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Chao-Pellicer J, Arberas-Jiménez I, Sifaoui I, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Flucofuron as a Promising Therapeutic Agent against Brain-Eating Amoeba. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2063-2073. [PMID: 38757533 PMCID: PMC11184546 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and fulminant neurodegenerative disease caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Currently, there is a lack of standardized protocols for therapeutic action. In response to the critical need for effective therapeutic agents, we explored the Global Health Priority Box, a collection of 240 compounds provided by the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). From this pool, flucofuron emerged as a promising candidate, exhibiting high efficacy against trophozoites of both N. fowleri strains (ATCC 30808 IC50 : 2.58 ± 0.64 μM and ATCC 30215 IC50: 2.47 ± 0.38 μM), being even active against the resistant cyst stage (IC50: 0.88 ± 0.07 μM). Moreover, flucofuron induced diverse metabolic events that suggest the triggering of apoptotic cell death. This study highlights the potential of repurposing medications for treating challenging diseases, such as PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Chao-Pellicer
- Instituto
Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de
Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez,
S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal
de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento
de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva
y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense
y Parasitología, Universidad de La
Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas
(CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos
III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto
Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de
Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez,
S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal
de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento
de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva
y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense
y Parasitología, Universidad de La
Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto
Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de
Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez,
S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal
de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento
de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva
y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense
y Parasitología, Universidad de La
Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas
(CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos
III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto
Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de
Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez,
S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal
de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento
de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva
y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense
y Parasitología, Universidad de La
Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas
(CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos
III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto
Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de
Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez,
S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal
de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento
de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva
y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense
y Parasitología, Universidad de La
Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas
(CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos
III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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Shaukat A, Khaliq N, Riaz R, Munsab R, Ashraf T, Raufi N, Shah H. Noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers, genomic profiling, and advanced microscopic imaging in the early detection and characterization of Naegleria fowleri infections leading to primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:2032-2048. [PMID: 38576920 PMCID: PMC10990330 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This review delves into the strategies for early detection and characterization of Naegleria fowleri infections leading to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The study provides an in-depth analysis of current diagnostic approaches, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, brain tissue examination, immunostaining techniques, and culture methods, elucidating their strengths and limitations. It explores the geographical distribution of N. fowleri, with a focus on regions near the equator, and environmental factors contributing to its prevalence. The review emphasizes the crucial role of early detection in PAM management, discussing the benefits of timely identification in treatment, personalized care, and prevention strategies. Genomic profiling techniques, such as conventional PCR, nested PCR, multiplex PCR, and real-time PCR, are thoroughly examined as essential tools for accurate and prompt diagnosis. Additionally, the study explores advanced microscopic imaging techniques to characterize N. fowleri's morphology and behavior at different infection stages, enhancing our understanding of its life cycle and pathogenic mechanisms. In conclusion, this review underscores the potential of these strategies to improve our ability to detect, understand, and combat N. fowleri infections, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and enhanced public health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nawal Khaliq
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rumaisa Riaz
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rabbia Munsab
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Nahid Raufi
- Department of Medicine, Kabul Medical University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Hafsa Shah
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
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Yuan A, Fong H, Nguyen JV, Nguyen S, Norman P, Cullum R, Fenical W, Debnath A. High-Throughput Screen of Microbial Metabolites Identifies F 1F O ATP Synthase Inhibitors as New Leads for Naegleria fowleri Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2622-2631. [PMID: 37943251 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection caused by a free-living ameba Naegleria fowleri, leads to an extensive inflammation of the brain and death within 1-18 (median 5) days after symptoms begin. Although natural products have played a significant role in the development of drugs for over a century, research focusing on identifying new natural product-based anti-N. fowleri agents is limited. We undertook a large-scale ATP bioluminescence-based screen of about 10,000 unique marine microbial metabolite mixtures against the trophozoites of N. fowleri. Our screen identified about 100 test materials with >90% inhibition at 50 μg/mL and a dose-response study found 20 of these active test materials exhibiting an EC50 ranging from 0.2 to 2 μg/mL. Examination of four of these potent metabolite mixtures, derived from our actinomycete strains CNT671, CNT756, and CNH301, resulted in the isolation of a pure metabolite identified as oligomycin D. Oligomycin D exhibited nanomolar potency on multiple genotypes of N. fowleri, and it was five- or 850-times more potent than the recommended drugs amphotericin B or miltefosine. Oligomycin D is fast-acting and reached its EC50 in 10 h, and it was also able to inhibit the invasiveness of N. fowleri significantly when tested on a matrigel invasion assay. Since oligomycin is known to manifest inhibitory activity against F1FO ATP synthase, we tested different F1FO ATP synthase inhibitors and identified a natural peptide leucinostatin as a fast-acting amebicidal compound with nanomolar potency on multiple strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Yuan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Hayley Fong
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jennifer V Nguyen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sophia Nguyen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Payton Norman
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Reiko Cullum
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - William Fenical
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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Rajendran K, Ahmed U, Meunier AC, Shaikh MF, Siddiqui R, Anwar A. Natural Terpenes Inhibit the Cytopathogenicity of Naegleria fowleri Causing Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in the Human Cell Line Model. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4105-4114. [PMID: 37983556 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is one of the free-living amoebae and is a causative agent of a lethal and rare central nervous system infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Despite the advancement in antimicrobial chemotherapy, the fatality rate in the reported cases is more than 95%. Most of the treatment drugs used against N. fowleri infection are repurposed drugs. Therefore, a large number of compounds have been tested against N. fowleri in vitro, but most of the compounds showed high toxicity. To overcome this, we evaluated the effectiveness of naturally occurring terpene compounds against N. fowleri. In this study, we evaluated the antiamoebic potential of natural compounds including Thymol, Borneol, Andrographolide, and Forskolin againstN. fowleri. Thymol showed the highest amoebicidal activity with IC50/24 h at 153.601 ± 19.6 μM. Two combinations of compounds Forskolin + Thymol and Forskolin + Borneol showed a higher effect on the viability of trophozoites as compared to compounds alone and hence showed a synergistic effect. The IC50 reported for Forskolin + Thymol was 81.30 ± 6.86 μM. Borneol showed maximum cysticidal activity with IC50/24 h at 192.605 ± 3.01 μM. Importantly, lactate dehydrogenase release testing revealed that all compounds displayed minimal cytotoxicity to human HaCaT, HeLa, and SH-SY5Y cell lines. The cytopathogenicity assay showed that Thymol and Borneol also significantly reduced the host cell cytotoxicity of pretreated amoeba toward the human HaCaT cell line. So, these terpene compounds hold potential as therapeutic agents against infections caused by N. fowleri and are potentially a step forward in drug development against this deadly pathogen as these compounds have also been reported to cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, an in vivo study using animal models is necessary to assess the efficacy of these compounds and the need for further research into the intranasal route of delivery for the treatment of these life-threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Rajendran
