Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mark D. Kaji, Jennifer D. Noonan, Timothy G. Geary, Robin N. Beech
Summary: The study revealed that MOX inhibits wild-type C. elegans GLC-2 receptors approximately 10 times more potently than IVM, with greater maximal inhibition of glutamate activation. Mutations in amino acid residues can alter the actions of IVM and MOX, highlighting differences in their receptor-level pharmacology.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicole Hassoun, Leon Cosler
Summary: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have a significant impact on lifespan and livelihood, but receive little research and development. Using existing data on treatment effectiveness, our models estimate that in 2015, NTD treatments averted 2,778,131.78 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Treatments targeting soil-transmitted helminths accounted for the majority of DALYs averted, followed by schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Klodeta Kura, Philip Milton, Jonathan I. D. Hamley, Martin Walker, Didier K. Bakajika, Eric M. Kanza, Nicholas O. Opoku, Hayford Howard, Maurice M. Nigo, Sampson Asare, George Olipoh, Simon K. Attah, Germain L. Mambandu, Kambale Kasonia Kennedy, Kambale Kataliko, Mupenzi Mumbere, Christine M. Halleux, Adrian Hopkins, Annette C. Kuesel, Sally Kinrade, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: Epidemiological and modelling studies suggest that annual mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin alone may not be enough to eliminate Onchocerca volvulus transmission. Clinical trials have shown that moxidectin is more effective in clearing O. volvulus microfilariae. The EPIONCHO-IBM model predicts that biannual moxidectin MDA can achieve elimination in mesoendemic and hyperendemic areas faster than ivermectin.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soren Brogger Christensen
Summary: The evolution of drugs started with natural products and minerals, and then progressed to pure compounds and synthetic compounds. Despite the significant achievements of synthetic compounds in the field of medicine, natural products or modified natural products still constitute a large proportion of drugs used for the treatment of cancer, malaria, and other diseases.
Article
Immunology
Housseini Dolo, Yaya Coulibaly, Moussa Sow, Massitan Dembele, Salif S. Doumbia, Siaka Y. Coulibaly, Moussa B. Sangare, Ilo Dicko, Abdallah A. Diallo, Lamine Soumaoro, Michel E. Coulibaly, Dansine Diarra, Robert Colebunders, Thomas B. Nutman, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: The seroprevalence of Ov16 and Wb123 among children in Bakoye and Faleme is consistent with achieving the goals of onchocerciasis elimination and LF elimination as a public health problem after 24-25 years of treatment. Testing and follow-up are suggested for the few Ov16-seropositive children.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Damien M. O'Halloran
Summary: Glutamate-gated chloride channels are a protein family that are activated by glutamate and serve as targets for antiparasitic drugs. Analysis of a database of predicted glutamate-gated chloride subunit genes from various nematode species revealed patterns of gene count and sequence diversity.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abinet Teshome, Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw, Chuchu Churko, Manaye Yihune, Yilma Chisha, Birhanu Getachew, Nebiyu Negussu Ayele, Fikre Seife, Tamiru Shibiru, Zerihun Zerdo
Summary: A survey in the Itang special district of Gambella region in Ethiopia found that the coverage for LF treatment was 81.5%. The study revealed a significant difference in treatment coverage between school age children (5-14) and individuals aged 15 and above.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yashpal S. Chhonker, Catherine Bjerum, Veenu Bala, Allassane F. Ouattara, Benjamin G. Koudou, Toki P. Gabo, Abdullah Alshehri, Abdoulaye Meite, Peter U. Fischer, Gary J. Weil, Christopher L. King, Philip J. Budge, Daryl J. Murry
Summary: This study investigated the pharmacokinetics and drug interactions of a combination of MOX plus ALB with or without DEC compared to IVM plus ALB with or without DEC. The results showed that the addition of MOX to ALB alone or ALB plus DEC did not alter the drug exposure compared to IVM combinations.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Myra Hardy, Josaia Samuela, Mike Kama, Meciusela Tuicakau, Lucia Romani, Margot J. Whitfeld, Christopher L. King, Gary J. Weil, Anneke C. Grobler, Leanne J. Robinson, John M. Kaldor, Andrew C. Steer
Summary: A study conducted in 35 villages in Fiji showed that there was no significant difference in the clearance of lymphatic filariasis between the combination of ivermectin and albendazole (IDA) and albendazole alone (DA) within 12 months, both at the individual and community levels.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Roger K. Prichard
Summary: Heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis and transmitted by mosquitoes, is a lethal disease in dogs and cats. Prevention primarily relies on macrocyclic lactones, with resistance to these drugs being an important issue that requires better testing methods for confirmation and surveillance of resistance levels. Additional research and development of new classes of heartworm preventives are needed to combat the spread of resistance and further disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Kazuro Shiomi
Summary: Antibiotics are essential for treating infectious diseases, with Japanese researchers making significant contributions to their study and the discovery of antiparasitic antibiotics. Satoshi Omura's Nobel Prize-winning discovery of avermectin as a new nematocidal antibiotic highlights the important role of Japanese researchers in antibiotic research.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xi Sun, Wenjuan Hua, Kunkun Wang, Jiajia Song, Bin Zhu, Xiwu Gao, Pei Liang
Summary: The frequent use of insecticides has caused insecticide resistance, which poses a threat to global agricultural production. This study identified a novel mutation in the glutamate-gated chloride channel of the diamondback moth, which is responsible for its resistance to the insecticide abamectin. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of abamectin resistance and lay the groundwork for the development of new molecular detection methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Benjie Li, Ying Yan, Guangkai Yao, Ling Zhang, Fei Lin, Hanhong Xu
