cooperation and Development. Each E-mail: house in central Berlin was organized by GTZ of these ministries is involved in promoting [email protected] (a German government-owned corporation for tropical diseases research conducted in Germany, international cooperation), the German Society in collaboration with scientists in Germany or in Dr Annette Kuesel for Tropical Medicine and International Health, and disease-endemic countries, through policy-setting TDR.The symposium brought together about and/or funding. One of the goals in co-sponsoring Scientist, Product Research 40 scientists working in tropical diseases research the symposium was to initiate discussions on what and Development, TDR at German public and private research institutions. can and needs to be done by German funding Tel: (+41) 22 791 1541 agencies, researchers, and TDR to enhance the Fax: (+41) 22 791 4774 The tightly-scheduled agenda included presenta- development of effective control tools and tions related to research on:African trypano- strategies for tropical diseases and ensure their Email: [email protected] somiasis, leishmaniasis, and viral haemorrhagic successful implementation in disease-endemic fever – categorized by TDR in its strategy for countries. Jens Kastberg 2000-2005 as emerging or uncontrolled diseases; Advocacy Officer tuberculosis, malaria, and schistosomiasis – Improved information flow between research categorized by TDR as diseases where a control groups was identified as a prerequisite for more Tel: (+41) 22 791 1309 strategy is available but the burden persists; and efficient research activities. One tool available was Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 onchocerciasis – a disease with a proven, effective introduced at the meeting by GTZ: the Scientists Email: [email protected] control strategy, falling disease burden, and planned for Health and Research for Development elimination. (SHARED) website,1 designed to allow researchers and research institutions to network and easily The research presented ranged from identifica- retrieve information on research projects, tion of drug-resistant pathogen genotypes and personnel, and funding.TDR is preparing a web- development of drugs and vaccines to non- site link to its own database on previous and medical measures for disease prevention and the current TDR-funded projects. impact of national or international conflicts on infectious disease prevalence. The German ministries, GTZ, and TDR will evaluate how cooperation between them can Much of the work presented is being conducted improve access to funding for research, develop- in collaborations between academic institutions ment, and disease control implementation projects in Germany and institutions in disease-endemic performed in collaborations between institutions countries.Two examples of successful TDR- in Germany and disease-endemic countries.TDR initiated public-private partnerships with German plans to have similar meetings in other countries. companies were presented: the development of

1 www.shared-global.org

14 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 TDR TRAINEE PROFILE Training in prediction of schistosomiasis transmission

Mr Guo Jiagang successfully defended his PhD Zhou’s work, Ms Yang Guojing, Jiangsu Institute CONTACT thesis on 16 May 2003 at the Swiss Tropical of Parasitic Diseases, is currently registered at STI Institute (STI), receiving the distinction of cum for a PhD in RS/GIS for schistosomiasis control Mr Steven Wayling laude from the University of Basel. His thesis, with an emphasis on advanced spatial statistics, “Schistosomiasis control in China: Strategy of further moving forward this important tool for Manager, Research Training control and rapid assessment of schistosomiasis disease control.Another former trainee, Dr Luo Grants, risk by remote sensing (RS) and geographic Dapeng, applied similar approaches for malaria Research Capacity information systems (GIS)”, described the applica- prediction in Yunnan Province, the only remaining Strengthening, TDR tion of a compound model to identify snail habitats province in China with significant transmission of and determine high-risk areas for schistosomiasis Plasmodium falciparum. Tel: (+41) 22 791 3909 transmission.The results, validated through ground- Fax: (+41) 22 791 4854 based snail surveys, showed that prediction has the These scientists and their collaborators are con- E-mail: [email protected] same accuracy as surveying but at a significantly tributing their knowledge and experience to the lower cost.This method will now be integrated Regional Network for Research, Surveillance into the Chinese schistosomiasis control pro- and Control of Asian Schistosomiasis, (RNAS),2 gramme particularly in monitoring the Three a multi-country partnership between China, Gorges reservoir area where snail habitats will Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia sup- likely develop. ported by collaborators from Australia, Denmark, Sweden, USA, Japan, Switzerland and Germany in Dr Guo, head of the schistosomiasis programme addition to TDR and the WHO Regional Office at the China Center for Disease Control (CDC), for the Western Pacific. During the next meeting China’s premiere research institute,1 joins another of RNAS, in Laos, December 2003, the applications former TDR trainee, Dr Zhou Xiao-Nong, CDC of RS/GIS to disease control will be the topic of Deputy-Director, who also completed his scientific discussion. doctoral studies and subsequent research in the application of RS/GIS for schistosomiasis control.

Dr Guo’s training at the STI continues a long- standing collaboration between TDR, STI director Professor Marcel Tanner, and the schistosomiasis research and control programmes in China. Of interest, during his training Guo spent periods of time with other TDR collaborators including Professor Don McManus, Queensland Institute of Medical Research,Australia; Byron Wood and Louisa Beck of NASA’s Center for Health Applications of Aerospace Related Technologies; and his Chinese supervisors Professor Chen Minggang, CDC, and Professor Yuan Hong Chang, Fudan University. In effect, Guo’s training took place on four continents – not a common occurrence.

