<em>Strongyloides stercoralis</em>: spatial distribution of a highly prevalent and ubiquitous soil-transmitted helminth in Cambodia (Publications)
participants with a complete data record was 30.5%, ranging from 10.9% to 48.2% across provinces. The parasite was ubiquitous in Cambodia; only five south-eastern provinces had prevalence rates below 20%. Infection [...] infection is rampant in Cambodia. Control programs delivering ivermectin are needed to manage the parasite. However, the high cost of this drug in Cambodia currently precludes the implementation of control
Elimination of <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> in infected mice by slow release of artemisone (Publications)
have been indicated as alternatives, because both plasmodia and schistosomes are blood-feeding parasites. The mechanism of action of artemisinins is related to oxidative effects of the artemisinins on [...] of the artemisone that was verified in vivo and in vitro bioassays using drug-sensitive malaria parasites. We found superior strong anti-schistosome effects up to a total reduction of worm number, mainly
Optimization of triazine nitriles as rhodesain inhibitors: structure-activity relationships, bioisosteric imidazopyridine nitriles, and X-ray crystal... (Publications)
The cysteine protease rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei parasites causing African sleeping sickness has emerged as a target for the development of new drug candidates. Based on a triazine nitrile moiety [...] series as proposed by molecular modeling. Sub-micromolar inhibition of the proliferation of cultured parasites was achieved for ligands decorated with the best substituents identified through the optimization
The influence of zinc supplementation on morbidity due to <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em>: a randomized trial in preschool children in Papua New Guinea (Publications)
surveys were conducted at the beginning, middle, and end of the study to assess infection rates, parasite density, spleen enlargement, and hemoglobin levels. Zinc supplementation resulted in a 38% (95% [...] reduction in Plasmodium falciparum health center-based episodes, defined as parasitemia > or = 9200 parasites/microl with axial temperature > or = 37.5 degreesC or reported fever. Episodes accompanied by any
Antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activities of flavonoids and their analogues: in vitro, in vivo, structure-activity relationship, and... (Publications)
Trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are important parasitic diseases affecting millions of people in Africa, Asia, and South America. In a previous study, we identified several flavonoid glycosides as a [...] 0.8, and 1.0 microg/ml, respectively. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone and quercetin appeared to ameliorate parasitic infections in mouse models. Generally, the test compounds lacked cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo
Should we treat <em>Blastocystis </em>sp.? A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized pilot trial (Publications)
humans and a great variety of animals. It is unclear whether it is just a commensal or an infectious parasite that prompts eradication.The main objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of met [...] harbouring only Blastocystis sp. In addition, we explored whether Blastocystis subtype or concomitant parasitic infection detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may influence treatment outcome. METHODS:
Development of emodepside as a possible adulticidal treatment for human onchocerciasis-the fruit of a successful industrial-academic collaboration (Publications)
y sterilize adult worms. Emodepside is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic used for the treatment of parasitic nematodes in cats and dogs (Profender and Procox). Our current knowledge of the pharmacology of [...] l activity has been demonstrated in various models, including Onchocerca ochengi in cattle, the parasite most closely related to O. volvulus. Emodepside has now successfully passed Phase I clinical trials
Assessing the presence of <em>Wuchereria bancrofti</em> in vector and human populations from urban communities in Conakry, Guinea (Publications)
3 %) and 51 An. gambiae (31.7 %) dissected, none was infected with any stage of the W. bancrofti parasite. However, the LAMP assay revealed that 1.8 % of An. gambiae and 0.31 % of Culex spp. were positive [...] prevalence of ICT is below 1 %, the entomological results are suggestive of the circulation of the parasite in the population of Conakry. Therefore, rigorous surveillance is still warranted so that LF tr
Encouraging impact following 2.5 years of reinforced malaria control interventions in a hyperendemic region of the Republic of Guinea (Publications)
hyperendemic region of Gueckedou Prefecture. The coverage of the intervention and its impact on malaria parasite prevalence were assessed. METHODS: Five cross-sectional surveys using cluster-based sampling and [...] ownership were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 35,123 individuals participated in the surveys. Malaria parasite prevalence declined in all intervention sous-prefectures from 2011 to 2013 (56.4-45.9 % in Gueckedou
Cloning of the repertoire of individual <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> var genes using Transformation Associated Recombination (TAR) (Publications)
One of the major virulence factors of the malaria causing parasite is the Plasmodium falciparum encoded erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). It is translocated to It the membrane of infected erythrocytes [...] from approximately 60 var genes in a mutually exclusive manner. Switching of var genes allows the parasite to alter functional and antigenic properties of infected erythrocytes, to escape the immune defense
