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Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Public Health and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Yale University
Dr. Hotez gave an overview of U.S. involvement with infectious disease research in China, which has an enormous burden of parasitic diseases. The Tropical Medicine Research Center Dr. Hotez is part of is applying modern technology to research the control of these infections, focusing on Schistosomiasis, foodborne infections, and hookworm infection. Work is progressing on a hookworm vaccine, focusing on antigens that have produced high levels of protection in a mouse model. For Schistosomiasis, they are trying to define the problem of reemergence and develop a human vaccine as well as block transmission by vaccinating water buffalo, the major animal reservoir. Regarding HIV, he noted a problem in reporting and the wide heterogeneity of clades in the region, which could result in the need for three different vaccines. |