News events

Vivax Malaria Research 4

PAU RUBIO FIGUEROLA — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:25:00 GMT

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and its research centre, CRESIB, together with The New York Academy of Sciences, "la Caixa" Foundation and the International Center for Scientific Debate (B-Debate), will present an international, 2-day scientific conference titled Advances in Plasmodium vivax Malaria Research.

This meeting will convene an international, multidisciplinary community and will take place on May 28-29, 2013 at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum in Barcelona, Spain.

Following the conference, ISGlobal will present 6 Satellite Workshops titled Assessing the Plasmodium vivax Research Agenda: Interdisciplinary Workshops on Thursday, May 30, 2013, also at CosmoCaixa.

The conference and Workshops represent the fourth international meeting of the P. vivax research community and shall provide a neutral forum for the discussion of P. vivax molecular biology and genomics; host-parasite interactions; novel research techniques; drug resistance and drug discovery; and provide perspective about how P. vivax control will impact the global endeavor to eradicate malaria.

Neonatal sepsis: a big problem for children

PAU RUBIO FIGUEROLA — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:45:00 GMT

Neonatal sepsis is an important but undervalued problem over the world. Neonatal sepsis is defined as disease affecting newborns < 1 month of age with clinical symptoms and positive blood cultures. The incidence of this disease is 1/1000 in normal term neonates and 4/1000 in preterm neonates. These values increase up to 300/1000 in low weight neonates. Sepsis by bacterial infection is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns in both developed and developing countries.

Many of these bacterial pathogens can be found frequently colonizing the vagina, cervix or rectum of adult pregnant women. Such pathogens may reach the fetus during the late stages of pregnancy by crossing the amniotic membrane or by directly infecting the baby during childbirth. In developed countries, the vertically transmitted microorganisms, group B Streptococcus (GBS) and E. coli, have been the most frequently identified as cause of neonatal sepsis. To avoid this enhanced risk of vertical transmission, several diagnostic and prophylactic protocols have been proposed. In 2002 the Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommended taking vaginal and rectal samples from pregnant women in their last antenatal visit and administering a prophylactic antibiotic such as penicillin G or ampicillin during pregnancy or at the time of delivery in women found to be colonized by GBS in antenatal screenings. However, an increase in the rate of other microorganisms resistant to the antimicrobial used in the treatment of neonatal sepsis has been observed.

This scientific seminar will be conducted by Sara M. Soto, Assistant Research Professor at ISGlobal's research centre, CRESIB.

Epigenetic variation in malaria parasites: a survival and decision-making strategy

PAU RUBIO FIGUEROLA — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:13:00 GMT

Genetic changes drive the evolution of malaria parasites, allowing adaptation to new challenges and colonization of new hosts. However, fast adaptation to fluctuating conditions requires plasticity. Here I will present recent results demonstrating that epigenetic variation and stochastic switches are major determinants of parasite plasticity and lie at the basis of a survival and decision making mechanism in Plasmodium falciparum. I will discuss the role of epigenetic variation in key processes in malaria parasite biology such as drug resistance, formation of transmission stages (gametocytes) and adaptation to fever episodes.

Uso de una infraestructura de datos espaciales para el abordaje de enfermedades regionales en el noroeste argentino

Nuria Rita Sebastián — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:03:00 GMT

Las sesiones científicas de CRESIB acogerán esta semana un seminario a cargo del Dr. José Ferando Gil sobre el uso de una infraestructura de datos espaciales para el abordaje de enfermedades regionales en el noroeste argentino.

Ponente:

Dr. José Ferando Gil

Instituto de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales.
Universidad Nacional de Salta- sede regional Orán, Argentina.
Becario posdoctoral CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas).

The way forward for malaria eradication

PAU RUBIO FIGUEROLA — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:51:00 GMT

Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM), gave the conference "The way forward for malaria eradication", last talk of the core module of the "Science of eradication Malaria" course.

Nafo-Traoré talked about what "we have learned during the course to eradicate this illness". The key lesson is that a public health service is needed to support malaria surveillance, control and elimination have to be support by on-going research and the communities have to be actively involved and part of the solution to their health problems, among others.

A global framework for coordinated actions was launched in 1998 by WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and World Bank. The Roll Back Malaria has diversity of partners, like NGOs, private sector, Foundations, Donor Countries, and Research and Academia.

