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Utzinger J, Mäser P. Editorial : Swiss TPH: 30 Years of R&D Towards New Drugs for Tropical Diseases. Chimia (Aarau) 2023; 77:570-571. [PMID: 38047831 DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2023.570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The year 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH). Associated with the University of Basel, Swiss TPH combines research, education and services, working across a value chain from innovation and validation to application to improve people's health and well-being. Around 700 staff and students work in Swiss TPH's new headquarters in an emerging life-science cluster in Allschwil, Switzerland, focusing on infectious and non-communicable diseases, environment, society and health as well as health systems and interventions. In this special issue of Chimia, we highlight 30 years of research and development (R&D) at Swiss TPH, deeply grounded in partnership, towards new drugs for tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
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Mäser P, Bernhard S, Brun R, Burri C, Gagneux S, Hetzel MW, Kaiser M, Lengeler C, Pluschke G, Reus E, Rottmann M, Utzinger J, Warryn L, Wittlin S, Keiser J. Key Contributions by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Towards New and Better Drugs for Tropical Diseases. Chimia (Aarau) 2023; 77:593-602. [PMID: 38047835 DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2023.593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Thanks to its expertise in clinical research, epidemiology, infectious diseases, microbiology, parasitology, public health, translational research and tropical medicine, coupled with deeply rooted partnerships with institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) has been a key contributor in many drug research and development consortia involving academia, pharma and product development partnerships. Our know-how of the maintenance of parasites and their life-cycles in the laboratory, plus our strong ties to research centres and disease control programme managers in LMICs with access to field sites and laboratories, have enabled systems for drug efficacy testing in vitro and in vivo, clinical research, and modelling to support the experimental approaches. Thus, Swiss TPH has made fundamental contributions towards the development of new drugs - and the better use of old drugs - for neglected tropical diseases and infectious diseases of poverty, such as Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, food-borne trematodiasis (e.g. clonorchiasis, fascioliasis and opisthorchiasis), human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and tuberculosis. In this article, we show case the success stories of molecules to which Swiss TPH has made a substantial contribution regarding their use as anti-infective compounds with the ultimate aim to improve people's health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Mäser
- Dept. Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Bernhard
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reto Brun
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Burri
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Gagneux
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel W Hetzel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lengeler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerd Pluschke
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Reus
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Louisa Warryn
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
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Wang W, Chen J, Sheng HF, Wang NN, Yang P, Zhou XN, Bergquist R. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, the first five years. Infect Dis Poverty 2017; 6:96. [PMID: 28472981 PMCID: PMC5415955 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-017-0310-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the focus in the area of health research may be shifting from infectious to non-communicable diseases, the infectious diseases of poverty remain a major burden of disease of global health concern. A global platform to communicate and share the research on these diseases is needed to facilitate the translation of knowledge into effective approaches and tools for their elimination. Based on the “One health, One world” mission, a new, open-access journal, Infectious Diseases of Poverty (IDP), was launched by BioMed Central in partnership with the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) on October 25, 2012. Its aim is to identify and assess research and information gaps that hinder progress towards new interventions for a particular public health problem in the developing world. From the inaugural IDP issue of October 25, 2012, a total of 256 manuscripts have been published over the following five years. Apart from a small number of editorials, opinions, commentaries and letters to the editor, the predominant types of publications are research articles (69.5%) and scoping reviews (21.5%). A total of 1 081 contributing authors divided between 323 affiliations across 68 countries, territories and regions produced these 256 publications. The journal is indexed in major international biomedical databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Embase. In 2015, it was assigned its first impact factor (4.11), which is now 2.13. During the past five years, IDP has received manuscripts from 90 countries, territories and regions across six continents with an annual acceptance rate of all contributions maintained at less than 40%. Content analysis shows that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), followed by the “Big Three” (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis) and infectious diseases in general comprise 88% of all publications. In addition, a series of 10 thematic issues, covering 118 publications in all, was published as separate parts of the first five volumes. These publications were cited 975 times, which equals an average of 8.3 times per publication. The current challenge is to identify cutting-edge research topics and attract and to publish first-rate publications leading to increasing importance and impact of the journal in its field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, No. 117 Yangxiang, Meiyuan, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, 214064, China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasites and Vector Control Technology, No. 117 Yangxiang, Meiyuan, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, 214064, China.,Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, No. 117 Yangxiang, Meiyuan, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, 214064, China.,School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, No. 88 Jiaotong Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350004, China
