Better diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis thanks to new method

15 January 2008

Researcher Wendy van der Meide developed and evaluated new methods to better diagnose and monitor the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. This disease occurs in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and America but also in Mediterranean countries and the Middle East. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is not a terminal illness but it can have serious, permanent physical consequences for the patient. The sharp increase in the number of CL patients worldwide is a serious cause for concern.

Van der Meide developed and evaluated a method for detection and quantification of Leishmaniasis parasites which can be used in practice in countries such as Brazil and Surinam. It is crucial to carefully determine the number of parasites in a skin lesion before, during and after the treatment to prevent serious physical consequences. On 25 January Van der Meide will receive her PhD at the University of Amsterdam.

Part of this study was conducted in Surinam. A shorter and more efficient treatment programme has been recommended to improve the application and effectiveness of this treatment. Furthermore, this study shows that three rather than one kind of Leishmania organisms cause infections in humans in Surinam.

On Thursday 24 January a conference will be held about Cutaneous Leishmaniasis organized by KIT and the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam (AMC) the Netherlands. For more information and the programme please visit: www.parasitologie.nl