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Gurnani B, Kaur K, Savla HR, Prajjwal P, Pentapati SSK, Kutikuppala LVS. Navigating diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in ocular manifestations of Hansen's disease and trachoma: A narrative review. Indian J Ophthalmol 2024; 72:816-823. [PMID: 38454868 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_793_23] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) encompass a group of approximately 20 diseases prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, closely associated with poverty, affecting over a billion people in low-income countries. This manuscript aims to explore the ocular manifestations and burden of two significant NTDs, namely Hansen's disease and trachoma while addressing gaps in understanding and management. Hansen's disease, caused by Mycobacterium leprae , has a long history and presents with diverse neurological and ocular manifestations. Despite the availability of treatment, ocular complications persist, leading to significant visual impairment in some cases. The manuscript emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, regular ophthalmic examinations, and follow-ups to prevent and control ocular complications, reducing the burden of visual impairment and blindness. Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis , remains the leading infectious cause of blindness in underdeveloped and remote areas. The manuscript highlights the clinical diagnosis and implementation of the World Health Organization's (WHO's) SAFE (surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene, and environmental sanitation) strategy to prevent transmission and associated blindness. However, challenges in health surveillance tools and underreporting of trachoma cases are addressed, emphasizing the need for improved strategies to combat the disease effectively. Through a comprehensive review of the ocular manifestations and management of Hansen's disease and trachoma, this manuscript contributes to the existing knowledge base and enhances a deeper understanding of these NTDs. Addressing gaps in understanding and management emphasizes the importance of implementing WHO's strategies and collaborative efforts to achieve the global goal of reducing the burden of NTDs and improving community health and well-being. The manuscript underscores the significance of early intervention, preventive measures, and technological advancements, providing valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers working in the field of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Gurnani
- Cataract, Cornea, Trauma, Refractive Surgery, Ocular Surface and External Diseases, ASG Eye Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Kirandeep Kaur
- Consultant Cataract, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, ASG Eye Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Hritik R Savla
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Priyadarshi Prajjwal
- Department of Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Martini M, Riccardi N, Simonetti O, Orsini D, Samassa F, Parodi A. "The blinding disease". The history of trachoma in Italians between the 19th and 20th centuries: colonial or national blindness? Pathog Glob Health 2024:1-6. [PMID: 38644632 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2024.2342623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is one of the oldest known causes of blindness in humans and it is caused by the intracellular Gram-negative bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis serovars A, B, Ba and C. Its transmission has historically been related to poorness, overcrowded housing and scarce hygiene. We have traced the history of trachoma in Italy in the 19th and 20th centuries, among people living in Italy, those who immigrated to America and the population in the colonies, with a focus on Libya (1912-1943). Trachoma knowledge and perception in Italy and in its colonies was ambiguous during the 19th and 20th centuries. Trachoma was responsible for a great morbidity on both sides of the Mediterranean, in Italy as well as in Libya. Trachoma is still one of the leading infectious causes of preventable blindness worldwide and it was widespread in Italy and the Italian colonies in the first half of the last century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Martini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
- UNESCO Chair "Anthropology of Health - Biosphere and Healing System", University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Research Center on Influenza and Other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Niccolò Riccardi
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Omar Simonetti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Davide Orsini
- University Museum System of Siena (SIMUS), History of Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Samassa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ospedale dell'Angelo di Mestre - AULSS3 - Serenissima, Mestre, Italy
| | - Alessandra Parodi
- Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Ruprecht-Karls - Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Cerrada I, Leiva M, Vilao R, Peña T, Ríos J. Follicular conjunctivitis in dogs: A retrospective study (2007-2022). Vet Ophthalmol 2023. [PMID: 37850538 DOI: 10.1111/vop.13155] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, treatment, and outcome of canine follicular conjunctivitis (CFC). PROCEDURE Medical records of dogs diagnosed with CFC were reviewed. Data recorded included signalment, duration of clinical signs and treatment details prior to presentation, concurrent ocular/systemic diseases, ocular clinical signs, cytology, treatment, follow-up, and outcome. Blepharospasm, signs of self-trauma, hyperemia, chemosis, ocular discharge, and follicle location and severity (0.5-4) were retrospectively evaluated. Based on severity, treatment consisted of topical 0.1% diclofenac or 0.1% dexamethasone sodium eyedrops. Dogs were classified into young (YD < 18 months) and adult (AD ≥ 18 months). RESULTS One hundred and