101
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Leishmania Sexual Reproductive Strategies as Resolved through Computational Methods Designed for Aneuploid Genomes. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020167. [PMID: 33530584 PMCID: PMC7912377 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A cryptic sexual reproductive cycle in Leishmania has been inferred through population genetic studies revealing the presence of hybrid genotypes in natural isolates, with attempts made to decipher sexual strategies by studying complex chromosomal inheritance patterns. A more informative approach is to study the products of controlled, laboratory-based experiments where known strains or species are crossed in the sand fly vector to generate hybrid progeny. These hybrids can be subsequently studied through high resolution sequencing technologies and software suites such as PAINT that disclose inheritance patterns including ploidies, parental chromosome contributions and recombinations, all of which can inform the sexual strategy. In this work, we discuss the computational methods in PAINT that can be used to interpret the sexual strategies adopted specifically by aneuploid organisms and summarize how PAINT has been applied to the analysis of experimental hybrids to reveal meiosis-like sexual recombination in Leishmania.
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102
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Validation of Swab Sampling and SYBR Green-Based Real-Time PCR for the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in French Guiana. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:JCM.02218-20. [PMID: 33148706 PMCID: PMC8111157 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02218-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the interest in noninvasive sampling procedures coupled with real-time PCR methods for the detection of Leishmania species in South America. In French Guiana, the sampling method still relied on skin biopsies. Noninvasive protocols should be tested on a large annual cohort to improve routine laboratory diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of a new Leishmania detection and species identification protocol involving cotton swabs and SYBR green-based real-time PCR of the Hsp70 gene, coupled with Sanger sequencing. Between May 2017 and May 2018, 145 patients with ulcerated lesions compatible with cutaneous leishmaniasis were included in the study at the Cayenne Hospital and its remote health centers. Each patient underwent scrapings for a smear, skin biopsies for parasite culture and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) (RNA polymerase II), and sampling with a cotton swab for SYBR green-based PCR. The most accurate diagnostic test was the SYBR green-based PCR on swab samples, showing 98% sensitivity. The mean PCR cycle threshold (CT ) was 24.4 (minimum CT , 17; maximum CT , 36) and was <35 in 97.6% of samples. All samples positive by SYBR green-based real-time PCR were successfully identified at the species level by DNA sequencing. This new method should be considered for routine diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in South America and especially for remote areas, since noninvasive collection tools are easier to use and require fewer precautions for transportation.
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103
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Miranda ADC, González KA, Samudio F, Pineda VJ, Calzada JE, Capitan-Barrios Z, Jiménez A, Castillo J, Mendoza Y, Suárez JA, Ortiz B, Méndez J, Pascale JM, Grögl M, Sosa N, Saldaña A. Molecular Identification of Parasites Causing Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Panama. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1326-1334. [PMID: 33432903 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Isolates from 475 cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients from three endemic regions were studied by three typing techniques. The molecular analysis from lesion scrapings based on hsp70 PCR-RFLP showed that 78.1% (371/475) restriction patterns corresponded to Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis, 19% (90/475) to Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, and 3.0% (14/475) to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Promastigotes isolated by culture from lesions of 228 patients (48.0%, 228/475) were identified by multi-locus enzyme electrophoresis. Of them, 95.2% (217/228) were typified as L. (V.) panamensis, 1.3% (3/228) as L. (V.) guyanensis, 2.2% (5/228) as L. (V.) braziliensis, and 1.3% (3/228) as hybrids (L. [V.] braziliensis/L. [V.] panamensis). However, a partial sequencing analysis of the hsp70 gene from 77 selected samples showed 16.9% (13/77) typified as L. (V.) panamensis, 68.8% (53/77) as Leishmania (V.) sp., 1, 3.9% (3/77) as L. (V.) guyanensis, 1.3% (1/77) as L. (V.) braziliensis outlier, 2.6% (2/77) as Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi, 2.6% as (2/77) Leishmania (V.) sp., and 2 and 3.9% (3/77) hybrid isolates of L. (V.) braziliensis/L. (V.) guyanensis. These results confirm L. (V.) panamensis as the predominant species and cause of CL lesions in Panama and that L. (V.) guyanensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, and L. (V.) naiffi are circulating to a lower degree. Furthermore, the determination of parasite isolates belonging to atypical clusters and hybrid isolates suggests the circulation of genetic variants with important implications for the epidemiology and clinical follow-up of CL in Panama. No evidence of the existence of parasites of the Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana complex in Panamanian territory was found in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kadir A González
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Franklyn Samudio
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Panama, Panama.,Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Vanessa J Pineda
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - José E Calzada
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Panamá, Panama, Panama.,Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | | | - Ana Jiménez
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Juan Castillo
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Yaxelis Mendoza
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - José A Suárez
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Betsi Ortiz
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Juan Méndez
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Juan M Pascale
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Max Grögl
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Lima, Peru
| | - Néstor Sosa
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Azael Saldaña
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panama, Panama.,Centro de Investigación y Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Parasitarias (CIDEP), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, Panama, Panama
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104
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Sánchez MB, Germanó MJ, Salomón MC, Scelta J, García Bustos MF, Ginevro PM, Cargnelutti DE. Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection impairs reproductive and fetal parameters in female mice. Rev Argent Microbiol 2020; 53:194-201. [PMID: 33375987 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of parasitic zoonotic diseases caused by intracellular protozoans belonging to the genus Leishmania. Little is known about the effects that this parasitosis may have on the reproductive parameters and pregnancy of infected humans and pets. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis on reproductive and fetal parameters using a female murine model. A control group of female BALB/c mice and a group infected with L. (L.) amazonensis were mated with healthy males. Clinical parameters were monitored during the pre-mating and gestational periods. Female mice were euthanized on day 19 of gestation, when the fetuses were weighed and their length measured and embryonic resorptions and fetal death were recorded. We observed five fetal deaths and three embryonic resorptions in the infected group. Furthermore, there was a decrease in fertility in the infected group (26.32%). The weight of the offspring from infected mothers was lower than that in the control group (1.019±0.035g and 1.163±0.032g, p<0.01). Fetal length was reduced in the infected group (3.71±0.05cm in the control group and 3.40±0.06cm in the infected group p<0.001). This study shows that cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (L.) amazonensis impairs reproductive and fetal parameters in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Sánchez
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María José Germanó
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Cristina Salomón
- Área de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Julieta Scelta
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda García Bustos
- Instituto de Patología Experimental (IPE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT), Salta, Argentina
| | - Paula María Ginevro
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Diego Esteban Cargnelutti
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina; Área de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.
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105
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Gonçalves LP, Santos TVD, Campos MB, Lima LVDR, Ishikawa EAY, Silveira FT, Ramos PKS. Further insights into the eco-epidemiology of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Belem metropolitan region, Pará State, Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2020; 53:e20200255. [PMID: 33331607 PMCID: PMC7747830 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0255-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In the Belém Metropolitan Region (BMR), Pará State, Brazil, American
cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is endemic; however, very little is known
regarding its causative agents. Therefore, we used our standard diagnostic
approach combined with an RNA polymerase II largest subunit
(RNAPOIILS)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by analysis of
restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to identify
Leishmania spp. ACL agents in this region. METHODS: Thirty-two Leishmania spp. isolates from patients with ACL
in the BMR during 1995-2018 were analyzed. Leishmania spp.
