ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Malaria remains the major parasitic disease, with 300-500 million new infections each year. This survey covers recent advances in the field of parasite-host interactions, focusing onPlasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of the human parasites. Rapid progress in genomic research is creating a basis for the development of new drugs and vaccines. Identification of drug-resistance mutations facilitates evaluation of improved drug policies, and attempts are being made to develop new compounds that inhibit metabolic pathways that are specific to the parasite. Cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes to microvascular endothelium is responsible for the sequestration of parasites, causing pathology and severe disease. Newly identified molecular fine structures that mediate cytoadherence may provide new targets for specific therapies. Humoral and cell-mediated immunity induced by the parasite may be protective, but may also be harmful by generating imbalance in cytokine responses. Efforts are made to determine the pathways that give rise to protection, with vaccination being the principal goal for achieving malaria control. Different vaccine constructs are being evaluated in preclinical and clinical trials, including modified viral vectors, synthetic peptides, DNA and new adjuvants.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Schistosomiasis is a worldwide problem because it is so widely distributed, and few places on earth are now too remote. Some of the most important new research examines how parasite and host biology are integrated, how any level of infection contributes to the overall burden of disease, and the long-term and short-term outcomes of control programs.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Invasive amoebiasis, the infection of humans byEntamoeba histolyticaassociated with dysentery and liver abscess, is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This review attempts to reduce the gap between the overwhelming amount of information coming recently from laboratory research and the sparse contributions resulting from clinical and epidemiological investigations of the second parasitic cause of death resulting from a protozoan parasite.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Twenty years ago onchocerciasis was a disease generally ignored by the medical world, except by those who actually worked with the affected people in Africa and Latin America. Now, largely as a result of the success of mass vector control and drug treatment programs, this is a disease management model for developing countries. The recent literature on onchocerciasis has, not surprisingly, mainly focused on various aspects of control. Investigation into the more basic questions is needed to ensure continued effective disease control. The present mass drug control program is based on a single pharmaceutical, ivermectin (Mectizan), which acts almost exclusively on the microfilarial stage of the infection. Efforts are being made to identify other useful drugs; however, no major candidates have yet appeared. The identification of potential biochemical targets for anti-filarial compounds through a better understanding of the biochemistry of these worms is being pursued. TheOnchocerca volvulusendosymbiontWolbachiamay provide a target for therapeutic intervention. An improved understanding of the genomics ofO. volvulushas made possible the identification of strain differences in the parasites, and an appreciation of the relevance of these strain differences to the clinical disease, onchocerciasis. There is a need for a better understanding of the clinical disease, and the various pathogenic mechanisms that underly the different syndromes. It is particularly important to understand the pathological basis and mechanisms underlying the adverse responses that can occur with chemotherapy. Present control programs now need to be carefully monitored for effectiveness using new assessment tools, such as antigen assays and the identification of organisms in pools of vectors. Current efforts to control onchocerciasis must be coordinated with new chemotherapy-based control programs for other worm diseases that are emerging. The results of laboratory studies are increasingly being applied to improve the effectiveness of field-based control programs and their assessment. Such research is essential for progress towards the goals of controlling and eliminating onchocerciasis.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Helminths affect more than one quarter of the world's population, contributing significantly to socioeconomic problems in developing countries. Control is heavily dependent on chemotherapy, which can be cost-effectively targeted to school-age children, in whom combined drug treatments work well. Drug resistance, however, is a constant threat. Human behaviour significantly influences transmission. New infections or foci are frequently reported and tourism exposes non-endemic individuals to serious risks. Infection and pathology are strongly influenced by genetic factors, which are now being defined. Immune responses contribute to both protection and pathology. Clarification of these responses is providing opportunities for vaccination and for the modulation of immunopathology.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The year under review has seen a remarkable proliferation of papers on dengue. Four prospective studies have been carried out across the dengue belt, many groups have been pushing at the question of pathogenesis of dengue haemorrhagic fever, and a breakthrough has been achieved in the development of a mouse model for human dengue haemorrhagic fever.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The emergence of hepatitis B virus genetic variants occurs under the influence of host immunity, immunization, the use of immune globulin or antiviral chemotherapy. Most of these are probably the result of the ‘immune escape’ phenomenon. Some variants, in particular those in the precore and core promoter regions, have been associated with disease severity and progression. Surface antigen variants have implications for the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis and may reduce the effectiveness of vaccination. Polymerase variants are selected as a result of the use of antiviral chemotherapeutic agents. It is important to monitor the occurrence of these variants.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

In this review we will discuss advances in the primary and secondary prevention of viral hepatitis and the treatment for chronic viral hepatitis.

ISSN:0951-7375    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2000

数据来源: OVID