- School of American Education (SAE), Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Usman Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Alexia Chloe Meunier
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange New South Wales, 2800, Australia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Microbiota Research Centre, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
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Rehman SU, Farooq S, Tariq MB, Nasir N, Wasay M, Masood S, Karim M. Clinical manifestations and outcome of patients with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in Pakistan. A single-center experience. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290394. [PMID: 37939056 PMCID: PMC10631667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rapidly progressing central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater. The disease progression is very rapid, and the outcome is nearly always fatal. We aim to describe the disease course in patients admitted with PAM in a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan between the periods of 2010 to 2021. A total of 39 patients were included in the study, 33 males (84.6%). The median age of the patients was 34 years. The most frequent presenting complaint was fever, which was found in 37 patients (94.9%) followed by headache in 28 patients (71.8%), nausea and vomiting in 27 patients (69.2%), and seizures in 10 patients (25.6%). Overall, 39 patients underwent lumbar puncture, 27 patients (69.2%) had a positive motile trophozoites on CSF wet preparation microscopy, 18 patients (46.2%) had a positive culture, and 10 patients had a positive PCR. CSF analysis resembled bacterial meningitis with elevated white blood cell counts with predominantly neutrophils (median, 3000 [range, 1350-7500] cells/μL), low glucose levels median, 14 [range, 1-92] mg/dL), and elevated protein levels (median, 344 [range, 289-405] mg/dL). Imaging results were abnormal in approximately three-fourths of the patients which included cerebral edema (66.7%), hydrocephalus (25.6%), and cerebral infarctions (12.8%). Only one patient survived. PAM is a fatal illness with limited treatment success. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment can improve the survival of the patients and reduce mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salman Farooq
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Bilal Tariq
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Nosheen Nasir
- Aga Khan University and Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Wasay
- Aga Khan University and Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Masood
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Musa Karim
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan
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Akbar N, Siddiqui R, El-Gamal MI, Zaraei SO, Alawfi BS, Khan NA. The anti-amoebic potential of carboxamide derivatives containing sulfonyl or sulfamoyl moieties against brain-eating Naegleria fowleri. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2539-2548. [PMID: 37665414 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07953-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living thermophilic flagellate amoeba that causes a rare but life-threatening infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with a very high fatality rate. Herein, the anti-amoebic potential of carboxamide derivatives possessing sulfonyl or sulfamoyl moiety was assessed against pathogenic N. fowleri using amoebicidal, cytotoxicity and cytopathogenicity assays. The results from amoebicidal experiments showed that derivatives dramatically reduced N. fowleri viability. Selected derivatives demonstrated IC50 values at lower concentrations; 1j showed IC50 at 24.65 μM, while 1k inhibited 50% amoebae growth at 23.31 μM. Compounds with significant amoebicidal effects demonstrated limited cytotoxicity against human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. Finally, some derivatives mitigated N. fowleri-instigated host cell death. Ultimately, this study demonstrated that 1j and 1k exhibited potent anti-amoebic activity and ought to be looked at in future studies for the development of therapeutic anti-amoebic pharmaceuticals. Further investigation is required to determine the clinical relevance of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Akbar
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bader S Alawfi
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Nadeem A, Malik IA, Afridi EK, Shariq F. Naegleria fowleri outbreak in Pakistan: unveiling the crisis and path to recovery. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1266400. [PMID: 37927850 PMCID: PMC10620794 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1266400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of Naegleria fowleri in Pakistan presents a significant public health concern due to its high fatality rate and limited treatment options. This review explores the impact of the outbreak on communities and the challenges faced in combating the disease. It evaluates available treatment options and highlights the need for early diagnosis and intervention. The study proposes recommendations to improve public health preparedness, including public awareness campaigns, enhanced healthcare infrastructure, and robust water surveillance systems. Collaboration between research institutions and public health organizations is emphasized to develop effective outbreak response strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Nadeem
- Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Inshal Arshad Malik
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Eesha Khan Afridi
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Fariha Shariq
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
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Hong KW, Jeong JH, Byun JH, Hong SH, Ju JW, Bae IG. Fatal Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri: The First Imported Case in Korea. Yonsei Med J 2023; 64:641-645. [PMID: 37727924 PMCID: PMC10522881 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2023.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, but almost always fatal, central nervous system infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, which are thermophilic free-living amoeba. Here, we report the first case of PAM detected in South Korea, probably imported from Thailand. Despite antimicrobial treatment for N. fowleri infection with a combination of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B, fluconazole, azithromycin, and oral rifampin, the patient died 13 days after the onset of symptoms. Clinicians in South Korea treating severe meningoencephalitis, especially in individuals returning from tropical areas, are encouraged to include PAM in the differential diagnoses, given the accelerated global warming and increased overseas trips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Wook Hong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
| | - Jong Hwan Jeong
- Division of Pulmonology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Byun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
| | - Sung-Hee Hong
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jung-Won Ju
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - In-Gyu Bae
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
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Chao-Pellicer J, Arberas-Jiménez I, Fuchs F, Sifaoui I, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J, Scheid P. Repurposing of Nitroxoline as an Alternative Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Treatment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1280. [PMID: 37627700 PMCID: PMC10451279 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA), Naegleria fowleri is the etiological agent of a fatal disease known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Once infection begins, the lesions generated in the central nervous system (CNS) result in the onset of symptoms leading to death in a short period of time. Currently, there is no standardized treatment against the infection, which, due to the high virulence of the parasite, results in a high case fatality rate (>97%). Therefore, it is essential to search for new therapeutic sources that can generate a rapid elimination of the parasite. In recent years, there have already been several successful examples of drug repurposing, such as Nitroxoline, for which, in addition to its known bioactive properties, anti-Balamuthia activity has recently been described. Following this approach, the anti-Naegleria activity of Nitroxoline was tested. Nitroxoline displayed low micromolar activity against two different strains of N. fowleri trophozoites (IC50 values of 1.63 ± 0.37 µM and 1.17 ± 0.21 µM) and against cyst stages (IC50 of 1.26 ± 0.42 μM). The potent anti-parasitic activity compared to the toxicity produced (selectivity index of 3.78 and 5.25, respectively) in murine macrophages and human cell lines (reported in previous studies), together with the induction of programmed cell death (PCD)-related events in N. fowleri make Nitroxoline a great candidate for an alternative PAM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Chao-Pellicer
