Soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Europe and Central Asia: an update on the epidemiology and control efforts (Publications)
are among the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases. Infections are caused by a group of parasitic worms transmitted via soil contaminated with feces from infected individuals. Highest Ascaris l [...] infections in Europe and Central Asia with a focus on countries where transmission is ongoing and these parasites remains a public health problem.
6-Arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides: a new core for <em>Trypanosoma brucei</em> inhibitors (Publications)
exquisitely selective for T. brucei over a panel of other protozoan parasites showing an excellent correlation with the human infective parasite T. b. rhodesiense, the most potent compound (65) having an EC50
Development and interactions of <em>Trypanosoma rangeli</em> in and with the reduviid bug <em>Rhodnius prolixus</em> (Publications)
feces were noninfectious to mice. The midgut epithelium was the main barrier to transmission of the parasite. In only 2%-5% of the infected bugs was it penetrated, and no correlation with any parameter tested [...] midgut epithelial cells by a loss of cytoplasm and in muscle and salivary gland cells by very high parasite densities. However, as the penetration rate of the gut is low, T. rangeli is not likely to prove
Epidemiology of multiple <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> infections. 6. Multiple <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> infections in Tanzanian infants (Publications)
examine the infection dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum during the first year of life. Infecting parasites were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the polymorphic gene for the merozoite [...] fever cases was also independent of age. In infants, multiplicity was positively associated with parasite density and risk of clinical malaria, in contrast to the situation in older children (> 2 years)
Probing the antimalarial mechanism of artemisinin and OZ277 (arterolane) with nonperoxidic isosteres and nitroxyl radicals (Publications)
proportion of radicals available for subsequent chemical reactions such as the alkylation of heme and parasite proteins. In a further mechanistic experiment, we tested both artemisinin and OZ277 in combination [...] indicate that the antimalarial properties of peroxides do not derive from reversible interactions with parasite targets
Selection and reversal of <em>Plasmodium berghei</em> resistance in the mouse model following repeated high doses of artemether (Publications)
also been developed as an antischistosomal agent, exhibiting highest activity against immature parasites. Here, we employ a rodent model and investigate whether the proposed artemether treatment schedule [...] P. berghei were treated with artemether at either 47 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg. Once every 7-10 days, parasitized erythrocytes were passed to the next group of mice, receiving the same doses of artemether, for
2<em>H</em>-1,2,3-triazole-based dipeptidyl nitriles: potent, selective, and trypanocidal rhodesain inhibitors by structure-based design (Publications)
Macrocyclic inhibitors of rhodesain (RD), a parasitic cysteine protease and drug target for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis, have shown low metabolic stability at the macrocyclic ether bridge [...] orally administered to infected mice, parasitaemia was reduced but without complete removal of the parasites.
Malaria infection in mosquitoes decreases the personal protection offered by permethrin-treated bednets (Publications)
infectious are killed (so, not repelled) by the insecticide. As the infectious stage of malaria parasites increases the motivation of mosquitoes to bite, we predicted that it would also change their behavioural [...] Anopheles arabiensis, we found that mosquitoes harbouring the infectious stage (the sporozoites) of the parasite were less repelled by permethrin-treated nets than uninfected ones. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest
EMBO Fellowship for Researcher at Swiss TPH (News)
https://www.swisstph.ch/en/news/news-detail/news/embo-fellowship-for-research-at-swiss-tph
Since joining Swiss TPH last year, Daniel Ballmer has focused his research on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum , in particular the molecular mechanisms that drive gametocyte formation - a critical [...] yet understand how this is achieved at a molecular level or how it facilitates transmission of the parasite,” he explained. Ballmer pursued his PhD at the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh
Mathematical modeling of transmission dynamics of Opisthorchis viverrini (Projects)
https://www.swisstph.ch/en/projects/project-detail/project/mathematical-modeling-of-transmission-dynamics-of-opisthorchis-viverrini
to understand the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of various control strategies in reducing parasite transmission and disease burden. Mathematical modeling is uniquely placed to point to provide a [...] fishing practices. Determine the effectiveness of control interventions in reducing transmission and parasite burden. Methods The study will involve: Developing deterministic population-based and stochastic [...] These will create a basis for comparing likely effects of different control...
