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In a renewed affirmation of its leading position and global pioneering in endemic disease research, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, one of the most prestigious research centers in the Middle East specializing in liver, gastrointestinal, and schistosomiasis diseases, participated in the scientific conference organized by the University of Tübingen, Germany, titled "200 Years Theodor Bilharz Schistosomiasis Research in Germany and Beyond," held from October 8 to 10, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the German scientist Theodor Maximilian Bilharz, the discoverer of schistosomiasis worms in Egypt.
 
The conference was organized by the Institute of Tropical Medicine at the University of Tübingen in collaboration with Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and the Gabon Medical Research Center, with the participation of a select group of scientists and researchers from around the world.
 
Egypt was represented at this major scientific event by Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and Chairman of the Board, who delivered a lecture titled: "The Role of Theodor Bilharz in Egypt - Theodor Bilharz Institute: A Story of Success and Gratitude."
 
Dr. Abdel Aziz reviewed the history of schistosomiasis in Egypt and the discovery of its causative agents by the German physician Theodor Bilharz. He also discussed the national efforts to eradicate the disease, starting from the Ministry of Health campaigns and national initiatives, and the pivotal role of TBRI in research, diagnosis, and treatment, which contributed to reducing the disease's prevalence rates in Egypt to their lowest levels.
 
His Excellency also explained the research and medical capabilities of the institute, highlighting the training and research services it provides through the schistosome Biological supply center, the Monoclonal Antibody Unit, and the collaboration center with the World Health Organization. He also reviewed the capabilities of the institute's hospital, which includes 307 beds and state-of-the-art operating rooms equipped to the highest standards, offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services for hepatogastroentrology, kidney, and urinary tract diseases and their complications.
Dr. Abdel Aziz also highlighted the institute's active participation in the presidential initiative to eliminate hepatitis C, praising the success of this initiative, which also included patients with hepatitis B and liver fibrosis, through the institute's specialized liver units.
 
The conference was distinguished by its rich scientific content, as it included eight main sessions for presentations and two poster sessions, totaling 42 scientific lectures and 47 research posters. These covered everything related to schistosomiasis from the discovery of the worms causing it by Theodor Maximilian Bilharz to the present day. The conference topics revolved around the history of schistosomiasis, molecular biology research and the relationship between the parasite and the host, disease diagnosis and its impact on children and pregnant women, study of the snails that transmit the disease, the relationship between schistosomiasis and the immune system and gut microbiome, modern diagnostic methods for the disease using artificial intelligence, review of some research results on developing disease control strategies, and developing new vaccines, in addition to field studies presented by researchers from some African countries.
 
As for the research posters, they addressed the analysis of genetic diversity among different strains of schistosomiasis in Africa, studies on molecular changes and mutations affecting the severity of the disease, the development of new drugs against schistosomiasis and improving the efficacy of the drug "Praziquantel," the impact of schistosomiasis on pregnancy and fetus, the effect of infection on the liver and spleen, research on anemia and co-infection with malaria and schistosomiasis, studies on mathematical models to predict the spread of the disease and control it, and the use of artificial intelligence to design infection spread maps.
 
The conference witnessed extensive international participation from England, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy, the United States of America, Austria, Egypt, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Benin, Madagascar, Tanzania, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon.
 
Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz also thanked Professor Nagwa El-Khafif, the professor in the Electron Microscopy Department at the institute, for her role as the coordinator for the institute's participation in this important event and for her communication with the conference organizers in Germany. He also praised the participation of Professor Mohamed El-Washahi, the professor of Urology at TBRI, in the conference.
 
On the sidelines of the conference, Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz conducted an interview with Professor Amadou Garba Djirmay, the expert in schistosomiasis at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva. The discussions addressed the pioneering role of the Arab Republic of Egypt in combating neglected tropical diseases, foremost among them schistosomiasis, through Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, recognized as a regional reference center by the World Health Organization, contributing to supporting the efforts of African countries through its training and collaborative programs.
 
Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing joint cooperation to export Egypt's pioneering experience in eradicating schistosomiasis, through organizing missions for researchers and specialists from Theodor Bilharz Research Institute to several African countries, with the aim of transferring Egyptian expertise, especially after Egypt's declaration of being completely free of the disease. They also aim to support the efforts of African and developing countries to achieve the same goal, and to provide technical and scientific support to enhance those countries' capacities in combating schistosomiasis, in line with the World Health Organization's strategies to eliminate neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
 
Extensive discussions took place between Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and the Institute of Tropical Medicine at the University of Tübingen, Germany, regarding the preparation of a joint cooperation protocol aimed at enhancing collaboration in research and medical fields, and exchanging knowledge and expertise in tropical disease research and its complications. This step comes as part of affirming the pivotal role of TBRI in building international scientific partnerships.