Article
Immunology
Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: Human clinical trials are costly and failures can discourage future attempts. Chagas disease drug discovery efforts have faced numerous trial failures. Guidelines specific to Chagas disease and other neglected tropical diseases can help avoid these failures by addressing challenges and utilizing advantages such as multi-species natural infection systems.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Angel M. Padilla, Wei Wang, Tsutomu Akama, David S. Carter, Eric Easom, Yvonne Freund, Jason S. Halladay, Yang Liu, Sarah A. Hamer, Carolyn L. Hodo, Gregory K. Wilkerson, Dylan Orr, Brooke White, Arlene George, Huifeng Shen, Yiru Jin, Michael Zhuo Wang, Susanna Tse, Robert T. Jacobs, Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: A newly discovered benzoxaborole prodrug, AN15368, has been found to effectively cure Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice and naturally infected non-human primates, making it a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of Chagas disease.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Julian Ernesto Nicolas Gulin, Margarita Maria Catalina Bisio, Daniela Rocco, Jaime Altcheh, Maria Elisa Solana, Facundo Garcia-Bournissen
Summary: This study evaluates the efficacy of Miltefosine (MLT) as a monodrug and combined with benznidazole (BZ) for treating Trypanosoma cruzi infection. MLT showed promising results in inhibiting the parasite in both in vitro and in vivo models, with improved efficacy when combined with BZ. This study provides support for the potential use of MLT in Chagas disease treatment and the exploration of combination therapies.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Katia da Silva Fonseca, Luisa Perin, Nivia Carolina Nogueira de Paiva, Beatriz Cristiane da Silva, Thays Helena Chaves Duarte, Flavia de Souza Marques, Guilherme de Paula Costa, Israel Molina, Rodrigo Correa-Oliveira, Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira, Claudia Martins Carneiro
Summary: The study found that different treatment regimens have varying efficacy on mice infected with different strains, leading to differences in treatment outcomes and side effects. Improving treatment adherence may help enhance the effectiveness of Chagas disease treatment.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Juan Cantizani, Pablo Gamallo, Ignacio Cotillo, Raquel Alvarez-Velilla, Julio Martin
Summary: Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, with current treatment options limited to two drugs that have suboptimal efficacy and serious adverse effects. Research suggests that compounds with faster action and higher cidal activity may have better prospects for effective treatment of CD.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Juliana Magalhaes Chaves Barbosa, Yasmin Pedra-Rezende, Luiza Dantas Pereira, Tatiana Galvao de Melo, Helene Santos Barbosa, Joseli Lannes-Vieira, Solange Lisboa de Castro, Anissa Daliry, Kelly Salomao
Summary: The combination treatment of Bz + AMD can attenuate the damage caused by T. cruzi infection in cardiac cells and have a certain control effect on parasite replication.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ruben Martin-Escolano, Maria Jose Rosales, Clotilde Marin
Summary: The T. cruzi Arequipa strain is characterized and evaluated as a model for drug discovery in Chagas disease. The study provides insights into the infection characteristics and benznidazole susceptibility of this strain, suggesting its potential for screening new compounds with anti-parasitic properties.
