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| 2. |
- Tran, Anh-Nhi, et al.
(författare)
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Trypanothione synthetase locus in Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener strain shows an extensive allelic divergence
- 2003
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 87:2, s. 269-278
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, agent of Chagas' disease, displays an extensive genetic heterogeneity among strains and isolates. It is, therefore, important to determine the degree of polymorphism in potential candidates for drug design. Our studies on the organisation of the locus containing the gene encoding trypanothione synthetase (TcTRS) (an enzyme involved in the unique trypanothione pathway and hence a promising drug target) revealed a high degree of sequence polymorphism between the two alleles in the T. cruzi CL Brener strain, the reference clone for the genome project. The genes linked to the synthetase appeared to be involved in diverse cell-functions, not part of the trypanothione metabolism. The gene synteny was conserved at both allelic loci that were found to reside on a pair of homologous chromosomes with a size difference of about 2 Mb. The allelic polymorphism of TcTRS resulted in a protein sequence divergence of 4%, ten-times higher than in trypanothione reductase (TR), another key enzyme in the same pathway. Such allelic divergence observed in T. cruzi genes might have implications for drug design against Chagas' disease and the evolutional impact of the CL Brener strain.
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| 3. |
- Amodu, O. K., et al.
(författare)
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Association of the sickle cell trait and the ABO blood group with clinical severity of malaria in southwest Nigeria
- 2012
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 123:2, s. 72-77
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In regions of high Plasmodium falciparum malaria endemicity, certain erythrocyte polymorphisms confer resistance to severe disease. In this study, we evaluate the role of the sickle cell trait (HbS) and ABO blood groups in the clinical manifestations of childhood malaria in Southwest Nigeria. The subjects comprised 3100 children (53% males, median age 39 months), including 1400 children with uncomplicated malaria, 1000 children with asymptomatic malaria and 700 with severe malaria. Haemoglobin (Hb) types were determined using electrophoresis and serum agglutination techniques were used to determine ABO blood groups. Blood group O was the commonest ABO blood group (47.7%) in the study population, the others were A (22.5%), B (25.2%) and AB (4.6%). The frequencies of the HbAS and HbAC were 14.4% and 5.8%, respectively. In regression models adjusting for age, gender, parasite density and blood group, HbAS was associated with a reduced risk of severe malaria OR=0.46 (CI95%: 0.273-0.773). Among severe malaria subjects, HbAS was associated with significantly lower parasite densities. The protective effect of blood group 0 was demonstrated with a decreased risk of severe malaria OR=0.743 (CI95%: 0.566-0.976) after adjusting for age, gender and parasite density and Hb genotype. Blood group B was associated with increased risk of severe malaria OR=1.638 (CI95%: 1.128-2.380) after adjusting for age, gender, packed cell volume, parasite density and Hb genotype. We have confirmed from this large study of Nigerian children the major protective effective of the sickle cell heterozygous state against both cerebral malaria and severe malarial anaemia. We also show that the B blood group is associated with an increased risk of severe malaria. In conclusion, the sickle cell haemoglobin type and ABO groups modulate the risk of severe malaria in Nigerian children.
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| 4. |
- Arama, Charles, et al.
(författare)
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Ethnic differences in susceptibility to malaria : What have we learned from immuno-epidemiological studies in West Africa?
- 2015
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 146, s. 152-156
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- There are many fundamental aspects of the immunobiology of Plasmodium falciparum infections that are not fully understood, therefore limiting our comprehension of how people become immune to malaria and why some ethnic groups living in malaria endemic areas are less susceptible than others. The complexity of parasite-host interactions and the genetic diversity of the parasites as well as the human host complicate our strategy to address this issue. In this mini-review we discuss and summarize what we have learned about African ethnic differences in susceptibility to malaria from immuno-epidemiological studies. Additionally, we suggest research topics that might be of great value for dissecting the mechanisms of protection by providing new insights into molecular interactions between the parasite and the host.
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| 5. |
- Arrighi, Romanico B. G., et al.
(författare)
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Plasmodium falciparum GPI toxin : A common foe for man and mosquito
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 114:3, s. 162-165
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, which can be regarded as an endotoxin, plays a role in the induced pathology associated with severe malaria in humans. However, it is unclear whether the main mosquito vector, Anopheles gambiae, can specifically recognize, and respond to GPI from the malaria parasite. Recent data suggests that the malaria vector does mount a specific response against malaria GPI. In addition, following the strong immune response, mosquito fecundity is severely affected, resulting in a significant reduction in viable eggs produced. In this mini-review we look at the increased interest in understanding the way that malaria antigens are recognized in the mosquito, and how this relates to a better understanding of the interactions between the malaria parasite and both human and vector.
