Comparison of prevalence estimates of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions in Plasmodium falciparum determined by conventional PCR and multiplex qPCR and implications for surveillance and monitoring
The emergence of mutant Plasmodium falciparum parasites with pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions poses a major threat to the utility of histidine rich protein-2 (HRP2)-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), the mainstay diagnostic tool for detecting falciparum malaria in resource-limited settings. These gene-deleted parasites do not express HRP2/3 and are therefore undetectable by HRP2-based RDTs leading to false-negative results. Mutant parasites have now been reported from 40 of the 47 countries where investigations have been conducted [1]. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)
Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases - April 15, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Michelle L. Gatton, David Smith, Cielo Pasay, Karen Anderson, Selam Mihreteab, Hugo O. Valdivia, Juan F. Sanchez, Khalid B. Beshir, Jane Cunningham, Qin Cheng Source Type: research
Study protocol: improving response to malaria in the Amazon through identification of inter-community networks and human mobility in border regions of Ecuador, Peru and Brazil
This study develops a network survey to quantify the effect of community connectivity and mobility on malaria transmission.
Methods
We measure community connectivity across the study area using a respondent driven sampling design among key informants who are at least 18 years of age. 45 initial communities will be selected: 10 in Brazil, 10 in Ecuador and 25 in Peru. Participants will be recruited in each initial node and administered a survey to obtain data on each community’s mobility patterns. Survey responses will be ranked and the 2–3 most connected communities will then be selected and surveyed. This pro...
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Janko, M. M., Araujo, A. L., Ascencio, E. J., Guedes, G. R., Vasco, L. E., Santos, R. O., Damasceno, C. P., Medrano, P. G., Chacon-Uscamaita, P. R., Gunderson, A. K., OMalley, S., Kansara, P. H., Narvaez, M. B., Coombes, C., Pizzitutti, F., Salmon-Mulanov Tags: Open access, Global health Source Type: research
Unexpected severe malaria in a postoperative patient, New York, USA
Severe malaria is not routinely considered when evaluating a febrile patient in the postoperative setting. Common bacterial infections, along with adverse drug reactions, are the usual differential concerns. W... (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - April 15, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Alan Bulbin, Julia Shen, Carol Liotta-Bono and Tahir Ahmad Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
Antineoplastic Drug Synergy of Artesunate with Navitoclax in Models of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Cancers (Basel). 2024 Mar 28;16(7):1321. doi: 10.3390/cancers16071321.ABSTRACTArtesunate belongs to a class of medications derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua) known as artemisinins. Artesunate has traditionally been used as a frontline treatment for severe malaria but has also demonstrated antineoplastic activity against various malignancies, including ovarian cancer. Data suggest that artesunate exacerbates cellular oxidative stress, triggering apoptosis. In the current study, we investigated the ability of navitoclax, an inhibitor of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein family, to enhance artesunate effica...
Source: Cancer Control - April 13, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: J Robert McCorkle Rebecca Ahn Connie D Cao Kristen S Hill Charles S Dietrich Jill M Kolesar Source Type: research
Molecules, Vol. 29, Pages 1778: Gas Chromatography & ndash;Mass Spectrometry Chemical Profiling of Commiphora & nbsp;myrrha Resin Extracts and Evaluation of Larvicidal, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities
Molecules, Vol. 29, Pages 1778: Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Chemical Profiling of Commiphora myrrha Resin Extracts and Evaluation of Larvicidal, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities
Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules29081778
Authors:
Naimah Asid H. Alanazi
Abdullah A. Alamri
Abadi M. Mashlawi
Nujud Almuzaini
Gamal Mohamed
Salama A. Salama
Plant extracts and essential oils can be alternative environmentally friendly agents to combat pathogenic microbes and malaria vectors. Myrrh is an aromatic oligum resin that is extracted from the stem of Commiphora spp. It is used in medicine ...
Source: Molecules - April 13, 2024 Category: Chemistry Authors: Naimah Asid H. Alanazi Abdullah A. Alamri Abadi M. Mashlawi Nujud Almuzaini Gamal Mohamed Salama A. Salama Tags: Article Source Type: research
Dual Self-Referenced Refractive Index Sensor Utilizing Tamm Plasmons in Photonic Quasicrystal for Multistage Malaria Parasite Detection
In this study, we investigate the generation of optical Tamm modes and essential sensor features in dual-metal quasi-periodic photonic structures. Utilizing a Fibonacci sequence arrangement of SiO2 and Ta2O5 layers, the structures examined in this study include a central cavity designed for comprehensive analysis of blood samples. Through theoretical analysis, we observed three reflection minima in the photonic bandgap, with one being insensitive to refractive index fluctuations in blood samples. This observation forms the basis for a dual self-referencing refractive index sensor. Our study spans parasitic stages in malari...
