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
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
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatiana Dias-Guerreiro, Joana Palma-Marques, Patricia Mourata-Goncalves, Graca Alexandre-Pires, Ana Valerio-Bolas, Aurea Gabriel, Telmo Nunes, Wilson Antunes, Isabel Pereira da Fonseca, Marcelo Sousa-Silva, Gabriela Santos-Gomes
Summary: The study showed that TbEVs can establish direct communication with cells of innate and adaptive immunity, influencing the differentiation and expansion of macrophages and T lymphocytes.
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)
Review
Immunology
Nava Raj Poudyal, Kimberly S. Paul
Summary: This review discusses the availability and uptake mechanisms of fatty acids in Trypanosoma brucei. Fatty acids can be synthesized by the parasite or acquired from the host's surroundings. Fatty acids are crucial for the growth and survival of the parasite and are implicated in the survival of specific proteins. The relative contribution of parasite-derived and host-derived fatty acids to T. brucei biology and the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid uptake are still poorly understood.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
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
Chemistry, Medicinal
Zezhong Li, Weixiang Xin, Qing Wang, Mingyan Zhu, Huchen Zhou
Summary: New amide compounds were synthesized as inhibitors of T. brucei LeuRS, with compound 74 and 91 showing the highest potency among the series. These compounds represent a new scaffold and potential lead compounds for further development of antitrypanosomal agents.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(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
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)
Review
Microbiology
Kelli Monteiro da Costa, Raphael do Carmo Valente, Leonardo Marques da Fonseca, Leonardo Freire-de-Lima, Jose Osvaldo Previato, Lucia Mendonca-Previato
Summary: Human trypanosomiasis has a significant impact on the global population, affecting around 8 million people, particularly in endemic areas. Resistance to chemotherapy has been observed in protozoan parasites, including the T. cruzi and T. brucei species. ABC transporters, which reduce drug accumulation and mitigate toxic effects, have been identified as important factors in multidrug resistance. This review provides an overview of the history and function of ABC transporters in Trypanosoma species, highlighting their significance in parasite physiology and chemotherapy resistance.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
William J. Robinson, Annie E. Taylor, Solange Lauga-Cami, George W. Weaver, Randolph Rj Arroo, Marcel Kaiser, Sheraz Gul, Maria Kuzikov, Bernhard Ellinger, Kuldip Singh, Tanja Schirmeister, Adolfo Botana, Chatchakorn Eurtivong, Avninder S. Bhambra
Summary: Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, with current therapy limitations and the need for further investigation. Novel anti-trypanosomal compounds show promising potential, providing scaffolds for future drug development targeting the disease.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel G. Silva, Pim-Bart Feijens, Rik Hendrickx, An Matheeussen, Lucie Grey, Guy Caljon, Louis Maes, Flavio S. Emery, Anna Junker
Summary: This study identified the isoindolone ring as a scaffold for novel agents against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and explored the structure-activity relationships of various aromatic ring substitutions. Compound 20 exhibited low nanomolar potency against T. b. rhodesiense with no toxicity against MRC-5 and PMM cell lines, showing potential as a new lead template for agents against T. b. rhodesiense. However, the compounds' solubility remains a limiting factor that needs to be addressed to further develop in vivo-active derivatives.
