Featured Publications
Application of multiplex amplicon deep-sequencing (MAD-seq) to screen for putative drug resistance markers in the Necator americanus isotype-1 β-tubulin gene
George S, Suwondo P, Akorli J, Otchere J, Harrison LM, Bilguvar K, Knight JR, Humphries D, Wilson MD, Caccone A, Cappello M. Application of multiplex amplicon deep-sequencing (MAD-seq) to screen for putative drug resistance markers in the Necator americanus isotype-1 β-tubulin gene. Scientific Reports 2022, 12: 11459. PMID: 35794459, PMCID: PMC9259660, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15718-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle nucleotide polymorphismsPeriodic mass drug administrationHigh-risk groupCross-sectional studyDrug resistance markersMass drug administrationResistance-associated mutationsHookworm Necator americanusPost-treatment samplesIsotype-1 β-tubulin geneHookworm infectionPersistent infectionResistance markersDrug AdministrationNecator americanusInfection statusVeterinary nematodesInfectionMarkersNucleotide polymorphismsSensitive toolBenzimidazole drugsNucleotide allelesSocial determinants and causes of child mortality in Pakistan: Analysis of national demographic health surveys from 1990 to 2013
Afshan K, Narjis G, Qureshi IZ, Cappello M. Social determinants and causes of child mortality in Pakistan: Analysis of national demographic health surveys from 1990 to 2013. Journal Of Paediatrics And Child Health 2019, 56: 457-472. PMID: 31774227, DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14670.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild mortalitySocial determinantsChild healthNational Demographic Health SurveyAverage birth sizeFirst birth orderCause of deathChild survival strategyDemographic Health Survey dataPrevious birth intervalCost-effective interventionLowest wealth quintileDemographic Health SurveyHealth Survey dataIntrapartum asphyxiaMaternal disordersMiddle-income countriesBirth sizeHealth SurveyMaternal educationChild survivalWealth quintileBivariate analysisGreater riskMortality
2024
Prehospital use of point-of-care tests by community health workers: a scoping review
Ebbs D, Taricia M, Funaro M, O’Daniel M, Cappello M. Prehospital use of point-of-care tests by community health workers: a scoping review. Frontiers In Public Health 2024, 12: 1360322. PMID: 38721545, PMCID: PMC11076783, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360322.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommunity health workersHealth workersPoint-of-care testingPrehospital settingLocal community health workersFull-text reviewMedical Subject HeadingsPRISMA extensionPrehospital useImplementation strategiesResource settingsEarly risk stratificationMedical librariansStudy criteriaSubject headingsPoint-of-carePrehospitalRisk stratificationWorkersCommunitySetsReviewPRISMAHIVMalaria
2023
The effect of single dose albendazole (400 mg) treatment on the human gut microbiome of hookworm-infected Ghanaian individuals
Appiah-Twum F, Akorli J, Okyere L, Sagoe K, Osabutey D, Cappello M, Wilson M. The effect of single dose albendazole (400 mg) treatment on the human gut microbiome of hookworm-infected Ghanaian individuals. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 11302. PMID: 37438457, PMCID: PMC10338455, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38376-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHookworm infectionAlbendazole treatmentMicrobiota compositionStool samplesGut microbiomeGut microbiome dysbiosisInfection cure rateKintampo North MunicipalityPre-treatment statePotential microbial biomarkersAdjunct treatmentAnthelminthic therapySingle doseCure rateMicrobiome dysbiosisTreatment outcomesGut homeostasisPharmacological responseProbiotic supplementationGut microbiotaUninfected individualsCommensal bacteriaInfected individualsTherapy outcomeHuman gut microbiome
2022
Plasmodium infection is associated with cross-reactive antibodies to carbohydrate epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein
