Noscapine shows antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7,its clinical isolate Pf140/SS,and Plasmodium berghei ANKA

Objective:To evaluate the antimalarial activity of noscapine against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain(Pf3D7),its clinical isolate(Pf140/SS),and Plasmodium berghei ANKA(PbA).Methods:Using ring-stage survival assay,phenotypic assessments,and SYBR-green-based fluorescence assay,the antimalarial activities of noscapine were assessed compared with dihydroartemisinin(DHA)in in vivo and in vitro studies.In addition,hemolysis and cytotoxicity tests were carried out to evaluate its safety.RT-PCR assay was also conducted to determine the effect of noscapine on papain-like cysteine protease Plasmodium falciparum falcipain-2(PfFP-2).Results:The antimalarial efficacy of noscapine against Pf3D7 and Pf140/SS was comparable to DHA,with IC50 values of(7.68±0.88)and(5.57±0.74)nM/mL,respectively,and>95%inhibition of PbA infected rats.Noscapine also showed a safe profile,as evidenced by low hemolysis and cytotoxicity even at high concentrations.Moreover,PfFP-2 expression was significantly inhibited in both noscapine-treated Pf3D7 and Pf140/SS(P<0.01).Conclusions:Noscapine has antimalarial properties comparable to standard antimalarial DHA with better safety profiles,which may be further explored as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of malaria.

Genetic diversity of the S-type small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of Plasmodium knowlesi isolates from Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia

Objective:To determine the genetic diversity of Plasmodium(P.)knowlesi isolates from Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia,targeting the S-type SSU rRNA gene and including aspects of natural selection and haplotype.Methods:Thirty-nine blood samples infected with P.knowlesi were collected in Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.The S-type SSU rRNA gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction,cloned into a vector,and sequenced.The natural selection and haplotype of the S-type SSU rRNA gene sequences were determined using DnaSP v6 and illustrated using NETWORK v10.This study's 39 S-type SSU rRNA sequences and eight sequences from the Genbank database were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using MEGA 11.Results:Overall,the phylogenetic analysis showed no evidence of a geographical cluster of P.knowlesi isolates from different areas in Malaysia based on the S-type SSU rRNA gene sequences.The S-type SSU rRNA gene sequences were relatively conserved and with a purifying effect.Haplotype sharing of the S-type SSU rRNA gene was observed between the P.knowlesi isolates in Sabah,Malaysian Borneo,but not between Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.Conclusions:This study suggests that the S-type SSU rRNA gene of P.knowlesi isolates in Sabah,Malaysian Borneo,and Peninsular Malaysia has fewer polymorphic sites,representing the conservation of the gene.These features make the S-type SSU rRNA gene suitable for comparative studies,such as determining the evolutionary relationships and common ancestry among P.knowlesi species.

In silico antiplasmodial effects of phytocompounds derived from Andrographis paniculata on validated drug targets of different stages of Plasmodium falciparum

Background:Andrographis paniculata has been widely reported as an herbal plant for malaria treatment.The increasing rate of resistance to recommended antimalarial drugs has justified the need for a continuous search for new and more potent drugs that target all stages of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle from natural plant sources.This study aimed to determine the antiplasmodial effect of phytocompounds derived from A.paniculata on the stages of plasmodium falciparum.Methods:Phytocompounds from A.paniculata were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry(GCMS)analysis.The phytocompounds were screened for their druggability using Lipinski’s rule of five and subjected to Absorption,Distribution,Metabolism,Excretion,Toxicity(ADMET)and druglikeness analysis.The phytocompounds were docked against some validated drug targets at different stages of Plasmodium falciparum(hepatic,asexual,sexual,and vector targets)using PyRx software to analyze the inhibitory potential and protein-ligand interaction.Thereafter,the stability and flexibility of the best complexes were assessed through molecular dynamics simulations at 50ns using WebGRO.Result:The 7a-Isopropenyl-4,5-dimethyloctahydroinden-4-yl exhibited a higher binding affinity and better stability throughout the simulation period with P.falciparum dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase and Plasmodium falciparum M1 alanyl aminopeptidase for asexual blood stage and gametocyte stage of Plasmodium falciparum,respectively than the existing drugs.Meanwhile,N-Ethyl-3-methoxy-4-methylphenethylamine was also found to have a higher binding affinity and more stability throughout the simulation period with P.falciparum purine nucleoside phosphorylase and Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte surface protein for Hepatic schizonts stage of Plasmodium falciparum and gametocyte transmission blocking stage,respectively,than the existing drugs.Conclusion:The 7a-Isopropenyl-4,5-dimethyloctahydroinden-4-yl and N-Ethyl-3-methoxy-4 methylphenethylamine from A.paniculata are predicted as an antimalarial drug candidate.Thus,it is recommended that in vitro and in vivo bioassays be conducted on these hit compounds to validate these predictions.