DNA samples were amplified using the primers RPOR2/RPOF2, and the 615-bp PCR
products were subjected to enzymatic digestion using TspRI
and HgaI endonucleases. RESULTS: ACL etiological agents in the BMR comprised Leishmania (Viannia)
lindenbergi (43.7%) followed by Leishmania (Viannia)
lainsoni (34.4%), Leishmania (Leishmania)
amazonensis (12.5%), and Leishmania (Viannia)
braziliensis (9.4%). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the results of the study revealed for the first time that
L. (V.) lindenbergi and L. (V.)
lainsoni are the main ACL agents in BMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Pantoja Gonçalves
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Leishmanioses 'Prof. Dr. Ralph Lainson', Seção de Parasitologia, Ananindeua, PA, Brasil
| | - Thiago Vasconcelos Dos Santos
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Leishmanioses 'Prof. Dr. Ralph Lainson', Seção de Parasitologia, Ananindeua, PA, Brasil
| | - Marliane Batista Campos
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Leishmanioses 'Prof. Dr. Ralph Lainson', Seção de Parasitologia, Ananindeua, PA, Brasil
| | - Luciana Vieira do Rêgo Lima
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Leishmanioses 'Prof. Dr. Ralph Lainson', Seção de Parasitologia, Ananindeua, PA, Brasil
| | | | - Fernando Tobias Silveira
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Leishmanioses 'Prof. Dr. Ralph Lainson', Seção de Parasitologia, Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.,Universidade Federal do Pará, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - Patrícia Karla Santos Ramos
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Leishmanioses 'Prof. Dr. Ralph Lainson', Seção de Parasitologia, Ananindeua, PA, Brasil
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106
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Pombi M, Giacomi A, Barlozzari G, Mendoza-Roldan J, Macrì G, Otranto D, Gabrielli S. Molecular detection of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae in human blood and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Sergentomyia minuta: unexpected host-parasite contacts. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 34:470-475. [PMID: 32710462 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The detection of atypical Kinetoplastida in vertebrate hosts and vectors might suggest unexpected host-parasite contacts. Aside to major vectors of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Italy (e.g. Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi), the sand fly fauna also includes Sergentomyia minuta, herpetophilic and proven vector of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae, in which records of blood meal on mammals and detection of L. infantum DNA are increasing. This study was conducted in Central Italy aiming to molecularly detect potential atypical Leishmania host-vector contacts. Detection of Leishmania spp. DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (SSU rRNA, ITS1 targets) on field-collected sand fly females (N = 344), blood samples from humans (N = 185) and dogs (N = 125). Blood meal identification was also performed on engorged sand flies. Leishmania spp. DNA was found in 13.1% sand flies, 3.7% humans and 14.4% dogs. Sequence analysis identified L. infantum in S. minuta (4.4%), P. perniciosus (9.1%), humans (2.2%) and dogs (14.4%). Leishmania tarentolae was detected in S. minuta (12.6%), P. perfiliewi (6.6%) and human (1.6%) samples. Of 28 S. minuta examined for blood meal, 3.6 and 21.4% scored positive for human and lizard DNA, respectively. These results indicate the importance of one-health approach to explore new potential routes of transmission of leishmaniasis involving S. minuta.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pombi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - A Giacomi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - G Barlozzari
- Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Rome, Italy
| | - J Mendoza-Roldan
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - G Macrì
- Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Rome, Italy
| | - D Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - S Gabrielli
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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107
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Paul S, Ruiz-Manriquez LM, Serrano-Cano FI, Estrada-Meza C, Solorio-Diaz KA, Srivastava A. Human microRNAs in host-parasite interaction: a review. 3 Biotech 2020; 10:510. [PMID: 33178551 PMCID: PMC7644590 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-020-02498-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small noncoding RNA molecules with significant capacity to regulate the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in a sequence-specific manner either through translation repression or mRNA degradation triggering a fine-tuning biological impact. They have been implicated in several processes, including cell growth and development, signal transduction, cell proliferation and differentiation, metabolism, apoptosis, inflammation, and immune response modulation. However, over the last few years, extensive studies have shown the relevance of miRNAs in human pathophysiology. Common human parasitic diseases, such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Amoebiasis, Chagas disease, Schistosomiasis, Toxoplasmosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Clonorchiasis, and Echinococcosis are the leading cause of death worldwide. Thus, identifying and characterizing parasite-specific miRNAs and their host targets, as well as host-related miRNAs, are important for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of parasite-specific diseases at the molecular level. In this review, we have demonstrated the impact of human microRNAs during host-parasite interaction as well as their potential to be used for diagnosis and prognosis purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujay Paul
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, 76130 Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Luis M. Ruiz-Manriquez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, 76130 Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Francisco I. Serrano-Cano
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, 76130 Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Carolina Estrada-Meza
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, 76130 Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Karla A. Solorio-Diaz
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, 76130 Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Aashish Srivastava
- Section of Bioinformatics, Clinical Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
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108
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Williams E, Isles NS, Seemann T, Kilpatrick T, Grigg A, Leroi M, Howden BP, Kwong JC. Case Report: Confirmation by Metagenomic Sequencing of Visceral Leishmaniasis in an Immunosuppressed Returned Traveler. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1930-1933. [PMID: 32959759 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been increased interest in using metagenomic next-generation sequencing as an unbiased approach for diagnosing infectious diseases. We describe a 61-year-old man on fingolimod therapy for multiple sclerosis with an extensive travel history who presented with 7 months of fevers, night sweats, and weight loss. Peripheral blood tests showed pancytopenia and abnormal acute phase reactants. A bone marrow aspirate showed the presence of numerous intracellular and extracellular amastigotes consistent with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Metagenomic sequencing of the bone marrow aspirate confirmed Leishmania infantum, a species widely reported in the Mediterranean region. This correlated with acquisition of VL infection during the patient's most recent epidemiological exposure in southern Italy 12 months prior. This case demonstrates the potential application of metagenomic sequencing for identification and speciation of Leishmania in cases of VL; however, further assessment is required using other more readily obtained clinical samples such as blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Williams
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Nicole S Isles
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Australia
| | - Torsten Seemann
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Australia
| | - Trevor Kilpatrick
- Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andrew Grigg
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Marcel Leroi
- Department of Microbiology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Benjamin P Howden
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Jason C Kwong
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
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109
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Amorim RDF, de Lima MAP, da Silva Souza RO, da Silva UM, Dos Santos AP, Tavares AP, Vieira Gadelha MDS, da Silva CGL. Characterization of the sand fly fauna in Barbalha, one of the municipalities with the highest leishmaniasis rates in Brazil. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102245. [PMID: 33217550 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a complex of sand fly-borne diseases that are considered a public health issue in several countries. Brazil presents high leishmaniases rates. The South of Ceará State, known as Cariri region, shows worrying statistics mainly on American tegumentary leishmaniasis. In Barbalha, which is one of the municipalities in this region, there is still a lack of studies regarding the local phlebotomine (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna in order to help clarify the high rates. This study aimed to characterize such fauna by capturing sand flies with light traps during a four-year period. A total of 3730 sand flies were captured, of which 37.8% were females. Fourteen species were found: 13 of the Lutzomyia genus and one of the Brumptomyia genus. Of the Lutzomyia species, four were proven and five had potential involvement in leishmaniasis transmission. Lutzomyia longipalpis was the most common species (66.97%). This predominance, especially in the urban area, indicates its epidemiological importance and adaptation to environmental conditions modified by human activity. In fact, further studies are still required to accurately determine the behavioral features of these vectors in order to guide public health measurements towards its control and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimundo Diego Ferreira Amorim
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (LAMIP), School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antônio Pereira de Lima
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (LAMIP), School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Racquel Oliveira da Silva Souza
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology (LAPEX), School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ulisses Mariano da Silva
- Medical Entomology Laboratory, Superintendence of the Cariri Region (Juazeiro do Norte), State Health Secretariat, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Antônio Pereira Dos Santos
- Medical Entomology Laboratory, Superintendence of the Cariri Region (Juazeiro do Norte), State Health Secretariat, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Tavares
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology (LAPEX), School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Maria do Socorro Vieira Gadelha
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (LAMIP), School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Cláudio Gleidiston Lima da Silva
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology (LAPEX), School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil
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110
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Santos FJA, Nascimento LCS, Silva WB, Oliveira LP, Santos WS, Aguiar DCF, Garcez LM. First Report of Canine Infection by Leishmania ( Viannia) guyanensis in the Brazilian Amazon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17228488. [PMID: 33207754 PMCID: PMC7697738 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The American cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are zooanthroponoses transmitted by sand flies. Brazil records thousands of human leishmaniasis cases annually. Dogs are reservoirs of Leishmania infantum, which causes VL, but their role in the transmission cycle of CL is debatable. Wild mammals are considered reservoirs of the aetiological agents of CL (Leishmania spp.). OBJECTIVE To describe the aetiology of leishmaniasis in dogs in an endemic area for CL and VL in the Amazon, Brazil. METHODS Clinical evaluation and blood collection of 40 dogs from the villages Ubim (20) and Socorro (20), city of Tomé-Açu, state of Pará, were carried out. The DNA extracted from the blood was used for PCR with Leishmania-specific primers targeting the hsp70-234 gene sequence. Products were sequenced (ABI3500XL), and the sequences were aligned, edited (BioEdit), and analyzed (Blastn). RESULTS Of the 34 amplified samples, 21 were sequenced, namely Leishmania infantum (12), L. guyanensis (5), L. braziliensis (3), and Leishmania sp. (01). CONCLUSION Given the diversity of circulating pathogens, elucidation of the role of the dog in the Leishmania spp. cycle in Amazonian villages is imperative to the surveillance of CL in the region. We present the first report in Brazil, confirmed by sequencing, of canine infection by L. guyanensis, a species highly resistant to treatment in humans, with the drug of first choice (Glucantime®).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. A. Santos
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua 67030-000, Pará, Brazil; (F.J.A.S.); (L.C.S.N.); (L.P.O.); (W.S.S.)
