Article
Microbiology
Nicole M. Davis, Michelle M. Lissner, Crystal L. Richards, Victoria Chevee, Avni S. Gupta, Frank C. Gherardini, David S. Schneider
Summary: The study focuses on how host metabolism changes in relation to disease severity in murine malaria, identifying plasma metabolic biomarkers for different malarial pathologies. The research also reveals connections between plasma metabolomes of human malaria patients and metabolic changes in malarial mice. Specifically, liver damage in infected mice releases hepatic arginase-1 into circulation, leading to plasma arginine depletion, which may have implications for malaria therapeutics.
Article
Immunology
Frank Wunderlich, Denis Delic, Daniela Gerovska, Marcos J. Arauzo-Bravo
Summary: This study found that protective vaccination can accelerate extramedullary hepatic megakaryo-/thrombopoiesis in response to malaria. Vaccinated mice showed higher expression levels of megakaryo-/thrombocytic genes in the liver at early stages of infection compared to non-vaccinated mice.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Said A. Jongo, Vicente Urbano, L. W. Preston Church, Ally Olotu, Stephen R. Manock, Tobias Schindler, Ali Mtoro, K. C. Natasha, Ali Hamad, Elizabeth Nyakarungu, Maximillian Mpina, Anna Deal, Jose Raso Bijeri, Martin Eka Ondo Mangue, Beltran Ekua Ntutumu Pasialo, Genaro Nsue Nguema, Salomon Nguema Owono, Matilde Riloha Rivas, Mwajuma Chemba, Kamaka R. Kassim, Eric R. James, Thomas C. Stabler, Yonas Abebe, Elizabeth Saverino, Julian Sax, Salome Hosch, Anneth-Mwasi Tumbo, Linda Gondwe, J. Luis Segura, Carlos Cortes Falla, Wonder Philip Phiri, Dianna E. B. Hergott, Guillermo A. Garcia, Christopher Schwabe, Carl D. Maas, Tooba Murshedkar, Peter F. Billingsley, Marcel Tanner, Mitoha Ondo'o Ayekaba, B. Kim Lee Sim, Claudia Daubenberger, Thomas L. Richie, Salim Abdulla, Stephen L. Hoffman
Summary: In African vaccinees, Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite-CVac recipients demonstrated a higher vaccine efficacy, likely due to later stage parasite maturation leading to induction of cellular immunity against a broader array of antigens.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Catherine E. Oke, Sarah E. Reece, Petra Schneider
Summary: This study developed a non-destructive assay to quantify sporozoites of two rodent malaria species from sugar-soaked feeding substrates. However, the detection rate of expelled sporozoites was low, likely due to the variable and infrequent nature of sporozoite expulsion. Further investigations into the biological causes underlying the low detection rate are needed.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sven Kratochvil, Chen-Hsiang Shen, Ying-Cing Lin, Kai Xu, Usha Nair, Lais Da Silva Pereira, Prabhanshu Tripathi, Johan Arnold, Gwo-Yu Chuang, Eleonora Melzi, Arne Schon, Baoshan Zhang, Marlon Dillon, Brian Bonilla, Barbara J. Flynn, Kathrin H. Kirsch, Neville K. Kisalu, Patience K. Kiyuka, Tracy Liu, Li Ou, Marie Pancera, Reda Rawi, Mateo Reveiz, Kareen Seignon, Lawrence T. Wang, Michael T. Waring, John Warner, Yongping Yang, Joseph R. Francica, Azza H. Idris, Robert A. Seder, Peter D. Kwong, Facundo D. Batista
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of repeat antigens to evade immune responses and the successful improvement of a highly effective anti-malarial antibody in a mouse model, showcasing the potential of using vaccination and bioinformatic analysis to enhance protective capacity.
