PATHOGENESIS AND THERAPY OF TROPICAL DISEASES

这项计划的主要目标是扩大我们对 血吸虫病、麻风病、利什曼病的发病机制及治疗。 热带医学研究中心将加强我们与 美国科学家为美国提供机会 调查人员对热带病进行研究。重大疾病 在巴西巴伊亚州流行的疾病包括：利什曼病， 血吸虫病、丝虫病、恰加斯病、麻风病、疟疾和 棘球线虫病。 总体目标是增加我们对东道主防守的了解 防治曼氏血吸虫和利什曼病的机制和改进方法 治疗利什曼病和麻风。项目1，宿主免疫反应 血吸虫病将确定导致宿主抵抗的因素 再感染。其具体目的是将细胞免疫反应联系起来 对曼氏血吸虫感染的敏感性，并鉴定 都参与了免疫保护。项目2，人类的T细胞反应 利什曼病将检查T细胞反应和细胞毒细胞的作用 在控制利什曼病感染和组织学方面 皮肤、粘膜和内脏利什曼病感染与组织学 皮肤、粘膜和内脏利什曼病。项目3， 麻风和利什曼病的免疫治疗将评估伽玛治疗 干扰素联合常规治疗慢性粒细胞白血病 弥漫性和皮肤利什曼病和麻风。患有疾病的患者 利什曼病和血吸虫病将从流行区招募 位于巴西巴伊亚州境内。

The main objective of this program is to expand our knowledge of the pathogenesis and treatment of schistosomiasis, leprosy and leishmaniasis. The Tropical Medicine Research Center will increase our collaboration with American scientists and provide opportunities for United States investigators to conduct research on tropical diseases. Major diseases which are endemic in the State of Bahia, brazil include: leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, filariasis, Chagas' disease, leprosy, malaria and strongyloidiasis. The overall goals are to increase our understanding of host defense mechanisms against S. mansoni and leishmania and to improve methods for the treatment of leishmaniasis and leprosy. Project 1, Host Immune Response in Schistosomiasis will identify factors contributing to host resistance to reinfection. The specific aim is to correlate cellular immune responses with susceptibility to S. mansoni infection and to identify antigens that are involved in immuno protection. Project 2, T Cell responses in Human Leishmaniasis will examine T cell responses and the role of cytotoxic cells in the control of leishmania infection and histological aspects of cutaneous, mucosal and visceral leishmania infection and histological aspects of cutaneous, mucosal and visceral leishmaniasis. Project 3, Immunotherapy of Leprosy and Leishmaniasis will evaluate therapy with gamma interferon in combination with conventional therapy in patients with diffuse and cutaneous leishmaniasis and leprosy. Patients with leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis will be recruited from endemic areas located within the State of Bahia, Brazil.