| | - Luciana C. S. Nascimento
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua 67030-000, Pará, Brazil; (F.J.A.S.); (L.C.S.N.); (L.P.O.); (W.S.S.)
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém 66095-662, Pará, Brazil
| | - Wellington B. Silva
- Centro Nacional de Primatas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ananindeua 67030-000, Pará, Brazil;
| | - Luciana P. Oliveira
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua 67030-000, Pará, Brazil; (F.J.A.S.); (L.C.S.N.); (L.P.O.); (W.S.S.)
| | - Walter S. Santos
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua 67030-000, Pará, Brazil; (F.J.A.S.); (L.C.S.N.); (L.P.O.); (W.S.S.)
| | - Délia C. F. Aguiar
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Pará, Brazil;
| | - Lourdes M. Garcez
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Ananindeua 67030-000, Pará, Brazil; (F.J.A.S.); (L.C.S.N.); (L.P.O.); (W.S.S.)
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém 66095-662, Pará, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-91-3214-2152
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Gedda MR, Madhukar P, Shukla A, Mudavath SL, Srivastava ON, Singh OP, Sundar S. Nanodiagnostics in leishmaniasis: A new frontiers for early elimination. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 13:e1675. [PMID: 33142369 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is still a major public health concern in developing countries having the highest outbreak and mortality potential. While the treatment of VL has greatly improved in recent times, the current diagnostic tools are limited for use in the post-elimination setting. Although conventional serological methods of detection are rapid, they can only differentiate between active disease in strict combination with clinical criteria, and thus are not sufficient enough to diagnose relapse patients. Therefore, there is a dire need for a portable, authentic, and reliable assay that does not require large space, specialized instrument facilities, or highly trained laboratory personnel and can be carried out in primary health care settings. Advances in the nanodiagnostic approaches have led to the expansion of new frontiers in the concerned area. The nanosized particles are blessed with an ability to interact one-on-one with the biomolecules because of their unique optical and physicochemical properties and high surface area to volume ratio. Biomolecular detection systems based on nanoparticles (NPs) are cost-effective, rapid, nongel, non-PCR, and nonculture based that provide fast, one-step, and reliable results with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. In this review, we discuss different NPs that are being used for the identification of molecular markers and other biomarkers, such as toxins and antigens associated with leishmaniasis. The most promising diagnostic approaches have been included in the article, and the ability of biomolecular recognition, advantages, and disadvantages have been discussed in detail to showcase the enormous potential of nanodiagnostics in human and veterinary medicine. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallikarjuna Rao Gedda
- Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.,Center for Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Prasoon Madhukar
- Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Ashish Shukla
- Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Shyam Lal Mudavath
- Infectious Disease Biology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science & Technology, Habitat Centre, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Onkar Nath Srivastava
- Department of Physics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Om Prakash Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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de Lucio H, Toro MA, Camarasa M, Velázquez S, Gago F, Jiménez‐Ruiz A. Pseudoirreversible slow-binding inhibition of trypanothione reductase by a protein-protein interaction disruptor. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:5163-5176. [PMID: 32888319 PMCID: PMC7588817 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Peptide P4 was described as a dimerization disruptor of trypanothione reductase (TryR), a homodimeric enzyme essential for survival of trypanosomatids. Determination of the true inhibitory constant (Ki ) for P4 was not achieved because reaction rates continuously decreased with time, even when substrate concentration was kept constant. The aim of this study was to find a suitable kinetic model that could allow characterization of the complex pattern of TryR inhibition caused by P4. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH After showing the slow-binding and pseudoirreversible activity of P4 against Leishmania infantum trypanothione reductase (Li-TryR), analysis of the curvatures of the reaction progress curves at different inhibitor concentrations allowed us to define the apparent inhibitory constants (Kiapp ) at five different substrate concentrations. Analysis of the changes in Kiapp values allowed precise definition of the type of inhibition. KEY RESULTS Li-TryR inhibition by P4 requires two sequential steps that involve rapid generation of a reversible enzyme-inhibitor complex followed by a pseudoirreversible slow inactivation of the enzyme. Recovery of enzyme activity after inhibitor dissociation is barely detectable. P4 is a non-competitive pseudoirreversible inhibitor of Li- TryR that displays an overall inhibition constant (Ki* ) smaller than 0.02 μM. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Li-TryRdimer disruption by peptide P4 is a pseudoirreversible time-dependent process which is non-competitive with respect to the oxidized trypanothione (TS2 ) substrate. Therefore, unlike reversible Li-TryR competitive inhibitors, enzyme inhibition by P4 is not affected by the TS2 accumulation observed during oxidant processes such as the oxidative burst in host macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor de Lucio
- Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Biología de SistemasUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de Henares, MadridSpain
| | - Miguel A. Toro
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica—CNSGUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellinAntioquiaColombia
| | - María‐José Camarasa
- Departamento de Biomiméticos para el descubrimiento de FármacosInstituto de Química Médica (IQM‐CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Sonsoles Velázquez
- Departamento de Biomiméticos para el descubrimiento de FármacosInstituto de Química Médica (IQM‐CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Federico Gago
- Área de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada Al IQM‐CSICUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de Henares, MadridSpain
| | - Antonio Jiménez‐Ruiz
- Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Biología de SistemasUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de Henares, MadridSpain
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(±)-trans-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans as leishmanicidal agents: Synthesis, in vitro evaluation and SAR analysis. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 205:112493. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Machín L, Nápoles R, Gille L, Monzote L. Leishmania amazonensis response to artemisinin and derivatives. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102218. [PMID: 33137506 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide presence of Leishmania parasites increases in the poorest regions. Current leishmaniasis treatments are unsatisfactory due to resistance development, side effects and cost. Herein, we describe the in vitro activity of artemisinin (ART), artemether (ATM), artesunate (ATS) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) against Leishmania amazonensis. Selected compounds were assayed in the animal model of cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. On intracellular amastigotes, similar activity (p > 0.05) was observed for ART, ATM and ATS (IC50 = 15.0-19.2 μM), which were inferior (p < 0.05) respect to reference endoperoxide ascaridole (IC50 = 11.5 ± 1.0 μM) and superior (p < 0.05) compared with reference drug Glucantime® (IC50 = 30.1 ± 9.0 μM). In contrast, DHA (IC50 = 38.5 ± 4.7 μM) showed higher IC50 values (p < 0.05) than other artemisinins and ascaridole, but similar (p > 0.05) than Glucantime®; while deoxyartemisinin caused smaller inhibition (IC50 = 88.9 ± 5.2 μM). Selectivity indexes of >13, 6, 11 and 1 were obtained for ART, ATM, ATS and DHA, respectively. In addition, the potential effect of ART and ATS was also demonstrated in the murine model, causing a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of the lesion size and parasite load regarding untreated animals and treated with vehicle. Effects of both artemisinins were comparable (p > 0.05) with Glucantime® and ascaridole-treated mice. In particular, artemisinin is recommended to further studies, which could be an advantage over the ascaridole endoperoxide and could be useful in endemic areas of parasite resistance to antimonials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Machín
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy and Foods Sciences, University of Havana, Street 222, e/ 23 y 29, # 2317, La Coronela. La Lisa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Rachel Nápoles
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy and Foods Sciences, University of Havana, Street 222, e/ 23 y 29, # 2317, La Coronela. La Lisa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Lars Gille
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Parasitology Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kouri", Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 6 1/2. La Lisa, Havana, Cuba.
