Metabolite profiling of Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua extracts reveals divergent effects on Plasmodium falciparum.

Background: Artemisia spp. have been used for millennia in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including malaria. Extracts of Artemisia afra and A.

Unraveling the complexities of ApiAP2 regulation in Plasmodium falciparum.

The regulation of gene expression in Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, relies on precise transcriptional control. Malaria parasites encode a limited repertoire of sequence-specific transcriptional regulators dominated by the apicomplexan APETALA 2 (ApiAP2) protein family.

A MORC protein complex modulates epigenetic control of gene expression through interaction with heterochromatin.

Dynamic control of gene expression is critical for blood stage development of malaria parasites. Here, we used multi-omic analyses to investigate transcriptional regulation by the chromatin-associated microrchidia protein, MORC, during asexual blood stage development of the human malaria parasite . We show that MORC (PF3D7_1468100) interacts with a suite of nuclear proteins, including APETALA2 (ApiAP2) transcription factors (AP2-G5, AP2-O5, AP2-I, PF3D7_0420300, PF3D7_0613800, PF3D7_1107800, and PF3D7_1239200), a DNA helicase DS60 (PF3D7_1227100), and other chromatin remodelers (CHD1 and EELM2).

Contrasting genomic epidemiology between sympatric Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax populations.

The malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax differ in key biological processes and associated clinical effects, but consequences on population-level transmission dynamics are difficult to predict. This co-endemic malaria study from Guyana details important epidemiological contrasts between the species by coupling population genomics (1396 spatiotemporally matched parasite genomes, primarily from 2020-21) with sociodemographic analysis (nationwide patient census from 2019). We describe how P.

The bio-larvicide var. is effective against , either dissolved in water or delivered through eco-compatible chitosan-based hydrogels.

Mosquito control, which is not always easily accomplished, is further complicated by the spread of invasive species. This is the case of , a mosquito native to East Asia, whose presence has been recorded in several European countries, including Italy. This mosquito found suitable ecological conditions in central Europe in general, and in northern Italy in particular, as shown by the ongoing expansion of its distribution.

DNA sequence and chromatin differentiate sequence-specific transcription factor binding in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Development of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is regulated by a limited number of sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs). However, the mechanisms by which these TFs recognize genome-wide binding sites is largely unknown. To address TF specificity, we investigated the binding of two TF subsets that either bind CACACA or GTGCAC DNA sequence motifs and further characterized two additional ApiAP2 TFs, PfAP2-G and PfAP2-EXP, which bind unique DNA motifs (GTAC and TGCATGCA).

The DEAD-box RNA helicase PfDOZI imposes opposing actions on RNA metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum.

In malaria parasites, the regulation of mRNA translation, storage and degradation during development and life-stage transitions remains largely unknown. Here, we functionally characterized the DEAD-box RNA helicase PfDOZI in P. falciparum.

A nanochitosan-D-galactose formulation increases the accumulation of primaquine in the liver.

Primaquine is the mainstream antimalarial drug to prevent relapses. However, this drug can induce hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Nanostructure formulations of primaquine loaded with D-galactose were used as a strategy to target the drug to the liver and decrease the hemolytic risks.

CD4 T Cell-Derived IL-21 Is Critical for Sustaining Plasmodium Infection-Induced Germinal Center Responses and Promoting the Selection of Memory B Cells with Recall Potential.

Development of Plasmodium-specific humoral immunity is critically dependent on CD4 Th cell responses and germinal center (GC) reactions during blood-stage Plasmodium infection. IL-21, a cytokine primarily produced by CD4 T cells, is an essential regulator of affinity maturation, isotype class-switching, B cell differentiation, and maintenance of GC reactions in response to many infection and immunization models. In models of experimental malaria, mice deficient in IL-21 or its receptor IL-21R fail to develop memory B cell populations and are not protected against secondary infection.

Intranasal SARS-CoV-2 RBD decorated nanoparticle vaccine enhances viral clearance in the Syrian hamster model.

Multiple vaccines have been developed and licensed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). While these vaccines reduce disease severity, they do not prevent infection. To prevent infection and limit transmission, vaccines must be developed that induce immunity in the respiratory tract.

Acceptance of and Adherence to a Four-Dose RTS,S/AS01 Schedule: Findings from a Longitudinal Qualitative Evaluation Study for the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme.

Background: The WHO recommended the use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine (RTS,S) based on a pilot evaluation in routine use in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted to examine facilitators and barriers to uptake of a 4-dose RTS,S schedule.

Methods: A cohort of 198 caregivers of RTS,S-eligible children from communities where RTS,S was provided through the pilot were interviewed three times over a ≈22-month, 4-dose schedule.

MosChito rafts as a promising biocontrol tool against larvae of the common house mosquito, Culex pipiens.

