A5059495408- Malaria Research and Control
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Phenothiazines and Benzothiazines Synthesis and Activities
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Crystallization and Solubility Studies
- X-ray Diffraction in Crystallography
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Enterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research
- Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Synthesis and Catalytic Reactions
- Crystallography and molecular interactions
- Viral Infections and Vectors
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
2015-2025
Broad Institute
2024
University of South Florida
2008-2014
Spectrum Health
2013
University of Notre Dame
2005-2008
ELQ-300, an investigational drug for treating and preventing malaria, shows potent transmission-blocking activity in rodent models of malaria.
Most rapid diagnostic tests for Plasmodium falciparum malaria target the Histidine-Rich Proteins 2 and 3 (HRP2 HRP3). Deletions of hrp2 hrp3 genes result in false-negative are a threat control. A novel assay molecular surveillance / deletions was developed based on droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The quantifies , control gene with very high accuracy. theoretical limit detection 0.33 parasites/µl. deletion reliably detected mixed infections wild-type -deleted parasites at density >100...
Plasmodium vivax is the predominant malaria parasite in Latin America. Its colonization history region rich and complex, still highly debated, especially about its origin(s). Our study employed cutting-edge population genomic techniques to analyze whole genome variation from 620 P . isolates, including 107 newly sequenced samples West Africa, Middle East, This sampling represents nearly all potential source populations worldwide currently available. Analyses of genetic structure, diversity,...
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is globally widespread, but its prevalence varies significantly between and even within countries. Most population genetic studies in P. focus on regions of high transmission where populations are large genetically diverse, such as sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding dynamics low settings, however, particular importance these often drug resistance first evolves. Here, we use the Pacific Coast Colombia Ecuador a model for understanding structure...
Malaria transmission depends on infective stages in the mosquito salivary glands. Plasmodium sporozoites that mature midgut oocysts must traverse hemocoel and invade glands a process thought to be mediated by parasite ligands. MAEBL, homologue of transmembrane EBP ligands essential merozoite invasion, is expressed abundantly sporozoites. Alternative splicing generates different MAEBL isoforms so it unclear what form functionally essential. To identify isoform required for P. falciparum...
The continued proliferation of malaria throughout temperate and tropical regions the world has promoted a push for more efficacious treatments to combat disease. Unfortunately, recent remedies such as artemisinin combination therapies have been rendered less effective due developing parasite resistance, new drugs are required that target in liver support disease elimination efforts. Research was initiated revisit antimalarials developed 1940s 1960s were deemed unsuitable use therapeutic...
Determining the source of malaria outbreaks in Ecuador and identifying remaining transmission foci will help elimination efforts. In this study, genetic signatures Plasmodium falciparum isolates, obtained from an outbreak that occurred northwest 2012 to 2013, were characterized. Molecular investigation was performed using neutral microsatellites, drug resistance markers pfhrp2 pfhrp3 genotyping. A majority parasite isolates (31/32) a single clonal type matched lineage previously described on...
The recent scale-up in malaria control measures Latin America has resulted a significant decrease the number of reported cases several countries including Ecuador, where it presented low incidence years (558 2015) with occasional outbreaks both Plasmodium falciparum and vivax coastal Amazonian regions. This success led Ecuador to transition its policy from elimination. study evaluated general knowledge, attitude practices (KAP) about malaria, as well prevalence four communities an endemic...
New drugs to treat malaria must act rapidly and be highly potent against asexual blood stages, well tolerated, affordable residents of regions endemicity. This was the case with chloroquine (CQ), a 4-aminoquinoline drug used for prevention treatment malaria. However, since 1960s, Plasmodium falciparum resistance this has spread globally, more recently, emerging CQ by vivax threatens health 70 320 million people annually. Despite emergence resistance, synthetic quinoline derivatives remain...
With the exception of primaquine, tafenoquine, and atovaquone, there are very few antimalarials that target liver stage parasites. In this study, a transgenic Plasmodium berghei parasite (1052Cl1; PbGFP-Luc(con)) expresses luciferase was used to assess anti-liver activity ICI 56,780, 7-(2-phenoxyethoxy)-4(1H)-quinolone (PEQ), as well two 3-phenyl-4(1H)-quinolones (P4Q), P4Q-146 P4Q-158, by using bioluminescent imaging (BLI). Results showed all compounds were active against parasites;...
Abstract Background Understanding local anopheline vector species and their bionomic traits, as well related human factors, can help combat gaps in protection. Methods In San José de Chamanga, Esmeraldas, at the Ecuadorian Pacific coast, mosquitoes were sampled by both landing collections (HLCs) indoor-resting aspirations (IAs) identified using morphological molecular methods. Human behaviour observations (HBOs) (including temporal location bed net use) documented during HLCs through...
