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Mansouri S, Heidari A, Keshavarz H, Fallah P, Bairami A, Mahmoudi E. Genetic diversity of merozoite surface protein-5 (MSP-5) of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Malaria patients in Iran. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:807. [PMID: 37978446 PMCID: PMC10656958 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08804-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria has not yet been eradicated in Iran, and Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) is the main cause of malaria in the country. This study aimed to investigate and analyze the amount of genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-5 (PvMSP-5) exon 1 gene in the southeast of Iran.Thirty-five patients with clinical symptoms of P. vivax malaria participated. The exon 1 of PvMSP-5 was amplified by PCR, and the PCR product of all isolates was sequenced, and genetic polymorphisms were determined using various genetic software.The analysis showed that studied isolates are different from one another in the DnaSP software version. Out of the 612 sites, 477 were monomorphic and 135 were segregated. The total number of mutations was 143. The singleton variable and the parsimony informative sites were 23 and 112, respectively. There were 17 specific haplotypes with haplotype diversity equal to 0.943. Nucleotide diversity was equal to 0.06766 in the isolates. The ratio of nonsynonymous (0.06446) to synonymous (0.07909) mutations was 0.815020. Tajima's D, which expressed coding, and non-coding regions, was 0.72403, which was not deemed significant (P > 0.10).The analysis of intrapopulation diversity revealed nucleotide and haplotype diversity in the msp-5 gene of Iranian P. vivax isolates. In addition to balancing or purifying selection, intragenic recombination also contributed to the variation observed in exon 1 of PvMSP-5, according to the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sholeh Mansouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Aliehsan Heidari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Hossein Keshavarz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Fallah
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Amir Bairami
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Elaheh Mahmoudi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Lee W, Kim YJ, Lee SJ, Ahn DG, Kim SJ. Current Status of Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Therapeutics, and Vaccines for the Re-Emerging Human Monkeypox Virus. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 33:981-991. [PMID: 37519276 PMCID: PMC10468680 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2306.06033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Monkeypox (Mpox) virus, a member of the Poxviridae family, causes a severe illness similar to smallpox, which is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, rash, and pustules. Human-to-human transmission cases have been reported but remained low since the first recorded case of human infection occurred in the Congo in 1970. Recently, Mpox has re-emerged, leading to an alarming surge in infections worldwide since 2022, originating in the United Kingdom. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the '2022-23 Mpox outbreak'. Currently, no specific therapy or vaccine is available for Mpox. Therefore, patients infected with Mpox are treated using conventional therapies developed for smallpox. However, the vaccines developed for smallpox have demonstrated only partial efficacy against Mpox, allowing viral transmission among humans. In this review, we discuss the current epidemiology of the ongoing Mpox outbreak and provide an update on the progress made in diagnosis, treatment, and development of vaccines for Mpox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooseong Lee
- Department of Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jin Kim
- Department of Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Jin Lee
- Department of Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Gyun Ahn
- Department of Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jun Kim
- Department of Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
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Lopes EA, Santos MMM, Mori M. Antimalarial drugs: what's new in the patents? Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:151-168. [PMID: 37060305 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2203814] [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: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The efficacy of current therapeutic warheads in preventing malaria transmission or treating the disease is often hampered by the emergence of drug-resistance. No effective vaccines are available to date, and novel drugs able to counteract drug-resistant forms of malaria and/or to target multiple stages of the parasite's lifecycle are urgently needed. AREAS COVERED This review covers patents that protect antimalarial small molecules bearing the artemisinin or other chemical scaffolds, as well as vaccines, that have been published in the period 2015-2022. Literature was searched in public databases of articles and patents. Patents protecting small molecules that prevent malaria transmission are not discussed herein. EXPERT OPINION Significant progress has been made in the design of antimalarial agents. Most of these candidates have been tested in standardized strains, with the use of Plasmodium clinical isolates for testing still underdeveloped. Several compounds have been profiled in in vivo mouse models of malaria, including humanised mice. Despite having different efficacy, these new molecules might further progress the field and hopefully will advance to clinical development soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Lopes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria M M Santos
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Letafati A, Sakhavarz T. Monkeypox virus: A review. Microb Pathog 2023; 176:106027. [PMID: 36758824 PMCID: PMC9907786 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
While monkeypox was previously found in Africa, the bulk of occurrences in the present outbreak are being reported in many countries. It is not yet known how this outbreak began, and as the COVID-19 crisis begins to abate, numerous nations throughout the world are now contending with a novel outbreak. Monkeypox is a transmissible virus between animals and humans, belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. In the 1970s, cases of monkeypox began increasing due to the cessation of vaccination against smallpox, which drew international attention. The virus was named monkeypox because it was first observed in macaque monkeys. It is thought to be transmitted by several different rodents and small mammals, though the origin of the virus is not known. Monkeypox, while occasionally transmitted from one human to another, can be disseminated through the inhalation of droplets or through contact with the skin lesions of an infected individual. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for monkeypox; however, supportive care can be offered to ameliorate its symptoms. In severe cases, medications like tecovirimat may be administered. However, there are no established guidelines for symptom management in monkeypox cases. In this article we have discussed about different aspects of monkeypox including viral structure, transmission, replication, clinical manifestations, vaccination, treatment and current prevalence in the world to understand it better and give insight to the future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Letafati
- Virology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Tannaz Sakhavarz
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
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Lozano JM, Muller S. Monkeypox: potential vaccine development strategies. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:15-19. [PMID: 36563658 PMCID: PMC9730257 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A multicountry outbreak of monkeypox has gained global attention. Basic research including structural and immunological investigation on monkeypox virus (MPXV) is central to design effective solutions of treatment with antivirals and appropriate vaccines. We summarize some information about this virus and its re-emergence and the current vaccines that are proposed to limit its spread and present some possible avenues for developing new vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Lozano
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, Departamento de Farmacia, Mimetismo molecular de los Agentes infecciosos, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.
