| 1. |
- Barreca, Maria Letizia, et al.
(författare)
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Structure-Based Discovery of Pyrazolobenzothiazine Derivatives As Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus Replication
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0022-2623 .- 1520-4804. ; 56:6, s. 2270-2282
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is an attractive target for the development of novel and selective inhibitors of hepatitis C virus replication. To identify novel structural hits as anti-HCV agents, we performed structure based virtual screening of our in-house library followed by rational drug design, organic synthesis, and biological testing. These studies led to the identification of pyrazolobenzothiazine scaffold as a suitable template for obtaining novel anti-HCV agents targeting the NS5B polymerase. The best compound of this series was the meta-fluoro-N-1-phenyl pyrazolobenzothiazine derivative 4a, which exhibited an EC50 = 3.6 mu M, EC90 = 25.6 mu M, and CC50 > 180 mu M in the Huh 9-13 replicon system, thus providing a good starting point for further hit evolution.
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| 2. |
- Belfrage, Anna Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Discovery of pyrazinone based compounds that potently inhibit the drug resistant enzyme variant R155K of the hepatitis C virus NS3 protease
- 2016
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Ingår i: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0968-0896 .- 1464-3391. ; 24:12, s. 2603-2620
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Herein, we present the design and synthesis of 2(1H)-pyrazinone based HCV NS3 protease inhibitors with variations in the C-terminus. Biochemical evaluation was performed using genotype 1a, both the wildtype and the drug resistant enzyme variant, R155K. Surprisingly, compounds without an acidic sulfonamide retained good inhibition, challenging our previous molecular docking model. Moreover, selected compounds in this series showed nanomolar potency against R155K NS3 protease; which generally confer resistance to all HCV NS3 protease inhibitors approved or in clinical trials. These results further strengthen the potential of this novel substance class, being very different to the approved drugs and clinical candidates, in the development of inhibitors less sensitive to drug resistance.
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| 3. |
- Luttens, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Ultralarge Virtual Screening Identifies SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors with Broad-Spectrum Activity against Coronaviruses
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Chemical Society. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0002-7863 .- 1520-5126. ; 144:7, s. 2905-2920
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 could have saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is now crucial to develop inhibitors of coronavirus replication in preparation for future outbreaks. We explored two virtual screening strategies to find inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease in ultralarge chemical libraries. First, structure-based docking was used to screen a diverse library of 235 million virtual compounds against the active site. One hundred top-ranked compounds were tested in binding and enzymatic assays. Second, a fragment discovered by crystallographic screening was optimized guided by docking of millions of elaborated molecules and experimental testing of 93 compounds. Three inhibitors were identified in the first library screen, and five of the selected fragment elaborations showed inhibitory effects. Crystal structures of target-inhibitor complexes confirmed docking predictions and guided hit-to-lead optimization, resulting in a noncovalent main protease inhibitor with nanomolar affinity, a promising in vitro pharmacokinetic profile, and broad-spectrum antiviral effect in infected cells.
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| 4. |
- Manfroni, Giuseppe, et al.
(författare)
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The Versatile Nature of the 6-Aminoquinolone Scaffold : Identification of Submicromolar Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Inhibitors
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0022-2623 .- 1520-4804. ; 57:5, s. 1952-1963
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have previously reported that the 6-aminoquinolone chemotype is a privileged scaffold to obtain antibacterial and antiviral agents. Herein we describe the design, synthesis, and enzymatic and cellular characterization of new 6-aminoquinolone derivatives as potent inhibitors of NS5B polymerase, an attractive and viable therapeutic target to develop safe anti-HCV agents. The 6-amino-7-[4-(2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]quinolone derivative 8 proved to be the best compound of this series, exhibiting an IC50 value of 0.069 mu M against NS5B polymerase and selective antiviral effect (EC50 = 3.03 mu M) coupled with the absence of any cytostatic effect (CC50 > 163 mu M; SI > 54) in Huh 9-13 cells carrying a HCV genotype 1b, as measured by MTS assay. These results indicate that the 6-aminoquinolone scaffold is worthy of further investigation in the context of NS5B-targeted HCV drug discovery programs.
