Article
Microbiology
James S. McCarthy, Azrin N. Abd-Rahman, Katharine A. Collins, Louise Marquart, Paul Griffin, Anne Kummel, Aline Fuchs, Cornelis Winnips, Vishal Mishra, Katalin Csermak-Renner, J. Prakash Jain, Preetam Gandhi
Summary: The new antimalarial compound cipargamin showed antimalarial activity in healthy volunteers infected with blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum, although some subjects experienced serious liver function changes during treatment. Further evaluation of the compound's hepatic safety profile is needed despite the promising antimalarial activity observed.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lorena Coronado, Xue-Qing Zhang, Doriana Dorta, Nerea Escala, Laura M. Pineda, Michelle G. Ng, Esther Del Olmo, Chang-Yun Wang, Yu-Cheng Gu, Chang-Lun Shao, Carmenza Spadafora
Summary: The study identified potent antimalarial activity in natural isocoumarins and their semisynthetic derivatives. Compound 1n was found to inhibit hemozoin polymerization, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibit P. falciparum DNA gyrase, making it a promising candidate for further drug development.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Heather J. Painter, Joanne M. Morrisey, Michael W. Mather, Lindsey M. Orchard, Cuyler Luck, Martin J. Smilkstein, Michael K. Riscoe, Akhil B. Vaidya, Manuel Llinas
Summary: The emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites poses a challenge to global malaria eradication efforts, highlighting the importance of identifying new antimalarial drugs. Studying the molecular mechanism of drug resistance has revealed a novel resistance mechanism that could potentially guide the development of future antimalarial combination therapies.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melissa D. Conrad, Victor Asua, Shreeya Garg, David Giesbrecht, Karamoko Niare, Sawyer Smith, Jane F. Namuganga, Thomas Katairo, Jennifer Legac, Rebecca M. Crudale, Patrick K. Tumwebaze, Samuel L. Nsobya, Roland A. Cooper, Moses R. Kamya, Grant Dorsey, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Philip J. Rosenthal
Summary: This study identified multifocal emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum with partial resistance to artemisinins in Uganda. The emergence and spread of resistance were predominantly observed in areas where effective malaria control had been discontinued or transmission was unstable.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nelson V. Simwela, W. Armand Guiguemde, Judith Straimer, Clement Regnault, Barbara H. Stokes, Luis E. Tavernelli, Fumiaki Yokokawa, Benjamin Taft, Thierry T. Diagana, Michael P. Barrett, Andrew P. Waters
Summary: This study used metabolomics technologies to characterize the potential targets of anti-malarial drug candidates and found that fast-acting leads induce a common biochemical theme in drug-exposed malaria parasites. These findings provide insights into the mode of action of fast drug candidates in future drug discovery programs.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brendan Fries, Carlos A. Guerra, Guillermo A. Garcia, Sean L. Wu, Jordan M. Smith, Jeremias Nzamio Mba Oyono, Olivier T. Donfack, Jose Osa Osa Nfumu, Simon Hay, David L. Smith, Andrew J. Dolgert
Summary: Different population layers performed differently in matching the gold standard distribution at different population densities. Choosing the appropriate population map has a significant impact on burden estimates in a malaria model.
Article
Microbiology
Franziska Mohring, Donelly A. van Schalkwyk, Ryan C. Henrici, Benjamin Blasco, Didier Leroy, Colin J. Sutherland, Robert W. Moon
Summary: Several unrelated antimalarial compounds targeting PfATP4 have lower efficacy against other malaria parasite species infecting humans. By replacing the ATP4 genes in P. knowlesi with orthologues from different species, researchers found significant differences in susceptibility to ATP4 inhibitors among the parasites. This study highlights the importance of developing antimalarials that can effectively target all human malaria parasite species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Theresa Reiker, Monica Golumbeanu, Andrew Shattock, Lydia Burgert, Thomas A. Smith, Sarah Filippi, Ewan Cameron, Melissa A. Penny
Summary: Individual-based models are essential in the global fight against infectious diseases, but the complexity of the models can pose challenges for calibration. The authors propose using a Bayesian optimization framework to calibrate a complex malaria transmission simulator, resulting in improved fitting outcomes compared to previous calibrations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
James A. Watson, Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Johnstone Makale, Gideon M. Nyutu, Neema Mturi, Elizabeth C. George, Charles J. Woodrow, Nicholas P. J. Day, Philip Bejon, Robert O. Opoka, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chandy C. John, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams, Nicholas J. White
Summary: Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is difficult to accurately diagnose in children in high-transmission settings. A combination of platelet count and plasma PfHRP2 concentration can be used to identify severe falciparum malaria in severely ill patients. About one-third of children enrolled in clinical studies of severe malaria in high-transmission settings in Africa had other causes of their severe illness.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nerea Escala, Laura M. Pineda, Michelle G. Ng, Lorena M. Coronado, Carmenza Spadafora, Esther del Olmo
