Parasitic Diseases Commons^™

Towards The Synthesis Of Dragonamide E And Analogs Thereof, Dante Glover

Chemistry Theses

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite spread through the female sand fly. It is categorized as a Neglected Tropical Disease and can cause very severe symptoms, even death, if left untreated. Symptoms include skin lesions that can cause permanent scarring, and mucosal membrane infections that can cause facial deformities. More aggressive forms of leishmaniasis can lead to infections of internal organs like the liver and/or spleen and can lead to death. Drug resistance of these parasites has rendered treatment limited and the side effects of which can be harmful as well.

Scientists looking towards new treatments for tropical …

Using Fecal Diagnostic Tests To Assess The Prevalence Of Fasciola Hepatica In The United States Sheep Population, Brooke A. Delcambre

LSU Master's Theses

Fasciola hepatica, the common liver fluke, is endemic in the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Coast of the United States. To provide updated information on F. hepatica prevalence, as part of the USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System Sheep 2024 study, sheep operations in the top 30 sheep-producing states were identified, and producers were invited to participate. For each operation, feces were collected from at least eight sheep and pooled to form a single composite sample. Two methods were used to identify sheep infected with F. hepatica: fecal sedimentation and indirect sandwich ELISA. At the national level, across 318 operations, 7.1 …

Establishing Caenorhabditis Elegans As A Platform For Bioaccumulation And Selectivity Screening Of Anthelmintic Compounds, Jiarui Li

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

To address the cuticular barrier in anthelmintic discovery, this study establishes a bifurcated framework in Caenorhabditis elegans. First, HPLC-based quantification of 14 PIM inhibitors revealed that cuticular penetrance is primarily dictated by phylogenetic lineage (Clade V) rather than ecological niche. Specifically, C. elegans demonstrated a significant pharmacokinetic correlation with the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum (Clade V) but not the whipworm Trichuris muris (Clade I), validating it as a superior surrogate model for hookworm bioaccumulation. Within this small molecule inhibitor library, SGI-12was identified as a lead candidate with superior potency against C. elegans and bioaccumulation. Second, target validation using a C. …

Testing The In Vitro Effectiveness Of Protease Inhibitors Against Histomonas Meleagridis, Evy Belle Hafer

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoal parasite able to exist in a flagellated or amoeboid form that infects gallinaceous birds, particularly turkeys, and causes significant mortality. There is currently no effective treatment for this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-histomonal activity of commercially available protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, using an established in vitro model. Three protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, were evaluated across five assays. Treatment groups included: 1) non-treated control, 2) leupeptin 100 µM, 3) bestatin hydrochloride 100 µM, and 4) antipain dihydrochloride 100 µM. Histomonads were enumerated using a hemocytometer after …

Repurposing Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors For The Discovery Of Novel Antiplasmodial Compounds, Ritam Bhowmik

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Malaria remains a major global health burden with over 282 million cases annually and rising resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies. Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite species in humans, relies on tightly regulated cell cycle progression during replication within red blood cells. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are central regulators of eukaryotic cell division and transcription, and several CDK-like enzymes in P. falciparum, including Pfmrk and PfPK6, are essential for parasite growth and structurally distinct from human kinases. This study evaluated whether commercially available human CDK inhibitors (CDKIs) targeting cancer pathways could be repurposed as novel antimalarial compounds. A library of …

Spatially Resolved Transcriptomic Profiles Of Placental Cell Populations In Placental Malaria, Corina A. Mong

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Malaria remains a prevalent infectious disease that continues to cause disease-related morbidity and mortality. Despite preventative efforts, malarial pregnancies still cause birth complications, therefore emphasizing the necessity to study these adverse outcomes in malarial pregnancy. Malaria in pregnancy can lead to placental malaria (PM), which is the presence and accumulation of Plasmodium-infected red blood cells in the placental intervillous space (IVS). Even after treatment, past PM (presence of hemozoin crystals from the parasite in the placenta) can cause a chronic inflammatory response. We predicted that the activation states of the maternal monocytes and fetal macrophages differ within the placenta and …

Biomarkers That Could Explain Parasite-Induced Behavioral Alterations In The Golden Shiner (Notemigonus Crysoleucas) – Posthodiplostomum System, Laura D. Nicolas

