Article
Parasitology
Mahamat Hissene Mahamat, Adeline Segard, Jean-Baptiste Rayaisse, Rafael Argiles-Herrero, Andrew Gordon Parker, Philippe Solano, Adly Mohamed Mohamed Abd-Alla, Jeremy Bouyer, Sophie Ravel
Summary: Based on experimental data, the research found that sterile male tsetse flies cannot transmit Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The reliable evidence indicates that the release of large numbers of sterile male flies does not increase the potential risk of tsetse flies transmitting the parasite.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Manon Geerts, Nick Van Reet, Sander Leyten, Raf Berghmans, Kat S. Rock, Theresa H. T. Coetzer, Lauren E-A Eyssen, Philippe Buscher
Summary: The newly developed T. b. gambiense inhibition ELISA (g-iELISA) based on the principle of antibody binding showed high specificity and sensitivity, making it suitable for regional laboratories in gHAT endemic countries for monitoring and surveillance.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Raquel Inocencio da Luz, Sara Tablado Alonso, Philippe Buescher, Paul Verle, Anja De Weggheleire, Dieudonne Mumba Ngoyi, Pati Patient Pyana, Epco Hasker
Summary: The incidence of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT) has reached an all-time low, and new diagnostic tools and treatments offer the opportunity to interrupt transmission by 2030. However, further research is needed to adapt these advances to new control strategies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gerardo Priotto, Jose R. Franco, Veerle Lejon, Philippe Buscher, Enock Matovu, Joseph Ndung'u, Sylvain Bieler, Dieudonne Mumba, Nick Van Reet, Paul Verle, Vincent Jamonneau, Pere P. Simarro, Augustin Kadima Ebeja, Dieudonne Sankara, Daniel Argaw Dagne
Summary: Human African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic infection transmitted by the tsetse fly in sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts to eliminate transmission of the disease by 2030 have led to the development of a target product profile for a method to verify the absence of transmission. This method needs to be performed in national or sub-national reference laboratories and have characteristics such as simple specimen collection, no cold-chain requirement, high sensitivity and specificity, high-throughput automated testing, low cost per specimen, and applicability to animals.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose R. Franco, Giuliano Cecchi, Gerardo Priotto, Massimo Paone, Augustin Kadima Ebeja, Pere P. Simarro, Abdoulaye Diarra, Dieudonne Sankara, Weining Zhao, Daniel Argaw Dagne
Summary: Sleeping sickness diagnosis in non-endemic countries is rare, but vigilance and surveillance should be maintained to contribute to the World Health Organization's elimination goals.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gerardo Priotto, Jose R. Franco, Veerle Lejon, Philippe Buscher, Enock Matovu, Joseph Ndung'u, Sylvain Bieler, Dieudonne Mumba, Nick Van Reet, Paul Verle, Vincent Jamonneau, Pere P. Simarro, Augustin Kadima Ebeja, Dieudonne Sankara, Daniel Argaw Dagne
Summary: The incidence of human African trypanosomiasis has significantly decreased due to sustained efforts. The World Health Organization has developed a target product profile for assessing T. b. gambiense infection in low-prevalence settings. The profile includes characteristics such as minimal invasiveness, good sensitivity, and long-term stability.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Caroline E. Dewar, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Constentin Dieme, Aline Crouzols, Lee R. Haines, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Brice Rotureau, Achim Schnaufer
Summary: This study demonstrates that efficient energy production through mitochondria is critical for the trypanosome's swimming ability and migration within the tsetse fly. Surprisingly, trypanosomes with impaired mitochondrial energy production are only mildly compromised in their ability to colonize the tsetse fly midgut. This study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms of trypanosome infection in tsetse flies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gerardo Priotto, Jose R. Franco, Veerle Lejon, Philippe Buscher, Enock Matovu, Joseph Ndung'u, Sylvain Bieler, Dieudonne Mumba, Nick Van Reet, Paul Verle, Vincent Jamonneau, Pere P. Simarro, Augustin Kadima Ebeja, Dieudonne Sankara, Daniel Argaw Dagne
Summary: Human African trypanosomiasis is a life-threatening parasitic infection endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, mainly caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. The current diagnostic tests are not accurate, and parasitological confirmation requires specialized techniques. Therefore, a simple and accurate diagnostic tool is needed to identify individuals with the infection and improve treatment. The World Health Organization's Neglected Tropical Diseases Diagnostics Technical Advisory Group has developed a target product profile for such a tool, which should be easy to use, require minimal training, and have a low cost.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Caroline E. Dewar, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Constentin Dieme, Aline Crouzols, Lee R. Haines, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Brice Rotureau, Achim Schnaufer
Summary: The single-celled parasite Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted by tsetse flies and its development in the fly's gut depends on efficient energy production by mitochondria.