Article
Parasitology
Davi Alvarenga Lima, Leilane Oliveira Goncalves, Joao Luis Reis-Cunha, Paul Anderson Souza Guimaraes, Jeronimo Conceicao Ruiz, Daniel Barbosa Liarte, Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
Summary: This study performed comparative transcriptomic analysis of wildtype and benznidazole-resistant T. cruzi populations, revealing metabolic pathways related to clinical drug resistance and identifying promising molecular targets for the development of new drugs for Chagas disease.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cassiano Cunha de Souza, Jose Aleixo de Azevedo-Franca, Emile Barrias, Stephany C. F. Cavalcante, Eduardo Guimaraes Vieira, Ana Maria Da Costa Ferreira, Wanderley de Souza, Maribel Navarro
Summary: Four novel metal-BZN complexes were synthesized and characterized in this study. The IC50 values of these complexes in inhibiting parasite proliferation stages are five to ten times lower than benznidazole itself. The cytotoxicity in human cells is lower for these complexes compared to BZN, indicating higher selectivity.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Suzana Marques de Jesus, Leonardo Pinto, Fernanda de Lima Moreira, Glauco Henrique Balthazar Nardotto, Rodrigo Cristofoletti, Luisa Perin, Katia da Silva Fonseca, Pauliana Barbedo, Lorena Cera Bandeira, Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira, Claudia Martins Carneiro
Summary: Chronic infection with Trypanosoma cruzi alters the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of benznidazole in mice, potentially impacting the therapeutic dosing regimen. This study suggests that chronic Chagas disease patients may require adjustments in benznidazole pharmacokinetics and dosing due to changes in drug exposure and tissue distribution.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Natasha S. Hochberg, Alyse Wheelock, Davidson H. Hamer, Rachel Marcus, Melissa S. Nolan, Sheba Meymandi, Robert H. Gilman
Summary: Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease affecting an estimated 300,000 people in the United States, poses diagnostic challenges that need to be addressed. This perspective piece reviews these challenges and proposes next steps for improvement.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Juan M. Bustamante, Brooke E. White, Gregory K. Wilkerson, Carolyn L. Hodo, Lisa D. Auckland, Wei Wang, Stephanie McCain, Sarah A. Hamer, Ashley B. Saunders, Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: This study demonstrates that higher dose, intermittent administration of benznidazole can effectively treat Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Administration twice a week, for more than 4 months, provides the best chance for parasitological cure.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alejandro Francisco Benatar, Emmaria Danesi, Susana Alicia Besuschio, Santiago Bortolotti, Maria Luisa Cafferata, Juan Carlos Ramirez, Constanza Lopez Albizu, Karenina Scollo, Maria Baleani, Laura Lara, Gustavo Agolti, Sandra Seu, Elsa Adamo, Raul Horacio Lucero, Lucia Irazu, Marcelo Rodriguez, Andres Poeylaut-Palena, Silvia Andrea Longhi, Monica Esteva, Fernando Althabe, Federico Rojkin, Jacqueline Bua, Sergio Sosa-Estani, Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
Summary: The study showed that using qPCR for early detection of cCD is more sensitive than traditional micromethod (MM), especially in peripheral venous blood (PVB). This prospective field study demonstrated the potential of qPCR in assisting more accurate diagnosis of cCD, providing valuable insights for future research and clinical practices.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caue Benito Scarim, Francisco Olmo, Elizabeth Igne Ferreira, Chung Man Chin, John M. Kelly, Amanda Fortes Francisco
Summary: The research indicates that NFOH has stronger anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity, works through a inhibitory mechanism, and is more effective in treating chronic infections compared to the acute stage, sharing similar characteristics with BZN.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Ana Lia Mazzeti, Karolina R. Goncalves, Suianne L. A. Mota, Dario Elias Pereira, Livia de F. Diniz, Maria Terezinha Bahia
Summary: The study assessed the effects of drug combinations on Trypanosoma cruzi infection and found that drug combinations led to faster suppression of parasitemia and higher cure levels compared to monotherapies. Importantly, no toxic effects were observed from the associations, indicating the potential benefits of nitro drugs combinations in preclinical models of kinetoplastid-related infections.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aline Meireles Coelho, Isabela Ferreira Queiroz, Wanderson Geraldo Lima, Andre Talvani, Luiza Oliveira Perucci, Melina Oliveira de Souza, Daniela Caldeira Costa
Summary: Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity causes severe and potentially irreversible liver damage. Early treatment and alternative therapies are necessary to mitigate the acute liver injury caused by this toxicity.