食蟹猴疟原虫 (Plasmodium cynomolgi)中一个真核翻译起始因子4A(eIF-4A)同源蛋白的cDNA克隆、表达和ATP酶活性测定(英文)

真核翻译起始因子 4A(eukaryoticinitiationfactor 4A ,eIF 4A)是DEAD盒蛋白家族的ATP依赖性的RNA解旋酶类中的一个原型成员 .它在真核细胞的蛋白质合成的起始过程中起着关键性作用 .通过PCR扩增和放射探针杂交相结合的方法筛选食蟹猴疟原虫 (Plasmodiumcynomolgi)的cDNA文库 ,克隆了一个eIF 4A同源蛋白的完整cDNA序列 ,命名为CH1F .CH1F全长 1 75 3bp ,包含一个1 1 97bp的完整阅读框 ,推测编码一个由 398个氨基酸组成的蛋白 .对CH1F的蛋白序列用BlastP进行搜索和分析 ,提示它应该是DEAD盒家族的一个eIF 4A同源蛋白 ;用DNAStar将其与许多典型的DEAD盒蛋白序列进行比对分析 ,结果显示 :比起其它的DEAD盒蛋白 ,它与eIF 4A或eIF 4A的同源蛋白具有更高的同源性和更多序列上的相似结构域 .将包含完整阅读框的片段亚克隆进表达载体pET 2 8a (+) ,在大肠杆菌DH5α中表达 ,产生的融合蛋白大小在 4 5kD左右 .对该融合蛋白进行纯化、重新折叠和初步鉴定 .ATP酶活性检测显示 ,该融合蛋白只有很低的ATP酶活性 ,而且它的ATP酶活性似乎不依赖于核酸底物 .对这一检测结果给出 3种可能的原因 .这一检测结果与根据序列分析得到的推论———CH1F蛋白可能是一个eIF

IL-10在Plasmodium yoelii 17XL和Plasmodium chabaudi AS疟原虫混合感染宿主病理损伤中的作用研究

为探讨IL-10在致死型约氏疟原虫(Plasmodium yoelii 17XL,P.y17XL)和夏氏疟原虫(Plasmodiumchabaudi AS,P.cAS)混合感染宿主病理损伤中的作用,用P.y17XL、P.cAS和P.y17XL+P.cAS分别感染DBA/2小鼠,计数红细胞感染率;感染后第3、5、8、10、12和19天分别尾静脉取血,肝素抗凝后短暂离心,采用高纯度DNA提取试剂盒抽提DNA,实时定量PCR检测虫负荷水平;感染后第0、1、3、5、8、10、12和15天制备脾细胞悬液,ELISA检测脾细胞培养上清中IL-10水平。实验结果发现,P.y17XL单独感染和混合感染小鼠IL-10水平在感染后第5天和第8天分别达峰值,随后开始下降至正常水平,小鼠虫血症均达中等水平,存活率100%;相比P.cAS感染小鼠IL-10在感染后第3天突然出现高水平升高并且维持时间较长;于感染后第8天达峰值,是同天P.y17XL单独感染和混合感染小鼠IL-10水平的2倍,虫血症水平较高,小鼠全部死亡。同时实时定量PCR结果发现,混合感染小鼠,于感染后3～12 d P.y17XL增殖占优势,而感染后15～19 d则P.cAS增殖处于优势状态。表明以IL-10为核心的免疫调节网络与疟疾感染过程中病理损伤密切相关。同时提示混合感染小鼠应答模式与P.y17XL感染小鼠的应答模式相同。