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.C.-P.); (I.A.-J.); (I.S.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.C.-P.); (I.A.-J.); (I.S.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Frieder Fuchs
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany;
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.C.-P.); (I.A.-J.); (I.S.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.C.-P.); (I.A.-J.); (I.S.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.C.-P.); (I.A.-J.); (I.S.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrick Scheid
- Parasitology Lab., Central Military Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
- Department of Biology, Working Group Parasitology and Infection Biology, University Koblenz, 56070 Koblenz, Germany
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Gutiérrez-Sánchez M, Carrasco-Yépez MM, Correa-Basurto J, Ramírez-Salinas GL, Rojas-Hernández S. Two MP2CL5 Antigen Vaccines from Naegleria fowleri Stimulate the Immune Response against Meningitis in the BALB/c Model. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0018123. [PMID: 37272791 PMCID: PMC10353451 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00181-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is an etiological agent that generates primary amoebic meningoencephalitis; unfortunately, no effective treatment or vaccine is available. The objective of this work was to determine the immunoprotective response of two vaccine antigens, as follows: (i) the polypeptide band of 19 kDa or (ii) a predicted immunogenic peptide from the membrane protein MP2CL5 (Smp145). Both antigens were administered intranasally in mice using cholera toxin (CT) as an adjuvant. The survival rate and immune response of immunized mice with both antigens and challenged with N. fowleri trophozoites were measured in the nose-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and nasal passages (NPs) by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also determined the immunolocalization of both antigens in N. fowleri trophozoites by confocal microscopy. Immunization with the polypeptide band of 19 kDa alone or coadministered with CT was able to confer 80% and 100% of protection, respectively. The immunization with both antigens (alone or coadministered with CT) showed an increase in T and B lymphocytes. In addition, there was an increase in the expression of integrin α4β1 and IgA in the nasal cavity of protected mice, and the IgA, IgG, and IgM levels were increased in serum and nasal washes. The immunolocalization of both antigens in N. fowleri trophozoites was observed in the plasma membrane, specifically in pseudopod-like structures. The MP2CL5 antigens evaluated in this work were capable of conferring protection which would lead us to consider them as potential candidates for vaccines against meningitis caused by N. fowleri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Gutiérrez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología Molecular y Celular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María Maricela Carrasco-Yépez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Grupo CyMA, Unidad de Investigación Interdisciplinaria en Ciencias de la Salud y la Educación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM FES Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gema Lizbeth Ramírez-Salinas
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Saúl Rojas-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología Molecular y Celular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
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11
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Arberas-Jiménez I, Cen-Pacheco F, Chao-Pellicer J, Sifaoui I, Rizo-Liendo A, Morales EQ, Daranas AH, Díaz-Marrero AR, Piñero JE, Fernández JJ, Lorenzo-Morales J. Identification and characterization of novel marine oxasqualenoid yucatecone against Naegleria fowleri. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 22:61-71. [PMID: 37270868 PMCID: PMC10258243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is an opportunistic protozoan, belonging to the free-living amoeba group, that can be found in warm water bodies. It is causative agent the primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a fulminant disease with a rapid progression that affects the central nervous system. However, no 100% effective treatments are available and those that are currently used involve the appearance of severe side effects, therefore, there is an urgent need to find novel antiamoebic compounds with low toxicity. In this study, the in vitro activity of six oxasqualenoids obtained from the red algae Laurencia viridis was evaluated against two different strains of N. fowleri (ATCC® 30808 and ATCC® 30215) as well as their cytotoxicity against murine macrophages. Yucatecone was the molecule with the highest selectivity index (>2.98 and 5.23 respectively) and it was selected to continue with the cell death type determination assays. Results showed that yucatone induced programmed cell death like responses in treated amoebae causing DNA condensation and cellular membrane damage among others. In this family of oxasqualenoids, it seems that the most significative structural feature to induce activity against N. fowleri is the presence of a ketone at C-18. This punctual oxidation transforms an inactive compound into a lead compound as the yucatecone and 18-ketodehydrotyrsiferol with IC50 values of 16.25 and 12.70 μM, respectively. The assessment of in silico ADME/Tox analysis revealed that the active compounds showed good Human Oral Absorption and demonstrate that are found to be within the limit of approved drug parameter range. Hence, the study highlights promising potential of yucatone to be tested for therapeutic use against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Francisco Cen-Pacheco
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Facultad de Bioanálisis, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Agustín de Iturbide s/n, Centro, Veracruz, 91700, Mexico
| | - Javier Chao-Pellicer
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28220, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ezequiel Q Morales
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, La Laguna, 38206, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Antonio H Daranas
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, La Laguna, 38206, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ana R Díaz-Marrero
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, La Laguna, 38206, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28220, Spain.
| | - José J Fernández
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28220, Spain.
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12
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Che X, He Z, Tung TH, Xia H, Lu Z. Diagnosis of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: A case report. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220579. [PMID: 37250842 PMCID: PMC10224627 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri is a fatal infection with a mortality rate of more than 95%, despite advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. Initial manifestations of PAM are indistinguishable from bacterial meningitis. Prompt diagnosis and antifungal treatment may help decline the overall mortality. Here we present a case of a 38-year-old man transferred to our hospital due to mild headache, which deteriorated quickly. Severe increased intracranial pressure was found. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was yellowish with significantly increased leukocyte and protein. Smear and culture were negative. The patient was first diagnosed with pyogenic meningoencephalitis. However, the symptoms deteriorated. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of CSF was applied and finally confirmed N. fowleri as the protist pathogen within 24 h. However, due to the time cost of sampling and transportation (2 days), the diagnosis came too late, and the patient passed away 1 day before. In summary, mNGS is a rapid and accurate diagnostic method for clinical practices, especially for rare central nervous system infections. It should be used as quickly as possible for acute infections, such as PAM. All aspects of patient interrogation and prompt identification should be paramount to ensure appropriate treatment and decline the overall mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Che
- Department of Neurology, Neurointensive Care Unit, The Maoming People’s Hospital, Maoming 525000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhiyi He
- Department of Neurology, Neurointensive Care Unit, The Maoming People’s Hospital, Maoming 525000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Tao-Hsin Tung
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, China
| | - Han Xia
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Hugobiotech Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Zhibao Lu
- Department of Neurology, Neurointensive Care Unit, The Maoming People’s Hospital, Maoming 525000, Guangdong Province, China
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13
