Circulation of an Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria Lineage in a Traveler Returning from East Africa to France.

A returned traveler to Uganda presented with a Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 A675V mutant infection that exhibited delayed clearance under artesunate therapy. Parasites were genetically related to recently reported Ugandan artemisinin-resistant A675V parasites. Adequate malaria prevention measures and clinical and genotypic surveillance are important tools to avoid and track artemisinin resistance.

Challenges in the clinical development pathway for triple and multiple drug combinations in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

The addition of a third anti-malarial drug matching the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the slowly eliminated partner drug in artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been proposed as new therapeutic paradigm for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. These triple artemisinin-based combination therapy (TACT) should in theory more effectively prevent the development and spread of multidrug resistance than current ACT. Several clinical trials evaluating TACT-or other multidrug anti-malarial combination therapy (MDACT)-have been reported and more are underway.

5WBF: a low-cost and straightforward whole blood filtration method suitable for whole-genome sequencing of Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates.

Background: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is becoming increasingly helpful to assist malaria control programmes. A major drawback of this approach is the large amount of human DNA compared to parasite DNA extracted from unprocessed whole blood. As red blood cells (RBCs) have a diameter of about 7-8 µm and exhibit some deformability, it was hypothesized that cheap and commercially available 5 µm filters might retain leukocytes but much less of Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs.

Exploratory Study on Application of MALDI-TOF-MS to Detect SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human Saliva.

SARS-CoV-2 has caused a large outbreak since its emergence in December 2019. COVID-19 diagnosis became a priority so as to isolate and treat infected individuals in order to break the contamination chain. Currently, the reference test for COVID-19 diagnosis is the molecular detection (RT-qPCR) of the virus from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples.

Design, synthesis, and characterization of novel aminoalcohol quinolines with strong in vitro antimalarial activity.

Malaria is the fifth most lethal parasitic infections in the world. Herein, five new series of aminoalcohol quinolines including fifty-two compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated in vitro against Pf3D7 and PfW2 strains. Among them, fourteen displayed IC values below or near of 50.

Drug repurposing against SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, large screening studies and numerous studies have assessed the antiviral activity of various drugs on SARS-CoV-2. In the context of health emergency, drug repurposing represents the most relevant strategy because of the reduced time for approval by international medicines agencies, the low cost of development and the well-known toxicity profile of such drugs. Herein, we aim to review drugs with  antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, combined with molecular docking data and results from preliminary clinical studies.

Mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum BTB/POZ Domain of K13 Protein Confers Artemisinin Resistance.

Partial artemisinin resistance, defined in patients as a delayed parasite clearance following artemisinin-based treatment, is conferred by non-synonymous mutations in the Kelch beta-propeller domain of the Plasmodium falciparum () gene. Here, we carried out selection over a 1-year period on a West African P. falciparum strain isolated from Kolle (Mali) under a dose-escalating artemisinin regimen.

Imported malaria in metropolitan France, from recommendations to clinical practice - proposal for improvement.

Background: Approximately 5000 cases of imported malaria are observed each year in metropolitan France. Guidelines for the prevention and management of imported malaria were published by the French infectious disease society (French acronym SPILF) in 2017.

Objective: Study objective was to describe in a retrospective analysis (2015-2016) imported malaria cases recorded in a Parisian hospital, to analyze the congruence to previous guidelines (2014), deviation in respect to post hoc published guidelines and potential areas for improvement.

Prevalence of Mutations in the Gene and Association with Ex Vivo Susceptibility to Common Quinoline Drugs against .

Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) was recommended to treat uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Unlike the situation in Asia where resistance to ACT has been reported, artemisinin resistance has not yet emerged in Africa. However, some rare failures with ACT or patients continuing to be parasitaemic on day 3 after ACT treatment have been reported in Africa or in travellers returning from Africa.

Mouth Washing Impaired SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Saliva.

Background: A previous study demonstrated the performance of the Salivette (SARSTEDT, Numbrecht, Germany) as a homogeneous saliva collection system to diagnose COVID-19 by RT-qPCR, notably for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. However, for convalescent patients, the corroboration of molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in paired nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and saliva samples was unsatisfactory.

Objectives: The aim of the present work was to assess the concordance level of SARS-CoV-2 detection between paired sampling of NPSs and saliva collected with Salivette at two time points, with ten days of interval.

Optimization and Standardization of Human Saliva Collection for MALDI-TOF MS.

SARS-CoV-2 outbreak led to unprecedented innovative scientific research to preclude the virus dissemination and limit its impact on life expectancy. Waiting for the collective immunity by vaccination, mass-testing, and isolation of positive cases remain essential. The development of a diagnosis method requiring a simple and non-invasive sampling with a quick and low-cost approach is on demand.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Antiviral Activity of Methylene Blue Alone or in Combination against SARS-CoV-2.

A new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19), which emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has spread worldwide. Currently, very few treatments are officially recommended against SARS-CoV-2. Identifying effective, low-cost antiviral drugs with limited side effects that are affordable immediately is urgently needed.

Malaria in Europe: A Historical Perspective.

Endemic malaria, which claimed 229 million new cases and 409,000 deaths in 2019 mainly in Africa, was eradicated from Europe by the mid-20th century. Historical descriptions of intermittent tertian and quartan fever reported in texts of Hippocrates in Greece and Celsus in Italy suggest malaria. A few paleomicrobiology investigations have confirmed the presence of malarial parasite in 1st, 2nd, and 5th century infected individuals in diverse regions of Italy, and sp.

