Health impact of the 2004 andaman nicobar earthquake and tsunami in indonesia.

Prehosp Disaster Med. 2009 Nov-Dec;24(6):493-9

Authors: Guha-Sapir D, van Panhuis WG

Background: The human impact of the tsunami that occurred on 26 December 2004 was enormous, with Indonesia bearing a huge proportion of the losses. The aftermath brought predictions of communicable disease outbreaks and widespread fear of epidemics. However, evidence from previous disasters due to natural hazards does not support all of these predictions. The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe the relative importance of infectious diseases and injuries as a consequence of a disaster due to natural hazards; and (2) identify key recommendations for the improvement of control and surveillance of these diseases during and after disasters. Methods: A team from the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters visited Jakarta and Banda Aceh from 11-23 January 2005, and collected data from the Central and Provincial Ministries of Health (MOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and a field hospital from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Banda Aceh. The epidemiological profiles of diseases before and after the tsunami were compared. Cholera, tetanus, wounds and wound infections, acute respiratory infections, malaria, and dengue were included in this analysis. Results: Certain diseases (e.g., cholera, malaria, dengue) are not always an immediate priority post-disaster. Rates of disaster-related health conditions requiring emergency response fell by half, and became negligible around four weeks after the precipitating events. Some conditions, such as aspiration pneumonia and tetanus, which normally are rare, require special preparedness for emergency personnel. In addition, resistant and rare pathogens are associated with disasters due to natural hazards in the tropics and require specialized knowledge for the rapid and successful treatment of related infections. Conclusions: Within the first four weeks of a disaster, international humanitarian agencies in the health sector should start working with the MOH. The WHO surveillance system established immediately after the tsunami offers lessons for developing a prototype for future emergencies. Guidelines for tetanus and aspiration pneumonia should be included in disaster medicine handbooks, and humanitarian aid groups should be prepared to provide emergency obstetrics and post-natal services. Relief funding after naturally occurring disasters should consider funding sustainability. Donors should know when to stop providing emergency relief funds and transition to recovery/development strategies.

PMID: 20301065 [PubMed - in process]

Comparison of plasma, venous and capillary blood levels of piperaquine in patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Mar 19;

Authors: Ashley EA, Stepniewska K, Lindegardh N, Annerberg A, Tarning J, McGready R, Phaiphun L, Singhasivanon P, White NJ, Nosten F

PURPOSE: Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) is a fixed-dose artemisinin-based combination treatment. Field pharmacokinetic studies would be simplified and facilitated by being able to use small volume capillary assays rather than venous blood. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between piperaquine concentrations measured in capillary blood, venous blood and venous plasma. METHODS: Samples of plasma, whole blood obtained by venesection and capillary blood were taken simultaneously from patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria treated with DP between 0 and 9 weeks after treatment. Piperaquine concentrations in venous and capillary samples were measured using solid phase extraction and analysis by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. RESULTS: A total of 161 sets of the three measures were obtained from 54 patients. Piperaquine concentrations in the venous blood samples were approximately twofold higher and those in the capillary blood samples were threefold higher than the corresponding venous plasma concentrations. Capillary blood piperaquine concentrations were approximately 1.7-fold higher than venous blood concentrations, and this difference also increased with time. CONCLUSION: Differences in whole blood and plasma levels of piperaquine suggest compartmentalisation of the drug within blood cells, as also occurs with the structurally related quinoline chloroquine. The relationship between piperaquine concentrations in the venous plasma, venous blood and capillary blood is variable and unpredictable at low concentrations. However, within the range of concentrations usually present in patients between 3 and 21 days after treatment with currently recommended doses, the relationship between capillary and venous whole blood is predictable; consequently, capillary blood sampling can be used in field assessments.

PMID: 20300743 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Tomatine Adjuvantation of Protective Immunity to a Major Pre-erythrocytic Vaccine Candidate of Malaria is Mediated via CD8 T Cell Release of IFN-gamma.