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Trophically transmitted parasites require an intermediate host to be consumed and often manipulate host phenotype (i.e., morphology, physiology, and/or behavior) to increase predation risk by definitive hosts. Posthodiplostomum is a trematode with a complex life cycle involving snails as first hosts, fish as second intermediate hosts, and piscivorous birds as definitive hosts. In fish hosts, Posthodiplostomum infection has been linked to increased predation, suggesting suppression of antipredator behaviors. However, the specific physiological pathways remained unexplored and changes in the host’s neural, endocrine, and immune systems could be involved. Thus, I examined whether Posthodiplostomum infection intensity was associated with brain serotonin …

A Review On Treatment, Prevention, And Research Of Worldwide Parasitic Disease: Toxoplasmosis, Hannah Skinner

All Theses

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide, yet often overlooked, parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite is capable of infecting humans and almost all warm-blooded vertebrates. Over a million people are infected in the United States with toxoplasmosis each year. Most infections are asymptomatic but severe cases can lead to vision impairment, neurological disorders, and congenital birth defects. T. gondii is transmitted through undercooked meat, infected feline feces, or contaminated water and soil. The burden of T. gondii infection is most notable in livestock, felines, and immunocompromised humans. Despite being a widespread disease, toxoplasmosis is neglected in …

Thymosin Beta-4: A Novel Treatment For Acanthamoeba Keratitis, Victoria A. Murphey

All Theses

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe corneal infection caused by the free-living amoeba, Acanthamoeba. Both stages of its life cycle (trophozoite and cyst) cause infection, primarily in contact lens wearers. It is often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and poor clinical outcomes. Current treatment options for AK rely on anti-amoebic agents that are toxic to corneal epithelial cells. Further, no single drug can eliminate both forms of the amoeba. Approximately 30% of all AK infections require a corneal transplant.

Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is a G-actin binding protein synthesized in almost all human cells, including corneal epithelial cells. Tβ4 exhibits …

Targeting Malaria Using Rts,S/As01 Liposome Based Therapy In Combination With Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta, Michelle Villacorta Del Castillo

Selected Honors Theses

Malaria has shown to be a threatening disease to half of the population of the world, with currently 241 million cases reported. Malaria treatments have yet to be completely effective due to their ability and resistance to antimalarial drugs Plasmodium falciparum has developed, making it challenging to help treat this disease. RTS, S/AS01 has been shown to act on the pre-erythrocytic stage of malaria, targeting the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum expressed by the malaria parasite during this stage. At the same time, Cryptolepsis Sanguinolenta has been shown to have 90% inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum K1 growth. They have both …

18s Metabarcode Analyses Of Eukaryotic Species In The Respiratory Microbiomes Of Wild Canids From New Hampshire, Collin Sinclair Blake

Honors Theses and Capstones

This study is of an exploratory nature and focuses on characterizing the eukaryotic microbiota present in the respiratory tissues of six wild canids and one domestic canine. The contents of this document largely pertain to dry lab analyses of 18S barcodes in bioinformatics programs – primarily QIIME2 running in the GitBash command line, service for which was hosted by the UNH Ron Bioinformatics training server. All procedures listed within the section below were performed by second parties at the UNH Hubbard Center for Genomics Studies (HCGS), the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostics Lab (NHVDL), and the UNH Microbial Ecology and Emerging …

Asymmetric Synthesis Of The Hiv Protease Inhibitor Tmc-126 And An Anti-Malarial Agent Via A Titanium Tetrachloride Mediated Asymmetric Glycolate Aldol Addition Reaction. Redefining The Curtius Rearrangement Reaction Via Dehomologation Of Carboxylic Acids Bearing Alpha-Leaving Groups, Kweku Amaning Affram

Theses and Dissertations

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and malaria are two devastating infectious diseases caused by HIV and Plasmodium parasites. AIDS is caused by HIV-1 and HIV-2, transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, needle sharing, and perinatal routes. Malaria, caused by plasmodium parasites through mosquito bites. Today, millions of people around the world have been infected with HIV and malaria and much research has been done to treat it. However, despite advancements in therapeutic options, these diseases remain a significant global health threat, particularly in developing countries due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains for both HIV and malaria complicating eradication efforts. …

Rwanda's Natural Remedies: A Fresh Look At The Fight Against Malaria, Leandre Nsabimana Ndisanze

Pomona Senior Theses

Malaria remains one of the most devastating parasitic diseases globally, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa, where Rwanda continues to face high transmission rates and rising resistance to conventional interventions. Despite decades of control efforts, the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum and insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes threatens to reverse recent gains. This research responds to the urgent need for sustainable and culturally relevant alternatives by exploring the therapeutic potential of Rwandan traditional medicinal plants. These indigenous remedies, long used by local healers, offer an underexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds that may provide the basis for novel antimalarial drugs.

