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)
Article
Immunology
Wilma A. Stolk, David J. Blok, Jonathan I. D. Hamley, Paul T. Cantey, Sake J. de Vlas, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: The study results indicate that the geographical scale at which stop-MDA decisions are made strongly influences the speed at which national onchocerciasis programs can scale down MDA programs. Stopping in portions of project areas or transmission zones would free up human and economic resources.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susan Winks, John G. Woodland, Goonaseelan 'Colin' Pillai, Kelly Chibale
Summary: The H3D Centre, a research unit based in South Africa, has achieved numerous successes and could potentially serve as a valuable model for drug discovery and development in Africa.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna K. Krome, Tim Becker, Stefan Kehraus, Andrea Schiefer, Michael Gutschow, Lillibeth Chaverra-Munoz, Stephan Huttel, Rolf Jansen, Marc Stadler, Alexandra Ehrens, Domen Pogorevc, Rolf Muller, Marc P. Hubner, Thomas Hesterkamp, Kenneth Pfarr, Achim Hoerauf, Karl G. Wagner, Gabriele M. Konig
Summary: From August 1984 to January 2022, there has been a worldwide increase in morbidity and mortality caused by antibiotic-resistant microbial infections. Effective prevention and control of infectious diseases, along with appropriate use of approved antibacterial drugs, are vital. The continuous development and supply of novel antibiotics are urgently needed. This review focuses on the discovery and development of corallopyronin A, a natural antibiotic compound, and highlights its potential as a preclinical candidate for the treatment of human filarial infections.
NATURAL PRODUCT REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
David B. Jackson, Rebecca Racz, Sarah Kim, Stephan Brock, Keith Burkhart
Summary: In the pharmaceutical industry, the challenge lies in leveraging data for improved research and development efficiency and the development of new drugs. This article reviews the counterintuitive innovation crisis and suggests that traditional preclinical research is hindering the success of drug candidates. By adopting a Human Data-driven Discovery (HD3) paradigm, which integrates existing data and technology assets strategically, innovators can overcome these issues and enhance drug discovery and research. The power of HD3 is demonstrated through proof-of-concept applications in drug safety analysis, drug repositioning, combination therapy design, and the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Salissou Adamou, Daniel Boakye, Laouali Bouckari, Anne Heggen, Jamie Tallant, Yaye Youssouf, Charles D. Mackenzie
Summary: By 1987, onchocerciasis had been successfully controlled in Niger's six endemic river basins. In 2017, an onchocerciasis elimination mapping (OEM) was conducted to determine if transmission was still ongoing in the country. The results showed that there is currently no transmission of onchocerciasis in the newly assessed sites in Niger.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Martin Walker, Jonathan I. D. Hamley, Philip Milton, Frederic Monnot, Sally Kinrade, Sabine Specht, Belen Pedrique, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: Drug-based interventions are crucial in addressing major diseases, with a growing consensus on the need for new therapeutic options in some cases. In this field, minimizing wastage of money and resources is essential.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Vinayak Singh, Dickson Mambwe, Constance Mawunyo Korkor, Kelly Chibale
Summary: As the burden of diseases in Africa, particularly malaria and tuberculosis, continues to impede economic growth, it is crucial for the continent to align with global efforts and become a source of health innovation. The Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre at the University of Cape Town has risen to this challenge, making advancements in the development of therapeutic interventions against malaria and TB.
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Thomas Gaudelet, Ben Day, Arian R. Jamasb, Jyothish Soman, Cristian Regep, Gertrude Liu, Jeremy B. R. Hayter, Richard Vickers, Charles Roberts, Jian Tang, David Roblin, Tom L. Blundell, Michael M. Bronstein, Jake P. Taylor-King
Summary: Graph machine learning (GML) is gaining attention in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for its ability to model biomolecular structures and integrate multi-omic datasets. While still emerging, milestones such as repurposed drugs entering in vivo studies indicate that GML will become a preferred modeling framework in biomedical machine learning.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jeremy T. Campillo, Michel Boussinesq, Sebastien Bertout, Jean-Luc Faillie, Cedric B. Chesnais
Summary: This study identified suspected serious adverse drug reactions associated with ivermectin exposure according to geographical origin, showing an increased reporting for toxidermias, encephalopathies, and confusional disorders compared to benzimidazole drug administration. The study highlights the fact that encephalopathies can occur outside of loiasis endemic regions, emphasizing the importance of appropriate pharmacovigilance for adverse reactions.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William A. Eaton
Summary: This article discusses the author's transition from spectroscopy to drug discovery for treating sickle cell disease. The author's lab has developed a high throughput assay and discovered multiple potential oral drugs for sickle cell disease in a drug repurposing library.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Elsa-Rush Eyang-Assengone, Patrice Makouloutou-Nzassi, Clark Mbou-Boutambe, Felicien Bangueboussa, Julienne Atsame, Larson Boundenga
Summary: Gabon needs to establish real onchocerciasis control programs because there is limited research on the disease and most studies are concentrated in Lastourville region. Additionally, there is significant variation in the distribution of the disease across the country, with some areas having high endemicity while others have low endemicity.
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
Medicine, General & Internal
Chris A. Schmidt, Elizabeth A. Cromwell, Elex Hill, Katie M. Donkers, Megan F. Schipp, Kimberly B. Johnson, David M. Pigott, Simon Hay
Summary: The study used a dataset of 18,116 geo-referenced prevalence survey datapoints to model onchocerciasis infection prevalence in Africa and Yemen from 2000 to 2018. The results showed that infection prevalence remains concentrated in central and western Africa, with Ghana having the highest mean estimates at the national level.
