5^th International Conference on Neglected Tropical & Infectious Diseases August 29-30, 2018 Boston, MA, USA

Biography:

Abstract:

Malaria is a disease of global concern. The resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to drugs such as chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is a major problem in malaria control. Artemisinin derivatives, particularly in combination with other drugs, are thus increasingly used to treat malaria, reducing the probability that parasites resistant to the components will emerge. Artemisinin resistance has recently been reported in the Thai-Cambodia border. The project was designed to demonstrate resistance-mitigating effects of phytochemical A. annua of Artemisia annua relative to pure artemisinin against the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii. The in vivo experiments were done by inoculating the Swiss albino mice with the P. berghei ANKA parasite and P. yoelii and thereafter treated them with pure artemisinin and Artemisia annua phytochemicals. After 4 days parasitemia was determined and the ED₅₀ and the ED_9O  calculated and then the mice were passaged. The ED values got were utilized to determine the doses to be used for resistance development. The ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ got for artemisinin with P. berghei ANKA was 1.43 and 7.18 mg/kg.day respectively, while the ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ got for the A. annua with P. berghei ANKA was 34.5 and 118 mg/kg.day respectively. The chloroquine-resistant murine Plasmodium (P. yoelii) values were as follows artemisinin ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ got was 11.63 and 29.8 mg/kg.day respectively. The efficacy of dihydroartemisinin was also determined in order to compare with artemisinin and the ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ got for DHA with P. berghei ANKA was 1.73 and 8.31 mg/kg.day respectively. In order to determine resistance development, the ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ were determined after every 10 cycles. This was compared with the values that had been obtained before exposure to the drug pressure. The relative index was calculated as final ED₅₀ divided by the parental ED₅₀. The results indicated that there was an incremental increase in the Relative index with an increase in cycles in both P. yoelii and P. berghei ANKA. Resistance obtained in the two murine plasmodium parasites was found to be transient.

Biography:

Ayat Zawawi is a PhD student at the University of Manchester. She is a Lecturer at King Abdul-Aziz University in Jeddah, KSA, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences.           
 

Abstract:

Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) is a soil-transmitted helminth parasite that affects around 500 million people worldwide, resulting in disability and poor child development, especially in areas of poor hygiene and sanitation. The ideal vaccine to protect against T. trichiura in humans would include protein epitopes that elicit a protective T helper cell type 2 immune response. Herein, we used bioinformatics tools to identify candidate histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecule T cell epitopes from known Trichuris muris proteins selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. T. muris is the murine whipworm that is closely related to the human pathogen making it a relevant model parasite. A number of prediction tools are available for the identification of peptides that bind to MHC II molecules. The lack of standardized methodology and the difficulty of MHC II epitope prediction make the selection of an appropriate prediction tool difficult. This study reports a systematic review to choose the most appropriate tools to predict MHC II epitopes. Subsequently, up to fifteen epitopes were predicted, from the selected T. muris proteins and expressed on Hepatitis B core antigen virus-like particles (HBc-Ag). HBc+ T cell epitopes were tested in vitro to address whether they activate antigen presenting cells. We also immunized normally susceptible mice with the HBc+ T cell epitopes prior to infection with T. muris to test the protective immune response in vivo. The predicted epitopes identified using the right combination of immunoinformatics and immunogenicity screening tools have the potential to bring T. trichiura to vaccine trial.  

Biography:

Simon Raymond is a Consultant who specialized in Medical and Scientific Research and an Alumnus of Melbourne University (Rank of Number 1 in Australia and Number 33 in the World). The above stated Researcher has acted as a Reviewer for the respected Medical Journal of Australia, has received invitations internationally to review from prestigious medical journals including the Journal of American Medical Association Network. He has received the award in recognition of his research by Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (PSC, 2006) and invited to conferences internationally as an official Delegate and Researcher, including that in USA and China. He has worked as the Principal Researcher in the highest-powered form of medical trial-Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The above stated Researcher is also a Member of the Golden Key International Society for Honored and outstanding Academics and has been cited as a Notable Global Leader.