The central hypothesis of this …

One Year Follow Up Of A Cross-Sectional Study Of Hookworm Infection And Response To Deworming In Beposo, Ghana, Taylor Clarkson

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Hookworms are soil-transmitted helminths that infect over 500 million people worldwide, primarily those in low-income countries. Infection with hookworm can cause anemia, malnutrition, and stunted physical and cognitive development. Deworming campaigns have attempted to combat hookworm infections in endemic areas for decades. However, there is growing variability in the effectiveness of deworming drugs, and post-treatment reinfections are abundant. There are significant gaps in our understanding of critical host-parasite factors that mediate hookworm infection, reinfection, and response to deworming treatment in endemic communities. A five-year prospective study was undertaken to better understand drivers of hookworm infection in rural Ghana and thus …

Malaria, A Burden For Sub-Saharan Africa, Alpha Mamadou Hady Barry

Health and Kinesiology Theses

Malaria has been a worldwide health problem for centuries causing between 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths annually, and mostly affecting children aged 5 and under and pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Phillips, 2001). The discovery of malaria parasites by Laveran in 1880 as well as the finding of mosquitoes as vectors for avian malaria by Ross in 1897, made scientific studies about malaria possible. Between 1898 and 1900, the Italian scientists Grassi, Bignami, Bastianelli, Celli, Golgi and Marchiafava discovered human malaria (Cox, 2010). Malaria has been eradicated from developed countries such as the United Staes and most European countries …

Microbial Profile And Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Of Surgical Intra-Abdominal Infections At A Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Abduel Julius Kitua

Master of Surgery

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Among infections of surgical importance, intra-abdominal infections prevail among the most common in surgical patients with considerable morbidity and mortality. The ever-rising microbial resistance to commonly available antibiotics and geographical variations in microbial profile and resistance patterns poses a challenge to the management of these surgical infections of abdominal origin. The aim of this study was to evaluate microbiological characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates from intra-abdominal infections at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania and how these influence early treatment outcomes.

High Prevalence Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) And Associated Risk To Humans In Central Illinois, Esther Onuselogu

Masters Theses

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected tropical disease and a growing health threat in the United States. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) often coexist with humans in urban and suburban areas and serve as reservoir hosts for T. cruzi. While T. cruzi is rare in humans and domestic animals in the U.S., it is common in wildlife species, particularly raccoons and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in the raccoon population of Central Illinois and evaluate the risk of transmission to humans. …

การแยกและการเพาะเลี้ยงสาหร่ายขนาดเล็กและความหลากหลายของจุลินทรีย์ที่อาศัยอยู่ในกระเพาะอาหารของลูกน้ำและแหล่งเพาะพันธุ์ของยุงลายบ้าน Aedes Aegypti, จีริสุดา พรหมเพรา

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ยุงลายบ้านเป็นพาหะสำคัญของโรคที่เกิดจากไวรัส เช่น โรคไข้เลือดออก โรคชิคุนกุนยา และโรคซิกา ก่อให้เกิดการเจ็บป่วยและเสียชีวิตทั่วโลก ไม่กี่ปีที่ผ่านมามีรายงานว่าสาหร่ายขนาดเล็กสามารถยับยั้งการเจริญของลูกน้ำยุงและส่งผลต่อจุลินทรีย์ในกระเพาะอาหารของยุง ซึ่งเป็นแนวทางในการพัฒนากลยุทธ์ใหม่สำหรับควบคุมพาหะนำโรค เพื่อแยก เพาะเลี้ยง และตรวจสอบความสัมพันธ์และความหลากหลายของสาหร่ายขนาดเล็กและจุลินทรีย์ในกระเพาะอาหารของลูกน้ำยุงและน้ำจากแหล่งเพาะพันธุ์ยุงลายบ้าน จากจังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช โดยใช้กล้องจุลทรรศน์แบบใช้แสงและเทคนิคเมตาบาร์โค้ด พบสาหร่ายขนาดเล็ก 10 สกุล ด้วยกล้องจุลทรรศน์แบบใช้แสง และด้วยเทคนิคเมตาบาร์โค้ด 25 สกุล รวมถึงไดอะตอมในอันดับ Achnanthales โดยพบสาหร่ายขนาดเล็กจากทั้ง 2 วิธี 4 สกุล ได้แก่ Tetradesmus, Nannochloropsis, Monoraphidium และ Leptolyngbya และมี 2 สกุล คือ Tetradesmus และ Leptolyngbya ที่พบจากทั้งกระเพาะอาหารและแหล่งเพาะพันธุ์ของยุงลายบ้าน ส่วนจุลินทรีย์พบทั้งหมด 18 ไฟลัม โดยพบมากที่สุดทั้งในกระเพาะอาหารลูกน้ำและในน้ำจากแหล่งเพาะพันธุ์ยุงเดียวกัน ได้แก่ ไฟลัม Proteobacteria, Planctomycetota และ Actinobacteriota ตามลำดับ สะท้อนถึงความสอดคล้องขององค์ประกอบจุลินทรีย์ระหว่างสิ่งแวดล้อมและตัวอ่อนของยุง บ่งชี้ถึงความเชื่อมโยงทางชีวภาพระหว่างสิ่งแวดล้อมและลูกน้ำยุงลายบ้าน ซึ่งนำไปประยุกต์ใช้ในการพัฒนาวิธีควบคุมลูกน้ำยุงอย่างยั่งยืนและเป็นมิตรต่อสิ่งแวดล้อมได้