Lapidus S, Liu F, Casanovas-Massana A, Dai Y, Huck J, Lucas C, Klein J, Filler R, Strine M, Sy M, Deme A, Badiane A, Dieye B, Ndiaye I, Diedhiou Y, Mbaye A, Diagne C, Vigan-Womas I, Mbengue A, Sadio B, Diagne M, Moore A, Mangou K, Diallo F, Sene S, Pouye M, Faye R, Diouf B, Nery N, Costa F, Reis M, Muenker M, Hodson D, Mbarga Y, Katz B, Andrews J, Campbell M, Srivathsan A, Kamath K, Baum-Jones E, Faye O, Sall A, Vélez J, Cappello M, Wilson M, Ben-Mamoun C, Tedder R, McClure M, Cherepanov P, Somé F, Dabiré R, Moukoko C, Ouédraogo J, Boum Y, Shon J, Ndiaye D, Wisnewski A, Parikh S, Iwasaki A, Wilen C, Ko A, Ring A, Bei A. Plasmodium infection is associated with cross-reactive antibodies to carbohydrate epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Scientific Reports 2022, 12: 22175. PMID: 36550362, PMCID: PMC9778468, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26709-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCross-reactive antibodiesSARS-CoV-2Positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody resultsPositive SARS-CoV-2 antibodiesSARS-CoV-2 reactivitySARS-CoV-2 antibodiesAcute malaria infectionSpike proteinAntibody test resultsPre-pandemic samplesMalaria-endemic countriesPopulation-level immunityMalaria-endemic regionsSpike S1 subunitNon-endemic countriesSARS-CoV-2 spike proteinSARS-CoV-2 proteinsPopulation-level exposureCOVID-19 transmissionMalaria exposureFalse-positive resultsMalaria infectionDisease burdenPlasmodium infectionAntibody results
2021
Effect of hookworm infection and anthelmintic treatment on naturally acquired antibody responses against the GMZ2 malaria vaccine candidate and constituent antigens
Amoani B, Gyan B, Sakyi SA, Abu EK, Nuvor SV, Barnes P, Sarkodie-Addo T, Ahenkorah B, Sewor C, Dwomoh D, Theisen M, Cappello M, Wilson MD, Adu B. Effect of hookworm infection and anthelmintic treatment on naturally acquired antibody responses against the GMZ2 malaria vaccine candidate and constituent antigens. BMC Infectious Diseases 2021, 21: 332. PMID: 33832450, PMCID: PMC8028774, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06027-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAlbendazoleAnthelminticsAntibodies, ProtozoanAntigens, ProtozoanCase-Control StudiesChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHookworm InfectionsHumansImmunoglobulin GLongitudinal StudiesMalaria VaccinesMalaria, FalciparumMaleMiddle AgedParasitemiaProtozoan ProteinsYoung AdultConceptsMerozoite surface protein 3Antibody responseHookworm infectionMalaria vaccine candidateConstituent antigensP. falciparumGLURP-R0IgG3 levelsVaccine candidatesLongitudinal cross-sectional studyHigher IgG3 levelsUninfected endemic controlsP. falciparum infectionPlasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3Levels of IgG1Kato-Katz methodCross-sectional studyHigher antibody responseMalaria vaccine efficacyKintampo North MunicipalityAnthelmintic treatmentHookworm treatmentMalaria parasitaemiaAlbendazole treatmentEndemic controls
2020
Dogs and pigs are transport hosts of Necator americanus: Molecular evidence for a zoonotic mechanism of human hookworm transmission in Ghana
Boyko RH, Harrison L, Humphries D, Galvani AP, Townsend JP, Otchere J, Wilson MD, Cappello M. Dogs and pigs are transport hosts of Necator americanus: Molecular evidence for a zoonotic mechanism of human hookworm transmission in Ghana. Zoonoses And Public Health 2020, 67: 474-483. PMID: 32529782, DOI: 10.1111/zph.12708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPig fecal samplesProspective molecular studyNematode Toxocara canisPig ownershipPig samplesNematode larvaeAnimal faecesTransport hostsDog ownershipKintampo NorthFecal samplesToxocara canisProxy of exposureHuman infectionsPigsHookworm eggsSubsequent prospective studyHookworm transmissionDogsResource-limited countriesFaecesPCR analysisGhanaMolecular evidenceSignificant morbidity
2019
Genetic Markers of Benzimidazole Resistance among Human Hookworms (Necator americanus) in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana.