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Chao-Pellicer J, Arberas-Jiménez I, Delgado-Hernández S, Sifaoui I, Tejedor D, García-Tellado F, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Cyanomethyl Vinyl Ethers Against Naegleria fowleri. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37167960 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a pathogenic amoeba that causes a fulminant and rapidly progressive disease affecting the central nervous system called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Moreover, the disease is fatal in more than 97% of the reported cases, mostly affecting children and young people after practicing aquatic activities in nontreated fresh and warm water bodies contaminated with these amoebae. Currently, the treatment of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is based on a combination of different antibiotics and antifungals, which are not entirely effective and lead to numerous side effects. In the recent years, research against PAM is focused on the search of novel, less toxic, and fully effective antiamoebic agents. Previous studies have reported the activity of cyano-substituted molecules in different protozoa. Therefore, the activity of 46 novel synthetic cyanomethyl vinyl ethers (QOET-51 to QOET-96) against two type strains of N. fowleri (ATCC 30808 and ATCC 30215) was determined. The data showed that QOET-51, QOET-59, QOET-64, QOET-67, QOET-72, QOET-77, and QOET-79 were the most active molecules. In fact, the selectivity index (CC50/IC50) was sixfold higher when compared to the activities of the drugs of reference. In addition, the mechanism of action of these compounds was studied, with the aim to demonstrate the induction of a programmed cell death process in N. fowleri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Chao-Pellicer
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna 38203, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38200, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna 38203, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38200, Spain
| | - Samuel Delgado-Hernández
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, La Laguna 38206, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Química. Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife 38206, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna 38203, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38200, Spain
| | - David Tejedor
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, La Laguna 38206, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Química. Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife 38206, Spain
| | - Fernando García-Tellado
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, La Laguna 38206, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Química. Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife 38206, Spain
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna 38203, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38200, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna 38203, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38200, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28220, Spain
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Arberas-Jiménez I, Nocchi N, Chao-Pellicer J, Sifaoui I, Soares AR, Díaz-Marrero AR, Fernández JJ, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Chamigrane-Type Sesquiterpenes from Laurencia dendroidea as Lead Compounds against Naegleria fowleri. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21040224. [PMID: 37103363 PMCID: PMC10143968 DOI: 10.3390/md21040224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is an opportunistic protozoon that can be found in warm water bodies. It is the causative agent of the primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Focused on our interest to develop promising lead structures for the development of antiparasitic agents, this study was aimed at identifying new anti-Naegleria marine natural products from a collection of chamigrane-type sesquiterpenes with structural variety in the levels of saturation, halogenation and oxygenation isolated from Laurencia dendroidea. (+)-Elatol (1) was the most active compound against Naegleria fowleri trophozoites with IC50 values of 1.08 μM against the ATCC 30808™ strain and 1.14 μM against the ATCC 30215™ strain. Furthermore, the activity of (+)-elatol (1) against the resistant stage of N. fowleri was also assessed, showing great cysticidal properties with a very similar IC50 value (1.14 µM) to the one obtained for the trophozoite stage. Moreover, at low concentrations (+)-elatol (1) showed no toxic effect towards murine macrophages and could induce the appearance of different cellular events related to the programmed cell death, such as an increase of the plasma membrane permeability, reactive oxygen species overproduction, mitochondrial malfunction or chromatin condensation. Its enantiomer (−)-elatol (2) was shown to be 34-fold less potent with an IC50 of 36.77 μM and 38.03 μM. An analysis of the structure–activity relationship suggests that dehalogenation leads to a significant decrease of activity. The lipophilic character of these compounds is an essential property to cross the blood-brain barrier, therefore they represent interesting chemical scaffolds to develop new drugs.
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Cannabis sativa: A look at protozoa, helminths, insect vectors, and pests. Fitoterapia 2023; 166:105467. [PMID: 36893925 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Active principles extracted from plants, such as essential oils, have been commonly described in the literature as therapeutic targets for numerous pathological conditions. Cannabis sativa, which has an ancient and peculiar history, has been used for various purposes, from recreational to compounds of pharmacotherapeutic and industrial importance, such as pesticides based on this plant. It is a plant that contains approximately 500 described cannabinoid compounds and is the target of in vitro and in vivo studies at different locations. This review clarifies the role of cannabinoid compounds in parasitic infections caused by helminths and protozoa. In addition, this study briefly presented the use of C. sativa constituents in the formulation of pesticides for vector control, as the latter topic is justified by the economic burden faced by several regions where vector-borne diseases are a troubling reality. Studies involving cannabis compounds with pesticidal potential should be encouraged, especially those that evaluate their effectiveness against the different life cycles of insects, seeking to interrupt vector proliferation after egg laying. Actions aimed at the management and cultivation of plant species with ecologically correct pharmacotherapeutic and pesticide potentials are becoming urgent.
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Madero-Ayala PA, Mares-Alejandre RE, Ramos-Ibarra MA. In Silico Structural Analysis of Serine Carboxypeptidase Nf314, a Potential Drug Target in Naegleria fowleri Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012203. [PMID: 36293059 PMCID: PMC9603766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri, also known as the “brain-eating” amoeba, is a free-living protozoan that resides in freshwater bodies. This pathogenic amoeba infects humans as a casual event when swimming in contaminated water. Upon inhalation, N. fowleri invades the central nervous system and causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rapidly progressive and often fatal disease. Although PAM is considered rare, reducing its case fatality rate compels the search for pathogen-specific proteins with a structure–function relationship that favors their application as targets for discovering new or improved drugs against N. fowleri infections. Herein, we report a computational approach to study the structural features of Nf314 (a serine carboxypeptidase that is a virulence-related protein in N. fowleri infections) and assess its potential as a drug target, using bioinformatics tools and in silico molecular docking experiments. Our findings suggest that Nf314 has a ligand binding site suitable for the structure-based design of specific inhibitors. This study represents a further step toward postulating a reliable therapeutic target to treat PAM with drugs specifically aimed at blocking the pathogen proliferation by inhibiting protein function.
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Zinc Oxide Nanoconjugates against Brain-Eating Amoebae. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11101281. [DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11101281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris are opportunistic protists, responsible for fatal central nervous system infections such as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) with mortality rates higher than 90%. Threatening a rise in cases is the increase in temperature due to global warming. No effective treatment is currently available. Herein, nanotechnology was used to conjugate Zinc oxide with Ampicillin, Ceftrixon, Naringin, Amphotericin B, and Quericitin, and the amoebicidal activity and host cell cytotoxicity of these resulting compounds were investigated. The compounds ZnO-CD-AMPi, ZnO-CD-CFT, ZnO-CD-Nar, ZnO-CD-AMB, and ZnO-CD-QT were found to reduce N. fowleri viability to 35.5%, 39.6%, 52.0%, 50.8%, 35.9%, and 69.9%, respectively, and B. mandrillaris viability to 40.9%, 48.2%, 51.6%, 43.8%, and 62.4%, respectively, when compared with their corresponding controls. Furthermore, the compounds reduced N. fowleri-mediated and B. mandrillaris-mediated host cell death significantly. Additionally, the compounds showed limited cytotoxicity against human cells; cell toxicity was 35.5%, 36.4%, 30.9%, 36.6%, and 35.6%, respectively, for the compounds ZnO-CD-AMPi, ZnO-CD-CFT, ZnO-CD-Nar, ZnO-CD-AMB, and ZnO-CD-QT. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentrations to inhibit amoeba growth by 50% were determined for N. fowleri and B. mandrillaris. The MIC50 for N. fowleri were determined to be 69.52 µg/mL, 82.05 µg/mL, 88.16 µg/mL, 95.61 µg/mL, and 85.69 µg/mL, respectively; the MIC50 of the compounds for B. mandrillaris were determined to be 113.9 µg/mL, 102.3 µg/mL, 106.9 µg/mL, 146.4 µg/mL, and 129.6 µg/mL, respectively. Translational research to further develop therapies based on these compounds is urgently warranted, given the lack of effective therapies currently available against these devastating infections.
