In the meeting held in Rome the last November 5th, the CLWG modified its organization, establishing two subgroups that replace the previous subgroups. The two current subgroups are so called and composed:
“Management and implementation of studies and protocols on canine leishmaniasis”, coordinated by Dr. Michele Maroli, to which all the CLWG members are affiliated,
“CLWG management and promotion” coordinated by Prof. George Lubas, which included Dr. Paola Badiale and Dr. Alberto Crotti.
As possible updates occurred after the publication of the CLWG guidelines both by “Veterinaria” and “Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association” journals a reassessment and an update of Diagnosis and Therapy of canine leishmaniasis has been decided. Prof. Paltrinieri will edit the Diagnosis, while Prof. Oliva will edit Therapy. These updated guidelines will be published in the “Veterinaria” journal just in the occasion of the International Multihall Congress SCIVAC that will be held next May 2011.
In the International Multihall Congress SCIVAC that will be held in Rimini from 27th to 29th of May a large session on Leishmaniasis located Friday May 27th has been planned. A large part of this session will consist in the presentation of scientific abstracts (original research or clinical cases) prepared by researchers or clinicians. In addition, a speech by Prof. Oliva will be presented whose title is “Canine leishmaniasis vaccine: facts and expectations“. All abstracts submitted will be evaluated by a Committee coordinated by Dr. Maroli and Prof. Lubas, with the cooperation of all CLWG members in order to choose the best abstract. The best abstract will be awarded by the “CLWG-Hill’s prize for the best contribution in the advances on knowledge in Leishmaniasis”. The prize consists in a before-tax sum of 2,000 euros that will be awarded in a special ceremony at the end of the Leishmaniasis session. The standard requirements to evaluate original research are based on: suitable use of the language, correctness of the methods used, concordance between goals and methods, concordance between the obtained results and conclusions, suitability of references, originality and scientific importance. The standard requirements to evaluate the clinical studies are based on: suitable use of the language, suitability of the discussion, suitability of references, originality and scientific importance. Finally, the standard requirements to evaluate presentations at the congress are based on: correctness of clinical and pathologic data presented, clarity of the power-point presentation, quality of the images, brilliance of the presentation and adherence of the time allocated.
The CLWG approved the financial support to the two following research projects presented by his members and the final approval is pending at Hill’s Pet Nutrition Animal Welfare Policy:
“Evaluation of clinical and laboratory remission time in dogs with proteinuria associated to leishmaniasis which are following different therapeutical and management protocols”
“Evaluation of the infectiousness of “exposed”, “infected” and “sick” dogs with leishmaniasis to the phlebotomine vector Phlebotomus perniciosus by xenodiagnosis”