Article
Microbiology
Larson Boundenga, Illich Manfred Mombo, Mouinga-Ondeme Augustin, Ngoubangoye Barthelemy, Patrice Makouloutou Nzassi, Nancy D. Moukodoum, Virginie Rougeron, Franck Prugnolle
Summary: Human African Trypanosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites. Domestic animals may serve as reservoirs for trypanosomes, including the species responsible for the disease, T. brucei gambiense.
Article
Immunology
Nestor L. Uzcategui, Sena Gucer, Cris Richter, Annika Speidel, Elizabeta Zirdum, Michael Duszenko, Olga Garaschuk, Katherine Figarella
Summary: Our study revealed the early involvement of microglia in Trypanosoma brucei infection before invasion of the CNS. We found that microglia have an exceptional capability to inhibit parasite proliferation inside the brain in areas of initial homeostatic disruption near brain barriers. Additionally, early signs of inflammation in the meninges synchronized with the microglial response, along with a massive infiltration of peripheral immune cells into the parenchyma during the final disease stage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fatihu Ahmad Rufa'i, Daniel Baecker, Muhammad Dauda Mukhtar
Summary: Trypanosomiasis is a serious disease that affects humans and animals, causing social and economic losses. Researchers investigated the phytochemical screening of a methanolic extract of Garcinia kola nuts and evaluated its biological activity on rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The extract showed evident efficacy based on physiological changes and survival rates.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Minayegninrin Kone, Dramane Kaba, Jacques Kabore, Lian Francesca Thomas, Laura Cristina Falzon, Mathurin Koffi, Cyrille Mambo Kouame, Bernardin Ahouty, Charlie Franck Alfred Compaore, Emmanuel Kouassi N'Gouan, Philippe Solano, Eric Fevre, Philippe Buscher, Veerle Lejon, Vincent Jamonneau
Summary: As human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) approaches elimination, case management is being transferred to front line health care centers. This study in Côte d'Ivoire identified key clinical symptoms and signs that should trigger HAT testing, confirming the appropriateness of the existing HAT screening strategy with specific RDTs.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miebaka Jamabo, Maduma Mahlalela, Adrienne L. L. Edkins, Aileen Boshoff
Summary: Human African trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma brucei, is a neglected tropical disease targeted for eradication by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted control programs, extending the time frame. Vaccine development has been challenging due to antigenic variation and B cell depletion. Control relies on screening and drugs, with fexinidazole being a recent major breakthrough. Diagnosis, compliance, and resistance pose challenges, while ongoing drug discovery and addressing eradication challenges are discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Arunima Goswami, Tirthankar Koley, Madhan Vishal Rajan, Pathak Madhuri, Neelam Upadhyay, Uddipan Das, Manoj Kumar, Abdul Samath Ethayathulla, Gururao Hariprasad
Summary: This study found that Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei, which are protozoan parasites, cause leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness, respectively. It was found that PAF-AH is an inflammatory protein involved in the pathogenesis of these three infections, making it an attractive drug target.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
James Longden, Xavier Robin, Mathias Engel, Jesper Ferkinghoff-Borg, Ida Kjaer, Ivan D. Horak, Mikkel W. Pedersen, Rune Linding
Summary: This study utilized deep neural networks to analyze the relationship between drug resistance in cancer cells and cell morphology, revealing that complex cell morphologies can encode states of signaling networks and unravel cellular mechanisms hidden to conventional approaches. By analyzing over 500 billion data points, a continuous 27-dimension space describing cell morphologies was identified, enabling accurate prediction of drug resistance and mechanisms with a validation in lung and head/neck cancer models.