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| 5. |
- Belfrage, Anna Karin, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Pan-NS3 protease inhibitors of hepatitis C virus based on an R3-elongated pyrazinone scaffold
- 2018
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Ingår i: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : Elsevier. - 0223-5234 .- 1768-3254. ; 148, s. 453-464
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Herein, we present the design and synthesis of 2(1H)-pyrazinone based HCV NS3 protease inhibitors and show that elongated R-3 urea substituents were associated with increased inhibitory potencies over several NS3 protein variants. The inhibitors are believed to rely on beta-sheet mimicking hydrogen bonds which are similar over different genotypes and current drug resistant variants and correspond to the beta-sheet interactions of the natural peptide substrate. Inhibitor 36, for example, with a urea substituent including a cyclic imide showed balanced nanomolar inhibitory potencies against genotype la, both wild-type (K-i=30 nM) and R155K (K-i=2 nM), and genotype 3a (K-i=5 nM).
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| 6. |
- Bhakat, Soumendranath, et al.
(författare)
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Reaching beyond HIV/HCV: nelfinavir as a potential starting point for broad-spectrum protease inhibitors against dengue and chikungunya virus
- 2015
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Ingår i: RSC Advances. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2046-2069. ; 5:104, s. 85938-85949
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Drug repurposing or re-profiling has become an effective strategy to identify novel indications for already-approved drugs. In this study, peptidomimetic FDA-approved HIV/HCV inhibitors were explored for their potential to be repurposed for the inhibition of the replication of dengue (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) by targeting the NS2B-NS3 and NSP2 protease, respectively. MM/GBSA-based binding free energy results put nelfinavir forward as a potential inhibitor of both dengue and chikungunya virus, which subsequently was further explored in a virus-cell-based assay for both viruses. Nelfinavir showed modest antiviral activity against CHIKV (EC50 = 14 +/- 1 mu M and a selectivity index of 1.6) and was slightly more active against DENV-2 (EC50 = 3.5 +/- 0.4 mu M and a selectivity index of 4.6). Even though the antiviral potency was limited, the fact that some activity was observed in these assays made it worthwhile exploring the potential and properties of nelfinavir as a stepping-stone compound: a more detailed computational analysis was performed to understand the binding mode, interaction, hydrogen bond distance, occupancy and minimum pharmacophoric features. The comprehensive data set that resulted from these analyses may prove to be useful for the development of novel DENV and CHIKV protease inhibitors.
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| 7. |
- Bollati, Michela, et al.
(författare)
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Structure and functionality in flavivirus NS-proteins : perspectives for drug design
- 2010
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Ingår i: Antiviral Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-3542 .- 1872-9096. ; 87:2, s. 125-148
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Flaviviridae are small enveloped viruses hosting a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome. Besides yellow fever virus, a landmark case in the history of virology, members of the Flavivirus genus, such as West Nile virus and dengue virus, are increasingly gaining attention due to their re-emergence and incidence in different areas of the world. Additional environmental and demographic considerations suggest that novel or known flaviviruses will continue to emerge in the future. Nevertheless, up to few years ago flaviviruses were considered low interest candidates for drug design. At the start of the European Union VIZIER Project, in 2004, just two crystal structures of protein domains from the flaviviral replication machinery were known. Such pioneering studies, however, indicated the flaviviral replication complex as a promising target for the development of antiviral compounds. Here we review structural and functional aspects emerging from the characterization of two main components (NS3 and NS5 proteins) of the flavivirus replication complex. Most of the reviewed results were achieved within the European Union VIZIER Project, and cover topics that span from viral genomics to structural biology and inhibition mechanisms. The ultimate aim of the reported approaches is to shed light on the design and development of antiviral drug leads.
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| 8. |
- Geitmann, Matthis, et al.