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Reimão JQ, Coser EM, Lee MR, Coelho AC. Laboratory Diagnosis of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis: Current and Future Methods. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1632. [PMID: 33105784 PMCID: PMC7690623 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with two main clinical forms: cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Diagnosis of leishmaniasis is still a challenge, concerning the detection and correct identification of the species of the parasite, mainly in endemic areas where the absence of appropriate resources is still a problem. Most accessible methods for diagnosis, particularly in these areas, do not include the identification of each one of more than 20 species responsible for the disease. Here, we summarize the main methods used for the detection and identification of leishmaniasis that can be performed by demonstration of the parasite in biological samples from the patient through microscopic examination, by in vitro culture or animal inoculation; by molecular methods through the detection of parasite DNA; or by immunological methods through the detection of parasite antigens that may be present in urine or through the detection of specific antibodies against the parasite. Potential new methods that can be applied for laboratory diagnosis of leishmaniasis are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Quero Reimão
- Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil; (J.Q.R.); (M.R.L.)
| | - Elizabeth Magiolo Coser
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Brazil;
| | - Monica Ran Lee
- Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil; (J.Q.R.); (M.R.L.)
| | - Adriano Cappellazzo Coelho
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Brazil;
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Analysis of the IGS rRNA Region and Applicability for Leishmania ( V.) braziliensis Characterization. J Parasitol Res 2020; 2020:8885070. [PMID: 33083046 PMCID: PMC7559751 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8885070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The causative species is an important factor influencing the evolution of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Due to its wide distribution in endemic areas, Leishmania (V.) braziliensis is considered one of the most important species in circulation in Brazil. Molecular targets derived from ribosomal RNA (rRNA) were used in studies to identify Leishmania spp.; however, the Intergenic Spacer (IGS) region has not yet been explored in parasite species differentiation. Besides, there is a shortage of sequences deposited in public repositories for this region. Thus, it was proposed to analyze and provide sequences of the IGS rRNA region from different Leishmania spp. and to evaluate their potential as biomarkers to characterize L. braziliensis. A set of primers was designed for complete amplification of the IGS rRNA region of Leishmania spp. PCR products were submitted to Sanger sequencing. The sequences obtained were aligned and analyzed for size and similarity, as well as deposited in GenBank. Characteristics of the repetitive elements (IGSRE) present in the IGS rRNA were also verified. In addition, a set of primers for L. braziliensis identification for qPCR was developed and optimized. Sensitivity (S), specificity (σ), and efficiency (ε) tests were applied. It was found that the mean size for the IGS rRNA region is 3 kb, and the similarity analysis of the sequences obtained demonstrated high conservation among the species. It was observed that the size for the IGSRE repetitive region varies between 61 and 71 bp, and there is a high identity between some species. Fifteen sequences generated for the IGS rRNA partial region of nine different species were deposited in GenBank so far. The specific primer system for L. braziliensis showed S = 10 fg, ε = 98.08%, and logσ = 103 for Leishmania naiffi; logσ = 104 for Leishmania guyanensis; and logσ = 105 for Leishmania shawi. This protocol system can be used for diagnosis, identification, and quantification of a patient's parasite load, aiding in the direction of a more appropriate therapeutic management to the cases of infection by this etiological agent. Besides that, the unpublished sequences deposited in databases can be used for multiple analyses in different contexts.
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Kholoud K, Bounoua L, Sereno D, El Hidan M, Messouli M. Emerging and Re-Emerging Leishmaniases in the Mediterranean Area: What Can Be Learned from a Retrospective Review Analysis of the Situation in Morocco during 1990 to 2010? Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101511. [PMID: 33008038 PMCID: PMC7650785 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In Morocco, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases represent a public health concern. In this opinion paper, we propose to highlight chosen elements that have governed the drastic increase in the incidence of leishmaniases recorded in Morocco during the period between 1990 to 2010 in order to guide the prediction of the expansion of diseases and epidemic events. We highlight that the dispersion of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) form, caused by the Leishmania major parasite, appears to be closely related to that of its arthropod vector density, which is sensitive to changes in climate. The dissemination of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) was related to an increase in human travel and local tourism during the studied decades. These are linked to economic expansion and infrastructure development. Interestingly, the main ACL foci are spatially aligned with the highways, and their occurrence was synchronized with the building of transportation infrastructure. During the above-mentioned decades, the zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum has expanded from its historical northern territories, dispersing outwards in all directions. This spread follows the emergence of hamlets and villages connecting with major cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahime Kholoud
- Laboratory of Applied Sciences for the Environment and Sustainable Development, School of Technology Cadi Ayyad University, 40000 Marrakesh, Morocco
- Research Group on Impact, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Morocco (GRIVAC), LHEA, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000 Marrakesh, Morocco
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.S.)
| | - Lahouari Bounoua
- Biospheric Sciences Laboratory, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland, MD 21041, USA;
| | - Denis Sereno
- IRD, University of Montpellier, InterTryp, 34000 Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.S.)
