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Hart CJS, Riches AG, Tiash S, Clapper E, Ramu S, Zuegg J, Ryan JH, Skinner-Adams TS. A Subset Screen of the Compounds Australia Scaffold Library Identifies 7-Acylaminodibenzoxazepinones as Potent and Selective Hits for Anti- Giardia Drug Discovery. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123182. [PMID: 36551938 PMCID: PMC9775191 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
On an annual basis the flagellate protozoan, Giardia duodenalis, is responsible for an estimated one billion human infections of which approximately two hundred million cause disease. However, the treatment of Giardia infections is reliant on a small group of chemotherapeutic classes that have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and increasing treatment failure rates. To improve this situation, we need new drugs. In this study we screened the Compounds Australia Scaffolds Library for compounds with potent and selective activity against these parasites. Unlike previous drug discovery efforts that have focused on drug repurposing, this library is comprised of commercially available synthetic compounds arranged into lead-like scaffolds to facilitate structure activity relationship assessments and de novo drug discovery. A screen of 2451 compounds in this library identified 40 hits (>50% inhibitory activity at 10 µM, over 48 h). Secondary testing identified three compounds with IC50 values <1 μM and >50-fold selectivity for parasites over mammalian cells and a hit series, CL9406, comprising compounds with potent (lowest IC50 180 nM) and selective activity for Giardia parasites. The most promising compound in this series, SN00797640, displayed selective activity against assemblage A, B, and metronidazole resistant parasites which was parasiticidal (minimum lethal concentration 625 nM) and synergistic with albendazole. SN00797640 was well-tolerated when administered to mice at doses of 50 mg/kg daily for three days paving the way for pre-clinical in vivo activity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. S. Hart
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrew G. Riches
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Biomedical Manufacturing, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Snigdha Tiash
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Erin Clapper
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Soumya Ramu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Johannes Zuegg
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - John H. Ryan
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Biomedical Manufacturing, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Tina S. Skinner-Adams
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Santos HLC, Rebello KM. An Overview of Mucosa-Associated Protozoa: Challenges in Chemotherapy and Future Perspectives. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:860442. [PMID: 35548465 PMCID: PMC9084232 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.860442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections caused by protozoans that infect the mucosal surfaces are widely neglected worldwide. Collectively, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis infect more than a billion people in the world, being a public health problem mainly in developing countries. However, the exact incidence and prevalence data depend on the population examined. These parasites ultimately cause pathologies that culminate in liver abscesses, malabsorption syndrome, vaginitis, and urethritis, respectively. Despite this, the antimicrobial agents currently used to treat these diseases are limited and often associated with adverse side effects and refractory cases due to the development of resistant parasites. The paucity of drug treatments, absence of vaccines and increasing problems of drug resistance are major concerns for their control and eradication. Herein, potential candidates are reviewed with the overall aim of determining the knowledge gaps and suggest future perspectives for research. This review focuses on this public health problem and focuses on the progress of drug repositioning as a potential strategy for the treatment of mucosal parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Lucia Carneiro Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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3
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Pedra-Rezende Y, Macedo IS, Midlej V, Mariante RM, Menna-Barreto RFS. Different Drugs, Same End: Ultrastructural Hallmarks of Autophagy in Pathogenic Protozoa. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:856686. [PMID: 35422792 PMCID: PMC9002357 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.856686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites interact with a wide variety of organisms ranging from bacteria to humans, representing one of the most common causes of parasitic diseases and an important public health problem affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The current treatment for these parasitic diseases remains unsatisfactory and, in some cases, very limited. Treatment limitations together with the increased resistance of the pathogens represent a challenge for the improvement of the patient’s quality of life. The continuous search for alternative preclinical drugs is mandatory, but the mechanisms of action of several of these compounds have not