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
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
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
Parasitology
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Leonard Ngarka, Wepnyu Yembe Njamnshi, Peter Ayuk Enyong, Anne-Cecile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek, Alfred Kongnyu Njamnshi
Summary: This study investigated the onchocerciasis situation in the Ntui Health District in Cameroon, revealing high biting rates but low black fly infection rates, with a higher prevalence in epilepsy patients. It also found evidence of ongoing O. volvulus infection endemicity in these communities.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Laura Mate, Mariana Ballent, Candela Canton, Carlos Lanusse, Laura Ceballos, Luis L. Ignacio Alvarez, Juan Pedro Liron
Summary: This study compared the gene expression levels of ABC transporters in sheep nematode Haemonchus contortus isolates with different susceptibility to ivermectin and found that some ABC transporter genes showed minor differences in transcription levels, but could not fully explain ivermectin resistance. Pgp-9 may be one of the most relevant candidates contributing to the multi-genic nature of ivermectin resistance.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Esther Blanco-Paniagua, Laura Alvarez-Fernandez, Andrea Rodriguez-Alonso, Alicia Millan-Garcia, Ana I. Alvarez, Gracia Merino
Summary: Clorsulon is an effective drug for treating helminthic zoonoses and has high broad-spectrum antiparasitic efficacy when used in combination with ivermectin. The safety and efficacy of clorsulon should be studied by considering drug-drug interactions mediated by ABC transporters. This study demonstrates that clorsulon is actively secreted into milk by ABCG2 transporter and its secretion into milk is reduced by coadministration with ivermectin.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
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)
Review
Dermatology
T. Ju, A. Vander Does, G. Ingrasci, S. A. Norton, G. Yosipovitch
Summary: Itch is a common symptom in tropical parasitic diseases and studying its characteristics can improve diagnosis and management. This review examines major itch-inducing tropical parasitic diseases, focusing on the link between itch and other symptoms, etiology, clinical staging, and therapeutic options.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Nathan M. Ryan, Jessica A. Hess, Fernando Pardo-Manuel de Villena, Benjamin E. Leiby, Ayako Shimada, Lei Yu, Amir Yarmahmoodi, Nikolai Petrovsky, Bin Zhan, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Benjamin L. Makepeace, Sara Lustigman, David Abraham
Summary: This study demonstrated that an Onchocerca volvulus vaccine can induce protective immunity in genetically diverse mice, with each mouse line showing a unique immune response to the vaccine and challenge. The findings suggest that the vaccine is polyfunctional and effective in genetically complex populations.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Valerio Taggi, Mario Riera Romo, Micheline Piquette-Miller, Henriette E. Meyer zu Schwabedissen, Sibylle Neuhoff
Summary: Drug transporters are crucial for maintaining chemical balance and homeostasis in tissues, as well as for the absorption, distribution, and elimination of clinically important drugs. Diseases can alter the expression and function of drug transporters. However, there is limited knowledge on transporter regulation in critical protective barriers, which requires further research.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shabnam Jawahar, Nancy Tricoche, Christina A. Bulman, Judy Sakanari, Sara Lustigman
Summary: In the process of eliminating onchocerciasis, the addition of prophylactic drugs or therapeutic drugs may improve the chances of achieving the elimination goals, hasten the time to elimination, and support sustained elimination.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yanyan Ma, Zhanchen Guo, Chuanwen Fan, Jingran Chen, Shuxin Xu, Zhen Liu
Summary: This study developed aptamers that can target ABCG2 and reverse multidrug resistance, showing great potential in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The aptamers can specifically bind to human colorectal cancer stem cells and effectively reverse drug resistance in liver cancer cells.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benjamin Jacob, Denis Loum, Denis Munu, Thomson Lakwo, Edson Byamukama, Peace Habomugisha, Eddie W. Cupp, Thomas R. Unnasch