| | | | - Mohamed Messouli
- Research Group on Impact, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Morocco (GRIVAC), LHEA, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000 Marrakesh, Morocco;
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Rosales-Chilama M, Diaz-Moreno N, Prieto MD, Giraldo-Parra L, Martínez-Valencia ÁJ, Gomez MA. Comparative Assessment of DNA Targets and Amplification Methods for Leishmania (Viannia) Detection in Human Samples. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:1323-1327. [PMID: 32228793 PMCID: PMC7253133 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approaches have been developed for Leishmania detection in clinical and laboratory samples, and this diversity limits inter-study comparisons, meta-analyses, and generalization of findings. Towards harmonization of a molecular tool for detection of Leishmania (Viannia) for research purposes, we evaluated the concordance of 18SrDNA quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and minicircle kinetoplastid DNA (mkDNA) PCR followed by Southern blot (PCR-SB) in in vitro infection systems and in lesion and mucosal swab samples from Colombian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (Viannia). The lower limit of parasite detection of 18SrDNA qPCR and mkDNA PCR-SB was 10−1 promastigotes and one intracellular amastigote per reaction. From cutaneous lesions (n = 63), an almost perfect concordance was found between the methods (κ = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.82–1.00). Despite equal limits of detection, mkDNA PCR-SB was more efficient for parasite detection in mucosal samples than 18SrDNA qPCR or 18SrDNA digital droplet PCR. The high concordance, sensitivity, scaling potential, and feasibility of implementation of the 18SrDNA qPCR, support its selection as the L. (Viannia) in research laboratories, as a first step towards harmonization of research protocols in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rosales-Chilama
- Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas-CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
| | - Nicole Diaz-Moreno
- Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas-CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
| | - Miguel Darío Prieto
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas-CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
| | - Lina Giraldo-Parra
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas-CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - María Adelaida Gomez
- Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas-CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite modern advances in molecular diagnostic tools and a better understanding of its complex pathophysiology, cutaneous leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, remains a major global health problem. Laboratory methods to inform prognosis and treatment are not widely available, the therapeutic options are limited and have significant adverse effects, and emergence of drug resistance is a further complication. New advances in the understanding of the role of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) as a prognostic factor, speciation methods and antimicrobial resistance testing and their limitations will be discussed. RECENT FINDINGS LRV, an intracytoplasmic endosymbiont found mostly in Leishmania spp. associated with more severe disease, appears to play a role in modulating the host immune response and has been associated with treatment failure in some Viannia subgenus species. Proper speciation is an important guide to management. However, recent findings have demonstrated significant heterogeneity of results related to differences in genotyping methods. SUMMARY Recognition of the role of LRV in immune modulation and response to treatment along with more accessible tools for its detection to guide management at the bedside should allow a better individualized approach. Improving accessibility and standardization of speciation methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be major goals to improve cutaneous leishmaniasis management in the 21st century.
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Aghamolaei S, Behniafar H, Behravan M, Hajjaran H, Moin Vaziri V. Probability of false-negative results in microscopical detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis: more accurate screening by kDNA-PCR during epidemiological survey. J Parasit Dis 2020; 44:781-784. [PMID: 33184545 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01246-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis has an important impact on global public health, and the common form of the disease is cutaneous form as well in Iran. Different species of Leishmania parasite make variable clinical manifestations, so prompt diagnosis and recognition at the species level are important due to their impact on the treatment and outcome of the disease. We aimed to examine the potential existence of the Leishmania parasite genome in the exudate materials derived from lesions of the cutaneous leishmaniasis suspected patients referred to Varamin Health Center Laboratory, that were reported negative microscopically. Regarding the object of the study, kDNA-Nested-PCR was used. A 570 bp band equal to what expected for Leishmania major was amplified in 18 out of 29 tested samples (62%). Findings indicate the effectivness of kDNA as a high copy number gene to avoid false-negative results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Aghamolaei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Behniafar
- Department of Basic Sciences, Medical Faculty of Sarab, Sarab, Iran
| | - Mahmoodreza Behravan
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Homa Hajjaran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahideh Moin Vaziri
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Valentim Silva JR, de Barros NB, Aragão Macedo SR, Ferreira ADS, Moreira Dill LS, Zanchi FB, do Nascimento JR, Fernandes do Nascimento FR, Lourenzoni MR, de Azevedo Calderon L, Soares AM, Nicolete R. A natural cell-penetrating nanopeptide combined with pentavalent antimonial as experimental therapy against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Exp Parasitol 2020; 217:107934. [PMID: 32698075 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The inadequacy of available treatments for leishmaniasis has presented up to 40% therapeutic failure. This fact suggests an urgency in the discovery of new drugs or alternative approaches for treating this disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antileishmanial activity of combined therapy between crotamine (CTA) from Crotalus durissus terrificus and the pentavalent antimonial Glucantime® (GLU). The assays were in vitro performed measuring the inhibition of Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes, followed by the evaluation of cellular production of cytokines and nitrites. After that, analytical methods were performed in order to characterize the molecules involved in the study by Mass Spectrometry, molecular affinity through an in silico assay and Surface Plasmon Resonance. In vivo experiments with BALB/c mice were performed by analyzing parasitemia, lesion size and immunological mediators. In the in vitro experiments, the pharmacological association improved the inhibition of the amastigotes, modulated the production of cytokines and nitric oxide. The therapy improved the effectiveness of the GLU, demonstrating a decreased parasitemia in the infected tissues. Altogether, the results suggest that the combined approach with CTA and GLU may be a promising alternative for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Rafael Valentim Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Physical Education Department of Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Physical Education Department of University Center UNINORTE, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - Neuza Biguinati de Barros
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Sharon Rose Aragão Macedo
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz - Rondônia e Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Amália Dos Santos Ferreira
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Leandro Soares Moreira Dill
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz - Rondônia e Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Fernando Berton Zanchi
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz - Rondônia e Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Johnny Ramos do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Department of Pathology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Flávia Raquel Fernandes do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Department of Pathology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo de Azevedo Calderon
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz - Rondônia e Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andreimar Martins Soares
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz - Rondônia e Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; eCentro Universitário São Lucas (UniSL), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Roberto Nicolete
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio, CE, Brazil.
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Branco Santos JC, de Melo JA, Maheshwari S, de Medeiros WMTQ, de Freitas Oliveira JW, Moreno CJ, Mario Amzel L, Gabelli SB, Sousa Silva M. Bisphosphonate-Based Molecules as Potential New Antiparasitic Drugs. Molecules 2020; 25:E2602. [PMID: 32503272 PMCID: PMC7321420 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases such as Chagas disease and leishmaniasis affect millions of people around the world. Both diseases affect various parts of the globe and drugs traditionally used in therapy against these diseases have limitations, especially with regard to low efficacy and high toxicity. In this context, the class of bisphosphonate-based compounds has made significant advances regarding the chemical synthesis process as well as the pharmacological properties attributed to these compounds. Among this spectrum of pharmacological activity, bisphosphonate compounds with antiparasitic activity stand out, especially in the treatment of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., respectively. Some bisphosphonate compounds can inhibit the mevalonate pathway, an essential metabolic pathway, by interfering with the synthesis of ergosterol, a sterol responsible for the growth and viability of these parasites. Therefore, this review aims to present the information about the importance of these compounds as antiparasitic agents and as potential new drugs to treat Chagas disease and leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joice Castelo Branco Santos
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil; (J.C.B.S.); (J.A.d.M.); (W.M.T.Q.d.M.); (J.W.d.F.O.); (C.J.M.)
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
| | - Jonathas Alves de Melo
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil; (J.C.B.S.); (J.A.d.M.); (W.M.T.Q.d.M.); (J.W.d.F.O.); (C.J.M.)
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
| | - Sweta Maheshwari
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (S.M.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Wendy Marina Toscano Queiroz de Medeiros
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil; (J.C.B.S.); (J.A.d.M.); (W.M.T.Q.d.M.); (J.W.d.F.O.); (C.J.M.)
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
| | - Johny Wysllas de Freitas Oliveira
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil; (J.C.B.S.); (J.A.d.M.); (W.M.T.Q.d.M.); (J.W.d.F.O.); (C.J.M.)
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Jassica Moreno
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil; (J.C.B.S.); (J.A.d.M.); (W.M.T.Q.d.M.); (J.W.d.F.O.); (C.J.M.)
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
| | - L. Mario Amzel
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (S.M.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Sandra B. Gabelli
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (S.M.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Medicine and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Marcelo Sousa Silva
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil; (J.C.B.S.); (J.A.d.M.); (W.M.T.Q.d.M.); (J.W.d.F.O.); (C.J.M.)
