The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network

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The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
Region

                                     The Institut Pasteur
                                 and the Institut Pasteur
                                   International Network

                              The Mediterranean rim

«K
  nowledge is the heritage
 of humanity »
 Louis Pasteur
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
The Mediterranean rim
                                     Installed in eight countries of the Mediterranean rim, the
                                     Institut Pasteur International Network (RIIP) conducts
                                     numerous collaborations with various healthcare and
                                     research bodies in the countries concerned.
                                     The actions undertaken by the international network aim to
                                     strengthen research and training and help in the fight against
Institut Pasteur – Cenci
Bolognetti Foundation                the major diseases that affect the region.
•U
  niversity of Rome
 « La Sapienza »
• Founded in 1956                    > A number of collaborations
• 50 persons                         The Institut Pasteur has forged strong links in the Mediterranean with seven
www.istitutopasteur.it               member institutes from the Institut Pasteur International Network in the Euro-
                                     Mediterranean region: Algeria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Romania and
Hellenic Institut Pasteur            Tunisia. It also has a privileged relationship with various research and healthcare
• Athens, Greece
• Founded in 1919
                                     bodies in Israel, Egypt and Lebanon.
• 150 persons                        The aim of these partnerships is two-fold:
www.pasteur.gr                       • scientific collaboration in the face of similar problems and contribution to
National reference centre            training and teaching
for leishmaniasis
                                     • participation in the development of a Euro-Mediterranean forum for health and
                                     solidarity within the context of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Institut Pasteur in Algeria
• Algiers
• Founded in 1894
• 830 persons                          Presentation of the region
www.pasteur.dz                         Members of the Union for the Mediterranean (UPM)

Regional reference laboratory               Member states of the European Union
for tuberculosis. Centre for                and UPM
anti-rabies vaccination and
                                            UPM Member States                                 Brussels
international vaccinations
                                                                                      Lille
                                                                                     Paris
                                            Observer State
Institut Pasteur in Tunis                                                                                         Bucharest
                                            Institutes from the                                Rome      Sofia
• Tunisia
• Founded in 1893                           Institut Pasteur
                                            International Network
• 550 persons                                                       Casablanca   Algiers                         Athens
                                                                                           Tunis
WHO collaborative centre
for research and training on
leishmaniasis infections and anti-
rabies vaccination centre

                          Region
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
RIIP research
                                      in the Mediterranean
                                      The huge healthcare issues in the region form the subject of
                                      basic research, surveillance and public health programmes.

Hepatitis B virus                     > Viral hepatitis
                                      Research into the genetic diversity of the hepatitis B virus and improvements in
    The Franco-                       diagnosis connect several teams in Paris, Athens and Romania, opening up new
    Egyptian network                  perspectives in the development of a vaccine.
    of research into                  The programmes conducted also feature:
    the hepatitis C                   • interaction of the C and G virus with their host cells (Paris, Tunis, Athens),
    virus                             • the development of bioinformatic tools of analysis (Institut Pasteur - Cenci
    The Institut Pasteur                Bolognetti Foundation),
    teams are conducting a            • the epidemiological study of hepatitis E (Morocco, Algeria, Tunis),
    project on hepatitis in
    Egypt, which is financed          • the impact of vaccination on the epidemiology of hepatitis B (Tunis, Morocco),
    by the ANRS (Agence               • the aetiologies of hepatocellular carcinomas (Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Paris).
    Nationale de Recherches
    sur le Sida et les
    hépatites virales).               > Tuberculosis
    The incidence levels in this      The Institut Pasteur International Network is involved in national programmes
    country are amongst the
                                      in the fight against tuberculosis and plays an active part in the diagnosis and
    highest in the world.
    An ANRS research site,            surveillance of this infection, especially in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
    dedicated to research             They participate in research into new anti-tuberculosis vaccines, the epidemiology
    into these diseases,
    opened in Cairo in 2007.
                                      of and genetic susceptibility to this disease. Finally, in collaboration with the
                                      Institut Pasteur in Paris, they study the mechanisms for acquiring resistance.

                                         EpiSouth is a network of epidemiology laboratories
                                         •O  bjectives: surveillance of transmissible diseases across 27 countries in the
                                           Mediterranean and Balkans
                                         • Three axes of surveillance:
                                           - epidemic surveillance,
                                           - vaccine-preventable diseases,
                                           - emergent zoonoses.
                                         Within this project, the Institut Pasteur is involved in the creation of a
                                         network of reference laboratories.
                                         To find out more: www.episouth.org