fifty-three dogs (276 eyes) were included in the study: 83YD (54%) and 70AD (46%). Males and bilateral disease were over-represented in both groups. Severity was associated with young age (p = .032) and bilaterality (p = .025), and not with dermatological diseases (p > .05). No differences in follicular location were observed except for more frequent involvement of the nictitating membrane (MN) in YD (p = .02). Response to treatment was faster in AD (p = .001), with complete resolution in 80.6% of the eyes (100/124) at 1 month. YD treated with diclofenac showed faster resolution than those treated with 0.1% dexamethasone (p = .009). CONCLUSIONS Although CFC is a bilateral ocular disease occurring at any age, the clinical presentation is influenced by age. Follicular conjunctivitis in adult dogs is less sever, less commonly affects the NM, and responds more quickly to topical treatment. One month of topical diclofenac may be adequate for mild cases, and 1 month of topical 0.1% dexamethasone is recommended as initial therapy for moderate to severely affected cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cerrada
- Servei d'Oftalmologia, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marta Leiva
- Servei d'Oftalmologia, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rita Vilao
- Servei d'Oftalmologia, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Teresa Peña
- Servei d'Oftalmologia, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jose Ríos
- Laboratory of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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de Campos LJ, Seleem MA, Feng J, Pires de Oliveira KM, de Andrade Dos Santos JV, Hayer S, Clayton JB, Kathi S, Fisher DJ, Ouellette SP, Conda-Sheridan M. Design, Biological Evaluation, and Computer-Aided Analysis of Dihydrothiazepines as Selective Antichlamydial Agents. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2116-2142. [PMID: 36696579 PMCID: PMC10056257 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) causes the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the United States. The lack of drug selectivity is one of the main challenges of the current antichlamydial pharmacotherapy. The metabolic needs of CT are controlled, among others, by cylindrical proteases and their chaperones (e.g., ClpX). It has been shown that dihydrothiazepines can disrupt CT-ClpXP. Based on this precedent, we synthesized a dihydrothiazepine library and characterized its antichlamydial activity using a modified semi-high-throughput screening assay. Then, we demonstrated their ability to inhibit ClpX ATPase activity in vitro, supporting ClpX as a target. Further, our lead compound displayed a promising selectivity profile against CT, acceptable cytotoxicity, no mutagenic potential, and good in vitro stability. A two-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (2D QSAR) model was generated as a support tool in the identification of more potent antichlamydial molecules. This study suggests dihydrothiazepines are a promising starting point for the development of new and selective antichlamydial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Janaína de Campos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Mohamed A Seleem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Jiachen Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Kelly Mari Pires de Oliveira
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS 79804-970, Brazil
| | | | - Shivdeep Hayer
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska 68182, United States
| | - Jonathan B Clayton
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska 68182, United States
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska─Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
- Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska─Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508, United States
| | - Sharvath Kathi
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
| | - Derek J Fisher
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
| | - Scot P Ouellette
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Martin Conda-Sheridan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
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L C-tandem mass spectrometry for quantifying three drugs simultaneously utilized for treating Chlamydia Trachomatis infection in Rabbit’s aqueous humor: Experimental central composite aided design augmented Lean Six Sigma. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
About half of the world's population and 80% of the world's biodiversity can be found in the tropics. Many diseases are specific to the tropics, with at least 41 diseases caused by endemic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Such diseases are of increasing concern, as the geographic range of tropical diseases is expanding due to climate change, urbanization, change in agricultural practices, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. While traditional medicines have been used for centuries in the treatment of tropical diseases, the active natural compounds within these medicines remain largely unknown. In this review, we describe infectious diseases specific to the tropics, including their causative pathogens, modes of transmission, recent major outbreaks, and geographic locations. We further review current treatments for these tropical diseases, carefully consider the biodiscovery potential of the tropical biome, and discuss a range of technologies being used for drug development from natural resources. We provide a list of natural products with antimicrobial activity, detailing the source organisms and their effectiveness as treatment. We discuss how technological advancements, such as next-generation sequencing, are driving high-throughput natural product screening pipelines to identify compounds with therapeutic properties. This review demonstrates the impact natural products from the vast tropical biome have in the treatment of tropical infectious diseases and how high-throughput technical capacity will accelerate this discovery process.
