Anti-Toxoplasma activity and impact evaluation of lyophilization, hot molding process, and gamma-irradiation techniques on CLH-PLGA intravitreal implants.

Intraocular delivery systems have been developed to treat many eye diseases, especially those affecting the posterior segment of the eye. However, ocular toxoplasmosis, the leading cause of infectious posterior uveitis in the world, still lacks an effective treatment. Therefore, our group developed an intravitreal polymeric implant to release clindamycin, a potent anti-Toxoplasma antibiotic.

Development of a method to quantify clindamycin in vitreous humor of rabbits' eyes by UPLC-MS/MS: application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study and in vivo ocular biocompatibility evaluation.

Ocular toxoplasmosis may result in uveitis in the posterior segment of the eye, leading to severe visual complications. Clindamycin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) implants could be applied to treat the ocular toxoplasmosis. In this study, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the drug administrated by PLGA implants and by intravitreal injections in rabbits' eyes were evaluated.

A new strategy based on SmRho protein loaded chitosan nanoparticles as a candidate oral vaccine against schistosomiasis.

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases and an effective control is unlikely in the absence of improved sanitation and vaccination. A new approach of oral vaccination with alginate coated chitosan nanoparticles appears interesting because their great stability and the ease of target accessibility, besides of chitosan and alginate immunostimulatory properties. Here we propose a candidate vaccine based on the combination of chitosan-based nanoparticles containing the antigen SmRho and coated with sodium alginate.

Oral vaccination based on DNA-chitosan nanoparticles against Schistosoma mansoni infection.

The development of a vaccine would be essential for the control of schistosomiasis, which is recognized as the most important human helminth infection in terms of morbidity and mortality. A new approach of oral vaccination with DNA-chitosan nanoparticles appears interesting because of their great stability and the ease of target accessibility, besides chitosan immunostimulatory properties. Here we described that chitosan nanoparticles loaded with plasmid DNA encoding Rho1-GTPase protein of Schistosoma mansoni, prepared at different molar ratios of primary amines to DNA phosphate anion (N/P), were able to complex electrostatically with DNA and condense it into positively charged nanostructures.

Immunization with rP22 induces protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni: effects on granuloma down-modulation and cytokine production.

Schistosomiasis remains a significant public health problem in tropical countries and it is recognized as the most important human helminth infection in terms of morbidity and mortality. Although the existing antischistosomal drugs are highly effective, they do not prevent against reinfection or granuloma formation. Therefore, vaccine strategies are essential for the control of schistosomiasis.

GM-CSF and TNF-alpha synergize to increase in vitro granuloma size of PBMC from humans induced by Schistosoma mansoni recombinant 28-kDa GST.

The 28-kDa Glutathione S-transferase of Schistosoma mansoni (Sm28 GST) was described as a protective antigen capable of reducing female fecundity and the number of eggs in mice hepatic tissues. The role of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha in the in vitro granuloma reaction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from chronic intestinal schistosomiasis patients before and after chemotherapy treatment to S. mansoni recombinant Sm28 GST was evaluated.