Review
Immunology
Bin Zhan, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Peter J. Hotez, Sara Lustigman
Summary: Human onchocerciasis is a devastating tropical disease caused by infection of Onchocerca volvulus, leading to visual impairment and dermatitis. Mass drug administration has reduced prevalence, but challenges such as drug resistance and adverse events remain, highlighting the need for vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stephen Raimon Jada, Alfred Dusabimana, Gasim Abd-Elfarag, Samuel Okaro, Nele Brusselaers, Jane Y. Carter, Makoy Yibi Logora, Jacopo Mattia Rovarini, Charles R. Newton, Robert Colebunders
Summary: A two-phase survey conducted in Mundri villages in South Sudan revealed a high prevalence and incidence of epilepsy. Urgent action is needed to prevent onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy by strengthening elimination programs.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rodney Ogwang, Albert Ningwa, Pamela Akun, Paul Bangirana, Ronald Anguzu, Rajarshi Mazumder, Noriko Salamon, Oliver Johannes Henning, Charles R. Newton, Catherine Abbo, Amos Deogratius Mwaka, Kevin Marsh, Richard Idro
Summary: Research in northern Uganda shows that epilepsies associated with Onchocerca may have a broader clinical spectrum and brain imaging features, such as focal onset tonic-clonic seizures, cortical and cerebellar atrophy.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Arnauld Efon Ekangouo, Hugues C. Nana Djeunga, Guilhem Sempere, Joseph Kamgno, Flobert Njiokou, Paul Moundipa Fewou, Anne Geiger
Summary: This study explores the potential of blackfly bacteriome as a novel approach for controlling onchocerciasis by investigating its composition and variability in the presence of Onchocerca volvulus infection. The results suggest a causal relationship between the bacteriome composition and the onset of blackflies' infection by O. volvulus.
Article
Parasitology
Vera Wewer, Helga Peisker, Katharina Gutbrod, Mazen Al-Bahra, Dirk Menche, Ngongeh Glory Amambo, Fanny F. Fombad, Abdel Jelil Njouendou, Kenneth Pfarr, Samuel Wanji, Achim Hoerauf, Peter Doermann
Summary: The study screened urine samples from individuals in Cameroon infected with O. volvulus, Loa loa, Mansonella perstans, or a combination. Elevated levels of NATOG and cinnamoylglycine were found in O. volvulus-infected individuals, suggesting a potential for using a combination of urine metabolites for onchocerciasis assessment at a population level.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Stephen Raimon, Alfred Dusabimana, Gasim Abd-Elfarag, Samuel Okaro, Jane Y. Carter, Charles R. Newton, Makoy Yibi Logora, Robert Colebunders
Summary: A study conducted in Mvolo County, South Sudan, revealed a high prevalence and incidence of epilepsy, with factors such as younger age, male gender, skin itching, blindness, and living near the Naam River identified as risk factors for epilepsy. Additionally, the transmission of parasites remains high in the region, with a low percentage of individuals receiving treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Melissa Krizia Vieri, An Hotterbeekx, Michel Mandro, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Alfred Dusabimana, Francoise Nyisi, Deby Mukendi, Joe Gwatsvaira, Samir Kumar-Singh, Robert Colebunders
Summary: Despite the association between O. volvulus and OAE, elevated serotonin levels are not able to explain the pathogenesis of OAE. Other hypotheses will need to be investigated to identify the causal mechanism of OAE.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samuel K. Kwofie, Emmanuel Broni, Faruk U. Yunus, John Nsoh, Dela Adoboe, Whelton A. Miller, Michael D. Wilson
Summary: Onchocerciasis is a major public health problem in tropical areas, with antibiotic resistance becoming an increasing global threat. This study identified six potential novel antiwolbachial agents from natural products, which could serve as filaricides for onchocerciasis.
Review
Immunology
David Abraham, John Graham-Brown, Darrick Carter, Sean A. Gray, Jessica A. Hess, Benjamin L. Makepeace, Sara Lustigman
Summary: The development of a prophylactic vaccine for onchocerciasis is crucial for achieving the goal of eliminating the disease by 2030. Various animal models have shown promising results in inducing protective immunity, laying the foundation for future clinical trials to evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness in humans.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Adam Hendy, Meryam Krit, Kenneth Pfarr, Christine Laemmer, Jacobus De Witte, Philippe Nwane, Joseph Kamgno, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga, Michel Boussinesq, Jean-Claude Dujardin, Rory Post, Robert Colebunders, Sarah O'Neill, Peter Enyong, Alfred K. Njamnshi
Summary: The study found high densities of biting black flies sustaining transmission of O. volvulus along the lower Mbam river, despite relatively low infection rates that do not meet the WHO threshold for interruption of transmission.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kenneth Bentum Otabil, Blessing Ankrah, Emmanuel John Bart-Plange, Emmanuel Sam Donkoh, Fiona Amoabil Avarikame, Fredrick Obeng Ofori-Appiah, Theophilus Nti Babae, Prince-Charles Kudzordzi, Vera Achiaa Darko, Joseph Ameyaw, Joseph Gyekye Bamfo, Raji Abdul Sakibu, Daniel Antwi-Berko, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Henk D. F. H. Schallig, Robert Colebunders
