Desmond Omane Acheampong

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Verified

Desmond verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

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• PhD
• Professor (Full) at University of Cape Coast

Background This study tested HIV‐1 antibodies in saliva samples (sHIV‐1 Ab) collected by the Self‐Lollisponge device. Methods Blood and saliva from confirmed persons with HIV and HIV‐negative controls were analyzed for HIV‐1/2 antibodies using the blood‐based First Response HIV 1‐2.O Card Test. The sampling device containing sHIV‐1 Ab was stored a...

Background The proliferation of Plasmodium parasites resistant to antimalarial drugs poses a serious threat to human life and remains an obstacle to managing and eradicating Plasmodium falciparum. The surveillance of molecular markers has become necessary to monitor the spread of resistant haplotypes and discover emerging mutations. Objective This...

This study aims to investigate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties of Kalinga nemoralis to regulate the production and application of herbal preparations. The leaves, roots and the whole plant extracts of Kyllinga nemoralis (KNL, KNR and KNW) were evaluated for antioxidant capacity, flavonoid content (TFC), phenolic content (TPC), in...

Background Data on the asymptomatic burden of malaria in endemic areas is essential for Ghana's malaria elimination efforts. Consequently, the situation of asymptomatic malaria in the Fanteakwa South District (FSD) is determined in this study. The FSD is predominantly forested with more rural than peri-urban communities. Additionally, artisanal min...

The World Health Organization (WHO) strict defining criteria were used to identify severe malaria among Ghanaian patients clinically diagnosed as uncomplicated malaria. From each study participant, blood haemoglobin (Hb) and plasma bilirubin levels were estimated using automated analyzers. According to the WHO, the criteria for diagnosing severe ma...

Background Mass drug administration of praziquantel is expected to reduce Schistosome carriage in treated children in endemic communities. However, the effectiveness of this annual exercise has not been assessed in Ghana. Therefore, this study aimed to detect viable Schistosoma mansoni infection using point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC...

Malaria is endemic in the Central region of Ghana, however, the ecological and the seasonal variations of Plasmodium population structure and the intensity of malaria transmission in multiple sites in the region have not been explored. In this cross-sectional study, five districts in the region were involved. The districts were Agona Swedru, Assin...

Inability to meet nutrition needs resulting from multiple diseases-related, and individual factors contribute significantly to malnutrition and poor disease outcome among cancer patients. Strategies capable of delivering metabolically efficient nutrients with less digestive and metabolic stress without adding bulk to the diet of patients may be sui...

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network. It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented. For the first time we include dried blood spot sample...

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network. It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented. For the first time we include dried blood spot sample...

Avicennia africana is an important ethnomedicinal plant that has long been used to treat malaria and several other diseases. Despite the plant’s antimalarial and other therapeutic properties, there is limited evidence-based data on its potential toxicity. Hence, the purpose of the current study was to assess the safety of A. africana leaf ethanolic...

The global burden of malaria continues to be a significant public health concern. Despite advances made in therapeutics for malaria, there continues to be high morbidity and mortality associated with this infectious disease. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected by the disease, but unfortunately the region is burdened with indigent h...

Background. Aflatoxin levels are very high in animals and humans in places where cereals are poorly stored. In this study, Novasil was evaluated for safety and efficacy in children. Methods. Children (200) aged between 2 and 9 years were put into Novasil and placebo group. Participants received either 1.5 g of Novasil or calcium carbonate in their...

In Ghana, uncomplicated malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) is common, hence comorbidity is not farfetched. However, the extent of oxidative stress and the array of clinical manifestations in this comorbidity (presence of both malaria and SCD) has not been fully explored. This study highlights the impact of uncomplicated malaria on SCD. The level...

Background: This study investigated malaria transmission under various contrasting settings in the Central Region, a malaria endemic region in Ghana. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in five randomly selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Three of the districts were forested, while the rest was coastal. Study parti...

Malaria remains a global health threat due to its overwhelming statistics on morbidity and mortality, especially in pregnant women and children under five years. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a hydroeth-anolic leaf extract of Calotropis procera (CPE) in managing malaria utilizing in vivo and in vitro models. Methods: The curative antipl...

