|
Prior to the “WHO Annual Meeting on Buruli Ulcer” in Cotonou, Benin at the end of March, the members of the Stop Buruli Research Consortium held their first annual meeting after the launch of the actual research projects in August 2008. At the meeting, the initial, very promising results were discussed, experiences exchanged and the way paved for an even closer collaboration in the four research areas.
The members of the consortium in Benin
Only a few months after its inauguration, the research consortium was able to present highly promising results to the first annual meeting of the Stop Buruli Consortium. It appears that there has been an initial breakthrough in the development of a new DNA fingerprinting technology for the high resolution differentiation of strains of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the pathogen that causes Buruli ulcer. Prof. Tim Stinear, who was heading the meeting, explains: “Simply stated, this technique allows us to compare isolates of the pathogen from the same region for the first time. Thus, conclusions can be drawn regarding the disease’s transfer mechanisms. On the other hand, this technique will enable us to follow antibiotic treatment progress and determine whether recurring infections in patients are due to treatment failure or re-infection with a second strain of M. ulcerans.
According to Prof. Gerd Pluschke, managing coordinator of the consortium, one of the reasons that the technical teams were able to produce such important results so quickly was the fact that they were able to commence their highly productive research activities right after receiving the financial support provided by the UBS Optimus Foundation. “Field-oriented research projects have longer start-up phases because suitable endemic areas and treatment cohorts need to be identified, while also taking into account local conditions and getting study approval from ethics committees and national regulatory authorities,” he continued. “Since all preparatory activities are showing good results, we are ready to launch the next phase of field studies. This will allow us to fully realize the planned synergies between the teams and the four research areas.”
Signing of the Cotonou Declaration
But it is not just the activities of the Stop Buruli Consortium that give rise to hope. On the occasion of the “WHO Annual Meeting on Buruli Ulcer” from March 30 to April 4, 2009, in an official ceremony attended by the President of Benin, Thomas Yayi Boni, and many other important exponents of West African countries, the Yamoussoukro Declaration of 1998 was renewed, signed and adopted as the new “Cotonou Declaration”. Dr. Christian Johnson, Buruli Officer of the Ministry of Health of Benin and member of the Stop Buruli Consortium, was involved in the organization. He is convinced: “Only political commitment can mobilize resources and establish national Buruli programs. In addition, the renewing of the declaration will raise awareness of this terrible disease, particularly at the governmental level in affected countries.”
In spite of all the positive signs: Buruli ulcer is still one of the most neglected tropical diseases that brings terrible suffering to thousands of people and their families. In the future it will continue to need the combined commitment of government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, donors and research institutes so that the lives of those affected can be improved as quickly as possible.
Franziska Reich von Ins, Communications Stop Buruli
|
Click here