Summary: Malaria cases and deaths remain high, mainly due to increased resistance to antimalarials. The search for new molecules to replace current drugs is essential. This study presents the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives and evaluates their activity against P. falciparum HB3 strain. Compounds with electron donating groups on ring A and pyridine type structure on ring B show favorable activity. Two molecules display high nanomolar range antiplasmodial activity and selectivity indexes above 10. They seem to use a different pathway than chloroquine and most antimalarials.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jan Stephan Wichers-Misterek, Annika M. Binder, Paolo Mesen-Ramirez, Lilian Patrick Dorner, Soraya Safavi, Gwendolin Fuchs, Tobias L. Lenz, Anna Bachmann, Danny Wilson, Friedrich Frischknecht, Tim-Wolf Gilberger
Summary: The unique three-membrane pellicle is a key feature driving the transition between different life cycle stages of the malaria parasite. A novel subpellicular microtubule-associated protein, SPM3, was identified in the genus Plasmodium. Knockout of this protein resulted in malformed gametocytes and aberrant microtubules in Plasmodium falciparum, while in Plasmodium berghei, it caused perturbed microtubule architecture, aberrant sporozoite motility, and decreased transmission efficiency.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonas Yimam, Mehdi Mohebali, Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic performance of a new ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (us-RDT) and a conventional rapid diagnostic test (co-RDT) for detecting malaria. The results showed that us-RDT had higher sensitivity, especially in asymptomatic individuals and low transmission areas.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jack Adderley, Christian Doerig
Summary: This study fills gaps in the kinomes of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, highlighting their similarities and differences for target selection. It also identifies kinases that are not suitable targets for drug discovery due to their high similarity with human counterparts.
Review
Immunology
Cindy S. Chu, Marie Stolbrink, Daniel Stolady, Makoto Saito, Candy Beau, Kan Choun, Tha Gay Wah, Ne Mu, Klay Htoo, Be Nu, Arunrot Keereevijit, Jacher Wiladpaingern, Verena Carrara, Aung Pyae Phyo, Khin Maung Lwin, Christine Luxemburger, Stephane Proux, Prakaykaew Charunwatthana, Rose McGready, Nicholas J. White, Francois Nosten
Summary: This study reviewed all malaria cases managed by the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit along the Thailand-Myanmar border between 2000 and 2016. The results showed that Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria had higher incidence and mortality rates in this area compared to areas of low seasonal malaria transmission.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Manuela Hauser, Jean-Bertin B. Kabuya, Molly Mantus, Luc K. Kamavu, James L. Sichivula, Wycliffe M. Matende, Nora Fritschi, Timothy Shields, Frank Curriero, Anton Kvit, Gershom Chongwe, William J. Moss, Nicole Ritz, Matthew M. Ippolito
Summary: This study examined the clinical features of malaria in refugee children in high-transmission areas of Africa. The findings showed that refugee children had higher malaria prevalence and mortality rates, partly due to delayed presentation and malnutrition. Interventions tailored to the refugee context, including rapid diagnosis and referral, are necessary to reduce malaria mortality.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James Knockleby, Bruno Pradines, Mathieu Gendrot, Joel Mosnier, Thanh Tam Nguyen, Thi Thuy Trinh, Hoyun Lee, Phuong Mai Le
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mathieu Gendrot, Julien Andreani, Manon Boxberger, Priscilla Jardot, Isabelle Fonta, Marion Le Bideau, Isabelle Duflot, Joel Mosnier, Clara Rolland, Herve Bogreau, Sebastien Hutter, Bernard La Scola, Bruno Pradines
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shalini, Sumit Kumar, Mathieu Gendrot, Isabelle Fonta, Joel Mosnier, Nosipho Cele, Paul Awolade, Parvesh Singh, Bruno Pradines, Vipan Kumar
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mathieu Gendrot, Oceane Delandre, Marie Gladys Robert, Francis Tsombeng Foguim, Nicolas Benoit, Remy Amalvict, Isabelle Fonta, Joel Mosnier, Marylin Madamet, Bruno Pradines
Summary: Malaria poses a threat to a significant portion of the global population, with drug resistance monitoring and new drug development being crucial in controlling the disease. Research shows that methylene blue has potential as a promising drug, while genetic mutations may impact the susceptibility of malaria parasites to the drug.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mathieu Gendrot, Priscilla Jardot, Oceane Delandre, Manon Boxberger, Julien Andreani, Isabelle Duflot, Marion Le Bideau, Joel Mosnier, Isabelle Fonta, Sebastien Hutter, Bernard La Scola, Bruno Pradines
Summary: Efforts to identify effective and low-cost antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 are urgently needed, and methylene blue, a synthesized thiazine dye, shows potential as a treatment for COVID-19. When used alone or in combination with certain antimalarial drugs or remdesivir, it demonstrates antiviral activity against the virus in Vero E6 cells.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Oceane Delandre, Mathieu Gendrot, Isabelle Fonta, Joel Mosnier, Nicolas Benoit, Remy Amalvict, Nicolas Gomez, Marylin Madamet, Bruno Pradines