(författare)
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Kinetic, mechanistic and chemodynamic characterisation of non-nucleoside hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase inhibitors using SPR biosensor technology
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Kinetic, mechanistic and chemodynamic aspects of the interaction between five non-nucleoside inhibitors and the HCV NS5B polymerase (genotype 2a) were assessed using SPR biosensor technology. The compounds were selected to represent different structural classes (benzothiadiazine, , α,γ-diketo acid, benzimidazole, thiophene carbocyclic acid and benzofuran), each known to interact with different binding sites. The viral polymerase interacted with the compounds with different kinetics and surprisingly also with different capacities. Cooperativity between the different allosteric inhibitor binding sites and the active site binding diketoacid was observed, but no cooperativity was seen between the allosteric sites. The interaction with diketoacid was stronger in phosphate buffer as compared to Tris buffer, indicating a phosphate ion-mediated interaction mechanism. The enzyme generally had reduced affinity for the inhibitors in the presence of RNA. Interaction parameters determined for human serum albumin revealed the propensity of the compounds to be distributed by HSA. This study provides important information for the design of optimized NS5B inhibitors and illustrates the complementarity of a biosensor-based analysis with inhibition studies, in particular for allosteric compounds with complex interaction mechanisms or when the target contains multiple ligand binding sites.
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| 9. |
- Hansson, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Bioengineering and Semisynthesis of an Optimized Cyclophilin Inhibitor for Treatment of Chronic Viral Infection.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Chemistry and Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1301 .- 1074-5521. ; 22:2, s. 285-292
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inhibition of host-encoded targets, such as the cyclophilins, provides an opportunity to generate potent high barrier to resistance antivirals for the treatment of a broad range of viral diseases. However, many host-targeted agents are natural products, which can be difficult to optimize using synthetic chemistry alone. We describe the orthogonal combination of bioengineering and semisynthetic chemistry to optimize the drug-like properties of sanglifehrin A, a known cyclophilin inhibitor of mixed nonribosomal peptide/polyketide origin, to generate the drug candidate NVP018 (formerly BC556). NVP018 is a potent inhibitor of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV-1 replication, shows minimal inhibition of major drug transporters, and has a high barrier to generation of both HCV and HIV-1 resistance.
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| 10. |
- Islam, Koushikul, 1985-
(författare)
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Identification and evaluation of antiviral compounds targeting Rift Valley fever virus
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a negative-stranded RNA virus, is the etiological agent of the vector-borne zoonotic disease Rift Valley fever (RVF). RVFV causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans and livestock throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. RVFV is an emerging virus and is capable of infecting a broad range of mosquito species distributed around the world, so it poses a potential threat globally. A wide range of livestock animals (e.g. sheep, goats, cows, and camels) and some wild animals become highly affected by RVFV. In humans, RVFV infection presents as an acute self-limiting febrile illness that may lead to more severe hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis. The severity of the disease is mostly dependent on age and the species of mammal, but other factors are also important.There are no licensed RVFV vaccines for humans, and there is a lack of effective antiviral drugs. Moreover, due to the severe pathogenicity, higher-level facilities are needed―biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) or more―to work with RVFV, which makes antiviral drug development more challenging. Because RVFV causes severe disease in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and has the potential to spread globally, it is essential that safe, efficient antiviral drugs against this virus are developed.The previously reported antiviral compound benzavir-2 inhibits the replication of several DNA viruses, i.e. human adenoviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, and HSV type 2, indicating a broadranging activity. We wanted to evaluate whether benzavir-2 had an effect against the RNA virus RVFV. For these and subsequent studies, we used a recombinant, modified RVFV strain with a deleted NSs gene, which was replaced by a reporter gene (rRVFVΔNSs::Katushka), enabling the studies to be conducted under BSL-2 conditions. The NSs gene is the main virulence factor for RVFV and without it, RVFV become less pathogenic. The reporter gene made it possible for us to quantify infection with the help of the red fluorescent protein. We found that benzavir-2 effectively inhibited RVFV infection in cell culture at an effective concentration showing 50% inhibition (EC50) of 0.6 μM. Benzavir-2 also inhibited the production of progeny virus. When we studied the pharmacokinetic properties, we found that benzavir-2 had good in vitro solubility, permeability, and metabolic stability. When we investigated the oral bioavailability in mice by administering benzavir-2 in peanut butter pellets, high systemic distribution was observed without any adverse toxic effects. Benzavir-2 thus inhibited RVFV infection in cell culture and showed excellent pharmacokinetic properties, suggesting the possibility of evaluating its effectiveness in an animal model. Since benzavir-2 has a broad effect against both RNA and DNA viruses, we speculated that the antiviral mechanism affects cellular