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Somé AF, Conrad MD, Kabré Z, Fofana A, Yerbanga RS, Bazié T, Neya C, Somé M, Kagambega TJ, Legac J, Garg S, Bailey JA, Ouédraogo JB, Rosenthal PJ, Cooper RA. Ex vivo drug susceptibility and resistance mediating genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0153423. [PMID: 38411062 PMCID: PMC10989024 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01534-23] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Burkina Faso, which utilizes artemether-lumefantrine as the principal therapy to treat uncomplicated malaria and seasonal malaria chemoprevention with monthly sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine in children during the transmission season. Monitoring the activities of available antimalarial drugs is a high priority. We assessed the ex vivo susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to 11 drugs in isolates from patients presenting with uncomplicated malaria in Bobo-Dioulasso in 2021 and 2022. IC50 values were derived using a standard 72 h growth inhibition assay. Parasite DNA was sequenced to characterize known drug resistance-mediating polymorphisms. Isolates were generally susceptible, with IC50 values in the low-nM range, to chloroquine (median IC5010 nM, IQR 7.9-24), monodesethylamodiaquine (22, 14-46) piperaquine (6.1, 3.6-9.2), pyronaridine (3.0, 1.3-5.5), quinine (50, 30-75), mefloquine (7.1, 3.7-10), lumefantrine (7.1, 4.5-12), dihydroartemisinin (3.7, 2.2-5.5), and atovaquone (0.2, 0.1-0.3) and mostly resistant to cycloguanil (850, 543-1,290) and pyrimethamine (33,200, 18,400-54,200), although a small number of outliers were seen. Considering genetic markers of resistance to aminoquinolines, most samples had wild-type PfCRT K76T (87%) and PfMDR1 N86Y (95%) sequences. For markers of resistance to antifolates, established PfDHFR and PfDHPS mutations were highly prevalent, the PfDHPS A613S mutation was seen in 19% of samples, and key markers of high-level resistance (PfDHFR I164L; PfDHPS K540E) were absent or rare (A581G). Mutations in the PfK13 propeller domain known to mediate artemisinin partial resistance were not detected. Overall, our results suggest excellent susceptibilities to drugs now used to treat malaria and moderate, but stable, resistance to antifolates used to prevent malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Fabrice Somé
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Melissa D. Conrad
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zachari Kabré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Aminata Fofana
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - R. Serge Yerbanga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Institut des Sciences et Techniques, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Thomas Bazié
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Catherine Neya
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Myreille Somé
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Tegawinde Josue Kagambega
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Jenny Legac
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Shreeya Garg
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Philip J. Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Roland A. Cooper
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California, USA
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Fabbri C, Quaresma Ramos G, Clarys Baia-da-Silva D, Oliveira Trindade A, Carlos Salazar-Alvarez L, Costa Ferreira Neves J, dos Santos Bastos I, Guimarães Costa A, Vinicius Guimarães Lacerda M, Marcelo Monteiro W, Trindade Maranhão Costa F, Costa Pinto Lopes S. The activity of methylene blue against asexual and sexual stages of Plasmodium vivax. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1108366. [PMID: 37143740 PMCID: PMC10152470 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1108366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is an alternative for combating drug-resistant malaria parasites. Its transmission-blocking potential has been demonstrated in vivo in murine models, in vitro, and in clinical trials. MB shows high efficacy against Plasmodium vivax asexual stages; however, its efficacy in sexual stages is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the potential of MB against asexual and sexual forms of P. vivax isolated from the blood of patients residing in the Brazilian Amazon. An ex vivo schizont maturation assay, zygote to ookinete transformation assay, direct membrane feed assay (DMFA), and standard membrane feed assay (SMFA) using P. vivax gametocytes with MB exposure were performed. A cytotoxicity assay was also performed on freshly collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the hepatocyte carcinoma cell line HepG2. MB inhibited the P. vivax schizont maturation and demonstrated an IC50 lower than that of chloroquine (control drug). In the sexual forms, the MB demonstrated a high level of inhibition in the transformation of the zygotes into ookinetes. In the DMFA, MB did not considerably affect the infection rate and showed low inhibition, but it demonstrated a slight decrease in the infection intensity in all tested concentrations. In contrast, in the SMFA, MB was able to completely block the transmission at the highest concentration (20 µM). MB demonstrated low cytotoxicity to fresh PBMCs but demonstrated higher cytotoxicity to the hepatocyte carcinoma cell line HepG2. These results show that MB may be a potential drug for vivax malaria treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Fabbri