The use of remote sensing and geographic infor- mation systems for schistosomiasis control in China is well developed. In addition to Guo and

Dr Guo (right) with STI Director Professor Marcel Tanner. 1 Formerly Institute of Parasitic Diseases, see: www.who.int/tdr/profiles/ institution/shanghai.htm

2 www.rnas.org

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 15 New awards

Research in immunoregulation in chronic de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pathogenesis and human schistosomiasis Immunopathogenesis mediated by Applied Genomics (budget: US$ 34 200) apoptosis: in vivo blockade of cell death in experimental Chagas The TDR Committee on Pathogenesis • A20305 ALBERTO CARLOS C. disease and Applied Genomics (PAG) met in FRASCH, Universidad Nacional (budget: US$ 35 000) Bangkok,Thailand, in September de General San Martin, Instituto 2002, to deliberate and recommend de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas, • A20349 DANIEL MASIGA, projects for funding by TDR. The Buenos Aires,Argentina. RNA- International Centre for Insect projects listed below were selected binding proteins involved in post- Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), from among a large number of appli- transcriptional regulation of gene Nairobi, Kenya. Expression of sur- cations received from investigators expression in trypanosomes face genes of T.b. rhodesiense in worldwide. (budget: US$ 35 000) insect larvae for diagnosis and disease staging New grants • A20392 KENNETH J. GOLLOB, (budget: US$ 29 000) Universidade Federal de Minas The following projects were funded Gerais, Instituto de Ciencias • A20379 FRANCINE NTOUMI, for one year in the first instance, and Biologicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Hopital Albert Schweitzer will be funded for an additional year Determination of functional activity Laboratoires de Recherches, if sufficient progress is made in the first and TCR usage of CD4-CD8-T cells Lambarene, Gabon. Polymorphism year toward reaching the scientific in human cutaneous leishmaniasis of FCyRIIa receptor (CD32) and objectives, and if sufficient funds are (budget: US$ 32 000) IgG2-mediated phagocytosis in available. children with sickle cell trait in • A20382 GEORGES E. R. GRAU, Gabon • A20369 OSCAR EDUARDO, Université de la Méditerranée, (budget: US$ 10 000) Campetella Universidade Nacional Marseille, France.ABCA1 gene de General San Martin, Instituto de and cerebral malaria: role in the • A20399 GUILHERME CORREA Investigaciones Biotecnologicas, pathogenesis and relevance in DE OLIVEIRA, Centro de San Matin,Argentina. Involvement genetic susceptibility Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Fundacao of the transsialidase from Trypa- (budget: US$ 35 000) Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, nosma cruzi in the pathogenesis of Brazil. Characterization of the Chagas Disease • A20320 GARETH WYN genetic structure of Schistosoma (budget: US$ 30 000) GRIFFTHS, European Molecular mansoni populations in endemic Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, areas with microsatellites • A20264 CHRISTINE CLAYTON, Germany.Analysis and manipula- (budget: US$ 13 000) Universitat Heidelberg, Zentrum tion of mycobacterial phagosome fur Molekulare Biologie, Germany. signalling networks • A20357 AHMED OSMAN EGIZA, Arsenical resistance in trypano- (budget: US$ 35 000) State University of New York at somes Buffalo, Department of Microbio- (budget: US$ 22 000) • A20289 EMANUELA logy, New York, USA. Mechanistic HANDMAN, Walter and Eliza studies on male-induced female- • A20342 PATRICK C A DE Hall Institute of Medical Research, specific gene expression in BAETSELIER, Vrije Universiteit Melbourne,Australia. Characteriza- Schistosoma mansoni Brussel, Instituut voor Moleculaire, tion of a mucin-like proteophos- (budget: US$ 35 000) Belgium. Molecular characterization phoglycan, a potential Leishmania of macrophage activation states major amastigote virulence factor • A20285 ALEJANDRO GABRIEL elicited during parasitic infections: (budget: US$ 35 000) SCHIJMAN, Instituto de the trypanosome model Investigaciones en Ingenieria (budget: US$ 35 000) • A20294 NADIRA D. Genetica y Biologia Molecular, KARUNAWEERA, University of Buenos Aires,Argentina. Role of • A20380 ALAIN DESSEIN, Colombo, Faculty of Medicine, the parasitic load and its genetic INSERM, France. Immunogenetics Dept of Parasitology, Colombo, diversity in the incidence of con- of Schistosoma japonicum infection Sri Lanka. Chemical and antigenic genital transmission of Chagas in China characterisation of bioactive para- disease (budget: US$ 30 200) site moieties involved in paroxysms (budget: US$ 18 225) of P. vivax malaria • A20393 WALDEREZ ORNELAS (budget: US$ 35 000) • A10337 MAURO TEIXEIRA, DUTRA, Universidade Federal de Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciencias • A20317 KRISTER KRISTENSSON, Departmento de Bioquimica e Biologicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Karolinska Institute, Division of Imunologia, Universidade Federal CD8+ T cells in human chagasic Neurodegenerative Disease de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, immunopathology, functional studies Research, Stockholm, Sweden. Brazil. Evaluation of the patho- of CD28+ and CD28- populations The role of chemokines and physiological role of MIP-1 in (budget: US$ 32 000) chemokine receptors in trafficking human schistosomiasis:A bio- of Trypanosoma brucei across the marker of worse prognosis • A20352 ANA MARIA C. FARIA, blood-brain barrier (budget: US$ 35 000) Universidade Federal de Minas (budget: US$ 35 000) Gerais, Departmento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Belo • A20310 MARCELA DE FREITAS Horizonte, Brazil.Aging and LOPES, Federal University of Rio