Guideline For Screening Of Trichomonas Vaginalis Infections In The Correctional Setting, Nahirobi J. Madrid Antunez

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Objective: This guideline project focused on creating a screening guideline for T. vaginalis that would benefit healthcare providers in a correctional healthcare setting for incarcerated females entering the facility.

Methods: A literature review was conducted. The PubMed and MEDLINE search engines, were used to obtain medical, biomedical and life sciences literature, and CINAHL for nursing and allied health resources, Governmental agency sites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), were also explored. Guideline recommendations were extrapolated from the literature review, and then rated by, stakeholders.

Results: Several overarching themes were identified. Screening of asymptomatic women for T. …

Towards A Mode Of Action For The Anti-Schistosomal Aryl Hydantoins, Thomas Schulze

Theses & Dissertations

Schistosomiasis is a significant human disease caused by the helminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Praziquantel remains the only clinically used treatment, yet it is rapidly metabolized and only effective against the adult stage worm infection. Ro 13-3978 (AR02) is a potent antischistosomal compound with activity against multiple S. mansoni life stages; however, it manifests anti-androgenic activity. Additionally, the mechanism of action for worm clearance remains unknown. The structure of Ro 13-3979 was used to generate optimized derivatives, including AR102, that show increased potency towards worms, reduced off-target anti-androgen effects, and extended half-life thereby increasing the feasibility for a single-dose curative treatment. …

Human-Bat Interactions In A Disease Emergence Hotspot: Implications For Human Health And Bat Conservation, Reilly Tempest Jackson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bats are an ecologically important taxon that can host zoonotic pathogens. Globally, many bat species are synanthropic and live closely with humans, often roosting in man-made structures. The spatial overlap between humans and bats creates opportunities for human-bat contact, which can lead to human exposure to bat-borne pathogens and conflicts that cause bat mortality. Despite this risk, little is known about the drivers and characteristics of these human-bat interactions in buildings and work is needed to understand this aspect of the wildlife-urban interface. In Chapter I, I present a literature review that identifies the geographic and taxonomic trends in reported …

A Systematic Review Of Research On Treatment & Prevention Of The Neglected Tropical Disease Leishmaniasis, Aryn Akerberg

All Theses

Leishmaniasis is a life-threatening neglected tropical disease that is caused by the protozoa parasite, Leishmania. Over one million new human leishmaniasis cases occur each all over the world, affecting most the deeply impoverished regions of the world. The disease presents in three different forms: cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous (mucosal) leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis. Symptoms can range from self-limiting lesion to more life-threatening conditions such as fever, kidney disease, and anemia. The Leishmania parasite is transmitted via the bite of the female phlebotomine sandfly and can infect many other mammals such as canines, rodents, bats, etc. The canine leishmaniasis epidemic is also …

Investigating Novel Chemotherapeutics Against The Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii, Braydon Dreher

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan, is a globally prevalent parasite due to the infectivity of T. gondii with nearly 2.5 billion people affected worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii can cause toxoplasmosis, which is a disease acquired through the consumption of undercooked meat or found in the feces of felines, and often leads to profound neuropathology and potentially death. Currently, acute toxoplasmosis is treated with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, which is a combination of an antiprotozoal and a sulfonamide. This combination of drugs directly targets the acute stage of infection but has failed to eliminate or impact the chronic carriage of bradyzoites while …

Effect Of Temperature On The Microbiome Of A Laboratory-Reared Colony Of Haemaphysalis Longicornis Ticks, Brianna L. Mitchell

