Advances in preclinical platforms of for filarial neglected tropical disease drug and diagnostics research.

The tropical disease, loiasis, caused by the filarial parasite, , has gained prominence in global public health as a cause of excess mortality and a barrier to the elimination of the related prioritized neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, within Central Africa. There are no effective drug cures or vaccines available to treat loiasis safely. Here we review recent advances in loiasis preclinical platform technologies, including novel culturing systems, animal models and innovations in experimental infections of the vector, , that have facilitated access to all filarial life-cycle stages.

Onchocerca ochengi male worms implanted in SCID mice and Gerbil: Relationship between microfilaridermia status of cows, nodular worm viability and fertility and worm survival in the rodents.

Background: Current treatment options for onchocerciasis are sub-optimal, prompting research and development of a safe cure (macrofilaricide). Onchocerca ochengi, a parasite of cattle, is used as a close surrogate for the human parasite O. volvulus in a murine model for pre-clinical screening of macrofilaricides.

Dataset on maintenance of microfilariae and drug testing.

Endemic communities of infections have been neglected since associated pathology remains undefined. Consequently, improvements in drug therapy have also been ignored despite a large number of infected individuals in areas of Cameroon. Thus, we established an system to culture microfilariae (Mf); the transmission stage of infection.

In vitro maintenance of Mansonella perstans microfilariae and its relevance for drug screening.

Background: Mansonellosis arises from infections with threadlike filarial nematodes in millions of individuals, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Since infections present no overt clinical symptoms but attenuate immune responses that might lead to increased susceptibility and worsened disease course of concomitant infections, it is truly a neglected tropical disease. Nevertheless, only few studies focus on identifying suitable safe drugs for its control and little is known about the requirements for in vitro maintenance of the Mansonella perstans transmission stage.

Effect of flubendazole on developing stages of Loa loa in vitro and in vivo: a new approach for screening filaricidal agents.

Background: Loiasis, an often-neglected tropical disease, is a threat to the success of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis elimination programmes in rainforest areas of the central and western Africa. Its control and even its elimination might be possible through the use of a safe macrofilaricide, a prophylactic drug, or perhaps a vaccine. This present study evaluated the effect of flubendazole (FLBZ) on the development of Loa loa L3 in vitro and in vivo.