Orr AR, Quagraine JE, Suwondo P, George S, Harrison LM, Dornas FP, Evans B, Caccone A, Humphries D, Wilson MD, Cappello M. Genetic Markers of Benzimidazole Resistance among Human Hookworms (Necator americanus) in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2019, 100: 351-356. PMID: 30734697, PMCID: PMC6367626, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0727.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMass drug administrationSoil-transmitted helminthsKintampo North MunicipalitySchool-aged childrenSingle nucleotide polymorphismsPolymerase chain reactionEffectiveness of MDAWild-type SNPsInfected study subjectsPeriodic mass drug administrationResistance-associated single nucleotide polymorphismsCross-sectional studyResistance-associated mutationsWorld Health OrganizationHookworm infectionDrug exposureHookworm eggsUnreported associationStudy subjectsDrug AdministrationPosttreatment samplesChemotherapeutic approachesGrowth delayHuman hookwormHealth Organization
2018
Albendazole Treatment Improves Work Capacity in Women Smallholder Farmers Infected with Hookworm: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial.
Salmon M, Salmon C, Masoda M, Salumu JM, Bozzi C, Nieburg P, Harrison LM, Humphries D, Abaca Uvon N, Wendel SK, Trout C, Cappello M. Albendazole Treatment Improves Work Capacity in Women Smallholder Farmers Infected with Hookworm: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2018, 98: 1419-1426. PMID: 29611504, PMCID: PMC5953358, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0403.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWork capacityRandomized Effectiveness TrialSoil-transmitted helminthsHealth of womenStep testPlacebo groupAlbendazole treatmentPrimary outcomeHookworm infectionStep test resultsEffectiveness trialNonsignificant decreaseHeart rateControl trialTreatment groupsIntestinal parasitesPulse rateHookwormTrialsRisk benefitDrug distributionWomenTreatmentAlbendazoleMinutes
2016
Effectiveness of Albendazole for Hookworm Varies Widely by Community and Correlates with Nutritional Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study of School-Age Children in Ghana.
Humphries D, Nguyen S, Kumar S, Quagraine JE, Otchere J, Harrison LM, Wilson M, Cappello M. Effectiveness of Albendazole for Hookworm Varies Widely by Community and Correlates with Nutritional Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study of School-Age Children in Ghana. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2016, 96: 347-354. PMID: 27895280, PMCID: PMC5303035, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0682.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEgg reduction rateCross-sectional studyMass drug administrationSchool-aged childrenEffectiveness of albendazoleCure rateDrug AdministrationMid-upper arm circumferenceSoil-transmitted helminth infectionsHost factorsNutritional factorsSingle-dose albendazoleOverall cure rateBlood hemoglobin levelsKintampo North MunicipalitySignificant community-level variationIndividual host factorsWorld Health OrganizationCommon STHHemoglobin levelsArm circumferenceHookworm infectionHelminth infectionsDeworming programsHookworm prevalence
2014
Transcriptional profiling of the spleen in progressive visceral leishmaniasis reveals mixed expression of type 1 and type 2 cytokine-responsive genes
Espitia CM, Saldarriaga OA, Travi BL, Osorio EY, Hernandez A, Band M, Patel MJ, Medina AA, Cappello M, Pekosz A, Melby PC. Transcriptional profiling of the spleen in progressive visceral leishmaniasis reveals mixed expression of type 1 and type 2 cytokine-responsive genes. BMC Immunology 2014, 15: 38. PMID: 25424735, PMCID: PMC4253007, DOI: 10.1186/s12865-014-0038-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCluster AnalysisCricetinaeCytokinesDisease ProgressionDNA, ComplementaryExpressed Sequence TagsGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression RegulationGene OntologyHumansInterferon-gammaLeishmania donovaniLeishmaniasis, VisceralMesocricetusMolecular Sequence AnnotationOligonucleotide Array Sequence AnalysisPrincipal Component AnalysisRNA, MessengerSignal TransductionSpleenUp-RegulationConceptsSyrian golden hamstersVisceral leishmaniasisHamster modelGolden hamstersProgressive visceral leishmaniasisIL-4/ILIFN-γ responsesAlternative macrophage activationProgression of diseaseStudy of immunopathogenesisHamster infection modelPolarization of macrophagesImmune cell traffickingImmune response genesImmune-related genesSpleen responseImmunopathological featuresMassive splenomegalyInfected groupMacrophage activationIntracellular protozoanCell traffickingType 1Infection modelLeishmaniasisMolecular cloning and characterization of a nematode polyprotein antigen/allergen from the human and animal hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum
