Projekt

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a protozoan parasitic disease with 1-1.5 millions new cases per year worldwide and is widely regarded to be one of the most important opportunistic infections in HIV+ individuals. Recently, studies of CL in murine and other systems have identified several important mechanisms of host immune responses raised against Leishmania major. However, the relevance of these important findings for humans remains to be shown. The project aims at defining aspects of the immune response against L. major in CL patients and in patients co-infected with L. major and HIV, including an evaluation of the prevalence of CL and Leishmania/HIV co-infection in an endemic focus of CL (northern Cameroon), the identification of underlying cellular and humoral mechanisms of susceptibility and resistance in L. major-infected patients and a correlation of the clinical course of CL with the host immune response in affected patients. In addition to the scientific work, the medical personnel will be trained in the diagnosis, management and report of CL cases. The project could lead to the identification of novel mechanisms of protection against Leishmania and in the long run to the development of improved treatment concepts, the generation of effective vaccine strategies and the design of an effective control program.

• Prof. Dr. Esther von Stebut-Borschitz

  Universitätsmedizin der Johannes
  Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
  Hautklinik und Poliklinik
  Mainz
  

• Dr. Blaise Dondji

  University of Ngaoundére
  Faculty of Natural Sciences
  Department of Biological Sciences
  Ngaoundéré
  Kamerun (Cameroun)
  

• Prof. Dr. Marcus Maurer

  Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
  Dermatologie und Allergologie
  Dermatologische Allergologie
  Berlin
  

• Prof. Dr. Albert-Legrand Same-Ekobo

  University of Yaoundé
  Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
  Medical Division
  Laboratory of Parasitology & Mycology
  Yaoundé
  Kamerun (Cameroun)