Article
Microbiology
Karthik Ramalingam, Sonali Gangwar, Deep Chandra Balodi, Apeksha Anand, Shailendra Yadav, Subhasish Biswas, Anil Kumar Karunakaran Sasikala, Kailash Chand Gupta, Sanjay Batra, Neena Goyal
Summary: Chemotherapy is crucial for controlling visceral leishmaniasis, but current regimens have drawbacks. This study identified compound 3c as the lead candidate for treating VL, showing the best in vivo antileishmanial efficacy.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Subhadip Saha, Shubham Vashishtha, Bishwajit Kundu, Monidipa Ghosh
Summary: The study utilizes bioinformatics and immunology to design a multi-epitope vaccine for the prevention and treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. The vaccine shows high affinity and potential effectiveness in a global population. Successful cloning and optimization of the vaccine's nucleic acid sequence have also been achieved.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helen Ashwin, Jovana Sadlova, Barbora Vojtkova, Tomas Becvar, Patrick Lypaczewski, Eli Schwartz, Elizabeth Greensted, Katrien Van Bocxlaer, Marion Pasin, Kai S. Lipinski, Vivak Parkash, Greg Matlashewski, Alison M. Layton, Charles J. Lacey, Charles L. Jaffe, Petr Volf, Paul M. Kaye
Summary: Leishmaniasis is considered a vaccine-preventable disease, but costs and uncertainty hinder progress in vaccine development. Controlled human infection models offer a way to speed up vaccine development and gain better understanding of disease pathogenesis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jennifer Ottino, Jaqueline Costa Leite, Otoni Alves Melo-Junior, Marco Antonio Cabrera Gonzalez, Tatiane Furtado de Carvalho, Giani Martins Garcia, Mauricio Azevedo Batista, Patricia Silveira, Mariana Santos Cardoso, Lilian Lacerda Bueno, Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara, Renato Lima Santos, Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Paes, Denise Silveira-Lemos, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino, Miguel Angel Chavez-Fumagalli, Walderez Ornelas Dutra, Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira, Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
Summary: This study used hamsters as an experimental model to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of two novel nanoparticle formulations in an anti-Leishmania vaccine trial. The results showed that the nanoparticles were safe and harmless to the animals and induced an immune response, leading to a reduction in tissue parasite load. The smaller nanoparticle formulation resulted in a greater reduction in spleen parasite burden.
Article
Parasitology
Hasna Riyal, Tiago R. Ferreira, Andrea Paun, Kashinath Ghosh, Nilakshi Samaranayake, David L. Sacks, Nadira D. Karunaweera
Summary: Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania parasites and transmitted by sand flies, has many different species that can cause disease in humans and animals. Recent research has found evidence of genetic exchange and hybridization in L. donovani parasites within the sand fly vector, Phlebotomus argentipes. This discovery provides new insight into the mechanisms for the diversity of clinical manifestations in humans affected by L. donovani.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmed H. E. Hassan, Waleed A. Bayoumi, Selwan M. El-Sayed, Trong-Nhat Phan, Yeon Ju Kim, Chae Hyeon Lee, Soo Bin Cho, Taegeun Oh, Gyeongpyo Ham, Kazem Mahmoud, Joo Hwan No, Yong Sup Lee
Summary: A series of chromone-peptidyl hybrids was synthesized and repurposed for the identification of potential antileishmanial compounds against visceral leishmaniasis. Compounds 7c, 7n, and 7h showed potential IC50 values (9.8, 10, and 12 μM, respectively) comparable to erufosine but lower potency than miltefosine. Cytotoxicity assessment using human THP-1 cells revealed that compounds 7c and 7n were non-cytotoxic up to 100 μM, while erufosine and miltefosine exhibited cytotoxicity. In silico studies identified specific substituents on the chromone-peptidyl hybrids as crucial for binding to LdCALP. These findings suggest that compounds 7c and 7n could be potential non-cytotoxic antileishmanial agents for the development of treatment against visceral leishmaniasis.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Pauline Formaglio, Mohamad Alabdullah, Anastasios Siokis, Juliane Handschuh, Ina Sauerland, Yan Fu, Anna Krone, Patricia Gintschel, Juliane Stettin, Sandrina Heyde, Juliane Mohr, Lars Philipsen, Anja Schroeder, Philippe A. Robert, Gang Zhao, Sahamoddin Khailaie, Anne Dudeck, Jessica Bertrand, Gerald F. Spaeth, Sascha Kahlfuss, Philippe Bousso, Burkhart Schraven, Jochen Huehn, Sebastian Binder, Michael Meyer-Hermann, Andreas J. Mueller