Ecuador plans to eliminate malaria by 2020, and the country has already seen a decrease in number of cases from more than 100,000 2000 only 618 2015. Around 30% infections are caused Plasmodium falciparum. Most population genetics studies performed Latin America, especially Pacific Coast, indicate high clonality clear structure P. falciparum populations. It was shown that an outbreak northwest result clonal expansion parasites circulating at low levels or re-invading neighbouring...
ABSTRACT Malaria kills approximately 1 million people a year, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Essential steps the life cycle of parasite are development gametocytes, as well formation oocysts and sporozoites, Anopheles mosquito vector. Preventing transmission malaria through is necessary for control disease; nevertheless, vast majority drugs use act primarily against blood stages. The study described herein focuses on assessment transmission-blocking activities potent antierythrocytic stage...
Malaria is a vector-borne disease of significant public health concern. Despite widespread success many elimination initiatives, efforts in some regions the world have stalled. Barriers to malaria include climate and land use changes, such as warming temperatures urbanization, which can alter mosquito habitats. Socioeconomic factors, political instability regional migration, also threaten goals. This particularly relevant areas where local has been achieved consequently surveillance control...
To better understand the factors underlying continued incidence of clinical episodes falciparum malaria in E-2025 countries targeting elimination, we characterized molecular epidemiology
Abstract Background Knowledge of the diversity invasion ligands in malaria parasites endemic regions is essential to understand how natural selection influences genetic these and their feasibility as possible targets for future vaccine development. In this study four genes merozoite was studied Ecuadorian isolates Plasmodium vivax . Methods Eighty-eight samples from P. infected individuals Coast Amazon region Ecuador were obtained between 2012 2015. The pvmsp-1-19 , pvdbpII pvrbp1a-2 pvama1...
Abstract Plasmodium vivax , the predominant malaria parasite in Latin America, has a rich and complex colonization history region, with debated hypotheses about its origin. Our study employed cutting-edge population genomic techniques, to collect whole genome sequencing data from 620 P. isolates, including 107 newly sequenced samples, thus representing nearly all potential source populations worldwide. Analyses of genetic structure, diversity, ancestry, also, coalescent-based inferences...
The increasing prevalence in Southeast Asia of Plasmodium falciparum infections with delayed parasite clearance rates, following treatment malaria patients the artemisinin derivative artesunate, highlights an urgent need to identify which currently available artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are most suitable treat populations emerging resistance. Here, we demonstrate that rodent berghei SANA strain has acquired resistance drug pressure, as defined by reduced and early...
Malaria continues to be endemic in the coast and Amazon regions of Ecuador. Clarifying current Plasmodium falciparum resistance country will support malaria elimination efforts. In this study, Ecuadorian P. parasites were analysed determine their drug genotypes phenotypes.Molecular analyses performed search for mutations known markers (Pfcrt, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, Pfmdr1, k13). Pfmdr1 copy number was determined by qPCR. PFMDR1 transporter activity characterized live using cell imaging combination...
Abstract To better understand the factors underlying continued incidence of clinical episodes falciparum malaria in E-2020 countries targeting elimination, we have characterised Plasmodium disease transmission dynamics after a clonal outbreak on northwest coast Ecuador over period two years. We apply novel, high-resolution genotyping method, “ var code” based single PCR to fingerprint DBLα region 40-60 members variant surface antigen-encoding multigene family. Var genes are highly...
Abstract Background The most commonly used Plasmodium falciparum rapid diagnostic tests target the Histidine-Rich Proteins 2 and 3 (HRP2, HRP3). An increasing number of countries report parasites that carry hrp2 and/or hrp3 gene deletions, resulting in false negative test results. Molecular surveillance deletions is crucial but adequate protocols have been lacking. Methods Findings We developed novel assays for deletion typing based on droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), targeting exon1, exon 2, ....
Abstract The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is globally widespread, but its prevalence varies significantly between and even within countries. Most population genetic studies in P. focus on regions of high transmission where populations are large genetically diverse, such as sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding dynamics low settings, however, particular importance these often drug resistance first evolves. Here, we use the Pacific Coast Colombia Ecuador a model for understanding...
Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and malaria are major parasitic diseases disproportionately affecting the underprivileged population in developing nations. Finding new, alternative anti-parasitic compounds to treat these is crucial because of limited number options currently available, side effects they cause, need for long treatment courses, emergence drug-resistant parasites. Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) derived from amphibian skin secretions small bioactive molecules capable lysing cell...