Researchers at the Institute of Tropical Health publish a book on the latest advances in Brucella, the bacterium that causes brucellosis
Investigadores del Instituto de Salud Tropical editan un libro sobre los últimos avances en Brucella, la bacteria que causa la brucelosis
Researchers at the Institute of Tropical Health publish a book on the latest advances in Brucella, the bacterium that causes brucellosis
The disease is considered by the WHO as one of the most widespread bacterial zoonoses on the planet.
Ignacio López-Goñi, microbiologist and researcher of the high school of Tropical Health of the University of Navarra, has edited 'Brucella: Molecular Microbiology and Genomics' at partnership with David O'Callaghan, researcher of the University of Montpellier (France). In this volume, published by Caister Academic Press and in which thirty-four researchers from Europe and America have collaborated, the most recent advances on research in Brucella, based on the new technologies of genomics, proteomics and microarrays, are collected. The complete genomes of more than forty different types of Brucella are now known, which is allowing researchers to advance in the knowledge of this important pathogen and to design new molecular diagnostic methods. All these new techniques help to understand what this bacterium is like as a whole, how it functions, which genes or functions are essential to it, and why it causes disease.
According to López-Goñi, "if we learn more about the biology of Brucella and discover how it is capable of multiplying inside macrophages, which are the cells in our body responsible for destroying bacteria, we will be able to design strategies in the future to combat the disease and develop new diagnostic systems and new vaccines".
Brucella and brucellosis
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Brucella. It mainly affects domestic animals, such as cows, sheep, goats and pigs, in which it causes abortions and infertility. But it is also transmitted to humans. It is of particular importance in less developed areas of the world because domestic animals are a basic subsistence source .
The World Health Organization considers this disease to be one of the most widespread bacterial zoonoses. In the event of transmission to humans, the treatment required would be costly and prolonged and could leave disabling sequelae.
From the high school of Tropical Health of the University of Navarra, in partnership with the Schools of Medicine, Science and Pharmacy of the University of Navarra, a group of researchers are trying to find a solution to this disease. Ignacio López-Goñi explains why it is so difficult to combat: "Brucella is not the typical bacterium that produces a toxin and kills cells. Its behavior is much more subtle: it is a pathogen adapted to live inside the host's cells and go unnoticed". Hence the importance of knowing its biology well.
high school of Tropical Health
The high school of Tropical Health seeks to bring basic research closer to clinical application at partnership with hospitals and university centers research in developing countries development. Its goal is to find solutions for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of common diseases in these areas. There are currently three ways to collaborate with high school:
- Transferring a pension plan to Alpha Plus Gestora, at no cost and maintaining its tax advantages. Half of the commission from management will go to the various projects of high school Tropical Health.
- Donating directly to the Foundation for Applied Medical research , with the CIF G82198524 and the current account ES8400754732710600100166.
- Sending an SMS from a Vodafone phone with the word CIMA to 28052. The full amount of the message is donated to high school (1.2 euros).