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2010;2010:834326

Authors: Heal KG, Taylor-Robinson AW

The glycoalkaloid tomatine, derived from the wild tomato, can act as a powerful adjuvant to elicit an antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response to the circumsporozoite (CS) protein, a major pre-erythrocytic stage malaria vaccine candidate antigen. Using a defined MHC-class-I-restricted CS epitope in a Plasmodium berghei rodent model, antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and IFN-gamma secretion ex vivo were both significantly enhanced compared to responses detected from similarly stimulated splenocytes from naive and tomatine-saline-immunized mice. Further, through lymphocyte depletion it is demonstrated that antigen-specific IFN-gamma is produced exclusively by the CD8(+) T cell subset. We conclude that the processing of the P. berghei CS peptide as an exogenous antigen and its presentation via MHC class I molecules to CD8(+) T cells leads to an immune response that is an in vitro correlate of protection against pre-erythrocytic malaria. Further characterization of tomatine as an adjuvant in malaria vaccine development is indicated.

PMID: 20300588 [PubMed - in process]

Pretreatment with Cry1Ac Protoxin Modulates the Immune Response, and Increases the Survival of Plasmodium-Infected CBA/Ca Mice.

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2010;2010:198921

Authors: Legorreta-Herrera M, Oviedo Meza R, Moreno-Fierros L

Malaria is a major global health problem that kills 1-2 million people each year. Despite exhaustive research, naturally acquired immunity is poorly understood. Cry1A proteins are potent immunogens with adjuvant properties and are able to induce strong cellular and humoral responses. In fact, it has been shown that administration of Cry1Ac protoxin alone or with amoebic lysates induces protection against the lethal infection caused by the protozoa Naegleria fowleri. In this work, we studied whether Cry1Ac is able to activate the innate immune response to induce protection against Plasmodium berghei ANKA (lethal) and P. chabaudi AS (nonlethal) parasites in CBA/Ca mice. Treatment with Cry1Ac induced protection against both Plasmodium species in terms of reduced parasitaemia, longer survival time, modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and increased levels of specific antibodies against Plasmodium. Understanding how to boost innate immunity to Plasmodium infection should lead to immunologically based intervention strategies.

PMID: 20300584 [PubMed - in process]

Nodular worm infection in wild chimpanzees in Western Uganda: a risk for human health?

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2010;4(3):e630

Authors: Krief S, Vermeulen B, Lafosse S, Kasenene JM, Nieguitsila A, Berthelemy M, L'hostis M, Bain O, Guillot J

This study focused on Oeosophagostomum sp., and more especially on O. bifurcum, as a parasite that can be lethal to humans and is widespread among humans and monkeys in endemic regions, but has not yet been documented in apes. Its epidemiology and the role played by non-human primates in its transmission are still poorly understood. O. stephanostomum was the only species diagnosed so far in chimpanzees. Until recently, O. bifurcum was assumed to have a high zoonotic potential, but recent findings tend to demonstrate that O. bifurcum of non-human primates and humans might be genetically distinct. As the closest relative to human beings, and a species living in spatial proximity to humans in the field site studied, Pan troglodytes is thus an interesting host to investigate. Recently, a role for chimpanzees in the emergence of HIV and malaria in humans has been documented. In the framework of our long-term health monitoring of wild chimpanzees from Kibale National Park in Western Uganda, we analysed 311 samples of faeces. Coproscopy revealed that high-ranking males are more infected than other individuals. These chimpanzees are also the more frequent crop-raiders. Results from PCR assays conducted on larvae and dried faeces also revealed that O. stephanostomum as well as O. bifurcum are infecting chimpanzees, both species co-existing in the same individuals. Because contacts between humans and great apes are increasing with ecotourism and forest fragmentation in areas of high population density, this paper emphasizes that the presence of potential zoonotic parasites should be viewed as a major concern for public health. Investigations of the parasite status of people living around the park or working inside as well as sympatric non-human primates should be planned, and further research might reveal this as a promising aspect of efforts to reinforce measures against crop-raiding.

PMID: 20300510 [PubMed - in process]

Acute myocardial infarction in a hospital cohort of malaria.

J Glob Infect Dis. 2010 Jan;2(1):72-3

Authors: Jain K, Chakrapani M

PMID: 20300425 [PubMed - in process]

The worldwide airline network and the dispersal of exotic species: 2007-2010.

