Mansonelliasis, while neglected, presents a significant global health challenge. As a research service provider, Protheragen is committed to developing effective vaccines and therapies to address this disease. Our comprehensive services, state-of-the-art facilities, and collaborative approach position us as a leader in the fight against Mansonelliasis.
Overview of Mansonelliasis
Mansonelliasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by various species of filarial nematode parasites within the genus Mansonella. These parasites primarily infect humans as their definitive host, with transmission occurring through the bites of blood-feeding Dipteran insects such as biting midges and blackflies. The three main species responsible for human mansonelliasis are Mansonella perstans, Mansonella ozzardi, and Mansonella streptocerca, each exhibiting distinct characteristics.
M. perstans is considered the most prevalent of the Mansonella species, endemic across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Amazon basin in South America. M. ozzardi has a more patchy distribution in Latin America and the Caribbean, while M. streptocerca is found in central and west Africa. Infections are often asymptomatic, but can occasionally cause mild symptoms like itching, joint pain, and lymph node enlargement.
Fig.1 Integrated life cycle of the three Mansonella spp. (Ta-Tang T.H., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Mansonelliasis
Despite the significant public health burden of mansonelliasis, especially in resource-limited regions, vaccine development for this neglected tropical disease has lagged far behind other filarial infections like lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Several key factors have hindered progress in this area:
Lack of Defined Protective Antigens
The biology and immunology of Mansonella parasites remain poorly understood compared to other human filarial nematodes. Identifying suitable vaccine target antigens that can elicit a protective immune response is a major challenge. More research is needed to characterize the parasite's life cycle, molecular composition, and host-parasite interactions.
Heterogeneity of Mansonella Species
The three main Mansonella species that cause mansonelliasis differ in their geographic distribution, vector transmission, and even genetic makeup. Developing a single vaccine that can provide broad coverage against this diversity is technically complex. Species-specific or even strain-specific vaccine approaches may be required.
Limited Animal Models
Appropriate animal models that faithfully recapitulate human mansonelliasis are lacking. Most laboratory studies have relied on experimental infections in rodents or non-human primates, which may not accurately reflect the natural disease pathogenesis and immune responses. This hinders vaccine candidate evaluation and optimization.
Therapeutics Development for Mansonelliasis
- Microfilarial Clearance
Drugs like diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and ivermectin have been used to clear microfilariae from the blood. These drugs target the parasites directly, reducing their numbers and alleviating symptoms.
Combination therapy using DEC and ivermectin has shown promise in reducing microfilarial loads more effectively than single-agent therapy.
- Anti-Wolbachia Therapies
Given the essential role of Wolbachia endosymbionts in parasite survival, antibiotics like doxycycline have been effective in clearing infections by targeting these bacteria.
Clinical trials using doxycycline have demonstrated its efficacy in treating Mansonella infections, particularly M. perstans, by eliminating the Wolbachia endosymbionts.
Our Services
As a research service provider, Protheragen's drug discovery scientists are taking a multi-pronged approach to address the unmet need for more effective and safer therapeutics for mansonelliasis.
Disease Models
- M. perstans Infection Animal Models
- M. streptocerca Infection Animal Models
- M. ozzardi Infection Animal Models
- Customized Animal Models
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
- Customized Research Services
We employ cutting-edge technologies such as next-generation sequencing and high-throughput screening to accelerate the discovery process. Our team of scientists has extensive experience in working with neglected diseases, ensuring that our approach is scientifically sound. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Ta-Tang, Thuy-Huong, et al. "An overview of the management of mansonellosis." Research and reports in tropical medicine (2021): 93-105.
- Ta-Tang, Thuy-Huong, et al. "Mansonellosis: current perspectives." Research and reports in tropical medicine (2018): 9-24.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
