Adipose and skin distribution of African trypanosomes in natural animal infections.

Background: Animal African trypanosomiasis, which is caused by different species of African trypanosomes, is a deadly disease in livestock. Although African trypanosomes are often described as blood-borne parasites, there have been recent reappraisals of the ability of these parasites to reside in a wide range of tissues. However, the majority of those studies were conducted on non-natural hosts infected with only one species of trypanosome, and it is unclear whether a similar phenomenon occurs during natural animal infections, where multiple species of these parasites may be present.

The role of tryptophan derivatives as anti-kinetoplastid agents.

Kinetoplastids are the causative agents for a spectrum of vector-borne diseases including Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and Trypanosomiasis that affect millions of people worldwide. In the absence of safe and effective vaccines, chemotherapy, in conjunction with vector control, remain the most significant control approach for kinetoplastid diseases. However, commercially available treatment for these neglected tropical diseases frequently ends up with toxic side effects and increasing resistance.

Inhibiting Sterol Methyltransferase to Identify Lead Compounds Using Molecular Modelling.

The recent outlook of leishmaniasis as a global public health concern coupled with the reportage of resistance and lack of efficacy of most antileishmanial drugs calls for a concerted effort to find new leads. The study combined and in vitro approaches to identify novel potential synthetic small-molecule inhibitors targeting the sterol methyltransferase (SMT). The SMT enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is required for the parasite's membrane fluidity, distribution of membrane proteins, and control of the cell cycle.

Correction: Antischistosomal, antionchocercal and antitrypanosomal potentials of some Ghanaian traditional medicines and their constituents.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.

In Vitro Mechanism of Action of in .

African trypanosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease with significant health and economic concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. In the absence of vaccines for African trypanosomiasis, there is a consideration for alternative sources of chemotherapy. DC () is a herbal species of the Asteraceae family that is endowed with rich phytochemicals with unknown mechanisms of antitrypanosomal effects.

African trypanosome infection patterns in cattle in a farm setting in Southern Ghana.

African Trypanosomiasis is a debilitating disease in both humans and animals that occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and has a severe negative impact on the livelihood of people in the affected areas. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma, which is often described simply as blood-borne; however, a number of studies have shown the parasite inhabits many different environments within the host. Control of the disease involves measures that include the use of trypanocidal drugs to which there are growing number of reported cases of resistance.

Diversity in new flagellum tip attachment in bloodstream form African trypanosomes.

The closely related parasites Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, and T. vivax cause neglected tropical diseases collectively known as African Trypanosomiasis.

In vitro effects and mechanisms of action of in .

Background And Aim: African trypanosomiasis poses serious health and economic concerns to humans and livestock in several sub-Saharan African countries. The aim of the present study was to identify the antitrypanosomal compounds from (whole plant) through a bioactivity-guided isolation and investigate the effects and mechanisms of action against ().

Experimental Procedure: Crude extracts and fractions were prepared from air-dried pulverized plant material of using the modified Kupchan method of solvent partitioning.

Some novel antileishmanial compounds inhibit normal cell cycle progression of Leishmania donovani promastigotes and exhibits pro-oxidative potential.

In the midst of numerous setbacks that beclouds the fight against leishmaniasis; a neglected tropical disease, the search for new chemotherapeutics against this disease is of utmost importance. Leishmaniasis is a disease closely associated with poverty and endemic in Africa, Asia, southern Europe and the Americas. It is caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and transmitted by a sandfly vector.

Prevalence and Molecular Identification of Trypanosomes in Dogs in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, South East Nigeria.

Purpose: Dogs are of immense social, psychological and economic importance in Nigeria and are severely affected by African trypanosomosis. However, the prevalence of canine African trypanosomosis (CAT) in Nigeria is underreported and the identification of the parasites relies mostly on basic morphological characteristics under the microscope, which could be misleading. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence and characterize trypanosomes isolated from dogs in South east Nigeria.

Chemical Derivatization and Characterization of Novel Antitrypanosomals for African Trypanosomiasis.

The search for novel antitrypanosomals and the investigation into their mode of action remain crucial due to the toxicity and resistance of commercially available antitrypanosomal drugs. In this study, two novel antitrypanosomals, tortodofuordioxamide (compound ) and tortodofuorpyramide (compound ), were chemically derived from the natural N-alkylamide tortozanthoxylamide (compound ) through structural modification. The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed through spectrometric and spectroscopic analysis, and their in vitro efficacy and possible mechanisms of action were, subsequently, investigated in   () one of the causative species of African trypanosomiasis (AT).

Antischistosomal, antionchocercal and antitrypanosomal potentials of some Ghanaian traditional medicines and their constituents.

Background: Ghana is endemic for some neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The major intervention for these diseases is mass drug administration of a few repeatedly recycled drugs which is a cause for major concern due to reduced efficacy of the drugs and the emergence of drug resistance. Evidently, new treatments are needed urgently.

Isolation and Antitrypanosomal Characterization of Furoquinoline and Oxylipin from .

In the absence of vaccines, there is a need for alternative sources of effective chemotherapy for African trypanosomiasis (AT). The increasing rate of resistance and toxicity of commercially available antitrypanosomal drugs also necessitates an investigation into the mode of action of new antitrypanosomals for AT In this study, furoquinoline 4, 7, 8-trimethoxyfuro (2, 3-b) quinoline (compound ) and oxylipin 9-oxo-10, 12-octadecadienoic acid (compound ) were isolated from the plant species (Lam) Zepern and Timler (root), and their in vitro efficacy and mechanisms of action investigated in () the species responsible for AT. Both compounds resulted in a selectively significant growth inhibition of (compound , half-maximal effective concentration EC = 1.

Elucidating the possible mechanism of action of some pathogen box compounds against Leishmania donovani.

Leishmaniasis is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) which is closely associated with poverty and has gained much relevance recently due to its opportunistic coinfection with HIV. It is a protozoan zoonotic disease transmitted by a dipteran Phlebotomus, Lutzomyia/ Sergentomyia sandfly; during blood meals on its vertebrate intermediate hosts. It is a four-faceted disease with its visceral form being more deadly if left untreated.

Antitrypanosomal Effects of (Lam.) Zepern. & Timler Extracts on African Trypanosomes.

African trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by the parasitic protozoa of the genus. Despite several efforts at chemotherapeutic interventions, the disease poses serious health and economic concerns to humans and livestock of many sub-Saharan African countries. (Lam.

In vitro anti-trypanosomal effects of selected phenolic acids on Trypanosoma brucei.

African trypanosomiasis remains a lethal disease to both humans and livestock. The disease persists due to limited drug availability, toxicity and drug resistance, hence the need for a better understanding of the parasite's biology and provision of alternative forms of therapy. In this study, the in vitro effects of phenolic acids were assessed for their trypanocidal activities against Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

In vitro activity and mode of action of phenolic compounds on Leishmania donovani.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Leishmania. The disease remains a global threat to public health requiring effective chemotherapy for control and treatment. In this study, the effect of some selected phenolic compounds on Leishmania donovani was investigated.

Egg Antigen Induces Oncogenic Alterations in Human Prostate Cells.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects 200 million people and accounts for 100,000 deaths annually. In endemic geographical areas, schistosomiasis has been implicated as an etiological agent in the pathogenesis of bladder, colorectal, and renal carcinoma largely due to eggs in tissues that comes with chronic infection. Several studies have also reported cases of association between infection and prostate cancer.

Serum biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural African trypanosome infections in cattle.

Background: Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) greatly affects livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana prevalence of AAT is estimated to range between 5 and 50%. Studies have reported serum biochemical aberrations and variability in cytokine profiles in animals during infection.