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Optimization of peptide-based inhibitors targeting the HtrA serine protease in Chlamydia: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of pyridone-based and N-Capping group-modified analogues. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 224:113692. [PMID: 34265463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is responsible for the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection and is the leading cause of preventable blindness, representing a major global health burden. While C. trachomatis infection is currently treatable with broad-spectrum antibiotics, there would be many benefits of a chlamydia-specific therapy. Previously, we have identified a small-molecule lead compound JO146 [Boc-Val-Pro-ValP(OPh)2] targeting the bacterial serine protease HtrA, which is essential in bacterial replication, virulence and survival, particularly under stress conditions. JO146 is highly efficacious in attenuating infectivity of both human (C. trachomatis) as well as koala (C. pecorum) species in vitro and in vivo, without host cell toxicity. Herein, we present our continuing efforts on optimizing JO146 by modifying the N-capping group as well as replacing the parent peptide structure with the 2-pyridone scaffold at P3/P2. The drug optimization process was guided by molecular modelling, enzyme and cell-based assays. Compound 18b from the pyridone series showed improved inhibitory activity against CtHtrA by 5-fold and selectivity over human neutrophil elastase (HNE) by 109-fold compared to JO146, indicating that 2-pyridone is a suitable bioisostere of the P3/P2 amide/proline for developing CtHtrA inhibitors. Most pyridone-based inhibitors showed superior anti-chlamydial potency to JO146 especially at lower doses (25 and 50 μM) in C. trachomatis and C. pecorum cell culture assays. Modifications of the N-capping group of the peptidyl inhibitors did not have much influence on the anti-chlamydial activities, providing opportunities for more versatile alterations and future optimization. In summary, we present 2-pyridone based analogues as a new generation of non-peptidic CtHtrA inhibitors, which hold better promise as anti-chlamydial drug candidates.
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Chlamydia trachomatis TmeA Directly Activates N-WASP To Promote Actin Polymerization and Functions Synergistically with TarP during Invasion. mBio 2021; 12:mBio.02861-20. [PMID: 33468693 PMCID: PMC7845632 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02861-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing genetic tractability of Chlamydia trachomatis is accelerating the ability to characterize the unique infection biology of this obligate intracellular parasite. These efforts are leading to a greater understanding of the molecular events associated with key virulence requirements. Chlamydia trachomatis is a medically significant human pathogen and is an epithelial-tropic obligate intracellular parasite. Invasion of nonprofessional phagocytes represents a crucial step in the infection process and has likely promoted the evolution of a redundant mechanism and routes of entry. Like many other viral and invasive bacterial pathogens, manipulation of the host cell cytoskeleton represents a focal point in Chlamydia entry. The advent of genetic techniques in C. trachomatis, such as creation of complete gene deletions via fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM), is providing important tools to unravel the contributions of bacterial factors in these complex pathways. The type III secretion chaperone Slc1 directs delivery of at least four effectors during the invasion process. Two of these, TarP and TmeA, have been associated with manipulation of actin networks and are essential for normal levels of invasion. The functions of TarP are well established, whereas TmeA is less well characterized. We leverage chlamydial genetics and proximity labeling here to provide evidence that TmeA directly targets host N-WASP to promote Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization. Our work also shows that TmeA and TarP influence separate, yet synergistic pathways to accomplish chlamydial entry. These data further support an appreciation that a pathogen, confined by a reductionist genome, retains the ability to commit considerable resources to accomplish bottle-neck steps during the infection process.
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9
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Li DK, Feng HH, Mu YT, Yu JQ, Yang F. Extraction and bioinformatics analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis LpxA. Int Ophthalmol 2020; 41:667-673. [PMID: 33078228 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-020-01623-x] [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: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to clone the LpxA gene of Chlamydia trachomatis and analyze its biological characteristics. METHODS Specific primers were designed according to the sequence of Ct LpxA gene. LpxA gene was amplified by PCR and connected to pMD18-T vectors. Positive clones were selected for PCR and DNA sequencing. Finally, bioinformatics software was used to analyze the biological properties of LpxA protein. RESULTS The total length of LpxA gene was 840 bp, encoding 280 amino acids. LpxA protein has no signal peptide and was located in bacterial cytoplasm. The prediction of secondary structure showed that the α-helix, extended strand, β-turn and random coil accounted for 19.6%, 32.8%, 11.4% and 36%, respectively. According to the prediction of tertiary structure, three identical LpxA molecules constituted homologous trimers. It was predicted that there were 11 B cell epitopes in LpxA. CONCLUSION Ct Lpxa gene was cloned, and LpxA protein structure and function were predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Kun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Huan-Huan Feng
- Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
| | - Ying-Tao Mu
- Department of TCM, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 39 Middle Chaoyang Road, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
| | - Jin-Qiang Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
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10
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Li DK, Mu YT, Feng HH. The expression and purification of LpxA of Chlamydia trachomatis and preparation of its polyclonal antibody. Z NATURFORSCH C 2020; 75:313-317. [PMID: 32374296 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2020-0050] [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: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to purify the LpxA protein of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and prepare the polyclonal antibody against LpxA protein, so as to lay a foundation for studying the function of LpxA protein. The LpxA gene was amplified by PCR. The expression plasmid pET28a-LpxA was constructed by using pET28a as the vector. The fusion protein containing 6 histidine tag was induced by IPTG and purified by Ni2+ chromatography gel. The purified His-LpxA protein was used as an immunogen to immunize New Zealand rabbits subcutaneously through the back to prepare polyclonal antibody. Immunoblotting was used to detect the reaction between the antibody and His-LpxA. The determination of polyclonal antibody titer was detected by ELISA. The relative molecular weight of His-LpxA was 32.8 kDa, and it could be expressed in Escherichia coli. The purity of the purified protein was about 95%. After immunizing New Zealand rabbits, the antiserum was able to recognize the recombinant His-LpxA protein with a titer greater than 1:10240. In this study, LpxA protein was successfully purified and antiserum was prepared, which provided an experimental basis for studying the function of LpxA protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Kun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Ying-Tao Mu