Selective Effect of Qinghaosu on Different Stages of Plasmodium falciparum in Vitro

Using highly synchronous cultures of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro,the susceptibi- lity of the different stages of the intraerythrocytic parasites to Qinghaosu (QHS) was assessed.The anti- parasitic effect of QHS was measured by comparing the changes of irradiation of^3 H-hypoxanthine in- corporated into the nucleic acids of parasites exposed to various concentrations of QHS at different stages of growth.It was found that the trophozoite stage of the parasite was the most sensitive to QHS, whereas the early ring stage was the least sensitive,and the sensitivities of the late ring and schizont stages fell between those of the early ring and trophozoite stages.The results revealed the correlation of stage-dependent effects of QHS with the blockade of the protein metabolism of the parasite.

ClpB chaperone as a promising target for antimicrobial therapy: A narrative review

The Clp/Hsp100 family,part of the ATPase associated with various cellular activities(AAA+)superfamily,includes caseinolytic peptidase B(ClpB),a highly conserved protein found in bacteria,fungi,protozoa,and plants.Notably,ClpB is present in all ESKAPE pathogens:Enterococcus faecium,Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Enterobacter spp.ClpB plays a crucial role in reactivating and disaggregating proteins,enabling pathogens to survive under host-induced stress and conferring thermotolerance to bacterial cells.Infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens are particularly challenging due to their resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics and biofilm formation,posing a significant global health threat as they are often multidrug-resistant,extensively drug-resistant,and pan-drug-resistant.Given its absence in human cells and its essential role in bacterial survival under stress,ClpB is a promising target for antimicrobial therapy.Targeting Hsp100 family proteins could lead to the development of novel antifungal and antiprotozoal treatments.This review explores the function of ClpB in the survival of ESKAPE pathogens and the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum.Relevant research findings were compiled using academic databases,and data analysis was performed using Clustal Omega Multiple Sequence Alignment and Boxshade tools.

Indicators of fatal outcome in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria:a study in a tertiary-care hospital in Thailand

Objective:To illustrate the clinical features and investigate the indicators associated with a fatal outcome in adult patients with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases,Bangkok,Thailand.Methods:We studied 202 adult malaria patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.A total of 43 clinical variables were identified by univariate and logistic regression analyses,to eliminate confounding factors.Results:Regarding the statistical methods,only 6 variables-jaundice,cerebral malaria,metabolic acidosis,body mass index,initial respiratory rate,and white blood cell count-were significant indicators of death, with adjusted odds ratios(95%CI) of 15.2(2.1-32.3).4.3(2.3-12.6),3.3(2.3-5.7),2.4(1.9-3.5),2.2 (1.5-2.6),and 1.7(1.2-3.1),respectively.Conclusions:Our study found that jaundice,cerebral malaria,metabolic acidosis,body mass index,initial respiratory rate and white blood cell count were indicators of fatal outcome in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.Further studies on the fatal indicators in severe malaria need to be compared with data from different geographical areas,to construct practical measures to address potentially fatal indicators in different settings.

Antimalarial potential of kolaviron,a biflavonoid from Garcinia kola seeds,against Plasmodium berghei infection in Swiss albino mice

Objective:To investigate the antimalarial potential of kolaviron(KV),a biflavonoid fraction from Garcinia kola seeds,against Plasmodium berghei(P.berghei)infection in Swiss albino mice.Methods:The study consists of seven groups of ten mice each.Groups I,II and III were normal mice that received com oil.KV1 and chloroquine(CQ),respectively.Groups IV,V,ⅥandⅦwere infected mice that received corn oil.CQ,KYI and KV2.respectively.CQ.KY1 and KV2were given at 10-,100-and 200-mg/kg daily,respectively for three consecutive days.Results:Administration of KV1 and KV2 significantly(P<0.05)suppressed P.berghei-infection in the mice by 85%and 90%.respectively,while CQ produced 87%suppression relative to untreated infected group after the fifth day of treatment.Also,KV2 significantly(P<0.05)increased the mean survival time of the infected mice by 175%.The biflavonoid prevented a drastic reduction in HCV from day4 of treatment,indicating its efficacy in ameliorating anaemia.Significant(P<0.05)oxidative stress assessed by the elevation of serum and hepatic malondialdehydewere observed in unlrealed P.berghei-infected mice.Specifically,senum and hepatic malondialdehyde levels increased by93%and 78%,resjiectively in the unlrealed infecled mice.Furlhennore,antioxidant indices,viz;superoxide dismutase.catalase,glutathione-s-transferasc.glualhione peroxidase and reduced gluathione decreased significantly(P<0.05)in the tissues of untreated P.berghei-infected mice.KV significantly(P<0.05)ameliorated the P.berghei-induced decrease in antioxidant status of the infected mice.Conclusions:This study shows that kolaviron,especially at 200 mg/kg,has high antimalarial activities in P.berghei-infected mice,in addition to its known antioxidant properties.