Abstract:

The current researcher has in previous conferences and publications detailed the conceptualization and development of the new, or third, branch of antimicrobial therapeutics, namely site attachment inhibition which involves negation of cellular attachment by infective agents. This based on the issues with metaphorical superbugs, development of antimicrobial resistance, and the general lack of success currently with respect to the previous two branches which focused on (1) replication of infective agent and, (2) immune system enhancement. This talk explains that site attachment inhibition is intended to consist of both treatment of established infection but also new generation immunization programs. The likely success of new generation immunization programs, based on prenatal stem cell therapy is intended to involve gene mutagenesis or knockout. This preventative (or, immunization) therapy intended to be spanning right back to spermatogenesis and oogenesis. The validation for likely success includes the innate resistance or immunity achieved by inherited genetic mutations, including CCR5-Δ32 against HIV. One major issue is a differentiation between association and causation. Even the known CCR5-Δ32 mutation has not been completely confirmed as direct/causative of the inhibition of attachment observed in research analyses. New content presented in this talk will involve methods around the above issues to do with association and causation. These methods include the use of CRISPR technology in order to analyze properly the genes (and, methods) utilized by those with innate resistance (immunity) in order to determine the proper prenatal genetic therapy, as mentioned above, in new generation immunization programs. Prenatal genetic therapy is becoming increasingly discussed and utilized in medicine and surgery. However, an important issue remains the ethics committee and community consideration in such treatment strategy consideration.

Biography:

Hanaa Adli Siam, a scientific researcher in Department of Medical Entomology – National Public Health Laboratory –Federal Ministry of Health – Sudan, since 2012. She has a Master degree in Medical Entomology and vector control from Faculty of Science - University of Khartoum 2010. She has two published papers and participated in about ten international conferences and workshops

Abstract:

Dengue is becoming an endemic disease in Eastern Sudan with repeated outbreaks during last two decades. This study aimed to investigate an effective method for community participation in dengue vector control (Aedesaegypti) in Kassala city. The study was conducted during May to December 2011. A cluster was composed in eight neighborhood; each cluster was formed of three grouped houses.  One of these grouped houses was allocated randomly into one of three study arms: arm1 intervention of community volunteers; arm 2: intervention of house holder education and arm 3: Control. In arm 1, sixteen volunteers (two per cluster) inspected the water containers of houses weekly. In the house hold arm 2, householders received two educational sessions for breeding site of vectors source elimination and management of their water containers. In the control arm, houses did not receive any interventions. Bimonthly Entomological survey was conducted for eight months in each cluster of the study. The covering situation of inspected water containers was also recorded. From 9537 inspected containers, 545(5.71%) containers were found positive for aquatic stages of Aedes. aegypti. Zieers (localwater containers) composed 436 (80%) from the positive containers. ANOVA analyses were done between the three arms and no significant differences were found. Those entomological indices declined in community volunteers and householders arms. Also, the percentage of covering Zieers increased from 14.1% to 64.7% in community volunteer’s arm and from 12.1% to 32.6% in house holder arm. In control arm there was a fluctuation in all parameters. The arm of Community volunteers may be more effective in increasing the awareness of covering containers and decline of the entomological indices. Thus, it may be used as an approach for community participation in Dengue vector control in Kassala city.

Biography:

Sana Ullah is an active veterinarian who has got his DVM degree from Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan. He has a very good experience in parasitological lab techniques, sedimentation method, flotation method and direct smear method for identification of eggs for various parasites. He has done research work on comparative studies on dressing percentage and distribution of cut parts in broiler and layer, in collaboration with the department of Animal Products and Technology. He has also performed a research project on, prospective evaluation of pain in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy and castration in dogs from the department of surgery and obstetrics.

Abstract:

Six female dogs were operated for ovariohysterectomy and six male dogs were castrated to assess the severity of pain, wound healing and its complications if any from post-operative care. The heart rate, body temperature, and respiratory rate were also recorded. Body temperature, heart rate and respiration in male and female dogs during the process of operation differed significantly (P<0.05). On average the body temperature of female dogs was significantly higher (102.01±0.91°F) than the male dogs (1 OI .86±0.60°F). The heart rate of female dogs was significantly higher (109.42±23.06 beats/minute) than the male dogs (95.42±15.97 beats/minute). Respiratory rate of female dogs was significantly higher (40.68±5.07 breath/minute) than the male dogs (35.93±6.03 breaths/1 minute). The post-operative body temperature on average of female dogs (ovariohysterectomy) was higher than the male dogs castrated. The heart rate varied between animals of the same sex and on the average heart rate of female dogs was higher than the male dogs. The respiration also varied between animals as well as between male and females, but respiration rate was higher in female dogs than the male dogs. The female and male dogs varied markedly in relation to postoperative pain due to their respective operations. There was great variation between dogs for the degree of pain or severity of pain after ovariohysterectomy surgery and is might be associated with the physical health of these animals. The male dogs physically were of different health conditions and may be the weaker dogs felt prolonged pain as compared to those with good health.