Article
Cell Biology
Esther Meron, Maria Thaysen, Suzanne Angeli, Adam Antebi, Nir Barzilai, Joseph A. Baur, Simon Bekker-Jensen, Maria Birkisdottir, Evelyne Bischof, Jens Bruening, Anne Brunet, Abigail Buchwalter, Filipe Cabreiro, Shiqing Cai, Brian H. Chen, Maria Ermolaeva, Collin Y. Ewald, Luigi Ferrucci, Maria Carolina Florian, Kristen Fortney, Adam Freund, Anastasia Georgievskaya, Vadim N. Gladyshev, David Glass, Tyler Golato, Vera Gorbunova, Jan Hoejimakers, Riekelt H. Houtkooper, Sibylle Jager, Frank Jaksch, Georges Janssens, Martin Borch Jensen, Matt Kaeberlein, Gerard Karsenty, Peter de Keizer, Brian Kennedy, James L. Kirkland, Michael Kjaer, Guido Kroemer, Kai-Fu Lee, Jean-Marc Lemaitre, David Liaskos, Valter D. Longo, Yu-Xuan Lu, Michael R. MacArthur, Andrea B. Maier, Christina Manakanatas, Sarah J. Mitchell, Alexey Moskalev, Laura Niedernhofer, Ivan Ozerov, Linda Partridge, Emmanuelle Passegue, Michael A. Petr, James Peyer, Dina Radenkovic, Thomas A. Rando, Suresh Rattan, Christian G. Riedel, Lenhard Rudolph, Ruixue Ai, Manuel Serrano, Bjoern Schumacher, David A. Sinclair, Ryan Smith, Yousin Suh, Pam Taub, Alexandre Trapp, Anne-Ulrike Trendelenburg, Dario Riccardo Valenzano, Kris Verburgh, Eric Verdin, Jan Vijg, Rudi G. J. Westendorp, Alessandra Zonari, Daniela Bakula, Alex Zhavoronkov, Morten Scheibye-Knudsen
Summary: Aging is the biggest risk factor for most chronic diseases, attracting attention from industry and investors. This year's ARDD meeting featured presentations from 75 speakers and included a longevity workshop to discuss aging mechanisms and potential modifications.
Article
Parasitology
K. Awadzi, Nicholas O. Opoku, Simon K. Attah, Janis K. Lazdins-Helds, Annette C. Kuesel
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2015)
Article
Parasitology
Christian Bottomley, Valerie Isham, Sarai Vivas-Martinez, Annette C. Kuesel, Simon K. Attah, Nicholas O. Opoku, Sara Lustigman, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2016)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joseph Kamgno, Patrick Nguipdop-Djomo, Raceline Gounoue, Mathurin Tejiokem, Annette C. Kuesel
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2016)
Letter
Parasitology
Christian Bottomley, Valerie Isham, Sarai Vivas-Martinez, Annette C. Kuesel, Simon K. Attah, Nicholas O. Opoku, Sara Lustigman, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2017)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stephen R. Doyle, Catherine Bourguinat, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga, Jonas A. Kengne-Ouafo, Sebastein D. S. Pion, Jean Bopda, Joseph Kamgno, Samuel Wanji, Hua Che, Annette C. Kuesel, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Daniel A. Boakye, Mike Y. Osei-Atweneboana, Michel Boussinesq, Roger K. Prichard, Warwick N. Grant
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2017)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melba F. Gomes, Vania de la Fuente-Nunez, Abha Saxena, Annette C. Kuesel
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2017)
Article
Immunology
Suzanne Verver, Martin Walker, Young Eun Kim, Grace Fobi, Afework H. Tekle, Honorat G. M. Zoure, Samuel Wanji, Daniel A. Boakye, Annette C. Kuesel, Sake J. de Vlas, Michel Boussinesq, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Wilma A. Stolk
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2018)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nicholas O. Opoko, Didier K. Bakajika, Eric M. Kanza, Hayford Howard, Germain L. Mambandu, Amos Nyathirombo, Maurice M. Nigo, Kambale Kasonia, Safari L. Masembe, Mupenzi Mumbere, Kambale Kataliko, Jemmah P. Larbelee, Mawolo Kpawor, Kpehe M. Bolay, Fatorma Bolay, Sampson Asare, Simon K. Attah, George Olipoh, Michel Vaillant, Christine M. Halleux, Annette C. Kuesel
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michel Boussinesq, Grace Fobi, Annette C. Kuesel
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2018)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Piero L. Olliaro, Annette C. Kuesel, Christine M. Halleux, Mark Sullivan, John C. Reeder
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2018)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Shannon M. Hedtke, Annette C. Kuesel, Katie E. Crawford, Patricia M. Graves, Michel Boussinesq, Colleen L. Lau, Daniel A. Boakye, Warwick N. Grant
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shannon M. Hedtke, Anusha Kode, Tony O. Ukety, Joeel L. Mande, Germain M. Abhafule, Anuarite A. Raciu, Claude B. Uvon, Stephen R. Jada, An Hotterbeekx, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Makedonka Mitreva, Wilson Sebit, Robert Colebunders, Warwick N. Grant, Annette C. Kuesel
Summary: This article discusses the importance of population genetic analysis of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite causing onchocerciasis, and introduces a microfilariae transfer procedure for large-scale studies comparing different drugs. The results of the study also indicate variations in the quality and genetic analysis success rate of microfilariae from different regions.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Correction
Ethics
Emilie Alirol, Annette C. Kuesel, Maria Magdalena Guraiib, Vania de la Fuente-Nunez, Abha Saxena, Melba F. Gomes
BMC MEDICAL ETHICS
(2017)
Article
Ethics
Emilie Alirol, Annette C. Kuesel, Maria Magdalena Guraiib, Vania dela Fuente-Nunez, Abha Saxena, Melba F. Gomes
BMC MEDICAL ETHICS
(2017)