| | - Jin Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hui-Feng Sheng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Na-Na Wang
- Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Clinical Research, No. 57 Shanxi Road, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China
| | - Pin Yang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, No. 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
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Yang GJ, Utzinger J, Zhou XN. Interplay between environment, agriculture and infectious diseases of poverty: case studies in China. Acta Trop 2015; 141:399-406. [PMID: 23906612 PMCID: PMC7117482 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 07/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the natural environment and agricultural systems induced by economic and industrial development, including population dynamics (growth, urbanization, migration), are major causes resulting in the persistence, emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases in developing countries. In the face of rapid demographic, economic and social transformations, the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) is undergoing unprecedented environmental and agricultural change. We review emerging and re-emerging diseases such as schistosomiasis, dengue, avian influenza, angiostrongyliasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis that have occurred in P.R. China due to environmental and agricultural change. This commentary highlights the research priorities and the response strategies, namely mitigation and adaptation, undertaken to eliminate the resurgence of those infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Jing Yang
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory on Control Technology for Parasitic Diseases, Ministry of Health, Wuxi 214064, People's Republic of China; School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Satin, Hong Kong
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory on Biology of Parasite and Vector, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China.
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Bhutta ZA, Salam RA, Das JK, Lassi ZS. Tackling the existing burden of infectious diseases in the developing world: existing gaps and the way forward. Infect Dis Poverty 2014; 3:28. [PMID: 25105015 PMCID: PMC4124963 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9957-3-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This series evaluates the effectiveness of community-based interventions (CBIs) to prevent and control infectious diseases of poverty (IDoP). Evidence from our reviews suggests that CBIs and school-based delivery platforms are effective in averting risk behaviors and reducing the disease burden. Co-implementation of interventions through existing community-based programs including immunization campaigns, antenatal care and maternal and child health programs have the potential to scale-up interventions for IDoP. Future research should focus on the process of developing and implementing efficient community-based programs through a comprehensive approach, and to gauge the effectiveness of various existing delivery models in order to improve morbidity and mortality outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Center of Excellence in Women & Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan ; Center for Global Child Health Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rehana A Salam
- Division of Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Jai K Das
- Division of Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zohra S Lassi
- Division of Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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Bhutta ZA, Sommerfeld J, Lassi ZS, Salam RA, Das JK. Global burden, distribution, and interventions for infectious diseases of poverty. Infect Dis Poverty 2014; 3:21. [PMID: 25110585 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9957-3-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases of poverty (IDoP) disproportionately affect the poorest population in the world and contribute to a cycle of poverty as a result of decreased productivity ensuing from long-term illness, disability, and social stigma. In 2010, the global deaths from HIV/AIDS have increased to 1.5 million and malaria mortality rose to 1.17 million. Mortality from neglected tropical diseases rose to 152,000, while tuberculosis killed 1.2 million people that same year. Substantial regional variations exist in the distribution of these diseases as they are primarily concentrated in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with geographic overlap and high levels of co-infection. Evidence-based interventions exist to prevent and control these diseases, however, the coverage still remains low with an emerging challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, community-based delivery platforms are increasingly being advocated to ensure sustainability and combat co-infections. Because of the high morbidity and mortality burden of these diseases, especially in resource-poor settings, it is imperative to conduct a systematic review to identify strategies to prevent and control these diseases. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of one of these strategies, that is community-based delivery for the prevention and treatment of IDoP. In this paper, we describe the burden, epidemiology, and potential interventions for IDoP. In subsequent papers of this series, we describe the analytical framework and the methodology used to guide the systematic reviews, and report the findings and interpretations of our analyses of the impact of community-based strategies on individual IDoPs.
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