"These are the goals: reduce the number of global malaria cases, and reduce the global malaria deaths to near zero by 2015, said Nafo-Traoré.

"What happens with the malaria agenda? There are nine research areas, but the main are monitoring, evaluation and surveillance and modelling and cross-cutting issues", specified the Executive Director of RBM.

The key areas for the way forward to malaria eradication are the vaccines that must to be refined. Also the drugs, like the prophylaxis. About the diagnostic, it is necessary the increase of sensitivity threshold. The transmissions measurement must be rapid, sensitive, standardized and reproducible.

Refining the economic models

"The traditional public health is rationale not helpful. It is based on economic investments return. Malaria elimination is fragile, it is necessary to raise awareness", she said. "How we organised the things? Support countries in their move for control to elimination and anticipate challenges to prevent the reintroduction".

Challeges to be overcome

An effective health system is essential to malaria control and elimination. It is necessary the malaria elimination to strengthen the health system. "The case of Swaziland shows that it is possible to eliminate it and it can be done in most of the countries. New tools are necessaries. The important challenges can be overcome but it is necessary a greater leadership and commitment", concluded Nafo-Traoré.

Farewell to Professor Ned Hayes

PAU RUBIO FIGUEROLA — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:12:00 GMT

It is with great sadness that the staff of ISGlobal and its research centre, CRESIB, have received the news of the loss of Research Professor Ned Hayes.

Professor Hayes joined CRESIB in 2008, where he was Head of the Department of Public Health, developing research lines on vector-borne diseases and participating in the evaluation of the economic impact and effectiveness of disease prevention and control strategies, including vaccines, as well as measures of the burden of disease and the impact and management of neonatal infections. He was also President of CRESIB's Internal Scientific Committee and advised projects developed at ISGlobal's platform in Morocco. Prof. Hayes was deeply involved in teaching activities, co-directing the new ISGlobal-University of Barcelona Master of Global Heath, as well as other international courses organised by ISGlobal and other academic institutions, including the recent Prevention, Detection and Management of Arboviral Diseases course. He was also an expert advisor for the public health services of Catalunya on surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases.

Professor Hayes graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and completed his residency in pediatrics at Maine Medical Center. During his twenty years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States he worked on infectious diseases, environmental health, use of data for public health policy, and teaching applied epidemiology.

With his passing, ISGlobal-CRESIB, the Hospital Clínic, the University of Barcelona and numerous other institutions and professionals in research, clinical practice and public health lose an example of scientific rigor in the service of practical approaches to major health problems affecting disadvantaged populations. We will remember Ned for his curiosity and dedication, his humor and collegiality, and for his commitment to public health without borders

Farewell

From Saturday, 11 May at 18.00h until Sunday, 12 May at noon, at the Tanatori de Sant Gervasi (C / Riba, 10-12).

The funeral will take place on 13 May at 11:45h at the Tanatori de Sant Gervasi.

Experts From All Over the World Convene in Barcelona for a Course on the Science of Malaria Eradication

PAU RUBIO FIGUEROLA — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:01:00 GMT

The second edition of the course "Science of Eradication: Malaria" offering an interdisciplinary perspective on the elimination and eradication of malaria will take place in Barcelona between 5 and 10 May, 2013. This training course is organised by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in collaboration with the Harvard School of Public Health and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

The course, which is accredited by the University of Barcelona (UB), brings together leading world experts in malaria research at the Centro de Cultura Contemporánea de Barcelona (CCCB). The opening session will take place on Sunday 5 May in the CCCB with the inaugural presentation "Setting the Stage for Malaria Eradication" by Robert Newman, director of the Global Malaria Programme at the World Health Organisation.

The first edition of this course took place in Boston and its third edition will be held in Switzerland. The multidisciplinary programme includes the effective use of real-world evidence and findings. Participants will acquire the knowledge and skills needed for controlling and eliminating malaria and for implementing eradication programmes, building on the lessons learned from previous disease eradication efforts, among other aspects.

Other Activities

As part of this event, a number of free activities have been organised to provide information concerning malaria to both the general public and the specialist. On 7 May at 18:00 hours in the main auditorium of the CCCB, there will be a film screening followed by a discussion. This will be the first showing in Spain of the film Mary and Martha starring two-time Oscar award winning actor Hilary Swank. On Wednesday 8 May at 12:00 hours, Professor Dyann Wirth of the Harvard School of Public Health will give the second Global Health Lecture on the subject of genetics and global health in the Centro Esther Koplowitz auditorium.