- Department of TCM, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Huan-Huan Feng
- Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 15 Jiefang Road, Xiangyang, Hubei, 441000, PR China
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11
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Contact lens management in a late-stage trachoma and concurrent severe dry-eye: A case report. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2020; 44:120-122. [PMID: 32327273 DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2020.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Barrett KF, Dranow DM, Phan IQ, Michaels SA, Shaheen S, Navaluna ED, Craig JK, Tillery LM, Choi R, Edwards TE, Conrady DG, Abendroth J, Horanyi PS, Lorimer DD, Van Voorhis WC, Zhang Z, Barrett LK, Subramanian S, Staker B, Fan E, Myler PJ, Soge OO, Hybiske K, Ojo KK. Structures of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Protein Sci 2020; 29:768-778. [PMID: 31930578 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3824] [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] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) and Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) are the most commonly reported sexually transmitted bacteria worldwide and usually present as co-infections. Increasing resistance of Ng to currently recommended dual therapy of azithromycin and ceftriaxone presents therapeutic challenges for syndromic management of Ng-Ct co-infections. Development of a safe, effective, and inexpensive dual therapy for Ng-Ct co-infections is an effective strategy for the global control and prevention of these two most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a validated drug target with two approved drugs for indications other than antibacterials. Nonetheless, any new drugs targeting GAPDH in Ng and Ct must be specific inhibitors of bacterial GAPDH that do not inhibit human GAPDH, and structural information of Ng and Ct GAPDH will aid in finding such selective inhibitors. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structures of Ng and Ct GAPDH. Analysis of the structures demonstrates significant differences in amino acid residues in the active sites of human GAPDH from those of the two bacterial enzymes suggesting design of compounds to selectively inhibit Ng and Ct is possible. We also describe an efficient in vitro assay of recombinant GAPDH enzyme activity amenable to high-throughput drug screening to aid in identifying inhibitory compounds and begin to address selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh F Barrett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington
| | - David M Dranow
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,UCB Pharma, Bainbridge Island, Washington
| | - Isabelle Q Phan
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Samantha A Michaels
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Shareef Shaheen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Edelmar D Navaluna
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Justin K Craig
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington
| | - Logan M Tillery
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ryan Choi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Thomas E Edwards
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,UCB Pharma, Bainbridge Island, Washington
| | - Deborah G Conrady
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,UCB Pharma, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Jan Abendroth
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,UCB Pharma, Bainbridge Island, Washington
| | - Peter S Horanyi
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,UCB Pharma, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Donald D Lorimer
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,UCB Pharma, Bainbridge Island, Washington
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Zhongsheng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lynn K Barrett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sandhya Subramanian
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Bart Staker
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Erkang Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Peter J Myler
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Biomedical Informatics & Medical Education
| | - Olusegun O Soge
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kevin Hybiske
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Tanywe AC, Matchawe C, Fernandez R, Lapkin S. Perceptions and practices of community members relating to trachoma in Africa: a qualitative systematic review protocol. JBI DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS AND IMPLEMENTATION REPORTS 2019; 17:2350-2356. [PMID: 31290788 DOI: 10.11124/jbisrir-2017-003820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize and present the best available evidence on community perceptions and practices relating to trachoma in Africa. INTRODUCTION Globally, trachoma is the leading cause of blindness and is responsible for about 1.4% of all cases of blindness. The African continent is the worst affected, with about 1.9 million cases of trichiasis (61%). While interventions are currently being implemented to combat the disease in Africa, very little is known by decision makers about community perceptions and practices relating to trachoma, which may hinder successful implementation. INCLUSION CRITERIA Studies with participants, regardless of their health status, gender, religion and ethnicity, aged 14 and over conducted in any African country, will be considered. Studies on Africans, conducted out of the continent and those involving healthcare professionals, will not be included in this review. METHODS Qualitative studies, published in English from 1996 onwards. will be considered. Databases to be searched will include, but not be limited to: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and PsycINFO. Study selection, critical appraisal and data extraction will be conducted by two independent reviewers, using the appropriate JBI methodology and any disagreement will be resolved by discussion or with a third reviewer. Qualitative findings will be synthesized using the appropriate JBI methodology, following the meta-aggregation approach. Where textual pooling is not possible, the findings will be presented in narrative form. The ConQual approach will be used to grade synthesized findings, and these will be presented in a Summary of Findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asahngwa Constantine Tanywe