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Camila Fabbri, ; Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes,
| | - Glenda Quaresma Ramos
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Centro Multiusuário para Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos da Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Djane Clarys Baia-da-Silva
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Luis Carlos Salazar-Alvarez
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Juliana Costa Ferreira Neves
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Ivanildes dos Santos Bastos
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Allyson Guimarães Costa
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Guimarães Lacerda
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Camila Fabbri, ; Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes,
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Saison N, Franetich JF, Pinilla YT, Hoffmann A, Boussougou-Sambe ST, Ngossanga B, Tefit M, Ashraf K, Amanzougaghene N, Tajeri S, Adegnika AA, Mazier D, Borrmann S. Rapid and Specific Action of Methylene Blue against Plasmodium Transmission Stages. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122794. [PMID: 36559287 PMCID: PMC9786052 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is the oldest synthetic anti-infective. Its high potency against asexual and sexual stages of malaria parasites is well documented. This study aimed to investigate possible additional activities of MB in interfering with parasite transmission and determine target stages in Anopheles vectors and humans. MB's transmission-blocking activity was first evaluated by an ex vivo direct membrane feeding assay (DMFA) using Plasmodium falciparum field isolates. To investigate anti-mosquito stage activity, Plasmodium berghei-infected Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes were fed a second blood meal on mice that had been treated with methylene blue, 3, 6- and 15-days after the initial infectious blood meal. Anti-sporozoite and liver stage activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo via sporozoite invasion and liver stage development assays, respectively. MB exhibited a robust inhibition of P. falciparum transmission in An. gambiae, even when added shortly before the DMFA but only a moderate effect against P. berghei oocyst development. Exposure of mature P. berghei and P. falciparum sporozoites to MB blocked hepatocyte invasion, yet P. berghei liver stage development was unaffected by MB. Our results indicate previously underappreciated rapid specific activities of methylene blue against Plasmodium transmission stages, preventing the establishment of both mosquito midgut and liver infections as the first essential steps in both hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanaël Saison
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jean-François Franetich
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Yudi T. Pinilla
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anton Hoffmann
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stravensky T. Boussougou-Sambe
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Maurel Tefit
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Kutub Ashraf
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nadia Amanzougaghene
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Shahin Tajeri
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Ayola A. Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dominique Mazier
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-707129-85428
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Methylene Blue-Based Combination Therapy with Amodiaquine Prevents Severe Malaria in an Experimental Rodent Model. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102031. [PMID: 36297466 PMCID: PMC9611243 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102031] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Untreated malaria can progress rapidly to severe forms (<24 h). Moreover, resistance to antimalarial drugs is a threat to global efforts to protect people from malaria. Given this, it is clear that new chemotherapy must be developed. We contribute new data about using methylene blue (MB) to cure malaria and cerebral malaria in a combined therapy with common antimalarial drugs, including mefloquine (MQ) and amodiaquine (AQ). A C57BL6/J mouse model was used in an experimental cerebral malaria model. Mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA on Day 0 (D0) and the treatment started on D3 (nearly 1% parasitaemia) with AQ, MQ or MB alone or in combination with AQ or MQ. AQ, MQ and MB alone were unable to prevent cerebral malaria as part of a late chemotherapy. MB-based combination therapies were efficient even if treatment began at a late stage. We found a significant difference in survival rate (p < 0.0001) between MBAQ and the untreated group, but also with the AQ (p = 0.0024) and MB groups (p < 0.0001). All the infected mice treated with MB in combination with AQ were protected from cerebral malaria. Partial protection was demonstrated with MB associated with MQ. In this group, a significant difference was found between MBMQ and the untreated group (p < 0.0001), MQ (p = 0.0079) and MB (p = 0.0039). MB associated with AQ would be a good candidate for preventing cerebral malaria.