16 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 New South-South heterogeneity of major immuno- • A10325 EUZENIR NUNES collaboration grants genes among Leishmania popula- SARNO, Fundaco Oswaldo Cruz, tions and its relationship with Laboratorio de Hanseniase, Rio The following multicentre projects clinical polymorphism de Janeiro, Brazil. Exploitation of were funded for one year in the first (budget: US$ 31 370) novel genetic and molecular instance, and will be funded for an approaches to understand nerve additional year if sufficient progress • A10256 HAGAI DAVID damage in leprosy is made in the first year toward GINSBURG, Hebrew University (budget: US$ 34 000) reaching the scientific objectives, and of Jerusalem, Institute of Life if sufficient funds are available. Sciences, Department of Biological • A10340 JULIO SCHARFSTEIN, Chemistry, Jerusalem, Israel. Univ. Federal de Rio de Janeiro, • A20363 MARIANO JORGE Maintenance and upgrading of a Instituto de Biofisica Carlos, Rio de LEVIN, Instituto de Investiga- web site dedicated to blood stages Janeiro, Brazil.Activation of kinin- ciones en Ingenieria Genetica y of Plasmodium falciparum receptors by Trypanosoma cruzi: Biologia Molecular (INGEBI), (budget: US$ 6750) a modulatory role for kininase in Buenos Aires,Argentina. Specific cardiovascular pathology molecular mechanisms as targets • A10328 MARY GWO-SHU LEE, (budget: US$ 25 000) of novel anti-parasitic drugs New York University School of (budget: US$ 70 000) Medicine, Department of Patho- • A10440 WORACHART logy, New York, USA. Functional SIRAWARPORN, Mahidol Univer- • A20308 HELMI MARDASSI, Genomics of African trypano- sity, Faculty of Science, Department Institut Pasteur de Tunis,Tunis, somes – proteins trafficking in of Biochemistry, Bangkok,Thailand. Tunisia. Comparative genomics Trypanosoma brucei P. falciparum dihydropteroate syn- and differential expression analysis (budget: US$ 35 000) thase (pfDHPS): optimization of of the PE-PGRS proteins of enzyme expression in E. coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis • A10306 ROBERT LAZARUS development of a bacterial screening (budget: US$ 50 000) MODLIN, University of California for new inhibitors School of Medicine, Division of (budget: US$ 35 000) Dermatology, USA.Analysis of Renewed grants Genomic toll-like receptors in • A10318 H.G. STUNNENBERG, mycobacterial infection by University of Nijmegen, Depart- Grants for the following projects, functional genomics ment of Molecular Biology, originally funded in 2001, were (budget: US$ 35 000) Nijmegen, Netherlands. Proteomic renewed for a further year following approach to identify novel drug successful progress made towards • 990559 MAOWIA MOHAMED targets and vaccine candidates in meeting the objectives during the MUKHTAR, University of the human malaria parasite first year. Khartoum, Institute of Endemic (budget: US$ 35 000) Disease, Dept of Molecular • A00521 LENA ASLUND, Biology, Khartoum, Sudan. Parasite • A10332 THEODORE F. Department of Genetics and determinants associated with post TARASCHI, Thomas Jefferson Pathology, Uppsala, Sweden. kala azar dermal leishmaniasis University Department of Functional analysis of Trypanosoma (PKDL) Pathology,Anatomy and Cell cruzi: expression profiling on (budget: US$ 15 000) Biology, Philadelphia, USA. cDNA microarrays of gene from Evaluation of role of the genome projects • A10350 INGRID MÜLLER, Plasmodium falciparum AP endo- (budget: US$ 5000) Imperial College of Science, nuclease, pfApel, in DNA base Technology and Medicine, excision repair • A10422 ROBERT DOCAMPO, Department of Immunology, (budget: US$ 35 000) University of Illinois College of London, UK. Influence of toll like Veterinary Medicine, USA. receptor (TLR) activation on the • A10419 MARIE-TERESA Polyphosphate metabolism in innate immune response to TELLEZINON, Instituto de Investi- Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania Leishmania major gaciones en Ingenieria Genetica y major (budget: US$ 35 000) Biologia, Moleuclar, (INGEBI- (budget: US$ 35 000) CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argen- • A00525 ERIC PEARLMAN, Case tina. Biological functions and role • A10329 CHRISTIAN DANIEL Western Reserve University, in cell division of TzCRK1 and DOERIG, INSERM U511, Division of Geographic Medicine, TzCRK3 and their associated cyclins Wellcome Centre for Molecular Ohio, USA. Pathogenesis of (budget: US$ 19 000) Parasitology, University of onchocercal skin diseases Glasgow, UK. A ‘chemical genetics’ (budget: US$ 30 000) • A10342 ESTHER VON STEBUT, approach for the functional study Johannes Gutenburg University and validation of malarial protein • A10308 ANA RODRIGUEZ, Mainz, Department of kinases New York University School of Dermatology, Mainz, Germany. (budget: US$ 35 000) Medicine, Department of Vaccination against experimental Pathology, New York, USA. Role of cutaneous leishmaniasis with pro- • A00476 JEAN-CLAUDE dendritic cells in malaria-induced tein antigen-transduced dendritic DUJARDIN, Prince Leopold immunosuppression cells Institute of Tropical Medicine, (budget: US$ 35 000) (budget: US$ 35 000) Laboratory of Protozoology, Antwerp, Belgium. Genetic