Bioinformatics analysis for structure and function of CPR of Plasmodium falciparum

Objective:To analyse the structure and function of NADPH-cytochrome p450 reductase(CYPOR or CPR) from Plasmodium falciparum(Pf),and to predict its’ drug target and vaccine target. Methods:The structure,function,drug target and vaccine target of CPR from Plasmodium falciparum were analyzed and predicted by bioinformatics methods.Results:PfCPR,which was older CPR,had close relationship with the CPR from other Plasmodium species,but it was distant from its hosts,such as Homo sapiens and Anopheles.PfCPR was located in the cellular nucleus of Plasmodium falciparum.335aa-352aa and 591aa - 608aa were inserted the interior side of the nuclear membrane,while 151aa-265aa was located in the nucleolus organizer regions.PfCPR had 40 function sites and 44 protein-protein binding sites in amino acid sequence.The teriary structure of laa-700aa was forcep-shaped with wings.15 segments of PfCPR had no homology with Homo sapien CPR and most were exposed on the surface of the protein.These segments had 25 protein-protein binding sites.While 13 other segments all possessed function sites. Conclusions:The evolution or genesis of Plasmodium falciparum is earlier than those of Homo sapiens.PfCPR is a possible resistance site of antimalarial drug and may involve immune evasion, which is associated with parasite of sporozoite in hepatocytes.PfCPR is unsuitable as vaccine target,but it has at least 13 ideal drug targets.

Schistosoma haematobium and Plasmodium falciparum coinfection with protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Nigerian children

Objective:Malaria remains the single leading killer of children in sub - Sahara Africa and Schistosomiasis is considered to be second to malaria in global importance.Co - infection of malaria and urinary schistosomiasis has been reported to exacerbate disease morbidity such as anaemia.In different part of the globe,the co - infection between malaria and schistosomiasis provides some protections on the infected persons.The protective effect of this co - infection elucidated immunologically using cytokines is lacking in our locality.Methods:Urine and blood samples obtained from the 160 volunteers were subjected to standard parasitological techniques for diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis and malaria respectively.Blood samples collected from these volunteers comprising 80 children with schistosomiasis and malaria and the 80 children who had malaria only were subjected to cytokines concentration determination using commercial standard enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits(Abeam,UK).Results:Eighty participants with co - infection had a mean malarial parasitaemia of 662±201.1μL while the 80 participants with only P.falciparum malaria had a mean malarial parasiteamia of 5943±3270.7μL.Also the volunteers had mean haemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL for co - infected individuals and 5.7 g/dL for participants with single infection of malaria.The serum cytokine levels of the children with S. haematobium and P.falciparum and only P.falciparum infection are as follows;interleukin - 4(16.6 pg/ mL versus 5.2 pg/mL),IL - 5(501.3 pg/mL versus 357.5 pg/mL);IL -8(2 550 pg/mL versus 309 pg/mL),IL - 10(273 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL),TNF -α(25 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL) and IFN -γ(21.9 pg/mL versus 2.5 pg/mL).The TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio is 7 for the children with co - infection while those with only P.falciparum malaria infection had a TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio of 0.9.Conclusion:We conclude that the elevated IL - 4,IL - 5,IL - 8 and IFN -γconcentration induced by schistosomiasis altered the Th1/Th 2 profile and protected the children against the morbidity and severity of malaria attack among the children with co - infection.