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Arberas-Jiménez I, Rizo-Liendo A, Sifaoui I, Chao-Pellicer J, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. A Fluorometric Assay for the In Vitro Evaluation of Activity against Naegleria fowleri Cysts. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0051522. [PMID: 35862997 PMCID: PMC9430148 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00515-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a lethal and rapid infection that affects the central nervous system and is caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri. The life cycle of this protozoa consists of three different stages: The trophozoite, flagellate and cyst stages. Currently, no fully effective molecules have been found to treat PAM. In the search of new antiamoebic molecules, most of the efforts have focused on the trophozoidal activity of the compounds. However, there are no reports on the effect of the compounds on the N. fowleri cyst viability. In the present study, the cysticidal activity of four different molecules was evaluated using an alamarBlue based fluorometric assay. All the tested compounds were active against the cyst stage of N. fowleri. In fact, all the molecules except the amphotericin B, showed highest activity toward the cyst stage than the trophozoite stage. This work could be an effective protocol to select molecules with cysticidal and trophozoidal activity that can be considered a future PAM treatment. IMPORTANCE In the search of new anti-Naegleria fowleri compounds, most of the works focus on the activity of different molecules against the trophozoite stage; however, none of them include the effect of those compounds on the cyst viability. This manuscript presents a solid and reliable assay to evaluate the activity of compounds against the cyst stage of N. fowleri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Chao-Pellicer
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigacion Biomedica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigacion Biomedica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Bellini NK, Thiemann OH, Reyes-Batlle M, Lorenzo-Morales J, Costa AO. A history of over 40 years of potentially pathogenic free-living amoeba studies in Brazil - a systematic review. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210373. [PMID: 35792751 PMCID: PMC9252135 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoeba (FLA) group includes the potentially pathogenic genera Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia, Sappinia, and Vermamoeba, causative agents of human infections (encephalitis, keratitis, and disseminated diseases). In Brazil, the first report on pathogenic FLA was published in the 70s and showed meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria spp. FLA studies are emerging, but no literature review is available to investigate this trend in Brazil critically. Thus, the present work aims to integrate and discuss these data. Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched, retrieving studies from 1974 to 2020. The screening process resulted in 178 papers, which were clustered into core and auxiliary classes and sorted into five categories: wet-bench studies, dry-bench studies, clinical reports, environmental identifications, and literature reviews. The papers dating from the last ten years account for 75% (134/178) of the total publications, indicating the FLA topic has gained Brazilian interest. Moreover, 81% (144/178) address Acanthamoeba-related matter, revealing this genus as the most prevalent in all categories. Brazil’s Southeast, South, and Midwest geographic regions accounted for 96% (171/178) of the publications studied in the present work. To the best of our knowledge, this review is the pioneer in summarising the FLA research history in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Karla Bellini
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Otavio Henrique Thiemann
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Genética e Evolução, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red MP de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adriana Oliveira Costa
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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20
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Arberas-Jiménez I, García-Davis S, Rizo-Liendo A, Sifaoui I, Morales EQ, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J, Díaz-Marrero AR, Fernández JJ. Cyclolauranes as plausible chemical scaffold against Naegleria fowleri. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112816. [PMID: 35286966 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease caused by Naegleria fowleri that mainly affects children and young adults with fatal consequences in most of the cases. Treatment protocols are based on the combination of different antimicrobial agents, nonetheless there is the need to develop new anti-Naegleria compounds with low toxicity and full effects compared to the currently used drug combination. The marine environment is a well-established source of bioactive natural products. In this work, we have focused on the structure of Laurencia cyclolaurane-type sesquiterpenes as potential chemical model against Naegleria species. The effects of debromolaurinterol (1) to induce PCD/apoptosis-like events in Naegleria fowleri have been evaluated, revealing that this compound induced reduction of ATP production showing a decrease of 99.98% in treated parasite cells. A SAR analysis have been supported with molecular modeling and analysis of the in silico ADME/Tox properties of the Laurencia sesquiterpenes debromolaurinterol (1), laurinterol (2) and allolaurinterol (3), which reinforce cyclolaurane metabolites as plausible molecular models to develop PAM treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain; Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Sara García-Davis
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain; Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain; Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Ezequiel Q Morales
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain; Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain; Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain; Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain; Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana R Díaz-Marrero
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - José J Fernández
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
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21
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Seas C, Legua P. Meningoencephalitis Due to Free-Living Amoebas in the Tropics. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-022-00254-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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22
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Arberas-Jiménez I, Rizo-Liendo A, Nocchi N, Sifaoui I, Chao-Pellicer J, Souto ML, Suárez-Gómez B, Díaz-Marrero AR, Fernández JJ, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Sesquiterpene lactones as potential therapeutic agents against Naegleria fowleri. Pharmacotherapy 2022; 147:112694. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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23
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Rizo-Liendo A, Arberas-Jiménez I, Sifaoui I, Gkolfi D, Santana Y, Cotos L, Tejedor D, García-Tellado F, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. The therapeutic potential of novel isobenzofuranones against Naegleria fowleri. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 17:139-149. [PMID: 34627024 PMCID: PMC8501684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Free-Living Amoeba species, Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of a lethal encephalitis known as Primary Amoebic Encephalitis (PAM). Moreover, most of the reported cases are often related to swimming and/or diving in aquatic environments. In addition, the current therapeutic options against PAM are not fully effective and hence, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic agents against this disease. Previously isobenzofuranones compounds have been reported to present antiprotozoal and antifungal activity among others. However, to the best of our knowledge, these molecules have not been previously tested against N. fowleri. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of 14 novel isobenzofuranones against this pathogenic amoeba. The most active and less toxic molecules, were assayed in order to check induction of Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in the treated amoebae. The obtained results showed that these molecules were able to eliminate N. fowleri trophozoites and also induced PCD. Therefore, the tested isobenzofuranones could be potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain; Consorcio Centro De Investigacion Biomedica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Inst. de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dimitra Gkolfi
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - Yiset Santana
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - Leandro Cotos
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - David Tejedor
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain.
