Effects of Azadirachta indica seed kernel extracts on early erythrocytic schizogony of Plasmodium berghei and pro-inflammatory response in inbred mice.

Background: Medicinal plant research may contribute to develop new pharmacological control tools for vector borne diseases, such as malaria.

Methods: The effects of methanol extracts (ME) obtained from seed kernel of ripe and unripe Azadirachta indica fruits were studied on erythrocytic proliferation of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei strain ANKA and on mice pro-inflammatory response, as evaluated by measuring the matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) plasma levels, in two mouse strains (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) which are considered as prototypical of Th1 and Th2 immune response, respectively.

Results: ME obtained from seed kernel of unripe Azadirachta indica fruits decreased by about 30% the proportion of erythrocytes infected with the malaria parasite in C57BL/6 mice in the 4 days suppressive test.

In vitro and ex vivo activity of an Azadirachta indica A.Juss. seed kernel extract on early sporogonic development of Plasmodium in comparison with azadirachtin A, its most abundant constituent.

Background: NeemAzal (NA) is a quantified extract from seed kernels of neem, Azadirachta indica A.Juss. (Meliaceae), with a wide spectrum of biological properties, classically ascribed to its limonoid content.

Surfactant Protein C-associated interstitial lung disease; three different phenotypes of the same SFTPC mutation.

Background: Monoallelic mutations of the Surfactant Protein C gene (SFTPC) are associated with Interstitial Lung Disease in children. I73T is the most common mutation, accounting for 30 % of all cases reported.

Case Presentation: We describe three patients carrying the same I73T SPC mutation with very different phenotypes, clinical course (ranging from mild respiratory symptoms to death for respiratory failure) and outcome.

Plasmodium transmission blocking activities of Vernonia amygdalina extracts and isolated compounds.

Background: Medicinal plants are a validated source for discovery of new leads and standardized herbal medicines. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts and isolated compounds against gametocytes and sporogonic stages of Plasmodium berghei and to validate the findings on field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum.

Methods: Aqueous (Ver-H2O) and ethanolic (Ver-EtOH) leaf extracts were tested in vivo for activity against sexual and asexual blood stage P.

Preliminary assessment of framework conditions for release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Burkina Faso.

Background: Genetically modified mosquitoes (GMMs) are emerging as a measure to control mosquito-borne diseases, but before any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are released into the environment, it is imperative to establish regulatory standards incorporating public engagement. A previous project in Burkina Faso introduced a type of genetically modified cotton [Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)] cotton) that produces insecticide, and incorporated policies on public engagement.

Methods: We explored the perspectives of Burkinabè (citizens of Burkina Faso) on bio-agricultural exposure to GMOs and their receptiveness to the use of GMOs.

Perceptions and practices of the Konso community (South-west Ethiopia) relating to malaria: implications for control.

Background: To get a deeper insight on how the Konso community in Ethiopia perceives malaria and manages the disease we assessed people's knowledge on the causes of malaria, their treatment-seeking behaviour and use of preventive measures.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted during the period of high malaria transmission in 2009 and comprised a structured questionnaire administered to 609 family heads, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with caretakers and traditional medical practitioners respectively.

Results: From focus group discussions (FGD) emerged that malaria is perceived as a major health problem by the Konso community.

Antimalarial plant remedies from Burkina Faso: their potential for prophylactic use.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Saye, a combination remedy prepared from Cochlospermum planchonii Hook.f. (Cochlospermaceae), Cassia alata L.

Novel, meso-substituted cationic porphyrin molecule for photo-mediated larval control of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti.

Background: Control of the mosquito vector population is the most effective strategy currently available for the prevention of dengue fever and the containment of outbreaks. Photo-activated oxidants may represent promising tools for developing effective, safe and ecofriendly novel larvicides. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of the synthetic meso-substituted porphyrin meso-tri(N-methylpyridyl), meso-mono(N-tetradecylpyridyl)porphine (C14) as a photoactivatable larvicide against the dengue vector Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti.

Potential of a Khaya ivorensis -Alstonia boonei extract combination as antimalarial prophylactic remedy.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The decoction of the combined stem barks of Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. (Meliaceae) and Alstonia boonei De Wild (Apocynaceae) has a history of use in traditional medicine of central Cameroon for malaria treatment but also for the prevention of the disease.

The yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Pichia anomala) inhabits the midgut and reproductive system of the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi.