Summary: Studies have shown that conducting slash and clear interventions within 2 km of affected communities can reduce vector biting by 95%. Interventions conducted at the start of the rainy season led to a 97% reduction in biting rate, while interventions at the end of the season resulted in a 94% reduction. Vector numbers in intervention villages did not fully recover by the following rainy season.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Kwarteng, Ebenezer Asiedu, Augustina Sylverken, Amma Larbi, Yusif Mubarik, Charles Apprey
Summary: The study utilized a drug repurposing approach to identify potential anti-Wolbachia agents for filarial infections. Through virtual screening and molecular simulations, paritaprevir and nilotinib were proposed as candidates with high binding affinities to the catalytic pocket of Wolbachia's enzyme. Further experimental validations are suggested for these drugs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lena Radtke, Aleksandra Majchrzak-Celinska, Charles Awortwe, Inga Vater, Inga Nagel, Susanne Sebens, Ingolf Cascorbi, Meike Kaehler
Summary: This study demonstrates the significance of ABCB1 in GBM cells, affecting the response to temozolomide and carmustine treatment, while ABCG2 plays a marginal role.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jeremy T. Campillo, Naomi P. Awaca-Uvon, Francois Missamou, Jean-Paul Tambwe, Godefroy Kuyangisa-Simuna, Gary J. Weil, Frederic Louya, Michel Boussinesq, Sebastien D. S. Pion, Cedric B. Chesnais
Summary: Two community trials in the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo showed the efficacy of semiannual mass drug administration with albendazole alone on lymphatic filariasis, with a high interindividual heterogeneity in infection clearance. Analysis of trial data revealed a clear dose-response relationship between individual adherence to albendazole and clearance of circulating filarial antigenemia and microfilaremia.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vladimir Drozdovitch, Andre Bouville, Marc Taquet, Jacques Gardon, Constance Xhaard, Yan Ren, Francoise Doyon, Florent de Vathaire
Summary: The study estimated thyroid doses for a population in French Polynesia exposed to fallout from nuclear tests, finding I-131 intake as the main exposure pathway and lower doses from external exposure and Cs-137 ingestion.
Article
Immunology
David J. Blok, Joseph Kamgno, Sebastien D. Pion, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga, Yannick Niamsi-Emalio, Cedric B. Chesnais, Charles D. Mackenzie, Amy D. Klion, Daniel A. Fletcher, Thomas B. Nutman, Sake J. de Vlas, Michel Boussinesq, Wilma A. Stolk
Summary: The study shows that in L loa co-endemic areas, using a test-and-not-treat (TaNT) strategy can eliminate onchocerciasis, and the required treatment duration is only slightly longer than in areas with conventional Mass Drug Administration (MDA), provided that participation is good.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jeremy T. Campillo, Emmanuel B. Chabot, Naomi-Pitchouna Awaca-Uvon, Jean-Paul Tambwe, Godefroy Kuyangisa-Simuna, Michel Boussinesq, Cedric B. Chesnais, Sebastien D. Pion
Summary: This study examined the relationship between Wuchereria bancrofti and hookworm infections with pregnancy outcomes in 82 women living in rural Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study found high infection rates of filarial antigenemia and hookworm, and a lower frequency of neonatal death history in women with a history of anthelmintic treatment. The association between anthelmintic treatment and reduced risk of neonatal death warrants further investigation in larger groups of women.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yannick Niamsi-Emalio, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga, Cedric B. Chesnais, Sebastien D. S. Pion, Jules B. Tchatchueng-Mbougua, Michel Boussinesq, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Joseph Kamgno
Summary: This study found a significant relationship between L. loa microfilarial density (Loa MFD) and the probability of testing positive by skin snip technique (SST). The probability of testing SST positive exceeded 27% when Loa MFD was above 4080 mf/mL, indicating a considerable impact of L. loa density on SST results.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jeremy T. Campillo, Celine Eiden, Michel Boussinesq, Sebastien D. S. Pion, Jean-Luc Faillie, Cedric B. Chesnais
Summary: Levamisole was initially used for treating intestinal worms and has immunomodulatory properties, but is misused as a cocaine adulterant. This study found that levamisole is more frequently associated with psychiatric disorders, hepatobiliary disorders, vasculitis, encephalopathy, neuropathy, and other adverse drug reactions compared to other drugs.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sebastien D. S. Pion, Cedric B. Chesnais, Gary J. Weil, Frederic Louya, Michel Boussinesq, Francois Missamou