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| 6. |
- Awah, Nancy W., et al.
(författare)
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Mechanisms of malarial anaemia : potential involvement of the Plasmodium falciparum low molecular weight rhoptry-associated proteins.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 112:3, s. 295-302
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the tropics. Anaemia is a constant feature of the disease. Pregnant women mostly primigravidae and children below the age of 5 years are the most afflicted. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and incompletely understood. Among several factors, the destruction of erythrocytes (RBCs) is the most frequently observed cause of severe malarial anaemia and the removal of non-parasitized RBCs (nEs) is thought to be the most important, accounting for approximately 90% of the reduction in haematocrit in acute malaria. Previous studies demonstrated that the tagging of nEs with the parasite antigen RAP-2 (rhoptry-associated protein-2; also designated RSP-2) due to either failed or aborted invasion by merozoites resulted in the destruction of these cells. In this study we further investigated the mechanisms mediating the destruction of nEs in the development of severe malarial anaemia and the possible involvement of RAP-2/RSP-2 and other members of the low molecular weight rhoptry complex (RAP-1: rhoptry-associated protein-1 and RAP-3: rhoptry-associated protein-3). Antibodies to the rhoptry-associated proteins were found to recognise the surface of nEs in a parasitaemia-dependent manner after merozoite release in P. falciparumin vitro cultures. These cells, as well as erythroblasts co-cultured with infected RBCs (IEs), could then be destroyed by either phagocytosis or lysis after complement activation. The ability of anti-rhoptry antibodies to mediate the destruction of RAP-2/RSP-2-tagged erythroblasts in the presence of effector cells was also investigated. Data obtained suggest that mouse monoclonal antibodies to the low molecular weight RAP proteins mediate the death of RAP-2/RSP-2-tagged erythroblasts on interaction with adherent monocytes. The mechanism of cell death is not yet fully known, but seems to involve primarily apoptosis. The above observations suggest that the antibody response against RAP-2/RSP-2 and other members of the complex could trigger the destruction of RAP-2/RSP-2-tagged host cells. Taken together it appears that during severe anaemia a defective bone marrow or dyserythropoiesis possibly due to erythroblast cell death, may overlap with the accelerated destruction of normal erythroid cells, either by opsonisation or complement activation further aggravating the anaemia which may become fatal. These observations could therefore have implications in the design, development and deployment of future therapeutic interventions against malaria.
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| 7. |
- Balogun, Halima A., et al.
(författare)
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Pattern of antibodies to the Duffy binding like domain of Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf332 in Senegalese individuals
- 2014
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 130, s. 80-87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Acquisition of antibodies against blood stage antigens is crucial in malaria immunity and the Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf332, which is present in close association with the infected red blood cell membrane, is one such antigen. In this study, the antibody response to a Duffy binding like fragment of Pf332, termed Pf332-DBL was investigated in sera from naturally exposed individuals living in Dielmo village, Senegal, with regard to immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgM, IgE) and IgG subclasses (IgG1-4). While the levels of IgM, IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 only displayed a moderate trend to increase with age, Pf332-DBL specific IgG3 levels increased significantly in the older villagers. In multivariate analysis, when controlling for confounding factors, and in a linear model with a Poisson distribution, anti-Pf332-DBL IgG3 as well as the ratio of cytophilic to non cytophilic anti-Pf332-DBL antibodies were found significantly associated with a reduced risk of malaria attack. This association was also present when the IgG3:IgG1 ratio was tested. Finally, two subgroups of villagers with the same mean age, were delineated by IgG3 concentrations either lower or higher than the median value. A total of 45.2% of the individuals with low anti-Pf332-DBL-IgG3 levels but only 21.4% of the villagers in the group with high levels of such antibodies had a clinical malaria attack during a period of 3 years of continuous follow-up after the blood sampling. In conclusion, Pf332-DBL induces naturally the acquisition of antibodies, and Pf332-DBL-specific IgG3 appears to be associated with protection against malaria in this endemic setting.
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| 8. |
- Bolad, A K, et al.