- Cameroon Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: a Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence
- Centre for Behavioral and Social Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Chelea Matchawe
- Cameroon Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: a Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence
- Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plan Studies (IMPM), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Ritin Fernandez
- Centre for Evidence Based Initiatives in Health Care: a Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence
- St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Samuel Lapkin
- Centre for Evidence Based Initiatives in Health Care: a Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence
- St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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Noya-Alarcón O, Bevilacqua M, Rodríguez-Morales AJ. Trachoma in 3 Amerindian Communities, Venezuelan Amazon, 2018. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25. [PMID: 30561321 PMCID: PMC6302605 DOI: 10.3201/eid2501.181362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is among the most common infectious causes of blindness. During January-May 2018, a total of 4 trachoma cases were diagnosed among Amerindians of the Yanomami ethnic group in 3 communities of southern Venezuela. This country has social and environmental conditions conducive to the endemicity of this neglected tropical disease.
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Sharma VK, Gupta PC, Ram J. Trachoma and Herbert's pits. QJM 2019; 112:457. [PMID: 30590853 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcy296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- V K Sharma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Center, Sector 12, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - P C Gupta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Center, Sector 12, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - J Ram
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Center, Sector 12, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
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Prüss-Ustün A, Wolf J, Bartram J, Clasen T, Cumming O, Freeman MC, Gordon B, Hunter PR, Medlicott K, Johnston R. Burden of disease from inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene for selected adverse health outcomes: An updated analysis with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:765-777. [PMID: 31088724 PMCID: PMC6593152 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background To develop updated estimates in response to new exposure and exposure-response data of the burden of diarrhoea, respiratory infections, malnutrition, schistosomiasis, malaria, soil-transmitted helminth infections and trachoma from exposure to inadequate drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene behaviours (WASH) with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Methods For each of the analysed diseases, exposure levels with both sufficient global exposure data for 2016 and a matching exposure-response relationship were combined into population-attributable fractions. Attributable deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were estimated for each disease and, for most of the diseases, by country, age and sex group separately for inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene behaviours and for the cluster of risk factors. Uncertainty estimates were computed on the basis of uncertainty surrounding exposure estimates and relative risks. Findings An estimated 829,000 WASH-attributable deaths and 49.8 million DALYs occurred from diarrhoeal diseases in 2016, equivalent to 60% of all diarrhoeal deaths. In children under 5 years, 297,000 WASH-attributable diarrhoea deaths occurred, representing 5.3% of all deaths in this age group. If the global disease burden from different diseases and several counterfactual exposure distributions was combined it would amount to 1.6 million deaths, representing 2.8% of all deaths, and 104.6 million DALYs in 2016. Conclusions Despite recent declines in attributable mortality, inadequate WASH remains an important determinant of global disease burden, especially among young children. These estimates contribute to global monitoring such as for the Sustainable Development Goal indicator on mortality from inadequate WASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Prüss-Ustün
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Jennyfer Wolf
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Jamie Bartram
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Thomas Clasen
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Matthew C Freeman
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Bruce Gordon
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Paul R Hunter
- The Norwich School of Medicine, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK; Department of Environmental Health, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Kate Medlicott
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Richard Johnston
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Preparation and Evaluation of Topically Applied Azithromycin Based on Sodium Hyaluronate in Treatment of Conjunctivitis. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:pharmaceutics11040183. [PMID: 30991749 PMCID: PMC6523157 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11040183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Azithromycin (AZI) eye drops containing sodium hyaluronate (SH) were developed to improve the bioavailability of AZI. Interaction between AZI and SH in the AZI-SH formulation was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses. Moreover, advantages of using SH as an excipient were investigated by comparing physiological properties and pharmacokinetic behaviors of SH-containing AZI eye drops with that of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-containing formulation. In addition, safety of the developed AZI-SH eye drops was evaluated by in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-Thiazyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT assay) and neutral red uptake assay as well as in vivo eye irritation test and acute toxicity test. The results indicated that AZI formed a complex with SH under a slightly acidic condition. The area under the curve (AUC) of AZI in SH-containing formulation was 1.58-fold higher (P < 0.01) than that in HPMC-containing formulation due to the interaction between the amine group of AZI and the carboxyl group of SH, despite of the higher viscosity of HPMC-containing formulation. Safety evaluation showed that AZI-SH eye drops caused no obvious eye irritation and acute toxicity. In conclusion, the developed SH-containing AZI formulation possessing advantages of longer retention time and higher drug availability was a promising drug formulation for topical ocular therapy.
