Genomic and Phenotypic Characterization of Experimentally Selected Resistant Leishmania donovani Reveals a Role for Dynamin-1-Like Protein in the Mechanism of Resistance to a Novel Antileishmanial Compound

Humans and their pathogens are continuously locked in a molecular arms race during which the eventual emergence of pathogen drug resistance (DR) seems inevitable. For neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), DR is generally studied retrospectively once it has already been established in clinical settings.

Rare snake bite- A case report

Snake bite is an acute life threating medical emergency and is included amonst neglected tropical diseases. 1 Every year in India 200,000 people bitten by snakes and >25% are fatal. 2 In Maharashtra, Konkan area, the green pit viper (Trimeresurus gramineus) is uncommon, though this snake has become more common. [ Figure 1 ]

Prognostic indicators associated with progresses of severe dengue

Background Dengue usually progress abnormally, especially in the critical phase. The main causes of death were shock, severe bleeding and organ failure. The aim of our study was to evaluate prognostic indicators of severe dengue according to the phases of the disease progression. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2017 at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases of Ho Chi Minh City. 326 patients, aged 6 years and over, including 99/326 patients with severe dengue and 227/326 patients with non-severe dengue, hospitalized in the first 3 days of illness, confirmed Dengue virus by the RT-PCR assay have been registered for the study. Clinical manifestations were monitored daily. The hematocrit, white blood cells, platelet, serum albumin, ALT, AST, bilirubin, prothrombin time (PT%, PTs), fibrinogen, aPTT, INR and creatinine were evaluated at two times: febrile phase and critical phase. Results Independent factors associated with severe dengue were identified on multivariate logistic regression models. During the first 3 days of the disease, the prognostic indicators were platelet count ≤ 100 G/L (OR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.2–3.9), or serum albumin < 35 g/L (OR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.8–6.1). From day 4–6, the indicator were AST > 400 U/L (OR = 3.0; 95%CI: 1.1–7.9), ALT > 400 U/L (OR = 6.6; 95%CI: 1.7–24.6), albumin < 35 g/L (OR = 3.0; 95%CI: 1.5–5.9), and bilirubin total >17 μmol/L (OR = 4.6; 95%CI: 2.0–10.4). Conclusion To predict the risk of patients with severe dengue, prognostic laboratory indicators should be indicated consistent with the progression of the disease. During the first 3 days of illness, prognostic indicators should be platelet count, or serum albumin. From the 4th - 6th day of illness, prognostic indicators should be AST, ALT, albumin, or bilirubin total.

Nursing care for the Amazon population: knowledge production and human resource development

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze knowledge production adherence from a master’s course in nursing in the Amazon to care and health demands in the region, with an emphasis on neglected tropical diseases and traditional populations in the Amazon. Methods: a descriptive study, with a quantitative approach and documentary basis, analyzing dissertations defended in a Graduate Program in Nursing at the Universidade do Estado do Pará in association with the Universidade Federal do Amazonas, from 2012-2019. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: of the 105 dissertations analyzed, 30 (28.6%) were related to neglected tropical diseases. Of these, 11 (10.5%) dealt with Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, tuberculosis, malaria, and leprosy. Traditional populations in the Amazon participated in only 11 (10.5%) studies. Conclusions: knowledge production in a master’s course has adherence to care and health demands in the region; however, it needs to enhance its production to strengthen its identity.

The Prevalence of Pulmonary Aspergillosis Among Clinically Suspected and Undertreated Tuberculosis Patients in Khartoum State, Sudan

Background Respiratory tract aspergillosis is a pulmonary disease cause by aspergillus species which are opportunistic fungi that mainly infect immuno-compromised patients . Objective(s) The present study aimed to detect the frequency of pulmonary aspergillosis among clinically suspected and under follow up tuberculosis patients conducted at Tropical Diseases Teaching Hospital, Omdurman, Khartoum State , Sudan during the period from December 2019 to November 2020. Materials and Methods One hundred and fifty sputum samples were collected from suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and under follow up tuberculosis patients. All specimens were examined using 20% KOH and cultured on two sets of Sabouraudʹs Dextrose agar slope media with chloramphenicol. Results Asperigillus species were isolated from 9/150 (6%) patients. They represented 5(3.3%) A.fumigatus, 3 (2%) A. niger and 1 (0.6%) A. Flavus. It was found that all Aspergillus isolates were revealed from Non acid fast bacilli (Non AFB) patients 9/137(6.6%) with the most common frequency among asymptomatic patients 3/35(8.6%) , patients who were under tuberculosis treatment (8.5%), those who were under Rifampicin (RIF) and Isonizide (INH) treatment (10%) and with duration of less than three month. Also the higher percentage (13%) was represented among the age group range from 61-80 year and slightly among males 6/97 (6.2 %) than females 3/53 (5.7%). There was statistically non-significant association between the frequency of aspergillosis and the studied variables in this study. Conclusion The frequency of pulmonary aspergillosis among patients with anti-tuberculosis treatment reflects the need for routine screening and diagnosis of those patients since the use of anti- tuberculosis treatment can promote the growth and reproduction of fungi. Keywords Pulmonary aspergillosis, tuberculosis, follow up patients.

Methods of macrophages activation and their modulation for the prospection of new antileishmania drugs: a review

Leishmaniasis are a group of parasitic zoonoses provoked by protozoa from Leishmania genus and belonging to the group of neglected tropical diseases. The search and development for new drugs is necessary not only to investigate the activity against only the parasite, but also to investigate the possible synergistic effect of new drugs with the immune response of the host. In the present review, macrophages are pointed out as potential targets of the investigation of new antileishmanial drugs, and some methodologies in order to assess their activation as response to Leishmania-infected cells are presented. Macrophages are an important role in the cellular immune response, since they are cells from mononuclear phagocytic system, the first line of defense of the host, against parasites from Leishmania genus. Phagocytic capacity, lysosomal activity, increase of nitric oxide and intracellular calcium levels are parameters regarding assessment of macrophages activation which allow them to be more hostile in order to solve the infection and lead the patient to cure. In this context, we bring 19 substances already investigated and that activate macrophages, what makes them promising in the antileishmanial treatment. Therefore, assessment of macrophages activation, are important tools for discovery of immunomodulatory compounds which have potential to act in synergism with host immune response. Such compounds might be promising as monotherapy in the treatment of leishmaniasis, as well as being used as adjuvants in vaccines and/or in combination with conventional drugs.