Simposi de Salut Internacional a l’Atenció Primària

Nuria Rita Sebastián — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:05:00 GMT

Immigrants, viatgers, cooperants ... Amb una societat cada dia més globalitzada els professionals de l'Atenció Primària assisteixen a vells i nous problemes de salut des d'una situació privilegiada. S'enfronten a malalties emergents alhora que adaptem calendaris vacunals o aborden malalties cròniques amb diferents accents culturals.

En els últims anys i en el marc de l'AIS-BE, professionals d'Atenció Primària i d'Atenció Especialitzada han constituït un grup de treball que els permet tractar junts i de forma coordinada l'abordatge de la Salut Internacional. El seu objectiu amb aquestes primeres jornades és compartir amb professionals de l'àmbit de l'Atenció Primària temes d'actualitat en l'àmbit de la Salut Internacional, oferir noves eines de treball als assistents i sobretot despertar o mantenir l'interès per tots aquells problemes de salut que comporta el moviment de les persones al món.

Inscripció

Per inscruire's al simposi s'haurà d'escriure un correu electrònic a la Ivette Fernandez: IVFERNAN@clinic.ub.es

Activitat acreditada pel Consell Català de Formació Continuada de les Professions Sanitàries – Comisión de Formación Continuada del Sistema Nacional de Salud amb 0'5 crèdits.

Més informació

World Health Organisation Publishes Updated Handbook for the Management of Severe Malaria

PAU RUBIO FIGUEROLA — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:49:00 GMT

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has just published a revised edition of its Management of Severe Malaria: a Practical Handbook, which updates the recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of the most severe forms of this disease. CRESIB, ISGlobal's research centre, participated in the preparation of this new edition.

The handbook is an indispensable tool for health professionals working in malaria-endemic countries. It will also be useful to doctors in countries where the disease has been eliminated who, in their clinical practice, attend patients infected with malaria while travelling abroad. Some 300 cases of malaria contracted abroad are treated every year in Spanish hospitals, for example.

Although a highly curable disease, malaria can be fatal if the patient does not receive the appropriate treatment promptly. In 2010 alone, an estimated 655,000 people died as a result of malaria, mainly children under five years of age and pregnant women.

One of the responsibilities of the WHO, the agency that publishes the handbook, is to recommend health policies for the world's most serious diseases, including malaria. The WHO is the principal provider of technical support in public health care to many countries. The new edition updates the recommendations for the treatment of the most severe cases of malaria and includes some important changes with respect to the drugs recommended in such cases. The handbook was prepared by an expert committee, which based its recommendations on the latest scientific evidence. CRESIB researcher, Quique Bassat, was one of the members of this committee.

The complete text of the handbook is available for download here

Malaria in Pregnancy: how to put the evidence into practice?

BEATRIZ FIESTAS CLAPÉS — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:53:00 GMT

As we celebrate today April 25 the World Malaria Day, at ISGlobal we would like to draw your attention to a health problem that particularly affects women and newborns in malaria endemic transmission areas: malaria during pregnancy. Malaria infection during pregnancy is one of the main contributors to both maternal and neonatal mortality, mostly through low birth weight and prematurity and by causing maternal anaemia or maternal malaria infection (placental parasitaemia). As a result, an estimated 10,000 women and 200,000 of their infants die every year in Africa.

The current World Health Organization recommended intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy with sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) has proven to be a very efficacious and cost-effective intervention in reducing clinical malaria during pregnancy and neonatal mortality. IPTp-SP administered during pregnancy to women residing in areas of stable malaria transmission can reduce neonatal mortality by more than 60%. Although IPTp-SP is currently health policy in several African countries, the uptake of this preventive tool is still inadequate: only 25% of pregnant women at risk of malaria received at least 1 dose of IPTp.

Increased efforts towards scale-up of this powerful intervention are urgently needed. This entails the commitment of endemic countries so that the recommendations are successfully translated into national policy and programme implementation. But also the involvement of the R&D community: by identifying key operational research issues e.g. cultural and operational constraints to delivery and uptake of IPTp and assessing the best strategies to reach the target group, i.e. pregnant women in areas of high-intensity transmission of malaria. It is a major challenge that has to be addressed if we are to reduce gender inequities in health in malaria endemic areas in Africa.