Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kush K. Maheshwari, Debasish Bandyopadhyay
Summary: NTDs affect a vast population, mainly in developing countries, with WHO identifying 20 priority diseases. Heterocyclic drugs show promising therapeutic activity against NTDs. The study aims to raise awareness, discuss treatment options, and highlight the need for further research on NTDs.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Manish T. Shrivastav, Zainab Malik, Somlata
Summary: Amebiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, affecting largely impoverished residents in developing countries and returning international travellers. Despite metronidazole being the drug of choice for treatment, the emergence of resistance has led to a need for the development of new drug targets and therapeutic strategies against the parasite.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah Gwyn, Ado Abubakar, Oluwaseun Akinmulero, Eric Bergeron, Ugboaja Nkechi Blessing, Jasmine Chaitram, Melissa M. Coughlin, Ayuba B. Dawurung, Felicia Nwatu Dickson, Mudiaga Esiekpe, Erasogie Evbuomwan, Stacie M. Greby, Nnaemeka C. Iriemenam, Markus H. Kainulainen, Thomas Andrew Naanpoen, Loveth Napoloen, Ifeanyichukwu Odoh, McPaul Okoye, Temitope Olaleye, Amy J. Schuh, S. Michele Owen, Awala Samuel, Diana L. Martin
Summary: This study validated the efficacy of serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 antigens using a multiplex bead assay, finding that both monoplex and multiplex testing showed similar performance. Integrating SARS-CoV-2 serology with other diseases of public health interest could add significant value to public health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arthur Vengesai, Thajasvarie Naicker, Herald Midzi, Maritha Kasambala, Tariro L. Mduluza-Jokonya, Simbarashe Rusakaniko, Francisca Mutapi, Takafira Mduluza
Summary: In this study, a peptide microarray was designed and produced for the integrated surveillance of neglected tropical diseases. Species-specific responses and immunodominant peptides were identified. However, the accuracy of peptide selection needs to be improved and further validation with other techniques is necessary to verify immune reactivity.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Fimme J. van der Wal, Rene P. Achterberg, Jeanet A. van der Goot, Annemieke Dinkla, Ruth Bossers-de Vries, Conny van Solt-Smits, Alex Bossers, Marloes Heijne
Summary: The study focused on developing a differentiating serological test for antibodies against Chlamydia species in chicken sera. A bead-based Luminex suspension array was constructed using peptides as antigens, which correctly identified antibodies and differentiated between different Chlamydia species in experimentally infected mice and chickens. Although interpretation of signals in field sera was difficult due to limited samples, results were supported by published data.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
YuYen Chan, Kimberly Fornace, Lindsey Wu, Ben F. Arnold, Jeffrey W. Priest, Diana L. Martin, Michelle A. Chang, Jackie Cook, Gillian Stresman, Chris Drakeley
Summary: This review highlights the challenges in determining appropriate cut-off values for seropositivity generated by multiplex bead assays. Factors to consider when determining optimal cut-off approaches include methods recommended by previous research, transmission dynamics, and the immunological backgrounds of the population. The lack of international standards for estimating seropositivity emphasizes the need for consistent methods aligning with disease epidemiology data to improve comparability between settings and enable assessment of changes over time.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Katharina May, Katharina Raue, Katrin Blazejak, Daniela Jordan, Christina Strube
Summary: This study investigated the long-term effect of pasture rewetting on endoparasite infections in sheep and cattle and found that pasture rewetting did not increase the probability of endoparasite infection in ruminants. Interestingly, the infection of Fasciola hepatica showed a significant decrease during the study period.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
C. Constancis, C. Chartier, M. Leligois, N. Brisseau, N. Bareille, C. Strube, N. Ravinet
Summary: The rearing system of dairy calves with nurse cows in organic farms in western France has shown to be effective in minimizing gastrointestinal and lungworm infections. This system allows cow-calf contact until the natural weaning age and promotes a mixed grazing season, resulting in low infection levels and minimal coughing episodes.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Simon Rohner, Peter Wohlsein, Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff, Christa Ewers, Patrick Waindok, Christina Strube, Christine Baechlein, Paul Becher, Dunja Wilmes, Volker Rickerts, Ursula Siebert
Summary: Working with dead otters can provide valuable insights for population health investigations. In Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, most of the dead otters found were males aged between 1-3 years with good nutritional status. Roadkill was a major cause of death, and post-mortem investigations are essential for analyzing potential trends and establishing a monitoring program for Eurasian otters in the region.
Article
Microbiology
Anna-Katharina Topp, Andrea Springer, Gerhard Dobler, Malena Bestehorn-Willmann, Masyar Monazahian, Christina Strube
Summary: A study in Lower Saxony, Germany, investigated the occurrence of TBEV in questing ticks and found a previously unknown transmission focus, while confirming ongoing virus circulation at four other locations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of two different virus strains with different origins in identified natural foci.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Uta Alstedt, Katja Voigt, Miriam Carmen Jaeger, Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer, Yury Zablotski, Christina Strube, Christoph Wenzel
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and prevalence of rumen and liver flukes in sheep and goats in Germany. It found that rumen flukes were more common in the north, while liver flukes were more common in the south. Mixed grazing with other ruminants and previous infections with flukes were identified as predictors for the parasitosis. This study is important for the prevention and control of parasite infections.
