Article
Immunology
Christopher N. Davis, Maria Soledad Castano, Maryam Aliee, Swati Patel, Erick Mwamba Miaka, Matt J. Keeling, Simon E. F. Spencer, Nakul Chitnis, Kat S. Rock
Summary: The study used mathematical models to estimate the probability of selected administrative regions in Sud-Ubangi province, Democratic Republic of Congo, having achieved elimination of transmission (EOT) of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT). Active screening coverage was found to increase the certainty of model estimates, highlighting the importance of quantitative assessment for measuring local achievement of EOT as 2030 approaches.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Olaf Valverde Mordt, Antoine Tarral, Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft
Summary: This article describes the strategy used to simplify the introduction of a new oral treatment for human African trypanosomiasis. The authors discuss various aspects of the drug's development, including determining dosage range, testing food effects, optimizing absorption, establishing partnerships, and preparing for regulatory approval and distribution. The article highlights the importance of early preparation and collaboration in successfully bringing the new treatment to affected regions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Andres Alvarez-Rodriguez, Bo-Kyung Jin, Magdalena Radwanska, Stefan Magez
Summary: Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Trypanosoma brucei. Different subspecies cause different infections. Diagnosing and treating HAT has improved, but further research and improvements are needed.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Mariame Camara, Alseny M'mah Soumah, Hamidou Ilboudo, Christelle Travaille, Caroline Clucas, Anneli Cooper, Nono-Raymond Kuispond Swar, Oumou Camara, Ibrahim Sadissou, Estefania Calvo Alvarez, Aline Crouzols, Jean-Mathieu Bart, Vincent Jamonneau, Mamadou Camara, Annette MacLeod, Bruno Bucheton, Brice Rotureau
Summary: In the study of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis, it was found that live parasites may remain undetected in the blood of some seropositive individuals but are present in their skin. The skin may serve as a potential reservoir for African trypanosomes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Vittoria Lutje, Katrin Probyn, Jorge Seixas, Hanna Bergman, Gemma Villanueva
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of current drugs for treating second-stage Trypanosoma brucei gambiense trypanosomiasis. Oral treatment with fexinidazole is easier to administer but may lead to higher mortality and relapse compared to conventional treatment.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Manon Geerts, Nick Van Reet, Sander Leyten, Raf Berghmans, Kat S. Rock, Theresa H. T. Coetzer, Lauren E-A Eyssen, Philippe Buscher
Summary: The newly developed T. b. gambiense inhibition ELISA (g-iELISA) based on the principle of antibody binding showed high specificity and sensitivity, making it suitable for regional laboratories in gHAT endemic countries for monitoring and surveillance.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Antoine Tarral, Lionel Hovsepian, Thierry Duvauchelle, Yves Donazzolo, Mathilde Latreille, Mathieu Felices, Virginie Gualano, Sophie Delhomme, Olaf Valverde Mordt, Severine Blesson, Pascal Voiriot, Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft
Summary: This study determined the best dose regimen for Acoziborole, a novel boron-containing drug for the treatment of HAT. The drug was well tolerated at all tested doses and had a long duration of action. The findings suggest that Acoziborole could potentially be used as a single-dose oral cure for both stages of HAT.
CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Charlie Franck Alfred Compaore, Jacques Kabore, Hamidou Ilboudo, Lian Francesca Thomas, Laura Cristina Falzon, Mohamed Bamba, Hassane Sakande, Minayegninrin Kone, Dramane Kaba, Clarisse Bougouma, Ilboudo Adama, Ouedraogo Amathe, Adrien Marie Gaston Belem, Eric Maurice Fevre, Philippe Buscher, Veerle Lejon, Vincent Jamonneau
Summary: The study conducted a door-to-door survey in Burkina Faso to assess the re-emergence of HAT. The results suggest that T. b. gambiense is no longer circulating in the study area, indicating zero transmission has probably been attained. The study also proposed a useful strategy for post-elimination surveillance using RDT preselection followed by trypanolysis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ipos Ngay Lukusa, Nick Van Reet, Dieudonne Mumba Ngoyi, Erick Mwamba Miaka, Justin Masumu, Pati Patient Pyana, Wilfried Mutombo, Digas Ngolo, Vincent Kobo, Felix Akwaso, Medard Ilunga, Lewis Kaninda, Sylvain Mutanda, Dieudonne Mpoyi Muamba, Olaf Valverde Mordt, Antoine Tarral, Sandra Rembry, Philippe Buscher, Veerle Lejone
Summary: The detection of spliced leader (SL)-RNA shows high specificity and sensitivity in the assessment of treatment outcomes for gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), allowing the detection of relapses without the need for lumbar puncture.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kat S. Rock, Ching- Huang, Ronald E. Crump, Paul R. Bessell, Paul E. Brown, Inaki Tirados, Philippe Solano, Marina Antillon, Albert Picado, Severin Mbainda, Justin Darnas, Emily H. Crowley, Steve J. Torr, Mallaye Peka
Summary: This study examines the transmission and control measures of gHAT in the Mandoul focus of Chad through model refinements. The results indicate that transmission has been interrupted since 2015, but further confirmatory testing and monitoring are recommended.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Epco Hasker, Andrew Hope, Emmanuel Bottieau
Summary: This review discusses recent developments in the diagnosis, vector control, and treatment of Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis, which provide reasons for optimism towards the elimination or even eradication of the disease.
CURRENT OPINION IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Baljinder Singh, Amrita Sharma, Naresh Gunaganti, Mitch Rivers, Pradip K. Gadekar, Brady Greene, Michael Chichioco, Carlos E. Sanz-Rodriguez, Courtney Fu, Catherine LeBlanc, Erin Burchfield, Nyle Sharif, Benjamin Hoffman, Gaurav Kumar, Andrei Purmal, Kojo Mensa-Wilmot, Michael P. Pollastri
Summary: New analogs of the carbazole CBL0137 were synthesized and evaluated, resulting in the discovery of eight compounds with higher or equivalent selectivity indices. Among them, 5v demonstrated potential for drug development against human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), while 5w showed lack of efficacy. Lessons from these studies will guide further optimization of carbazoles for HAT and other indications.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Baljinder Singh, Amrita Sharma, Naresh Gunaganti, Mitch Rivers, Pradip K. Gadekar, Brady Greene, Michael Chichioco, Carlos E. Sanz-Rodriguez, Courtney Fu, Catherine LeBlanc, Erin Burchfield, Nyle Sharif, Benjamin Hoffman, Gaurav Kumar, Andrei Purmal, Kojo Mensa-Wilmot, Michael P. Pollastri
Summary: To develop a candidate drug against human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), researchers synthesized new analogs and evaluated their properties. Eight new compounds with higher or equivalent selectivity indices were identified. Two compounds, 5v and 5w, were tested in a mouse model of HAT, and 5v showed a lead-like profile for drug development while 5w lacked efficacy. These findings will guide further optimization of carbazoles for HAT and other indications.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Julianne Meisner, Agapitus Kato, Marshall M. Lemerani, Erick M. Miaka, Acaga T. Ismail, Jonathan Wakefield, Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, David Pigott, Jonathan D. Mayer, Christopher Lorton, Peter M. Rabinowitz
Summary: Modeling and simulation results suggest that insecticide and trypanocide treatment of humans and animals in endemic areas can effectively control HAT. Control of wildlife reservoirs is critical for RHAT. Achieving elimination of GHAT is unlikely without effective control of domestic animals under current strategies.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Maryam Aliee, Matt J. Keeling, Kat S. Rock