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Kieckens E, Van den Broeck L, Van Gils M, Morré S, Vanrompay D. Co-Occurrence of Chlamydia suis DNA and Chlamydia suis-Specific Antibodies in the Human Eye. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:677-682. [PMID: 30251925 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia suis is a swine pathogen that causes economic losses due to reproductive failure. Recently, C. suis has been detected in human eyes. However, knowledge of the zoonotic potential is still limited. C. suis infections in swine could present a risk for public health because (1) tetracycline-resistant C. suis strains are emerging in the pork industry, (2) tetracycline resistance gene transfers in vitro from C. suis to the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis and as previously demonstrated, (3) C. suis and C. trachomatis can be both present in the human eye. Pig farmers were sampled during a seminar in West-Flanders. Conjunctival swabs for detection of C. suis and C. trachomatis and for the detection of mucosal antibodies against C. suis and C. trachomatis were collected. The farmers completed a questionnaire designed to assess information on the following: (1) the health status of their pigs, (2) administration of veterinary drugs, (3) their professional and nonprofessional activities, (4) general health status, (5) smoking habits, (6) use of medication, (7) allergies, and (8) clinical signs/history. Thirty-three on 40 (82.5%) farmers participated. None of the conjunctival swabs contained C. trachomatis DNA and mucosal antibodies against C. trachomatis were not detected. Six of 33 (18.2%) farmers had C. suis DNA in their eyes and 22 of 33 (67%) swabs contained C. suis-specific mucosal antibodies. The older the farmer, higher the chance of finding C. suis antibodies in the eye. There was a significant correlation between the presence of conjunctivitis in the pigs and the occurrence of C. suis DNA in the eye of their owner. This study shows that C. suis may transfer from pigs to the human eye as specific mucosal antibodies were detected in conjunctivae of pig farmers. Veterinarians, general practitioners, and occupational physicians should be aware of the zoonotic potential of C. suis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Kieckens
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Van den Broeck
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mathias Van Gils
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Servaas Morré
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Public Health Genomics, Research School GROW (School for Oncology and Developmental Biology), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Kahloun R, Khairallah M, Resnikoff S, Cicinelli MV, Flaxman SR, Das A, Jonas JB, Keeffe JE, Kempen JH, Leasher J, Limburg H, Naidoo K, Pesudovs K, Silvester AJ, Tahhan N, Taylor HR, Wong TY, Bourne RRA. Prevalence and causes of vision loss in North Africa and Middle East in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections. Br J Ophthalmol 2018; 103:863-870. [PMID: 30209082 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-312068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in North Africa and the Middle East (NAME) from 1990 to 2015 and to forecast projections for 2020. METHODS Based on a systematic review of medical literature, the prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity (PVA) <3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; PVA <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (PVA <6/12 but ≥6/18) was estimated for 2015 and 2020. RESULTS The age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI for all ages and genders decreased from 1990 to 2015, from 1.72 (0.53-3.13) to 0.95% (0.32%-1.71%), and from 6.66 (3.09-10.69) to 4.62% (2.21%-7.33%), respectively, with slightly higher figures for women than men. Cataract was the most common cause of blindness in 1990 and 2015, followed by uncorrected refractive error. Uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause of MSVI in the NAME region in 1990 and 2015, followed by cataract. A reduction in the proportions of blindness and MSVI due to cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma is predicted by 2020. Conversely, an increase in the proportion of blindness attributable to uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy is expected. CONCLUSIONS In 2015 cataract and uncorrected refractive error were the major causes of vision loss in the NAME region. Proportions of vision impairment from cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma are expected to decrease by 2020, and those from uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are predicted to increase by 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rim Kahloun
- Les Ophtalmologistes Associés de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Moncef Khairallah
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Serge Resnikoff
- Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Seth R Flaxman
- Department of Mathematics and Data Science Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Aditi Das
- Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber, London, UK
| | - Jost B Jonas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsmedizin, Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - John H Kempen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,MyungSung Christian Medical Center and Medical School, Discovery Eye Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Janet Leasher
- Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Hans Limburg
- Health Information Services, Grootebroek, The Netherlands
| | - Kovin Naidoo
- Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,African Vision Research Institute, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | - Nina Tahhan
- Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hugh R Taylor
- Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tien Yin Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rupert R A Bourne
- Vision and Eye Research Unit, School of Medicine, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