been described. Electron microscopy is a powerful tool for the identification of drug targets in almost all cellular models. Interestingly, ultrastructural analysis showed that several classes of antiparasitic compounds induced similar autophagic phenotypes in trypanosomatids, trichomonadids, and apicomplexan parasites as well as in Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba spp. with the presence of an increased number of autophagosomes as well as remarkable endoplasmic reticulum profiles surrounding different organelles. Autophagy is a physiological process of eukaryotes that maintains homeostasis by the self-digestion of nonfunctional organelles and/or macromolecules, limiting redundant and damaged cellular components. Here, we focus on protozoan autophagy to subvert drug effects, discussing its importance for successful chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Pedra-Rezende
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela S Macedo
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Victor Midlej
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Mariante
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Loderstädt U, Frickmann H. Antimicrobial resistance of the enteric protozoon Giardia duodenalis - A narrative review. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2021; 11:29-43. [PMID: 34237023 PMCID: PMC8287975 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2021.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction As therapy-refractory giardiasis is an emerging health issue, this review aimed at summarizing mechanisms of reduced antimicrobial susceptibility in Giardia duodenalis and strategies to overcome this problem. Methods A narrative review on antimicrobial resistance in G. duodenalis was based upon a selective literature research. Results Failed therapeutic success has been observed for all standard therapies of giardiasis comprising nitroimidazoles like metronidazole or tinidazole as first line substances but also benznidazoles like albendazole and mebendazole, the nitrofuran furazolidone, the thiazolide nitazoxanide, and the aminoglycoside paromomycin. Multicausality of the resistance phenotypes has been described, with differentiated gene expression due to epigenetic and post-translational modifications playing a considerable bigger role than mutational base exchanges in the parasite DNA. Standardized resistance testing algorithms are not available and clinical evidence for salvage therapies is scarce in spite of research efforts targeting new giardicidal drugs. Conclusion In case of therapeutic failure of first line nitroimidazoles, salvage strategies including various options for combination therapy exist in spite of limited evidence and lacking routine diagnostic-compatible assays for antimicrobial susceptibility testing in G. duodenalis. Sufficiently powered clinical and diagnostic studies are needed to overcome both the lacking evidence regarding salvage therapy and the diagnostic neglect of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Loderstädt
- 1Institute for Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- 2Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.,3Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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Neumayr A, Schunk M, Theunissen C, Van Esbroeck M, Mechain M, Hatz C, Mørch K, Soriano Pérez MJ, Sydow V, Sothmann P, Kuenzli E, Rothe C, Bottieau E. Efficacy and tolerability of quinacrine monotherapy and albendazole plus chloroquine combination therapy in nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis: a TropNet study. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:1517-1523. [PMID: 34115100 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardiasis failing nitroimidazole first-line treatment is an emerging clinical problem in returning European travelers. We present data on the efficacy and tolerability of two second-line treatment regimens. METHODS Prospective, open-label, multi-center study assessing the efficacy and tolerability of quinacrine monotherapy (100mg TID for 5 days) and albendazole plus chloroquine combination therapy (400mg BID plus 155mg BID for 5 days) in nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis, defined as cases with persisting or relapsing infection despite single or repeated courses of nitroimidazole treatment. The defined endpoints were the clinical outcome, assessed by a questionnaire, at week 5 after treatment and the parasitological outcome, assessed by microscopy of 2 stool samples, ≥2-≤5 weeks after treatment. RESULT 106 patients were included in the study. Quinacrine achieved clinical and parasitological cure in 81% (59/73) and 100% (56/56), respectively. Albendazole plus chloroquine achieved clinical and parasitological cure in 36% (12/33) and 48% (12/25), respectively. All patients (9/9) who clinically and parasitologically failed albendazole plus chloroquine treatment and opted for re-treatment with quinacrine achieved clinical cure. Mild to moderate treatment-related adverse events were reported by 45% and 30% of patients treated with quinacrine and albendazole plus chloroquine, respectively. One patient treated with quinacrine developed severe neuropsychiatric side effects. The majority of nitroimidazole-refractory Giardia infections (57%) were acquired in India. CONCLUSION Quinacrine was a highly effective treatment in nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis, but patients should be cautioned on the low risk of severe neuropsychiatric adverse event. Albendazole plus chloroquine had a low cure rate in nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis. Nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis was primarily seen in travelers returning from India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Neumayr