Summary: This study investigates the role of asymptomatic infections in the elimination of Gambiense African sleeping sickness transmission, showing that these infections may significantly impact transmission and hinder progress towards achieving elimination goals. Location-specific modeling and research are needed to determine if asymptomatic infections pose a threat.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Andrea Trochine, Darren J. Creek, Paula Faral-Tello, Michael P. Barrett, Carlos Robello
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2015)
Article
Microbiology
Darren J. Creek, Muriel Mazet, Fiona Achcar, Jana Anderson, Dong-Hyun Kim, Ruwida Kamour, Pauline Morand, Yoann Millerioux, Marc Biran, Eduard J. Kerkhoven, Achuthanunni Chokkathukalam, Stefan K. Weidt, Karl E. V. Burgess, Rainer Breitling, David G. Watson, Frederic Bringaud, Michael P. Barrett
Article
Microbiology
Anubhav Srivastava, Darren J. Creek, Krystal J. Evans, David De Souza, Louis Schofield, Sylke Mueller, Michael P. Barrett, Malcolm J. McConville, Andrew P. Waters
Article
Microbiology
Isabel M. Vincent, David E. Ehmann, Scott D. Mills, Manos Perros, Michael P. Barrett
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2016)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Boon Chong Cheah, Alasdair Iain Macdonald, Christopher Martin, Angelos J. Streklas, Gordon Campbell, Mohammed A. Al-Rawhani, Balazs Nemeth, James P. Grant, Michael P. Barrett, David R. S. Cumming
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS
(2016)
Article
Microbiology
Julie Kovarova, Andrew W. Pountain, David Wildridge, Stefan Weidt, Frederic Bringaud, Richard J. S. Burchmore, Fiona Achcar, Michael P. Barrett
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Hai, Eduard J. Kerkhoven, Michael P. Barrett, David W. Christianson
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanu Shameer, Flora J. Logan-Klumpler, Florence Vinson, Ludovic Cottret, Benjamin Merlet, Fiona Achcar, Michael Boshart, Matthew Berriman, Rainer Breitling, Fredrric Bringaud, Peter Butikofer, Amy M. Cattanach, Bridget Bannerman-Chukualim, Darren J. Creek, Kathryn Crouch, Harry P. de Koning, Hubert Denise, Charles Ebikeme, Alan H. Fairlamb, Michael A. J. Ferguson, Michael L. Ginger, Christiane Hertz-Fowler, Eduard J. Kerkhoven, Pascal Maeser, Paul A. M. Michels, Archana Nayak, David W. Nes, Derek P. Nolan, Christian Olsen, Fatima Silva-Franco, Terry K. Smith, Martin C. Taylor, Aloysius G. M. Tielens, Michael D. Urbaniak, Jaap J. van Hellemond, Isabel M. Vincent, Shane R. Wilkinson, Susan Wyllie, Fred R. Opperdoes, Michael P. Barrett, Fabien Jourdan
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2015)
Article
Microbiology
Julie Kovarova, Rupa Nagar, Joana Faria, Michael A. J. Ferguson, Michael P. Barrett, David Horn
Review
Microbiology
Michael P. Barrett, Dennis E. Kyle, L. David Sibley, Joshua B. Radke, Rick L. Tarleton
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Parasitology
Shauna Richards, Liam J. Morrison, Steve J. Torr, Michael P. Barrett, Oliver Manangwa, Furaha Mramba, Harriet Auty
Summary: Trypanocides are crucial in controlling African animal trypanosomiasis in tsetse-infested areas, but issues such as inappropriate use, drug quality problems, and treatment failure have been highlighted by recent research. There are gaps in knowledge and investment in inexpensive AAT diagnostics, understanding of drug resistance, and effective use of trypanocides, making it difficult to develop best practices and policies for existing drugs or inform the development and use of new drugs. Understanding the drivers and behavioral practices around trypanocide use is important for sustainable solutions needed for effective control of AAT.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
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
Ana-Maria Nastase, Michael P. Barrett, Washington B. Cardenas, Fernanda Bertuccez Cordeiro, Mildred Zambrano, Joyce Andrade, Juan Chang, Mary Regato, Eugenia Carrillo, Laura Botana, Javier Moreno, Clement Regnault, Kathryn Milne, Philip J. Spence, J. Alexandra Rowe, Simon Rogers
Summary: Acute febrile illnesses remain a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, especially in low to middle income countries. This study aimed to identify common metabolic characteristics in patients infected with different pathogens that cause fever. Three LC-MS datasets were utilized to investigate the metabolic effects of malaria, leishmaniasis, and Zika virus infection. Metabolic dysregulation patterns were identified, with the kynurenine pathway being the most affected pathway across all three fever-associated datasets.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Justin J. J. van der Hooft, Lars Ridder, Michael P. Barrett, Karl E. Burgess
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2015)