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 17 New research awards • A10418 ROBERT ALAN Research in Molecular non-endemic areas of Kenya WILSON, University of York, Entomology (budget: US$38 950) (continued)> Department of Biology, New York, USA.A proteomic approach to The TDR Committee on Molecular define the molecular structure of Entomology (BCV) met in Bangkok, Renewed grants the schistosome tegument surface, Thailand, in September 2002, to the site of immune evasion deliberate and recommend projects Grants for the following projects, (budget: US$ 35 000) for funding by TDR.The projects listed originally funded in 2001, were below were selected from among a renewed for a further year following large number of applications received successful progress towards meeting Research in Applied from investigators worldwide. the objectives during the first year. Genomics to Drugs and Diagnostics • A10390 MARTIN AKOGBETO, New grants Centre de Recherche New grants Entomologique de Cotonou, The following projects were funded Bénin. Etude des relations et des The following projects were funded for one year in the first instance, and divergences écologiques des formes for one year in the first instance, and will be funded for an additional year if moléculaires et chromosomiques will be funded for an additional year sufficient progress is made in the first d’Anopheles gambiae s.s. if sufficient progress is made in the year towards reaching the scientific (budget: US$ 13 530) first year towards reaching the sci- objectives, and if sufficient funds are entific objectives, and if sufficient available. • A10435 ALESSANDRA DELLA funds are available. TORRE, Universita di Roma “La • A20493 BARRY BEATY, Sapienza”, Italy. Molecular and • A20527 STEWART THOMAS Colorado State University, USA. cytological characterization of COLE, Institut Pasteur, Unite The Biology of Disease Vectors Anopheles gambiae molecular Genetique Moleculaire Course 2003 forms and evaluation of their role Bacterienne, France. Post-genomic (budget: US$ 50 000) as malaria vectors leprosy diagnostics (budget: US$ 38 000) (budget: US$ 33,500) • A20338 GEORGE DIMOPOULOS, Imperial College of Science, • A00401 FOTIS KAFATOS, • A20563 PIERRE DRUILHE, Technology and Medicine, London, European Molecular Biology Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire de UK. Genome expression analysis Laboratory, Germany.A method for Parasitologie Biomedicale, France. of mosquito salivary gland function inducible in vitro dsRNA inhibition The malaria hepatic stage trans- and characterization of specific in anophelines.Application for the criptome:A seam for new drug promoters (budget: US$ 40 624) study of a serpin gene complex and vaccine targets (budget: US$ 37 000) (budget: US$ 25,000) • A20290 ABDOULAYE DIOP, Institut de Recherche pour le • A00351 CHRISTOS LOUIS, • A20519 LIAM GOOD, Développement (ex-ORSTOM), Institute of Molecular Biology and Karolinska Institute, Center for Dakar, Sénégal. Détermination du Biotechnology, Greece.Analysis of Genomics and Bioinformatics, rendement parasitaire du cycle the ookinete invasion of Anopheles Sweden. Peptide-mediated delive- sporogonique de Plasmodium falci- and subsequent transformation to ry of antisense agents into myco- parum chez Anopheles gambiae s.s. oocyst using mRNA microarrays bacteria for antimicrobial target (budget: US$ 5 000) (budget: US$ 33 600) identification (budget: US$ 27,000) • A20269 QI GAO, Jiangsu • A00914 CHRISTOS LOUIS, Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Molecular Biology and • A20507 KASTURI HALDAR, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. Identification Biotechnology, Greece.AnoDB, Northwestern University Medical of Anopheles sinensis and Anopheles the Anopheles database School, Department of Pathology, anthropophagus and their role in (budget: US$ 51 000) Chicago, USA.A microarray malaria transmission in China approach to identify sphingolipid (budget: US$ 27 500) • A00398 CHRISTIAN MATHIOT, biosynthetic enzymes as targets Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Sénégal: for malaria chemotherapy • A20330 LIZETTE KOEKEMOER, Rôle d’Aedes aegypti dans (budget: US$ 22,000) National Health Laboratory l’interaction des cycles selvatique Services, Johannesburg, South et épidémique de dengue 2: • A20509 MARIANE MARTINS DE Africa.The role of mono-oxygen- aspects génétiques et moléculaires ARAUJO STEFANI, Federal ases in insecticide resistant (budget: US$ 29 463) University of Goias, Instituto de Anopheles funestus Giles Patologia Tropicale e Saude (budget: US$ 37 800) • 990501ROBERT SINDEN, Publica. Characterization of novel Imperial College of Science, M. leprae secreted proteins and • A20314 OSVALDO MARINOTTI, Technology and Medicine, UK. potential diagnostic application for University of California at Irvine, Natural role of xanthurenic acid early leprosy infection Irvine, Ca, USA. Microarray analysis in regulation of malarial gameto- (budget: US$ 21,000) of gene expression in the fat body genesis: a logical basis for novel of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes chemotherapy? • A20521 STEPHEN ANDREW (budget: US$ 25 379) (budget: US$ 40 800) WARD, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.A prote- • A20315 ROSEMARY SANG, • A00407 JOSEPH VINETZ, omic definition of aminquinoline Kenya Medical Research Institute, University of Texas Medical action and resistance: the search Nairobi, Kenya.A comparative Branch, USA. Expression of a for new chemotherapeutic targets study of populations of Aedes Plasmodium falciparum chitinase- (budget: US$ 10 000) aegypti in dengue endemic and neutralizing single chain antibody