targets.We also wanted to explore a large number of small chemical compounds with unknown properties and identify any anti-RVFV activities. Thus, we developed a whole-cell-based high-throughput reporter-based assay, and screened 28,437 small chemical compounds. The assay was established after optimization of several parameters. After primary and secondary screening, we identified 63 compounds that inhibited RVFV infection by 60% at a concentration of 3.12 μM and showed ≥ 50% cell viability at 25 μM. After a dose-dependent screening of these 63 compounds, several compounds were identified with highly efficient anti-RVFV properties. Finally, N1-(2-(biphenyl-4-yloxy)ethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (compound 1) was selected as the lead compound. We performed a structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of compound 1 by replacing and changing component after component of the chemical compound to see how this affected the antiviral activity. After the SAR analysis, the antiviral activity did not change, but we could improve the cytotoxicity profile. Our studies suggested that the improved compound, 13a, might be targeting the early phase of the RVFV lifecycle.In conclusion, we developed an efficient and reliable screening method that creates possibilities for discovering and developing antivirals against RVFV under BSL-2 conditions. We also identified several chemical compounds with anti-RVFV activities, which might lead to development of therapies for RVFV infection.
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| 11. |
- Rohayem, Jacques, et al.
(författare)
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Antiviral strategies to control calicivirus infections
- 2010
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Ingår i: Antiviral Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-3542 .- 1872-9096. ; 87:2, s. 162-178
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Caliciviridae are human or non-human pathogenic viruses with a high diversity. Some members of the Caliciviridae, i.e. human pathogenic norovirus or rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), are worldwide emerging pathogens. The norovirus is the major cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide, accounting for about 85% of the outbreaks in Europe between 1995 and 2000. In the United States, 25 million cases of infection are reported each year. Since its emergence in 1984 as an agent of fatal hemorrhagic diseases in rabbits, RHDV has killed millions of rabbits and has been dispersed to all of the inhabitable continents. In view of their successful and apparently increasing emergence, the development of antiviral strategies to control infections due to these viral pathogens has now become an important issue in medicine and veterinary medicine. Antiviral strategies have to be based on an understanding of the epidemiology, transmission, clinical symptoms, viral replication and immunity to infection resulting from infection by these viruses. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms underlying calicivirus infection, focusing on the molecular aspects of replication in the host cell. Recent experimental data generated through an international collaboration on structural biology, virology and drug design within the European consortium VIZIER is also presented. Based on this analysis, we propose antiviral strategies that may significantly impact on the epidemiological characteristics of these highly successful viral pathogens.
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| 12. |
- Svahn Gustafsson, Sofia
(författare)
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Characterization of HCV Protease Inhibitors : Inhibition and Interaction Studies with Applications for Drug Discovery
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this thesis, different approaches based on inhibition and interactions studies, have been used to characterize inhibitors of the non-structural protein 3 (NS3) from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This involves identification of enzyme inhibitory effects and characterization of interaction mechanisms and kinetics, as well as effects on replication in a cell based system and serum protein binding. All this information contributes to HCV drug discovery.By using an inhibition assay it was possible to evaluate the effects of NS3 protease inhibitors, tested or used in the clinic, on NS3 variants, representing different model systems often used for drug discovery. This study illustrates the importance of accounting for differences in catalytic properties in comparative analyses, for making relevant interpretations of inhibition data. An SPR biosensor-based assay expanded the first study, and provided kinetic and mechanistic information, by direct interaction analyses of the inhibitors. It revealed significant differences between the different genotypes and model systems, and provided data that can be used to better understand the efficacy of inhibitors.Additionally, novel NS3 protease inhibitors were evaluated with respect to their potential to interfere with protease activity, their sensitivity to resistant mutants and effect on HCV replication. The most potent compounds were also characterized by their bioavailability, solubility and metabolic stability. This provides information for design of improved NS3 protease inhibitors, suggesting potential peptidomimetic structures for the backbone as well as for peptide substituents. These modification strategies allowed inhibitors to be truncated and less peptide-like, still with retained inhibitory effect.A new strategy for analysis of serum protein binding, of importance for drug distribution was also developed. By defining and using the concept of binding efficiency, serum protein interactions of moderate affinity, as described by rapid kinetics, were characterized. This strategy is also applicable for analysis of low affinity interactions.Taken together, all these studies provide knowledge and strategies for HCV drug discovery, and by using this information we might take a step closer to the final goal, which is to eradicate HCV.
