National University of Medical Sciences

NUMS, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES IN COLLABORATION WITH EGE UNIVERSITY, TURKEY ORGANIZED A TWO-DAY HANDS-ON WORKSHOP ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF SANDFLY AND DIAGNOSIS OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

A collaborative project between National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) and Ege University, Turkey for a research project titled “A New and Combined approach for the diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, a Neglected Vector-borne Disease” is funded by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and TUBITAK. Dr. Shumaila Naz from the National University of Medical Sciences, Pakistan, and Dr. Yusuf Ozbel & Dr. Seray Toz from Ege University, Turkey is the investigators conducting this research project. In this bilateral project, Dr. Yusuf Ozbel visited NUMS, from 23rd -28th January 2022 for discussion on the project progress, outputs and progress evaluation, collection of samples, result compilation, and transferring the diagnostic techniques.

During Dr. Yusuf’s visit, a two-day hands-on workshop on the identification of sandfly and diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis was organized at NUMS on 25th and 26th January. The workshop provided deep theoretical knowledge as well as a chance to practically perform the preparation of NNN- media, microscopic identification of Leishmania parasite, extraction of DNA from the lesion aspirates, and sandfly identification and dissection. Participants were both students as well professionals from the field of parasitology and microbiology.

For this workshop, more than 100 applicants from all over Pakistan showed a desire to participate. Mainly due to Covid restrictions and the limited number of seats, only 20 participants were selected from all over Pakistan including University of Baluchistan, Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Abdul Wali Khan University, Khyber Medical University. All these participants were trained on the identification of sandfly and diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in these 2 days. The worthy Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. Wasim Alamgir and PSF Chairman, Prof. Dr. Shahid Mehmood Baig graced the occasion with their presence and distributed certificates among the participants and organizers.