Biographical-Item
Parasitology
Pietro Alano, Richard Culleton, Christian Doeing, Louis Miller
Summary: The malaria research community lost a pioneer with the passing of Professor Richard Carter, a brilliant malariologist known for his inquisitive nature and unorthodox way of thinking.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Tsukushi Kamiya, Nicole M. Davis, Megan A. Greischar, David Schneider, Nicole Mideo
Summary: Our study revealed that high host mortality during acute malaria infection could be attributed to weak parasite clearance or inadvertent removal of uninfected cells in excess. Molecular immunology assays indicated that these two distinct mechanisms of poor survival might be due to low expression of certain inflammatory cytokines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melanie Dacheux, Soraya Chaouch, Alonso Joy, Amandine Labat, Christine Payre, Agnes Petit-Paitel, Franck Bihl, Isabelle Lagrange, Philippe Grellier, Lhousseine Touqui, Gerard Lambeau, Christiane Deregnaucourt
Summary: Transgenic mice overexpressing hGIIA sPLA(2) show a lower peak of parasitaemia compared to wild-type littermates, potentially by releasing toxic lipids from oxidized lipoproteins and promoting a sustained innate immune response. Infection leads to increases in leukocytes, inflammatory cells, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in TG mice, along with significantly higher levels of Th1 cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-2.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rebecca Webster, Silvana Sekuloski, Anand Odedra, Stephen Woolley, Helen Jennings, Fiona Amante, Katharine R. Trenholme, Julie Healer, Alan F. Cowman, Emily M. Eriksson, Priyanka Sathe, Jocelyn Penington, Adam J. Blanch, Matthew W. A. Dixon, Leann Tilley, Michael F. Duffy, Alister Craig, Janet Storm, Jo-Anne Chan, Krystal Evans, Anthony T. Papenfuss, Louis Schofield, Paul Griffin, Bridget E. Barber, Dean Andrew, Michelle J. Boyle, Fabian de Labastida Rivera, Christian Engwerda, James S. McCarthy
Summary: A genetically attenuated blood-stage malaria vaccine was developed and tested in healthy volunteers, showing immunogenicity but causing significant parasitemia at high doses.
Article
Immunology
Andre Barateiro, Alexsander Rodrigues Carvalho Junior, Sabrina Epiphanio, Claudio Romero Farias Marinho
Summary: Malaria is a significant health burden for populations in developing countries, particularly affecting pregnant women. The inflammation caused by P. falciparum sequestration in the placenta leads to changes in the organ, disrupting local homeostasis. These events are associated with poor gestational outcomes, such as growth restriction and premature delivery. However, the molecular mechanisms governing these outcomes are still poorly understood.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marie Mura, Tanmaya Atre, Tatyana Savransky, Elke S. Bergmann-Leitner
Summary: The beginning of an adaptive immune response determines the fate of antigen-specific lymphocytes, with the expression of homing receptors being crucial. A radiation-attenuated malaria vaccine was used as a model to investigate the induction of specific homing receptors by the parasite delivered through mosquito bite, providing insights for malaria vaccine development. The infection with live sporozoites triggers the upregulation of different homing receptors compared to attenuated sporozoites, suggesting the presence of additional signals that prime lymphocytes for homing to the liver.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Katja Mueller, Matthew P. Gibbins, Mark Roberts, Arturo Reyes-Sandoval, Adrian V. S. Hill, Simon J. Draper, Kai Matuschewski, Olivier Silvie, Julius Clemence R. Hafalla
Summary: Antigens from different origins, either from sporozoites or exo-erythrocytic forms, exhibit significant differences in immunogenicity. However, both types of antigens can be effectively targeted and recognized by vaccine-induced effector CD8(+) T cells, leading to high levels of protection. This finding has important implications for antigen prioritization in next-generation pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccines.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Manon Alkema, X. Zen Yap, Gerdie M. de Jong, Isaie J. Reuling, Quirijn de Mast, Reinout van Crevel, Christian F. Ockenhouse, Katharine A. Collins, Teun Bousema, Matthew B. B. McCall, Robert W. Sauerwein
Summary: Malaria infection caused by Plasmodium falciparum through mosquito bites induces stronger inflammation response in healthy volunteers compared to intravenous administration of infected red blood cells.