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mirjam Schunk
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Centre, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Theunissen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Matthieu Mechain
- Section Tropical Medicine and Clinical International Health, Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Centre, Bordeaux, France
| | - Christoph Hatz
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kristine Mørch
- Department of Medicine, Norwegian National Advicory Unit on Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Véronique Sydow
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Sothmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Centre, Munich, Germany
| | - Esther Kuenzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Camilla Rothe
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Centre, Munich, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Risk factors for and management of metronidazole-refractory giardiasis in international travellers: A retrospective analysis. Travel Med Infect Dis 2021; 43:102090. [PMID: 34082086 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardia lamblia is a common cause of diarrhoea in returning travellers. Failure of the recommended first-line treatment, metronidazole, has frequently been observed. Recommendations for treatment of metronidazole-refractory giardiasis lack clarity and evidence. METHODS We conducted a retrospective data analysis of returned travellers with confirmed giardiasis at the Bernhard-Nocht-Clinic in Hamburg, Germany, between 2007 and 2016. RESULTS We identified 339 cases of giardiasis, mostly acquired in South Asia (n = 157). 308 patients received metronidazole as first-line treatment, leading to treatment failure in 93 cases. Statistical analysis suggested by far the highest risk of metronidazole treatment failure for travellers returning from South Asia (Odds Ratio 8.73). Second-line therapy consisted of various different therapy regimens. Combination therapy as second-line treatment seemed to be more effective than monotherapy. A repeat course of metronidazole proved to be futile. CONCLUSION This study reveals a strikingly low effectiveness of metronidazole, especially in patients returning from South Asia. Second-line treatment showed inconsistency of regimens and yielded unsatisfactory results. These findings require reconsideration of treatment strategies for giardiasis. Large prospective trials are urgently needed to assess new first-line treatment options and to help implement advice for effective, agreed second-line treatment strategies. Translational projects should be created to link the understanding of resistance mechanisms with epidemiological data and clinical outcome.
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7
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Ara-Montojo MF, Bustamante J, Sainz T, Pérez S, Jiménez-Moreno B, Ruiz-Carrascoso G, Rodríguez-Molino P, Villota J, García-López-Hortenano M, Mellado-Peña MJ. Intestinal giardiasis in children: Five years' experience in a reference unit. Travel Med Infect Dis 2021; 42:102082. [PMID: 34020030 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardiasis is highly prevalent in children and is often mildly symptomatic. First-line treatment is metronidazole, but treatment failure is not uncommon. We describe a paediatric series, to identify risk factors for treatment failure and to analyse the safety and effectiveness of other treatment strategies. METHODS Retrospective observational study, including children diagnosed with giardiasis from 2014 to 2019. Diagnosis was based on direct visualisation by microscopy after concentration using an alcohol-based fixative, antigen detection and/or DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction in stool. Treatment failure was considered when GI was detected 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS A total of 120 patients were included, 71.6% internationally adopted, median age 4.2 (2.3-7.3) years. Only 50% presented with symptoms, mainly diarrhoea (35%) and abdominal pain (14.1%); co-parasitism was frequent (45%). First-line treatment failure after a standard dose of metronidazole was 20%, lowering to 8.3% when a higher dose was administered (p < 0.001). Quinacrine was administered in 10 patients, with 100% effectiveness. Children <2 years were at higher risk of treatment failure (OR 3.49; 95% CI 1.06-11.53; p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS In children with giardiasis, treatment failure is frequent, especially before 2 years of age. Quinacrine can be considered as a second-line treatment. After treatment, eradication should be confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Ara-Montojo
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Bustamante
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - T Sainz
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Translational Research Network in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP, Red de Investigación Translacional en Infectología Pediátrica), Spain.
