A5026145388- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Malaria Research and Control
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancer
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Phenothiazines and Benzothiazines Synthesis and Activities
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
University of Buea
2016-2025
Rega Institute for Medical Research
2025
KU Leuven
2025
Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo
2023
National Centre for Infectious Diseases
2020
University of Glasgow
2020
University of Tübingen
2020
German Institute for Disaster Medicine
2020
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
2020
German Center for Infection Research
2020
Abstract Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease with high socio-economic burden particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The elimination plan for this has faced numerous challenges. A multi-epitope prophylactic/therapeutic vaccine targeting the infective L3 and microfilaria stages of parasite’s life cycle would be invaluable to achieve current goal. There are several observations that make possibility developing against likely. For example, despite being exposed transmission rates infection, 1 5%...
The global burden of onchocerciasis is the heaviest in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies have shown importance role Community-Directed Distributors (CDDs) and nurses control, but little known about their experience implementing control programmes. Our aim was to document barriers that CDDs local health administrators face activities.We conducted a qualitative survey consisting 16 in-depth interviews 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) across three districts Cameroon. We interviewed total 9 officials...
Recent studies in Cameroon after 20 years of implementation the Community Directed Treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) strategy, revealed mixed results as regards community ownership. This brings into question feasibility Interventions (CDI) country. We carried out qualitative surveys 3 health districts Cameroon, consisting 11 individual interviews and 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) specific members. The main topic discussed during FGDs was about participation health. found an gap CDTI...
Most human emerging infectious diseases originate from wildlife and bats are a major reservoir of viruses, few which have been highly pathogenic to humans. In some regions Cameroon, hunted eaten as delicacy. This close proximity between provides ample opportunity for zoonotic events. To elucidate the viral diversity Cameroonian fruit bats, we collected metagenomically screened eighty-seven fecal samples Eidolon helvum Epomophorus gambianus bats. The results showed plethora known novel...
Diarrhea remains one of the most common causes deaths in children. A limited number studies have investigated prevalence enteric pathogens Cameroon, and as many other African countries, cause diarrheal episodes unexplained. proportion these unknown cases diarrhea are likely caused by yet-unidentified viral agents, some which could be result (recent) interspecies transmission from animal reservoirs, like bats. Using metagenomics, we screened fecal samples 221 humans (almost all with...
The Zic transcription factors play critical roles during embryonic development. Mutations in the ZIC2 gene are associated with human holoprosencephaly, but etiology is still unclear. Here, we report a novel function for as regulator of β-catenin·TCF4-mediated transcription. We show that can bind directly to DNA-binding high mobility group box TCF4 via its zinc finger domain and inhibit transcriptional activity β-catenin·TCF4 complex. However, binding DNA was not affected by ZIC2. Zic2 RNA...
The order Picornavirales represents a diverse group of positive-stranded RNA viruses with small non-enveloped icosahedral virions. Recently, bats have been identified as an important reservoir several highly pathogenic human viruses. Since many members the Picornaviridae family cause wide range diseases in humans and animals, this study aimed to characterize fruit bat populations located Southwest region Cameroon. These are frequently close contact due hunting, selling eating practices,...
Sapoviruses (SaVs) belong to the Sapovirus genus, in family Caliciviridae. They have been associated with gastroenteritis humans and pigs but not other animals. In addition, some strains from pigs, chimpanzees rodents show close sequence identity human SaVs thereby suggesting possibility of interspecies transmissions. Bats are known be a major reservoir zoonotic viruses, however, very little is about genetic diversity bats. To explore bat SaVs, fecal samples Eidolon helvum Epomophorus...
Bats are an important reservoir for zoonotic viruses. To date, only three RVA strains have been reported in bats Kenya and China. In the current study we investigated genetic diversity of RVAs fecal samples from 87 straw-colored fruit living close contact with humans Cameroon using viral metagenomics. Five (near) complete genomes were obtained. A single strain showed a partial relationship Kenyan bat strain, whereas other completely novel. Only VP7 VP4 genes significant variability,...
Abstract Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying insecticide resistance in malaria vectors is crucial for optimising effectiveness insecticide-based vector control methods and developing diagnostic tools management. Considering heterogeneity metabolic major vectors, implementation tailored management strategies essential successful control. In this study, we provide evidence demonstrating that two highly selected mutations tandemly duplicated cytochrome...