Review
Microbiology
Anna Bajer, Ana Beck, Relja Beck, Jerzy M. Behnke, Dorota Dwuznik-Szarek, Ramon M. Eichenberger, Robert Farkas, Hans-Peter Fuehrer, Mike Heddergott, Pikka Jokelainen, Michael Leschnik, Valentina Oborina, Algimantas Paulauskas, Jana Radzijevskaja, Renate Ranka, Manuela Schnyder, Andrea Springer, Christina Strube, Katarzyna Tolkacz, Julia Walochnik
Summary: There is growing evidence of an emerging infectious disease in Europe called babesiosis, which is spreading due to the increasing range of tick vectors. The incidence of babesiosis is increasing in both humans and animals, and the situation requires extensive monitoring and a One Health approach.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Katja Voigt, Maximilian Geiger, Miriam Carmen Jaeger, Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer, Christina Strube, Yury Zablotski
Summary: Parasitic worms pose a major threat to the health and production of sheep and goats globally, with many worms developing resistance to common drugs. A study in Germany evaluated the effectiveness of treatments against gastrointestinal nematodes, finding reduced efficacy for all available drugs. The high percentage of treatment failures is concerning, highlighting the need for alternative methods of worm control to prevent further deterioration.
Article
Parasitology
Sarina Koehler, Andrea Springer, Nicole Issel, Stefanie Klinger, Michael Wendt, Gerhard Breves, Christina Strube
Summary: This study found that infection of Ascaris suum has a negative impact on intestinal nutrient transport in pigs, with significant downregulation of certain transcription factors and transporter proteins in the jejunum. On the other hand, A. suum antigens mainly induced an upregulation of transport processes, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum.
Article
Zoology
Frederik Kiene, Andrea Springer, Bertrand Andriatsitohaina, Malcolm S. Ramsay, Romule Rakotondravony, Christina Strube, Ute Radespiel
Summary: The relevance of emerging infectious diseases is increasing worldwide, particularly on the island of Madagascar. Lemurs, as close relatives of humans on the island, play a significant role in the potential transmission of zoonotic pathogens. However, there is limited knowledge about the pathogens circulating in lemur populations, particularly lemur hemoparasites. This study conducted blood sample examinations on various lemur and rodent species in northwestern Madagascar, revealing the presence of a pathogenic nematode species but not the previously described hemoparasite Lemurfilaria lemuris. These findings highlight the lack of knowledge on lemur hemoparasites and call for further research in conservation medicine and human epidemiology.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Daniela Hauck, Katharina Raue, Katrin Blazejak, Rita M. Hanna, David A. Elsemore, Nikola Pantchev, Christina Strube
Summary: The study evaluated the ability of three different antigen detection methods to identify roundworm and hookworm infections in cats and Uncinaria stenocephala infections in dogs, as well as monitoring the course of infection.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Antje Glass, Andrea Springer, Marie -Kristin Raulf, Volker Fingerle, Christina Strube
Summary: The prevalence of Borrelia infection in ticks has remained stable in Hanover, Germany over a 15-year period. However, there have been shifts in the distribution of different Borrelia species, which may alter the epidemiological risk.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Cara Leonie Ebert, Lars Soeder, Mareike Kubinski, Julien Glanz, Eva Gregersen, Katrin Duemmer, Domenic Grund, Ann-Sophie Woehler, Laura Koenenkamp, Katrin Liebig, Steffen Knoll, Fanny Hellhammer, Anna-Katharina Topp, Paul Becher, Andrea Springer, Christina Strube, Uschi Nagel-Kohl, Marcel Nordhoff, Imke Steffen, Benjamin Ulrich Bauer, Martin Ganter, Karsten Feige, Stefanie C. Becker, Mathias Boelke
Summary: The newly discovered group of Jingmenviruses, known as Alongshan virus (ALSV), has been found to infect a wide range of hosts and cause febrile illness in humans. ALSV was identified in Ixodes spp. ticks in Lower Saxony, Germany, and further studies confirmed its replication in those tick species. The virus was also observed to be transmitted during blood feeding in laboratory experiments with ALSV-injected Ixodes ricinus. Serological investigations in wildlife and domestic animals in Lower Saxony revealed the presence of ALSV-specific antibodies, indicating frequent exposure to the virus. These findings highlight the potential risk of ALSV to human and animal health, emphasizing the need for further research.
Article
Parasitology
Vanessa Ruester, Alina Kathrin Lueckemann, Margareta Wittmann, Christina Strube, Thomas Bartels
Summary: This case report describes the successful control of poultry red mite infestations in an experimental laying hen house through a combination of cleaning and disinfection measures, the use of a synthetic silica-based acaricide, and frequent mite monitoring. The study suggests that this integrated approach can effectively control PRM in the long term, reducing the need for acaricidal drugs.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Marcus Faehndrich, Benno Woelfing, Jana C. Klink, Marco Roller, Wolfgang Baumgaertner, Peter Wohlsein, Katharina Raue, Christina Strube, Christa Ewers, Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff, Jutta Verspohl, Antonio Lavazza, Lorenzo Capucci, Herbert Tomaso, Ursula Siebert
Summary: By analyzing samples from European brown hares in three locations in the northernmost German state of Schleswig-Holstein, it was found that infectious diseases have a relatively low importance on the observed population dynamics, but there is a high prevalence of chronic inflammations of unknown origin.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Anja Wiegmann, Tony Rinaud, Meinolf Ottensmann, Oliver Krueger, Andrea Springer, Marko Legler, Michael Fehr, Christina Strube, Nayden Chakarov
Summary: The study found that the use of a single dose of Malarone in common buzzard nestlings did not have significant adverse effects, suggesting the tolerability of the drug in this species. Further research is recommended to determine pharmacokinetics in different avian species and the effects of repeated treatment.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)