Diego Eduardo Pablo López Medina

Defining Cutaneous Leishmaniasis transmission cycles in Colombia through prediction and validation of vectors, reservoirs and parasites involved

ID del Proyecto: 3287

Año de Aprobación: 2016

Código del Proyecto: PR.6.2016.3287

Duración: 12 meses

Fecha de Inicio: 2016-06-01

Fecha de Finalización: 2017-06-01

Estado: FINALIZADO

Dependencias: - Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas -

Líneas de Investigación:

Grupos de Investigación:

Investigadores: Marla Angelica Lopez Leon, Diana Carolina Erazo Quintero, Johan Manuel Calderon Rodriguez, Camila Gonzalez Rosas

Descripción:The Leishmaniases are a group of neglected tropical diseases caused by different species of the protozoan parasite Leishmania, transmitted to its mammalian hosts by the bites of different species of female Phlebotominae sandflies. Many factors have contributed to the diseases shifts in its distribution, and changes in its eco epidemiological outcomes have been reported, resulting in the notification of CL outbreaks in new municipalities as well as the incrimination of vectors in unreported regions. The development of new research is vital for establishing the new paradigms of the present transmission cycles, hoping to facilitate the implementation of new mitigation strategies that will reduce parasite transmission. Hereafter the objective of this work is to model and infer the current transmission cycles of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Colombia defined by vector and mammal species distributed and interacting in such areas, and to validate them by performing sand-fly collections and mammal captures. This will be assessed through an initial predictive approach which includes the use of biotic interaction networks followed by validation supported by the detection of parasite infection in sand flies and mammalian species previously identified; as well as host feeding patterns in vector species captured in the field. The results will aid in the structuring of the current transmission cycle of CL in Colombia and therefore offer the proper tools needed for Public health entities to design accurate Leishmaniasis disease prevention strategies and control plans.