| | - S Pérez
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - G Ruiz-Carrascoso
- Department of Microbiology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Rodríguez-Molino
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Villota
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - M García-López-Hortenano
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Translational Research Network in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP, Red de Investigación Translacional en Infectología Pediátrica), Spain
| | - M J Mellado-Peña
- Paediatric Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Translational Research Network in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP, Red de Investigación Translacional en Infectología Pediátrica), Spain
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Coffey CM, Collier SA, Gleason ME, Yoder JS, Kirk MD, Richardson AM, Fullerton KE, Benedict KM. Evolving Epidemiology of Reported Giardiasis Cases in the United States, 1995-2016. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:764-770. [PMID: 32047932 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardiasis is the most common intestinal parasitic disease of humans identified in the United States (US) and an important waterborne disease. In the United States, giardiasis has been variably reportable since 1992 and was made a nationally notifiable disease in 2002. Our objective was to describe the epidemiology of US giardiasis cases from 1995 through 2016 using National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System data. METHODS Negative binomial regression models were used to compare incidence rates by age group (0-4, 5-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-64, and ≥ 65 years) during 3 time periods (1995-2001, 2002-2010, and 2011-2016). RESULTS During 1995-2016, the average number of reported cases was 19 781 per year (range, 14 623-27 778 cases). The annual incidence of reported giardiasis in the United States decreased across all age groups. This decrease differs by age group and sex and may reflect either changes in surveillance methods (eg, changes to case definitions or reporting practices) or changes in exposure. Incidence rates in males and older age groups did not decrease to the same extent as rates in females and children. CONCLUSIONS Trends suggest that differences in exposures by sex and age group are important to the epidemiology of giardiasis. Further investigation into the risk factors of populations with higher rates of giardiasis will support prevention and control efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cushla M Coffey
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Sarah A Collier
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Michelle E Gleason
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jonathan S Yoder
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Martyn D Kirk
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Alice M Richardson
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Kathleen E Fullerton
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Katharine M Benedict
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Ciuca L, Pepe P, Bosco A, Caccio SM, Maurelli MP, Sannella AR, Vismarra A, Cringoli G, Kramer L, Rinaldi L, Genchi M. Effectiveness of Fenbendazole and Metronidazole Against Giardia Infection in Dogs Monitored for 50-Days in Home-Conditions. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:626424. [PMID: 33842570 PMCID: PMC8032893 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.626424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A field trial performed in-home conditions was conducted on 24 dogs naturally infected with Giardia, in order to compare the efficacy of fenbendazole and metronidazole. Animals were allocated in groups randomly in order to obtain two groups of 12 dogs each with similar parasitic loads of Giardia cysts: dogs in Group A were treated with fenbendazole (Panacur®, Intervet Italia Srl) administered at the dose of 50 mg/kg orally once a day for 5 consecutive days, dogs in Group B were treated with metronidazole (Flagyl®, Zambon Italia Srl) administered orally at the dose of 50 mg/kg, once a day for 5 consecutive days. All the dogs that were shedding Giardia cysts after the first treatment (Day 0) were retreated (either at Day 7 or at Day 14 or at Day 21) until a negative result was obtained with the same treatment. Additionally, all the dogs were re-examined at Day 50. All the dogs were tested for the presence of Giardia cysts using a fecal flotation method (FLOTAC). The percent efficacy of the treatments (A and B) was calculated at each sampling point (Days 7, 14, 21, and 50) as reduction in mean Giardia cysts. After the first therapy, on day 7, 4/12 (33.3%) dogs tested positive for Giardia cysts in the Group A and 5/12 (41.7%) in the Group B. Efficacies at (Days 7, 14, 21, and 50) of the treatments against Giardia infection were 80.9, 94, 100, and 97% in the Group A and 70.8, 99, 100, and 97.1% in the Group B. Statistically significant differences were not observed between the efficacy of Fenbendazole and Metronidazole against infection by G. duodenalis (P = 0.686). Molecular analysis revealed full homology (i.e., 100% with JN416550) with the canine specific assemblage D in six positive dogs. Different hypotheses might explain the re-appearance of the Giardia cysts in some dogs after treatment, e.g., re-infection from the home environment, the correct medication given by the owners, the diet, as well as treatment failure, but also biological issues related to the intermittent excretion of Giardia cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Simone Mario Caccio
