Small molecule mediators of host-T. cruzi-environment interactions in Chagas disease.

Small molecules (less than 1,500 Da) include major biological signals that mediate host-pathogen-microbiome communication. They also include key intermediates of metabolism and critical cellular building blocks. Pathogens present with unique nutritional needs that restrict pathogen colonization or promote tissue damage.

Chromosome-Scale Assembly of the Complete Genome Sequence of Leishmania (Mundinia) procaviensis Isolate 253, Strain LV425.

Leishmania (Mundinia) procaviensis is a parasitic kinetoplastid that was first isolated from a rock hyrax in Namibia in 1975. We present the complete genome sequence of Leishmania (Mundinia) procaviensis isolate 253, strain LV425, sequenced using combined short- and long-read technologies. This genome will contribute to our understanding of hyraxes as a reservoir.

DESCRIPTION, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LEISHMANIA (MUNDINIA) CHANCEI N. SP. (KINETOPLASTEA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) FROM GHANA AND LEISHMANIA (MUNDINIA) PROCAVIENSIS N. SP. (KINETOPLASTEA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) FROM NAMIBIA.

Genetic and phylogenetic analysis was performed on 2 isolates of Leishmania using DNA sequence data from the RNA polymerase II large subunit gene and the ribosomal protein L23a intergenic sequence. This showed the isolates to represent 2 new species within the subgenus Leishmania (Mundinia). The addition of Leishmania (Mundinia) chancei and Leishmania (Mundinia) procaviensis creates a total of 6 named species to date within this recently described subgenus of parasitic protozoa, containing both human pathogens and nonpathogens.

Diversity and antibiograms of bacteria isolated from cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds in the Nkwanta South District of Ghana.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite. The presence of secondary bacterial infections in cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds exacerbate lesion development and could lead to delay in the healing process. This study sought to determine the resistance patterns of bacteria co-infecting cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds from selected communities in the Nkwanta district.

Preponderance of vaccine-preventable diseases hotspots in northern Ghana: a spatial and space-time clustering analysis from 2010 to 2014.

Background: Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) persist globally with a disproportionately high burden in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Although this might be partly due to the failure to sustain vaccination coverage above 90% in some WHO regions, a more nuanced understanding of VPD transmission beyond vaccination coverage may unveil other important factors in VPD transmission and control. This study identified VPDs hotspots and explored their relationships with ecology, urbanicity and land-use variations (Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities) in Ghana.

Wound Healing Properties and Antimicrobial Effects of Keay Fruit Husk Extract in a Rat Excisional Wound Model.

Background: Keay (Family: Fabaceae) () fruit husk is commonly used in northern Ghana for wound treatment. However, this folk claim remains to be confirmed scientifically.

Objective: This study investigated wound healing and antimicrobial effects of fruit husk extract (PCFHE) by using excision wound model in rats.

Immunochromatographic and microscopic detection of Plasmodium falciparum in recipients of P. falciparum-infected donor blood.

Blood transfusion practice is an essential medical intervention; however, it poses problems of transmissibility of infectious diseases including malaria. This study was designed to determine the potential of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) by detecting malaria antigens and parasites in recipients of infected donor blood. After successful blood transfusion, remnants of transfused blood were screened for Plasmodium falciparum HRP2 antigen and parasitemia using CareStart malaria RDT and 10% Giemsa stain microscopy respectively according to established protocols.

Effect of Asymptomatic Parasitaemia on Platelets Thrombogenicity in Blood Donors.

Currently, blood donors in Ghana are not screened for malaria parasites. Therefore, this study assessed platelet thrombogenicity in blood donors infected asymptomatically with and the relationship between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α oxidative stress biomarker (8-iso-PG2α), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and D-dimer, and platelet thrombogenes levels. Haematology analyser was used to enumerate platelet count and platelet indices in 80 infected blood donors and 160 matched non-infected controls.

Chromosome-Scale Assembly of the Complete Genome Sequence of () sp. Ghana, Isolate GH5, Strain LV757.

() sp. Ghana is a kinetoplastid parasite isolated in 2015 in Ghana. We report the complete genome sequence of () sp.

activity of extract against the promastigote stage of cutaneous parasite, a member of complex isolates from Ghana.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis causes physical disfigurement and impairment on affected individuals, however, little attention has been paid to it eradication. The situation of this neglected disease is complicated with the expansion of the non-human pathogenic complex causing infection in humans. We have previously shown that the extract from has leishmanicidal activity against promastigote stages of the complex isolate from Ghana and .

Socio-Behavioral Risk Factors Associated with Cryptosporidiosis in HIV/AIDS Patients Visiting the HIV Referral Clinic at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

Objective: To identify the socio-behavioral risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis among HIV/AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea symptoms visiting the HIV referral clinic at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 HIV/AIDS patients with recurrent diarrhea. Questionnaires were administered to collect social and behavioral risk factors associated with and other opportunistic protozoan parasitic infections in HIV patients.

Immunologic and virological response to ART among HIV infected individuals at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

Background: The need to study the outcome of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country crucial in the era of the "Treat All" policy. The aim of this study was to analyze selected determinants of immunological and virological response to ART among HIV infected individuals in a tertiary facility in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Methods: An analytical cross sectional study with a retrospective component was conducted in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Central Region.

The therapeutic landscape of HIV-1 via genome editing.

Current treatment for HIV-1 largely relies on chemotherapy through the administration of antiretroviral drugs. While the search for anti-HIV-1 vaccine remain elusive, the use of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) have been far-reaching and has changed HIV-1 into a manageable chronic infection. There is compelling evidence, including several side-effects of ARTs, suggesting that eradication of HIV-1 cannot depend solely on antiretrovirals.

First isolation of Leishmania from Northern Thailand: case report, identification as Leishmania martiniquensis and phylogenetic position within the Leishmania enriettii complex.

Since 1996, there have been several case reports of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in Thailand. Here we report a case in a 52-year-old Thai male from northern Thailand, who presented with subacute fever, huge splenomegaly and pancytopenia. Bone marrow aspiration revealed numerous amastigotes within macrophages.

Microscopic identification of possible Clonorchis/Opisthorchis infection in two Ghanaian women with undiagnosed abdominal discomfort: two case reports.

Introduction: The impact of foodborne trematode infections is gaining recognition worldwide. Clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis are some of the most neglected tropical foodborne diseases that pose a significant threat to human health. Persistent or chronic infection of Clonorchis/Opisthorchis often leads to hepatobiliary diseases including cholangitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hepatic fibrosis, cholangiocarcinoma and liver cancer.

An outbreak of suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana: lessons learnt and preparation for future outbreaks.

Human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has previously been reported in West Africa, but more recently, sporadic reports of CL have increased. Leishmania major has been identified from Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Three zymodemes (MON-26, MON-117, and MON-74, the most frequent) have been found.