Leishmaniasis

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Leishmaniasis is a disease that occurs in tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is caused by a protozoan parasite (from the genus Leishmania) and is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies.

There is no vaccine against leishmaniasis, and treatment requires long courses of toxic drugs, to which the parasites have started to develop resistance.

QIMR aims to develop therapies that work in tandem to current treatments or that will replace them entirely.

 

Our research focuses on:

  • Understanding how the leishmaniasis parasite evades the immune response.
  • Identifying ways to boost anti-parasitic immunity by utilising the body's natural defences.

Research group involved in leishmaniasis research: