<em>In silico</em> identification and <em>in vitro</em> activity of novel natural inhibitors of <em>Trypanosoma brucei</em>... (Publications)
performing an extensive screening of natural product (NP) databases against a multitude of protozoan parasite proteins. Within this project, we screened a database of NPs from a commercial supplier, AnalytiCon [...] glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TbGAPDH), a glycolytic enzyme whose inhibition deprives the parasite of energy supply. NPs acting as potential inhibitors of the mentioned enzyme were identified using
Bifurcatriol, a new antiprotozoal acyclic diterpene from the brown alga <em>Bifurcaria bifurcata</em> (Publications)
constants. Bifurcatriol (1) was tested for in vitro antiprotozoal activity towards a small panel of parasites (Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, and Leishmania donovani) and [...] cytotoxicity against mammalian primary cells. The highest activity was exerted against the malaria parasite P. falciparum (IC50 value 0.65 mug/mL) with low cytotoxicity (IC50 value 56.6 mug/mL). To our knowledge
Antimalarial agents derived from metal-amodiaquine complexes with activity in multiple stages of the <em>Plasmodium</em> life cycle (Publications)
bond. Ru(II) - and Au(I) -AQ complexes were demonstrated to be potent and efficacious in inhibiting parasite growth in multiple stages of the Plasmodium life cycle as assayed in vitro and in vivo. These properties [...] the suppression of heme detoxification induced by AQ, while also inhibiting other processes in the parasite life cycle; this can be attributed to the action of the metallic species. Altogether, these findings
Randomised trial of SPf66 vaccine against <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> malaria in children in southern Tanzania (Publications)
Malaria, especially that due to Plasmodium falciparum, is one of the most important parasitic disease in man. It causes more than 400 million cases per year and between 1 to 3 million deaths, mainly among [...] had limited success. In Kilombero district (Southern Tanzania), malaria transmission is perennial (parasite prevalence > or = 80% all year) and intense (approximatively 300 infectious bites per year). At
Drug repurposing in the chemotherapy of infectious diseases (Publications)
targets in the apicoplast of malaria parasites), whereas those that are convergent arise from a shared lifestyle (e.g., the susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, and tumor cells to antifolates due to
Point-of-care sample preparation and automated quantitative detection of <em>Schistosoma haematobium </em>using mobile phone microscopy (Publications)
urine samples. Parasite eggs are filtered from urine within a specialized, inexpensive cartridge that is then automatically imaged by the mobile phone microscope (the "SchistoScope"). Parasite eggs are captured
Novel high-throughput fluorescence-based assay for the identification of nematocidal compounds that target the blood-feeding pathway (Publications)
are urgently needed. We focused on targeting the blood-feeding pathway, which is essential to the parasite survival and reproduction, using the laboratory hookworm model Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (a nematode [...] hookworms). We established an in vitro-drug screening assay based on a fluorescent-based measurement of parasite viability during blood-feeding to identify novel therapeutic targets. A first screen of a library
Development of novel multiplex microsatellite polymerase chain reactions to enable high-throughput population genetic studies of <em>Schistosoma... (Publications)
evaluate the impact of control programs on the parasite populations. Microsatellite loci are genetic markers that can be used to investigate how parasite populations change over time and in relation to
A research agenda for malaria eradication: diagnoses and diagnostics (Publications)
indistinguishable from those of other febrile diseases. Detection of the presence of Plasmodium parasites is essential, therefore, to guide case management. Improved diagnostic tools are required to enable [...] diagnostic tools for mass screening and surveillance that can detect asymptomatic infections of very low parasite densities are needed to monitor transmission reduction and ensure elimination. Antibody-based tests
Asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine development: facing the challenges (Publications)
being the demonstration that nonimmune volunteers repeatedly challenged and cured with blood-stage parasites developed immunity to subsequent challenge as well as the demonstration of the efficacy of the first [...] first asexual blood-stage vaccine tested in a malaria endemic area (combination B) to reduce parasite density in children. The selective pressure induced by this vaccine and the accumulating evidence of