| | - Fernando García-Tellado
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avda. Fco. Sánchez 3, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain; Consorcio Centro De Investigacion Biomedica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Inst. de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203, Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain; Consorcio Centro De Investigacion Biomedica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Inst. de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Martín-Escolano R, Yiangou L, Kazana E, Robinson GK, Michaelis M, Tsaousis AD. Repurposing in vitro approaches for screening anti-parasitic drugs against the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 17:204-212. [PMID: 34875573 PMCID: PMC8652063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is both a pathogenic and a free-living microbial eukaryote, responsible for the development of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in humans. PAM is a rapid, severe and fatal underestimated infectious disease, which has been reported in countries with warmer climates. The major drawbacks with PAM are the lack of effective therapies and delay in diagnosis. The current frontline treatment presents a low rate of recovery (5%) and severe adverse effects. For example, many drug candidates lack efficacy, since they do not effectively cross the blood-brain-barrier. Consequently, more effective drugs are urgently needed. Herein, we report a new in vitro method suitable for medium- and high-throughput drug discovery assays, using the closely related Naegleria gruberi as a model. We have subsequently used this method to screen a library of 1175 Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs. As a result, we present three drugs (camptothecin, pyrimethamine, and terbinafine) that can be repurposed, and are anticipated to readily cross the blood-brain-barrier with activity against Naegleria species in therapeutically achievable concentrations. Successively, we integrated several in vitro assays that resulted in identifying fast-acting and high amoebicidal drugs. In conclusion, we present a new approach for the identification of anti-Naegleria drugs along with three potential drug candidates for further development for the treatment of PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Lyto Yiangou
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Eleanna Kazana
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Gary K Robinson
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - Anastasios D Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK.
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25
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Biglarnia F, Solhjoo K, Rezanezhad H, Taghipour A, Armand B. Isolation and identification of potentially pathogenic free-living amoeba in dialysis fluid samples of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 116:454-461. [PMID: 34676414 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Free-living amoeba (FLA), including Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia and Vermamoeba, have been isolated from water, sand, soil, dust and air. Numerous studies considered that FLA are a significant cause of neurological and ocular complications in high-risk groups, including immunocompromised individuals. The present study aimed to identify morphological and molecular characteristics of FLA isolates in dialysis fluid samples of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units in Iran. METHODS A total of 328 dialysis fluid samples were collected from 16 dialysis machines, including 164 samples before hemodialysis sessions (after cleaning) and 164 samples after hemodialysis sessions (before cleaning). Filtration and cultivation were performed on non-nutrient agar medium. Also, PCR and sequencing were applied by using the genus-specific primers along with a common primer set on positive samples. RESULTS Both morphology and molecular investigations showed that 22.5% (74/328) of dialysis fluid samples were positive for FLA. There was a positive relationship between the high frequency of FLA after hemodialysis sessions (before cleaning) compared with before hemodialysis sessions (after cleaning) (OR=2.86; 95% CI 1.5 to 5.45). Considering the PCR assay, 16.46% (54/328) samples were identified as Acanthamoeba spp. (belonging to T3 and T4 genotypes), 5.18% (17/328) as Vermamoeba vermiformis and 0.91% (3/328) as Vahlkampfiidae family (Naegleria australiensis, Naegleria pagei and Allovahlkampfia). CONCLUSION The present results support a need to improve filtration and purification methods for dialysis fluid of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units. They also highlight the relevance of periodic screenings for FLA-related diseases in hemodialysis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Biglarnia
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167715258, Iran
| | - Kavous Solhjoo
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167715258, Iran.,Zoonoses Research Center, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167712521, Iran
| | - Hassan Rezanezhad
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167715258, Iran.,Zoonoses Research Center, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167712521, Iran
| | - Ali Taghipour
- Zoonoses Research Center, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167712521, Iran
| | - Belal Armand
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Medical and Life Sciences Faculty, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen 78120, Germany
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Mungroo MR, Khan NA, Maciver S, Siddiqui R. Opportunistic free-living amoebal pathogens. Pathog Glob Health 2021; 116:70-84. [PMID: 34602025 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1985892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic free-living amoebae affecting the central nervous system are known to cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Although hosts with impaired immunity are generally at a higher risk of severe disease, amoebae such as Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris can instigate disease in otherwise immunocompetent individuals, whereas Acanthamoeba species mostly infect immunocompromised people. Acanthamoeba also cause a sight-threatening eye infection, mostly in contact lens wearers. Although infections due to pathogenic amoebae are considered rare, recently, these deadly amoebae were detected in water supplies in the USA. This is of particular concern, especially with global warming further exacerbating the problem. Herein, we describe the epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis, and management of free-living amoeba infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.,Research Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Sutherland Maciver
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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Güémez A, García E. Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: Pathogenesis and Treatments. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091320. [PMID: 34572533 PMCID: PMC8469197 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba." This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is characterized by low morbidity, it has shown a mortality rate of 98%, usually causing death in less than two weeks after the initial exposure. This review summarizes the most recent information about N. fowleri, its pathogenic molecular mechanisms, and the neuropathological processes implicated. Additionally, this review includes the main therapeutic strategies described in case reports and preclinical studies, including the possible use of immunomodulatory agents to decrease neurological damage.
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Naegleria fowleri: Protein structures to facilitate drug discovery for the deadly, pathogenic free-living amoeba. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0241738. [PMID: 33760815 PMCID: PMC7990177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a pathogenic, thermophilic, free-living amoeba which causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Penetrating the olfactory mucosa, the brain-eating amoeba travels along the olfactory nerves, burrowing through the cribriform plate to its destination: the brain’s frontal lobes. The amoeba thrives in warm, freshwater environments, with peak infection rates in the summer months and has a mortality rate of approximately 97%. A major contributor to the pathogen’s high mortality is the lack of sensitivity of N. fowleri to current drug therapies, even in the face of combination-drug therapy. To enable rational drug discovery and design efforts we have pursued protein production and crystallography-based structure determination efforts for likely drug targets from N. fowleri. The genes were selected if they had homology to drug targets listed in Drug Bank or were nominated by primary investigators engaged in N. fowleri research. In 2017, 178 N. fowleri protein targets were queued to the Seattle Structural Genomics Center of Infectious Disease (SSGCID) pipeline, and to date 89 soluble recombinant proteins and 19 unique target structures have been produced. Many of the new protein structures are potential drug targets and contain structural differences compared to their human homologs, which could allow for the development of pathogen-specific inhibitors. Five of the structures were analyzed in more detail, and four of five show promise that selective inhibitors of the active site could be found. The 19 solved crystal structures build a foundation for future work in combating this devastating disease by encouraging further investigation to stimulate drug discovery for this neglected pathogen.
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The type 2 statins, cerivastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin eliminate Naegleria fowleri at low concentrations and by induction of programmed cell death (PCD). Bioorg Chem 2021; 110:104784. [PMID: 33684715 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Primary Amoebic Encephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri species is a fatal infection of the Central Nervous System mostly affecting children and young adults. Infections often occur after performance of risk activities in aquatic habitats such as swimming and splashing. PAḾs therapy remain a key issue to be solved which needs an urgent development. Recently, statins have been highlighted as possible novel compounds to treat PAM. Furthermore, type 2 statins due to improved pharmacological properties and lower toxicity could be use in the future. In the present work, three type 2 statins were checked for their activity against two type strains of N. fowleri. In addition, the effects at the cellular level triggered in treated amoebae were checked in order to evaluate if programmed cell death was induced. The obtained results showed that the tested statins, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin and cerivastatin were able to eliminate N. fowleri trophozoites and also induced PCD. Therefore, type 2 statins could be used in the near future for the treatment of PAM.
