Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania
donovani is a major cause for morbidity
and mortality in North Eastern Region
of the country. The problem is compounded
by the availability of toxic drugs and
the pathogen becoming resistant to these
drugs.
The programme therefore
envisages screening of synthetic compounds
as well as extracts from plants and marine
sources for antileishmanial activity development
of diagnostic kit of high specificity
and sensitivity, studies on molecular
mechanisms of virulence and drug resistance,
and search for newer specific biochemical
and molecular targets for designing safe
and effective antileishmanial compounds.