Blood transfusion practice is an essential medical intervention; however, it poses problems of transmissibility of infectious diseases including malaria. This study was designed to determine the potential of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) by detecting malaria antigens and parasites in recipients of infected donor blood. After successful bloo...

Background The emergence of widespread drug-resistant strains of the malaria parasites militates against strives for more potent antimalarial drugs. Aim The present study evaluated the antimalarial activity of A. africana ethanolic crude extract in vitro and in vivo against Plasmodium berghei -infected mice in anticipation of acquiring scientific...

Background: In Ghana, Balantidium coli (B. coli) has been identified in vegetables and in pigs, although there is a paucity of data regarding human balantidiosis. This study sought to assess human B. coli infection in Ghana, factors associated with the infection as well as its association with haematological and biochemical parameters. Methods:...

Six months after the publication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequence, a record number of vaccine candidates were listed, and quite a number of them have since been approved for emergency use against the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This unprecedented pharmaceutical feat did not only show commit...

Plasmodium falciparum infection in blood donors is common in malaria endemic countries, including Ghana. To date, there are no established exclusion criteria to defer a donor carrying malaria parasites. Therefore, based on significant independent variables identified in this study, donor malaria screening algorithm was developed to be used by blood...

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related mortality globally. However, available treatments are expensive and are associated with adverse effects or poor treatment outcomes in advanced disease. Meanwhile, plants like Carica papaya have demonstrated various biological activities that further studies may lead to t...

Background. Abrus precatorius is used in folk medicine across Afro-Asian regions of the world. Earlier, glucose lowering and pancreato-protective effects of Abrus precatorius leaf extract (APLE) was confirmed experimentally in STZ/nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats; however, the underlying mechanism of antidiabetic effect and pancreato-protection r...

Background: Despite the enrollment of new small molecules such as Sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC still remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is long suspected of possessing anticancer bioactive compounds that may hold the prospect of adju...

Background: Bacterial contamination of potable water remains a global canker and has been reported to result in deaths from gastrointestinal infections. Treatment of gastrointestinal infections is becoming difficult due to antimicrobial resistance. This study sought to assess the bacteriological quality of potable water consumed in Cape Coast and T...

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related mortality globally, however, available treatments are expensive and associated with adverse effects or poor treatment outcomes in advanced disease. Meanwhile, plants like Carica papaya have demonstrated hepatoprotective effects, and further studies may lead to...

Introduction: Increase in the prevalence of type-2 diabetes in Sub-Sahara Africa has created the need for robust treatment and management programs. However, an effective diabetes management program requires a high annual budget that most countries in this region cannot afford. That said, various plants and plant products in this region have either...

Background: The present study aimed at validating the traditional use and toxicity profile of a methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Psychotria ankasensis in alleviating depression and anxiety disorders. Method: The antidepressant effect of methanolic extract of Psychotria ankasensis (PAE 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) was assessed in mice u...

To compare clinical presentations, haematological and immunological parameters in urban and rural malaria patients. Clinically suspected malaria patients, resident in either rural or urban communities, were selected from seven health facilities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. For each suspected malaria patient, parasites were detected microsc...

This study investigated the possibility of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in blood-stained sputa with GeneXpert assay (Xpert MTB/Rif G4 v.5) using appropriate blood lysing (distilled water and distilled water/carbon tetrachloride) and protein denaturing (guanidinium chloride and heat) agents. Blood free sputa were collected from individ...

Eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication is preceded by replication licensing which involves the identification of the origin of replication by origin recognition complex (ORC). The ORC loads pre-replication complexes (pre-RCs) through a series of tightly regulated mechanisms where the ORC interacts with Cdc6 to recruit cdt1-MCM2-7 complexes to the o...

Currently, blood donors in Ghana are not screened for malaria parasites. Therefore, this study assessed platelet thrombogenicity in blood donors infected asymptomatically with Plasmodium falciparum and the relationship between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α oxidative stress biomarker (8-iso-PG2α), C-reactive protein (...

Background: The adulticidal and cercaricidal activities of five Ghanaian medicinal plants, namely, Phyllanthus amarus, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Morinda lucida and Nauclea latifolia against S. mansoni were evaluated in this study. Six weeks old ICR mice (n = 25) were percutaneously infected with S. mansoni cercariae. Nine weeks late...