Honors Theses

Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks are invasive to the United States with potential to transmit several tick-borne pathogens that are native to the United States. Based on existing locations of H. longicornis in its native regions in Asia, as well as its invasive populations that are established in the United States, several geographic range prediction models have been produced to help understand future range expansion and distribution of this invasive tick in North America. Unfortunately, these models do not all agree and there is uncertainty associated with the potential geographic range expansion of H. longicornis ticks in North America. Climate can affect …

Characterization Of Toxoplasma Gondii Calcium Regulator Proteins Tggt1_253640 And Tggt1_222060 For Toxoplasma Gondii Growth And Invasion, Abigail Delapenha

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic apicomplexan parasite infecting humans and livestock. Infection in immunocompromised individuals can cause neurological damage and infection during pregnancy can lead to fetal death. These parasites engage in a complex life cycle, involving repeated invasion of the host cell and egress from the host cell. Calcium signaling is an important regulatory mechanism for many essential processes in the parasite, including gliding motility (actomyosin-dependent mode of motion), invasion, and egress. Our work here focuses on two previously uncharacterized calcium regulator proteins (TGGT1_253640 and TGGT1_222060). To characterize the role of these proteins in parasite viability and calcium regulation, …

Disease Risk Of Reintroducing Primates Confiscated From The Illegal Wildlife Trade, Ana Patricia Mendoza Becerra

Dissertations

Zoonotic infections are easily shared between human and other primates, and thus primate trafficking poses a high risk of introducing zoonotic pathogens into urban environments as well as spreading human-associated diseases into natural environments when infected primates are released. The magnitude of these risks has not been thoroughly studied in the context of primate trafficking and rehabilitation of Neotropical primates. In this dissertation, I address some knowledge gaps in disease risk analysis of reintroducing trafficked primates. In chapter 1, I describe the dynamics, diversity, and composition of live wildlife trafficking in urban markets in Peru. I found these markets are …

Transmission Competence Of B. Burgdorferi Infected Ixodes Ticks And Development Of An Ospc-Based Lyme Disease Vaccine, Samanta Kamalika

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction. Lyme disease, otherwise called Lyme borreliosis, is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Studying the increase in overall Lyme disease incidence requires understanding the role of the vector Ixodes scapularis (I. scapularis) as the agent that carries the spirochete which is important to limit the occurrence of Lyme disease. Once we understand the vector-pathogen response, it also becomes important to determine the remedies for Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if detected early, but the major obstacle lies in the early detection process. Therefore, it is important to investigate alternative preventive …

Species Data And Vector Modeling: Evaluating Datasets For Improved Models Of Ixodes Ricinus Tick Distribution In Europe Under A Changing Climate, Steven Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To increase capacity for monitoring and surveillance of tick-borne diseases, publicly available tick distribution and climate change datasets are required to create accurate predictive distribution models. It is difficult, however, to assess model accuracy and utility when using incomplete datasets.  The more recent development of comprehensive tick databases for Europe and availability of climate change scenarios from multiple IPCC Assessment Reports allows for improved modeling efforts. Multiple tick datasets were combined and three climate change projections were compared by predicting current and future distributions of Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe using the MaxEnt species distribution model. Overall, much of Europe …

An Epidemiological Synthesis Of Emerging And Re-Emerging Zoonotic Disease Threats In Cameroon, 2000-2022 And Community Stakeholder Mapping, Nancy Tahmo

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Introduction: Population factors such as urbanization, socio-economic, and environmental factors are driving forces for emerging/re-emerging diseases in Cameroon, and the effects of these are experienced differently across demographics. Indigenous rainforest communities in the Congo Basin, for example, suffer worse health outcomes compared to neighboring communities, like the Pygmies, who have a life expectancy of 22 years less than neighboring Bantus. It is important to characterize the risk of exposure of these vulnerable communities and map out, through a systematic review, descriptive epidemiological data around zoonoses, to inform preparedness and research efforts.

Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a protocol was registered …

Infection And Transmission Determinants Of Flea-Borne Rickettsioses, Hanna J. Laukaitis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The genus Rickettsia is comprised of Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria that are spread by hematophagous arthropods. Elucidating the factors conferring rickettsial virulence has perplexed investigators for decades, complicated by the lack of efficient genetic tools necessary to uncover rickettsial- and vector-specific factors contributing to persistence. The advent of transposon mutagenesis has enabled the field to make vast developments in uncovering novel rickettsial mechanisms utilized in various host backgrounds. Thus, the aim of this study was to generate Rickettsia felis transposon mutants and characterize novel phenotypes associated with genetic disruption in an arthropod background. Distribution of rickettsiae is reliant on the …