18 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 within the Anopheles gambiae • A20548 JOHN WELCH, • A30025 SOULEYMANE MBOUP, midgut State University of New York at Univesité Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, (budget: US$ 33 500) Albany, New York, USA. Single chip Senegal.Analysis of Plasmodium serodiagnostics for M. tuberculosis falciparum diversity: Role in drug • A10429 GUIYUN YAN, State infection based on NEMS resistance and immune response University of New York, USA. (Nanoelectromechanical Systems) (budget: US$ 10 000) Assessing the spread rate of (budget: US$ 84 470) introduced genes in Anopheles • A30031 FRANCINE NTOUMI, gambiae • A20552 KARIN WELDINGH, Hopital Albert Schweitzer, (budget: US$ 40 000) Statens Serum Institut, Lambarené, Gabon. Human poly- Copenhagen, Denmark. Combined morphisms and specific humoral • A10402 LAURENCE ZWIEBEL, antigens for specific serodiagnosis responses to asexual blood stage Vanderbilt University, USA. of M. tuberculosis antigens (MSP1 and VSA) in children Isolation and characterization of (budget: US$ 80 000) with P. falciparum infections from odorant receptor genes from Central Africa Aedes aegypti mosquitoes • A20565 ANTHONY (budget: US$ 48 500) (budget: US$ 38 220) WOODMAN, Cranfield BioMedical Centre, Silsoe, UK. Artificial intelligence and gas-sensor Renewed grants Research in Tuberculosis arrays for the rapid detection of Diagnostics mycobacteria in cultures, sputum • A10581 ROSEANGELA and breath IFEANYIWA NWUBA, New grants (budget: US$ 69 970) Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo The following grants were State, Nigeria. Charact. & dynamics announced in October 2002 Capability Strength- of antibodies to merozoites surface ening Grants for protein-1 of P. falciparum in humans • A20536 DANIEL AGRANOFF, Malaria Research in naturally exposed to malaria St George’s Hospital Medical Africa (MIM/TDR) (budget: US$ 80 000) School, London, UK. Diagnostic system for TB by identification of The MIM/TDR Task Force on Malaria • A10625 MARTIN CODJO proteomic signatures in serum Research Capability Strengthening met AKOGBETO, OCCGE, Cotonou, (budget: US$ 50 453) in Maputo, Mozambique, in March Benin. Network for the study of 2003, to deliberate and recommend factors conditioning the evaluation • A20551 HEIDI ALBERT, projects for funding.The projects of pyrethroid resistance in Biotech Laboratories Limited, listed below were selected from Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Africa” Cape Town, South Africa.A rapid among a large number of applications (budget: US$ 81 500) manual test for rifampicin resis- received from investigators in Africa. tance directly from sputum using • A10627 RASHEED GBADEGESIN, phage amplification technology New grants College of Medicine, University of (budget: US$ 60 300) Ibadan, Nigeria.The role of host- The following projects will be funded parasite genetic variability in the • A20554 JUDITH MYRIAM for one year in the first instance. pathgenesis of severe malaria BOBADILLA-DEL VALLE, Instituto Funding for a second year will be (budget: US$ 70 500) Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y considered if sufficient progress is Nutricion, Mexico City, Mexico. made in the first year towards reach- • A10638 AHMED HASSANALI, Parsimonious use of established ing the scientific objectives, and if International Centre of Insect and novel test to diagnose TB sufficient funds are available. Physiology & Ecology, Nairobi, (budget: US$ 30 000) Kenya. Consolidating R&D partner- • A30026 TAIWO SAMSON ship in bioprospecting for mosquito • A20535 ELAINE MCCASH, AWOLOLA, Nigerian Institute for repellent & insecticidal botanicals Rapid Biosensor Systems Limited, Medical Research,Yaba Lagos, with focus on application Cambridge, UK.Aerosol Nigeria. Capacity building in (budget: US$ 60 000) Immunosensor for TB screening characterisation and insecticide (budget: US$ 64 636) resistance studies of malaria • A11034 ERIC AKUM ACHIDI, vector mosquitoes in Nigeria. University of Buea, Buea • A20529 GERHARD JOHN (budget: US$ 44 000) Cameroon.Antibodies, cytokines MÜLLER, Institute of Medical & gene polymorphisms in the pat- Physics and Laser Medic., Berlin, • A30033 ISABELLA AKYINBAH hogenesis of severe malaria. Germany. Laser-enabled mass QUAKYI, University of Ghana, (budget: US$ 72 700) spectroscopic TB diagnostics School of Public Health,Accra, (LMTbD) Ghana.A multidisciplinary case • A20238 ABDOULAYE DJIMDE, (budget: US$ 100 000) control study of malaria pathoge- Universite du Mali, Faculte de nesis and immunity in Ghana, Medecine, Bamako, Mali. MIM/TDR • A20562 MIKHAIL VLADIMIRSKY, West Africa. Antimalarial Drug Resistance Moscow Medical Academ. Institute (budget: US$ 50 000) Network in Mali Sechenovs, Phtisiopulmonology (budget: US$ 61 000) Res., Moscow, Russia.Application • A30057 RABIOU LABBO, of immunomagnetic separation of Centre de Recherche Médicale et • A20239 OLUSOLA mycobacteria from sputum sam- Sanitaire, CLIMPAL – Niger. GBOTOSHO, Malaria Research ples for improved fluorescent Malaria and climate in Niger Laboratories, University of Ibadan, microscopy (budget: US$ 10 000) Nigeria. MIM/TDR Antimalarial (budget: US$ 20 000) Drug Resistance Network in Nigeria (budget: US$ 57 000)