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Fernandes VDS, da Rosa R, Zimmermann LA, Rogério KR, Kümmerle AE, Bernardes LSC, Graebin CS. Antiprotozoal agents: How have they changed over a decade? Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 355:e2100338. [PMID: 34661935 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of communicable diseases that are endemic in low- or low-to-middle-income countries located in tropical and subtropical zones. The number and availability of drugs for treating these diseases are low, the administration route is inconvenient in some cases, and most of them have safety, efficacy, or adverse/toxic reaction issues. The need for developing new drugs to deal with these issues is clear, but one of the most drastic consequences of this negligence is the lack of interest in the research and development of new therapeutic options among major pharmaceutical companies. Positive changes have been achieved over the last few years, although the overall situation remains alarming. After more than one decade since the original work reviewing antiprotozoal agents came to light, now it is time to question ourselves: How has the scenario for the treatment of protozoal diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and American trypanosomiasis changed? This review covers the last decade in terms of the drugs currently available for the treatment of these diseases as well as the clinical candidates being currently investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória de Souza Fernandes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Rafael da Rosa
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diversity Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lara A Zimmermann
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diversity Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kamilla R Rogério
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Arthur E Kümmerle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Lilian S C Bernardes
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diversity Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cedric S Graebin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Tisnerat C, Dassonville-Klimpt A, Gosselet F, Sonnet P. Antimalarial drug discovery: from quinine to the most recent promising clinical drug candidates. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:3326-3365. [PMID: 34344287 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210803152419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a tropical threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, resulting in 409,000 deaths in 2019. The delay of mortality and morbidity has been compounded by the widespread of drug resistant parasites from Southeast Asia since two decades. The emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium in Africa, where most cases are accounted, highlights the urgent need for new medicines. In this effort, the World Health Organization and Medicines for Malaria Venture joined to define clear goals for novel therapies and characterized the target candidate profile. This ongoing search for new treatments is based on imperative labor in medicinal chemistry which is summarized here with particular attention to hit-to-lead optimizations, key properties, and modes of action of these novel antimalarial drugs. This review, after presenting the current antimalarial chemotherapy, from quinine to the latest marketed drugs, focuses in particular on recent advances of the most promising antimalarial candidates in clinical and preclinical phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Tisnerat
- AGIR UR4294, UFR de Pharmacie, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens. France
| | | | | | - Pascal Sonnet
- AGIR UR4294, UFR de Pharmacie, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens. France
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Rasmussen C, Ringwald P. Is there evidence of anti-malarial multidrug resistance in Burkina Faso? Malar J 2021; 20:320. [PMID: 34281562 PMCID: PMC8287766 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03845-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, Gansané and colleagues published an article on inadequate efficacy of two different forms of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in Burkina Faso. The development of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to different ACT partner drugs at levels that could affect the efficacy of two ACT would both be startling and a cause for great concern. In reviewing the available data collected since 2008 on ACT efficacy in Burkina Faso, the analysis shows that the reported efficacy of the tested ACT varies greatly. Most of the studies have considerable methodological deviations and challenges, especially in PCR correction done to distinguish between recrudescence and re-infection, and in the failure to omit re-infections in the calculation of efficacy rates. So far, there is no convincing evidence in the articles reviewed that multidrug resistance has emerged in Burkina Faso. However, the potential consequence of failing ACT means that the results published by Gansané et al. urgently need to be confirmed. Furthermore, articles reporting on efficacy data need to include an examination of the potential consequences of any methodological deviations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pascal Ringwald
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Evidence for in vitro and in vivo activity of the antimalarial pyronaridine against Schistosoma. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009511. [PMID: 34166393 PMCID: PMC8263063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is highly prevalent in Africa. Praziquantel is effective against adult schistosomes but leaves prepatent stages unaffected—which is a limit to patient management and elimination. Given the large-scale use of praziquantel, development of drug resistance by Schistosoma is feared. Antimalarials are promising drugs for alternative treatment strategies of Schistosoma infections. Development of drugs with activity against both malaria and schistosomiasis is particularly appealing as schistosome infections often occur concomitantly with malaria parasites in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, antiplasmodial compounds were progressively tested against Schistosoma in vitro, in mice, and in a clinical study. Results Amongst 16 drugs and 1 control tested, pyronaridine, methylene blue and 5 other antimalarials were highly active in vitro against larval stage schistosomula with a 50% inhibitory concentration below 10 μM. Both drugs were lethal to ex vivo adult worms tested at 30 μM with methylene blue also active at 10 μM. Pyronaridine treatment of mice infected with S. mansoni at the prepatent stage reduced worm burden by 82% and cured 7 out of 12 animals, however in mice adult stages remained viable. In contrast, methylene blue inhibited adult worms by 60% but cure was not achieved. In an observational pilot trial in Gabon in children, the antimalarial drug combination pyronaridine-artesunate (Pyramax) reduced S. haematobium egg excretion from 10/10 ml urine to 0/10 ml urine, and 3 out of 4 children were cured. Conclusion Pyronaridine and methylene blue warrant further investigation as candidates for schistosomiasis treatment. Both compounds are approved for human use and evidence for their potential as antischistosomal compounds can be obtained directly from clinical testing. Particularly, pyronaridine-artesunate, already available as an antimalarial drug, calls for further clinical evaluation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03201770. Praziquantel is still the only drug in use for the treatment of all Schistosoma spp. and is exclusively active against the adult life cycle stage, since schistosomes in the prepatent period of up to eight weeks are not affected by the drug. Although resistance to praziquantel has not been confirmed and its existence remains controversial, some countries have identified clinical schistosome isolates with reduced sensitivity to praziquantel, after deployment in mass drug administration programs. The need for a new antischistosomal compound is urgent, ideally exhibiting broad activity against all stages of the parasite’s life cycle present in humans. After testing a series of antiplasmodial compounds, the authors found that several compounds also exhibited antischistosomal activity at various life cycle stages of the worms, including pyronaridine and methylene blue, both compounds already approved for human use. A pilot trial with pyronaridine-artesunate done in Gabon showed the first promising results against Schistosoma infections.
