Article
Immunology
Naoyuki Fukuda, Betty Balikagala, Tsuyoshi Ueno, Denis A. Anywar, Eisaku Kimura, Nirianne Marie Q. Palacpac, Emmanuel Odongo-Aginya, Martin Ogwang, Toshihiro Horii, Takashi Miida, Toshihiro Mita
Summary: The study found that mature Plasmodium falciparum parasites are rarely found in the peripheral blood because they are sequestered and attached to the endothelium. Intensive sequestration is associated with a delay in parasite clearance after artemisinin-based treatment. Sequestration plays an important role in the efficacy of artemisinin treatment for malaria.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Katherine O'Flaherty, Jo-Anne Chan, Julia C. Cutts, Sophie G. Zaloumis, Elizabeth A. Ashley, Aung Pyae Phyo, Damien R. Drew, Arjen M. Dondorp, Nicholas P. Day, Mehul Dhorda, Rick M. Fairhurst, Pharath Lim, Chanaki Amaratunga, Sasithon Pukrittayakamee, Tran Tinh Hien, Ye Htut, Mayfong Mayxay, M. Abul Faiz, Olugbenga A. Mokuolu, Marie A. Onyamboko, Caterina Fanello, Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Michael Theisen, Francois Nosten, James G. Beeson, Julie A. Simpson, Nicholas J. White, Freya J. Fowkes
Summary: The study found that Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 antibodies are associated with patent gametocytemia and increasing gametocyte density across multiple malaria endemic settings, including regions with emerging artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Jesse C. Rop, Johnstone Makale, Alexander W. Macharia, Gideon M. Nyutu, Mohammed Shebe, Kennedy A. Awuondo, Neema Mturi, Charles J. Woodrow, Arjen M. Dondorp, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams
Summary: The clinical severity of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections is directly related to the total parasite load, with higher parasite counts found in uncomplicated cases. The concentration of PfHRP2 also increases with severity, except in cases of severe malaria with concomitant bacterial infections where it is significantly lower. A quantitative test for plasma concentrations of PfHRP2 may aid in identifying children at the greatest clinical risk and differentiating critically ill children with malaria as a secondary cause.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
James A. Watson, Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Johnstone Makale, Gideon M. Nyutu, Neema Mturi, Elizabeth C. George, Charles J. Woodrow, Nicholas P. J. Day, Philip Bejon, Robert O. Opoka, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chandy C. John, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams, Nicholas J. White
Summary: Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is difficult to accurately diagnose in children in high-transmission settings. A combination of platelet count and plasma PfHRP2 concentration can be used to identify severe falciparum malaria in severely ill patients. About one-third of children enrolled in clinical studies of severe malaria in high-transmission settings in Africa had other causes of their severe illness.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oluwaseun Bunmi Awosolu, Zary Shariman Yahaya, Meor Termizi Farah Haziqah
Summary: Malaria remains a serious public health problem in southwestern Nigeria, with higher prevalence and mean parasite density among males and children aged <= 5 years. Factors such as maternal education, household water source, and presence of stagnant water around home are significantly associated with malaria disease. Protective factors include ownership of mosquito bed net and distance of home to hospital. Adopting integrated malaria control measures and educating parents on prevention strategies are crucial.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Edwin G. Tse, Laksh Aithani, Mark Anderson, Jonathan Cardoso-Silva, Giovanni Cincilla, Gareth J. Conduit, Mykola Galushka, Davy Guan, Irene Hallyburton, Benedict W. J. Irwin, Kiaran Kirk, Adele M. Lehane, Julia C. R. Lindblom, Raymond Lui, Slade Matthews, James McCulloch, Alice Motion, Ho Leung Ng, Mario Oeren, Murray N. Robertson, Vito Spadavecchio, Vasileios A. Tatsis, Willem P. van Hoorn, Alexander D. Wade, Thomas M. Whitehead, Paul Willis, Matthew H. Todd
Summary: The research aims to develop compounds to kill the malaria parasite by targeting PfATP4. They organized a public competition, and the best models were used to predict and synthesize novel inhibitors with biological activity.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lekkala Ravindar, Siti Aishah Hasbullah, K. P. Rakesh, Nurul Izzaty Hassan
Summary: Malaria is a deadly parasitic infection ranked as the fifth most lethal worldwide. Antimalarial medications are crucial for preventing and eradicating malaria. The 4-aminoquinoline moiety has diverse biological applications and has been favored in antimalarial drug discovery. This review focuses on its efficacy when hybridized with various heterocyclic scaffolds, aiding the development of more effective antimalarial agents.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Abdirahman Abdi, Fiona Achcar, Lauriane Sollelis, Joao Luiz Silva-Filho, Kioko Mwikali, Michelle Muthui, Shaban Mwangi, Hannah W. Kimingi, Benedict Orindi, Cheryl Andisi Kivisi, Manon Alkema, Amrita Chandrasekar, Peter C. Bull, Philip Bejon, Katarzyna Modrzynska, Teun Bousema, Matthias Marti
Summary: The malaria parasite life cycle involves asexual replication in human blood and differentiation into gametocytes for transmission to mosquitoes. Host factors influence the commitment to differentiate into gametocytes, but the exact mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed data from 828 children in Kenya over 18 years to understand the relationship between host immunity, parasite growth, and transmission investment. We found that reduced plasma lysophosphatidylcholine levels, which are associated with inflammatory responses, are correlated with increased transmission investment and reduced asexual replication.