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59012-570 Natal, Brazil
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon, 1800-166 Lisbon, Portugal
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HRM-PCR is an accurate and sensitive technique for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis as compared with conventional PCR. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:310-316. [PMID: 31848842 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00154-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is considered one of the main health problems in Iran. Therefore, it is required for control and therapeutic purposes, an accurate and fast tool for the diagnosis and identification of Leishmania species. METHODS In the present study, three techniques, including microscopic examination, conventional PCR, and high-resolution melting (HRM)-PCR, have been evaluated, to find the most accurate and rapid test. In total, 105 skin scraping smears were taken from suspected dermal lesions of patients belonging to two known endemic CL areas, Gonbad and Bam districts, in Iran. Subsequently, the specimens were analyzed with microscopic, conventional PCR, and HRM-PCR techniques. RESULTS Most positive samples (89.5%) were observed using HRM-PCR, and among the three techniques, HRM-PCR was the most sensitive (89%, 95% CI 81-94) technique. Microscopic examination test had the lowest sensitivity (57%, 95% CI 47-66%). The highest agreement among positive samples was observed between HRM-PCR and conventional PCR tests. DISCUSSION Our results showed that the HRM-PCR technique is the most accurate and sensitive test for recognizing CL, and also a valuable alternative test for conventional PCR to detect various species.
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Thakur S, Joshi J, Kaur S. Leishmaniasis diagnosis: an update on the use of parasitological, immunological and molecular methods. J Parasit Dis 2020; 44:253-272. [PMID: 32419743 PMCID: PMC7223249 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01212-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of leishmaniasis has always been a major challenge as its clinical features resemble some other commonly occurring diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid, and malaria. Reliable laboratory methods become important for differential diagnosis. Demonstration of the parasites in stained preparations of bone marrow and splenic aspirates being risky and invasive is still the gold standard for diagnosis. Serological tests utilizing rapid immunochromatographic formats or rK39 in enzyme linked immune sorbent assay, immunoblotting, direct agglutination test have complications related to high proportions of positive asymptomatic individuals and the inability to diagnose a relapse. Among the molecular techniques, polymerase chain reaction is the most commonly used technique that is successfully implied for diagnosis. This review provides updated information on the recent developments in the field of diagnosis in leishmaniasis, various methods utilized with their advantages and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Thakur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| | - Jyoti Joshi
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| | - Sukhbir Kaur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India
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Differentiation of Leishmania ( L.) infantum, Leishmania ( L.) amazonensis and Leishmania ( L.) mexicana Using Sequential qPCR Assays and High-Resolution Melt Analysis. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060818. [PMID: 32486117 PMCID: PMC7355826 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania protozoa are the etiological agents of visceral, cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. In specific geographical regions, such as Latin America, several Leishmania species are endemic and simultaneously present; therefore, a diagnostic method for species discrimination is warranted. In this attempt, many qPCR-based assays have been developed. Recently, we have shown that L. (L.) infantum and L. (L.) amazonensis can be distinguished through the comparison of the Cq values from two qPCR assays (qPCR-ML and qPCR-ama), designed to amplify kDNA minicircle subclasses more represented in L. (L.) infantum and L. (L.) amazonensis, respectively. This paper describes the application of this approach to L. (L.) mexicana and introduces a new qPCR-ITS1 assay followed by high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis to differentiate this species from L. (L.) amazonensis. We show that L. (L.) mexicana can be distinguished from L. (L.) infantum using the same approach we had previously validated for L. (L.) amazonensis. Moreover, it was also possible to reliably discriminate L. (L.) mexicana from L. (L.) amazonensis by using qPCR-ITS1 followed by an HRM analysis. Therefore, a diagnostic algorithm based on sequential qPCR assays coupled with HRM analysis was established to identify/differentiate L. (L.) infantum, L. (L.) amazonensis, L. (L.) mexicana and Viannia subgenus. These findings update and extend previous data published by our research group, providing an additional diagnostic tool in endemic areas with co-existing species.
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Untapped potential: The utility of drylands for testing eco-evolutionary relationships between hosts and parasites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 12:291-299. [PMID: 32426218 PMCID: PMC7229972 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Drylands comprise over 41% of all terrestrial surface area and are home to approximately 35.5% of the world's population; however, both free-living and parasitic fauna of these regions remain relatively understudied. Yet, the very conditions that make these regions challenging to study – extreme environmental conditions and low population density for various organisms – also make them potentially untapped natural laboratories for examining eco-evolutionary relationships between hosts and parasites. Adaptations and ecological patterns illustrated by desert parasite communities can serve as exemplars within the extremes regarding the evolution of virulence, breadth of host spectra, and lifecycle strategies. This review provides relevant examples for each of these three topics using parasites from dryland regions in order to encourage future empirical tests of hypotheses regarding parasite ecology and evolution within dryland ecosystems and stimulate wider investigation into the parasitofauna of arid regions in general. As global climate changes and anthropogenic disturbance increases, desertification is a growing problem which has been labeled as a threat to global health. Thus, deserts not only provide useful natural laboratories in which to study parasite transmission but understanding parasite transmission within these habitats becomes increasingly important as larger, likely highly resource insecure, populations are projected to live on the margins of desert regions in the future. Drylands comprise over 41% of Earth's surface but their parasites are understudied. Desert parasite communities are exemplars within the extremes of parasite ecology. Can test hypotheses of virulence evolution, host spectra, and lifecycle strategies. Drylands can provide increasingly important insight into parasite transmission. Larger human populations are projected to live in arid regions as climate changes.
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Virtual Screening and the In Vitro Assessment of the Antileishmanial Activity of Lignans. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25102281. [PMID: 32408657 PMCID: PMC7288103 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25102281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is endemic in at least 98 countries. Due to the high toxicity and resistance associated with the drugs, we chose lignans as an alternative, due to their favorable properties of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET). To investigate their leishmanicidal potential, the biological activities of a set of 160 lignans were predicted using predictive models that were built using data for Leishmania major and L. (Viannia) braziliensis. A combined analysis, based on ligand and structure, and several other computational approaches were used. The results showed that the combined analysis was able to select 11 lignans with potential activity against L. major and 21 lignans against L. braziliensis, with multitargeting effects and low or no toxicity. Of these compounds, four were isolated from the species Justicia aequilabris (Nees) Lindau. All of the identified compounds were able to inhibit the growth of L. braziliensis promastigotes, with the most active compound, (159) epipinoresinol-4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, presenting an IC50 value of 5.39 µM and IC50 value of 36.51 µM for L. major. Our findings indicated the potential of computer-aided drug design and development and demonstrated that lignans represent promising prototype compounds for the development of multitarget drugs against leishmaniasis.