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Rosa Sannella
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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10
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Ham RE, Temesvari LA. Joining forces: Leveraging novel combination therapies to combat infections with eukaryotic pathogens. PLoS Pathog 2021; 16:e1009081. [PMID: 33382854 PMCID: PMC7774843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Ham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, Unites States of America
- Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, Unites States of America
| | - Lesly A. Temesvari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, Unites States of America
- Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, Unites States of America
- * E-mail:
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Wang H, Feng X, Bo X, Zhou M, Guo L. Nickel‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework/Crosslinked Tubular Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Composite as an Electrocatalyst for the Detection of Gallic Acid and Tinidazole. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202000991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haixu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiosensing and Nanobioanalysis at Universities of Jilin Province
- Faculty of Chemistry Northeast Normal University Changchun 130024 P. R. China
| | - Xiaogeng Feng
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiosensing and Nanobioanalysis at Universities of Jilin Province
- Faculty of Chemistry Northeast Normal University Changchun 130024 P. R. China
| | - Xiangjie Bo
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiosensing and Nanobioanalysis at Universities of Jilin Province
- Faculty of Chemistry Northeast Normal University Changchun 130024 P. R. China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiosensing and Nanobioanalysis at Universities of Jilin Province
- Faculty of Chemistry Northeast Normal University Changchun 130024 P. R. China
| | - Liping Guo
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiosensing and Nanobioanalysis at Universities of Jilin Province
- Faculty of Chemistry Northeast Normal University Changchun 130024 P. R. China
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12
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Drug resistance in Giardia: Mechanisms and alternative treatments for Giardiasis. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 107:201-282. [PMID: 32122530 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of chemotherapeutic drugs is the main resource against clinical giardiasis due to the lack of approved vaccines. Resistance of G. duodenalis to the most used drugs to treat giardiasis, metronidazole and albendazole, is a clinical issue of growing concern and yet unknown impact, respectively. In the search of new drugs, the completion of the Giardia genome project and the use of biochemical, molecular and bioinformatics tools allowed the identification of ligands/inhibitors for about one tenth of ≈150 potential drug targets in this parasite. Further, the synthesis of second generation nitroimidazoles and benzimidazoles along with high-throughput technologies have allowed not only to define overall mechanisms of resistance to metronidazole but to screen libraries of repurposed drugs and new pharmacophores, thereby increasing the known arsenal of anti-giardial compounds to some hundreds, with most demonstrating activity against metronidazole or albendazole-resistant Giardia. In particular, cysteine-modifying agents which include omeprazole, disulfiram, allicin and auranofin outstand due to their pleiotropic activity based on the extensive repertoire of thiol-containing proteins and the microaerophilic metabolism of this parasite. Other promising agents derived from higher organisms including phytochemicals, lactoferrin and propolis as well as probiotic bacteria/fungi have also demonstrated significant potential for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in giardiasis. In this context the present chapter offers a comprehensive review of the current knowledge, including commonly prescribed drugs, causes of therapeutic failures, drug resistance mechanisms, strategies for the discovery of new agents and alternative drug therapies.
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The Prevalence and Assemblages of Giardia Duodenalis in Dogs: A Systematic Review in Europe. FOLIA VETERINARIA 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2019-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Giardiasis is one of the most frequent causes of diarrhoeic diseases in the world. Giardia cysts are most commonly transferred via ingestion of contaminated water or food. On the basis of genetic characteristics Giardia duodenalis is classified in eight assemblages A—H. Zoonotic assemblages A and B are increasingly found in isolates from dogs which may constitute the reservoir of human giardiasis. This article presents a brief review of G. duodenalis assemblages detected in dogs that were documented in European countries.