Summary: Nitric oxide plays a dual role in controlling Leishmania major by directly killing the pathogen and restricting the supply of host cells necessary for pathogen proliferation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Santhi John Tharakan, Dincy C. Peter, Rajiv Karthik, Vedantam Rupa, Winsley Rose, Meera Thomas, Malathi Manuel, Priscilla Rupali, Susanne Pulimood, Sitara Swarna Rao Ajjampur
Summary: This study reports on 52 suspected cases of cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis in a tertiary care setting in southern India from 2008 to 2018. Of the 12 confirmed cases, seven had mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, two had cutaneous leishmaniasis, and three had post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. The emerging trend of atypical MCL caused by L. donovani variants highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion combined with PCR-based diagnostics for accurate diagnosis of different manifestations of leishmaniasis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Review
Biology
Pedro Cecilio, Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva, Fabiano Oliveira
Summary: This review discusses various aspects of sand flies as vectors of Leishmania parasites, including their basic biology, ecology, and interactions with the parasites. It highlights the need to study the vectors as well as the diseases and etiological agents.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Malgorzata Anna Domagalska, Michael P. Barrett, Jean-Claude Dujardin
Summary: Treatment failure (TF), particularly in leishmaniasis, is a major concern in the management of parasitic diseases. It is unclear whether drug resistance (DR), measured by in vitro drug susceptibility assays, is the sole contributor to TF. This article addresses three key questions to clarify the relationship between TF and DR.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pamornsri Sriwongpan, Supalert Nedsuwan, Jidapa Manomat, Sakarn Charoensakulchai, Kittiphat Lacharojana, Jamnong Sankwan, Natheeporn Kobpungton, Taweesak Sriwongpun, Saovanee Leelayoova, Mathirut Mungthin, Suradej Siripattanapipong, Toon Ruang-areerate, Tawee Naaglor, Theethach Eamchotchawalit, Phunlerd Piyaraj
Summary: This study is the first community-based investigation in Thailand that examines the prevalence and associated risk factors of Leishmania infection among immunocompetent individuals. It highlights the urgent need for effective interventions to prevent and control the disease in endemic areas.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Madhu Puri, Harsimran Kaur Brar, Nimisha Mittal, Evanka Madan, Rajesh Srinivasan, Kapil Rawat, Srija Moulik, Mitali Chatterjee, Sai Siva Gorthi, Rohini Muthuswami, Rentala Madhubala
Summary: L. donovani is a parasite causing visceral leishmaniasis, and the portable LAMP device developed in this study can detect and amplify its DNA with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, potentially serving as a reliable point-of-care diagnostic and prognostic tool for Leishmania infections in the future.
JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Siddharth Sankar Singh, Shashi Bhushan Chauhan, Susanna S. S. Ng, Dillon Corvino, Fabian de Labastida Rivera, Jessica A. Engel, Nic Waddell, Pamela Mukhopadhay, Rebecca L. Johnston, Lambros T. Koufariotis, Susanne Nylen, Om Prakash Singh, Christian R. Engwerda, Rajiv Kumar, Shyam Sundar
Summary: This study identified increased expression of AREG in CD4(+) T cells from individuals with asymptomatic L. donovani infection, suggesting the presence of an ongoing inflammatory response and highlighting the potential role of AREG in preventing inflammation-induced tissue damage and subsequent disease in asymptomatic individuals.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Kanok Preativatanyou, Komson Chinwirunsirisup, Atchara Phumee, Pathamet Khositharattanakool, Sakone Sunantaraporn, Padet Siriyasatien, Jerome Depaquit
Summary: Autochthonous leishmaniasis in Thailand has become a public health concern, with an increasing number of new clinical cases. A study in southern Thailand found Asian new leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis transmitted by sand flies, as well as a suspected novel trypanosoma species. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the transmission of leishmaniasis and the establishment of effective prevention and control measures.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Geovanna Vioti, Mariana Dantas da Silva, Fredy Galvis-Ovallos, Maria Luana Alves, Diogo Tiago da Silva, Joao Augusto Franco Leonel, Nuno Wolfgang Balbini Pereira, Julia Cristina Benassi, Julio Cesar Pereira Spada, Carla Maia, Eunice Aparecida Bianchi Galati, Wilma Aparecida Starke-Buzetti, Tricia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
