Genome editing as control tool for filarial infections

Kwarteng, Alexander; Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; Asiedu, Ebenezer; Ahuno, Samuel Terkper

doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111292

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At least one of the parasites, M. perstans , can now be successfully cultured in vitro enabling functional investigations into its biology (Njouendou et al, 2019). Advances in genome editing techniques for non-model organisms including helminth parasites open further possibilities of genetic and functional studies, and control of parasites (Lok et al, 2016; Zamanian and Andersen, 2016; Liu et al, 2020; Kwarteng et al, 2021; Sankaranarayanan et al, 2021; Quinzo et al, 2022). The availability of the new Mansonella genomes reported here will be a critical genomic resource for such endeavors and for further studies on drug targets, as well as enabling insights into the biology and evolution of these parasites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genomes of the human filarial parasitesMansonella perstansandMansonella ozzardi

Sinha

Poole

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The filarial parasitesMansonella ozzardiandMansonella perstans, causative agents of mansonellosis, infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, yet remain among the most understudied of the human filarial pathogens.M. ozzardiis highly prevalent in Latin American countries and Caribbean Islands, whileM. perstansis predominantly found in sub-Saharan Africa as well in a few areas in South America. In addition to the differences in their geographical distribution, the two parasites are transmitted by different insect vectors, as well as exhibit differences in their responses to commonly used anthelminthic drugs. The lack of genome information has hindered investigations into the biology and evolution of Mansonella parasites and understanding the molecular basis of the clinical differences between species. In the current study, high quality genomes of two independent clinical isolates ofM. perstansfrom Cameroon and twoM. ozzardiisolates one from Brazil and one from Venezuela are reported. The genomes are approximately 76 Mb in size, encode about 10,000 genes each, and are largely complete based on BUSCO scores of about 90%, similar to other completed filarial genomes. These sequences represent the first genomes from Mansonella parasites and enabled a comparative genomic analysis of the similarities and differences between Mansonella and other filarial parasites. Horizontal DNA transfers (HDT) from mitochondria (nuMTs) as well as transfers from genomes of endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria (nuWTs) to the host nuclear genome were identified and analyzed. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of known targets of anti-filarial drugs diethylcarbamazine (DEC), ivermectin and mebendazole revealed thatM. ozzardilacks an ortholog ofgon-2, a target for DEC, whileM. perstanslacks an ortholog ofavr-14, a target of ivermectin. These new reference genome sequences will provide a valuable resource for further studies on biology, symbiosis, evolution and drug discovery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genomes of the human filarial parasitesMansonella perstansandMansonella ozzardi

Sinha

Poole

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Lymphatic and Tissue Filariasis

Hübner

Layland

Hoerauf

2022

Helminth Infections and Their Impact on Global Public Health

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Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Species Among Filarial Lymphedema Patients in Ahanta West District of Ghana

Wireko¹,

Asiedu²,

Kini³

et al. 2021

Front. Trop. Dis

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BackgroundFilarial pathologies such as lymphedema may be associated with complications such as chronic non-healing wounds. Nonetheless, the role of bacterial population colonizing the lymphedematous legs has been posited to worsen the conditions of those living with the infection. These bacteria are usually composed of staphylococcal species partly because they are commensals. Thus, this present study sought to type the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence among individuals presenting with filarial lymphedema, particularly as MRSA tends to affect treatments options.MethodsWe recruited individuals (n = 321) with stages I–VII of lymphedema in a cross-sectional study in the Ahanta West district of the Western Region of Ghana. Swabs from lymphedematous limb ulcers, pus, and cutaneous surfaces were cultured using standard culture-based techniques. The culture isolates were later identified using Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry.ResultsA total of 192 Staphylococci species were isolated, with an overall prevalence of 39.7% (95% CI: 35%–44%; N = 483). S. hominis was the most prevalent species (23.95%), followed by S. haemolyticus (20.83%), S. epidermidis (15.10%), S. aureus (10.41%), and S. saprophyticus (9.32%). The remaining 20.34% were distributed among S. wanneri, S. sciuri, S. pasteuri, S. xylosus, S. simulans, S. cohnii, S. caprae, S. lugdunensis, and S. capitis. MRSA, containing mecA gene, was detected in 21 out of 31 Staphylococci isolates tested, with an overall prevalence of 68% (95% CI: 51%–84%). In addition, a virulent gene, Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which is usually associated with S. aureus, was detected in 20/31 (64.5%) S. aureus in the study.ConclusionThese results suggest that MRSA species may pose a challenge to the treatment of filarial lymphedema with antibiotics particularly, as doxycycline is currently being piloted in some endemic areas to treat the infection. Thus, intensive antimicrobial resistance surveillance should be conducted in endemic areas by health authorities to forestall the dilemma of multidrug resistance not only against lymphatic filariasis (LF) infection but other diseases.

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Genome editing as control tool for filarial infections

Cited by 4 publications

References 92 publications

Genomes of the human filarial parasitesMansonella perstansandMansonella ozzardi

Genomes of the human filarial parasitesMansonella perstansandMansonella ozzardi

Lymphatic and Tissue Filariasis

Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Species Among Filarial Lymphedema Patients in Ahanta West District of Ghana

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