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Frontiers in Immunology 2023Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by dioecious blood flukes of the genus and second to malaria as a parasitic disease with significant... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by dioecious blood flukes of the genus and second to malaria as a parasitic disease with significant socio-economic impacts. Mating is essential for maturation of male and female schistosomes and for females to lay of eggs, which are responsible for the pathogenesis and propagation of the life cycle beyond the mammalian host. Single-sex schistosomes, which do not produce viable eggs without mating, have been overlooked given the symptomatic paucity of the single-sex schistosomiasis and limited diagnostic toolkit. Besides, single-sex schistosomes are less sensitive to praziquantel. Therefore, these issues should be considered to achieve the elimination of this infection disease. The aim of this review is to summarize current progress in research of single-sex schistosomes and host-parasite interactions.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; Schistosomiasis; Schistosoma; Praziquantel; Host-Parasite Interactions; Life Cycle Stages; Mammals
PubMed: 37153566
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1158805 -
ChemMedChem Jun 2023Investigations on praziquantel (PZQ) started fifty years ago by a cooperation between Bayer AG and Merck KGaA. Until today PZQ is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis... (Review)
Review
Investigations on praziquantel (PZQ) started fifty years ago by a cooperation between Bayer AG and Merck KGaA. Until today PZQ is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis in human medicine and used in many combinations with antinematode drugs in veterinary medicine. The Sm.TRPM , a Ca -permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, has been discovered as primary target of PZQ during the last decade. Furthermore, there is a short overview of routes of large-scale synthesis of racemic and pure (R)-PZQ. Until now racemic PZQ is used in veterinary and human medicine. In 2012 the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium started PZQ chemistry and process development of pure (R)-PZQ for human application. It is hoped that (R)-PZQ will become available for pediatric use soon. The knowledge of the binding pocket of PZQ in Sm.TRPM allows to design synthesis of PZQ-derivatives of the next generation for a target-site directed screening. A similar screening should also be started for Fasciola hepatica TRPM .
Topics: Humans; Child; Praziquantel; TRPM Cation Channels; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 37009677
DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300154 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria May 2022Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a serious public health problem in several developing countries, including those in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. NCC is considered to be... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a serious public health problem in several developing countries, including those in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. NCC is considered to be the main cause of late-onset epilepsy in endemic areas.
OBJECTIVE
This review summarizes recent advances in diagnosis and therapy of NCC. Methods: Relevant articles and books were reviewed and used as a source of information for this review.
RESULTS
The diagnosis of NCC is based upon neuroimaging studies (MRI and computed tomography) and laboratory analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Praziquantel and albendazole are considered parasiticidal drugs against NCC, but there is an intense debate over the value and safety of these drugs.
CONCLUSION
Given the relative scarcity of clinical trials, more comparative interventional studies, especially randomized controlled trials in long-term clinical evolution, are required in order to clarify the controversy over the validity of parasitic therapy in patients with NCC.
Topics: Albendazole; Epilepsy; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurocysticercosis; Praziquantel
PubMed: 35976305
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2022-S115 -
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases Aug 2014
Topics: Albendazole; Anthelmintics; Female; Humans; Male; Neurocysticercosis; Praziquantel
PubMed: 25056011
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70857-6 -
American Journal of Respiratory and... Mar 2019
Topics: Adult; Animals; China; Humans; Lung; Male; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani; Praziquantel; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30326730
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201806-1149IM -
Pharmaceutical Development and... Jan 2023Chewable gels present significant advantages over conventional dosage forms, despite their development is not comprehensively assessed. In this sense, six formulations,...
Chewable gels present significant advantages over conventional dosage forms, despite their development is not comprehensively assessed. In this sense, six formulations, varying gelatine concentration, dose, and form of incorporation of praziquantel, were developed and characterized. The novelty of this approach focused not only on the development of the formulation itself but also on the incorporation of the drug in a nanoparticulated form. The obtained results for moisture content, water activity, pH, and drug content were within the expected values for this type of formulation. On the other hand, texture and disintegration parameters were influenced by the form of incorporation of praziquantel and the amount of gelatine added. Finally, dissolution of chewable gels showed significant differences with intermediate products, though the improved dissolution of the nanoparticulated drug was maintained. In conclusion, nanoparticulate drugs can be incorporated into these semisolid formulations and could be successfully applied to other low-aqueous solubility drugs.
