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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2019 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1-2 |
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New technologies and new horizons
Subhash Chandra Parija
Vice-Chancellor, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, India
| Date of Acceptance | 30-Apr-2019 |
| Date of Web Publication | 24-May-2019 |
Correspondence Address:
Subhash Chandra Parija
Vice-Chancellor, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/tp.TP_23_19
How to cite this article:
Parija SC. New technologies and new horizons. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:1-2 |
Greetings from the desk of the editor!
Greetings from the desk of the Editor and I welcome you with the current issue of your journal Tropical Parasitology. With the advent of molecular methods, the discipline of parasitology is undergoing a sea change compared to the knowledge base of the past which had relied heavily on gross morphology and microscopic features of the parasites. The genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and other – omic studies are opening new horizons in the understanding of the parasites. These studies have the potential of wide-ranging applications ranging from taxonomy and understanding the pathogenesis to newer diagnostic methods, drug target-identification, and future vaccine development. Taxonomic reclassification and application of molecular targets for genus and species identification and pinpointing the drug resistance genes of a number of parasites are a few benefits which we have already derived from the research application of the new technologies. Modern epidemiological studies are increasingly relying on molecular typing and fingerprinting of pathogens, and slowly, it is being used for various parasites for a better understanding of the spread of these parasites in the community which will help in better control measures in the coming days.
Talking of control measures for parasites and other pathogens, the present issue of the journal has got two original articles on biological control of mosquito vectors.[1],[2] Vector control has always been an important aspect in minimizing or stopping the chain of transmission of parasites, and the older chemical agents are falling into disrepute either for their inefficacy or because of the issue of environmental pollution and toxicity. The use of plant-derived biocides is an attractive option because of its inherent safety for the environment. The two articles deal with neem oil and eucalyptus oil as possible biocidal agents for mosquito control.[1],[2] Among the other original articles, we have a study on the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among immunocompetent children [3] and another on the importance of knowledge and education about diagnosis and treatment among the stakeholders regarding malaria in an endemic region.[4] A basic research paper on the role of cytokines in preventing experimental visceral leishmaniasis,[5] one paper on the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths in a tea garden [6] and another on the interplay of Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma in genital infections [7] are also included in this issue. Apart from that, we have interesting case reports and research correspondence as regular features.
The Medical Council of India will be introducing the competency and system based curriculum for MBBS from this year. A review article on medical education highlights this aspect of topical interest [8] and will be useful for medical teachers in general. In our regular face-to-face section,[9] we bring out the interview with Christen Rune Stensvold from Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Stensvold is engaged in research on intestinal parasites and has done pioneering work on blastocystosis and taeniasis, and we are sure that his interview will make riveting reading.
We expect an interesting reading experience with this issue of the journal.
 References | |  |
| 1. | Kaura T, Mewara A, Zaman K, Sharma A, Agrawal SK, Thakur V, et al. Utilizing larvicidal and pupicidal efficacy of Eucalyptus and Neem oil against Aedes mosquito: An approach for mosquito control. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:12-7.  [Full text] |
| 2. | Ninan S, Dineshkumar B, Krishnakumar K. Neem oil-loaded cross-linked biodegradable polymeric capsules: Its larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:7-11. [Full text] |
| 3. | Saha R, Saxena B, Jamir ST, Shekhar S. Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in symptomatic immunocompetent children and comparative evaluation of its diagnosis by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and antigen detection techniques. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:18-22. [Full text] |
| 4. | Ajibaye O, Balogun EO, Olukosi YA, Orok BA, Oyebola KM, Iwalokun BA, et al. Impact of training of mothers, drug shop attendants and voluntary health workers on effective diagnosis and treatment of malaria in Lagos, Nigeria. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:36-44. [Full text] |
| 5. | Kumar P, Misra P, Yadav NK, Joshi S, Sahasrabuddhe AA, Dube A, et al. Prophylactic interferon-γ and interleukin-17 facilitate parasite clearance in experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:30-5. [Full text] |
| 6. | Das S, Mukherjee A, Mallick S, Bhattacherjee S, Chakraborty S, Dasgupta S. Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infestations among children attending integrated child development service centers in a tea garden area in Darjeeling. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:23-9. [Full text] |
| 7. | Tine RC, Dia L, Sylla K, Sow D, Lelo S, Ndour CT. Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma infections among women with vaginal discharge at Fann teaching hospital in Senegal. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:45-53. [Full text] |
| 8. | Adkoli BV, Parija SC. Systems approach in medical education: The thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. Trop Parasitol 2019;9:3-6. [Full text] |
| 9. | An Email interview with Dr Christen Rune Stensvold. Trop Parasitol 2018;8:127-31. |
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