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Gendrot M, Delandre O, Robert MG, Foguim FT, Benoit N, Amalvict R, Fonta I, Mosnier J, Madamet M, Pradines B. Absence of Association between Methylene Blue Reduced Susceptibility and Polymorphisms in 12 Genes Involved in Antimalarial Drug Resistance in African Plasmodium falciparum. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040351. [PMID: 33918981 PMCID: PMC8069138 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Half the human population is exposed to malaria. Plasmodium falciparum antimalarial drug resistance monitoring and development of new drugs are major issues related to the control of malaria. Methylene blue (MB), the oldest synthetic antimalarial, is again a promising drug after the break of its use as an antimalarial drug for more than 80 years and a potential partner for triple combination. Very few data are available on the involvement of polymorphisms on genes known to be associated with standard antimalarial drugs and parasite in vitro susceptibility to MB (cross-resistance). In this context, MB susceptibility was evaluated against 482 isolates of imported malaria from Africa by HRP2-based ELISA chemosusceptibility assay. A total of 12 genes involved in antimalarial drug resistance (Pfcrt, Pfdhfr, Pfmdr1, Pfmdr5, Pfmdr6, PfK13, Pfubq, Pfcarl, Pfugt, Pfact, Pfcoronin, and copy number of Pfpm2) were sequenced by Sanger method and quantitative PCR. On the Pfmdr1 gene, the mutation 86Y combined with 184F led to more susceptible isolates to MB (8.0 nM vs. 11.6 nM, p = 0.03). Concerning Pfmdr6, the isolates bearing 12 Asn repetitions were more susceptible to MB (4.6 nM vs. 11.6 nM, p = 0.005). None of the polymorphisms previously described as involved in antimalarial drug resistance was shown to be associated with reduced susceptibility to MB. Some genes (particularly PfK13, Pfugt, Pfact, Pfpm2) did not present enough genetic variability to draw conclusions about their involvement in reduced susceptibility to MB. None of the polymorphisms analyzed by multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) had an impact on the MB susceptibility of the samples successfully included in the analysis. It seems that there is no in vitro cross-resistance between MB and commonly used antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Gendrot
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Océane Delandre
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Marie Gladys Robert
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Francis Tsombeng Foguim
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Benoit
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Rémy Amalvict
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Fonta
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Joel Mosnier
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Marylin Madamet
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Pradines
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France; (M.G.); (O.D.); (M.G.R.); (F.T.F.); (N.B.); (R.A.); (I.F.); (J.M.); (M.M.)
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence:
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Evaluating the safety of oral methylene blue during swallowing assessment: a systematic review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 278:3155-3169. [PMID: 33389001 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06509-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Methylene blue (MB) is frequently administered during fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) to enhance visualization of pharyngeal bolus transit. However, the safety of MB is being questioned since serious adverse events (AEs) such as hemodynamic instability, hemolysis, and serotonin syndrome were reported. The aim of this study is a systematic analysis of the literature to obtain an evidence-based overview of AEs due to oral administration of MB and to determine its safety as a food dye during swallowing assessment. METHODS A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers independently selected articles describing oral administration of MB as a main diagnostic/therapeutic intervention, dosage, and AEs. Expert opinions, conference papers, sample size < 10, and animal studies were excluded. Level of evidence of the included studies was determined. RESULTS A total of 2264 unduplicated articles were obtained. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria with 100% agreement between the two reviewers. Among these, twelve studies were randomized controlled trials. In a pooled population of 1902 patients receiving oral MB, three serious AEs were reported related to MB. Non-serious AEs showed a dose-related trend and were usually mild and self-limiting. A meta-analysis could not be performed as studies were methodologically too heterogeneous. CONCLUSION Serious AEs due to oral administration of MB are rare (n = 3, 0.16%). MB-related non-serious AEs are mild, self-limiting, and show a dose-related trend. These findings indicate that it is safe to use small amounts of MB as a food dye during swallowing examinations.