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Laurinterol from Laurencia johnstonii eliminates Naegleria fowleri triggering PCD by inhibition of ATPases. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17731. [PMID: 33082417 PMCID: PMC7576160 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74729-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary amoebic encephalitis (PAM) is a lethal disease caused by the opportunistic pathogen, Naegleria fowleri. This amoebic species is able to live freely in warm aquatic habitats and to infect children and young adults when they perform risk activities in these water bodies such as swimming or splashing. Besides the need to increase awareness of PAM which will allow an early diagnosis, the development of fully effective therapeutic agents is needed. Current treatment options are amphotericin B and miltefosine which are not fully effective and also present toxicity issues. In this study, the in vitro activity of various sesquiterpenes isolated from the red alga Laurencia johnstonii were tested against the trophozoite stage of a strain of Naegleria fowleri. Moreover, the induced effects (apoptotic cell death) of the most active compound, laurinterol (1), was evaluated by measuring DNA condensation, damages at the mitochondrial level, cell membrane disruption and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The obtained results demonstrated that laurinterol was able to eliminate the amoebae at concentrations of 13.42 ± 2.57 µM and also to induced programmed cell death (PCD) in the treated amoebae. Moreover, since ATP levels were highly affected and laurinterol has been previously reported as an inhibitor of the Na+/K+-ATPase sodium–potassium ion pump, comparison with known inhibitors of ATPases were carried out. Our results points out that laurinterol was able to inhibit ENA ATPase pump at concentrations 100 times lower than furosemide.
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Grechnikova M, Ženíšková K, Malych R, Mach J, Sutak R. Copper detoxification machinery of the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri involves copper-translocating ATPase and the antioxidant system. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2020; 14:126-135. [PMID: 33096396 PMCID: PMC7578549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Copper is a trace metal that is necessary for all organisms but toxic when present in excess. Different mechanisms to avoid copper toxicity have been reported to date in pathogenic organisms such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. However, little if anything is known about pathogenic protozoans despite their importance in human and veterinary medicine. Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that occurs naturally in warm fresh water and can cause a rapid and deadly brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Here, we describe the mechanisms employed by N. fowleri to tolerate high copper concentrations, which include various strategies such as copper efflux mediated by a copper-translocating ATPase and upregulation of the expression of antioxidant enzymes and obscure hemerythrin-like and protoglobin-like proteins. The combination of different mechanisms efficiently protects the cell and ensures its high copper tolerance, which can be advantageous both in the natural environment and in the host. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that copper ionophores are potent antiamoebic agents; thus, copper metabolism may be considered a therapeutic target. N. fowleri employs the combination of copper efflux and antioxidant system to ensure a high copper tolerance. Copper efflux in N. fowleri is mediated by a copper-translocating P-type ATPase. Copper ionophores have amoebicidal effect against N. fowleri and thus may be potentially used as antiamoebic agents. Iron-binding proteins hemerythrin and protoglobin are highly upregulated in N. fowleri under copper overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grechnikova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Ženíšková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ronald Malych
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mach
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic.
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Rizo-Liendo A, Sifaoui I, Arberas-Jiménez I, Reyes-Batlle M, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Fluvastatin and atorvastatin induce programmed cell death in the brain eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 130:110583. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Anwar A, Khan NA, Siddiqui R. Repurposing of Drugs Is a Viable Approach to Develop Therapeutic Strategies against Central Nervous System Related Pathogenic Amoebae. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2378-2384. [PMID: 32073257 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-eating amoebae including Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, and Balamuthia mandrillaris cause rare infections of the central nervous system that almost always result in death. The high mortality rate, lack of interest for drug development from pharmaceutical industries, and no available effective drugs present an alarming challenge. The current drugs employed in the management and therapy of these devastating diseases are amphotericin B, miltefosine, chlorhexidine, pentamidine, and voriconazole which are generally used in combination. However, clinical evidence shows that these drugs have limited efficacy and high host cell cytotoxicity. Repurposing of drugs is a practical approach to utilize commercially available, U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved drugs for one disease against rare diseases caused by brain-eating amoebae. In this Perspective, we highlight some of the success stories of drugs repositioned against neglected parasitic diseases and identify future potential for effective and sustainable drug development against brain-eating amoebae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
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Rice CA, Troth EV, Russell AC, Kyle DE. Discovery of Anti-Amoebic Inhibitors from Screening the MMV Pandemic Response Box on Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri, and Acanthamoeba castellanii. Pathogens 2020; 9:E476. [PMID: 32560115 PMCID: PMC7344389 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic free-living amoebae, Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri, and several Acanthamoeba species are the etiological agents of severe brain diseases, with case mortality rates > 90%. A number of constraints including misdiagnosis and partially effective treatments lead to these high fatality rates. The unmet medical need is for rapidly acting, highly potent new drugs to reduce these alarming mortality rates. Herein, we report the discovery of new drugs as potential anti-amoebic agents. We used the CellTiter-Glo 2.0 high-throughput screening methods to screen the Medicines for Malaria Ventures (MMV) Pandemic Response Box in a search for new active chemical scaffolds. Initially, we screened the library as a single-point assay at 10 and 1 µM. From these data, we reconfirmed hits by conducting quantitative dose-response assays and identified 12 hits against B. mandrillaris, 29 against N. fowleri, and 14 against A. castellanii ranging from nanomolar to low micromolar potency. We further describe 11 novel molecules with activity against B. mandrillaris, 22 against N. fowleri, and 9 against A. castellanii. These structures serve as a starting point for medicinal chemistry studies and demonstrate the utility of phenotypic screening for drug discovery to treat diseases caused by free-living amoebae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Rice
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (E.V.T.); (A.C.R.)