Ecography (Cop.). 2009 Feb;32(1):94-102

Authors: Tatem AJ

International air travel has played a significant role in driving recent increases in the rates of biological invasion and spread of infectious diseases. By providing high speed, busy transport links between spatially distant, but climatically similar regions of the world, the worldwide airline network (WAN) increases the risks of deliberate or accidental movements and establishment of climatically sensitive exotic organisms. With traffic levels continuing to rise and climates changing regionally, these risks will vary, both seasonally and year-by-year. Here, detailed estimates of air traffic trends and climate changes for the period 2007-2010 are used to examine the likely directions and magnitudes of changes in climatically sensitive organism invasion risk across the WAN. Analysis of over 144 million flights from 2007-2010 shows that by 2010, the WAN is likely to change little overall in terms of connecting regions with similar climates, but anticipated increases in traffic and local variations in climatic changes should increase the risks of exotic species movement on the WAN and establishment in new areas. These overall shifts mask spatially and temporally heterogenous changes across the WAN, where, for example, traffic increases and climatic convergence by July 2010 between parts of China and northern Europe and North America raise the likelihood of exotic species invasions, whereas anticipated climatic shifts may actually reduce invasion risks into much of eastern Europe.

PMID: 20300170 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Lower atovaquone/proguanil concentrations in patients taking efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir or atazanavir/ritonavir.

AIDS. 2010 Mar 17;

Authors: Van Luin M, Van der Ende ME, Richter C, Visser M, Faraj D, Van der Ven A, Gelinck L, Kroon F, Wit FW, Van Schaik RH, Kuks PF, Burger DM

HIV-infected travellers frequently use atovaquone/proguanil as malaria prophylaxis. We compared atovaquone/proguanil pharmacokinetics between healthy volunteers and HIV-infected patients taking efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir or atazanavir/ritonavir. The geometric mean ratio (95% confidence interval) area under the curve (AUC)0-->t for atovaquone relative to the healthy volunteers was 0.25 (0.16-0.38), 0.26 (0.17-0.41) and 0.54 (0.35-0.83) for patients on efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir and atazanavir/ritonavir, respectively. Proguanil plasma concentrations were also significantly lower (38-43%). Physicians should be alert for atovaquone/proguanil prophylaxis failures in patients taking efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir or atazanavir/ritonavir.

PMID: 20299957 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Antimicrobial and antimalarial activity of Cussonia species (Araliaceae).

J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Mar 15;

Authors: De Villiers BJ, Van Vuuren SF, Van Zyl RL, Van Wyk BE

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cussonia species are used in African traditional medicine mainly against pain, inflammation, gastro-intestinal problems, malaria and sexually transmitted diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: To summarise ethnomedicinal uses of Cussonia and to find scientific evidence in support of selected main uses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, leaves of 13 Cussonia species, Schefflera umbellifera and Seemannaralia gerrardii were tested against pathogens associated with diarrhoea (Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli), sexually transmitted infections (Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis) and general infectious diseases (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Anti-malarial sensitivity was studied using Plasmodium falciparum and the [(3)H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assay. Cytotoxic effects on a T-cell leukaemia (Jurkat) cell line were determined using the tetrazolium-based cellular toxicity assay. RESULTS: Methanolic extracts were active against P. aeruginosa (MIC of 1.0-1.5mg/mL), T. vaginalis (MIC of 0.8-1.3mg/mL) and S. aureus (C. arborea, 1.8mg/mL). All samples were active against N. gonorrhoeae (MIC of 0.02-0.7mg/mL). The methanol extract of C. arborea was the most active against P. falciparum (13.68mug/mL) and showed anticancer properties (5.60mug/mL). CONCLUSIONS: The traditional use of Cussonia species to treat sexually transmitted diseases and Plasmodium infections appears to have a scientific basis.

PMID: 20298772 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Immune activation in chronic HIV infection.

