A longer-chain acylated derivative of Dictyostelium differentiation-inducing factor-1 enhances the antimalarial activity against Plasmodium parasites.

The spread of malarial parasites resistant to first-line treatments such as artemisinin combination therapies is a global health concern. Differentiation-inducing factor 1 (DIF-1) is a chlorinated alkylphenone (1-(3,5-dichloro-2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) hexan-1-one) originally found in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. We previously showed that some derivatives of DIF-1, particularly DIF-1(+2) (1-(3,5-dichloro-2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) octan-1-one), exert potent antimalarial activities.

The Impact of Sequestration on Artemisinin-Induced Parasite Clearance in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Africa.

Background: Artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is spreading in Southeast Asia and Africa. In vivo susceptibility to artemisinin is studied by looking at the rate of decline of peripheral parasitemia (parasite clearance half-life). However, parasites that are adhered/sequestered to the endothelium and undetectable in the peripheral blood are not considered in the estimation of parasite clearance.

Circulation of an Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria Lineage in a Traveler Returning from East Africa to France.

A returned traveler to Uganda presented with a Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 A675V mutant infection that exhibited delayed clearance under artesunate therapy. Parasites were genetically related to recently reported Ugandan artemisinin-resistant A675V parasites. Adequate malaria prevention measures and clinical and genotypic surveillance are important tools to avoid and track artemisinin resistance.

Evidence of Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria in Africa.

Background: In the six Southeast Asian countries that make up the Greater Mekong Subregion, has developed resistance to derivatives of artemisinin, the main component of first-line treatments for malaria. Clinical resistance to artemisinin monotherapy in other global regions, including Africa, would be problematic.

Methods: In this longitudinal study conducted in Northern Uganda, we treated patients who had infection with intravenous artesunate (a water-soluble artemisinin derivative) and estimated the parasite clearance half-life.

Ex vivo susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to antimalarial drugs in Northern Uganda.

In Uganda, artemether-lumefantrine was introduced as an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for malaria in 2006. We have previously reported a moderate decrease in ex vivo efficacy of lumefantrine in Northern Uganda, where we also detected ex vivo artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Therefore, it is necessary to search for candidate partner alternatives for ACT.

Recovery and stable persistence of chloroquine sensitivity in Plasmodium falciparum parasites after its discontinued use in Northern Uganda.

Background: Usage of chloroquine was discontinued from the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infection in almost all endemic regions because of global spread of resistant parasites. Since the first report in Malawi, numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the discontinuance led to re-emergence of chloroquine-susceptible P. falciparum, suggesting a possible role in future malaria control.

Influence of Climatic Factors on Malaria Epidemic in Gulu District, Northern Uganda: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: Globally, 15 countries, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa, account for 80% of malaria cases and 78% of malaria related deaths. In Uganda, malaria is endemic and the mortality and morbidity due to malaria cause significant negative impact on the economy. In Gulu district, malaria is the leading killer disease among children <5 years.

Artemisinin-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum with High Survival Rates, Uganda, 2014-2016.

Because ≈90% of malaria cases occur in Africa, emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in Africa poses a serious public health threat. To assess emergence of artemisinin-resistant parasites in Uganda during 2014-2016, we used the recently developed ex vivo ring-stage survival assay, which estimates ring-stage-specific P. falciparum susceptibility to artemisinin.

Erratum to: infection at four primary schools and surrounding communities with no previous blood surveys in northern Uganda: the prevalence after mass drug administrations and a report on suspected non-filarial endemic elephantiasis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41182-017-0060-y.].

A possible origin population of pathogenic intestinal nematodes, Strongyloides stercoralis, unveiled by molecular phylogeny.

Humans and dogs are the two major hosts of Strongyloides stercoralis, an intestinal parasitic nematode. To better understand the phylogenetic relationships among S. stercoralis isolates infecting humans and dogs and to assess the zoonotic potential of this parasite, we analyzed mitochondrial Cox1, nuclear 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and a major sperm protein domain-containing protein genes.

Application of a cell microarray chip system for accurate, highly sensitive, and rapid diagnosis for malaria in Uganda.

Accurate, sensitive, rapid, and easy operative diagnosis is necessary to prevent the spread of malaria. A cell microarray chip system including a push column for the recovery of erythrocytes and a fluorescence detector was employed for malaria diagnosis in Uganda. The chip with 20,944 microchambers (105 μm width and 50 μm depth) was made of polystyrene.

Evidence of long term benefit of morbidity reduction due to praziquantel treatment against schistosoma mansoni in kigungu fishing village in entebbe, Uganda.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is efficacious against Schistosoma mansoni. This was prospective cohort study. This study was carried out at Kigungu fishing village, Entebbe, Uganda.

Epidemiology, of bilharzias (schistosomiasis) in Uganda from 1902 until 2005.

Background: Schistosoma mansoni was observed and reported in Kuluva hospital Arua District in north western Uganda as early as 1902. S. mansoni is widely distributed in Uganda along permanent water bodies.

Substitution of malachite green with nigrosin-eosin yellow stain in the Kato-Katz method: microscopical appearance of the helminth eggs.

Background: The Kato-Katz thick smear technique is the standard technique recommended by the World Health Organisation for the quantitative diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni and other intestinal helminth infections. The major problem of the technique is that a few hours after the preparation of slides hookworm eggs over clear and disappear due glycerin.

Objective: To illustrate clear visibility of different helminth eggs microscopically in Odongo-Aginya method, substitution of malachite green with 7.

High prevalence and morbidity of Schistosoma mansoni along the Albert Nile in Uganda.

An epidemiological cross sectional study of Schistosoma mansoni was conducted in two hyper endemic fishing villages of Rhino Camp and Obongi both in West Nile district in northern Uganda in 1991 and 1992. People with various water contacts were registered. A small group of civil servants and clergies with less water contact in the river Nile were studied for control of infection and morbidity.