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in the Bono Region of Ghana after 27 years of ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA). The prevalence of epilepsy in the Bono region was found to be 1.4%, with generalized seizures being the most common type. The study also revealed a high microfilarial prevalence and low coverage of ivermectin treatment. Therefore, there is a need for the Ghana Onchocerciasis Elimination Programme to enhance its efforts to achieve the elimination of onchocerciasis by 2030.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shannon M. Hedtke, Anusha Kode, Tony O. Ukety, Joeel L. Mande, Germain M. Abhafule, Anuarite A. Raciu, Claude B. Uvon, Stephen R. Jada, An Hotterbeekx, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Makedonka Mitreva, Wilson Sebit, Robert Colebunders, Warwick N. Grant, Annette C. Kuesel
Summary: This article discusses the importance of population genetic analysis of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite causing onchocerciasis, and introduces a microfilariae transfer procedure for large-scale studies comparing different drugs. The results of the study also indicate variations in the quality and genetic analysis success rate of microfilariae from different regions.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
An Hotterbeekx, Kristien Verdonck, Deby Mukendi, Jean-Roger Lilo-Kalo, Pascal Lutumba, Marleen Boelaert, Liselotte Hardy, Barbara Barbe, Jan Jacobs, Emmanuel Bottieau, Robert Colebunders
Summary: The study suggests that onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy may also be suspected in hypo-endemic areas, especially in individuals with negative T. solium antigen, indicating the potential role of onchocerciasis as a trigger for epilepsy.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jean-Yves Gillon, Jeremy Dennison, Frans van den Berg, Sophie Delhomme, Karen Dequatre Cheeseman, Claudia Pena Rossi, Nathalie Strub Wourgaft, Sabine Specht, Belen Pedrique, Frederic Monnot, Susanne Skrabs, Maria-Luisa Rodriguez, Heino Stass
Summary: Emodepside, originally developed for veterinary use, was tested in healthy subjects in two phase I studies to assess safety and pharmacokinetics of liquid service formulation (LSF) and immediate release (IR) tablet. Results showed rapid absorption of LSF with dose-proportional increase in plasma concentrations, while tablets had significantly lower absorption rate and extent.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Melissa Krizia Vieri, Michel Mandro, Chiara Simona Cardellino, Pierantonio Orza, Niccolo Ronzoni, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, An Hotterbeekx, Robert Colebunders
Summary: A high burden of epilepsy in Africa is associated with parasitic infections, particularly Onchocerca volvulus. Neurocysticercosis may be the cause of epilepsy in some individuals with late onset and focal seizures. Measures should be implemented to limit the transmission of T. solium, especially in areas where pig rearing is common.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Sabine Specht, Alexander Yaw Debrah, Linda Batsa, Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng, Jubin Osei-Mensah, Yusif Mubarik, Peter Konadu, Arcangelo Ricchiuto, Rolf Fimmers, Sandra Arriens, Bettina Dubben, Louise Ford, Mark Taylor, Achim Hoerauf
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2017)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ole Lagatie, Ann Verheyen, Erik Nijs, Bieke Van Dorst, Linda Batsa Debrah, Alex Debrah, Taniawati Supali, Erliyani Sartono, Lieven J. Stuyver
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2018)
Article
Immunology
Ole Lagatie, Ann Verheyen, Bieke Van Dorst, Linda Batsa Debrah, Alex Debrah, Lieven J. Stuyver
PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Parasitology
Samuel Wanji, Dizzle Bita Tayong, Rene Ebai, Vera Opoku, Chi Anizette Kien, Winston Patrick Chounna Ndongmo, Abdel Jelil Njouendou, Raymond Nsaidzedze Ghani, Manuel Ritter, Yaw Alex Debrah, Laura E. Layland, Peter A. Enyone, Achim Hoerauf
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Ole Lagatie, Ann Verheyen, Erik Nijs, Linda Batsa Debrah, Yaw A. Debrah, Lieven J. Stuyver
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Manuel Ritter, Jubin Osei-Mensah, Linda Batsa Debrah, Alexander Kwarteng, Yusif Mubarik, Alexander Y. Debrah, Kenneth Pfarr, Achim Hoerauf, Laura E. Layland
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Linda Batsa Debrah, Richard O. Phillips, Kenneth Pfarr, Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Vera Serwaa Opoku, Norman Nausch, Wellington Owusu, Yusif Mubarik, Anna-Lena Sander, Christine Laemmer, Manuel Ritter, Laura E. Layland, Marc Jacobsen, Alexander Yaw Debrah, Achim Hoerauf
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
John Horton, Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Mariana Stephens, Philip J. Budge, Yaya Coulibaly, Alex Debrah, Linda Batsa Debrah, Suma Krishnasastry, Upendo Mwingira, Abdallah Ngenya, Samuel Wanji, Mirani Weerasooriya, Channa Yahathugoda, Inge Kroidl, Drew Deathe, Andrew Majewski, Sarah Sullivan, Charles Mackenzie, Thomas B. Nutman, Joseph P. Shott, Gary Weil, Eric Ottesen, Achim Hoerauf
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Ernest Adankwah, Jean De Dieu Harelimana, Difery Minadzi, Wilfred Aniagyei, Mohammed K. Abass, Linda Batsa Debrah, Dorcas O. Owusu, Ertan Mayatepek, Richard O. Phillips, Marc Jacobsen
Summary: The study identified decreased IL-7 receptor expression and sensitivity in monocytes of tuberculosis patients, impacting their antimycobacterial effector functions.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Linda Batsa Debrah, Aliyu Mohammed, Jubin Osei-Mensah, Yusif Mubarik, Olivia Agbenyega, Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng, Kenneth Pfarr, Janina Melanie Kuehlwein, Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Achim Hoerauf, Alexander Yaw Debrah
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)