Article
Immunology
Maria Rebelo, Rebecca Pawliw, Jeremy Gower, Lachlan Webb, Hayley Mitchell, Zuleima Pava, Rebecca E. Watts, Miles P. Davenport, James S. McCarthy, David S. Khoury
Summary: This study found that viable parasites in artemisinin-sensitive infections decreased to <0.1% of baseline within 8 hours after artesunate administration, while the total number of circulating parasites measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction remained unchanged. In artemisinin-resistant infections over the same interval, viable parasites declined to 51.4% of baseline. These results suggest that the in vivo drug activity of artesunate is quicker than previously reported based on parasite clearance half-life.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Stephenie C. Alaribe, Akolade R. Oladipupo, Goodness C. Uche, Maryan U. Onumba, Duncan Ota, Olufunsho Awodele, Wellington A. Oyibo
Summary: The study evaluated the antimalarial activity of a polyherbal mixture and its constituent plants, showing significant antiplasmodial effects in various assays. While the herbal mixtures demonstrated parasite suppression and prophylaxis comparable to positive controls, they had lower parasite clearance rates. The combination of herbal plants may produce synergistic or additive effects against malaria, suggesting their use as traditional remedies warrant further investigation for clinical usefulness.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Akindeh M. Nji, Innocent M. Ali, Peter Thelma Ngwa Niba, Evehe Marie-Solange, Christian Heumann, Guenter Froeschl, Wilfred F. Mbacham
Summary: This study analyzed the response of children to ACTs in different transmission settings in Cameroon and found that age and ecological factors significantly influenced parasite clearance. Further investigations on host differential response to ACTs are necessary based on these findings.
Article
Biology
Emily R. Ebel, Frans A. Kuypers, Carrie Lin, Dmitri A. Petrov, Elizabeth S. Egan
Summary: The study on 121 healthy donors of African ancestry found that various genes and phenotypes related to red blood cell variation were closely associated with the adaptability of Plasmodium falciparum within red blood cells, indicating globally widespread variations play a role in modulating parasite fitness.