Fairfax KC, Harrison LM, Cappello M. Molecular cloning and characterization of a nematode polyprotein antigen/allergen from the human and animal hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Molecular And Biochemical Parasitology 2014, 198: 37-44. PMID: 25481749, PMCID: PMC4354846, DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.11.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAmino acid sequenceFatty acids de novoShares sequence identityExcretory/secretory proteinsPseudocoelomic spaceMolecular cloningCis-parinaric acidPartial cDNASequence identityAcid sequenceFatty acidsSimilar proteinsSecretory proteinsHookworm biologyRecombinant subunitsSoluble adult worm extractProteinAntigens/allergensSubunits
2013
In vitro Screening of Compounds against Laboratory and Field Isolates of Human Hookworm Reveals Quantitative Differences in Anthelmintic Susceptibility
Treger RS, Otchere J, Keil MF, Quagraine JE, Rai G, Mott BT, Humphries DL, Wilson M, Cappello M, Vermeire JJ. In vitro Screening of Compounds against Laboratory and Field Isolates of Human Hookworm Reveals Quantitative Differences in Anthelmintic Susceptibility. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2013, 90: 71-74. PMID: 24297811, PMCID: PMC3886431, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0547.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsField isolatesA. ceylanicumHookwormScreening of compoundsAncylostoma ceylanicumHuman hookwormAnthelmintic compoundsLaboratory strainsHookworm speciesPercent inhibitionSchool childrenTwofold increaseSelect compoundsAnthelmintic activityNovel anthelmintic compoundsAnthelmintic susceptibilityBrong Ahafo RegionIsolatesAhafo RegionPeroxiredoxin-1 from the Human Hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum Forms a Stable Oxidized Decamer and Is Covalently Inhibited by Conoidin A
Nguyen JB, Pool CD, Wong CY, Treger RS, Williams DL, Cappello M, Lea WA, Simeonov A, Vermeire JJ, Modis Y. Peroxiredoxin-1 from the Human Hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum Forms a Stable Oxidized Decamer and Is Covalently Inhibited by Conoidin A. Cell Chemical Biology 2013, 20: 991-1001. PMID: 23891152, PMCID: PMC3755041, DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.06.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHookworm Infection among School Age Children in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana: Nutritional Risk Factors and Response to Albendazole Treatment
Humphries D, Simms BT, Davey D, Otchere J, Quagraine J, Terryah S, Newton S, Berg E, Harrison LM, Boakye D, Wilson M, Cappello M. Hookworm Infection among School Age Children in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana: Nutritional Risk Factors and Response to Albendazole Treatment. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2013, 89: 540-548. PMID: 23836564, PMCID: PMC3771297, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0605.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKintampo North MunicipalityHookworm infectionCure rateSchool-aged childrenModest cure ratesSingle-dose albendazoleNutritional risk factorsLevels of antibodiesYears of ageAge childrenMalaria parasitemiaAlbendazole treatmentRisk factorsChildren 6InfectionInfection statusHealth careSignificant predictorsAnimal foodsHookwormAlbendazoleFurther investigationAgeChildrenLow consumption
2012
The promise and pitfalls of mass drug administration to control intestinal helminth infections
Humphries D, Nguyen S, Boakye D, Wilson M, Cappello M. The promise and pitfalls of mass drug administration to control intestinal helminth infections. Current Opinion In Infectious Diseases 2012, 25: 584-589. PMID: 22903231, DOI: 10.1097/qco.0b013e328357e4cf.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMass drug administrationIntestinal helminth infectionsHelminth infectionsDrug AdministrationSoil-transmitted nematode infectionsIntensity of schistosomiasisHigh-risk groupResource-limited settingsLong-term controlSignificant morbidityPregnant womenLong-term benefitsNew drug developmentIntensity of infectionIntestinal helminthsEndemic areasConsistent benefitInfectionChemotherapeutic interventionCertain populationsDrug developmentBenzimidazole anthelminthicsIntensive monitoringPrevalenceAdministration
2011
Drug Repositioning and Pharmacophore Identification in the Discovery of Hookworm MIF Inhibitors