Biography:

Dr Benjamin Koudou has over 16 years’ experience as a researcher malaria and filariasis control specialist and, a laboratory scientist and researcher working in the fields of neglected tropical disease (NTD) control in Africa, particularly focusing on elimination of preventive chemotherapy diseases (lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, STH) through mass drug administration. From April 2012 to August 2016, Benjamin support lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes in West African countries. Benjamin is also highly experienced in capacity development and in establishing quality management system for laboratories. Currently, Dr Koudou was primary and secondary supervisor of 7 PhD students who defended successfully from 2012 to 2017 at University of Liverpool and Basel University in Switzerland. Additionally, Benjamin was invited as several international conferences as invited key note speakers and published close to 60 papers in peer reviewed international journals. Dr Koudou was Principal Investigator of several research projects focused on including randomized controlled trials targeting lymphatic filariasis.

Abstract:

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a major cause of acute and chronic morbidity and a significant impediment to socioeconomic development in 73 middle and low-income countries. The disease affects 120 million people and a further 1.4 billion are also at risk of acquiring the disease through exposure to mosquito bites. The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) through the WHO strategy of preventive chemotherapy and transmission control (PCT), has targeted LF for elimination by 2020. This will be achieved mainly by the mass drug  (MDA) of albendazole in combination with either ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC). GPELF is one of the most rapidly expanding global health programs administering more than 540 million treatments in 54 countries in 2012. The MDA campaign has been most effective in the middle-income economies of Southeast Asia where all 15 endemic countries have initiated MDA. In Africa, only 18 of the 34 endemic countries were implementing MDA in 2012.  Many of the communities in countries yet to start MDA for LF elimination are in hard to reach areas in post-conflict environments with poor health systems infrastructure. Nevertheless, PCT presents an excellent platform for integrated control of other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) where several diseases coexist, given that either or both ivermectin and albendazole are effective against onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. However, there are other challenges to be addressed if the 2020 target is to be achieved. The scientific community will need to address the issue of NTD elimination in urban settings (mainly LF and STH) and the persistence of LF transmission in countries where MDA started for many years.

Biography:

Mr. Orok akwaowo bassey is a research staff of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria. A holder of M.SC in Medical Parasitology, he is currently studying for a PhD degree in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. He has published 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

In malaria diagnosis and management, parasite-based detection by microscopy remains the cornerstone of diagnosis. However, lack of expertise in staining, slide reading and inability to detect sequestered parasites in deep capillaries are the common demerits of microscopy.  Recently, the easy to use RDTs in the diagnosis of malaria have been adopted to overcome microscopy challenges. RDTs are now being used in homes and in Primary health care centers and the call to ensure precision and quality of services cannot be overemphasized. This study was carried out to determine the sensitivity and specificity of HRP2. A total of 142 (6-15 years) participants were tested.  Inclusion criteria were participants with axillary body temperature, not ˃ 37.50C, Hemoglobin level not Ë‚ 13.0g/dl and White blood cells, not Ë‚4000/cm3.  Two screening methods were used: Pf-HRP2 antigen and microscopy.  Out of the 142 sample tested, 10 (21.1%) tested positive by HRP2 and, 12 (28.3%) by microscopy with sensitivity and specificity at 95% CI being 95.8% and 99.5% respectively (P=0.001). In conclusion, both methods show a diagnostic agreement in precision and reliability in the detection of asymptomatic falciparum malaria.  

