Research
Research is essential in tropical medicine. In virtually all settings, many questions need to be answered to improve knowledge on epidemiology of all locally relevant conditions, including non-communicable diseases, diagnosis and treatment.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed, not only among classical tropical diseases, but in the whole field of internal medicine and paediatrics. An example of a novel approach is the concept of precision medicine and precision public health. This includes tailoring medical treatment to the individual patient using genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors.
The Center focuses on research on urgent and neglected needs in resource limited settings; the portfolio is strictly established by questions that come from collaborators in the field and not by an institutional demand to acquire funds; nor is it donor-driven.
The Center has specific expertise in
1. Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL): focus on pathophysiology and control of VL / PKDL
2. Wound care, in particular burn injuries, in resource -low settings: focus on management in different settings
Other areas of research include
- Complex (neglected) Tropical Diseases and Syndromes
- Mycetoma. Mycetoma was not on any list for neglected diseases until 2016 when it was formally added to the WHO list of NTDs; it causes huge suffering and disability and leads to unnecessary amputation of limbs. It can be medically treated but drugs used are either not adequate and not available or affordable.
- Ectopic schistosomiasis – paraplegia, female genital schistosmiasis-new treatment for schistosomiasis in Mass Drug Administration and individual patients.
- Teaching and learning – needs for doctors who want to work in the tropics
- Wound care and burns – focus on care in the tropics; reverse technology
- Intoxications, poisoning and environmental exposure
The RoCTM will endeavour to promote advocacy, access to better treatment and research. We provide easy access to most of our publications.
In addition, old publications still provide a wealth of information and are often forgotten or not appreciated; in the future we will establish a database with scans of older publications on leishmaniasis and other conditions that are not easily retrievable otherwise.
Upcoming events
Recent publications
News
21st European Burns Association Congress 3-6 September 2025, Berlin, Germany
Contributions included (see under Events):
Presentations on
1. Use of tropical fruit Papaya in treatment of burn injuries
2. Toxic epidermal necrolysis