The research group forms part of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis and, as such, has consolidated avenues of work regarded as basic for a reference centre here in Spain, namely: diagnosis and epidemiology of human leishmaniasis, with special stress on Leishmania/HIV co-infection; vectorial capacity of Phlebotomus perniciosus; the dog as an experimental model of canine leishmaniasis; and the molecular epidemiology of L. infantum.
Insofar as Leishmania/HIV co-infection is concerned, the group's activities have focused on the study of the epidemiology of co-infection, research into the pathogenesis of same, improvements to available diagnostic methods through the use of recombinant antigens cloned at our laboratory and participation in clinical trials on new treatment protocols. Entomological studies have focused on assessment of: the role of co-infected patients and dogs in the transmission of L. infantum; the efficacy of new insecticide formulae; and the molecular phylogeny of P. perniciosus in Spain.
The experimental model of canine leishmaniasis has enabled us to assess the toxicity, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of a number of molecules in the treatment of canine leishmaniasis, and the development and validation of candidate vaccines and adjuvants. Lastly, in the molecular epidemiology research area, our group has provided data of interest, not only as to the epidemiology of the disease, but also on concepts of virulence.
Carlos III Institute of Health. National Microbiology Centre