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

                             Region
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
> Viruses and cancer
                                      The activities of the diagnosis laboratories on viruses and cancers focus on:
                                      • the Epstein-Barr virus associated with cancer of the nasopharynx and lymphoma;
                                      • the papilloma viruses associated with cancer of the neck of the uterus (physiopathology,
                                        screening, vaccination and treatment);
                                      • the viruses responsible for herpes, especially in the context of opportunistic AIDs
                                        infections.
The HIV-1 virus on the surface
of a lymphocyte
                                         The Pasteur-Weizmann scientific collaboration
                                         Launched in 1975, the « Pasteur-Weizmann » collaboration is performed
                                         via an agreement between the Institut Pasteur, the Weizmann Institute
                                         (Rehovot, Israel) and the Pasteur-Weizmann Association.
                                         The objective of this collaboration is to promote and strengthen high-level
                                         exchanges between researchers in the two institutes within the public health
                                         domain, cancer in particular: training, short-term or post-doctoral fellowships,
                                         joint projects or scientific meetings.
                                         An initial multicentre research programme involving the Institut Pasteur,
                                         the Weizmann Institute and the Mario Negri Institute (Milan, Italy) has been
                                         launched into the development of new anti-cancer compounds derived from
   European projects                     retinoic acid.
   The Institut Pasteur
   and the Institut Pasteur
   International Network
   are involved in several            > Genetic diseases
   European projects within           Several diseases are studied in the various institutes of the network and may become
   the Mediterranean region:
   • project on
                                      part of an inter-institutional collaboration:
     Leishmaniasis                    • thalassaemias and disorders of the red blood cells;
     infections (Greece,              • neurosensory disorders (deafness and retinitis pigmentosa);
     Algeria, Tunisia)
   • project on emerging
                                      • infertility;
     diseases (Italy,                 • diabetes.
     Romania, Algeria)
   • project on neuro-
     transmitters (Greece)            > Leishmaniasis infections
   • EpiSouth surveillance           An international-scale project is being conducted jointly by Athens, Paris, Tunis
     project                          and Morocco. This project aims to develop epidemiological studies, and tools for the
                                      diagnosis and control of Leishmaniasis infections. In parallel, it will study the clinical
                                      expression of the disease in order to improve vaccination, and will also examine the
                                      biology of the parasites, their diversity and virulence.
                                      Another project, coordinated by the Institut Pasteur in Tunis, analyses the cellular
                                      and molecular processes which may underlie the resistance or sensitivity of mice to
                                      the infection.

                             Region
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
> Rabies
                               The Institut Pasteur International Network has two anti-rabies vaccination centres
                               in the region, in Morocco and Algeria, to treat people who have been in contact with
                               suspect animals. In addition, the institutes in Algeria and Tunis are involved in the
                               development of new vaccines.
                               The network is also concerned with epidemiological studies. A team in Paris, in
                               association with the Mateu Orfila Foundation of the Balearic Islands and the University
                               of Barcelona, is studying the infection dynamics of colonies of bald mice in Spain.
Rabies virus

                                  Controlling rabies
                                  The RABMEDCONTROL project of the European Union involves a number of
   N.B.
                                  research, public health and veterinary institutions in nine countries in the
   • The Institut Pasteur in      Mediterranean rim.
   Algeria and Morocco,
   in association with the        The aim of the project is to:
   WHO Collaborative Centre       • collect epidemiological and virological data on human and animal rabies in
   for Rabies in Paris, form        North Africa;
   part of the AfroREB            • clarify the epidemiology of this infection;
   network, which shares          • prevent the disease;
   information and improves       • treat the disease.
   health campaigns in the
   countries affected.            The research will enable a better understanding of the ecological aspects of dog
                                  and Chiroptera populations (bald mice), as well as the human behaviours that
                                  influence the dynamics of rabies.
                                  These multi-disciplinary data will then lead to recommendations for controlling
                                  rabies in North Africa.
                                  The Institut Pasteur, the Institut Pasteur in Tunis, the Institut Pasteur in
                                  Morocco and the Institut Pasteur in Algeria are actively involved.
                                  To find out more: www.rabmedcontrol.org

                               > Venoms and toxins
                               Venoms provide a wide area for investigation and have a number of biological effects:
                               toxicity, coagulation, anti-coagulation, haemorrhage, necrosis, oedema.
                               The institutes in Algeria, Morocco and Tunis, which produce anti-venom sera, were
                               recently linked to research novel compounds for therapeutic use and the optimisation
                               of sera, with the support of the WHO.
                               Within the framework of a second programme with the teams in Tunisia, the toxins
                               isolated from scorpion venom have advanced research into autoimmune diseases such
                               as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

                      Region
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
Training
The Institut Pasteur International Network also
has the mission of strengthening the human
resources capacities in the countries of the
Mediterranean rim.

Research training programmes (specific teaching, workshops)
are developed in partnership with the universities and other local
parties. Initially intended for researchers in the network, they are
now accessible to all.