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 19 Research Strengthening Renewed grants: re-entry • A10804 LE THANH HOA, New research awards Grants Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), (continued)> • A10935 SAYERA BANU, Viet Nam. Diversity in mitochon- Renewed capacity strength- International Centre for drial genomes of Asian & Indian ening programme grants Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Schistosoma species for evolutio- Bangladesh. Study on molecular nary and genetic studies • A00883 MARGARET NGOZI epidemiology of tuberculosis and (US$ 19 400) AGHAJI, University of Nigeria molecular mechanism of drug Teaching Hospital,Nigeria. resistance of Mycobacterium • A00751ABDOULAYE Evaluation of multi-drug resistance tuberculosis MOHAMED TOURE, Université and second line treatment in TB (US$ 26 843) du Mali, Faculté de Médecine, de cases in Primary Health Care Pharmacie et d’Odonto Stoma- Zone A, Nigeria • 990899 JEAN BICKII, Institut de tologie, Mali.Transmission-blocking (US$ 3000) Recherches Médicales et d’Etudes activity & transmission blocking des Plantes Médicinales, immunity in the malaria endemic • A10491 ALI MOHAMED Cameroun. Ethnobotanical studies village of Bancoumana, Mali ASSABRI, Sana’a University, and in vitro evaluation of activities (US$ 20 000) Faculty of Medicine & Health of plants used against P. falciparum Sciences,Yemen.The epidemiology malaria • A10858 JIRAPRAPA WIPASA, of severe malaria in children in (US$ 16 122) Chiang Mai University, Research Yemen Institute for Health Sciences, (US$ 50 000) • A10924 LUZIA HELENA Thailand. Factors involved in CARVALHO, Fundaçao Oswaldo development & lifespan of memory • A00884 WEBER CHELI BATISTA, Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas René T cells in immunity to blood stage Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina Rachou, Brazil. Molecular & immu- malaria (US$ 19 406) Tropical, Brazil. Isolation & mole- nological characterization of cular typing of dengue virus circu- P. vivax duffy binding protein in • A10825 WANDEE YINDEE- lating in urban & rural areas of endemic areas of the Brazilian YOUNGYEON, National Center Rondonia, Brazil Amazon for Genetic Engineering and (US$ 50 000) (US$ 20 000) Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Agency,Thailand. • A11037 ADITYA PRASAD • A10828 ALASSANE DICKO, Identification of essential genes of DASH, Centre for Research in Université du Mali, Faculté de Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Medical Entomology (ICMR), Médecine, de Pharmacie et antisense RNA India. Community based dengue d’Odonto-Stomatologie, Mali. (US$ 20 000) vector control under health system Evaluation of malaria transmission in one district (south India) and target strategy based on periodic transfer of technology treatment with S-P vs early case New grants: R&D capacity in (US$ 35 000) management least developed countries (US$ 18 200) • A00786 PATTAMAPORN • A20785 LAURA ARCOS, KITTAYAPONG, Mahidol • A00847 ABDOULAYE DJIMDE, Pontifica Universidad Catolica del University, Faculty of Science, Université du Mali, Faculté de Ecuador, Ecuador. Institutional Thailand. Suppression of dengue Médecine, de Pharmacie et capability strengthening in tropical transmission by focal vector con- d’Odonto-Stomatologie, Mali. disease research and training at trol Towards a molecular tool for Catholic University, Quito, (US$ 24 380) monitoring sulfadoxine-pyrimetha- Ecuador mine (SP) resistance in Mali (US$ 53 300) • A10917 MON MON, (US$ 24 500) Department of Medical Research, • A20766 VINOD JOSHI, Desert Myanmar. Institutional capability • A10830 DANIEL DODOO, Medicine Research Centre, India. strengthening on tuberculosis Noguchi Memorial Institute for Studies on dengue and dengue research in Myanmar Medical Research, Ghana.The role haemorrhagic fever in Rajasthan, (US$ 41 350) of cellular and humoral responses India against the glutamate rich protein (US$ 49 968) • 990965 THERESA NKUO- (GLURP) in malaria immunity AKENJI, University of Buea, (US$ 20 000) • A20789 MATHIEU NDOUNGA Cameroon. Malaria pilot centre in Centre d’Etudes sur les rural setting of Mount Cameroon • A10391MARCELO ROSADO Ressources Végétales, Congo. through multi-disciplinary approach FANTAPPIE, Universidad Federal Chimiorésistance de Plasmodium studies do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cloning falciparum et alternatives (US$ 5000) and functional characterization of thérapeutiques du paludisme non high mobility group (HMG) pro- compliqué au Congo-Brazzaville • A00903 THELMA E.TUPASI, teins from Schistosoma mansoni (US$ 65 700) Tropical Disease Foundation Inc., (US$ 19 600) Philippines. Community-based • A20769 RAFATRO HERINTSOA, DOTS-plus programme for • A10938 BEN ADU GYAN, Institut Malgache de Recherches management of MDR-TB: pilot Noguchi Memorial Institute for Appliquées – Fondation Ratsima- project, Makati Medical Research, Ghana. Hapto- manga, Madagascar. In vitro & in vivo (US$ 35 000) globin polymorphism, immune antiplasmodial studies of com- function and malaria severity pounds isolated from Madagascan (US$ 19 200) & African antimalarial plants (US$ 49 000)

20 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 Re-entry grants • A20697 ROSETTE MEGNEKOU, University of Yaounde I, • A20740 LAILA ABUBAKAR, Biotechnology Centre, Cameroon. University of Nairobi, Department Malaria in pregnant Cameroonian of Biochemistry, Kenya. Functional women: changes in levels of genomics of tsetse-trypanosome circulating immune cells, plasma interactions cytokines & hormones (US$ 18 100) (US$ 20 000)

• A20728 GIASUDDIN AHSAN, • A20791 LUCIANO ANDRADE Ministry of Health & Family MOREIRA, Centro de Pesquisas Welfare, In-Service Training Dept., René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Brazil. Directorate General of Health Expression of a foreign antiparasitic Services, Bangladesh. Gender gene in transgenic anopheline sensitive intervention study on mosquitoes tuberculosis control in the rural (US$ 23 500) community of Bangladesh (US$ 18 598) • A20727 CHRISTOPHE ANTONIO NKONDJIO, • A20754 PEDRO EDUARDO Organisation de Coordination ALMEIDA DA SILVA, Universidade pour la Lutte contre les Endémies Federal do Rio Grande, Brazil. en Afrique centrale (OCEAC), Characterization of drug-efflux as Cameroon. Biology and genetic potential mechanism of resistance structure of the malaria vector to chemotherapeutic agents in Anopheles moucheti in Central M. tuberculosis Africa (US$ 18 474) (US$ 24 300)