Introduction Artemether-Lumefantrine (A-L) remains the drug of choice for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. However, the pharmaco-activity of A-L has not been assessed on various Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 and Pfmdr1 genes. Therefore, this study sought to determine the therapeutic efficacy of A-L on P. falciparum parasites isolat...

Although Plasmodium falciparum infections in blood donors have been reported, the impact of parasitaemia on cytokine levels in stored whole blood has not been explored. This study evaluated the effect of P. falciparum parasitaemia on circulating cytokines and their relationship with haematological parameters in banked blood. In this case-control st...

Blood (5ml) was collected from suspected malaria patients (n=2272) into K 3-EDTA tube. Samples were grouped as malaria infections in normal haemoglobin (malaria-HbAA), malaria infections in sickle cell disease (malaria-SCD), malaria infections in sickle cell trait (malaria-SCT) and non-malaria with normal haemoglobin (controls). The aim of the stud...

Background: This study aimed at detecting PfHRP2 and pLDH malaria antigens in urine and salivary specimens of suspected malaria patients using RDT kits, and identifying factors influencing the detection of these antigens. Methods: Malaria rapid test kit (SD Bioline RDT kit) was used to detect malaria antigens, PfHRP2 and pLDH, in blood, urine an...

The severe form of COVID-19 has significant sex disparities, with high fatalities commonly reported among males than females. The incidence of COVID-19 has also been higher in males compared with their female counterparts. This trend could be attributed to a better responsive and robust immune system in females. Cytokine storm is one of the pathoph...

The recently identified novel coronavirus (CoV), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While published data about other highly infectious human COVs [that is, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (...

Background: Plasmodium falciparum parasites, which could harbour anti-malaria drug resistance genes, are commonly detected in blood donors in malaria-endemic areas. Notwithstanding, anti-malaria drug resistant biomarkers have not been characterized in blood donors with asymptomatic P. falciparum infection. Methods: A total of 771 blood donors we...

Background: Thymol, a natural monoterpene phenol is not only relevant clinically as an anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent but also holds the prospect as a natural template for pharmaceutical semisynthesis of therapeutic agents. It is a major component of essential oils from many plants. Evidence abound linking overall bioactivi...

Ethnopharmacological relevance Abrus precatorius (L.) leaves are used as folk medicine by the local communities in the western region of Ghana to treat diabetes mellitus; however, this health claim remains unverified scientifically. Objective The study investigated glucose lowering and pancreato-protective effects of Abrus precatorius leaf extract...

Background Thymol, a natural monoterpene phenol is not only relevant clinically as an anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent but also holds the prospect as a natural template for pharmaceutical semi-synthesis of therapeutic agents. It is a major component of essential oils from many plants. Evidence abound linking overall bioactiv...

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder reported among ageing men. Objective: The study assessed histoprotective effect of lime essential oil (LEO) in a rat model of testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and evaluated its ability to reverse testosterone-mediated changes in the testis, kidn...

β-Lactam-resistant Klebsiella isolates continue to cause multidrug resistance infections worldwide. This study aimed to describe the geographical distribution of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC β-lactamase (AmpC), and carbapenemase production among 139 Klebsiella isolates recovered from patients at major referral health facilities in Gha...

Background: Antiretroviral drugs were introduced to help reduce HIV mortality rate by increasing the immunity of the infected persons, to reduce the viral load of the virus and to take advantage of its additional benefits such as its effectiveness against bacteremia and urinary tract infections (UTIs). The purpose of the study is to investigate the...

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle (syn. C. MEDICA var. ACIDA Brandis) (family: Rutaceae) essential oil is one of the cheapest oils found in local markets. Although, it is generally accepted as non-toxic to vital organs and cells, majority of people are cynical about it usage. Herein, the present study reports the chemical composition and in vi...

Background: Undesirable consequences of donor Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia on stored donor blood have been reported. Therefore, it is imperative that all prospective blood donors are screened for P. falciparum infections using sensitive techniques. In this study, the sensitivities of microscopy, rapid diagnostic test (RDT), loop-mediated iso...