Article
Parasitology
Limo William Kipkorir, Thuita Kibuthu John, Orindi Benedict Owino, Oidho John, Shivairo Robert, Masiga Daniel, Adung'a Vincent Owino
Summary: The study identified Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense strains that cause acute and chronic infections in mice, highlighting the predominant role of strain-dependent factors in determining infection outcomes. Additionally, the strain KETRI 3928 had better establishment in tsetse flies compared to KETRI 3801, suggesting potential differences in transmission of strains causing chronic infections.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sefirin Djiogue, Armando Blondel Djiyou Djeuda, Paul Faustin Seke Etet, Germain Jean Magloire Ketcha Wanda, Rudig Nikanor Djikem Tadah, Dieudonne Njamen
BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS
(2018)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Sara Mariotto, Marina Bentivoglio, Tiziana Cotrufo, Antonella Berzero, Salvatore Monaco, Paolo Mazzarello, Sergio Ferrari
CLINICAL NEUROPATHOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Claudio Del Percio, Wilhelmus Drinkenburg, Susanna Lopez, Cristina Limatola, Jesper F. Bastlund, Ditte Z. Christensen, Jan T. Pedersen, Gianluigi Forloni, Angelisa Frasca, Francesco M. Noe, Marina Bentivoglio, Paolo F. Fabene, Giuseppe Bertini, Valeria Colavito, Sophie Dix, Raffaele Ferri, Regis Bordet, Jill C. Richardson, Claudio Babiloni
CURRENT ALZHEIMER RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alexandra G. Raftery, Saloum Jallow, Jean Rodgers, David G. M. Sutton
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Alexandra G. Raftery, Saloum Jallow, Robert M. Coultous, Jean Rodgers, David G. M. Sutton
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2020)
Article
Biology
Ahmed E. Idris, Paul F. Seke Etet, Abdalla A. Saeed, Mohammed Farahna, Gwiria M. H. Satti, Shuaa Z. AlShammari, Muaawia A. Hamza
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Fidele Ntchapda, Christian Bonabe, Albert Donatien Atsamo, David Romain Kemeta Azambou, Yannick Bekono Fouda, Soudy Imar Djibrine, Paul F. Seke Etet, Dimo Theophile
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lauren Gummery, Saloum Jallow, Alexandra G. Raftery, Euan Bennet, Jean Rodgers, David G. M. Sutton
Review
Cell Biology
Armel H. Nwabo Kamdje, Paul F. Seke Etet, Richard Simo Tagne, Lorella Vecchio, Kiven Erique Lukong, Mauro Krampera
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Richard Tagne Simo, Erika Myriam Baiguerel, Armel Herve Nwabo Kamdje, Paul Faustin Seke Etet, Mohamadou Ahmadou, Charlette Nangue, Phelix Bruno Telefo
Summary: The study reveals a widespread awareness of breast cancer in the North Region of Cameroon, but there are still misconceptions and lack of information, leading to insufficient understanding of the importance of screening and early diagnosis among certain groups.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BREAST CANCER
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paul Montague, Barbara Bradley, Jean Rodgers, Peter G. E. Kennedy
Summary: The study investigated the gene expression profiles in mouse brains infected with trypanosomes over a 28-day period. Encephalitic symptoms were found to be activated by day 7, challenging the traditional phenotypic demarcation between Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the disease. The transcriptome analysis revealed early up-regulation of genes related to immune response, neural function, and circadian activity, suggesting significant changes prior to the onset of CNS disease in Human African Trypanosomiasis.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Paul F. Seke Etet, Muaawia A. Hamza, Ahmed El-Tahir, Lorella Vecchio, Sayed Y. Osman, Gwiria M. H. Satti, Mohamed H. A. Ismail, Mohammed Farahna, Alfred K. Njamnshi, Abdu Adem
Summary: This study found that subfraction F5 of Garcinia kola extract prevented the development of motor signs and improved the disease profile in a mouse model of diabetic encephalopathy induced by STZ. The antidiabetic activity of beta-lactam molecules accounted for at least some of these effects.
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nene Ahidjo, Leonard Ngarka, Paul F. Seke Etet, Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi, Leonard N. Nfor, Michel K. Mengnjo, Jonas G. Basseguin Atchou, Edmond N. Mouofo, Godwin Y. Tatah, Faustin Dong A. Zok, Bonaventure T. Ngadjui, Wilfred Ngwa, Alfred K. Njamnshi
Summary: This study assessed the effects of Garcinia kola on cognitive and motor changes in a murine model of acute radiation syndrome. Treatment with Garcinia kola significantly mitigated the development of cognitive and motor decline induced by radiation exposure.
BRAIN COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Armel H. Nwabo Kamdje, Paul F. Seke Etet, Richard Tagne Simo, Lorella Vecchio, Kiven Erique Lukong, Mauro Krampera
CANCER BIOLOGY & MEDICINE
(2020)
Review
Immunology
Peter G. E. Kennedy, Jean Rodgers
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2019)