| | - Sylviane Muller
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique-Université de Strasbourg, Biotechnology and Cell Signalling Unit, Neuroimmunology and Peptide Therapeutics Team, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute, Strasbourg, France; University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study, Strasbourg, France; Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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Ikerionwu C, Ugwuishiwu C, Okpala I, James I, Okoronkwo M, Nnadi C, Orji U, Ebem D, Ike A. Application of machine and deep learning algorithms in optical microscopic detection of Plasmodium: A malaria diagnostic tool for the future. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2022; 40:103198. [PMID: 36379305 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.103198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Machine and deep learning techniques are prevalent in the medical discipline due to their high level of accuracy in disease diagnosis. One such disease is malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), millions of people are infected annually, leading to inevitable deaths in the infected population. Statistical records show that early detection of malaria parasites could prevent deaths and machine learning (ML) has proved helpful in the early detection of malarial parasites. Human error is identified to be a major cause of inaccurate diagnostics in the traditional microscopy malaria diagnosis method. Therefore, the method would be more reliable if human expert dependency is restricted or entirely removed, and thus, the motivation of this paper. This study presents a systematic review to understand the prevalent machine learning algorithms applied to a low-cost, portable optical microscope in the automation of blood film interpretation for malaria parasite detection. Peer-reviewed papers were downloaded from selected reputable databases eg. Elsevier, IEEExplore, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc. The extant literature suggests that convolutional neural network (CNN) and its variants (deep learning) account for 41.9% of the microscopy malaria diagnosis using machine learning with a prediction accuracy of 99.23%. Thus, the findings suggest that early detection of the malaria parasite has improved through the application of CNN and other ML algorithms on microscopic malaria parasite detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ikerionwu
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Software Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
| | - Chikodili Ugwuishiwu
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
| | - Izunna Okpala
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Information Technology, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Idara James
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Computer Science, Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria
| | - Matthew Okoronkwo
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Charles Nnadi
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Deprtment of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Ugochukwu Orji
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Deborah Ebem
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Anthony Ike
- Machine Learning on Disease Diagnosis Research Group, Nigeria; Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
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Abstract
"The Primate Malarias" book has been a uniquely important resource for multiple generations of scientists, since its debut in 1971, and remains pertinent to the present day. Indeed, nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been instrumental for major breakthroughs in basic and pre-clinical research on malaria for over 50 years. Research involving NHPs have provided critical insights and data that have been essential for malaria research on many parasite species, drugs, vaccines, pathogenesis, and transmission, leading to improved clinical care and advancing research goals for malaria control, elimination, and eradication. Whilst most malaria scientists over the decades have been studying Plasmodium falciparum, with NHP infections, in clinical studies with humans, or using in vitro culture or rodent model systems, others have been dedicated to advancing research on Plasmodium vivax, as well as on phylogenetically related simian species, including Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium coatneyi, and Plasmodium knowlesi. In-depth study of these four phylogenetically related species over the years has spawned the design of NHP longitudinal infection strategies for gathering information about ongoing infections, which can be related to human infections. These Plasmodium-NHP infection model systems are reviewed here, with emphasis on modern systems biological approaches to studying longitudinal infections, pathogenesis, immunity, and vaccines. Recent discoveries capitalizing on NHP longitudinal infections include an advanced understanding of chronic infections, relapses, anaemia, and immune memory. With quickly emerging new technological advances, more in-depth research and mechanistic discoveries can be anticipated on these and additional critical topics, including hypnozoite biology, antigenic variation, gametocyte transmission, bone marrow dysfunction, and loss of uninfected RBCs. New strategies and insights published by the Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center (MaHPIC) are recapped here along with a vision that stresses the importance of educating future experts well trained in utilizing NHP infection model systems for the pursuit of innovative, effective interventions against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Galinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory National Primate Research Center (Yerkes National Primate Research Center), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Lou H, Li X, Sheng X, Fang S, Wan S, Sun A, Chen H. Development of a Trivalent Construct Omp18/AhpC/FlgH Multi Epitope Peptide Vaccine Against Campylobacter jejuni. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:773697. [PMID: 35095793 PMCID: PMC8793626 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.773697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is one of the major pathogens contributing to the enteritis in humans. Infection can lead to numerous complications, including but not limited to Guillain-Barre syndrome, reactive arthritis, and Reiter’s syndrome. Over the past two decades, joint efforts have been made toward developing a proper strategy of limiting the transmission of C. jejuni to humans. Nevertheless, except for biosecurity measures, no available vaccine has been developed so far. Judging from the research findings, Omp18, AhpC outer membrane protein, and FlgH flagellin subunits of C. jejuni could be adopted as surface protein antigens of C. jejuni for screening dominant epitope thanks to their strong antigenicity, expression of varying strains, and conservative sequence. In this study, bioinformatics technology was adopted to analyze the T-B antigenic epitopes of Omp18, AhpC, and FlgH in C. jejuni strain NCTC11168. Both ELISA and Western Blot methods were adopted to screen the dominant T-B combined epitope. GGS (GGCGGTAGC) sequence was adopted to connect the dominant T-B combined epitope peptides and to construct the prokaryotic expression system of tandem repeats of antigenic epitope peptides. The mouse infection model was adopted to assess the immunoprotective effect imposed by the trivalent T-B combined with antigen epitope peptide based on Omp18/AhpC/FlgH. In this study, a tandem epitope AhpC-2/Omp18-1/FlgH-1 was developed, which was composed of three epitopes and could effectively enhance the stability and antigenicity of the epitope while preserving its structure. The immunization of BALB/c mice with a tandem epitope could induce protective immunity accompanied by the generation of IgG2a antibody response through the in vitro synthesis of IFN-γ cytokines. Judging from the results of immune protection experiments, the colonization of C. jejuni declined to a significant extent, and it was expected that AhpC-2/Omp18-1/FlgH-1 could be adopted as a candidate antigen for genetic engineering vaccine of C. jejuni MAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqiang Lou
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
| | - Xusheng Li
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
| | - Xiusheng Sheng
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
| | - Shuiqin Fang
- Shanghai Prajna Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoye Wan
- Shanghai Prajna Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Aihua Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haohao Chen
- Medical Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
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Bailly C. The steroidal alkaloids α-tomatine and tomatidine: Panorama of their mode of action and pharmacological properties. Steroids 2021; 176:108933. [PMID: 34695457 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2021.108933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The steroidal glycoalkaloid α-tomatine (αTM) and its aglycone tomatidine (TD) are abundant in the skin of unripe green tomato and present in tomato leaves and flowers. They mainly serve as defensive agents to protect the plant against infections by insects, bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. In addition, the two products display a range of pharmacological properties potentially useful to treat various human diseases. We have analyzed all known pharmacological activities of αTM and TD, and the corresponding molecular targets and pathways impacted by these two steroidal alkaloids. In experimental models, αTM displays anticancer effects, particularly strong against androgen-independent prostate cancer, as well as robust antifungal effects. αTM is a potent cholesterol binder, useful as a vaccine adjuvant to improve delivery of protein antigens or therapeutic oligonucleotides. TD is a much less cytotoxic compound, able to restrict the spread of certain viruses (such as dengue, chikungunya and porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses) and to provide cardio and neuro-protective effects toward human cells. Both αTM and TD exhibit marked anti-inflammatory activities. They proceed through multiple signaling pathways and protein targets, including the sterol C24 methyltransferase Erg6 and vitamin D receptor, both directly targeted by TD. αTM is a powerful regulator of the NFkB/ERK signaling pathway implicated in various diseases. Collectively, the analysis shed light on the multitargeted action of αTM/TD and their usefulness as chemo-preventive or chemotherapeutic agents. A novel medicinal application for αTM is proposed.
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Raissi V, Etemadi S, Getso MI, Mehravaran A, Raiesi O. Structure-genetic diversity and recombinant protein of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of vivax malaria antigen: A potential malaria vaccine candidate. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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