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Medrano-Soto A, Ghazi F, Hendargo KJ, Moreno-Hagelsieb G, Myers S, Saier MH. Expansion of the Transporter-Opsin-G protein-coupled receptor superfamily with five new protein families. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231085. [PMID: 32320418 PMCID: PMC7176098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we provide bioinformatic evidence that the Organo-Arsenical Exporter (ArsP), Endoplasmic Reticulum Retention Receptor (KDELR), Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC), L-Alanine Exporter (AlaE), and the Lipid-linked Sugar Translocase (LST) protein families are members of the Transporter-Opsin-G Protein-coupled Receptor (TOG) Superfamily. These families share domains homologous to well-established TOG superfamily members, and their topologies of transmembranal segments (TMSs) are compatible with the basic 4-TMS repeat unit characteristic of this Superfamily. These repeat units tend to occur twice in proteins as a result of intragenic duplication events, often with subsequent gain/loss of TMSs in many superfamily members. Transporters within the ArsP family allow microbial pathogens to expel toxic arsenic compounds from the cell. Members of the KDELR family are involved in the selective retrieval of proteins that reside in the endoplasmic reticulum. Proteins of the MPC family are involved in the transport of pyruvate into mitochondria, providing the organelle with a major oxidative fuel. Members of family AlaE excrete L-alanine from the cell. Members of the LST family are involved in the translocation of lipid-linked glucose across the membrane. These five families substantially expand the range of substrates of transport carriers in the superfamily, although KDEL receptors have no known transport function. Clustering of protein sequences reveals the relationships among families, and the resulting tree correlates well with the degrees of sequence similarity documented between families. The analyses and programs developed to detect distant relatedness, provide insights into the structural, functional, and evolutionary relationships that exist between families of the TOG superfamily, and should be of value to many other investigators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Medrano-Soto
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Faezeh Ghazi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin J. Hendargo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | | | - Scott Myers
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Milton H. Saier
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Gianchecchi E, Montomoli E. The enemy at home: leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin, Italy on the focus. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:563-577. [DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1751611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi S.r.l, Siena, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Herrera G, Barragán N, Luna N, Martínez D, De Martino F, Medina J, Niño S, Páez L, Ramírez A, Vega L, Velandia V, Vera M, Zúñiga MF, Bottin MJ, Ramírez JD. An interactive database of Leishmania species distribution in the Americas. Sci Data 2020; 7:110. [PMID: 32245983 PMCID: PMC7125201 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-020-0451-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Americas have an elevated number of leishmaniasis cases (accounting for two-thirds of the worldwide disease burden) and circulating Leishmania species, and are therefore of interest in terms of epidemiological surveillance. Here, we present a systematic review of Leishmania parasite species circulating in the countries of the American continent, together with complementary information on epidemiology and geospatial distribution. A database was built from data published between 1980 and 2018 on Leishmania species identified in most of the American countries. A total of 1499 georeferenced points were extracted from published articles and subsequently located to 14 countries in the Americas. This database could be used as a reference when surveilling the occurrence of Leishmania species in the continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanny Herrera
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia Barragán
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nicolás Luna
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - David Martínez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Frasella De Martino
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Julián Medina
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sergio Niño
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luisa Páez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Angie Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Vega
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Valeria Velandia
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Michelle Vera
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - María Fernanda Zúñiga
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marius Jean Bottin
- Grupo de Ecología Funcional y Ecosistémica, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Cotton JA, Durrant C, Franssen SU, Gelanew T, Hailu A, Mateus D, Sanders MJ, Berriman M, Volf P, Miles MA, Yeo M. Genomic analysis of natural intra-specific hybrids among Ethiopian isolates of Leishmania donovani. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007143. [PMID: 32310945 PMCID: PMC7237039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) cause widespread and devastating human diseases. Visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania donovani is endemic in Ethiopia where it has also been responsible for major epidemics. The presence of hybrid genotypes has been widely reported in surveys of natural populations, genetic variation reported in a number of Leishmania species, and the extant capacity for genetic exchange demonstrated in laboratory experiments. However, patterns of recombination and the evolutionary history of admixture that produced these hybrid populations remain unclear. Here, we use whole-genome sequence data to investigate Ethiopian L. donovani isolates previously characterized as hybrids by microsatellite and multi-locus sequencing. To date there is only one previous study on a natural population of Leishmania hybrids based on whole-genome sequences. We propose that these hybrids originate from recombination between two different lineages of Ethiopian L. donovani occurring in the same region. Patterns of inheritance are more complex than previously reported with multiple, apparently independent, origins from similar parents that include backcrossing with parental types. Analysis indicates that hybrids are representative of at least three different histories. Furthermore, isolates were highly polysomic at the level of chromosomes with differences between parasites recovered from a recrudescent infection from a previously treated individual. The results demonstrate that recombination is a significant feature of natural populations and contributes to the growing body of data that shows how recombination, and gene flow, shape natural populations of Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tesfaye Gelanew
- Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - David Mateus
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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132
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Alves MA, de Queiroz AC, Leite AB, Martins FT, Doriguetto AC, Barreiro EJ, Alexandre-Moreira MS, Lima LM. Carbamoyl- N-aryl-imine-urea: a new framework to obtain a putative leishmanicidal drug-candidate. RSC Adv 2020; 10:12384-12394. [PMID: 35497630 PMCID: PMC9050848 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra00287a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease, and current treatment includes limitations of toxicity, variable efficacy, high costs and inconvenient doses and treatment schedules. Therefore, new leishmanicidal drugs are still an unquestionable medical need. In this paper we described the design conception of a new framework, the carbamoyl-N-aryl-imine-urea, to obtain putative leishmanicidal drug-candidates. Compounds 9a-e and 10a-e were designed and synthesized and their leishmanicidal activity was studied in comparison to pentamidine, miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate. The conformational profile of the new carbamoyl-N-aryl-imine-urea framework was investigated by X-ray diffraction studies, using compound 9a as a model. The plasma stability of this putative peptide mimetic subunit was studied for compound 10e (LASSBio-1736). Among the congeneric series, LASSBio-1736 was identified as a new antileishmanial drug-candidate, displaying plasma stability, cytotoxicity against amastigote forms of L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis, and leishmanicidal activity in a cutaneous leishmaniasis murine model, without preliminary evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina A Alves
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio, ®), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS PO Box 68023, Cidade Universitária 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil http://www.inct-inofar.ccs.ufrj.br http://www.lassbio.icb.ufrj.br.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Química, Instituto de Química, UFRJ 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
| | - Aline C de Queiroz
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL) 57072-900 Maceió AL Brazil +55 82 3214 1528
| | - Anderson Brandão Leite
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL) 57072-900 Maceió AL Brazil +55 82 3214 1528
| | - Felipe T Martins
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Campus Samambaia, CP 131 Goiânia GO 74001-970 Brazil
| | - Antonio C Doriguetto
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Campus Samambaia, CP 131 Goiânia GO 74001-970 Brazil
| | - Eliezer J Barreiro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio, ®), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS PO Box 68023, Cidade Universitária 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil http://www.inct-inofar.ccs.ufrj.br http://www.lassbio.icb.ufrj.br.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Química, Instituto de Química, UFRJ 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
| | - Magna S Alexandre-Moreira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL) 57072-900 Maceió AL Brazil +55 82 3214 1528
| | - Lídia M Lima
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio, ®), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS PO Box 68023, Cidade Universitária 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil http://www.inct-inofar.ccs.ufrj.br http://www.lassbio.icb.ufrj.br.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Química, Instituto de Química, UFRJ 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
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133
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Arruda C, Ribeiro VP, Mejía JAA, Almeida MO, Goulart MO, Candido ACBB, dos Santos RA, Magalhães LG, Martins CHG, Bastos JK. Green Propolis: Cytotoxic and Leishmanicidal Activities of Artepillin C, p-Coumaric Acid, and Their Degradation Products. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s43450-020-00043-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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134