Article
Immunology
Esther K. Schmitt, Gilles Ndayisaba, Adoke Yeka, Kwaku Poku Asante, Martin P. Grobusch, Etienne Karita, Henry Mugerwa, Stephen Asiimwe, Abraham Oduro, Bakary Fofana, Seydou Doumbia, Guoqin Su, Katalin Csermak Renner, Vinay Kumar Venishetty, Sarfaraz Sayyed, Judith Straimer, Ivan Demin, Sarita Barsainya, Caroline Boulton, Preetam Gandhi
Summary: This study reports the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and resistance marker analysis of cipargamin in adults with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The results show that cipargamin, at doses of 50-150 mg, is associated with rapid parasite clearance and satisfactory clinical response.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Manuela Hauser, Jean-Bertin B. Kabuya, Molly Mantus, Luc K. Kamavu, James L. Sichivula, Wycliffe M. Matende, Nora Fritschi, Timothy Shields, Frank Curriero, Anton Kvit, Gershom Chongwe, William J. Moss, Nicole Ritz, Matthew M. Ippolito
Summary: This study examined the clinical features of malaria in refugee children in high-transmission areas of Africa. The findings showed that refugee children had higher malaria prevalence and mortality rates, partly due to delayed presentation and malnutrition. Interventions tailored to the refugee context, including rapid diagnosis and referral, are necessary to reduce malaria mortality.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Molly D. Kaagaard, Luan O. Matos, Anna Engell Holm, Laura Cordeiro Gomes, Alma Wegener, Karine O. Lima, Isabelle V. M. Vieira, Rodrigo Medeiros de Souza, Claudio Romero Farias Marinho, Lars Hviid, Lasse S. Vestergaard, Helena Dominguez, Tor Biering-Sorensen, Philip Brainin, Odison M. Silvestre
Summary: Studies have shown that malaria can cause changes in electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns and pericardial inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of ECG alterations and pericardial effusion in patients with malaria infection. The results suggest that ECG changes can be useful in detecting pericardial effusion in malaria and that these changes decrease after antimalarial treatment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hayden C. Metsky, Katherine J. Siddle, Adrianne Gladden-Young, James Qu, David K. Yang, Patrick Brehio, Andrew Goldfarb, Anne Piantadosi, Shirlee Wohl, Amber Carter, Aaron E. Lin, Kayla G. Barnes, Damien C. Tully, Bjorn Corleis, Scott Hennigan, Giselle Barbosa-Lima, Yasmine R. Vieira, Lauren M. Paul, Amanda L. Tan, Kimberly F. Garcia, Leda A. Parham, Ikponmwosa Odia, Philomena Eromon, Onikepe A. Folarin, Augustine Goba, Etienne Simon-Loriere, Lisa Hensley, Angel Balmaseda, Eva Harris, Douglas S. Kwon, Todd M. Allen, Jonathan A. Runstadler, Sandra Smole, Fernando A. Bozza, Thiago M. L. Souza, Sharon Isern, Scott F. Michael, Ivette Lorenzana, Lee Gehrke, Irene Bosch, Gregory Ebel, Donald S. Grant, Christian T. Happi, Daniel J. Park, Andreas Gnirke, Pardis C. Sabeti, Christian B. Matranga
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Anise N. Happi, Chinedu A. Ugwu, Christian T. Happi
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Titilope M. Dokunmu, Cynthia U. Adjekukor, Omolara F. Yakubu, Adetutu O. Bello, Jarat O. Adekoya, Olugbenga Akinola, Emmanuel O. Amoo, Abiodun H. Adebayo
Article
Infectious Diseases
G. Olasehinde, R. Diji-Geske, I Fadina, D. Arogundade, P. Darby, A. Adeleke, T. M. Dokunmu, A. H. Adebayo, J. Oyelade
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
George O. Akpede, Danny A. Asogun, Sylvanus A. Okogbenin, Simeon O. Dawodu, Mojeed O. Momoh, Andrew E. Dongo, Chiedozie Ike, Ekaete Tobin, Nosa Akpede, Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon, Adetunji E. Adewale, Oboratare Ochei, Frank Onyeke, Martha O. Okonofua, Rebecca O. Atafo, Ikponmwosa Odia, Donatus I. Adomeh, George Odigie, Caroline Ogbeifun, Ekene Muebonam, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Michael Ramharter, Andres Colubri, Pardis C. Sarbeti, Christian T. Happi, Stephan Gunther, Dennis E. Agbonlahor
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
Review
Virology
Eman A. Toraih, Jessica A. Sedhom, Titilope M. Dokunmu, Mohammad H. Hussein, Emmanuelle M. L. Ruiz, Kunnimalaiyaan Muthusamy, Mourad Zerfaoui, Emad Kandil