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Abstract
Giardia is the commonest parasitic diarrheal pathogen affecting humans and a frequent cause of waterborne/foodborne parasitic diseases worldwide. Prevalence of giardiasis is higher in children, living in poor, low hygiene settings in developing countries, and in travelers returning from highly endemic areas. The clinical picture of giardiasis is heterogeneous, with high variability in severity of clinical disease. It can become chronic or be followed by post-infectious sequelae. An alarming increase in cases refractory to the conventional treatment with nitroimidazoles (ie, metronidazole) has been reported in low prevalence settings, such as European Union countries, especially in patients returning from Asia. In view of its relevance, we aim in this review to recapitulate present clinical knowledge about Giardia, with a special focus on the challenge of treatment-refractory giardiasis. We propose a working definition of clinically drug-resistant giardiasis, summarize knowledge regarding resistance mechanisms, and discuss its clinical management according to research-based evidence and medical practice. Advances in development and identification of novel drugs and potential non-pharmacological alternatives are also reviewed with the overall aim to define knowledge gaps and suggest future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lalle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, European Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy,
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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The first multilocus genotype analysis of Giardia intestinalis in humans in the Czech Republic. Parasitology 2018; 145:1577-1587. [PMID: 29554992 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To date, genotyping data on giardiasis have not been available in the Czech Republic. In this study, we characterized 47 human isolates of Giardia intestinalis from symptomatic as well as asymptomatic giardiasis cases. Genomic DNA from trophozoites was tested by PCR-sequence analysis at three loci (β-giardin, glutamate dehydrogenase and triose phosphate isomerase). Sequence analysis showed assemblages A and B in 41 (87.2%) and six (12.8%) isolates, respectively. Two of the 41 assemblage A samples were genotyped as sub-assemblage AI, and 39 were genotyped as sub-assemblage AII. Four previously identified multilocus genotypes (MLGs: AI-1, AII-1, AII-4 and AII-9) and six likely novel variations of MLGs were found. In agreement with previous studies, sequences from assemblage B isolates were characterized by a large genetic variability and by the presence of heterogeneous positions, which prevent the definition of MLGs. This study also investigated whether there was a relationship between the assemblage and clinical data (including drug resistance). However, due to the large number of genotypes and the relatively small number of samples, no significant associations with the clinical data were found.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardia intestinalis is microaerophilic diarrhoea-causing protozoan common in countries with suboptimal sanitation. Standard treatment is with nitroimidazoles, but a growing number of refractory cases is being reported. Treatment failure has become increasingly prevalent in travellers who contract giardiasis in Asia. Clinicians are increasingly falling back on second-line and less well-known drugs to treat giardiasis. AIMS To review nitroimidazole-refractory G. intestinalis infection, examine the current efficacy of standard therapeutic agents, consider potential resistance mechanisms which could cause treatment failure and describe the practical aspects of managing this emerging clinical problem. SOURCES A PubMed search was conducted using combinations of the following terms: refractory, Giardia, giardiasis, resistance and treatment. Articles on the pharmacotherapy, drug resistance mechanisms and use of alternative agents in nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis were reviewed. CONTENT We review the standard drugs for giardiasis, including their efficacy in initial treatment, mode of action and documented in vitro and in vivo drug resistance. We assess the efficacy of alternative drugs in nitroimidazole-refractory disease. Existing data suggest a potential advantage of combination treatment. IMPLICATIONS An optimal treatment strategy for refractory giardiasis has still to be determined, so there is no standard treatment regimen for nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis. Further work on drug resistance mechanisms and the use of drug combinations in this condition is a priority.