Background: Despite the recent advancement in diagnostic methods, the smear microscopy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in high burden countries like Ghana. Notwithstanding, fluorescence staining technique provides a more efficient option for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis positive smears. This stu...

Development of cancers mostly involves more than one signal pathways, because of the complicated nature of cancer cells. As such, the most effective treatment option is the one that stops the cancer cells in their tracks by targeting these signal pathways simultaneously. This explains why therapeutic monoclonal antibodies targeted at cancers exert...

Introduction: Schistosoma haematobium is one of the species of Schistosoma responsible for schistosomiasis in humans, a major public health problem worldwide. Praziquantel, the most effective drug against all adult stages of human schistosomiasis, faces the threat of resistance and also has sub-optimal efficacy against cercaria, an immature form of...

Background: Both young and old leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) are traditionally used to treat inflammation, pain and fever. However, the efficacy of young and old leaves for treating these ailments have not been compared till date. Aim: To ascertain the effect of young and old leaves of VA in managing inflammation, pain and fever. Methods: Both...

Background In sub-Saharan Africa where sickle cell trait (SCT) and malaria is prevalent, significant proportions of blood donors may be affected by one or more of these abnormalities. The haemato-biochemical properties of SCT and asymptomatic malaria in donor blood have not been evaluated. This study evaluated the haemato-biochemical impact of SCT...

Introduction Malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) co-morbidity have previously been reported in Ghana. However, there is paucity of data on haematological profiles and oxidative stress in co-morbidity states. This study identified novel inflammatory biomarkers associated with malaria in SCD and analyzed the levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α oxidat...

Background: In most African countries, including Ghana, treatment of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is based on syndromic management owing to lack of laboratory equipment and resources in primary care facilities where most patients first visit. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and evaluate its...

Background and objective Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) poses a serious health problem to pregnant women and fetuses. However, in most developing countries, routine screening for ASB and antimicrobial sensitivity test are rarely performed. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the best diagnostic method for routine screening of ASB and antimicr...

Background: Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms is used as a folk medicine across Afro-Asian regions of the world. Safety of P. fruticosa use in pregnancy remains completely unknown despite its extensive usage. Objective: The study assessed maternal and post-implantation loss in pregnant rats gestationally exposed to P. fruticosa leaf extract (PFE). Met...

Immunotherapy as a therapeutic option for cancer therapy has contributed immensely to the success gained so far in the fight against cancer. Notwithstanding, the use of immunotherapy is not a common practice in most health facilities that handle cancer cases, and can be attributed to the fact that these immunotherapeutic agents are usually expensiv...

The standard therapy of AML for many years has been chemotherapy with or without stem transplantation. However, there has not been any tangible improvement in this treatment beyond induction through chemotherapy and consolidation with allogeneic stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy. Residual AML cells which later cause relapse mostly persist e...

A single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 was previously generated from a phage display library in our laboratory. However, it has shortened half-life and lacks Fc fragment for effector cell recognition. To address these challenges, a ligand of NK-cell receptor NKG2D was fused to the scFv and cr...

Antibodies have become the preferred therapeutic treatment option for cancers. Antibody therapy is associated with low toxic profile and specific in its activity, unlike chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Types of tumor are known to express multiple receptors that cross-talk to activate perpetual growth, proliferation and metastasis, and inhibit apopto...

The stimulatory natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) lymphocyte receptor, initially discovered and expressed mostly on natural killer (NK) cells, T cells and natural killer T cells, can promote tumor immune surveillance. However, with increasing tumor grade, tumors themselves express NKG2D to self-stimulate oncogenic pathways. To confirm that ca...

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) are receptor tyrosine kinases known to play critical roles in the development and progression of tumors. Based on the cross-talk between EGFR and VEGFR2 signal pathways, we designed and produced a bispecific diabody (bDAb) targeting both EGFR and VEGF...

Both Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2) play critical roles in tumorigenesis. We hypothesized co-targeting EGFR and VEGFR2 using a bispecific antibody might have significant therapeutic potential. Here,we designed and produced a human IgG-like bispecific antibody (Bi-Ab) based on t...

Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide. The poor response of liver cancer to chemotherapy has whipped up the interest in targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies because of its potential efficiency. One promising target is cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24), which is known to beover-expressed on hepatocellular carci...