EDCTP Alumni Network

Fostering excellence and collaboration in the next generation of researchers

Call Career Development Fellowship (CDF)
Programme EDCTP2
Start Date 2019-09-01
End Date 2023-08-31
Project Code TMA2018CDF-2345 PrazOpt
Status Active

Title

Optimization of praziquantel therapy for Schistosoma mansoni infection in preschool-aged children in Ethiopia: PrazOpt

Objectives

Primary Objective: The primary objective of this study is to determine curative rate of praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose in S. mansoni infection in preschool-aged children. Secondary objectives of this clinical research are to: - Determine egg reduction rate - Assess safety outcomes (adverse events) - Estimate pharmacokinetic parameters - Assess polymorphisms of gene for praziquantel metabolizing enzymes - Identify correlates of curative outcome.

Host Organisation

Institution Country
Addis Ababa University Ethiopia

Participants

Name Institution Country
Prof Eyasu Makonnen CDT-Africa Ethiopia
Prof Eleni Aklillu Karolinska Institute Sweden
Dr Birkineh Tilahun Hawassa University Ethiopia

Study Design

This study is a prospective observational study which assesses treatment outcome of S. mansoni infected preschool-aged children who got praziquantel treatment. So, the study doesn’t have any interventions except collection of biological specimen for safety and efficacy evaluations.

Sites

The study sites include health centers in districts of Sidama, where there is a high burden of schistosomiasis infection. These include Bushulo Health Center (Loke district), Wosha Health Center (Wosha district) and Chuko Health Center (Chuko district).

Students Supervised

Type Name Title University Start Date End Date
MSc Mahlet Abbay Prevalence and treatment outcome of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis Addis Ababa University 2019 2020
PhD Tafese Tadele Burden of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children and the determinants of treatment outcome Hawassa University 2019 2022
Call EDCTP Clinical Research & Development Fellowship (R&D F)
Programme EDCTP2
Start Date 2016-05-01
End Date 2018-05-01
Project Code TMA2014-434
Status Completed

Title

Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Switzerland

Host Organisation

Institution Country
Addis Ababa University (AAU) Ethiopia

Current Organisation

Addis Ababa University

Current Job Title

Associate Professor

Students Supervised

Type Name Title University Start Date End Date
MSc Lemma Bose Evaluation of liver toxicity associated with protease inhibitors based anti-retro viral treatment Addis Ababa University 2017 2018
MSc Yitayal Ababu Cardiometabolic syndrome associated with protease inhibitors based anti-retro viral treatment Addis Ababa University 2017 2018
MSc Markos Tadele Identification of anti-leishmanial lead compounds from open access pathogen box Addis Ababa University 2016 2018
PhD Tafese Tadele Schistosomiasis burden and its health outcomes in preschool Children in Hawassa Hawassa University 2020 2023
MSc Mahlet Abbay Prevalence and treatment outcome of schistosomiasis in preschool children: meta-analysis Addis Ababa University 2019 2020
MSc Gabriel Dawit Azithromycin versus amoxicillin-clavulanate for otitis media in children Addis Ababa University 2019 2020
MSc Frehiwot Ginbaru Treatment outcome of dolutegravir based regimen versus efavirenz based first line regimen in HIV patients at Zewditu Memorial Hospital: Comparative Study Addis Ababa University 2019 2020

Memberships

Role Committee/board Start Date End Date
Member and Secretary Institutional Review Board 2017
Member and Secretary Exit Examination Board 2015 2017
Member Panel of experts for the College of Health Sciences CPD [Continuing Professional Development] accreditation 2019
Member National Drug Safety Advisory 2020

Education

Institution Degree Year
University of Camerino, Italy PhD 2014-07-15
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia MSc 2005-02-01
,

Areas Of Specialisation

Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) Malaria Neglected Infectious Diseases (NID)

Grants

Grant Code:
TMA2018CDF-2345 PrazOpt
Source of funding:
European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
Amount:
150000
Role:
Principal Investigator
Start Date:
2019-01-01
End Date:
2022-01-01
Grant Code:
Challenge grant
Source of funding:
MMV
Amount:
50000
Role:
Principal Investigator
Start Date:
2016-08-31
End Date:
2018-12-31
Grant Code:
Source of funding:
Addis Ababa University
Amount:
30000
Role:
Principal Investigator
Start Date:
2021-01-01
End Date:
2024-01-01