Summary: The study found that the three mutations in the pfcoronin gene were not common in African P. falciparum isolates, but a high prevalence of the P76S polymorphism was observed in West Africa and Central Africa. This polymorphism was less common in East Africa and was not predictive of in vitro reduced susceptibility to quinolines.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Monique Melo Costa, Nicolas Benoit, Florian Saby, Bruno Pradines, Samuel Granjeaud, Lionel Almeras
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has led to innovative scientific research, with a focus on developing a PCR-free method for screening the virus in saliva samples using MALDI-TOF MS profiling. The research team conducted experiments to optimize sample collection, preparation and storage, and found that saliva stability over time is a key factor in investigating biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further sophisticated bio-statistical analyses such as machine learning approaches may be needed for interpreting the individual variability in saliva MS profiles.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Monique Melo Costa, Nicolas Benoit, Herve Tissot-Dupont, Matthieu Million, Bruno Pradines, Samuel Granjeaud, Lionel Almeras
Summary: The study assessed the concordance level of SARS-CoV-2 detection between paired nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and saliva collected with Salivette(R) at two time points, revealing that the low sensitivity of saliva specimens for SARS-CoV-2 detection may be attributed to mouth washing decreasing viral load in the buccal cavity.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Monique Melo Costa, Hugo Martin, Bertrand Estellon, Francois-Xavier Dupe, Florian Saby, Nicolas Benoit, Herve Tissot-Dupont, Matthieu Million, Bruno Pradines, Samuel Granjeaud, Lionel Almeras
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis utilizing MALDI-TOF MS profiling and ML models from salivary samples is an interesting supplementary tool for COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite the mitigated results obtained for convalescent patients (D10).
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Oceane Delandre, Mathieu Gendrot, Priscilla Jardot, Marion Le Bideau, Manon Boxberger, Celine Boschi, Isabelle Fonta, Joel Mosnier, Sebastien Hutter, Anthony Levasseur, Bernard La Scola, Bruno Pradines
Summary: In the past two years, various variants of SARS-CoV-2 have posed challenges globally, with the drug ivermectin demonstrating relatively consistent in vitro activity against the virus. However, caution must be exercised in translating these results into clinical treatment for SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Caroline De Souza Pereira, Helenita Costa Quadros, Samuel Yaw Aboagye, Diana Fontinha, Sarah D'Alessandro, Margaret Elizabeth Byrne, Mathieu Gendrot, Isabelle Fonta, Joel Mosnier, Diogo Rodrigo M. Moreira, Nicoletta Basilico, David. L. L. Williams, Miguel Prudencio, Bruno Pradines, Maribel Navarro
Summary: Hybrid-based drugs linked through a transition metal, such as the novel compound [AuAQPQ]PF6, show strong and effective antiplasmodial activity against multiple stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. The compound's mechanism involves inhibiting beta-hematin formation and enzymatic activity of thioredoxin reductases.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jerome Dormoi, Remy Amalvict, Mathieu Gendrot, Bruno Pradines
Summary: The untreated malaria can quickly progress to severe forms, and drug resistance poses a threat to malaria protection efforts worldwide. Therefore, the development of new chemotherapy is necessary. This study contributes new data on the use of methylene blue (MB) in combination with common antimalarial drugs for the treatment of malaria and cerebral malaria. The results show that the combination of MB and AQ is a good candidate for preventing cerebral malaria.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mathieu Gendrot, Marylin Madamet, Isabelle Fonta, Nicolas Benoit, Remy Amalvict, Joel Mosnier, Bruno Pradines
Summary: Malaria is a common tropical disease encountered by French military members in malaria-endemic areas. This study assessed the sensitivity of ten rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in 159 malaria samples. The results showed that some RDTs had low sensitivity for certain types of malaria parasites, but one RDT was considered suitable for military operations in malaria-endemic areas.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marylin Madamet, Remy Amalvict, Nicolas Benoit, Bruno Pradines
Summary: This study evaluated a new commercial test involving molecular diagnostic technique for detecting the five human Plasmodium species. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity and is recommended for diagnosis of human Plasmodium species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guillermo A. Oliveira Udry, Laura Tiessler-Sala, Eva Pugliese, Agathe Urvoas, Zakaria Halime, Jean-Didier Marechal, Jean-Pierre Mahy, Remy Ricoux
Summary: This study presents the development of a new artificial cobalt hemoprotein by covalently inserting a cobalt heme into the cavity of a protein. This artificial metalloenzyme exhibits catalytic activity for the photo-induced production of H-2 and the reduction of CO2 in a neutral aqueous solution. The coordination of the cobalt ion was completed with the help of an axial glutamine ligand. It was found that burying the cobalt complex in the hydrophobic cavity of the protein significantly enhanced its catalytic activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)