Article
Cell Biology
Ralitsa R. Madsen, James Longden, Rachel G. Knox, Xavier Robin, Franziska Vollmy, Kenneth G. Macleod, Larissa S. Moniz, Neil O. Carragher, Rune Linding, Bart Vanhaesebroeck, Robert K. Semple
Summary: This study demonstrates that activating PIK3CA mutations have allele dose-dependent effects on stemness, with strong PI3K activation directly linked to developmental NODAL/TGF beta signaling. The research highlights the importance of allele dosage and expression in modeling human genetic diseases caused by PIK3CA mutations.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xavier Robin, Juergen Haas, Rafal Gumienny, Anna Smolinski, Gerardo Tauriello, Torsten Schwede
Summary: CAMEO platform complements the biennial CASP experiment by conducting fully automated blind evaluations of protein structure predictions, focusing on challenging areas such as protein complexes. This will assist in new developments in these research areas.
PROTEINS-STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Helen R. Savage, Victor S. Santos, Thomas Edwards, Emanuele Giorgi, Sanjeev Krishna, Timothy D. Planche, Henry M. Staines, Joseph R. A. Fitchett, Daniela E. Kirwan, Ana I. Cubas Atienzar, David J. Clark, Emily R. Adams, Luis E. Cuevas
Summary: A systematic review found that approximately 85% of individuals with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection have detectable neutralising antibodies, with the proportion varying with disease severity. There is a need for an international reference standard to measure SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ralitsa Madsen, Emily Erickson, Oscar Rueda, Xavier K. Robin, Carlos Caldas, Alex Toker, Robert Semple, Bart Vanhaesebroeck
Summary: This study shows a correlation between PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and stemness in human breast cancer, with different associations based on PIK3CA genotype. The findings support the potential benefit of patient stratification based on a combination of genetic information and transcriptomic indices related to PI3K signaling activation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Clotilde Boudot, Azra Hamidovic, Bertrand Courtioux
Summary: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that can be transmitted to humans through food and water, causing severe infections in immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. Pregnant women need to take preventive measures and receive appropriate management if infected to protect the fetus from harm.
ACTUALITES PHARMACEUTIQUES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Catherine M. Moore, Jigang Wang, Qingsong Lin, Pedro Ferreira, Mitchell A. Avery, Khaled Elokely, Henry M. Staines, Sanjeev Krishna
Summary: Treatment failures with artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) pose a threat to global malaria eradication efforts. This study successfully developed a compound-screening tool using heterologous expression, which identified PfATP6 as a validated drug target for artemisinins and discovered unrelated classes of inhibitors for PfATP6.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bertrand Courtioux
Summary: This paragraph discusses the importance of dogs and cats in the family and the often ignored risks of zoonotic transmission. Infections can originate from parasites, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pharmacists should provide prevention advice to pet owners and inform and guide them in case of contamination.
ACTUALITES PHARMACEUTIQUES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Romain Paoli-Lombardo, Nicolas Primas, Sandra Bourgeade-Delmas, Sebastien Hutter, Alix Sournia-Saquet, Clotilde Boudot, Emilie Brenot, Caroline Castera-Ducros, Sophie Corvaisier, Marc Since, Aurelie Malzert-Freon, Bertrand Courtioux, Alexis Valentin, Pierre Verhaeghe, Nadine Azas, Pascal Rathelot, Patrice Vanelle
Summary: A new antileishmanial compound with good activity against the intracellular amastigote stage of L. infantum was discovered through synthesis of new derivatives and drug evaluation, showing low cytotoxicity and favorable physicochemical properties for further in vivo studies.