While symbiosis between bacteria and insects has been thoroughly investigated in the last two decades, investments on the study of yeasts associated with insects have been limited. Insect-associated yeasts are placed on different branches of the phylogenetic tree of fungi, indicating that these associations evolved independently on several occasions. Isolation of yeasts is frequently reported from insect habitats, and in some cases yeasts have been detected in the insect gut and in other organs/tissues.

Different mosquito species host Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Pichia anomala): perspectives on vector-borne diseases symbiotic control.

The genetic manipulation of the microbial community associated with hematophagus insects is particularly relevant for public health applications. Within mosquito populations, this relationship has been overlooked until recently. New advances in molecular biotechnology propose the genetic manipulation of mosquito symbionts to prevent the transmission of pathogens to humans by interfering with the obligatory life cycle stages within the insect through the use of effector molecules.

Mosquito-bacteria symbiosis: the case of Anopheles gambiae and Asaia.

The symbiotic relationship between Asaia, an α-proteobacterium belonging to the family Acetobacteriaceae, and mosquitoes has been studied mainly in the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Thus, we have investigated the nature of the association between Asaia and the major Afro-tropical malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. We have isolated Asaia from different wild and laboratory reared colonies of A.

Transmission blocking activity of a standardized neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extract on the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in its vector Anopheles stephensi.

Background: The wide use of gametocytocidal artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) lead to a reduction of Plasmodium falciparum transmission in several African endemic settings. An increased impact on malaria burden may be achieved through the development of improved transmission-blocking formulations, including molecules complementing the gametocytocidal effects of artemisinin derivatives and/or acting on Plasmodium stages developing in the vector. Azadirachtin, a limonoid (tetranortriterpenoid) abundant in neem (Azadirachta indica, Meliaceae) seeds, is a promising candidate, inhibiting Plasmodium exflagellation in vitro at low concentrations.

Bacteria of the genus Asaia stably associate with Anopheles stephensi, an Asian malarial mosquito vector.

Here, we show that an alpha-proteobacterium of the genus Asaia is stably associated with larvae and adults of Anopheles stephensi, an important mosquito vector of Plasmodium vivax, a main malaria agent in Asia. Asaia bacteria dominate mosquito-associated microbiota, as shown by 16S rRNA gene abundance, quantitative PCR, transmission electron microscopy and in situ-hybridization of 16S rRNA genes. In adult mosquitoes, Asaia sp.

Impact of the botanical insecticide Neem Azal on survival and reproduction of the biting louse Damalinia limbata on angora goats.

Secondary metabolites present in the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Meliaceae), exhibit a wide range of biological activities in insects. However, few studies have been undertaken to assess the potential of neem products as insecticides for the control of ectoparasites of domestic animals.

Antibody-mediated in vitro growth inhibition of field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum from asymptomatic children in Burkina Faso.

Antibody-mediated inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in vitro reflects the potential parasite-neutralizing activity of the antibodies in vivo. In this study, immunoglobulins and P. falciparum isolates were collected from children with asymptomatic malaria in Burkina Faso.

Genetic differentiation at the 3'UTR of PROS-Ag25: a cDNA homologue of Drosophila melanogaster proteasome subunit PROS-Dm25 in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.

The Anopheles gambiae cDNA encoding the homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster proteasome PROS-Dm25 was identified and analysed in terms of nucleotide sequence, and chromosomal localisation. In the 3' untranslated region, a GA-rich sequence was mapped which was found to be widely polymorphic among taxa belonging to the A. gambiae complex.

First detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in Ixodes ricinus from Italy.

Ixodes ricinus from Italy were examined for the first time to detect whether rickettsiae were present. Using molecular methods, we detected three different spotted fever group rickettsiae, including Rickettsia helvetica. Our results raise the possibility that bacteria other than R.

Recognition of synthetic polypeptides corresponding to the N- and C-terminal fragments of Plasmodium falciparum Exp-1 by T-cells and plasma from human donors from African endemic areas.

The present work describes the recognition of three synthetic polypeptides encompassing the N- and C-terminal regions of the transmembrane Exp-1 protein of the parasite Plasmodium falciparum by plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from naturally exposed individuals living in African endemic areas. The three polypeptides comprise the sequences 23-105, 73-162 and 101-162, and overlap at the transmembrane domain (73-105). Thus, they permitted characterization of the immune response specific to the N- and C-terminal domains in an independent fashion.