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of ill health and one the leading causes death worldwide, with about 1.25 million deaths estimated in 2023. Control measures have focused principally on early diagnosis, treatment active TB, vaccination. However, widespread emergence anti-tuberculosis drug resistance public threat to progress made global TB care control. Also, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, only licensed vaccine against children, has been use for over century, there...
In Cameroon, like in other African countries, infusions of Artemisia afra and annua are widely used for the management health-related problems, including malaria. The secondary metabolite contents medicinal plants vary between different geographical regions seasons, directly influencing their effectiveness treating ailments. This study explores phytochemical diversity anti-plasmodial potential A. from distinct locations within aiming to define optimal chemical composition terms activity....
Background Onchocerca volvulus infection is linked to onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) in humans, but the role of ochengi development remains unexplored. This study aimed investigate whether O. contributes development. Methodology/Principal Findings Gerbils were implanted with worm masses (test group) or underwent sham surgery (control group). Behavioral and physical assessments performed between days 15–19 using multiple tests, including elevated plus maze, open-field, object...
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of ill health and one the leading causes death worldwide, with about 1.25 million deaths estimated in 2023. Control measures have focused principally on early diagnosis, treatment active TB, vaccination. However, widespread emergence anti-tuberculosis drug resistance public threat to progress made global TB care control. Moreover, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, only licensed vaccine against children, has been use for over century, there...
Abstract Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that onchocerciasis may be associated with epilepsy – hence the name onchocerciasis-associated (OAE). However, pathogenesis of OAE still needs to elucidated, as recent studies failed detect Onchocerca volvulus in central nervous system persons OAE. Therefore, it was suggested a potentially neurotropic virus transmitted by blackflies could play role triggering To investigate this hypothesis, adult were collected an onchocerciasis-endemic area...
After more than 15 years of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) in the Centre 1, Littoral 2 and West CDTI projects Cameroon, epidemiological evaluation conducted 2011 revealed that onchocerciasis endemicity was still high some communities. To investigate potential reasons explaining this endemicity, a cluster coverage survey April-May 2015 three health districts (HD), to assess implementation CDTI, 2014 therapeutic five-year adherence treatment. A two-stage design considered...
The cuticle of C. elegans is impermeable to chemicals, toxins, and pathogens. However, increased permeability a desirable phenotype because it facilitates chemical uptake. Surface lipids contribute the barrier. Here, we identify lipid transfer protein GMAP-1 as critical element setting cuticle. A gmap-1 deletion mutant increases cuticular sodium azide, levamisole, Hoechst, DiI. Expressing in hypodermis or transiently adults sufficient rescue this phenotype. secreted from aqueous fluid...
Malaria remains a major global health burden despite the intensification of control efforts, due partly to lack an effective vaccine. Information on genetic diversity in natural parasite populations constitutes impediment vaccine development efforts and is limited some endemic settings. The present study characterized by investigating msp1 block 2 polymorphisms relationship between allele families with ethnodemographic indices clinical phenotype. Individuals asymptomatic parasitaemia (AP) or...
After more than a decade of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) in the West Region Cameroon, epidemiological evaluation conducted 2011 showed that onchocerciasis endemicity was still high some communities. The conceptual framework for elimination recommends such case, to conduct additional phase 1A surveys at intervals three four years. Therefore, assess progress made towards CDTI projects, we cross-sectional survey May 2015 15 unevaluated communities where highest baseline...
Onchocerciasis is a skin and eye disease that exerts heavy socio-economic burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, region which harbours greater than 96% of either infected or at-risk populations. The elimination plan for the currently challenged by many factors including amongst others; potential emergence resistance to main chemotherapeutic agent, ivermectin (IVM). Novel tools, preventative therapeutic vaccines, could provide additional impetus tool portfolio. Several observations both...
Activation of Wnt/β-catenin target genes is regulated by a heterodimer β-catenin and the high mobility group box transcription factors lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF)/T-cell (TCF) family. In vertebrates, four LEF/TCF family members have been identified. They all contain conserved β-catenin-binding motif at N terminus highly for DNA binding. The core sequence between these motifs less contributes to specific properties individual members. To identify interacting proteins that allocate...