Summary: The study demonstrates that naturally infected cats are capable of transmitting L. infantum to sand flies. Through clinical evaluation and diagnosis of 240 cats, the research examined the role of cats in the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Hsuan Liu, Michael L. Grantham, Andrew Pekosz
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Audrie A. Medina-Colorado, Elvia Y. Osorio, Omar A. Saldarriaga, Bruno L. Travi, Fanping Kong, Heidi Spratt, Lynn Soong, Peter C. Melby
Article
Immunology
Adriana Forero, Katherine Fenstermacher, Nicholas Wohlgemuth, Andrew Nishida, Victoria Carter, Elise A. Smith, Xinxia Peng, Melissa Hayes, Doreen Francis, John Treanor, Juliet Morrison, Sabra L. Klein, Andrew Lane, Michael G. Katze, Andrew Pekosz
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meghan S. Vermillion, Jun Lei, Yahya Shabi, Victoria K. Baxter, Nathan P. Crilly, Michael McLane, Diane E. Griffin, Andrew Pekosz, Sabra L. Klein, Irina Burd
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2017)
Article
Microbiology
Fanping Kong, Omar A. Saldarriaga, Heidi Spratt, E. Yaneth Osorio, Bruno L. Travi, Bruce A. Luxon, Peter C. Melby
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Margaret Salmon, Christian Salmon, Maurice Masoda, Jean-Maurice Salumu, Carmine Bozzi, Phil Nieburg, Lisa M. Harrison, Debbie Humphries, Naomi Abaca Uvon, Sarah K. Wendel, Clint Trout, Michael Cappello
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2018)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ambrose R. Orr, Josephine E. Quagraine, Peter Suwondo, Santosh George, Lisa M. Harrison, Fabio Pio Dornas, Benjamin Evans, Adalgisa Caccone, Debbie Humphries, Michael D. Wilson, Michael Cappello
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2019)
Article
Pediatrics
Kiran Afshan, Ghulam Narjis, Irfan Z. Qureshi, Michael Cappello
JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ryan H. Boyko, Lisa Marie Harrison, Debbie Humphries, Alison P. Galvani, Jeffrey P. Townsend, Joseph Otchere, Michael D. Wilson, Michael Cappello
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Benjamin Amoani, Ben Gyan, Samuel Asamoah Sakyi, Emmanuel Kwasi Abu, Samuel Victor Nuvor, Precious Barnes, Tracy Sarkodie-Addo, Benjamin Ahenkorah, Christian Sewor, Duah Dwomoh, Michael Theisen, Michael Cappello, Michael D. Wilson, Bright Adu
Summary: Individuals co-infected with hookworm and malaria have higher antibody responses to the GMZ2 antigen, which decrease after deworming treatment, potentially impacting malaria vaccine efficacy.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jessica D. Resnick, Michael A. Beer, Andrew Pekosz
Summary: This study investigated the effect of temperature on host responses in human nasal epithelial cells during respiratory virus infections. The results showed that temperature affected SARS-CoV-2, but not influenza A virus, replication fitness, and SCV2-infected cultures had a slower infection-induced response. Furthermore, temperature not only changed the basal transcriptomic landscape of the cells but also impacted the response to infection. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the innate immune response to respiratory infections and may aid in the development of novel treatment strategies.
Article
Virology
Jo L. Wilson, Elgin Akin, Ruifeng Zhou, Anne Jedlicka, Amanda Dziedzic, Hsuan Liu, Katherine Z. J. Fenstermacher, Richard E. Rothman, Andrew Pekosz
Summary: Understanding influenza B virus infections is crucial for controlling severe influenza and related diseases. Recent research has found that the two genetic lineages of influenza B virus differ not only in their antigenic structure but also in their ability to induce host immune responses.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anna Russell, Edbert B. Hsu, Katherine Z. J. Fenstermacher, Erin P. Ricketts, Gabriella Dashler, Allison Chen, Kathryn Shaw-Saliba, Patrizio P. Caturegli, Andrew Pekosz, Richard E. Rothman
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among emergency department healthcare workers in Baltimore during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that the infection rate was relatively low and most infected individuals did not require hospitalization. The study also found that the absenteeism among healthcare workers was not significant.
Meeting Abstract
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Grace Thaxton, Yaneth Osorio, Nadim Ajami, Peter Melby
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2018)
Meeting Abstract
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Margaret Mbuchi, Elvia Osorio, Omar Saldarriaga, A. Muia, C. Magiri, H. Kanyi, A. Chelugo, A. Muthoni, R. Rono, S. Gachigi, S. Njenga, M. Wasunna, Bruno Travi, Peter Melby
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2018)