• A20741 RONALDO DA SILVA • A20753 ABDULLA HASSAN M. BORGES, Federal University of SHARIEF, Tropical Medicine Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Research Institute, Sudan. Rapid Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, assessment of patterns of Brazil. Determination of the L. donovani infection in western three-dimensional structure of Sudan: immune surveillance and dengue virus fusion peptide by application of GIS nuclear magnetic resonance (US$ 19 000) (US$ 20 000) • A20733 SODIOMON • A20726 ANGELA ISABEL BIENVENU SIRIMA, Centre CALDERON, Universidad de National de Lutte Contre le Panama, School of Pharmacy, Paludisme (CNLP), Burkina Faso. CIFLORPAN, Panama. Discovery Etude comparative de l’observance of natural products against tropical et de l’efficacité de trois schemas diseases from Panamanian bio- de prévention du paludisme diversity pendant la grossesse, Boromo (US$ 20 000) (US$ 15 500)

• A20743 ELWALEED ELAMIN, University of Khartoum, Institute New project development of Endemic Diseases, Sudan. grants Biotechnological characterization of Sudanese Leishmania isolates • A20759 AFEWORK KASSU, (US$ 20 000) Gondar College of Medical Sciences, Department of • A20725 DENISE GOLGHER, Microbiology, Ethiopia. Research Federal University of Minas towards formulation of sustainable Gerais, Department of schistosomiasis control strategies Biochemistry and Immunology, in Ethiopia Brazil. Role of regulatory T cells (US$ 10 000) in the control of inflammatory process and immunopathology • A20786 ABDULLA elicited by T. cruzi BINGHOUTH, Hadramout (US$ 20 000) University for Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, • A20723 THEWARACH LAHA, Yemen. Impact of malaria on Khon Kaen University, Faculty of pregnancy Medicine,Thailand. Mobile genetic (US$ 10 000) elements from the genome of schistosomes (US$ 22 000)

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 21 Publications

• Ethical, legal and social issues of genetically modified disease vectors in public health (Social, Economic and Behavioural Research, Special Topics No. 1,TDR/STR/SEB/ST/03.1).

This monograph is for anyone planning to use genetically- modified organisms in the environment for public health • Research Capacity Strengthening purposes. It introduces the ethical, legal and social issues involved in assessing the environmental and human Strategy 2002-2005 health concerns of such activities (see page 9). (TDR/RCS/SP/02.1)

This document sets out the new TDR strategy for • Research capacity building in research capacity strengthening, which aims to increase the involvement of scientists in developing disease- developing countries: investing endemic countries in all stages of the R&D process. in health and development (TDR/RCS/GEN/03.1).

For many years,TDR has been helping to develop core • Guidelines for the evaluation of leadership and research capacity in disease-endemic dengue vaccines in populations countries to enable researchers and institutions to be more responsive to their public health needs and to exposed to natural infection participate more effectively in the global research agenda. (TDR/IVR/DEN/02.1) This document features some of the outstanding individuals and research institutes who/which have These guidelines are intended to help public health received TDR grants to strengthen research capacity. officials make decisions about dengue vaccine trials in their countries.

• Méthodes qualitatives en • Four-drug fixed-dose combinations recherche sociale sur les (4FDCs) compliant with the WHO maladies tropicales. Rapport model list of essential drugs. du matériel didactique Report of an informal consultation, (TDR/RCS/MQRS/02.1, available in Geneva, Switzerland, 15-17 Aug 2001 French only). (TDR/TB/4FDC/02.1;WHO/CDS/TB/2002.299)

Le présent document aborde les méthodes This report discusses the current state of develop- de recherche sociale employées dans l’é- ment of 4FDCs for treatment of tuberculosis, and tude des maladies tropicales: Il introduit et makes recommendations in four areas: implementa- expose brièvement des méthodes de tion in TB control; improving quality assurance and recherche qualitative adaptées aux besoins des chercheurs safety testing; facilitating registration; expanding the dans le domaine de la santé en tenant compte d’un evidence base for use. engagement dans la lutte contre les maladies tropicales et l’amélioration de la santé des populations dans les pays du Sud. • Scientific Working Group report on African trypanosomiasis, 4-8 June, 2001 • Méthodes qualitatives en recherche (TDR/SWG/01) sociale: eau et hygiène du milieu. Rapport de recherche This report provides a review of the present epidemi- (TDR/RCS/MQRS/02.2, available in French only). ological situation and actual control needs for African trypanosomiasis. It is expected to guide TDR and others interested in research on this disease and to provide Ce n’est que récemment que l’importance des méthodes data that can be used in advocacy to convince policy- qualitatives pour l’étude de la réalité sociale a été prise makers and donor agencies to place control of the en considération par les sciences sociales. Elles sont de disease higher on their agendas.The research priorities la plus grande utilité dans: 1) l’étude des expériences, set out are closely linked to control needs and open des perceptions et des attitudes de la population, 2) le to the opportunities that science and technology can domaine médical, la logique des acteurs, les perceptions provide. Recommendations are made in three broad et attitudes aussi bien des malades que des spécialistes. areas: epidemiology, and disease surveillance and control; drug development and drug resistance; pathogenesis and applied genomics.

