Molecular approaches to diversity of populations of apicomplexan parasites (Publications)
Apicomplexan parasites include many parasites of importance either for livestock or as causative agents of human diseases. The importance of these parasites has been recognised by the European Commission [...] discuss the current understanding in 'Biodiversity and Population Genetics' of the major apicomplexan parasites, namely the Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Neosporacaninum, Theileria spp [...] spp. and Plasmodium spp. During the past decade molecular tools...
Genetically modified malaria parasites as vaccine candidates (Publications)
in animal models. Murphy et al. present the first, promising clinical trial of early arresting parasites, PfGAP3KO, confirming safety and demonstrating efficacy against homologous challenge.
Modulation of host-parasite interactions with small molecules targeting <em>Schistosoma mansoni </em>microRNAs (Publications)
Parasites use different strategies of communication with their hosts. One communication channel that has been studied in recent years is the use of vesicle microRNAs to influence the host immune system [...] approach by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to identify binders to the precursor of the parasite sma-microRNA-10 present in their extracellular vesicles. The small fragments identified were used
New <em>in vitro</em> interaction-parasite reduction ratio assay for early derisk in clinical development of antimalarial combinations (Publications)
The development and spread of drug-resistant phenotypes substantially threaten malaria control efforts. Combination therapies have the potential to minimize the risk of resistance development but requ
Parasite viability as a measure of <em>in vivo</em> drug activity in preclinical and early clinical antimalarial drug assessment (Publications)
in parasitemia (termed parasite clearance). We also observed that artesunate kills parasites faster at higher concentrations, which is not discernible from the traditional parasite clearance curve and that [...] trials. However, this metric does not distinguish between viable and nonviable parasites. Thus, enumeration of parasites may result in underestimation of drug activity for some compounds, potentially [...] estimating the decrease in parasite viability after treatment using two...
Malnutrition, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections among schoolchildren in rural Tanzania (Publications)
and parasitic infection status. We employed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine the association between nutritional statuses, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections [...] BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections continue to impact the nutritional status and health of children in lower-income countries, however not enough data
G-quadruplexes in helminth parasites (Publications)
Parasitic helminths infecting humans are highly prevalent infecting approximately 2 billion people worldwide, causing inflammatory responses, malnutrition and anemia that are the primary cause of morbidity [...] most other species. We experimentally confirmed G4 formation for sequences found in four different parasitic helminths. Small molecules able to selectively recognize G4 were found to bind to Schistosoma mansoni [...] Two of these ligands demonstrated potent activity both against larval...