Publications

Authors:
Abay SM , author
Deribe K , author
Reda AA , author
Biadgilign S , author
Datiko D , author
Assefa T , author
Todd M , author
Deribew A , author
Date:
2015-08-01
Journal:
Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
Content:
Authors:
Sinisi A , author
Millán E , author
Abay SM , author
Habluetzel A , author
Appendino G , author
Muñoz E , author
Taglialatela-Scafati O , author
Date:
2015-06-01
Journal:
Journal of natural products
Content:
Authors:
Debela Abdeta , author
Solomon Mequanente Abay , author
Mirutse Giday , author
Nigatu Kebede , author
Getechew Terefe , author
Bernard Marchand , editor
Date:
2021-12-29
Journal:
Journal of Parasitology Research
Content:
Authors:
GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators , author
Date:
2018-08-01
Journal:
Lancet (London, England)
Content:
Authors:
Abay SM , author
Tilahun M , author
Fikrie N , author
Habtewold A , author
Date:
2013-06-01
Journal:
Journal of infection in developing countries
Content:
Authors:
Tadele M, Abay SM, Makonnen E, Hailu A
Date:
2020-03-31
Journal:
Drug Design, Development and Therapy
Content:

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a collective term used to describe various pathological conditions caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania. It is one of the neglected diseases and has been given minimal attention by drug discovery and development stakeholders to narrow the safety and efficacy gaps of the drugs currently used to treat leishmaniasis. The challenge is further exacerbated by the emergence of drug resistance by the parasites.

Methods: Aiming to look for potential anti-leishmanial hits and leads, we screened Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pathogen Box compounds against clinically isolated Leishmania donovani strain. In this medium-throughput primary screening assay, the compounds were screened against promastigotes, and then against amastigote stages.

Results: From the total 400 compounds screened, 35 compounds showed >50% inhibitory activity on promastigotes in the initial screen (1 μM). Out of these compounds, nine showed >70% inhibition, with median inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranging from 12 to 491 nM using the anti-promastigote assay, and from 53 to 704 nM using the intracellular amastigote assay. Identified compounds demonstrated acceptable safety profiles on THP-1 cell lines and sheep red blood cells, and had appropriate physicochemical properties suitable for further drug development. Two compounds (MMV690102 and MMV688262) were identified as leads. The anti-tubercular agent MMV688262 (delamanid) showed a synergistic effect with amphotericin B, indicating the prospect of using this compound for combination therapy.

Conclusion: The current study indicates the presence of additional hits which may hold promise as starting points for anti-leishmanial drug discovery and in-depth structure-activity relationship studies.

Authors:
Markos Tadele , author
Solomon M. Abay , author
Eyasu Makonnen , author
Asrat Hailu , author
Date:
2019-07-26
Journal:
Content:
Authors:
D'Alessandro S, Corbett Y, Ilboudo DP, Misiano P, Dahiya N, Abay SM, Habluetzel A, Grande R, Gismondo MR, Dechering KJ, Koolen KM, Sauerwein RW, Taramelli D, Basilico N, Parapini S.
Date:
2015-06-08
Journal:
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015 Sep;59(9):5135-44. doi: 10.1128/AAC.04332-14.
Content:
Authors:
Dahiya N , author
Chianese G , author
Abay SM , author
Taglialatela-Scafati O , author
Esposito F , author
Lupidi G , author
Bramucci M , author
Quassinti L , author
Christophides G , author
Habluetzel A , author
Lucantoni L , author
Date:
2016-10-01
Journal:
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Content:
Authors:
Ebstie YA , author
Abay SM , author
Tadesse WT , author
Ejigu DA , author
Date:
2016-07-01
Journal:
Drug design, development and therapy
Content:
Authors:
Markos Tadele , author
Solomon M Abay , author
Eyasu Makonnen , author
Asrat Hailu , author
Date:
2020-03-01
Journal:
Drug Design, Development and Therapy
Content:
Authors:
Abay SM , author
Lucantoni L , author
Dahiya N , author
Dori G , author
Dembo EG , author
Esposito F , author
Lupidi G , author
Ogboi S , author
Ouédraogo RK , author
Sinisi A , author
Taglialatela-Scafati O , author
Yerbanga RS , author
Habluetzel A , author
Date:
2015-07-01
Journal:
Malaria journal
Content:
Authors:
Dawit A. Ejigu , author
Solomon M. Abay , author
Date:
2020-04-30
Journal:
Tuberculosis Research and Treatment
Content:
Authors:
Makida Kemal , author
Gemechu Tadesse , author
Adem Esmael , author
Solomon Mequanente Abay , author
Tadesse Kebede , author
Date:
2019-12-01
Journal:
BMC Research Notes
Content:
Authors:
Dembo EG , author
Abay SM , author
Dahiya N , author
Ogboi JS , author
Christophides GK , author
Lupidi G , author
Chianese G , author
Lucantoni L , author
Habluetzel A , author
Date:
2015-02-01
Journal:
Parasites & vectors
Content:
Authors:
Million Loha , author
Abay Mulu , author
Solomon M. Abay , author
Wondwossen Ergete , author
Bekesho Geleta , author
Date:
2019-03-10
Journal:
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Content:
Authors:
Ejigu DA and Abay SM
Date:
2020-04-30
Journal:
Tuberculosis Research and Treatment
Content:

Oxidative stress is a common feature of tuberculosis (TB), and persons with reduced antioxidants are at more risk of TB. TB patients with relatively severe oxidative stress had also more advanced disease as measured by the Karnofsky performance index. Since adverse effects from anti-TB drugs are also mediated by free radicals, TB patients are prone to side effects, such as hearing loss. In previous articles, researchers appealed for clinical trials aiming at evaluating N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in attenuating the dreaded hearing loss during multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) treatment. However, before embarking on such trials, considerations of NAC's overall impact on TB treatment are crucial. Unfortunately, such a comprehensive report on NAC is missing in the literature and this manuscript reviews the broader effect of NAC on TB treatment. This paper discusses NAC's effect on mycobacterial clearance, hearing loss, drug-induced liver injury, and its interaction with anti-TB drugs. Based on the evidence accrued to date, NAC appears to have various beneficial effects on TB treatment. However, despite the favorable interaction between NAC and first-line anti-TB drugs, the interaction between the antioxidant and some of the second-line anti-TB drugs needs further investigations.

Authors:
Abay SM
Date:
2013-09-24
Journal:
Parasit Vectors. 2013 Sep 24;6(1):278. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-278.
Content:
Authors:
Befekadu Wolde , author
Solomon Mequanente Abay , author
Dereje Nigussie , author
Belete Legesse , author
Eyasu Makonnen , author
Teklie Mengie Ayele , author
Date:
2022-04-01
Journal:
Infection and Drug Resistance
Content:
Authors:
Dembo E , author
Ogboi J , author
Abay S , author
Lupidi G , author
Dahiya N , author
Habluetzel A , author
Lucantoni L , author
Date:
2014-07-01
Journal:
Journal of medical entomology
Content:
Authors:
Abay SM , author
Amelo W , author
Date:
2010-07-01
Journal:
Journal of young pharmacists : JYP
Content:
Authors:
Makida Kemal
Gemechu Tadesse
Adem Esmael
Solomon Mequanente Abay
Tadesse Kebede
Date:
2019-04-05
Journal:
BMC Research Notes
Content:

Objective: Preschool age children (PSAC) are excluded from community based praziquantel treatment programs mainly due to paucity of evidence on the magnitude of schistosomiasis, efficacy and safety of this treatment in PSAC. The aim of this study is to assess Schistosoma mansoni infection rate and evaluate response to praziquantel in PSAC. A facility based longitudinal study was employed from April to June 2016 at Erer Health Center, Eastern Ethiopia. Stool sample was examined for schistosomiasis in 236 PSAC and repeated after 4 weeks post-treatment in positive individuals. Treatment outcomes were recorded and interpreted.