Article
Biology
Mary F. Fontana, Erica Ollmann Saphire, Marion Pepper
Summary: Naturally acquired immunity to malaria develops over time and repeated exposures. This study investigates whether Plasmodium parasites suppress the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to activate T cell responses. The results show that DCs remain competent in activating T cells during Plasmodium infection, but T cell polarization and humoral responses are severely disrupted. This study provides insights into the development of adaptive responses in hosts with malaria.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Matthew Cairns, Amadou Barry, Issaka Zongo, Issaka Sagara, Serge R. Yerbanga, Modibo Diarra, Charles Zoungrana, Djibrilla Issiaka, Abdoul Aziz Sienou, Amadou Tapily, Koualy Sanogo, Mahamadou Kaya, Seydou Traore, Kalifa Diarra, Hama Yalcouye, Youssoufa Sidibe, Alassane Haro, Ismaila Thera, Paul Snell, Jane Grant, Halidou Tinto, Paul Milligan, Daniel Chandramohan, Brian Greenwood, Alassane Dicko, Jean Bosco Ouedraogo
Summary: A trial in Burkina Faso and Mali showed that combining the seasonal vaccination with RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine and seasonal malaria chemoprevention was more effective in preventing malaria compared to using each intervention alone. The efficacy of both interventions was highest immediately post-administration, but declined over time.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdulsalam Alkhudhayri, Ahmed E. Abdel Moneim, Sara Rizk, Amira A. Bauomy, Mohamed A. Dkhil
Summary: Echinops spinosus is a medicinal plant with various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This study found that E. spinosus extract has neuroprotective and anticonvulsant characteristics, reducing seizure duration and preventing cell death. It also showed potential as a natural anticonvulsant.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mona A. Ibrahim, Sherif R. Mohamed, Mohamed A. Dkhil, Felwa A. Thagfan, Rewaida Abdel-Gaber, Doaa Soliman
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic anticancer role of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MLE) in urethane-induced lung cancer in male albino rats. Results showed that MLE treatment reduced lung index, improved oxidative stress markers, and increased EGFR-mRNA expression. Furthermore, MLE decreased collagen fiber distribution and tumor mass, leading to restoration of normal lung histology. These findings suggest that MLE may serve as an alternative treatment for lung cancer.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Christiane Weingart, Christina S. Helm, Elisabeth Mueller, Ingo Schaefer, Marianne Skrodzki, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Jurgen Kruecken, Barbara Kohn
Summary: Vector-borne diseases, including autochthonous Babesia canis infection, are increasing in importance in Germany, particularly in the Berlin/Brandenburg region. This study examined 49 dogs with autochthonous B. canis infection and found severe clinical symptoms and pathological changes. It is recommended to monitor treatment effectiveness through PCR testing during and after treatment, and to implement blood donor screening in high-risk areas and year-round tick protection.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Mona Saleh, Abdel-Azeem S. Abdel-Baki, Mohamed A. Dkhil, Mansour El-Matbouli, Saleh Al-Quraishy
Summary: The study demonstrates the crucial role of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in the growth and development of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target. By using antisense oligonucleotides to knock down the HSP90 gene, it was shown that the growth and development of the parasite were significantly limited, and the infectivity of treated parasites was reduced in fish.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Dermatology
Niklas Weber, Julian Trujillo-Trujillo, Juergen Kruecken, Felipe Castillo, Hermann Feldmeier, Cord Sunderkoetter
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Rewaida Abdel-Gaber, Maysar Abu Hawsah, Esam M. Al-Shaebi, Tahani Al-Otaibi, Felwa A. Thagfan, Saleh Al-Quraishy, Mohamed A. Dkhil
Summary: The biosynthesized nano-selenium from Azadirachta indica leaf extracts (BNS) showed promising therapeutic effects against Eimeria papillata-induced infection in mice. It not only suppressed the oocyst output by 97.21% but also improved feed intake and exhibited antioxidant activity. BNS could be a potential treatment for coccidiosis.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rewaida Abdel-Gaber, Maysar Abu Hawsah, Tahani Al-Otaibi, Ghada Alojayri, Esam M. Al-Shaebi, Osama B. Mohammed, Manal F. Elkhadragy, Saleh Al-Quraishy, Mohamed A. Dkhil
Summary: The study aimed to determine whether biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (Bio-SeNPs) using Azadirachta indica leaves extract could treat mice with Eimeria papillata infection in the jejunal tissue. The results showed that Bio-SeNPs significantly reduced the oocyst output in mice feces and the number of developmental parasitic stages in the jejunal tissues. Additionally, Bio-SeNPs lowered oxidative stress and inflammatory indicators, protecting the mice against jejunal damage caused by infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rewaida Abdel-Gaber, Masheil Alghamdi, Saleh Al Quraishy, Esam M. Al-Shaebi, Manal F. Elkhadragy, Saeed El-Ashram, Mohamed A. Dkhil