22 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • Assessment of the safety of • Support groups for women with artemisinin compounds in lymphatic filariasis in Haiti. pregnancy Jeannine Coreil, Gladys Mayard, David Addiss (WHO/CDS/MAL/2003.1094 (Social, Economic and Behavioural Research, WHO/RBM/TDR/Artemisinin/03.1) Report Series no. 2,TDR/STR/SEB/RP/03.1)

This is a report of two informal consultations convened This monograph describes the implementation and by WHO in 2002; it presents WHO’s current position evaluation of a self-help programme for women with on use of artemisinin compounds during pregnancy. lymphatic filariasis in Haiti, when the feasibility and impact With the increasing amount of interest in artemisinin of support group participation in this low-income combinations and artemisinin compounds in general, filariasis-endemic community was assessed.The benefits more studies – preclinical and clinical – are being of participation were evident in the areas of illness envisaged and have been undertaken, so it was time to knowledge, home care practices, quality of life and illness re-evaluate existing data and policies on use of the symptoms.The results contribute to our understanding compounds in pregnancy. of how community resources can be utilized for the control of filariasis and other tropical diseases.

• Tropical disease research: · Results portfolio no. 3 (TDR Final Report Series 2001/02, document no. • The behavioural and social aspects TDR/GEN/02.1) of malaria and its control: a introduction and annotated A collection of final reports selected by independent bibliography. scientific experts from TDR-supported research H. Kristian Heggenhougen,Veronica projects. Copies of results portfolios no. 1 (1998/99;TDR/GEN/00.1) and no. 2 (2000/01; Hackenthal, Pramila Vivek TDR/GEN/01.2) still available. (Social, Economic and Behavioural Research, TDR/STR/SEB/VOL/03.1)

• The Sexually Transmitted Diseases The intention of this monograph is to highlight the im- Diagnostics Initiative (SDI) report. portance of sociocultural factors in malaria control and to make clear that the fight against malaria and other Laboratory-based evaluation of infectious diseases is inseparable from the striving for rapid syphilis diagnostics: results socioeconomic and political equity.The authors show from eight SDI sites that human behaviour is related to risk for malaria, and (Diagnostics Evaluation Series no. 1, that such behaviour is influenced by a range of cultural TDR/SDI/DE/03.1) and social factors which it is crucial to consider.The monograph provides a valuable social science starting point for designing and evaluating anti-malaria inter- Evaluation of the performance and utility of simple rapid ventions. tests for sexually transmitted diseases in primary health care settings in developing countries is a priority for SDI. Over 20 rapid treponemal tests for the diagnosis of syphilis are commercially available but reliable information on • Neglected diseases: under-funded their performance characteristics is limited; this report research and inadequate health details the laboratory performance of six such tests, of interventions. Can we change this which four were selected to undergo further evaluation reality? in the field. Carlos M Morel, EMBO reports, 2003, 4:S35-S38.

• Drugs against parasitic diseases: R&D methodologies and issues. CD-ROMs Discoveries and drug development. Eds: Fairlamb AH, Ridley RG,Vial HJ (TDR/PRD/03.1) • TDR/SCIENCE (AAAS) co-production – The mosquito genome: Available at: Anopheles gambiae database http://www.who.int/tdr/publications/publica- tions/prd-drug.htm • Malaria genome database, 6th revision + GenePlot version 3 (Plasmodb) This is a report of a meeting on drugs against parasitic diseases held in Montpellier, France, in 1999, the goal • TDR website (June 2003) of which was better coordination and guidance for research and development of antiparasitic drugs.The 21 (TDR/GEN/CD/03.2) papers published in the report (and presented at the meeting) cover: economic and patent issues; discovery • TDR Image Library (June 2003) of novel targets for pharmacological intervention; com- (TDR/GEN/CD/03.1) pound acquisition and rationale for drug development; methods for screening drugs and evaluating pharmaco- logical activity.

TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003 • 23 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 World Health Organization Meeting date Deadline Centre Casai Avenue Louis-Casai 53 1216 Geneva BASIC AND STRATEGIC RESEARCH Switzerland • Molecular Entomology 26-31 May 2004* 5 Mar 2004* • Pathogenesis and Applied Genomics 26-31 May 2004* 5 Mar 2004* Tel: (+41) 22-791-3725 Fax: (+41) 22-791-4854 · Working Group on Applied Genomics for Drugs and Diagnostics 01-03 July 2004* 2 April 2004* E-mail: [email protected] • Strategic Social, Economic and Web: www.who.int/tdr Behavioural Research 26-31 May 2004* 5 Mar 2004*

PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT • Chemotherapy Portfolio Review** March 2004* Dec 2003* • Vaccine Discovery Research May 2004* Feb 2004* • Diagnostics Research and Development Sept 2004* July 2004*

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH • Implementation Research 29 Jun-02 July 2004 14 May 2004 • Proof of Principle 08-11 June 2004 30 Mar 2004

To our readers: RESEARCH CAPACITY STRENGTHENING We are unfortunately unable to accept for • Research Strengthening Group Feb 2005* Oct 2004* publication in TDRnews Only pre-selected letters of intent are announcements (for invited to submit full meetings, new pro- proposals by 31 Oct grammes, institutions, publications, etc.) • Malaria Research Capacity Strengthening in Africa March 2004* which readers send us. letters of intent Announcements which 30 Nov 2003* relate to research on full proposals, tropical diseases would progress reports and renewals requests clearly be of interest to our readers. However, because of limited * tentative date space in the newsletter, ** Replaces Drug Discovery Research. we regret that we can TDR will hold a Chemotherapy Portfolio Review Meeting in March, 2004, to publish only those con- review all projects in TDR that concern drug discovery and development. cerning events in which A call for Letters of Interest related to drug discovery and development will TDR is directly involved. be made in December 2003.

24 • TDRnews • No 70 • OCT 2003