DRUG AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Margarida Pereira-Santos, Elda Goncalves-Santos, Matheus Augusto Souza, Ivo Santana Caldas, Graziela Domingues Almeida Lima, Reggiani Vilela Goncalves, Romulo Dias Novaes
Summary: Chronic pretreatment with rapamycin can attenuate immunosenescence in mice, contributing to prolonged parasite resistance and attenuated acute myocarditis in elderly hosts challenged by T. cruzi.
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Daiane Cristina de Assis Braga, Paula Magalhaes Gomes, Marcos Adriano Carlos Batista, Jaqueline Aparecida de Souza, Juliana Cristina Santos Almeida Bastos, Rosana Goncalves Rodrigues-das-Dores, Andreia Carvalho Alzamora, Gustavo Henrique Bianco de Souza, Sandra Aparecida Lima de Moura, Andre Talvani, Vagner Roberto Antunes, Leonardo Maximo Cardoso
Summary: Guava leaf extract has anti-hypertensive properties and may involve the modulation of sympathetic drive and immune signaling mechanisms.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Albert Katchborian-Neto, Mario Ferreira Conceicao Santos, Diego Fernandes Vilas-Boas, Elda Goncalves dos Santos, Marcia Paranho Veloso, Paula Carolina Pires Bueno, Ivo Santana Caldas, Marisi Gomes Soares, Danielle Ferreira Dias, Daniela Aparecida Chagas-Paula
Summary: Ayahuasca, composed mainly of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, is a natural medicine used by indigenous communities in South America. It has shown potential against internal parasites and the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite. The compounds in Ayahuasca have multi-targeted effects, including controlling parasitaemia and modulating the immune response, making it beneficial for Chagas' disease treatment.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Vivian Paulino Figueiredo, Maria Claudia Silva, Debora Maria Soares de Souza, Diogenes Coelho Jr, Lais Roquete Lopes, Maira de Araujo Azevedo, Ana Paula de Jesus Menezes, Wanderson Geraldo de Lima, Maria do Carmo Gouveia Peluzio, Andre Talvani
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of different strains of T. cruzi infection on atherosclerotic lesions in aged ApoE-/- mice, and found that infection with the Col strain caused increased parasite growth and worsened aortic root lesions.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Thalles de Freitas Castro, Natalia Alves de Matos, Ana Beatriz Farias de Souza, Guilherme de Paula Costa, Luiza Oliveira Perucci, Andre Talvani, Silvia Dantas Cangussu, Rodrigo Cunha Alvim de Menezes, Frank Silva Bezerra
Summary: Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy has adverse effects on the lungs of offspring, including decreased body weight, inflammation and oxidative stress, and simplification of lung structure.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pamela Felix da Silva, Natalia Alves de Matos, Camila de Oliveira Ramos, Thalles de Freitas Castro, Natalia Pereira da Silva Araujo, Ana Beatriz Farias de Souza, Guilherme de Paula Costa, Silvia Dantas Cangussu, Andre Talvani, Akinori Cardozo Nagato, Frank Silva Bezerra
Summary: Short-term exposure to e-cigarettes leads to more severe respiratory inflammation and lung damage compared to cigarette smoke.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Priscilla Vilela dos Santos, Debora Nonato Miranda de Toledo, Debora Maria Soares de Souza, Tatiana Prata Menezes, Luiza Oliveira Perucci, Zolder Marinho Silva, Daniela Caldas Teixeira, Ed Wilson Rodrigues Vieira, Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto, Nathalia Sernizon Guimaraes, Andre Talvani
Summary: This study evaluated the available information on inflammatory and regulatory plasma mediators in pregnant women diagnosed with toxoplasmosis. Eight studies were included in the analysis, and the results showed that infected pregnant women had higher levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, CCL5, and IL-10 in their plasma. These findings suggest that the immune status of pregnant women determines the course of T. gondii infection, and the balance between inflammatory and regulatory cytokines mitigates the adverse effects on the placenta and fetus.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lucas M. M. Oliveira, Fallon S. S. Siqueira, Michelle T. T. Silva, Jose V. C. Machado, Cleydson F. F. Cordeiro, Livia F. Diniz, Marli M. A. Campos, Lucas L. L. Franco, Thiago B. B. Souza, Jamie A. A. Hawkes, Diogo T. T. Carvalho
Summary: Molecular hybridisation, a well-known technique in pharmaceutical research, has been used to create novel hybrid compounds by combining known pharmacophoric subunits. This study focused on the development of molecular hybrids based on eugenol and chloramphenicol pharmacophores, and evaluated their antimicrobial potential. The results showed significant improvement in the antimicrobial activity of the hybrid compounds against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and rapidly growing mycobacteria.
