Objetivo
Echinococcosis is an emerging or re-emerging disease throughout much of the world. The two main forms of the disease are cystic echinococcosis (CE), which is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and alveola echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. Both are dangerous diseases to man. The aetiological agents are cestode parasites whose definitive hosts are wild and domestic carnivores. The domestic dog is a common host for E. granulosus whilst the fox is the most important definitive host for E. multilocularis. Man is infected through direct of indirect contact with these animals. The parasite are often maintained in a domestic cycle (E. granulosus) such as in sheep and dogs or a sylvatic cycle (E. multilocularis) between foxes and small mammals.
Because of the increasing amount of evidence that this disease is increasing in the former countries of the Soviet Union and indeed elsewhere it is essential that international collaborative links are set up to co-ordinate research into these parasites and the diseases they cause. This is one of the purposes of this network. The main research topics that will be addressed by the network include the epidemiology of the parasite, transmission dynamics, surveillance systems and molecular epidemiology. A number of the proposed partners in the network also have extensive links with other collaborative projects outside of the NIS and INTAS countries and these will have associations with this network so making a network that spans much of Eurasia.
The objectives of the network within these constraints include: To develop a unified system of recording and publishing information regarding echinococcosis; to compile and exchange surveillance information regarding the endemicity of echinococcosis in central and northern Asia; to identify the important species, sub species and strains of Echinococcus responsible for human and animal morbidity; to define the geographical limits of echinococcosis in this area; to use geographical information systems to develop models that delineate endemic areas based on climatic, landscape and agricultural characteristics; to further develop models that can describe the transmission dynamics in this region; To develop economic models that will determine the feasibility of control enable the targeting of such control; to define further research objectives to advance the understanding of the epidemiology and transmission of Echinococcus spp.
To achieve these aims the network will undertake a number of activities. These include workshops for brainstorming ideas and problems; exchange visits for training in research techniques and ideas and joint analysis, exchange of data for epidemiological analysis and modelling of transmission dynamics; exchange of samples of parasites for molecular characterization and molecular epidemiology; and the use of geographical information systems for defining geographical risk factors and geographical limits of the parasite's range.
The expected results will be a better understanding of the transmission dynamics of these parasites; an understanding of the risk of human infection and the human populations at most risk, an understanding of the risks of animal infection (including agricultural animals); an assessment of the likely future evolution of the epidemic of echinococcosis now appearing in parts of Asia; recommendations of international control options based on a continental, rather than national models; and the risks of future epidemics of these parasites due to environmental and climatic change.
Tema(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
Data not availableRégimen de financiación
Data not availableCoordinador
4 Dublin
Irlanda