Results: Out of the 236 study participants, 59 (25%) were infected with S. mansoni. Praziquantel treatment (40 mg/kg) resulted in 96.4% cure rate and 99.4% egg reduction rate. Children of 3-5 year old were significantly affected with S. mansoni infection. Nausea and fatigue were common mild adverse events within 4 h of treatment however moderate and severe adverse events and allergic reactions were not observed. In conclusion, praziquantel at 40 mg/kg, the dose utilized in standard care for school age children, is tolerable and efficacious in the treatment of S. mansoni infection in PSAC, which calls for the healthcare system to provide appropriate service for this population.

Authors:
GBD 2017 Mortality Collaborators , author
Date:
2018-11-01
Journal:
Lancet (London, England)
Content:
Authors:
Abay SM, Tilahun M, Fikrie N, Habtewold A.
Date:
2013-06-25
Journal:
J Infect Dev Ctries. 2013 Jun 15;7(6):468-74. doi: 10.3855/jidc.2658.
Content:
Authors:
Abay SM, Deribe K, Reda AA, Biadgilign S, Datiko D, Assefa T, Todd M, Deribew A.
Date:
2015-08-19
Journal:
J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2015 Nov-Dec;14(6):560-70. doi: 10.1177/2325957415599210.
Content:
Authors:
Debela Abdeta , author
Nigatu Kebede , author
Mirutse Giday , author
Getachew Terefe , author
Solomon Mequanente Abay , author
Date:
2020-09-22
Journal:
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Content:
Authors:
D'Alessandro S , author
Corbett Y , author
Ilboudo DP , author
Misiano P , author
Dahiya N , author
Abay SM , author
Habluetzel A , author
Grande R , author
Gismondo MR , author
Dechering KJ , author
Koolen KM , author
Sauerwein RW , author
Parapini S , author
Date:
2015-06-01
Journal:
Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Content:
Authors:
Ebstie YA, Abay SM, Tadesse WT, Ejigu DA.
Date:
2016-07-26
Journal:
Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016 Jul 26;10:2387-99. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S61443.
Content:
Authors:
Mulugeta Molla , author
Negero Gemeda , author
Solomon M. Abay , author
Date:
2017-01-01
Journal:
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Content:
Authors:
Teklie Mengie , author
Solomon Mequanente , author
Dereje Nigussie , author
Belete Legesse , author
Eyasu Makonnen , author
Date:
2021-05-01
Journal:
Journal of Inflammation Research
Content:
Authors:
GBD 2017 Population and Fertility Collaborators , author
Date:
2018-11-01
Journal:
Lancet (London, England)
Content:
Authors:
Yismaw G , author
Abay S , author
Asrat D , author
Yifru S , author
Kassu A , author
Date:
2010-10-01
Journal:
Ethiopian medical journal
Content:
Authors:
Haile Tazeze , author
Solomon Mequanente , author
Dereje Nigussie , author
Belete Legesse , author
Eyasu Makonnen , author
Teklie Mengie , author
Date:
2021-10-01
Journal:
Journal of Inflammation Research
Content:
Authors:
Debela Abdeta , author
Nigatu Kebede , author
Mirutse Giday , author
Getachew Terefe , author
Solomon Mequanente Abay , author
Date:
2019-09-05
Journal:
Content:

Projects

Fellow:
Solomon Abay
Collaborators:
Name Country Institution
Prof Eyasu Makonnen Ethiopia Addis Ababa University
Prof Eleni Aklillu Sweden Karolinska Institute
Dr Birkineh Tilahun Ethiopia Hawassa University
Objectives:
Primary Objective: The primary objective of this study is to determine curative rate of praziquantel 40 mg/kg single dose in S. mansoni infection in preschool-aged children. Secondary objectives of this clinical research are to: - Determine egg reduction rate - Assess safety outcomes (adverse events) - Estimate pharmacokinetic parameters - Assess polymorphisms of gene for praziquantel metabolizing enzymes - Identify correlates of curative outcome
Sites:
- The study sites include health centers in districts of Sidama Zone, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), where there is a high burden of schistosomiasis infection. These include Bushulo Health Center (Loke district), Wosha Health Center (Wosha district) and Chuko Health Center (Chuko district).
Study Design:
Observational prospective study
Subjects:
Preschool aged children infected with S. mansoni
Linked Grant:
Optimization of praziquantel therapy for Schistosoma mansoni infection in preschool-aged children in Ethiopia: PrazOpt
Start Date:
2019-09-01
End Date:
2022-08-31

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