1.Plasmodium falciparum protein kinase as a potential therapeutic target for antimalarial drugs development
Mahmud, F. ; Lee, P.C. ; Abdul Wahab, H. ; Mustaffa, K.M.F. ; Leow, C.H. ; Azhar, R. ; Lai, N.S.
Tropical Biomedicine 2020;37(No.3):822-841
Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases due to its high infection and mortality rates, especially in the tropical belt. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), the most virulent malaria parasite in humans, was recently reported to develop resistance against the final efficient antimalarial drug, artemisinin. Little is known about the resistance mechanisms, which further complicates the problem as a proper counteraction is unable to be taken. Hence, the understanding of drug mode of action and its molecular target is valuable knowledge that needs to be considered to develop the next generation of antimalarial drugs. P. falciparum protein kinase (Pf PK) is an attractive target for antimalarial chemotherapy due to its vital roles in all P. falciparum life stages. Moreover, overall structural differences and the presence of unique Pf PKs that are absent in human kinome, suggesting specific inhibition of Pf PK without affecting human cells is achievable. To date, at least 86 eukaryotic protein kinases have been identified in P. falciparum kinome, by which less than 40 were validated as potential targets at the erythrocytes stage. In this review, recent progress of the furthest validated Pf PKs; Pf Nek-1, Pf CDPK1, Pf CDPK4, Pf PKG, and Pf CLK-3 will be briefly discussed.
2.Enteral myiasis causing acute dysentery: A case report
Amir, A. ; Lai, M.Y. ; Sarip, F. ; Omar, H. ; Wan Ismail, W.H. ; Grover, C.S. ; Lau, Y.L. ; Mahmud, R.
Tropical Biomedicine 2021;38(No.1):142-144
Enteral myiasis or intestinal myiasis is acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated
with dipteran fly eggs or larvae. Here, we describe a patient with intestinal myiasis presenting
with acute dysentery caused by the larva of Hermetia illucens. The larva was identified
morphologically, and its species confirmed through molecular analysis using polymerase
chain reaction and sequencing based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene
(COI).