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Jerez Puebla LE, Núñez FA, Santos LP, Rivero LR, Silva IM, Valdés LA, Millán IA, Müller N. Molecular analysis of Giardia duodenalis isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic children from La Habana, Cuba. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2017; 2:105-113. [PMID: 29774288 PMCID: PMC5952668 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Giardiasis is considered the most common intestinal parasitic disease in humans worldwide. In Cuba, this infection has particularly a strong clinical impact on the child population. Giardia duodenalis is a highly diverse protozoan, which comprises a complex of eight morphologically identical genetic assemblages, further divided into sub-assemblages. The present study used triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) and small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes as genetic markers for the identification of G. duodenalis assemblages and sub-assemblages in correlation with clinical and epidemiological data in children attended at the Paediatric Hospital “William Soler” and at Pedro Kouri Institute, between 2015 and 2016. A prevalence of 8% of G. duodenalis infection was recorded in stool samples after concentration techniques from 68 children out of 847 analysed. A 100% detection of Giardia DNA was achieved by a SSU-rRNA PCR, whereas DNA from 63 of 68 (92.6%) was successfully amplified by tpi-PCR. By this assemblage-specific tpi-PCR 32 (50.8%) assemblage B, 17 (27.0%) assemblage A and 14 (22.2%) mixed infection (A + B) were identified. Assemblage B was significantly (P < 0.02) more frequently found in children with diarrhoea. Sequence analysis of the tpi gene of Giardia isolates from symptomatic children showed that assemblage A belonged to the sub-assemblage AII, and 4 sub assemblages BIV and 1 sub assemblage BIII were also recorded. Only 2 discordant genotyping results were observed by phylogenetic comparison of SSU-rRNA and tpi sequences. Further studies with novel molecular tools for a better discrimination at the sub-assemblage level are needed to identify the dynamics of spread of giardiasis and to verify possible correlations between Giardia genetic diversity and clinical manifestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Enrique Jerez Puebla
- Parasitology Department, Tropical Medicine Institute "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 6½ e/Autopista Nacional y Carretera Central, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Fidel A Núñez
- Parasitology Department, Tropical Medicine Institute "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 6½ e/Autopista Nacional y Carretera Central, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Lissette Pérez Santos
- Virology Department, Tropical Medicine Institute "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 6½ e/Autopista Nacional y Carretera Central, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Lázara Rojas Rivero
- Parasitology Department, Tropical Medicine Institute "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 6½ e/Autopista Nacional y Carretera Central, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Isabel Martínez Silva
- Paediatric Hospital "William Soler", Avenida 100 y Perla, Altahabana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Lucía Ayllón Valdés
- Paediatric Hospital "William Soler", Avenida 100 y Perla, Altahabana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Iraís Atencio Millán
- Parasitology Department, Tropical Medicine Institute "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 6½ e/Autopista Nacional y Carretera Central, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Norbert Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Click Chemistry-Facilitated Structural Diversification of Nitrothiazoles, Nitrofurans, and Nitropyrroles Enhances Antimicrobial Activity against Giardia lamblia. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02397-16. [PMID: 28396548 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02397-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Giardia lamblia is an important and ubiquitous cause of diarrheal disease. The primary agents in the treatment of giardiasis are nitroheterocyclic drugs, particularly the imidazoles metronidazole and tinidazole and the thiazole nitazoxanide. Although these drugs are generally effective, treatment failures occur in up to 20% of cases, and resistance has been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro Prior work had suggested that side chain modifications of the imidazole core can lead to new effective 5-nitroimidazole drugs that can combat nitro drug resistance, but the full potential of nitroheterocycles other than imidazole to yield effective new antigiardial agents has not been explored. Here, we generated derivatives of two clinically utilized nitroheterocycles, nitrothiazole and nitrofuran, as well as a third heterocycle, nitropyrrole, which is related to nitroimidazole but has not been systematically investigated as an antimicrobial drug scaffold. Click chemistry was employed to synthesize 442 novel nitroheterocyclic compounds with extensive side chain modifications. Screening of this library against representative G. lamblia strains showed a wide spectrum of in vitro activities, with many of the compounds exhibiting superior activity relative to reference drugs and several showing >100-fold increase in potency and the ability to overcome existing forms of metronidazole resistance. The majority of new compounds displayed no cytotoxicity against human cells, and several compounds were orally active against murine giardiasis in vivo These findings provide additional impetus for the systematic development of nitroheterocyclic compounds with nonimidazole cores as alternative and improved agents for the treatment of giardiasis and potentially other infectious agents.
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