Topics: Praziquantel; Nanoparticles; Solubility; Administration, Oral; Food; Water; Gels
PubMed: 36648199
DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2023.2169455 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2020Praziquantel is a remarkably effective drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis. It has few side effects, some of which have been attributed to its inactive enantiomer.... (Review)
Review
Praziquantel is a remarkably effective drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis. It has few side effects, some of which have been attributed to its inactive enantiomer. Few, if any, verified cases of drug resistance have been reported in a clinical setting. The preponderance of scientific evidence suggests that the drug works by dysregulating calcium homeostasis in the worm. Voltage-gated calcium channels have been proposed as the main pharmacological target of praziquantel, although no direct evidence of interaction with this protein is available. Here, the biochemical pharmacology of praziquantel is briefly reviewed and a hypothesis for its mechanism proposed. This hypothesis suggests that the drug works, in part, by disrupting an interaction between a voltage-gated calcium channel (SmCav1B) and an accessory protein, SmTAL1.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Models, Biological; Praziquantel; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 32451991
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0635-3_1 -
International Maritime Health 2024Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma trematode worms, represents a significant global health challenge. This review offers a thorough examination of the disease's... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma trematode worms, represents a significant global health challenge. This review offers a thorough examination of the disease's epidemiology, transmission dynamics, diagnostic modalities, and treatment options. Diagnostic techniques encompass direct parasitological methods, immunological assays, DNA/RNA detection, and biomarker utilization, each with distinct advantages and limitations. There is an urgent need for improved diagnostic tools with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Praziquantel remains the cornerstone of treatment, exhibiting efficacy against all Schistosoma species, while the potential of artemisin derivatives in combination therapy is also explored. In this review, we focus on the importance of praziquantel administration as the central aspect of schistosomiasis treatment, highlighting ongoing efforts to optimize its utilization for improved patient outcomes.
Topics: Praziquantel; Humans; Schistosomiasis; Anthelmintics; Animals; Schistosoma
PubMed: 38647059
DOI: 10.5603/imh.99453 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger May 2024
Topics: Humans; Male; Testicular Diseases; Schistosomiasis; Anthelmintics; Praziquantel; Adult
PubMed: 38808760
DOI: 10.61409/V72026 -
Acta Tropica Nov 2019Paragonimiasis, or lung fluke disease, is a typical food-borne parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with trematodes belonging to the genus Paragonimus. More than 50... (Review)
Review
Paragonimiasis, or lung fluke disease, is a typical food-borne parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with trematodes belonging to the genus Paragonimus. More than 50 species of Paragonimus have been reported throughout the world, of which seven valid species infect humans, an estimated one million people annually worldwide. Among the seven species, P. westermani, P. heterotremus, and P. skrjabini/P. s. miyazakii, distributed in Asia, are the most important species as the cause of paragonimiasis. Humans acquire infection through the ingestion of raw, pickled or undercooked freshwater crustaceans, 2nd intermediate hosts, or consuming raw meat of wild boar or deer, paratenic hosts. Infections often occur clustered in foci where dietary habits allow transmission of the parasites. Paragonimiasis typically causes a subacute to chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs. The symptoms, including chronic cough, chest pain, dyspnea and hemoptysis, mimic those of tuberculosis and lung cancer. Serologic tests are commonly used for the diagnosis of paragonimiasis, and Praziquantel is the treatment of choice. In this review, the current status of Paragonimus and paragonimiasis in Asia is outlined based on the latest information and findings. We also summarize current trends of paragonimiasis in Japan, which is one of the most endemic area of paragonimiasis in the world, for the better understanding and control of paragonimiasis.
Topics: Animals; Asia; Disease Vectors; Humans; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Praziquantel
PubMed: 31295431
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105074