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Favacho J, Alves da Cunha AJL, Gomes STM, Freitas FB, Queiroz MAF, Vallinoto ACR, Ishak R, Ishak MDOG. Prevalence of trachoma in school children in the Marajó Archipelago, Brazilian Amazon, and the impact of the introduction of educational and preventive measures on the disease over eight years. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006282. [PMID: 29447155 PMCID: PMC5831641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world and is associated with precarious living conditions in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of trachoma in three municipalities of the Marajó Archipelago, located in the state of Pará, Brazil. In 2008, 2,054 schoolchildren from the public primary school system of the urban area of the region and their communicants were clinically examined; in 2016, 1,502 schoolchildren were examined. The positive cases seen during the clinical evaluation were confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) laboratory tests. The presence of antibodies against the genus Chlamydia was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and the serotypes were determined by microimmunofluorescence (MIF). In 2008, the prevalence of trachoma among schoolchildren was 3.4% (69 cases) and it was more frequent in children between six and nine years of age and in females; among the communicants, a prevalence of 16.5% was observed. In 2016, three cases of trachoma were diagnosed (prevalence of 0.2%), found only in the municipality of Soure. The results of the present study showed that in 2008, trachoma had a low prevalence (3.4%) among schoolchildren in the urban area of Marajó Archipelago; eight years after the first evaluation and the introduction of control and prevention measures (SAFE strategy), there was a drastic reduction in the number of cases (0.2%), demonstrating the need for constant monitoring and effective measures for the elimination of trachoma. Trachoma is one of the main neglected infectious diseases and carry a considerable burden to human health as a consequence of the clinical severity of the disease which may evolve to blindness. The lack of hygiene, education and other indicators of low social and economic markers occurring in developing and underdeveloped countries favour the spread of Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacterium causing trachoma. Although there is an easy, cheap and available treatment, reinfections are common and transmission is a consequence of bad hygienic habits and the various serotypes of the bacterium. The Marajó territory, in the North of the Amazon region of Brazil, is a large area with an ill educated, poor population, with almost no access to health resources and with almost no chance of transportation to major urban centers. Trachoma was detected a long time ago in the island and now, for the first time, a clear effort was produced during an eight year period in order to improve health hygienic habits among children and their relatives. The number of new cases following an initial diagnosis, was significantly reduced by the application of the WHO SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial hygiene and Education for better habits) strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Favacho
- Health Surveillance Department, Evandro Chagas Institute, Bélem, Pará, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ricardo Ishak
- Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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Plasmid Negative Regulation of CPAF Expression Is Pgp4 Independent and Restricted to Invasive Chlamydia trachomatis Biovars. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.02164-17. [PMID: 29382731 PMCID: PMC5790913 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02164-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes blinding trachoma and sexually transmitted disease. C. trachomatis isolates are classified into 2 biovars—lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and trachoma—which are distinguished biologically by their natural host cell infection tropism. LGV biovars infect macrophages and are invasive, whereas trachoma biovars infect oculo-urogenital epithelial cells and are noninvasive. The C. trachomatis plasmid is an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of these infections. Central to its pathogenic role is the transcriptional regulatory function of the plasmid protein Pgp4, which regulates the expression of plasmid and chromosomal virulence genes. As many gene regulatory functions are post-transcriptional, we employed a comparative proteomic study of cells infected with plasmid-cured C. trachomatis serovars A and D (trachoma biovar), a L2 serovar (LGV biovar), and the L2 serovar transformed with a plasmid containing a nonsense mutation in pgp4 to more completely elucidate the effects of the plasmid on chlamydial infection biology. Our results show that the Pgp4-dependent elevations in the levels of Pgp3 and a conserved core set of chromosomally encoded proteins are remarkably similar for serovars within both C. trachomatis biovars. Conversely, we found a plasmid-dependent, Pgp4-independent, negative regulation in the expression of the chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) for the L2 serovar but not the A and D serovars. The molecular mechanism of plasmid-dependent negative regulation of CPAF expression in the LGV serovar is not understood but is likely important to understanding its macrophage infection tropism and invasive infection nature. The Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid is an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of chlamydial infection. It is known that plasmid protein 4 (Pgp4) functions in the transcriptional regulation of the plasmid virulence protein 3 (Pgp3) and multiple chromosomal loci of unknown function. Since many gene regulatory functions can be post-transcriptional, we undertook a comparative proteomic analysis to better understand the plasmid’s role in chlamydial and host protein expression. We report that Pgp4 is a potent and specific master positive regulator of a common core of plasmid and chromosomal virulence genes shared by multiple C. trachomatis serovars. Notably, we show that the plasmid is a negative regulator of the expression of the chlamydial virulence factor CPAF. The plasmid regulation of CPAF is independent of Pgp4 and restricted to a C. trachomatis macrophage-tropic strain. These findings are important because they define a previously unknown role for the plasmid in the pathophysiology of invasive chlamydial infection.
