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Global health and
tropical medicine
GHTM is a FCT R&D centre classified as excellent that develops
research within two thematic lines: 1) Health challenges of travel-
lers and migrants; and 2) Emerging diseases and environmen-
tal changes. These lines are operationalized by three Research
Groups (RG): i) Vector borne diseases and pathogens (VBD);
ii) TB, HIV and opportunistic diseases and pathogens (THOP);
iii) Tuberculosis, HIV and opportunistic infections (THOP); and
iii) Population health, policies and services (PPS) [UID/Mul-
ti/04413/2013].
GHTM congregates scientists and the best research produced
at IHMT. It was officially launched in 2015. In April, members of
the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) visited GHTM, having ana-
lysed the project and advised on the selection of the coordination
team, which was appointed in May.
SAB has contributed to GHTM’s focus and resize. The prepa-
ration of a multidisciplinary and transversal programme to both
thematic lines was a result of SAB’s recommendations and the
discussion within the groups.
This programme covers: travel medicine and IHMT travel clinic
as an observatory of tropical diseases in the global context; the
search for new markers for single and multiple diagnosis, com-
bined with clinical information with advanced technology for dif-
ferential diagnosis in integrated technology platforms; the specif-
ics of migrants health as vulnerable group, epidemiological and
socio-behavioural interactions, needs, and access to health care
in Portugal and in the countries of origin.
Despite the great improvement of infectious diseases global
health, new epidemics and old endemics have a global impact
with local repercussions, particularly in low-income countries
and sub-Saharan Africa, indicating potential global change in
the dynamics of pathogens and their transmission that can be
associated with social, political, economic and climate change.
Central to this thematic and GHTM activity is drug resistance and
its mechanisms in HIV, tuberculosis, opportunistic infections and
vector-borne diseases.
New equipment was purchased, and the architectural design for
the security insectarium (VIASEF) was initiated, as well as the hir-
ing process of researchers in key areas for GHTM development.
Considering funding mechanisms, we highlight the Grand Chal-
lenges Explorations of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and
the Health Initiatives Program Public / EEA Grants. In the context
of the outgoing projects and startups (see list of funded projects)
we can summarize as follows: Vector Borne-Diseases research
develops and applies innovative methods for surveillance and
control. Within this aim, during 2015, mapping identification and
characterization of vectors, their viruses and parasites was per-
formed on mosquito, sand flies and ticks, contributing to under-
stand transmission of VBD. Adding to the global quest to stop
VBD transmission, studies on parasite-mosquito interactions and
drugs to prevent transmission were investigated.
Novel compounds (synthetic or natural), new therapeutic ap-
proaches, nano drug delivery systems and characterisation of re-
sistance to drugs and insecticides were pursued both epidemio-
logically or mechanistically by Vector Borne-Diseases and TB, HIV
and Opportunistic Pathogens groups. Medical, microbiologic and
genomic data were collected connecting phylogeographic origins,
virulence and drug resistance determinants of microbial pathogens.
The Population health, policies and services group focuses on
research on sexually transmitted diseases in vulnerable groups,
human resources for health policies and planning. In 2015 PPS
researchers carried out surveys in Portugal, Europe and Portu-
guese-speaking African countries and collected biomedical and
socioeconomic data, with the objective of exploring - through
qualitative and quantitative statistical methods applied to health
- issues related to: retention strategies of health professionals in
Europe; prevalence of STD infections and risk behaviour among
migrants and men who have sex with men, and; impact of the
economic crisis on the medical workforce. New research lines
were developed on management and prevention of hospital in-
fections, and on urban planning and health inequalities in low-
and middle-income countries.