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11
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Gendrot M, Andreani J, Duflot I, Boxberger M, Le Bideau M, Mosnier J, Jardot P, Fonta I, Rolland C, Bogreau H, Hutter S, La Scola B, Pradines B. Methylene blue inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020; 56:106202. [PMID: 33075512 PMCID: PMC7566888 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. Currently there is no antiviral treatment recommended against SARS-CoV-2. Identifying effective antiviral drugs is urgently required. Methylene blue has already demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity in photodynamic therapy as well as antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic activities in non-photodynamic assays. In this study. non-photoactivated methylene blue showed in vitro activity at very low micromolar range with an EC50 (median effective concentration) of 0.30 ± 0.03 μM and an EC90 (90% effective concentration) of 0.75 ± 0.21 μM at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.25 against SARS-CoV-2 (strain IHUMI-3). The EC50 and EC90 values for methylene blue are lower than those obtained for hydroxychloroquine (1.5 μM and 3.0 μM) and azithromycin (20.1 μM and 41.9 μM). The ratios Cmax/EC50 and Cmax/EC90 in blood for methylene blue were estimated at 10.1 and 4.0, respectively, following oral administration and 33.3 and 13.3 following intravenous administration. Methylene blue EC50 and EC90 values are consistent with concentrations observed in human blood. We propose that methylene blue is a promising drug for treatment of COVID-19. In vivo evaluation in animal experimental models is now required to confirm its antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2. The potential interest of methylene blue to treat COVID-19 needs to be confirmed by prospective comparative clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Gendrot
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Julien Andreani
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Duflot
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Manon Boxberger
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Le Bideau
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Joel Mosnier
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Marseille, France
| | - Priscilla Jardot
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Fonta
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Marseille, France
| | - Clara Rolland
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Hervé Bogreau
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Marseille, France
| | - Sébastien Hutter
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.
| | - Bruno Pradines
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France; Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Marseille, France.
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12
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Pharmacokinetics and Ex Vivo Antimalarial Activity of Artesunate-Amodiaquine plus Methylene Blue in Healthy Volunteers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01441-19. [PMID: 31907186 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01441-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High rates of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) failures in the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Southeast Asia have led to triple-drug strategies to extend the useful life of ACTs. In this study, we determined whether methylene blue [MB; 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazin-5-ium chloride hydrate] alters the pharmacokinetics of artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and enhances the ex vivo antimalarial activity of ASAQ. In an open-label, randomized crossover design, a single oral dose of ASAQ (200 mg AS/540 mg AQ) alone or with MB (325 mg) was administered to 15 healthy Vietnamese volunteers. Serial blood samples were collected up to 28 days after dosing. Pharmacokinetic properties of the drugs were determined by noncompartmental analysis. After drug administration, plasma samples from seven participants were assessed for ex vivo antimalarial activity against the artemisinin-sensitive MRA1239 and the artemisinin-resistant MRA1240 P. falciparum lines, in vitro MB significantly increased the mean area under the curve of the active metabolite of AS, dihydroartemisinin (1,246 ± 473 versus 917 ± 405 ng·h/ml, P = 0.009) but did not alter the pharmacokinetics of AQ, AS, or desethylamodiaquine. Comparing the antimalarial activities of the plasma samples from the participants collected up to 48 h after ASAQ plus MB (ASAQ+MB) and ASAQ dosing against the MRA1239 and MRA1240 lines, MB significantly enhanced the blood schizontocidal activity of ASAQ by 2.0-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively. The ring-stage survival assay also confirmed that MB enhanced the ex vivo antimalarial activity of ASAQ against MRA1240 by 2.9-fold to 3.8-fold, suggesting that the triple-drug combination has the potential to treat artemisinin-resistant malaria and for malaria elimination. (This study has been registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry [https://anzctr.org.au/] under registration number ACTRN12612001298808.).
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