Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Dara, Sunil Kumar Dogga, Jesse Rop, Dinkorma Ouologuem, Fatalmoudou Tandina, Arthur M. Talman, Abdoulaye Djimde, Mara K. N. Lawniczak
Summary: Studying malaria transmission biology through scRNA-sequencing is important for understanding strain diversity and transcriptional states within the host. This article provides insights into the collaborative efforts and challenges encountered in establishing single-cell capabilities in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Mali's endemic setting.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Euclides Nenga Manuel Sacomboio, Cruz dos Santos Sebastiao, Silvana Teresa da Costa Salvador, Joaquim Antonio Joao, Daisy Viviana Sebastiao Bapolo, Ngiambudulu M. Francisco, Joana Morais, Eduardo Ekundi Valentim
Summary: This study investigated the potential of blood cell count parameters as predictors for malaria treatment. The results showed significant associations between normal blood counts of hemoglobin, red blood cells, red cell distribution width, mean cell volume, segmented neutrophils, and lymphocytes, and lower likelihood of treatment failures after artemisinin-based therapy failure.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Christabel N. Hikaambo, Natalia Shakela, John G. Woodland, Kathryn J. Wicht, Kelly Chibale
Summary: Zoonotic and related infections pose a significant health threat to Africa, the world's second-most populous continent. Despite the challenges faced by drug discovery scientists, recent progress in identifying potential medicines across diverse disease areas brings optimism and indicates African-led scientific initiatives are making progress.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Prisca Lagardere, Romain Mustiere, Nadia Amanzougaghene, Sebastien Hutter, Marion Casanova, Jean-Francois Franetich, Shahin Tajeri, Aurelie Malzert-Freon, Sophie Corvaisier, Nadine Azas, Patrice Vanelle, Pierre Verhaeghe, Nicolas Primas, Dominique Mazier, Nicolas Masurier, Vincent Lisowski
Summary: The need for new compounds effective against multiple stages of Plasmodium falciparum development is urgent due to the increasing number of strains resistant to current treatments. In this study, 25 new 4-amino-substituted analogues based on Gamhepathiopine were synthesized and evaluated on both erythrocytic and hepatic stages of the parasite. A promising compound, N2-(tert-butyl)-N [4]-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-6-(p-tolyl)thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine, showed improved physicochemical properties, intestinal permeability, and microsomal stability compared to Gamhepathiopine, while maintaining good anti-plasmodial activity on the erythrocytic and hepatic stages of Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel J. Weiss, Amelia Bertozzi-Villa, Susan F. Rumisha, Punam Amratia, Rohan Arambepola, Katherine E. Battle, Ewan Cameron, Elisabeth Chestnutt, Harry S. Gibson, Joseph Harris, Suzanne Keddie, Justin J. Millar, Jennifer Rozier, Tasmin L. Symons, Camilo Vargas-Ruiz, Simon I. Hay, David L. Smith, Pedro L. Alonso, Abdisalan M. Noor, Samir Bhatt, Peter W. Gething
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of disruptions to malaria control on malaria incidence and mortality in Africa. Findings show that reductions in access to effective antimalarial drug treatment and insecticide-treated net coverage could lead to increased malaria burden, potentially doubling malaria mortality in 2020.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Adeola Y. Olukosi, Olusola Ajibaye, Omowunmi Omoniwa, Olusola Oresanya, Aina O. Oluwagbemiga, Chinazo Ujuju, Michael Ekholuenetale, Kolawole Maxwell, Colin J. Sutherland, James K. Tibenderana, Khalid B. Beshir
Summary: A rapid surveillance study was conducted in Ebonyi and Osun states in Nigeria to assess the suitability of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) as perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC). The study revealed that both states are suitable for SP-PMC implementation, and it has been implemented in Osun since 2022. Continuous monitoring of the 540E mutation is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of SP chemoprevention in Nigeria.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Damian Madan, Rafael Rivera, Corrie Ortega, Justin C. Touchon, Corinna Kimball, Geert-Jan Van Gemert, Wouter Graumans, Stephanie Matsuura, Sean S. Parghi, David Bell, Teun Bousema, Chris Drakeley, Katharine A. Collins, Thomas R. Burkot
Summary: This study demonstrates that measuring spermatozoa quantity in female Anopheles mosquitoes is an effective approach to assess mosquito age, which can improve vector control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica N. McCaffery, Douglas Nace, Camelia Herman, Balwan Singh, Eric Mukomena Sompwe, Papy Mandoko Nkoli, Dieudonne Mumba Ngoyi, Gauthier Mesia Kahunu, Eric S. Halsey, Eric Rogier
Summary: A study conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo found a low prevalence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in blood samples from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection. Single deletions of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 were sporadically observed in the study sites, while dual deletions were not found. The use of HRP2-based RDTs still appears to be appropriate for these locations in DRC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellie Sherrard-Smith, Peter Winskill, Arran Hamlet, Corine Ngufor, Raphael N'Guessan, Moussa W. Guelbeogo, Antoine Sanou, Rebecca K. Nash, Alexander Hill, Emma L. Russell, Mark Woodbridge, Patrick Tungu, Mara D. Kont, Tom Mclean, Christen Fornadel, Jason H. Richardson, Martin J. Donnelly, Sarah G. Staedke, Samuel Gonahasa, Natascha Protopopoff, Mark Rowland, Thomas S. Churcher