| | - Emma V. Troth
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (E.V.T.); (A.C.R.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - A. Cassiopeia Russell
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (E.V.T.); (A.C.R.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (E.V.T.); (A.C.R.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Rizo-Liendo A, Sifaoui I, Cartuche L, Arberas-Jiménez I, Reyes-Batlle M, Fernández JJ, Piñero JE, Díaz-Marrero AR, Lorenzo-Morales J. Evaluation of Indolocarbazoles from Streptomyces sanyensis as a Novel Source of Therapeutic Agents against the Brain-Eating Amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050789. [PMID: 32466301 PMCID: PMC7285321 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is an opportunistic pathogenic free-living amoeba which is able to rapidly colonize the central nervous system (CNS) and causes a lethal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Furthermore, more than 98% of the known cases of PAM are fatal and affect mainly children under 12 and young adults. Until now, no fully effective therapeutic agents against N. fowleri are available and hence the urgent need to find novel agents to treat PAM. At present, PAM therapy is based on the combination of amphotericin B, miltefosine, among others, with unwanted toxic effects. Recently, our team isolated various indolocarbazoles (ICZs) from the culture of a mangrove strain of Streptomyces sanyensis which showed activity against kinetoplastids and the Acanthamoeba genus. Hence, in this study, the activity of the previously isolated ICZs, staurosporine (STS), 7-oxostaurosporine (7OSTS), 4′-demethylamino-4′-oxostaurosporine, and streptocarbazole B, was evaluated against two type strains of N. fowleri. Furthermore, the performed activity assays revealed that STS was the most active ICZ presenting an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of 0.08 ± 0.02 µM (SI 109.3). Moreover, STS induced programmed cell death (PCD) in the treated amoebae by triggering DNA condensation, mitochondrial disfunction, cell membrane disruption, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Therefore, STS could be a promising therapeutic agent against PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-L.); (I.S.); (I.A.-J.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-L.); (I.S.); (I.A.-J.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Luis Cartuche
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (L.C.); (J.J.F.); (A.R.D.-M.)
- Departamento de Química y Ciencias Exactas, Sección Química Básica y Aplicada, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano alto s/n, 1101608 Loja, Ecuador
| | - Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-L.); (I.S.); (I.A.-J.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-L.); (I.S.); (I.A.-J.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José J. Fernández
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (L.C.); (J.J.F.); (A.R.D.-M.)
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-L.); (I.S.); (I.A.-J.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Ana R. Díaz-Marrero
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (L.C.); (J.J.F.); (A.R.D.-M.)
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-L.); (I.S.); (I.A.-J.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
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Bellini NK, da Fonseca ALM, Reyes-Batlle M, Lorenzo-Morales J, Rocha O, Thiemann OH. Isolation of Naegleria spp . from a Brazilian Water Source. Pathogens 2020; 9:E90. [PMID: 32024031 PMCID: PMC7169387 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Naegleria, of the free-living amoeba (FLA) group, has been investigated mainly due to its human health impact, resulting in deadly infections and their worldwide distribution on freshwater systems. Naegleria fowleri, colloquially known as the "brain-eating amoeba," is the most studied Naegleria species because it causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) of high lethality. The assessment of FLA biodiversity is fundamental to evaluate the presence of pathogenic species and the possibility of human contamination. However, the knowledge of FLA distribution in Brazil is unknown, and to rectify this situation, we present research on identifying Naegleria spp. in the Monjolinho River as a model study. The river is a public Brazilian freshwater source that crosses the city of São Carlos, in São Paulo state, Brazil. Five distinct sampling sites were examined through limnological features, trophozoites culturing, and PCR against internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and 5.8S rRNA sequences. The results identified N. philippinensis, N. canariensisi, N. australiensis, N. gruberi, N. dobsoni sequences, as well as a Hartmannella sequence. The methodology delineated here represents the first Brazilian Naegleria spp. study on a freshwater system. Our results stress the urgency of a large scale evaluation of the presence of free-living amoebas in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Karla Bellini
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, São Carlos, SP 13560-590, Brazil; (N.K.B.); (A.L.M.d.F.)
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Ana Letícia Moreira da Fonseca
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, São Carlos, SP 13560-590, Brazil; (N.K.B.); (A.L.M.d.F.)
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Odete Rocha
- Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luis, km 235, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil;
| | - Otavio Henrique Thiemann
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, São Carlos, SP 13560-590, Brazil; (N.K.B.); (A.L.M.d.F.)
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil
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Liechti N, Schürch N, Bruggmann R, Wittwer M. Nanopore sequencing improves the draft genome of the human pathogenic amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16040. [PMID: 31690847 PMCID: PMC6831594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52572-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is an environmental protist found in soil and warm freshwater sources worldwide and is known for its ability to infect humans and causing a rapid and mostly fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. When contaminated water enters the nose, the facultative parasite follows the olfactory nerve and enters the brain by crossing the cribriform plate where it causes tissue damage and haemorrhagic necrosis. Although N. fowleri has been studied for several years, the mechanisms of pathogenicity are still poorly understood. Furthermore, there is a lack of knowledge on the genomic level and the current reference assembly is limited in contiguity. To improve the draft genome and to investigate pathogenicity factors, we sequenced the genome of N. fowleri using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). Assembly and polishing of the long reads resulted in a high-quality draft genome whose N50 is 18 times higher than the previously published genome. The prediction of potentially secreted proteins revealed a large proportion of enzymes with a hydrolysing function, which could play an important role during the pathogenesis and account for the destructive nature of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The improved genome provides the basis for further investigation unravelling the biology and the pathogenic potential of N. fowleri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Liechti
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, Spiez, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Schürch
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Bruggmann
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Wittwer
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, Spiez, Switzerland.
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Rizo-Liendo A, Sifaoui I, Reyes-Batlle M, Chiboub O, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Bethencourt-Estrella CJ, San Nicolás-Hernández D, Hendiger EB, López-Arencibia A, Rocha-Cabrera P, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. In Vitro Activity of Statins against Naegleria fowleri. Pathogens 2019; 8:E122. [PMID: 31398829 PMCID: PMC6789626 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri causes a deadly disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is still considered a rare disease, the number of reported cases worldwide has been increasing each year. Among the factors to be considered for this, awareness about this disease, and also global warming, as these amoebae thrive in warm water bodies, seem to be the key factors. Until present, no fully effective drugs have been developed to treat PAM, and the current options are amphotericin B and miltefosine, which present side effects such as liver and kidney toxicity. Statins are able to inhibit the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which is a key enzyme for the synthesis of ergosterol of the cell membrane of these amoebae. Therefore, the in vitro activity of a group of statins was tested in this study against two types of strains of Naegleria fowleri. The obtained results showed that fluvastatin was the most effective statin tested in this study and was able to eliminate these amoebae at concentrations of 0.179 ± 0.078 to 1.682 ± 0.775 µM depending on the tested strain of N. fowleri. Therefore, fluvastatin could be a potential novel therapeutic agent against this emerging pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
- Laboratoire Matériaux-Molécules et Applications, La Marsa, University of Carthage, Carthage 1054, Tunisia
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Olfa Chiboub
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
- Laboratoire Matériaux-Molécules et Applications, La Marsa, University of Carthage, Carthage 1054, Tunisia
| | - Rubén L Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Carlos J Bethencourt-Estrella
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Desirée San Nicolás-Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Edyta B Hendiger
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Atteneri López-Arencibia
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Pedro Rocha-Cabrera
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
- Clínica Nivaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, 38203 Tenerife, Spain
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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