CXCR4 or CXCR7 antagonists treat endometriosis by reducing bone marrow cell trafficking.

Adult stem cells have a major role in endometrial physiology, including remodelling and repair. However, they also have a critical role in the development and progression of endometriosis. Bone marrow-derived stem cells engraft eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions, differentiating to both stromal and epithelial cell fates. Using a mouse bone marrow transplantation model, we show that bone marrow-derived cells engrafting endometriosis express CXCR4 and CXCR7. Targeting either receptor by the administration of small molecule receptor antagonists AMD3100 or CCX771, respectively, reduced BM-derived stem cell recruitment into endometriosis implants. Endometriosis lesion size was decreased compared to vehicle controls after treatment with each antagonist in both an early growth and established lesion treatment model. Endometriosis lesion size was not effected when the local effects of CXCL12 were abrogated using uterine-specific CXCL12 null mice, suggesting an effect primarily on bone marrow cell migration rather than a direct endometrial effect. Antagonist treatment also decreased hallmarks of endometriosis physiopathology such as pro-inflammatory cytokine production and vascularization. CXCR4 and CXCR7 antagonists are potential novel, non-hormonal therapies for endometriosis.

Non-falciparum malaria in Dakar: a confirmed case of Plasmodium ovale wallikeri infection.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium ovale is rarely described in Senegal. A case of clinical malaria due to P. ovale wallikeri in West Central of Senegal is reported. CASE: A 34-year-old male baker in Dakar, with no significant previous medical history, was admitted to a health clinic with fever and vomiting. Fever had been lasting for 4 days with peaks every 48 h. As monospecific Plasmodium falciparum HRP-2 RDT was negative, he was treated with antibiotics. However, owing to persisting symptoms, he was referred to the emergency unit of the Youssou Mbargane Diop Hospital, Dakar, Senegal. Clinical examination found impaired general condition. All other physical examinations were normal. Laboratory tests showed anaemia (haemoglobin 11.4 g/dl), severe thrombocytopaenia (platelets 30 × 10(9)/mm(3)), leukopenia (3650/mm(3)), lymphocytopenia (650/mm(3)). Renal function was normal as indicated by creatininaemia and uraemia (11 mg/l and 0.25 g/l, respectively) and liver enzymes were slightly elevated (aspartate aminotransferase 77 UI/l and alanine aminotransferase 82 UI/l). Blood smear evaluations in Parasitology Laboratory of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital showed malaria parasites of the species P. ovale with a 0.08 % parasitaemia. Molecular confirmation was done by real time PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. The P. ovale infection was further analysed to species level targeting the potra gene and was identified as P. ovale wallikeri. According to the hospital's malaria treatment guidelines for severe malaria, treatment consisted of intravenous quinine at hour 0 (start of treatment) and 24 h after initial treatment, followed by artemether-lumefantrine 24 h later. A negative microscopy was noted on day 3 post-treatment and the patient reported no further symptoms. CONCLUSION: Malaria due to non-falciparum species is probably underestimated in Senegal. RDTs specific to non-falciparum species and/or pan specific RDTs should be included as tools of diagnosis to fight against malaria in Senegal. In addition, a field-deployable molecular tool such as the loop-mediated isothermal amplification can be considered as an additional useful tool to detect low malaria parasite infections and for speciation. In addition, national malaria control policies should consider other non-falciparum species in treatment guidelines, including the provision of primaquine for the treatment of relapsing parasites.

Evaluation of the Illumigene Malaria LAMP: A Robust Molecular Diagnostic Tool for Malaria Parasites.

Isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays such as the loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), are well suited for field use as they do not require thermal cyclers to amplify the DNA. To further facilitate the use of LAMP assays in remote settings, simpler sample preparation methods and lyophilized reagents are required. The performance of a commercial malaria LAMP assay (Illumigene Malaria LAMP) was evaluated using two sample preparation workflows (simple filtration prep (SFP)) and gravity-driven filtration prep (GFP)) and pre-dispensed lyophilized reagents. Laboratory and clinical samples were tested in a field laboratory in Senegal and the results independently confirmed in a reference laboratory in the U.S.A. The Illumigene Malaria LAMP assay was easily implemented in the clinical laboratory and gave similar results to a real-time PCR reference test with limits of detection of ≤2.0 parasites/µl depending on the sample preparation method used. This assay reliably detected Plasmodium sp. parasites in a simple low-tech format, providing a much needed alternative to the more complex molecular tests for malaria diagnosis.