Summary: The study aimed at comparing the public health impact and cost-effectiveness of different malaria prevention measures through the use of mathematical modeling and empirical data, highlighting the importance of selecting vector control interventions based on local conditions and budget.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paulina Tindana, Rosemonde Guissou, Oladimeji Akeem Bolarinwa, Fatoumata Tou, Freek de Haan, Mehul Dhorda, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chanaki Amaratunga, Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu, Jean Bosco Ouedraogo, Phaik Yeong Cheah
Summary: This paper presents an analysis of stakeholders' perspectives regarding key ethical considerations to be considered in the deployment of triple artemisinin-based combination therapies (TACTs) in Africa. Engagement with stakeholders and addressing ethical issues will be crucial for potential deployment of TACTs in Africa.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camelia Herman, Colleen M. Leonard, Perpetua Uhomoibhi, Mark Maire, Delynn Moss, Uwem Inyang, Ado Abubakar, Abiodun Ogunniyi, Nwando Mba, Stacie M. Greby, McPaul I. Okoye, Nnaemeka C. Iriemenam, Ibrahim Maikore, Laura Steinhardt, Eric Rogier
Summary: In a nationwide HIV survey conducted in Nigeria in 2018, blood samples were collected from children aged 0-14 years and analyzed for the presence of Plasmodium antigens, DNA, and antibodies. The study found that children in Nigeria have widespread exposure to Pm, but lower rates of exposure to Po and Pv.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huan Cao, Aristotelis Antonopoulos, Sadie Henderson, Heather Wassall, John Brewin, Alanna Masson, Jenna Shepherd, Gabriela Konieczny, Bhinal Patel, Maria-Louise Williams, Adam Davie, Megan A. Forrester, Lindsay Hall, Beverley Minter, Dimitris Tampakis, Michael Moss, Charlotte Lennon, Wendy Pickford, Lars Erwig, Beverley Robertson, Anne Dell, Gordon D. Brown, Heather M. Wilson, David C. Rees, Stuart M. Haslam, J. Alexandra Rowe, Robert N. Barker, Mark A. Vickers
Summary: The surface-exposed high mannose N-glycans on diseased or oxidized red blood cells bind to mannose receptor CD206 on phagocytes, mediating phagocytosis in sickle cell disease and malaria. This recognition of surface N-linked high mannose glycans as a response to cellular stress is a common molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease and resistance to severe malaria in individuals with sickle cell trait.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Mitchell N. Lefebvre, John T. Harty
Summary: The new research shows that gamma delta T cells recognize Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes through the interaction of the T cell antigen receptor with the phosphoantigen sensor BTN3A1 and subsequently destroy infected cells either by secreting cytotoxic molecules or through antibody-dependent phagocytosis.
Article
Microbiology
Brittany N. Araj, Bruce Swihart, Robert Morrison, Patricia Gonzales Hurtado, Andrew Teo, Almahamoudou Mahamar, Oumar Attaher, Bacary S. Diarra, Santara Gaoussou, Djibrilla Issiaka, Alassane Dicko, Patrick E. Duffy, Michal Fried
Summary: The study utilized proteomic analyses of PfEMP1 from clinical parasite isolates collected from Malian children to identify targets of immunity. Peptide-specific antibody responses in children were examined, and it was found that high antibody levels to specific PfEMP1 domains correlated with decreased parasite burden in future infections. These findings suggest that certain PfEMP1 domains play a role in protective immunity against malaria.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Alyssa E. Barry
Summary: Researchers have developed innovative methods for single-cell sequencing of P. vivax infections, providing new insights into the intrahost diversity and evolution of the parasite.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Hangjun Ke, Ian A. Lewis, Joanne M. Morrisey, Kyle J. McLean, Suresh M. Ganesan, Heather J. Painter, Michael W. Mather, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena, Manuel Llinas, Akhil B. Vaidya
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Kyle Jarrod McLean, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Microbiology
Kyle Jarrod McLean, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
Article
Microbiology
Jessica D. Wiley, Emilio F. Merino, Priscilla M. Krai, Kyle J. McLean, Abhai K. Tripathi, Joel Vega-Rodriguez, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena, Michael Klemba, Maria B. Cassera
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hiromi Ikadai, Kathryn Shaw Saliba, Stefan M. Kanzok, Kyle J. McLean, Takeshi Q. Tanaka, Jun Cao, Kim C. Williamson, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2013)
Article
Microbiology
Yuemei Dong, Suchismita Das, Chris Cirimotich, Jayme A. Souza-Neto, Kyle J. McLean, George Dimopoulos
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kyle Jarrod McLean, Judith Straimer, Christine S. Hopp, Joel Vega-Rodriguez, Jennifer L. Small-Saunders, Sachie Kanatani, Abhai Tripathi, Godfree Mlambo, Peter C. Dumoulin, Chantal T. Harris, Xinran Tong, Melanie J. Shears, Johan Ankarklev, Bjorn F. C. Kafsack, David A. Fidock, Photini Sinnis
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Kyle Jarrod McLean, Jacquin C. Niles
Summary: The recent study reveals that a non-ApiAP2 DNA-binding protein in the Plasmodium falciparum genome serves as a transcription factor in the gametocytogenesis cascade and plays a crucial role in determining the distinct morphology of gametocytes.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Sung-Jae Cha, Kyle Jarrod McLean, Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2018)