Dan Med Bull. 2010 Mar;57(3):B4122

Authors: Ostrowski SR

The discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1983 marked the beginning of an epidemic that to date has infected nearly 60 million people, of which 25 million died. Although HIV research has saved thousands of lives through the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), millions of lives are still at risk. HIV pathogenesis is characterized by CD4+ T cell immunodeficiency in the context of generalized immune activation and dysregulation, with widespread explosive infection and massive depletion of memory CD4+ T cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) the first weeks following infection and gradual loss of remaining CD4+ T cells due to persistent immune hyperactivation and insufficient regeneration and replenishment of the lost cells in the chronic infection. Thus, following the first "hit" HIV, the immunopathologic rather than cytopathic properties of HIV account for the progressive immunodeficiency and ultimate immune collapse. The prevailing view today is that immune hyperactivation drives turnover of CD4+ effector memory T cells (TEM) with downstream immune activation and upstream depletion of CD4+ centralmemory T cells (TCM) and naive cells. This ultimately leads to immune exhaustion and immune collapse when the frequency of CD4+ TEM in lymphoid and extralymphoid tissues fall below the threshold required for effective resistance against pathogens. The critical role of CD4+ TCM is inferred by the observation that maintenance and/or reconstitution of CD4+ TCM protects against disease progression and immune collapse. CD4+ TCM (CCR7+CD27+CD45RA-CD28+) and naive (CCR7+CD27+CD45RA+CD28+, CD45RA+CD62L+) cells have high proliferative capacity but reduced cytotoxicity whereas terminally-differentiated CD4+ TEM (CCR7-CD27-CD45RA+CD28-) are highly cytotoxic with low proliferative capacity. Impaired in vitro production of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-12, IL-10) in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated whole-blood cultures and low circulating levels of CD4+CD28+ T cells are independent predictors of mortality in antiretroviral-untreated chronic HIV infection. A finding probably reflecting both high circulating proportions of terminally-differentiated CD4+ TEM (prone to apoptosis, anergy and activation induced cell death (AICD) when stimulated in vitro) and loss of CD4+ TCM and naive cells. The circulating levels of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured soluble (s-) urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) (bulk-suPAR, sum of three-domain suPAR (suPAR(I-III)), two-domain suPAR (suPAR(II-III)) and suPAR(I-III)-ligand complexes), suPAR(I-III), suPAR(II-III) and one-domain suPAR (suPAR(I)) are all increased in antiretroviral-untreated chronic HIV infection, increase with disease progression and bulk-suPAR, suPAR(I-III) and suPAR(II-III) independently predict mortality. A pattern also observed in other diseases characterized by profound systemic immune activation such as sepsis, acute malaria and pulmonary tuberculosis. In healthy individuals, circulating suPAR is independently associated with the neutrophil granulocyte blood count whereas suPAR is independently associated with markers of immune activation (TNF-alpha, IL-6, beta2-microglobulin) in antiretroviral-untreated HIV infected patients. As a receptor for the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), cell-bound uPAR regulates pericellular proteolysis along with its critical involvement in multiple immunologic functions like adhesion, migration, chemotaxis, proliferation, differentiation and signal transduction. Although the origin of circulating suPAR in HIV infected patients is unknown, several hallmarks of chronic HIV infection may contribute to the high suPAR levels: Pathogen/bystander (cytokine)-induced activation, turnover, adhesion and migration of immune cells, endothelial cell activation and lymphoid tissue remodelling. Also, the observation that high physiologic levels of bulk-suPAR accumulate in PHA+LPS stimulated and non-stimulated whole-blood culture emphasizes that blood cells have a high constitutive and induced capacity to release uPAR. Together, the studies in this thesis indicate that high levels of the different suPAR forms are intimately associated with immune activation in chronic HIV infection. Starting HAART induces rapid decay of circulating HIV RNA copies/ml (VL), immune deactivation with declining soluble (all suPAR forms, sTNFrII, IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-6) and cellular (CD38+, HLA-DR+, CD95+) immune activation markers and immune reconstitution with initial increases in memory CD4+CD45RO+ T cells and late increases in naive CD4+CD45RA+CD62L+ T cells. Despite long-term optimal HAART, with normalization of many immune parameters in peripheral blood and life-expectancies approximating normal, the latent viral reservoir continues to produce virus. This gives rise to low-level viremia, blips, RV and low-level immune activation. A disproportionate high level of latently infected cells, viral production and immune activation along with impaired immune reconstitution in GALT strongly indicate that the principal latent viral reservoir resides here. A "vicious cycle" exists between the latent viral reservoir, low-level viremia/RV, immune activation and impaired immune re-constitution, inferred by the following findings: Post-HAART low-level viremia is associated with high circulating levels of activated (HLA-DR+CD38+) and memory (CD45RO+) T cells and with impaired CD4-gain. Even RV is associated with increased levels of total CD8+ T cells, sTNFrII, beta2-microglobulin and IgA. High levels of HIV DNA carrying PBMC (latently infected cells) are associated with increased circulating levels of effector CD4+CD45RA-CD28-T cells and poor naive CD45RA+CD62L+ T cell and 2B4+ NK cell gain. High circulating levels of activated CD8+CD38+ T cells are associated with impaired CD4-gain and increases in activated CD4+HLA-DR+ T cells predict imminent viral rebound. This "vicious cycle" has profound clinical impact as persistent low-level viremia and immune activation probably in part account for the rise in post-HAART non-AIDS diseases even in patients with high CD4-count. Altogether, the studies in this thesis have confirmed, extended and reemphasized the existence of intimate associations between the latent viral reservoir, (low-level) viremia, immune activation and CD4+ T cell depletion (impaired immune reconstitution) - hallmarks of chronic HIV infection.