Cho Y, Vermeire JJ, Merkel JS, Leng L, Du X, Bucala R, Cappello M, Lolis E. Drug Repositioning and Pharmacophore Identification in the Discovery of Hookworm MIF Inhibitors. Cell Chemical Biology 2011, 18: 1089-1101. PMID: 21944748, PMCID: PMC3294498, DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2011.07.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAncylostomatoideaAnimalsAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-SteroidalBinding SitesCatalytic DomainCrystallography, X-RayDiureticsDrug RepositioningFurosemideHigh-Throughput Screening AssaysHookworm InfectionsHumansKineticsMacrophage Migration-Inhibitory FactorsMeclofenamic AcidSmall Molecule LibrariesConceptsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsMacrophage migration inhibitory factorMigration inhibitory factorAnti-inflammatory drugsIntestinal nematode parasitesSodium meclofenamateHigh-throughput screenMIF inhibitorsAnimal modelsTherapeutic efficacyBioactive compound librariesInhibitory factorHookworm diseaseDiuretic activityPartial protectionTautomerase activityFurosemideDiseaseDrugsFDADrug repositioningSubmicromolar inhibitionInhibitorsNew pharmacophoreDiureticsEpidemiology of Hookworm Infection in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana: Patterns of Malaria Coinfection, Anemia, and Albendazole Treatment Failure
Humphries D, Mosites E, Otchere J, Twum WA, Woo L, Jones-Sanpei H, Harrison LM, Bungiro RD, Benham-Pyle B, Bimi L, Edoh D, Bosompem K, Wilson M, Cappello M. Epidemiology of Hookworm Infection in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana: Patterns of Malaria Coinfection, Anemia, and Albendazole Treatment Failure. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2011, 84: 792-800. PMID: 21540391, PMCID: PMC3083749, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.11-0003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPoor nutritional statusHookworm infectionRisk factorsNutritional statusOverall egg reduction rateSerum immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivitiesCross-sectional pilot studyEgg reduction rateImmunoglobulin G reactivityKintampo North MunicipalityAlbendazole therapyKintampo NorthMalaria coinfectionTreatment failureOverall prevalenceHigh prevalenceRepeat examinationEgg excretionSecretory antigensInfectionPilot studyCoinfectionSignificant reductionTherapyHigh rateAncylostoma ceylanicum Excretory–Secretory Protein 2 Adopts a Netrin-Like Fold and Defines a Novel Family of Nematode Proteins
Kucera K, Harrison LM, Cappello M, Modis Y. Ancylostoma ceylanicum Excretory–Secretory Protein 2 Adopts a Netrin-Like Fold and Defines a Novel Family of Nematode Proteins. Journal Of Molecular Biology 2011, 408: 9-17. PMID: 21352830, PMCID: PMC3070796, DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.02.033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAncylostomaAncylostomatoideaAncylostomiasisAnimalsComplement System ProteinsHelminth ProteinsHumansMatrix MetalloproteinasesMolecular Sequence DataNerve Growth FactorsNetrin-1Protein ConformationProtein FoldingSequence Homology, Amino AcidTissue Inhibitor of MetalloproteinasesTumor Suppressor ProteinsConceptsMatrix metalloproteasesHost immune responseComplement factor C3Nematode proteinsProtein 2Complement-mediated cell lysisHookworm anaemiaMucosal vaccinesImmune responseUseful model organismFactor C3Decoy receptorDisease pathogenesisTissue inhibitorIntestinal attachmentNovel familyAncylostoma ceylanicumImmunoreactive moleculesAdult wormsGlobal healthModel organismsHookwormSequence homologyÅ resolutionHuman parasites
2010
Allosteric inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor revealed by ibudilast
Cho Y, Crichlow GV, Vermeire JJ, Leng L, Du X, Hodsdon ME, Bucala R, Cappello M, Gross M, Gaeta F, Johnson K, Lolis EJ. Allosteric inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor revealed by ibudilast. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2010, 107: 11313-11318. PMID: 20534506, PMCID: PMC2895110, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1002716107.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMacrophage migration inhibitory factorMigration inhibitory factorInhibitory factorPeripheral blood mononuclear cellsBlood mononuclear cellsNeuropathic painOpioid withdrawalMIF receptorBronchial asthmaOcular indicationsMononuclear cellsProinflammatory proteinsAntiinflammatory drugsGlial cellsPossible therapeuticsAntiinflammatory activityChemotactic functionNonselective inhibitorAV411Major receptorTautomerase activityReceptorsAllosteric binding siteAntibody experimentsTreatment