Summary: Fish products are a significant source of animal protein but can also contain various parasites, including monogeneans. This study focused on the monogenean parasites infecting the soldier bream Argyrops filamentosus from the Red Sea coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. One species, Haliotrema susanae, was found to infect 50% of the investigated fish species. This study provides the first report of Haliotrema species as ectoparasites of sparid fish and adds a new genetic sequence for this parasite species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanadi B. Baghdadi, Rewaida Abdel-Gaber, Saleh Al Quraishy, Marwa M. Abou Hadied, Tahani Al-Otaibi, Manal F. Elkhadragy, Esam M. Al-Shaebi, Mohamed Dkhil
Summary: The focus of this study was to examine the potential parasites' ability to serve as bio-indicators of pollution in marine ecosystems. Forty samples of the king soldier bream were collected from the Red Sea for this purpose. Only 25 fish samples were found to be infected with a nematode parasite, Hysterothylacium reliquens, and the levels of certain metals were detected in both the parasite stages and the fish host tissues. The study revealed that fish nematodes could be helpful bioindicators for assessing heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Felwa A. Thagfan, Mohamed A. Dkhil, Esam M. Al-Shaebi, Rewaida Abdel-Gaber, Saleh Al-Quraishy, Sherif Elshanat
Summary: This study compared the response of the liver to induced coccidiosis on treatment with nanosilver synthesized from Zingiber officinale (NS) and the reference anticoccidial drug amprolium in Eimeriapapillate-infected mice. The results showed that NS was able to inhibit the sporulation of E. papillate by approximately 73% and improve the liver function in mice. Treatment with NS also improved the parasite-induced liver histological injury and increased the levels of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. Overall, NS outperformed amprolium in E. papillata-induced mice.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Doaa Soliman, Mona A. Ibrahim, Sherif R. Mohamed, Felwa A. Thagfan, Manal F. El-khadragy, Wafa A. Al-Megrin, Murad A. Mubaraki, Mohamed A. Dkhil
Summary: The study aims to evaluate the antitumor effect of propolis extract (PE) against urethane-induced lung cancer compared to Cisplatin (CIS) in rats. Various tests and analyses were conducted, which indicated that PE can improve oxidative stress, gene expression, and histopathology caused by urethane, and increase the expression of EGFR-mRNA. Furthermore, PE can reduce abnormal collagen fiber distribution, papillary adenocarcinoma growth, bronchial wall thickening, inflammation, and alveolar collapse. Therefore, PE can be considered as an excellent source of natural chemicals that fight lung cancer.
JOURNAL OF TAIBAH UNIVERSITY FOR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
A. S. Fathalla, M. A. Ibrahim, S. R. Mohamed, M. A. Dkhil, F. A. Thagfan, R. Abdel-Gaber, D. Soliman
Summary: This study evaluated the anticancer performance of Cassia alata methanolic leaf extracts (CMLE) in ethyl carbamate-stimulated lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) and compared it with the function of Cisplatin (CIPL). The results showed that CMLE treatment had a good anticancer effect with less toxicity compared to Cisplatin.
ARQUIVO BRASILEIRO DE MEDICINA VETERINARIA E ZOOTECNIA
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Ayako Hyuga, Paul Ouma, Abneel K. Matharu, Juergen Kruecken, Satoshi Kaneko, Kensuke Goto, Ulrike Fillinger
Summary: This study evaluated the jumping capabilities of female and male T. penetrans, and found that they have similar jumping abilities to other flea species. The fact that they mostly affect the feet of hosts is likely an adaptation to host behavior, rather than a result of their limited jumping ability.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Ingo Schaefer, Christina Sabine Helm, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Juergen Kruecken, Tanja Kottmann, Annette Holtdirk, Barbara Kohn, Guy Hendrickx, Cedric Marsboom, Elisabeth Mueller
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence of Babesia spp. infections in dogs in Germany and identified potential risk factors for infection. The results showed that Babesia canis is endemic in Germany and the prevalence of infection is influenced by season, sex, age, tick attachment, and ectoparasite prophylaxis. Travel and importation of dogs are also considered major factors associated with canine babesiosis in Germany.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Tahani Al-Otaibi, Maysar Abu Hawsah, Ghada Alojayri, Mohammed M. Mares, Hossam M. A. Aljawdah, Saleh N. Maodaa, Esam M. Al-Shaebi, Mohamed A. Dkhil, Felwa A. Thagfan, Saleh Al-Quraishy, Rewaida Abdel-Gaber
Summary: This study evaluated the anticoccidial activity of Persea americana fruit extract (PAFE) in mice and found that the 500 mg/kg dose was the most effective in reducing oocyst output and parasite stages, while increasing goblet cell count. PAFE also showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, making it a promising treatment for coccidiosis.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)