Summary: A series of novel pyrazoloquinazolines were synthesized, and pyrazoloquinazoline 5a was found to have high insecticidal activity against the diamondback moth without cross-resistance to fipronil. Electrophysiological experiments suggested that 5a acts on the GABAR and GluCl. The potency of 5a on PxGluCl was 15-fold higher than fipronil, explaining the lack of cross-resistance. Downregulation of PxGluCl transcription significantly enhanced the insecticidal activity of 5a on the diamondback moth.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Patricia M. Graves, Sarah Sheridan, Jessica Scott, Filipina Amosa-Lei Sam, Take Naseri, Robert Thomsen, Christopher L. King, Colleen L. Lau
Summary: After the first triple-drug mass drug administration (MDA) for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa in 2018, unexpected persistence of microfilaria (Mf) positivity was observed in a nationwide household survey, raising concerns about MDA efficacy. However, a monitored treatment study in 2019 showed that the triple-drug MDA strategy was effective at clearing Mf when given and taken at the correct dose.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xian-Zheng Wang, Jia-Sheng Chen, Wei Wang, Duo-Bang Niu, Hui-Zi Wu, Subba Reddy Palli, Hai-Qun Cao, Cheng-Wang Sheng
Summary: This study investigated the molecular targets of emamectin benzoate (EB) in controlling fall armyworm (FAW). The glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) was identified as a potential target. The expression level of SfGluCl was found to be higher in the head and nerve cord of FAW, as well as in eggs. Knockdown of SfGluCl significantly reduced mortality caused by EB treatment.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra Blanchard, Fabrice Guegnard, Claude L. Charvet, Anna Crisford, Elise Courtot, Christine Sauve, Abdallah Harmache, Thomas Duguet, Vincent O'Connor, Philippe Castagnone-Sereno, Barbara Reaves, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Robin N. Beech, Lindy Holden-Dye, Cedric Neveu
Article
Parasitology
Barbara J. Reaves, Connor Wallis, Ciaran J. McCoy, W. Walter Lorenz, Balazs Rada, Adrian J. Wolstenholme
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2018)
Article
Parasitology
Molly D. Savadelis, Katherine M. Day, Jenna L. Bradner, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Michael T. Dzimianski, Andrew R. Moorhead
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2018)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Richard J. Martin
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2018)
Article
Parasitology
Jane E. Hodgkinson, Ray M. Kaplan, Fiona Kenyon, Eric R. Morgan, Andrew W. Park, Steve Paterson, Simon A. Babayan, Nicola J. Beesley, Collette Britton, Umer Chaudhry, Stephen R. Doyle, Vanessa O. Ezenwa, Andy Fenton, Sue B. Howell, Roz Laing, Barbara K. Mable, Louise Matthews, Jennifer McIntyre, Catherine E. Milne, Thomas A. Morrison, Jamie C. Prentice, Neil D. Sargison, Diana J. L. Williams, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Eileen Devaney
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Tessa Berrafato, Ruby Coates, Barbara J. Reaves, Daniel Kulke, Adrian J. Wolstenholme
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Julie Sanchez, Guha Dharmarajan, Melissa M. George, Cassan Pulaski, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, John S. Gilleard, Ray M. Kaplan
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Pei-Tsz Shin, Rodrigo de Paula Baptista, Connor M. O'Neill, Connor Wallis, Barbara J. Reaves, Adrian J. Wolstenholme
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Melissa M. George, Adriano F. Vatta, Sue B. Howell, Bob E. Storey, Ciaran J. McCoy, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Elizabeth M. Redman, John S. Gilleard, Ray M. Kaplan
Summary: The study successfully replaced a population of Haemonchus contortus resistant to multiple anthelmintics with a susceptible isolate, but resistance re-emerged within a short period of time. Genetic changes may have contributed to this reversion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Natalie E. Wilson, Barbara J. Reaves, Adrian J. Wolstenholme
Summary: The study found that a single dose of ivermectin does not have a significant impact on the human immune system based on human volunteer experiments. This suggests that ivermectin, at the dose used in current filarial elimination programs, does not directly affect the human immune system.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Cedric Neveu
Summary: Glutamate-gated chloride channels are crucial targets for ivermectin and related compounds in parasitic nematodes. Due to variations in gene family members, it is challenging to extrapolate from Caenorhabditis elegans to parasites. Recent advances in localisation data are helping to understand the mode of action of the drugs and the possible combinations of subunits that form their targets in vivo.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Marc P. Huebner, Simon Townson, Suzanne Gokool, Senyo Tagboto, Mary J. Maclean, Guilherme G. Verocai, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Stefan J. Frohberger, Achim Hoerauf, Sabine Specht, Ivan Scandale, Achim Harder, Martin Glenschek-Sieberth, Steffen R. Hahnel, Daniel Kulke
Summary: This study evaluates the in vitro effects of emodepside against a range of filarial nematodes at various developmental stages. Emodepside showed broad-spectrum efficacy against different genera of filarial nematodes, suggesting it as a promising candidate for the treatment of human filariases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Emily Stoakes, George M. Savva, Ruby Coates, Noemi Tejera, Mark G. Poolman, Andrew J. Grant, John Wain, Dipali Singh
Summary: This study investigated the substrate utilization and energy metabolism of non-growing Campylobacter jejuni. By integrating phenotypic microarrays and genome-scale metabolic modelling, the study found that C. jejuni can survive on various substrates and produce ATP through different metabolic mechanisms. The ability to utilize a wide range of substrates may contribute to C. jejuni's success in surviving in changing environments.
Article
Microbiology
Ruby Costigan, Emily Stoakes, R. Andres Floto, Julian Parkhill, Andrew J. Grant
Summary: This study reports the development of a CRISPRi-based tool in C. jejuni, which will be a valuable resource for the Campylobacter community. The tool was successfully validated through the repression of target genes and resulted in phenotypical changes.