Article
Microbiology
Jaime So, Sarah Sudlow, Abeer Sayeed, Tanner Grudda, Stijn Deborggraeve, Dieudonne Mumba Ngoyi, Didier Kashiama Desamber, Bill Wickstead, Veerle Lejon, Monica R. Mugnier
Summary: This study analyzed the expressed VSGs in the blood of patients infected with T. b. gambiense and found a bias towards expression of type B N termini. The expressed T. b. gambiense VSGs also showed little similarity to sequences from T. b. gambiense whole-genome sequencing data sets, indicating strong selective pressure on the antigen repertoire to diversify.
Article
Microbiology
Jean Guillon, Anita Cohen, Clotilde Boudot, Sarah Monic, Solene Savrimoutou, Stephane Moreau, Sandra Albenque-Rubio, Camille Lafon-Schmaltz, Alexandra Dassonville-Klimpt, Jean-Louis Mergny, Luisa Ronga, Mikel Bernabeu de Maria, Jeremy Lamarche, Cristina Dal Lago, Eric Largy, Valerie Gabelica, Serge Moukha, Pascale Dozolme, Patrice Agnamey, Nadine Azas, Catherine Mullie, Bertrand Courtioux, Pascal Sonnet
Summary: A series of novel 2,9-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)]-4,7-phenyl-1,10-phenanthroline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anti-protozoan activity. The results showed promising activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, and Trypanosoma brucei brucei, with low cytotoxicity against human HepG2 cells.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Romain Paoli-Lombardo, Nicolas Primas, Sebastien Hutter, Sandra Bourgeade-Delmas, Clotilde Boudot, Caroline Castera-Ducros, Ines Jacquet, Bertrand Courtioux, Nadine Azas, Pascal Rathelot, Patrice Vanelle
Summary: In this study, a new compound, 6-chloro-3-nitro-2-[(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine, was synthesized and evaluated for its antikinetoplastid activity. Although it showed good activity against T. b. brucei, it exhibited poor solubility and decreased activity against L. infantum.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andriy Kryshtafovych, Maciej Antczak, Marta Szachniuk, Tomasz Zok, Rachael C. Kretsch, Ramya Rangan, Phillip Pham, Rhiju Das, Xavier Robin, Gabriel Studer, Janani Durairaj, Jerome Eberhardt, Aaron Sweeney, Maya Topf, Torsten Schwede, Krzysztof Fidelis, John Moult
Summary: Prediction categories in CASP experiments are updated according to specific issues in structure modeling. CASP15 introduced four new categories: RNA structure, ligand-protein complexes, accuracy of oligomeric structures and their interfaces, and ensembles of alternative conformations. This paper provides technical specifications for these categories and explains their integration in the CASP data management system.
PROTEINS-STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oumou Camara, Mamadou Camara, Laura Cristina Falzon, Hamidou Ilboudo, Jacques Kabore, Charlie Franck Alfred Compaore, Eric Maurice Fevre, Philippe Buscher, Bruno Bucheton, Veerle Lejon
Summary: This study assessed the diagnostic performance of various clinical presentations, rapid diagnostic tests, and reference laboratory tests on dried blood spots for the diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in Guinea. The results showed that the presence of swollen lymph nodes, important weight loss, severe itching, or motor disorders are simple but accurate clinical criteria for HAT referral. The diagnostic performances of HAT Sero-KSet and SD Bioline HAT are sufficient for referring positives to microscopy.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xavier Robin, Gabriel Studer, Janani Durairaj, Jerome Eberhardt, Torsten Schwede, W. Patrick Walters
Summary: CASP15 introduced a new category for ligand prediction and evaluated the accuracy of computational models by comparing them with experimental structures. The best models could faithfully reproduce the geometries of some prediction targets, with the size and flexibility of ligands being important factors influencing the quality of predictions.
PROTEINS-STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)