A5029408564- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Lymphatic System and Diseases
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Venous Diseases
- Urological Disorders and Treatments
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
- Cancer and Skin Lesions
- Travel-related health issues
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- Pediatric Urology and Nephrology Studies
- Data Analysis with R
- Connexins and lens biology
- FinTech, Crowdfunding, Digital Finance
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Digital Mental Health Interventions
University Hospital Bonn
2016-2025
German Center for Infection Research
2017-2025
Institut für Medizinische Biometrie, Informatik und Epidemiologie
2015-2024
Zimmer Biomet (Germany)
2015-2024
University of Bonn
2015
Background. Ivermectin (IVM) has been the drug of choice for treatment onchocerciasis. However, there have reports persistent microfilaridermia in individuals from an endemic area Ghana after many rounds IVM, raising concerns suboptimal response or even emergence resistance. Because it is considered risky to continue relying only on IVM combat this phenomenon, we assessed effect targeting Onchocerca volvulus Wolbachia endosymbionts with doxycycline these response. Methods. One hundred...
The search for new macrofilaricidal drugs against onchocerciasis that can be administered in shorter regimens than required doxycycline (DOX, 200mg/d given 4–6 weeks), identified minocycline (MIN) with superior efficacy to DOX. Further reduction the treatment regimen may achieved co-administration standard anti-filarial drugs. Therefore a randomized, open-label, pilot trial was carried out an area Ghana endemic onchocerciasis, comprising 5 different regimens: DOX 4 weeks (DOX 4w, N = 33),...
Treating Mansonella perstans is challenged by the low efficacy of registered antihelminthics. Wolbachia endobacteria provide an alternative treatment target because depletion results in amicrofilaremia filarial infections with Wuchereria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus infections. This open-label, randomized study sought to confirm that i) are present M. Ghana ii) doxycycline will deplete cause a slow, sustained decline microfilariae (MF). Two hundred two Ghanaians infection were into...
Abstract Background As new lymphatic filariasis infections are eliminated through mass chemotherapy, previously affected individuals left with the sequellae, especially chronic progressive lymphoedema. Currently this is managed by careful attention to limb hygiene prevent infection. Studies over past 15 years have suggested that incorporation of doxycycline treatment may arrest or even reverse progression Most work has been observational based on small studies, and if intervention effective,...
Lymphedema, hydrocele, and acute adenolymphangitis (ADL) are chronically disabling consequences in patients with lymphatic filariasis (LF). Provision of morbidity management disability prevention concurrent mass drug administration anthelmintics two pillars for elimination LF. This study assessed the impact strict hygiene protocols or without doxycycline on progression filarial lymphedema. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted regions Tanzania. We enrolled 362...
Background The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis has made significant gains through mass drug administration (MDA) of Ivermectin/Albendazole. Periodic evaluation the MDA programme in lymphatic filariasis elimination is particularly useful determining end points for stopping programme. This a follow-up study that sought examine effects additional time and intake on antigenemia seroreversion persons who had previously tested positive LF using Filarial Test Strip (FTS) TropBio...
Background/Objectives: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has largely concluded, varied trajectories it followed in different regions of world remain incompletely understood. Intensive research is needed to fully grasp its course and implications for future global health challenges. Notably, milder trajectory Sub-Saharan Africa defied initial predictions. An emerging body evidence suggests that, addition continent's younger average age lower prevalence relevant comorbidities, co-infections with...
Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health. However, Africa reported relatively low numbers of cases and fatalities. Although the largely receded, reasons for its milder course on African continent have not yet been fully clarified. This study explored hypothesis that helminth co-infections may contributed to these observations. Methods: A retrospective cohort was conducted using 104 plasma samples collected during third wave in Ashanti Region...
Background/Objectives: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has largely concluded, varied trajectories it followed in different regions of world remain incompletely understood. Intensive research is needed to fully grasp its course and implications for future global health challenges. Notably, milder trajectory Sub-Saharan Africa defied initial predictions. An emerging body evidence suggests that, addition continent’s younger average age lower prevalence relevant comorbidities, co-infections with...
Filarial parasites can be targeted by antibiotic treatment due to their unique endosymbiotic relationship with Wolbachia bacteria. This finding has led successful strategies in both, human onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. A 4–6 week course using doxycycline results long-term sterility safe macrofilaricidal activity humans. However, current times contraindications children pregnant women preclude widespread administration of public health control programs; therefore, the search for...
Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) causes chronic morbidity, which usually manifests as lymphedema or hydrocele. Mass drug administration (MDA) began in Kassena Nankana East Municipal (KNEM) and Nabdam, two hotspot districts the Upper Region Ghana, 2000 2005, respectively. This cross-sectional study evaluated impact of 15 years MDA on control LF determined by circulating filarial antigen (CFA) microfilariae assessment KNEM Nabdam districts. Methodology/Principal findings A total 7,453...