Source: Plasmonics - April 13, 2024 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
MAM 2024: Malaria in a changing world
Trends Parasitol. 2024 Apr 11:S1471-4922(24)00074-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.03.007. Online ahead of print.NO ABSTRACTPMID:38609740 | DOI:10.1016/j.pt.2024.03.007 (Source: Trends in Parasitology)
Source: Trends in Parasitology - April 12, 2024 Category: Parasitology Authors: Rhea J Longley Josephine Malinga Eva Hesping Edwin Sutanto Sophia M DonVito Michal Kucharski Damian A Oyong Julie M J Verhoef Esrah Du Elizabeth Villasis Kioko Mwikali Source Type: research
Coral-infecting parasites in cold marine ecosystems
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 2:S0960-9822(24)00323-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.026. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTCoral reefs are a biodiversity hotspot,1,2 and the association between coral and intracellular dinoflagellates is a model for endosymbiosis.3,4 Recently, corals and related anthozoans have also been found to harbor another kind of endosymbiont, apicomplexans called corallicolids.5 Apicomplexans are a diverse lineage of obligate intracellular parasites6 that include human pathogens such as the malaria parasite, Plasmodium.7 Global environmental sequencing shows corallicolids are tightly associated with tropical and sub...
Source: Current Biology - April 12, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Morelia Trznadel Corey C Holt Samuel J Livingston Waldan K Kwong Patrick J Keeling Source Type: research
MAM 2024: Malaria in a changing world
Trends Parasitol. 2024 Apr 11:S1471-4922(24)00074-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.03.007. Online ahead of print.NO ABSTRACTPMID:38609740 | DOI:10.1016/j.pt.2024.03.007 (Source: Trends in Parasitology)
Source: Trends in Parasitology - April 12, 2024 Category: Parasitology Authors: Rhea J Longley Josephine Malinga Eva Hesping Edwin Sutanto Sophia M DonVito Michal Kucharski Damian A Oyong Julie M J Verhoef Esrah Du Elizabeth Villasis Kioko Mwikali Source Type: research
Detection of P. malariae using a new rapid isothermal amplification lateral flow assay
While Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax cause the majority of malaria cases and deaths, infection by Plasmodium malariae and other Plasmodium species also causes morbidity and mortality. Current understa... (Source: Malaria Journal)
Source: Malaria Journal - April 12, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ashenafi Assefa, Kevin Wamae, Christopher M. Hennelly, Billy Ngasala, Meredith Muller, Albert Kalonji, Fernandine Phanzu, Clark H. Cunningham, Jessica T. Lin and Jonathan B. Parr Tags: Research Source Type: research
The effect of an anti-malarial herbal remedy, Maytenus senegalensis, on electrocardiograms of healthy Tanzanian volunteers
The emergence of resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapy necessitates the search for new, more potent antiplasmodial compounds, including herbal remedies. The whole extract of Maytenus senegalensis ha... (Source: Malaria Journal)
Source: Malaria Journal - April 12, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Kamaka R. Kassimu, Ali M. Ali, Justin J. Omolo, Abel Mdemu, Francis Machumi and Billy Ngasala Tags: Research Source Type: research
News at a glance: Jailed conservationists freed, physics titan dies, and diversity in anatomical illustrations
ASTRONOMY
Scientists flock to the eclipse
Tens of millions in North America turned their specially protected eyes to the skies on 8 April for several minutes of darkness when the Moon blocked the disk of the Sun, casting a shadow across Mexico, 15 U.S. states, and Canada. Researchers and citizen scientists seized the opportunity to study the corona—the wispy, outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere—from the ground and in eclipse-chasing aircraft. They expected to see loops of plasma and other solar flares because the eclipse coincided with solar maximum, a period of high magnetic activity. Research...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - April 11, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
A targetable receptor-binding site on PfCyRPA to aid in the fight against malaria
Trends Parasitol. 2024 Apr 10:S1471-4922(24)00083-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.001. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTRecently, Day et al. identified a receptor-binding site on the malaria parasite protein PfCyRPA that binds the host sugar Neu5Ac, and they found that disrupting this interaction impedes parasite growth. A map of the receptor-binding site identifies an attractive target for antimalarial vaccines and therapeutics.PMID:38604871 | DOI:10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.001 (Source: Trends in Parasitology)
Source: Trends in Parasitology - April 11, 2024 Category: Parasitology Authors: Thayne H Dickey Niraj H Tolia Source Type: research