PMID: 20298670 [PubMed - in process]

Diversity in anopheline larval habitats and adult composition during the dry and wet seasons in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

Malar J. 2010 Mar 19;9(1):78

Authors: Fournet F, Cussac M, Ouari A, Meyer PE, Toe HK, Gouagna LC, Dabire RK

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Several cases of malaria are frequently recorded during the dry period in Ouagadougou town (Burkina Faso). This has led to the design of a series of studies focusing on both parasitological and entomological investigations intended to provide relevant health data on the risk of local malaria transmission according to the way of urbanisation. METHODS: A cross-sectional entomological survey was carried out in various districts of Ouagadougou in April and October 2006. Adult malaria vectors were collected using CDC traps and indoor insecticide spraying performed in four houses during four consecutive days/nights. Intensive larval sampling was also done in available water ponds throughout the study sites. RESULTS: In April, the anopheline breeding sites consisted only of semi-permanent or permanent swamps located mainly in the two peripheral districts. Despite the presence of anopheline larvae in these breeding sites, less than five Anopheles gambiae s.l. adults were caught by CDC traps and indoor insecticide spraying. In October, additionally to the permanent breeding sites reported in April, some rainfall swamps were also found positive to anophelines. The number of adults' mosquitoes was higher than that collected in April (2 vs 159 in October). Out of 115 larvae of An. gambiae s.l. analysed by PCR in April, 59.1% (68/115) were identified as Anopheles arabiensis, 39.1% (45/115) as An. gambiae M while the S form represented less than 2%. Overall 120 larvae and 86 females were identified by PCR in October as An. gambiae M form (51%) and An. arabiensis (42.2%). The S form represented only 6.8%. The global sporozoite rate recorded was high (6.8%) and did not differ between the districts except in the central district where no positive mosquito was detected. CONCLUSION: Although only few adults' mosquitoes were actively caught during the driest month, malaria vectors persisted all year long that increases the risk of urban malaria transmission. The distribution of breeding sites and especially the occurrence of malaria vectors were more abundant in the periphery, which is more like that of a rural settlement. The evolution of malaria prevalence and the factors sustaining the risk of transmission in Ouagadougou as well in many African cities during the dry season are discussed.

PMID: 20298619 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Antibodies against multiple merozoite surface antigens of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum inhibit parasite maturation and red blood cell invasion.

Malar J. 2010 Mar 18;9(1):77

Authors: Woehlbier U, Epp C, Hackett F, Blackman MJ, Bujard H

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum merozoites expose at their surface a large protein complex, which is composed of fragments of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1; called MSP-183, MSP-130, MSP-138, and MSP-142) plus associated processing products of MSP-6 and MSP-7. During erythrocyte invasion this complex, as well as an integral membrane protein called apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1), is shed from the parasite surface following specific proteolysis. Components of the MSP-1/6/7 complex and AMA-1 are presently under development as malaria vaccines. METHODS: The specificities and effects of antibodies directed against MSP-1, MSP-6, MSP-7 on the growth of blood stage parasites were studied using ELISA and the pLDH-assay. To understand the mode of action of these antibodies, their effects on processing of MSP-1 and AMA-1 on the surface of merozoites were investigated. RESULTS: Antibodies targeting epitopes located throughout the MSP-1/6/7 complex interfere with shedding of MSP-1, and as a consequence prevent erythrocyte invasion. Antibodies targeting the MSP-1/6/7 complex have no effect on the processing and shedding of AMA-1 and, similarly, antibodies blocking the shedding of AMA-1 do not affect cleavage of MSP-1, suggesting completely independent functions of these proteins during invasion. Furthermore, some epitopes, although eliciting highly inhibitory antibodies, are only poorly recognized by the immune system when presented in the structural context of the intact antigen. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reported provide further support for the development of vaccines based on MSP-1/6/7 and AMA-1, which would possibly include a combination of these antigens.