                                                                                            Section of a macrophage
> Diverse teaching and training                                                             infected by Leishmania

• Immunology: advanced course on Mediterranean Immunology, « From basic immu-
nology to antiparasitic immunology» (Algiers) and course in immuno-physiology of
infections (Algiers), in partnership with the French Association of Immunology (SFI).
• Mycobacteriology: course in medical mycobacteriology and training in mycobacte-
riological techniques (Algiers). This programme is financed by the Institut Pasteur, the
WHO and the International Union in the fight against Tuberculosis and Respiratory
Diseases.
• Bioinformatics: Bioinformatic analysis of sequencing data (Casablanca); Bioinforma-
tics and comparative genomic analysis (Tunis).
• Resistance to antibiotics: basic courses on the mechanisms of resistance to
antibiotics, practical studies based on the discovery and identification of genes of
resistance (Casablanca).
• The EPIM programme (Epidemiology of intervention and applied informatics in
the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean which border rivers) initiated by the Institut
Pasteur, in partnership with the Agency for Preventative Medicine (AMP), aims to
strengthen epidemiological surveillance in this region.

                        Region
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
Union for the Mediterranean
    The Union for the Mediterranean (UPM) is an international inter-govern-                      THE FIGURES
    mental organization with a regional objective. Founded on 13 July 2008,                      • 90% of the 1 500 000
    and launched by the French President, it gathers together the 27 member                      cases of cutaneous
    states of the European Union and 17 states bordering the Mediterranean                       leishmaniasis infections
    Sea. Higher education and healthcare research are among the six priorities                   registered each year
    defined by the UPM.                                                                          internationally are
    The Institut Pasteur is strongly involved in the following areas:                            recorded in the
    • r esearch into infectious and emerging diseases (leishmaniasis infections,                Mediterranean basin.
      tuberculosis, rabies etc.), genetic diseases and cancer;                                   • 300 cases of human
    • monitoring and surveillance of these diseases;                                             rabies are counted each
    • training of healthcare professionals.                                                      year in the region.

                               > The main healthcare issues

                               •T
                                 uberculosis is still the most deadly disease among adults
                                in the Eastern Mediterranean, where it causes more than
Phagocytosis of bacteria
                                110 000 deaths each year.
by a macrophage                                                                                  Institut Pasteur in Morocco

                               •L
                                 eishmaniasis infections are caused by various parasites        • Tangiers and Casablanca
                                                                                                 • Founded in 1911 (Tangiers)
                                of the Leishmania species and are transmitted by the bites         and 1929 (Casablanca)
                                of sandflies that are very widespread in the Mediterranean       • 250 persons
                                area. These bites cause very debilitating skin or visceral       www.pasteur.dz
                                infections, which may even prove fatal if not treated.           Stephan Angeloff Institute
                                                                                                 • Sofia, Bulgaria
                               The countries of the Mediterranean are affected to varying        • Founded in 1947
                               degrees by:                                                       • 160 persons
                                                                                                 www.microbio.bas.bg
                               • all the viral hepatitis types known to date (A, B, C, Delta,
                                 E and G).                                                       Cantacuzène Institute
                               •p  oisoning due to scorpion or snake bite in the Maghreb        • Bucarest, Romania
                                 and Near East, which represents another serious public          • Founded in 1901
                                                                                                 • 1 200 persons
                                 health issue due to the frequency and severity of the cases.
                                                                                                 www.cantacuzino.ro

Papillomavirus                 These countries are also facing an increase in the number:        Institut Pasteur in Lille

                               • of cancers                                                      • Lille
                                                                                                 • Founded in 1894
                               • of genetic diseases (diabetes, infertility etc.) into which    • 790 persons
                                 several teams from RIIP are undertaking studies.                www.pasteur-lille.fr

                           Region
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
Institut Pasteur :
                                a worldwide presence
                                A certified not-for profit private foundation, the Institut
                                Pasteur exercises three missions in the service of the public
                                good since its creation in 1887: research, public health, and
                                training.

                                At the nexus of several disciplines, including microbiology, immunology and
                                molecular biology, it is one of the foremost centres of biomedical research
CONTACTS:                       worldwide. Ten Pasteurian scientists have been named laureates of the Nobel Prize
INSTITUT PASTEUR                in physiology or medicine.
25 - 28, rue de Docteur Roux
75724 Paris Cedex 15
FRANCE                          Open to the world, the Institut Pasteur is at the heart of an International Network
Phone: +33 (0)1 40 61 36 92     of some thirty institutes on every continent, most of which are independent
Fax: +33 (0)1 45 68 89 52       entities governed by their national authorities.
E-mail: reseau@pasteur.fr
Website:                        These institutes are associated by partnerships and cooperation agreements
www.pasteur-international.org
www.pasteur.fr                  covering scientific research, training and public health services, and they share
                                common values and objectives.

                                                                                                                      Photo credit: Institut Pasteur • Design: www.e l t o n.fr • February 2011

                 Not-for profit foundation authorised to receive donations and bequests
The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network The Mediterranean rim - The Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network
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