When local phytotherapies meet biomedicine. Cross-sectional study of knowledge and intercultural practices against malaria in Eastern French Guiana.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In French Guiana, traditional phytotherapies are an important part of self-healthcare, however, a precise understanding of the interactions between local phytotherapies and biomedicine is lacking. Malaria is still endemic in the transition area between French Guiana and Brazil, and practices of self-treatment, although difficult to detect, have possible consequences on the outcome of public health policies.

Aim Of The Study: The objectives of this research were 1) to document occurences of co-medication (interactions between biomedicine and local phytotherapies) against malaria around Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock (SGO), 2) to quantify and to qualify plant uses against malaria, 3) and to discuss potential effects of such co-medications, in order to improve synergy between community efforts and public health programs in SGO particularly, and in Amazonia more broadly.

An open-label randomized controlled trial of the effect of lopinavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir plus IFN-β-1a and hydroxychloroquine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Objectives: We evaluated the clinical, virological and safety outcomes of lopinavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir-interferon (IFN)-β-1a, hydroxychloroquine or remdesivir in comparison to standard of care (control) in coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) inpatients requiring oxygen and/or ventilatory support.

Methods: We conducted a phase III multicentre, open-label, randomized 1:1:1:1:1, adaptive, controlled trial (DisCoVeRy), an add-on to the Solidarity trial (NCT04315948, EudraCT2020-000936-23). The primary outcome was the clinical status at day 15, measured by the WHO seven-point ordinal scale.

Ecology, evolution, and epidemiology of zoonotic and vector-borne infectious diseases in French Guiana: Transdisciplinarity does matter to tackle new emerging threats.

French Guiana is a European ultraperipheric region located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It constitutes an important forested region for biological conservation in the Neotropics. Although very sparsely populated, with its inhabitants mainly concentrated on the Atlantic coastal strip and along the two main rivers, it is marked by the presence and development of old and new epidemic disease outbreaks, both research and health priorities.

Salivette, a relevant saliva sampling device for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

The gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis relies on quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimens, but NPSs present several limitations. The simplicity, low invasive and possibility of self-collection of saliva imposed these specimens as a relevant alternative for SARS-CoV-2 detection. However, the discrepancy of saliva test results compared to NPSs made of its use controversial.

Absence of Association between Methylene Blue Reduced Susceptibility and Polymorphisms in 12 Genes Involved in Antimalarial Drug Resistance in African .

Half the human population is exposed to malaria. antimalarial drug resistance monitoring and development of new drugs are major issues related to the control of malaria. Methylene blue (MB), the oldest synthetic antimalarial, is again a promising drug after the break of its use as an antimalarial drug for more than 80 years and a potential partner for triple combination.

Synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of 1H-1,2,3-triazole grafted 4-aminoquinoline-benzoxaborole hybrids and benzoxaborole analogues.

A library of 1H-1,2,3-triazole-tethered 4-aminoquinoline-benzoxaborole hybrids as well as aryl substituted benzoxaborole analogues was synthesized and screened for their anti-plasmodial efficacy against both chloroquine-susceptibility 3D7 and chloroquine-resistant W2 strains of P. falciparum. The inclusion of quinoline core among the synthesized analogues resulted in substantial enhancement of anti-plasmodial activities.

Amide Tethered 4-Aminoquinoline-naphthalimide Hybrids: A New Class of Possible Dual Function Antiplasmodials.

A series of amide tethered 4-aminoquinoline-naphthalimide hybrids has been synthesized to assess their in vitro antiplasmodial potential against chloroquine-susceptible (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of . The most active and noncytotoxic compound had an IC value of 0.07 μM against W2 strain and was more active than standard antimalarial drugs, including chloroquine, desethylamodiaquine, and quinine, particularly for drug resistant malaria.

A Novel Hybrid of Chloroquine and Primaquine Linked by Gold(I): Multitarget and Multiphase Antiplasmodial Agent.

Plasmodium parasites kill 435 000 people around the world every year due to unavailable vaccines, a limited arsenal of antimalarial drugs, delayed treatment, and the reduced clinical effectiveness of current practices caused by drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover and develop new antiplasmodial candidates. In this work, we present a novel strategy to develop a multitarget metallic hybrid antimalarial agent with possible dual efficacy in both sexual and asexual erythrocytic stages.

Methylene blue inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. Currently there is no antiviral treatment recommended against SARS-CoV-2. Identifying effective antiviral drugs is urgently required.

Absence of association between polymorphisms in the pfcoronin and pfk13 genes and the presence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites after treatment with artemisinin derivatives in Senegal.

Due to resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria switched to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2006 in Senegal. Several mutations in the gene encoding the kelch13 helix (pfk13-propeller) have been identified as associated with in vitro and in vivo artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia. Additionally, three mutations in the pfcoronin gene (G50E, R100K and E107V) have been identified in two culture-adapted Senegalese field isolates that became resistant in vitro to artemisinin after 4 years of intermittent selection with dihydroartemisinin.

What could explain the late emergence of COVID-19 in Africa?

At the end of November 2019, a novel coronavirus responsible for respiratory tract infections emerged in China. Despite drastic containment measures, this virus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread in Asia and Europe. The pandemic is ongoing with a particular hotspot in southern Europe and America in spring 2020.