Project description:Differential gene expression to parasite and nonparasite antigen was seen in infected patients with lifelong exposure to the human filarial parasite Loa loa (endemics) compared with patients who became infected due to temporary residence or travel in an endemic country (expatriates).
Project description:Differential gene expression to parasite and nonparasite antigen was seen in infected patients with lifelong exposure to the human filarial parasite Loa loa (endemics) compared with patients who became infected due to temporary residence or travel in an endemic country (expatriates). CD4+ and CD8+ cells were isolated; comparison was done between unstimulated cells from 2 patient groups and between parasite microfilarial (MfAg) and nonparasite streptolysin O (SLO) antigen-stimulated cells with unstimulated cells; Technical replicates (2 unstimulated; 2 each antigen)
Project description:Transcriptome profiling of three DDT resistant strains of Anopheles gambiae in Cameroon (Gare, Messa and Nkolondom- 2 M forms and one S form) compared to the susceptible strain Ngousso (M form) and Kisumu (S form). S-form is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and breeds mostly in association with rain-dependent pools and temporary puddles. M-form distribution overlaps with that of S-form in West and Central Africa, but the former form is apparently absent east of the Great Rift Valley; it is able to exploit relatively more permanent breeding sites, often closely associated with human activities, such those created by irrigation, rice cultivation and urbanization (Santolamazza et al., 2011).
Project description:Population samples of Drosophila melanogaster were hybridized to a genomic tiling array: separetely from 2 US localities, 3 Caribbean localities, 1 West Africa (Cameroon) locality and 1 Zimbabwe locality. We replicated each locality 3 times by pooling individual flies for each hybridization experiment replicate.
Project description:Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a disease of major economic importance in Sub-Saharan Africa. In eastern and southern Africa. Here we analysed clinical isolates of T brucei rhodensiense, resistant to suramin by shotgun proteomics . And identified parasite proteins whose expression is associated with resistance to suramin.
Project description:Transcription profiles of three field collections of Anopheles gambiae M molecular form (i.e. Anopheles coluzzii) from West Africa were compared to investigate their phenotypic differences in insecticide resistance. The susceptibility status for the individual samples was unknown but known for their source populations via phenotypic assays performed concurrently with the sample collections.
Project description:Elimination of the helminth disease, river blindness, remains challenging due to ivermectin treatment-associated adverse reactions in loiasis co-infected patients. Here, we address a deficit in preclinical research tools for filarial translational research by developing Loa loa mouse infection models. We demonstrate that adult Loa loa worms in subcutaneous tissues, circulating microfilariae (mf) and presence of filarial biomarkers in sera occur following experimental infections of lymphopenic mice deficient in interleukin (IL)-2/7 gamma-chain signaling. A microfilaraemic infection model is also achievable, utilizing immune-competent or -deficient mice infused with purified Loa mf. Ivermectin but not benzimidazole treatments induce rapid decline (>90%) in parasitaemias in microfilaraemic mice. We identify up-regulation of inflammatory markers associated with allergic type-2 immune responses and eosinophilia post-ivermectin treatment. Thus, we provide validation of murine research models to identify loiasis biomarkers, to counter-screen candidate river blindness cures and to interrogate the inflammatory etiology of loiasis ivermectin-associated adverse reactions.
Project description:The virulent Lassa fever virus (LASV) and the non-pathogenic Mopeia virus (MOPV) infect rodents and incidentally people in West Africa. The mechanism of LASV damage in human beings is unclear. A live-attenuated reassortant of MOPV and LASV protects rodents and primates from Lassa fever disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy human subjects were expose to either LASV or ML29 in order to identify early cellular responses that could be attributed to the difference in virulence between both viruses. Differential expression of interferon-related genes as well as coagulation-related genes could lead to an explanation for Lassa fever pathogenesis and lead to protective treatments for Lassa fever disease.