Association of ABO blood group and Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Dore Bafeno Area,Southern Ethiopia

Objective:To assess the distribution of ABO blood group and their relationship with Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) malaria among febrile outpatients who sought medical attention at Dore Bafeno Health Center,Southern Ethiopia.Methods:A total of 269 febrile outpatients who visited Dore Bafeno Health Center,Southern Ethiopia,were examined for malaria and also tested for ABO blood groups in January 2010.The blood specimens were collected by finger pricking,stained with Geimsa,and examined microscopically.Positive cases of the parasitemia were counted.CareStart^(TM) Malaria PflPv Combo was also used to test the blood specimens for malaria.ABO blood groups were determined by agglutination test using ERYCLONE antisera.Data on socio-demographic characteristics and treatment status of the participants were also collected.Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to assess the difference between frequencies and means,respectively.Results:Out of a total of 269 participants,178(66.2%) febrile patients were found to be infected with Plasmodium parasites,among which 146(54.3%),28(10.4%),and 4(1.5%) belonged to P.falciparum,P.vivax,and mixed infections,respectively.All febrile patients were also tested for ABO blood groups and 51.3%,23.5%,21.9%and 3.3%were found to be blood types of 0,A,B and AB,respectively.Both total malaria infection and P.falciparum infection showed significant association with blood types(P<0.05).The proportion of A or B but not 0 phenotypes was higher(P<0.05) in individuals with P.falciparum as compared with non-infected individuals.The chance of having P.falciparum infection in patients with blood groups A,B and AB was 2.5,2.5 and 3.3times more than individuals showing blood 0 phenotypes,respectively.The mean P.falciparum malaria parasitemia for blood groups A,B,AB,and 0 were 3 744/μ L,1 805/ μ L,5 331/μ L,and1 515/μ L,respectively(P<0.01).Conclusions:The present findings indicate that individuals of blood groups A,B and AB are more susceptible to P.falciparum infection as compared with individuals of blood group O.Nevertheless,further in depth studies are required to clearly establish the role that ABO blood group plays in P.falciparum malaria.

Polymorphisms of the oxidant enzymes glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase and their association with resistance of Plasmodium falciparum isolates to antimalarial drugs

Objective:To investigate the association between amplification of the two regulatory genes controlling glutathione(GSH) levels,glutathione reductase(PfGR) and glutathione S-transferase (PfGST) genes and sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) isolates collected from different malaria endemic areas of Thailand to standard antimalarial drugs.Methods:A total of 70 P.falciparum isolates were collected from endemic areas of multi-drug resistance (Tak,Chantaburi and Ranong Provinces) during the year 2008-2009.The in vitro assessment of antimalarial activity of P.falciparum clones(K1- and Dd2 chloroquine resistant and 3D7- chloroquine sensitive) and isolates to chloroquine,quinine,mefloquine and arteusnate was performed based on SYBR Green modified assay.Results:68(97.14%),11(15.71%) and 28(40%) isolates respectively were classified as chloroquine-,quinine- and mefloquine-resistant isolates. With this limited number of P.falciparum isolates included in the analysis,no significant association between amplification of PfGST gene and sensitivity of the parasite to chloroquine, quinine,mefloquine and quinine was found.Based on PCR analysis,Dd2,Kl and 3D7 clones all contained only one copy of the PfGST gene.All isolates(70) also carried only one copy number of PfGST gene.There appears to be an association between amplification of PfGR gene and chloroquine resistance.The 3D7 and Dd2 clones were found to carry only one PfGR gene copy, whereas the K1 clone carried two gene copies.Conclusions:Chloroquine resistance is likely to be a consequence of multi-factors and enzymes in the GSH system may be partly involved. Larger number of parasite isolates are required to increase power of the hypothesis testing in order to confirm the involvement of both genes as well as other genes implicated in glutathione metabolism in conferring chloroquine resistance.

Pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines profiles among Nigerian children infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Objective:To examine array of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines,namely, interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-10(IL-10),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-5(IL-5), interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-12(IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) concentrations in some Nigerians with falciparum malaria.Methods:Sera were obtained from the blood samples of 96 Nigerian children with Plasmodium falciparum infection.The sera were subjected to cytokine evaluation using commercial standard enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits(Abcam,UK).Results:Mean pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum of children with uncomplicated and complicated malaria were IL-5 482.2 pg/mL versus 526.7 pg/mL,IL-6 98.8 pg/mL versus 82.6 pg/mL,IL-12 24.1 pg/mL versus 15.9 pg/mL,TNF-α107 pg/mL versus 511.7 pg/mL and IFN- 7 2.1 pg/mL versus 2.5 pg/mL.The anti-inflammatory cytokines status of IL-4 were 4.7 pg/mL versus 20.3 pg/mL,and IL-10 were 216 pg/mL versus 143.8 pg/mL in uncomplicated versus complicated/severe malaria cases.Participants with uncomplicated malaria had mean parasitaemia level of 3 158.9 parasites/μL while mean parasitaemia level for participants with complicated malaria was 12 550.5 parasite/μL and this difference was statistically significant(χ~2 =5 614.6,P【0.05).The difference between mean haemoglobin level for uncomplicated malaria(9.6 g/dL) and severe malaria(3.9 g/dL) was statistically significant (χ~2 = 2.3,P【0.05).The relationship between serum level of IL-6,IL-12,IFN-γ,IL-10 and IL-4 and ages showed positive correlation at r=0.92,0.99,0.86,0.95 and 0.85,respectively;while IL-5 and TNF-αhad negative correlation at r=-0.99 and -0.99,respectively.Conclusion: IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-10,IL-12,TNF-αand IFN-γare involved in the immunopathology and immunoregulation of uncomplicated and complicated malaria infections.IL-6,IL-12,IFN-γand IL-10 depressed in complicated/severe malaria may not provide any protective immunity and may be indicators of poor prognosis in Plasmodium falciparum infected Nigerian children.

Role of toll like-receptor 2 in inflammatory activity of macrophage infected with a recombinant BCG expressing the C-terminus of merozoite surface protein-1 of Plasmodium falciparum

Objective: To investigate the role of toll-like receptor 2(TLR2) in inflammatory activity of macrophage infected with the recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin(rBCG). Methods: Mouse macrophage cell line J774 A.1 was infected with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) and rBCG cultures for 48 h in the presence or absence of 10 μg/mL of TLR2 inhibitor. Untreated macrophages were used as a negative control while lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages were used as a positive control. The ability of the macrophage to engulf the BCG and rBCG in the absence or presence of TLR2 inhibitor was assessed using a phagocytic assay, while the production of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide by the infected macrophages was evaluated using ELISA and Griess reagent method, while the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase was determined using Western blot analysis. Results: The results showed that blocking TLR2 function reduced the phagocytic activity, nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokine secretion such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12 p40 as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the infected macrophages. These data showed the importance of TLR2 in the activation of macrophages following BCG and r BCG infections. Conclusions: Through exploring the immunological mechanism which underlies the protection conferred by the candidate vaccine, this study will improve our understanding of the vaccine candidate's mechanism to protect the host from malaria infection.

Changing trends in prevalence of different Plasmodium species with dominance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in Aligarh(India)

Objective:To determine the prevalence of malaria in Aligarh and analyze species dominance in different years over a decade.Methods:Diagnosis of malaria was done using microscopy as gold standard,rapid antigen detection assays and quantitative buffy coat(QBC) assays.Giemsa stained blood smear examination was done,thick and thin films were examined for presence of different Plasmodium spp.Rapid antigen detection assays employing detection of HRP-2 and parasite lactate dehydrogenase antigen(pLDH) by immunochromatography was done in patients whose blood smear found to be negative by conventional Giemsa slide examination.QBC was done in cases where there is strong clinical suspicion of malaria with blood smear negative,in patients with chronic malaria,splenomegaly,or in those patients who had inadequate treatment and for post-treatment follow up.Results:Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum were only species detected in our hospital.Overall prevalence of malaria in Aligarh was found to be 8.8%.The maximum prevalence of 20.1%was observed in year 2008 and lowest 2.3%in 2002. Conclusions:High prevalence of malaria is observed in this part of country with dominance of both species particularly Plasmodium falciparum should be monitored and factors accounting for occurrence should be studied to employ effective control measures.