FOLIA MICROBIOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Luiza Oliveira Perucci, Sirlaine Pio Gomes da Silva, Eduardo Bearzoti, Kelerson Mauro de Castro Pinto, Patricia Nessralla Alpoim, Melina de Barros Pinheiro, Lara Carvalho Godoi, Lauro Angelo Goncalves de Moraes, Lirlandia Pires de Sousa, Luci Maria Sant Ana Dusse, Andre Talvani
Summary: This study discovered that neuroserpin levels are decreased, while levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-17A, IL-33, and CXCL-16) are increased during severe preeclampsia. Neuroserpin may serve as a potential biomarker for early-onset severe preeclampsia, and the imbalance among neuroserpin, IL-17A, IL-33, and CXCL-16 levels may be associated with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, regardless of maternal age.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Andre Talvani, Mauro Martins Teixeira
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Giulia Valente Ciriaco, Luiz Antonio Alves de Menezes-Junior, Wandeir Wagner de Oliveira, Andre Talvani, Silvana Mara Luz Turbino Ribeiro
Summary: This study aimed to assess the clinical and nutritional risk factors associated with the occurrence of pressure ulcers (PUs) in patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A retrospective cohort study was conducted by analyzing the medical records of ICU patients, including sociodemographic, clinical, dietary, and anthropometric data, as well as information on mechanical ventilation, sedation, and use of noradrenaline. Multivariate Poisson's regression was used to estimate the relative risk (RR) according to the explanatory variables and identify the significant factors associated with PUs.
CLINICAL NUTRITION ESPEN
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Priscilla Vilela dos Santos, Debora Nonato Miranda de Toledo, Nathalia Sernizon Guimaraes, Luiza Oliveira Perucci, Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto, Andre Talvani
Summary: This study examined the association between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and plasma markers (CCL2, CXCL16, IL-17, and IL-33) in pregnant women in Brazil. The results showed that the concentrations of CCL2, CXCL16, and IL-33 were higher in T. gondii-seropositive women, while IL-17 levels were lower. Additionally, multiparous women were more likely to be infected with T. gondii than primiparous women.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Fernanda Karoline Vieira da Silva Torchelsen, Tamiles Caroline Fernandes Pedrosa, Michelle Peixoto Rodrigues, Alex Ramos de Aguiar, Fabricio Marques de Oliveira, Giovanni Wilson Amarante, Policarpo Ademar Sales-Junior, Renata Tupinamba Branquinho, Sirlaine Pio Gomes da Silva, Andre Talvani, Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta, Felipe Terra Martins, Rodrigo Ligabue Braun, Robson Ricardo Teixeira, Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira, Marta de Lana
Summary: A novel diamide was synthesized and shown to have activity against Trypanosoma cruzi both in vitro and in vivo.
FUTURE MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vitoria Louise, Bianca Alves Almeida Machado, Washington Martins Pontes, Tatiana Prata Menezes, Fernanda Carolina Ribeiro Dias, Luiz Otavio Guimaraes Ervilhas, Kelerson Mauro de Castro Pinto, Andre Talvani
Summary: Theracurmin, a nanoparticle formulation derived from curcumin, has immunomodulatory and trypanocidal effects on T. cruzi infection. It reduces parasitemia and protects against weight loss. However, further investigations are needed to understand its effects on leukocyte infiltration and inflammatory factors.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)