Mycetoma covers a broad category of complex skin and subcutaneous infections caused by either fungi (eumycetomas) or bacteria (actinomycetomas). Our company is outstanding in the field of mycetoma infectious diseases and provides comprehensive, tailor-made solutions to scientists and researchers working in this very specific area.
Overview of Mycetoma
Mycetoma is a long-lasting disease marked by the combination of inflammation and granuloma. As its primary location, which is the 'mycetoma belt', is found in Africa, South America, and South Asia, it, in some cases, targets the skin, muscles, bones, and even subcutaneous tissue. The features of mycetoma with the release grains that are comprised of fungus or bacterial components embedded in swelling and sinus tracts.
Fig.1 Prevalence of mycetoma. (Develoux M., 2022)
Pathogenesis of Mycetoma
Mycetoma pathogens extend their boundaries from a singular site of infection which worsens with time. If ignored, the infection can spread by muscular fascial spaces and lymphatic systems and irreversibly damage bones and weaken muscle tissue. The pathogen starts as a skin tissue or muscle tissue infection and in extreme cases, limb amputation or even death can occur.
Fig.2 Histopathology of eumycetoma. (Hao, X., et al., 2022)
Vaccine Development for Mycetoma
Mycetoma currently has no substantial vaccine due to the multitudes of causative agents, the complexity, and the chronic nature of the disease. Although some more advanced vaccines for treating the disease are currently under development.
- Peptide Vaccine
Predicted by bioinformatics that the peptide FFKEHGVPL is likely to be the first proposed epitope-based vaccine against fructose-bisphosphate aldolase of Madurella mycetomatis.
- Nocardia brasiliensis protease
The caseinolytic protease from a Nocardia brasiliensis cell extract induced IgM and IgG anti-protease antibodies and prevented mycetoma development in infected animals.
Therapeutics Development for Mycetoma
| Causative agents |
Drug Names |
Mechanism of Action |
Targets |
Research Phase |
| Eumycetoma |
Itraconazole |
Inhibit cell growth and promote cell death of fungi |
CYP51A1 |
Approved |
| Terbinafine |
Inhibit fungal ergosterol synthesis |
SQLE |
Approved |
| Ravuconazole |
Disrupt synthesis of ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane |
CYP51A1 |
Phase II trials |
| Fosravuconazole |
Inhibit cytochrome P450-dependent lanosterol 14α-demethylase |
CYP51A1 |
Clinical research |
| Actinomycetoma |
TMP-SMX |
Inhibits the enzyme systems related to bacterial tetrahydrofolic acid synthesis |
DHPS |
Approved |
| DA−7867 |
Active against a wide spectrum of actinobacteria |
/ |
Preclinical research |
Our Services
Our company is leading in infectious disease research while providing exceptional assistance through advanced disease modeling, vaccine, and therapeutic development platforms. We provide solutions and modern instruments for scientists in order to further progress against infectious diseases, such as mycetoma.
Featured Services of Mycetoma
- Mouse model inoculated with Nocardia brasiliensis in the right hind foot-pad
- Greater wax moth Galleria mellonella model of Madurella mycetomatis infection
- Others
Owing to integrated methodology, we provide investigators with seamless services from conception to experimentation to data interpretation, thus relieving them of the burden of helping develop therapy and understand infective diseases like mycetoma. If you are interested in our service, please don't hesitate to contact us.
References
- Develoux, Michel. "Epidemiologic Aspects of Mycetoma in Africa." Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) 8.12 (2022): 1258.
- Hao, Xingpei et al. "Mycetoma: Development of Diagnosis and Treatment." Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) 8.7 (2022): 743.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