Lymphedema (LE) is one the most disfiguring chronic manifestations of lymphatic filariasis. Its management relies primarily on limb hygiene and local care. A previous study in Ghana demonstrating a beneficial effect doxycycline LE led to current multicenter trial efficacy filarial LE. randomized placebo-controlled was initiated two rural health districts Mali. Patients with stages 1-3 were receive either (200 mg/day) or placebo over 6-week monitored treatment period then followed every 6...
Filarial lymphedema (LE) remains a significant global problem despite the progress made toward elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF). In Ghana, main approach to LF is preventive chemotherapy, but this has minimal impact on individuals who have already developed LE. 2018-2020, 24-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted evaluate efficacy stringent hygiene measures using Essential Package Care with or without additional administration doxycycline (DOX) improve...
Improved treatment for onchocerciasis is needed to accelerate elimination in Africa. Aiming better exploit registered drugs, this study was undertaken determine whether annual or semiannual with ivermectin (IVM; 200 µg/kg) plus albendazole (ALB; 800 mg single dose) superior IVM alone.This trial performed Ghana and included 272 participants microfilariae (MF), who were randomly assigned 4 arms: (1) annually at 0, 12, 24 months; (2) semiannually 6, 18, (3) IVM+ALB annually; (4) semiannually....
Abstract Introduction Preanalytical specifications for urinalysis must be strictly adhered to avoid false interpretations. Aim of the present study is examine whether preanalytical factor 'time point analysis' significantly influences stability urine samples particle and dipstick analysis. Materials methods In 321 pathological spontaneous samples, (Urisys™2400, Combur-10-Test™strips, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) analysis (UF-1000 i™, Sysmex, Norderstedt, were performed within 90...
Lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia spp. is a public health problem in developing countries. To monitor bancroftian infections, Circulating Filarial Antigen (CFA) test commonly used, but for brugian infections only microfilariae (Mf) microscopy and indirect IgG4 antibody analyses are available. Improved diagnostics detecting latent required.
Morbidity burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) relies on the information from Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme where Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) passively report cases identified. Consequently, exact prevalence morbidity is not always accurate. The use mobile phone technology to was piloted in Ghana using a text-based short messaging service (SMS) tool by CHVs. Though successful, illiterate CHVs could effectively SMS tool. aim this study evaluate phone-based Interactive Voice...
37 million individuals are currently infected with Onchocerca volvulus (O. volvulus), a parasitic nematode that elicits various dermal manifestations and eye damage in man. Disease control is primarily based on distributing ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) programmes which aim at breaking transmission by eliminating microfilariae (MF), the worm's offspring. The majority of present generalized onchocerciasis, characterized hyporesponsive immune responses high parasite burden...
Very little is known about the long-term prevalence of severe venous obstruction and occlusion in patients with transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads. The objective current investigation was to elucidate incidence identify predisposing conditions an ICD cohort over a long follow-up period.Based on prospective database, we analyzed consecutive who received implantation our hospital between 06/1988 2009 as well all corresponding data until 02/2018. Cavographies were used for...
The non-filarial and non-communicable disease podoconiosis affects around 4 million people is characterized by severe leg lymphedema accompanied with painful intermittent acute inflammatory episodes, called dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) attacks. Risk factors have been associated the but mechanisms of pathophysiology remain uncertain. Lymphedema can lead to skin lesions, which serve as entry points for bacteria that may cause ADLA attacks leading progression lymphedema. However, microbiome...
ABSTRACT. Morbidity management of filarial lymphedema remains a challenge even during the post-lymphatic filariasis elimination era in Sri Lanka despite provision predominantly hygiene-based WHO Essential Package Care. Because prior studies have suggested that 6 weeks doxycycline may reduce progression limb lymphedema, we conducted randomized, placebo-controlled, superiority study to evaluate this possibility Lanka. Patients aged 14 65 years with one or both legs received either 200 mg daily...
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health. However, Africa reported relatively low numbers of cases and fatalities. Although the largely receded, reasons for its milder course on African continent have not yet been fully clarified. This study explored hypothesis that helminth co-infections may contributed to these observations. A retrospective cohort was conducted using 104 archived plasma samples collected during third wave in Ashanti Region Ghana. ELISA Luminex assays...
Filariae are vector borne parasitic nematodes, endemic in tropical and subtropical regions causing avoidable infections ranging from asymptomatic to stigmatizing disfiguring disease. The filarial species that the major focus of our institution’s research Onchocerca volvulus onchocerciasis (river blindness), Wuchereria bancrofti Brugia spp. lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), Loa loa loiasis (African eye worm), Mansonella mansonellosis. This paper aims showcase contribution institution...