Mosquito control is of paramount importance, in particular, in light of the major environmental alterations associated with human activities, from climate change to the altered distribution of pathogens, including those transmitted by Arthropods. Here, we used the common house mosquito, Culex pipiens to test the efficacy of MosChito raft, a novel tool for mosquito larval control. MosChito raft is a floating hydrogel matrix, composed of chitosan, genipin and yeast cells, as bio-attractants, developed for the delivery of a Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis (Bti)-based bioinsecticide to mosquito larvae.

Additional PfCRT mutations driven by selective pressure for improved fitness can result in the loss of piperaquine resistance and altered physiology.

Our study leverages gene editing techniques in asexual blood stage parasites to profile novel mutations in mutant PfCRT, an important mediator of piperaquine resistance, which developed in Southeast Asian field isolates or in parasites cultured for long periods of time. We provide evidence that increased parasite fitness of these lines is the primary driver for the emergence of these PfCRT variants. These mutations differentially impact parasite susceptibility to piperaquine and chloroquine, highlighting the multifaceted effects of single point mutations in this transporter.

IgE response to Aed al 13 and Aed al 14 recombinant allergens from saliva in humans.

Background: Mosquito bite is normally associated with mild allergic responses, but severe localized or systemic reactions are also possible. Reliable tools for the diagnosis of mosquito allergy are still unavailable. Here, we investigated the IgE response to 3 potential salivary allergens identified in the saliva of the tiger mosquito .

Morphological and molecular insights into the diversity of biting midges from a heavily infested Mediterranean area.

The genus Skuse (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are blood-sucking midges known to pester humans and domestic animals. In certain Mediterranean areas, midges occur in large numbers during summer and limit the use of recreational areas, also raising serious health and social concerns. Despite such impact, the diversity and distribution of in Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany Region, Italy), a heavily infested area, is not well known, and neither molecular nor detailed morphological studies exist.

Aedes albopictus microbiota: Differences between wild and mass-reared immatures do not suggest negative impacts from a diet based on black soldier fly larvae and fish food.

The "Sterile Insect Technique" (SIT), a promising method to control Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, is gaining increasing interest. Recently, the role of microbiota in mosquito fitness received attention, but the link between microbiota and larval diet in mass rearing programs for SIT remains largely unexplored. We characterized the microbiota of four larval instars, pupae and eggs of non-wild (NW) lab-reared Ae.

Comparative proteomics of vesicles essential for the egress of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from red blood cells.

Transmission of malaria parasites to the mosquito is mediated by sexual precursor cells, the gametocytes. Upon entering the mosquito midgut, the gametocytes egress from the enveloping erythrocyte while passing through gametogenesis. Egress follows an inside-out mode during which the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) ruptures prior to the erythrocyte membrane.

Prescription patterns and compliance with World Health Organization recommendations for the management of uncomplicated and severe malaria: A prospective, real-world study in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the gap between guidelines and local clinical practice for diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated and severe malaria, the patient characteristics, diagnostic approach, treatment, and compliance to standard guideline recommendations.

Methods: This was a multicentre, observational study conducted between October 2020 and March 2021 in which patients of all ages with symptoms suggestive of malaria and who visited a healthcare facility were prospectively enrolled in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa (The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, The United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia).

Results: Of 1001 enrolled patients, 735 (73.

Development of microsatellite markers for the invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus.

Background: Aedes koreicus is a mosquito species native to East Asia which has recently invaded several countries in Europe. In Italy, this mosquito was first detected in the North-East in 2011 and is now widely distributed in the entire northern part of the country. The development of specific genetic markers, such as microsatellites, is necessary to uncover the dispersal routes of this mosquito from its native areas and, eventually, to plan future control interventions.

Long-read genome assembly and gene model annotations for the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL.

Malaria causes >600 thousand fatalities each year, with most cases attributed to the human-infectious Plasmodium falciparum species. Many rodent-infectious Plasmodium species, like Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium yoelii, have been used as model species that can expedite studies of this pathogen. P.

The mitochondrion of is required for cellular acetyl-CoA metabolism and protein acetylation.

Coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis is an excellent target for antimalarial intervention. While most studies have focused on the use of CoA to produce acetyl-CoA in the apicoplast and the cytosol of malaria parasites, mitochondrial acetyl-CoA production is less well understood. In the current study, we performed metabolite-labeling experiments to measure endogenous metabolites in lines with genetic deletions affecting mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity.

Cripowellins Pause Intraerythrocytic Development at the Ring Stage.

Cripowellins from are known pesticidal and have potent antiplasmodial activity. To gain mechanistic insights to this class of natural products, studies to determine the timing of action of cripowellins within the asexual intraerythrocytic cycle of were performed and led to the observation that this class of natural products induced reversible cytostasis in the ring stage within the first 24 h of treatment. The transcriptional program necessary for to progress through the asexual intraerythrocytic life cycle is well characterized.