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| 13. |
- Wilder-Smith, Annelies, et al.
(författare)
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The legacy of ZikaPLAN: a transnational research consortium addressing Zika
- 2021
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Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 14
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Global health research partnerships with institutions from high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries are one of the European Commission's flagship programmes. Here, we report on the ZikaPLAN research consortium funded by the European Commission with the primary goal of addressing the urgent knowledge gaps related to the Zika epidemic and the secondary goal of building up research capacity and establishing a Latin American-European research network for emerging vector-borne diseases. Five years of collaborative research effort have led to a better understanding of the full clinical spectrum of congenital Zika syndrome in children and the neurological complications of Zika virus infections in adults and helped explore the origins and trajectory of Zika virus transmission. Individual-level data from ZikaPLAN`s cohort studies were shared for joint analyses as part of the Zika Brazilian Cohorts Consortium, the European Commission-funded Zika Cohorts Vertical Transmission Study Group, and the World Health Organization-led Zika Virus Individual Participant Data Consortium. Furthermore, the legacy of ZikaPLAN includes new tools for birth defect surveillance and a Latin American birth defect surveillance network, an enhanced Guillain-Barre Syndrome research collaboration, a de-centralized evaluation platform for diagnostic assays, a global vector control hub, and the REDe network with freely available training resources to enhance global research capacity in vector-borne diseases.
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| 14. |
- Wilder-Smith, Annelies, et al.
(författare)
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ZikaPLAN : addressing the knowledge gaps and working towards a research preparedness network in the Americas
- 2019
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Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Zika Preparedness Latin American Network (ZikaPLAN) is a research consortium funded by the European Commission to address the research gaps in combating Zika and to establish a sustainable network with research capacity building in the Americas. Here we present a report on ZikaPLAN`s mid-term achievements since its initiation in October 2016 to June 2019, illustrating the research objectives of the 15 work packages ranging from virology, diagnostics, entomology and vector control, modelling to clinical cohort studies in pregnant women and neonates, as well as studies on the neurological complications of Zika infections in adolescents and adults. For example, the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study (NEAS) has set up more than 10 clinical sites in Colombia. Through the Butantan Phase 3 dengue vaccine trial, we have access to samples of 17,000 subjects in 14 different geographic locations in Brazil. To address the lack of access to clinical samples for diagnostic evaluation, ZikaPLAN set up a network of quality sites with access to well-characterized clinical specimens and capacity for independent evaluations. The International Committee for Congenital Anomaly Surveillance Tools was formed with global representation from regional networks conducting birth defects surveillance. We have collated a comprehensive inventory of resources and tools for birth defects surveillance, and developed an App for low resource regions facilitating the coding and description of all major externally visible congenital anomalies including congenital Zika syndrome. Research Capacity Network (REDe) is a shared and open resource centre where researchers and health workers can access tools, resources and support, enabling better and more research in the region. Addressing the gap in research capacity in LMICs is pivotal in ensuring broad-based systems to be prepared for the next outbreak. Our shared and open research space through REDe will be used to maximize the transfer of research into practice by summarizing the research output and by hosting the tools, resources, guidance and recommendations generated by these studies. Leveraging on the research from this consortium, we are working towards a research preparedness network.
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