Cutaneous Leishmaniasis International Observatory: An initiative for Evidence-based Global Health

Article type
Authors
González U1, Ruiz-Baqués A2
1Research Unit for Evidence-based Dermatology, Hospital Plató, Barcelona, Spain
2Topping Medical Research, UAB Research Park, Barcelona, Spain
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected mosquito-borne protozoan disfiguring and stigmatizing infection that causes a great suffer of the patients and their families. It is a global increasing public health problem but still does not receive the necessary attention. It is a disease that is present in 82 countries and its incidence is estimated at 10million of affected people. An international team has developed with the support of the WHO, three Cochrane systematic reviews focused on the role of control strategies for CL.

Objective: To develop a Cutaneous Leishmaniasis International Observatory (CLIO), as a non-for-profit model of knowledge management, based on the scientific evidence and for improving the lives of people with CL.

Methods: Our main need is to seek contacts, ideas and interest of institutions, organizations, companies and individuals to lead and develop this action and to help complete the project in the best conditions. Of particular interest is to periodically maintain and actively disseminate a comprehensive and rigorous analysis and synthesis of the information derived from updated Cochrane reviews.

Results: We have collected the opinion and support of different people and organizations. We have developed a strategic plan for the commitment of CLIO to reach real and significant impact in guiding and promoting practice, policy decisions and in helping to identify research priorities around the world. We want healthcare decisions in CL to be informed by reliable, up-to-date, scientifically defensible and relevant evidence.

Conclusions: The major interests of CLIO are the update of the information and to develop networking activities and communication actions for actively disseminate what is best known about the effects of control interventions in CL.