Biography:

Abstract:

There is dearth of on evidence policy translation and actions on NTDs risk surveillance and emerging epidemic public health emergency management that pose significant economic concern. Yet the positive value robust and sustainable NTDs surveillance and response systems coupled with advantages of mobile health and digital applications in improving care service deliver quality and access, promoting patient-provider dialogue and mutual learning data and information  sharing remain untapped in the continent. While, the persistence of NTDs and other emerging invasive infectious diseases of poverty public health needs and economic burden continues to ravage high risk and vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa. The price of assessing NTDs risk management and epidemic public health outweighs and underscores the risk of neglect and immense price of assessing NTDs risk management and epidemic public health benefits. The paper analyses practical and effective policy-tailored NTDs insurance approaches and strategies implications and challenges to provide coverage for specific expenses, geographies, types of disease and times. Furthermore, in delivering evidence-based decisions-making policy, actions plans on NTDs threat and epidemics prevention, emergency response and control/containment interventions benefits of such protection and ensuring that exposures are appropriately NTDs, early detection, delivery prevention and management care services in urban remote settings against potential losses in sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide.

Biography:

Mr. Orok, akwaowo Bassey is a research staff of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria. A holder of M.SC in Medical Parasitology, he is currently studying for a Ph.D. degree in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. He has a research interest in apicomplexan parasites, Immunology, and non-communicable diseases. He has published 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Toxoplasmosis is the most common zoonotic infection of humans with immense public health importance.  Infection gravitates especially in a habitational setting where poverty, ignorance and low level of hygiene holds sway.  This cross-sectional study investigates the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and co-infection with falciparum malaria among nomads. Eighty-four (84) apparently healthy individuals randomly selected, comprising 53 (63.1%) male and 31 (36.9%) females in Sabo, a nomadic settlement in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria were enrolled for the study. Questionnaires were administered to capture socio-demographic data. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the presence of Toxo-IgG/IgM antibodies in blood samples collected for previous and current infections.  Malaria determination was done using SD- Bioline P. falciparum-histidine rich protein2 (pf-HRP2) antigen test kit and microscopy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.  From our result, the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies was found to be 28 (33.3%) and 84(100%) respectively (P=0.006, P>0.05). Although all the enrollees had previous exposure to toxoplasmosis, new infection was common in males 17(60.71%) and female 11(39.29%). A total of 8 (9.5%) enrollees had asymptomatic falciparum malaria and cases of toxoplasmosis-malaria co-infection were found to be 3 (37.5%). Findings from this study indicate the high level of Toxoplasma gondii infection exposure in a nomadic settlement with recommendations for public education.

Biography:

Gustave Simo completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Parasitology in 2001 from the University of Yaoundé 1 (Cameroon) and his Habilitation from the University of Montpellier (France). He was Visiting Scientist at Bay Paul Center of MBL at Woods Hole. His postdoctoral studies were performed at the Division of Functional Genome analysis of the German Cancer Research Center of Heidelberg and at the “Institut de Recherche pour le Développement” of Montpellier. He published more than 50 papers in reputed journals where he has been serving as referee. He is heading the Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit of the University of Dschang, Cameroon.

Abstract:

Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) belong to neglected tropical diseases affecting billion of people. Preventive chemotherapy reduced STHs incidence and led to their inclusion into WHO roadmap for elimination. In such a context where large-scale epidemiological studies are required to validate and monitor the elimination, no reliable diagnostic test is available. Efforts on molecular diagnostic of STHs were limited by the use of commercial kits which do not favor large-scale studies. In this light, four DNA extraction methods were tested on stools infected by Ascaris lumbricoides and their performance was evaluated by amplifying A. lumbricoides DNA. Stools were analyzed in triplicate by Kato-Katz and flotation techniques. Aliquots of 10, 20, 40 and 80 milligrams of infected stools were made and Zymo Quick-DNA kit, chelex, thaw-boiled and CTAB extraction methods enabled to extract DNA from these aliquots. Specific primers were used to amplify A. lumbricoides DNA. Of the 316 stools collected, the flotation technique revealed ten (3.2%) with A. lumbricoides. No infection was identified by Kato-Katz. Of the 10 infected stools, no amplification was observed for extracts coming from chelex and thaw-boiling methods. All extracts from the CTAB method and zymo Quick-DNA kit revealed A. lumbricoides whatever the amount of stool tested. In remote clinical laboratories, the flotation technique is appropriate for the identification of STHs in the current elimination context. The CTAB based method is appropriate to extract DNA from stools. It requires the little amount of stool and its low cost could favor large-scale epidemiological studies.