Summary: The semi-annual community treatment with albendazole has significantly reduced the rates of lymphatic filariasis and soil transmitted helminth infections in the village of Seke Pembe, Republic of the Congo.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jeremy T. Campillo, Paul Bikita, Marlhand Hemilembolo, Frederic Louya, Francois Missamou, Sebastien D. S. Pion, Michel Boussinesq, CedricB Chesnais
Summary: In a trial conducted in the Republic of the Congo, researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of levamisole for individuals with high microfilarial densities of Loa loa. The results showed that a single dose of 2.5mg/kg levamisole temporarily reduced the microfilarial densities, indicating its potential as a pretreatment to prevent adverse events after ivermectin treatment. However, further testing with higher doses or longer regimens is needed.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica De Loma, Annette M. Krais, Christian H. Lindh, Josue Mamani, Noemi Tirado, Jacques Gardon, Karin Broberg
Summary: Bolivian women living in the Andes are exposed to arsenic, and the study found that telomere length, mtDNAcn, and 4-HNE-MA were positively associated with arsenic exposure levels and metabolism efficiency. Additional efforts are needed to evaluate and reduce arsenic exposure in this region.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga, Capucine M. Sicard, Aude E. Mogoung-Wafo, Cedric B. Chesnais, Hugo Deleglise, Rufine Touka-Nounkeu, Andre Domche, Allison Golden, Amy D. Klion, Thomas B. Nutman, Michel Boussinesq, Joseph Kamgno, Sebastien D. Pion
Summary: The stability of SD Bioline (R) IgG4 rapid diagnostic test results over 1 month was evaluated. The study found high consistency in results read at different time points, but 3.6% of the tests showed inconsistent results between 30 minutes and 24 hours. This change can affect the estimation of disease antibody prevalence.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica De Loma, Mario Vicente, Noemi Tirado, Franz Ascui, Marie Vahter, Jacques Gardon, Carina M. Schlebusch, Karin Broberg
Summary: This study found positive selection signals near the gene encoding arsenite methyltransferase (AS3MT) in indigenous groups from the Bolivian Andes, indicating adaptation to arsenic. The study also discovered a higher frequency of alleles associated with more efficient arsenic metabolism in these populations.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Joseph A. Ngatse, Gilbert Ndziessi, Francois Missamou, Rodrigue Kinouani, Marlhand Hemilembolo, Sebastien D. Pion, Kirsten A. Bork, Ange A. Abena, Michel Boussinesq, Cedric B. Chesnais
Summary: This article investigates the prevalence of neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs) in the Republic of the Congo, revealing that PC-NTDs other than trachoma are still endemic in specific areas of the country. To eliminate these diseases, further studies and investment in scientific research are required.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Andre Domche, Philippe B. Nwane, Hugues C. Nana Djeunga, Guy R. Njitchouang, Sebastien D. Pion, Michel Boussinesq, Flobert Njiokou, Joseph Kamgno
Summary: This study investigated the entomological indicators of onchocerciasis transmission and the impact of climatic variables on vector population dynamics. Despite more than two decades of mass drug administration, transmission of onchocerciasis is still ongoing in the study area. Control measures should be implemented during the long dry season to interrupt transmission.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Charles Whittaker, Cedric B. Chesnais, Sebastien D. S. Pion, Joseph Kamgno, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Michel Boussinesq
Summary: This study investigates the factors associated with the inter-individual pharmacokinetic variation of albendazole sulfoxide, the active metabolite of albendazole. The findings suggest that factors such as age, parasitic infection, and receipt of a fatty meal prior to treatment are systematically associated with the variation in albendazole sulfoxide pharmacokinetics.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Jeremy T. Campillo, Frederic Louya, Paul Bikita, Francois Missamou, Sebastien D. S. Pion, Michel Boussinesq, Cedric B. Chesnais
Summary: This study mathematically characterized the periodicity of L. loa microfilaremia and found that body temperature plays a role in its variation.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)