(författare)
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The use of impregnated curtains does not affect antibody responses against Plasmodium falciparum and complexity of infecting parasite populations in children from Burkina Faso
- 2004
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 90:3, s. 237-247
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Burkina Faso, where malaria is hyper-endemic and transmission intensity is very high, the majority of malaria-related morbidity and mortality occurs in children less than 5 years of age. A control measure such as the use of insecticide-treated curtains (ITC) significantly reduces transmission of malaria infection. Concerns remain whether reduced transmission intensity may lead to a delay in the development of immunity in younger children and even to a partial loss of already acquired immunity. In this study, the levels of P. falciparum-specific IgG subclasses, the number of infecting parasite clones determined by PCR-based genotyping of the msp2 gene and the parasite density were analysed in 154 asymptomatic children (3–6 years) living in 16 villages (8 with and 8 without ITC) in the vicinity of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. In addition, the parasite inhibitory effects of Ig fractions, prepared from selected children, in co-operation with normal human monocytes were studied. Blood samples from asymptomatic ITC-users showed a significant decrease in P. falciparum prevalence as well as in parasite density. However, no significant difference was observed in P. falciparum-specific antibodies or in parasite multiplicity of infection between the two groups. Furthermore, Ig fractions from children of both groups showed similar levels of inhibitory activity against autologous parasite growth both on their own and in co-operation with monocytes.
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| 9. |
- Cherif, Mariama K., et al.
(författare)
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Is Fc gamma receptor IIA (Fc gamma RIIA) polymorphism associated with clinical malaria and Plasmodium falciparum specific antibody levels in children from Burkina Faso?
- 2015
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier BV. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 142, s. 41-46
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the present study, the influences of Fc gamma RIIA polymorphism on susceptibility to malaria and antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum antigens were analyzed in children. We recruited 96 healthy children between 3 and 10 years at the beginning of the high transmission season and we followed up for 5 months through the high transmission season to assess the parasitological, immunological and genetic endpoints in relation to clinical malaria status. There was a similar distribution of homozygous and heterozygous individuals carrying the Fc gamma RIIA-131R/R and Fc gamma RIIA-131R/H allele, whereas the number of Fc gamma RIIA-131H/H homozygous individuals was lower. P. falciparum infection frequency was not associated with the Fc gamma RIIa-131R/H polymorphism. Only IgG antibody responses to GLURP R0 showed a significant association between antibody levels and Fc gamma RIIA polymorphism (p = 0.02). IgG levels to MSP2a were significantly higher in children who did not experience any clinical malaria episode compared to those who experienced at least one malaria episode (p = 0.019). Cytophilic and non-cytophylic IgG subclass levels were higher in children without malaria than those who experienced at least one malaria episode. This difference was statistically significant for IgG1 to MSP3 (p = 0.003) and to MSP2a (p = 0.006); IgG3 to MSP2a (p = 0.007) and to GLURP R0 (p = 0.044); IgG2 to MSP2b (p = 0.007) and IgG4 to MSP3 (p = 0.051) and to MSP2a (p = 0.049). In this study, homozygous carriers of the Fc gamma RIIA-131R/R allele had higher malaria-specific antibody levels compare to the heterozygous carriers Fc gamma RIIA-131R/H alleles and to homozygous carriers of Fc gamma RIIA-131H/H alleles. The pre-existing antibodies responses were related to a reduced subsequent risk of clinical malaria.
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| 10. |
- Desvars, Amélie, et al.
(författare)
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First overview of the Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) livestock associated species of Reunion Island, Indian Ocean
- 2015
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Ingår i: Acta Tropica. - : Elsevier. - 0001-706X .- 1873-6254. ; 142, s. 5-19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study establishes the first faunistic inventory of livestock associated Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species of Reunion Island (Indian Ocean), where bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease are regularly recorded. Single night-catches were performed at 41 sites using light suction traps at altitudes ranging from 0 to 1525. m, from March to April 2005. Five species were recorded: Culicoides imicola, Culicoides bolitinos, Culicoides enderleini, Culicoides grahamii, and Culicoides kibatiensis, among which at least the first three species are known to be involved in virus transmission to ruminants and equids. This is the first record of C. bolitinos, C. kibatiensis, and C. enderleini on the island. C. imicola was the most abundant species along the sea coast. C. bolitinos was more abundant inland and on two sites on the east coast. C. kibatiensis and C. grahamii were less abundant than the other three species and limited to two foci.Spatial distribution analysis of the different species showed that C. bolitinos, C. enderleini and C. imicola were collected at low altitudes, while the other two species were found at higher altitude. A morphological identification key for adult females and males is given, as well as cytochrome oxydase subunit I sequences. Phylogenetic reconstructions showed a clear divergence between C. bolitinos from Reunion Island and mainland Africa. This monograph will help to identify the Culicoides species in the poorly known entomological fauna of the south-western Indian Ocean region.
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