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Lewis J. Tracking Trachoma: How The Gambia Is Eliminating an Ancient Disease. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:122001. [PMID: 29233796 PMCID: PMC5963589 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
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The Effector TepP Mediates Recruitment and Activation of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase on Early Chlamydia trachomatis Vacuoles. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00207-17. [PMID: 28744480 PMCID: PMC5518268 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00207-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis delivers multiple type 3 secreted effector proteins to host epithelial cells to manipulate cytoskeletal functions, membrane dynamics, and signaling pathways. TepP is the most abundant effector protein secreted early in infection, but its molecular function is poorly understood. In this report, we provide evidence that TepP is important for bacterial replication in cervical epithelial cells, activation of type I IFN genes, and recruitment of class I phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and signaling adaptor protein CrkL to nascent pathogen-containing vacuoles (inclusions). We also show that TepP is a target of tyrosine phosphorylation by Src kinases but that these modifications do not appear to influence the recruitment of PI3K or CrkL. The translocation of TepP correlated with an increase in the intracellular pools of phosphoinositide-(3,4,5)-triphosphate but not the activation of the prosurvival kinase Akt, suggesting that TepP-mediated activation of PI3K is spatially restricted to early inclusions. Furthermore, we linked PI3K activity to the dampening of transcription of type I interferon (IFN)-induced genes early in infection. Overall, these findings indicate that TepP can modulate cell signaling and, potentially, membrane trafficking events by spatially restricted activation of PI3K. IMPORTANCE This article shows that Chlamydia recruits PI3K, an enzyme important for host cell survival and internal membrane functions, to the pathogens inside cells by secreting a scaffolding protein called TepP. TepP enhances Chlamydia replication and dampens the activation of immune responses.
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Rajić J, Inic-Kanada A, Stein E, Dinić S, Schuerer N, Uskoković A, Ghasemian E, Mihailović M, Vidaković M, Grdović N, Barisani-Asenbauer T. Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Is Associated with E-Cadherin Promoter Methylation, Downregulation of E-Cadherin Expression, and Increased Expression of Fibronectin and α-SMA-Implications for Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:253. [PMID: 28660176 PMCID: PMC5469886 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) can induce scarring disease of the ocular mucosa, known as trachoma, the most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. We hypothesized that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the fibrotic process in trachomatous scarring. Infection of human conjunctival epithelial cells (HCjE) with Ct activated signaling pathways involved in EMT induction, which was correlated with decreased expression of E-cadherin, guardian of the epithelial phenotype. In addition, Ct infection was associated with increased expression of two mesenchymal cell markers: fibronectin and α-SMA. The DNA methylation statuses of selected regions of E-cadherin, fibronectin, and α-SMA genes revealed that Ct infection was accompanied with changes in DNA methylation of the E-cadherin promoter, while the expression of the two mesenchymal markers was not related with this epigenetic event. Our data suggest that Ct infection of conjunctival epithelial cells induces EMT-like changes that go along with modification of the methylation profile of the E-cadherin promoter and could, as one of the earliest events, contribute to processes triggering conjunctival scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Rajić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of BelgradeBelgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Inic-Kanada
- OCUVAC - Center of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centres of Expertise; Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of ViennaVienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Stein
- OCUVAC - Center of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centres of Expertise; Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of ViennaVienna, Austria
| | - Svetlana Dinić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of BelgradeBelgrade, Serbia
| | - Nadine Schuerer
- OCUVAC - Center of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centres of Expertise; Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of ViennaVienna, Austria
| | - Aleksandra Uskoković
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of BelgradeBelgrade, Serbia
| | - Ehsan Ghasemian
- OCUVAC - Center of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centres of Expertise; Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of ViennaVienna, Austria
| | - Mirjana Mihailović
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of BelgradeBelgrade, Serbia
| | - Melita Vidaković
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of BelgradeBelgrade, Serbia
| | - Nevena Grdović
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of BelgradeBelgrade, Serbia
| | - Talin Barisani-Asenbauer
- OCUVAC - Center of Ocular Inflammation and Infection, Laura Bassi Centres of Expertise; Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of ViennaVienna, Austria
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