Summary: The study investigated the potential protective role of BCG vaccination against COVID-19 by analyzing gene expression pathways using a bioinformatics approach. Results showed an overlap in immune and inflammatory pathways between the BCG-vaccinated group and the SARS-CoV-2 infection group, suggesting a possible mechanism for the protective effect of BCG vaccination against COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Mourad Zerfaoui, Titilope Modupe Dokunmu, Eman Ali Toraih, Bashir M. Rezk, Zakaria Y. Abd Elmageed, Emad Kandil
Summary: The link between melanoma and thyroid cancer may be due to specific gene mutations leading to tumor aggressiveness. Studies indicate an increased mutual risk between melanoma patients and thyroid cancer patients compared to healthy individuals.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anise N. Happi, Chinedu A. Ugwu, Christian T. Happi
Summary: A large genomic surveillance effort in South Africa identified 16 new lineages of SARS-CoV-2 through the analysis of 1,365 high-quality whole genomes, which had not been previously identified in other countries.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anise N. Happi, Olusola A. Ogunsanya, Judith U. Oguzie, Paul E. Oluniyi, Alhaji S. Olono, Jonathan L. Heeney, Christian T. Happi
Summary: The study reported the first genomic characterization of lagovirus GI.2 in domestic rabbits from sub-Saharan Africa and diagnosed the suspected outbreak of RHD in Ibadan, Nigeria using mNGS method. The results revealed potential importation of RHDV2 lineages from Europe in the outbreak samples.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Rita Oladele, Jessica N. Uwanibe, Idowu B. Olawoye, Abdul-Wahab O. Ettu, Jacques F. Meis, Christian T. Happi
Summary: Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, has caused severe sepsis in ICU patients in Southern Nigeria. Genetic analysis revealed antifungal resistance mutations and non-synonymous mutations in hotspot genes. These cases underscore the diagnostic gaps and the need for active disease surveillance in the region.
Article
Microbiology
Uwem George, Oluwadamilola George, Arthur Oragwa, Babatunde Motayo, Joshua Kamani, Andrew Adamu, Oluyomi Sowemimo, Richard Adeleke, Samson Abalaka, Nuhu Sani, Judith Oguzie, Philomena Eromon, Onikepe Folarin, Anise Happi, Isaac Komolafe, Christian Happi
Summary: This study investigated the presence of coronaviruses in multiple bat species in Nigeria. It found a high diversity of coronaviruses in bats, with different bat species carrying viruses from the same genetic lineage. The results suggest that host switching may have contributed to the evolution of coronaviruses. Robust surveillance is recommended to enhance our knowledge of emerging and re-emerging coronaviruses.
Article
Microbiology
Jessica N. N. Uwanibe, Tolulope A. A. Kayode, Paul E. E. Oluniyi, Kazeem Akano, Idowu B. B. Olawoye, Chinedu A. A. Ugwu, Christian T. T. Happi, Onikepe A. A. Folarin
Summary: This study aims to elucidate the role of asymptomatic carriers in the transmission and persistence of typhoid fever in Nigeria and other endemic countries. The findings show a high seroprevalence of Salmonella Typhi in healthy children, but no carriage, indicating an inability to sustain transmission. It also highlights the insufficiency of using a single technique for typhoid fever surveillance in healthy children living in endemic areas.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Gbenga Adegbite, Sunday Edeki, Itunuoluwa Isewon, Jerry Emmanuel, Titilope Dokunmu, Solomon Rotimi, Jelili Oyelade, Ezekiel Adebiyi
Summary: This article investigates the impact of malaria importation on global malaria transmission dynamics and the use of traditional malaria control strategies. By developing a novel system of Ordinary Differential Equations and a computational algorithm, the study simulates and analyzes malaria transmission. The findings suggest that total vigilance to the use of WHO-approved and traditional malaria management tools is the most effective strategy against malaria importation.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bamidele Nyemike Ogunro, Babasola Oluseyi Olugasa, Adeyemi Kayode, Olayinka Olabisi Ishola, Oluseyi Noah Kolawole, Eugene Amiewanlen Odigie, Christian Happi
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Sylvanus Okogbenin, Joseph Okoeguale, George Akpede, Andres Colubri, Kayla G. Barnes, Samar Mehta, Reuben Eifediyi, Felix Okogbo, Joseph Eigbefoh, Mojeed Momoh, Mojeed Rafiu, Donatus Adomeh, Ikponmwosa Odia, Chris Aire, Rebecca Atafo, Martha Okonofua, Meike Pahlman, Beate Becker-Ziaja, Danny Asogun, Peter Okokhere, Christian Happi, Stephan Guenther, Pardis C. Sabeti, Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2019)