AID grant no. ANE-0158-G-SS-9035-00 to the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences for the Mid-East regional health research and development program for the control of infectious diseases

National Academy of Sciences" Institute of Medicine to promote the exchange of technology and knowledge between Israelis and Egyptians concerning the control of infectious diseases, especially hepatitis B and chronic diarrhea. Collaborative research will be conducted over a 5-year period at Israeli and Egyptian institutions. Mechanisms of cooperation will include consultations among researchers, shared use of facilities, working site visits, and exchange of specimen samples and/or data, as well as periodic workshops for planning and review and possibly joint publications and presentations. Blood-borne viral disease research will focus on activities such as strengthening the use of diagnostic tools for blood screening and identifying the populations at risk for hepatitis. Research on chronic diarrhea will focus on identifying etiologic factors and improving diagnostic capabilities.