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414 - Studying rodents’ habitats to prevent leptospirosis
October 2012
Leptospirosis is a water-related bacterial disease with a high incidence in Southeast Asia. People usually become infected through exposure to water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, mainly rats and mice. In the framework of the CERoPath ( 1) program, IRD researchers and their partners ( 2) have revealed the relationship between rodents’ environment and infection by leptospirosis bacteria. They showed that, whereas people mainly get infected in rice fields, the bacteria are present in a variety of environments, and particularly at the frontiers of fields and forests. The use of remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has helped to expand knowledge on rodents’ habitats. These studies allow a better understanding of their behaviour, depending on land use changes, and infection risks caused by human activities, including leisure.
407 - Coping with HIV in adolescence
June 2012
Public health policies have addressed the problem of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Thailand. However, a large number of children who were born with the virus that causes Aids are now reaching adolescence, a critical period when their survival is at risk. As part of their work on the treatment of HIV, a team from the IRD and their partners( 1) have followed these children as they grow up. To explain the treatment failures observed and to understand how to help these children, the team has carried out a nationwide survey in Thailand named TEEWA( 2) among adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years, born with HIV. The burden of treatment, the side-effects of the illness, difficulties in dealing with sexuality, and the fear of stigmatisation, etc. are all obstacles that may cause these youngsters to stop their medication. The study highlights the need for research to simplify treatment and points up the importance of combating prejudice through specific support and awareness campaigns.
The Budding Scientists
November 2008
Traditional forms of agriculture : unexpected degree of diversity, time-honoured principles
June 2008
Thailand: first steptowards eradication of mother to child HIV transmission?
July 2004