Spectrum of complications associated with Plasmodium vivax infection in a tertiary hospital in South-Western India

Objective:To determine the range and incidence of complications associated with Plasmodium vivax[P.vivax) malaria.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients of P.vivax malaria admitted in kasturba Medical College.Manipal between January and December,2010.Patients with mixed malarial infection were excluded by appropriate tests. Clinical presentation and laboratory parameters were studied.Results:Medical records of 213 individuals who satisfied the inclusion criteria were reviewed.Anaemia was seen in 65 (30.5%),leucopenia in 38(17.8%]and thrombocytopenia in 184(86.4%l patients.Aspartate and alanine aminotransferases were elevated in 86(40.4%).and 89(41.9%) patients respectively. Hypoalbuminemia was observed in 157(73.6%) cases.Elevated serum creatinine was noted in in 59(27.5%) patients.Creatine kinase was elevated in 30 nut of 59 patients(50.8%).Overall.107 (50.2%) patients fulfilled WHO criteria for sever=e malaria.None of the patients succumbed to the disease.Conclusion:P.vivax malaria is a potentially severe disease,and the term ’ benign" tertian malaria is a misnomer.Despite significant morbidity,with timely and appropriate treatment P.rirax malaria has an excellent outcome.

The genetic polymorphism of Plasmodium vivax genes in endemic regions of Thailand

Objective:To investigate the genetic polymorphism of Plasmodium vivax(P.vivax) PvCSP and PvMSP1 genes from field isolates at four endemic regions(North,East,West and South) of Thailand.Methods:The 152 P.vivax injected cases from dried blood spots were DMA extracted and confirmed by species-specific primer sets using multiplex PCR method.PvMSPI fragments F2 and F3:PvCSP were gcnotvped using RFLP-PCR method.Resuits:Totally amplified DNA which was multiple genotypes for PvMSP1 F2 and PvMSP1 F3 were 12.50%and 8.55%.respectively while PvCSP was 3.95%.The overall frequency of multiple genotypes was 25%.There were 12 allele tvpes of PvMSP1 F2 using AluI enzyme digestion and 8 size variations were found in P\MSP1 F3.The isolates from western region was highly genetic diverse when compare among all isolates.The predominant variant type of PvCSP gene was \ K2I0 type.Conclusions:The niulliple genotypes are common found in Thailand and it might hide the real genotype.PvCSP does not have extensive genetic diversity in this study.However.PvMSPI marker due to multiple genotypes is difficult In be analyzed.The multiple genotypes findings might stem from population migration and vector species findings.

A study on the clinical profile of complicated Plasmodium vivax mono-infections

Objective:To identify cases of severe Plasmodium vivax(P.vivax) mono-infections among adults.Methods:In this retrospective study,30 adult patients admitted to medical wards of a tertiary hospital in a malaria endemic urban area from March 2010 to April 2010 were included. The diagnosis of P.vivax malaria was established by peripheral blood film(PBF) examination, and severe malaria was categorized as per World Health Organization guidelines.Results: Complications observed were thrombocytopenia in 28(93.3%),hepatic dysfunction and jaundice in 13(433%),renal dysfunction in 8(26.7%),severe anaemia in 3(10.0%),cerebral malaria in 2 (6.7%),and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) in 1(3.3%) of 30 patients.Conclusions:P. vivax malaria with severe complications is common in the investigated area,and an intensive and large-scale study of the disease is necessary.

Effect of hepatocyte growth factor signaling pathway activation on Plasmodium berghei infection

Objective:To explore the effect of hepatocyte growth factor signaling pathway activation on Plasmodium berghei infection.Methods:In this study,hepatocyte growth factor was detected by ELISA and Western blotting assay.Hepatocyte injury was detected by FITC-dextran absorption assay,and hepatocyte growth factor expression was shown to be expressed in the same injury cells by immunofluorescence against hepatocyte growth factor.In addition,Activation of hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor signaling pathway was detected with immunoprecipitation and detection of phosphorylation status.Results:It was found that injury of hepatocytes by sporozoite migration induced the secretion of hepatocyte growth factor and it was hepatocyte growth factor that rendered hepatocytes susceptible to Plasmodium sporozoite infection.In addition,hepatocyte infections depended on activation of the hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor signaling pathway.Conclusions:Our results indicate that hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor may possibly be potential targets for new approaches to malaria treatment.