PMID: 20298576 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Multiplex real-time PCR for the diagnosis of malaria: correlation with microscopy.

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2010 Mar 13;

Authors: Dormond L, Jaton-Ogay K, de Vallière S, Genton B, Bille J, Greub G

ABSTRACT Background: Malaria is generally diagnosed by microscopy and rapid antigen testing. Molecular methods become more widely used. Here, the contribution of a quantitative multiplex malaria PCR was investigated. We assessed i) the agreement between PCR-based identification and microscopy and ii) the correlation between the parasite load determined by quantitative PCR and by microscopy. Methods: For 83 patients positive by microscopy for Plasmodium spp., the first EDTA-blood sample was tested by multiplex PCR to confirm smear-based species identification. Parasite load was assessed daily using both microscopy and PCR. Results: Among the 83 patients tested, 1 was positive by microscopy only and 82 were positive by microscopy and PCR. Agreement between microscopy and PCR for the identification at the species level was 89% (73/82). Six of the 9 discordant results corresponded to co-infections by 2 or 3 species and were attributed to inaccurate morphological identification of mixed cases. The parasite load generally decreased rapidly after treatment had been started with similar decay curves obtained with both microscopy and PCR. Conclusion: Our PCR proved especially useful to identify mixed infections. The quantification obtained by PCR closely correlated with microscopy-based quantification and could be useful to monitor treatment efficacy, at least in clinical trials.

PMID: 20298268 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

History of the early dipteran systematics in Italy: from Lyncei to Battista Grassi.

Parassitologia. 2008 Dec;50(3-4):167-72

Authors: Baccetti B

This presentation starts with Galileo's discovery of the microscope and the first Lyncei. Giovanni Heckius and Francesco Stelluti demonstrated different kinds of mosquitoes. Later, in Florence, the Academy of Cimento solved the problem of mosquito reproduction with the discoveries of Francesco Redi, Pietro Paolo da Sangallo, Giuseppe Del Papa and Giovanni Maria Lancisi in the 18th century. In 19th century Eugenio Ficalbi reviewed the Italian Culicids. Once Battista Grassi solved the cycle of Anopheles and Plasmodia, further researches followed by Golgi, Celli, Marchiafava, Bastianelli and Bignami, as well as by Roland Ross.

PMID: 20055226 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

DDT and malaria prevention.

Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Jan;118(1):A14-5; author reply A15-6

Authors: Tren R, Roberts D

PMID: 20238453 [PubMed - in process]

Molecular characterization of Leishamania isolates from China by inter-simple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction.

Parasitol Res. 2010 Mar 17;

Authors: Wang Y, Yang Y, Wang J, Bao Y, Guan L, Gao C, Shi F

Leishmania has distinct epidemiological and biological characteristics and causes a variety of clinical symptoms. To understand the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships among Leishmania isolates from China, 29 Leishmania isolates from different geographic origins, vectors, and hosts were analyzed using 21 inter-simple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR) primers. A total of 864 polymorphic bands were obtained. According to the results of the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and principal component analysis, the 29 isolates studied clustered into six groups. Isolates of Leishmania donovani complex from China share the highest similarity with the reference strain of L. donovani (DD8). This study helps to elucidate the genetic relationship among Leishmania isolates from China and similarities between Chinese isolates and World Health Organization reference strains. Furthermore, ISSR-PCR could also be a quick, simple, and reliable method for Leishmania species identification.

PMID: 20237800 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

High prevalence and gender bias in distribution of Plasmodium malariae infection in central east-coast India.

