Journal article
New developments in human African trypanosomiasis.
- 2006-08-31
Published in:
- Current opinion in infectious diseases. - 2006
Animals
Cercopithecus
Genome, Protozoan
Humans
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Trypanocidal Agents
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
Trypanosomiasis, African
English
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To review recent literature on human African trypanosomiasis, focussing on genome sequencing, diagnosis and drug discovery, and typing of trypanosomes.
RECENT FINDINGS
The most important recent development has been the completion of the Trypanosoma brucei genome which will greatly facilitate the discovery of new drug targets and genetic markers. Correct staging of the disease is of key importance for treatment. The analysis of sleep patterns is a promising new method to this end and has advanced enough to begin thorough clinical trials. In terms of novel drug candidates, dicationic molecules show the most promise with one oral diamidine in phase 3 clinical trials. New targets and classes of molecules which show in vitro trypanocidal activity are also described. Two new methods - MGE-PCR and microsatellites - allow analyses without parasite cultivation, eliminating a major impediment to efficient sampling for population studies. The finding that several wild animal species harbour T. b. gambiense, and that parasite transmission is efficient even from very low parasitaemias, sheds a new light on the importance of animal reservoirs.
SUMMARY
The use of T. brucei as model system for molecular and cell biology is regularly producing new technologies exploitable for diagnosis and new drugs. Drug discovery and development experience a revival through new public-private partnerships and initiatives. The challenge remains to translate this progress into improvements for affected people in disease endemic areas.
To review recent literature on human African trypanosomiasis, focussing on genome sequencing, diagnosis and drug discovery, and typing of trypanosomes.
RECENT FINDINGS
The most important recent development has been the completion of the Trypanosoma brucei genome which will greatly facilitate the discovery of new drug targets and genetic markers. Correct staging of the disease is of key importance for treatment. The analysis of sleep patterns is a promising new method to this end and has advanced enough to begin thorough clinical trials. In terms of novel drug candidates, dicationic molecules show the most promise with one oral diamidine in phase 3 clinical trials. New targets and classes of molecules which show in vitro trypanocidal activity are also described. Two new methods - MGE-PCR and microsatellites - allow analyses without parasite cultivation, eliminating a major impediment to efficient sampling for population studies. The finding that several wild animal species harbour T. b. gambiense, and that parasite transmission is efficient even from very low parasitaemias, sheds a new light on the importance of animal reservoirs.
SUMMARY
The use of T. brucei as model system for molecular and cell biology is regularly producing new technologies exploitable for diagnosis and new drugs. Drug discovery and development experience a revival through new public-private partnerships and initiatives. The challenge remains to translate this progress into improvements for affected people in disease endemic areas.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1097/01.qco.0000244045.93016.b1
- PMID 16940863
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/45720
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