Trop Biomed. 2009 Dec;26(3):326-33

Authors: Dhangadamajhi G, Kar SK, Ranjit MR

Light microscopy, the mainstay of malaria diagnosis in epidemiologic studies, exhibits limited sensitivity for detecting low level infections and often under-estimates the frequency of mixed Plasmodium species infections. To overcome these shortcomings we performed the PCR method for detection and identification of Plasmodium species in blood specimens from 242 individuals collected during the peak season of malaria incidence (July - October). Malaria prevalence was 81.4% and 43.4% by PCR and microscopy respectively. Moreover, while PCR detected Plasmodium malariae DNA in 108 (44.6%), microscopic examination detected only 20 (8.3%) individuals parasitized with this species. Further data analysis revealed an independent random distribution pattern of parasites irrespective of age groups (0-5 yrs, chi-square7df = 2.77, P > 0.95; 6-15 yrs, chi-square7df = 4.82, P > 0.50; >15 yrs, chi-square7df = 4.4, P > 0.70) and sexes (for male chi-square7df = 2.48, P > 0.95; for female, chi-square7df = 1.85, P > 0.95). However, although the parasite distribution is random irrespective of sex, females had more P. malariae infections (P = 0.004, OR = 2.312, 95% CI = 1.3-4.1). Our study demonstrates that the parasite distribution in Orissa is random with substantially higher prevalence of P.malariae than previously suspected and this may be seasonal. A study of the bionomics of vector(s) responsible for P. malariae transmission in Orissa is needed to provide information for the control of malaria in the state.

PMID: 20237447 [PubMed - in process]

Management of malaria and other severe infections in rural Africa and Asia.

BMJ. 2010;340:c1527

Authors: Whitty CJ, Leslie T, Chandler CI, Staedke SG

PMID: 20237003 [PubMed - in process]

Solution structure of a Plasmodium falciparum AMA-1/MSP 1 chimeric protein vaccine candidate (PfCP-2.9) for malaria.

Malar J. 2010 Mar 18;9(1):76

Authors: Peng H, Hu Y, Zhou A, Jin C, Pan W

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The Plasmodium falciparum chimeric protein PfCP-2.9 is a promising asexual-stage malaria vaccine evaluated in clinical trials. This chimeric protein consists of two cysteine-rich domains: domain III of the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1[III]) and the C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1-19). It has been reported that the fusion of these two antigens enhanced their immunogenicity and antibody-mediated inhibition of parasite growth in vitro. METHODS: The 15N-labeled and 13C/15N-labeled PfCP-2.9 was produced in Pichia pastoris for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure analysis. The chemical shift assignments of PfCP-2.9 were compared with those previously reported for the individual domains (i.e., PfAMA-1(III) or PfMSP 1-19). The two-dimensional spectra and transverse relaxation rates (R2) of the PfMSP1-19 alone were compared with that of the PfCP-2.9. RESULTS: Confident backbone assignments were obtained for 122 out of 241 residues of PfCP-2.9. The assigned residues in PfCP-2.9 were very similar to those previously reported for the individual domains. The conformation of the PfMSP1-19 in different constructs is essentially the same. Comparison of transverse relaxation rates (R2) strongly suggests no weak interaction between the domains. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the fusion of AMA-1(III) and MSP1-19 as chimeric protein did not change their structures, supporting the use of the chimeric protein as a potential malaria vaccine.

PMID: 20236549 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Evaluation of the Immunoquick+4 malaria rapid diagnostic test in a non-endemic setting.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2010 Mar 16;

Authors: van Dijk DP, Gillet P, Vlieghe E, Cnops L, Van Esbroeck M, Jacobs J

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the Immunoquick+4 (BioSynex, Strasbourg, France), a three-band malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT) targeting histidine-rich protein-2 (HRP-2) and pan Plasmodium-specific parasite lactate dehydrogenase, in a non-endemic reference setting. Stored whole-blood samples (n = 613) from international travellers suspected of malaria were used, with microscopy corrected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the reference method. Samples infected by P. falciparum (n = 323), P. vivax (n = 97), P. ovale (n = 73) and P. malariae (n = 25) were selected, as well as 95 malaria-negative samples. The overall sensitivities of the Immunoquick+4 for the diagnosis of P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale were 88.9, 75.3, 56.0 and 19.2%, respectively. Sensitivity was significantly related to parasite density for P. falciparum (93.6% versus 71.4% at parasite densities >100/microl and </=100/microl, respectively) and P. vivax (86.8% versus 48.3% at parasite densities >500/microl and </=500/microl, respectively). The Immunoquick+4 showed good reproducibility and reliability for both test results and line intensities. The Immunoquick+4 performed well for the detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax.

PMID: 20232100 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]