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Silva Nunes Bezerra G, Barbosa Júnior WL, Virgínia Batista Vieira A, Xavier AT, Sebastião Da Costa Lima Júnior M, Maria Xavier E, Silva EDD, Cintra Leal N, Medeiros ZMD. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification methods for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis ( kala-azar) - a systematic review. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2020; 20:455-465. [PMID: 32116067 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2020.1736564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening infection remaining as one of the most neglected tropical diseases around the world. Despite scientific advances, an accurate diagnosis of VL remains a challenge. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has emerged as a promising diagnostic tool with the possibility of becoming a point-of-care test to guide VL diagnosis and treatment.Areas covered: We conducted a systematic review assessing LAMP systems for diagnosing VL from 2000 to 2019. We performed structured searches in PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science without language restriction. Two reviewers screened articles, completed the data extraction and assessment of the risk of bias. A qualitative summary of the included studies was performed.Expert opinion: LAMP could be used as a screening test for VL diagnosis, so tissue aspiration could be performed only for those who are LAMP negative. We recommend more studies about the performance of the Loopamp™ Leishmania Detection kit and the Brazilian LAMP assay. Thus, we expect in the future the constitution of an international consortium to share experiences, projects, and other LAMP approaches mainly among researchers and institutions located within VL endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.,Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Walter Lins Barbosa Júnior
- Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | | | - Amanda Tavares Xavier
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | | | - Edeneide Maria Xavier
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Elis Dionísio Da Silva
- Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Nilma Cintra Leal
- Departamento De Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Zulma Maria De Medeiros
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.,Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
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135
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Kaufer A, Ellis J, Stark D. Identification of Clinical Infections of Leishmania Imported into Australia: Revising Speciation with Polymerase Chain Reaction-RFLP of the Kinetoplast Maxicircle. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 101:590-601. [PMID: 31333156 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. In Australia, leishmaniasis is an imported disease that is presenting itself at increased rates because of international travel, the influx of immigrants, and deployment of military operations to endemic regions. Although Leishmania species are morphologically indistinguishable, there is a strong correlation between some causative species of leishmaniasis and the subsequent response to the treatments available and patient outcome. Consequently, identification of the infective species is imperative as misidentification can result in the administering of an ineffective drug. The aim of this study was to develop a simple diagnostic tool with high sensitivity and specificity, which is capable of detecting the presence of the parasite and accurately differentiating the causative species in question. Using the advantageous properties of the maxi-circle kinetoplast DNA, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) targeting the ND7 gene was developed for the analysis of imported cases of human leishmaniasis in Australia. Designed as a dual analysis, concurrent PCR of Leishmania maxi-circle DNA and digestion with two separate enzymes (NlaIII and HpyCH4IV), this study provides an appraisal on 24 imported cases of leishmaniasis between 2008 and 2017. Five Leishmania species were reported, with members of the Viannia subgenus being the most common. The implementation of novel diagnostic procedures for leishmaniasis such as the one reported here is needed to establish a gold standard practice for the diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Kaufer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Damien Stark
- Department of Microbiology, St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, Australia
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136
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Medkour H, Varloud M, Davoust B, Mediannikov O. New Molecular Approach for the Detection of Kinetoplastida Parasites of Medical and Veterinary Interest. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E356. [PMID: 32131458 PMCID: PMC7143920 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are protozoa containing a range of ubiquitous free_living species-pathogens of invertebrates, vertebrates and even some plants. Some of them are causative agents of canine vector-borne diseases. Their diagnosis is often missing in a gold standard. Here, we proposed a molecular approach for the diagnosis and study of Kinetoplastida. The TaqMan qPCR assays target the following genes: 24Sa LSU of Kinetoplastida, 28S LSU of Leishmania/ Trypanosoma spp., 5.8S rRNA of Trypanosoma spp., 18S SSU of Leishmania spp., kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA) of L. donovani complex and kDNA of L. infantum, were designed, validated for their sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) in silico and in vitro using a panel of known DNAs. They were then used to screen 369 blood samples (358 dogs, 2 equids, 9 monkeys). In addition, new 28S LSU primer sets are presented to use for Kinetoplastida's identification by PCR/sequencing. All qPCRs showed consistently high analytical sensitivities and reproducibility. They detect approximately 0.01 parasite/ mL blood for the kDNA based- qPCRs and at least a single cell-equivalent of rDNA for the other systems. Based on the sequencing results, after screening, Se and Sp were: 0. 919 and 0.971, 0.853 and 0.979, 1.00 and 0.987, 0.826 and 0.995 for all of Kinetoplastida, Leishmania/ Trypanosoma, Trypanosoma, Leishmania spp. specific qPCRs, respectively. kDNA based qPCRs were more sensitive and specific (Se: 1.00; Sp: 0.997). PCR/sequencing allowed the detection of Kinetoplastids in animal blood samples such as L. infantum, L. guyanensis, T. congolense, T. evansi and Bodo spp. The molecular approach proposed here is useful for epidemiological studies, fundamental research such as screening for new Kinetoplastida species, diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up. In addition, researchers are free to choose the molecular tools adapted to their aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hacène Medkour
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEΦI), 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France; (H.M.); (B.D.)
- UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM -19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France
- PADESCA Laboratory, Veterinary Science Institute, University Constantine 1, El Khroub 25100, Algeria
| | | | - Bernard Davoust
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEΦI), 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France; (H.M.); (B.D.)
- UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM -19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEΦI), 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France; (H.M.); (B.D.)
- UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM -19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France
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137
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Sereno D, Akhoundi M, Sayehmri K, Mirzaei A, Holzmuller P, Lejon V, Waleckx E. Noninvasive Biological Samples to Detect and Diagnose Infections due to Trypanosomatidae Parasites: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1684. [PMID: 32121441 PMCID: PMC7084391 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Unicellular eukaryotes of the Trypanosomatidae family include human and animal pathogens that belong to the Trypanosoma and Leishmania genera. Diagnosis of the diseases they cause requires the sampling of body fluids (e.g., blood, lymph, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid) or organ biopsies (e.g., bone marrow, spleen), which are mostly obtained through invasive methods. Body fluids or appendages can be alternatives to these invasive biopsies but appropriateness remains poorly studied. To further address this question, we perform a systematic review on clues evidencing the presence of parasites, genetic material, antibodies, and antigens in body secretions, appendages, or the organs or proximal tissues that produce these materials. Paper selection was based on searches in PubMed, Web of Science, WorldWideScience, SciELO, Embase, and Google. The information of each selected article (n = 333) was classified into different sections and data were extracted from 77 papers. The presence of Trypanosomatidae parasites has been tracked in most of organs or proximal tissues that produce body secretions or appendages, in naturally or experimentally infected hosts. The meta-analysis highlights the paucity of studies on human African trypanosomiasis and an absence on animal trypanosomiasis. Among the collected data high heterogeneity in terms of the I2 statistic (100%) is recorded. A high positivity is recorded for antibody and genetic material detection in urine of patients and dogs suffering leishmaniasis, and of antigens for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Data on conjunctival swabs can be analyzed with molecular methods solely for dogs suffering canine visceral leishmaniasis. Saliva and hair/bristles showed a pretty good positivity that support their potential to be used for leishmaniasis diagnosis. In conclusion, our study pinpoints significant gaps that need to be filled in order to properly address the interest of body secretion and hair or bristles for the diagnosis of infections caused by Leishmania and by other Trypanosomatidae parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sereno
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, 34032 Montpellier, France; (V.L.); (E.W.)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR MIVEGEC IRD, CNRS, 34032 Montpellier, France
| | - Mohammad Akhoundi
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, 93000 Bobigny, France;
| | - Kourosh Sayehmri
- Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Department of Biostatistics, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam 6931851147, Iran;
| | - Asad Mirzaei
- Parasitology Department, Paramedical School, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam 6931851147, Iran;
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam 6931851147, Iran
| | - Philippe Holzmuller
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE “Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Ecosystèmes”, F-34398 Montpellier, France;
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Montpellier (I-MUSE), 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Veerle Lejon
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, 34032 Montpellier, France; (V.L.); (E.W.)
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, 34032 Montpellier, France; (V.L.); (E.W.)
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales «Dr Hideyo Noguchi», Universidad autònoma de yucatán, Merida, Yucatán 97000, Mexico
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138
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Ouji M, Delmas SB, Álvarez ÁF, Augereau J, Valentin A, Hemmert C, Gornitzka H, Benoit‐Vical F. Design, Synthesis and Efficacy of Hybrid Triclosan‐gold Based Molecules on Artemisinin‐resistant
Plasmodium falciparum
and
Leishmania infantum
Parasites. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201904345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manel Ouji
- LCC–CNRS Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse France
| | | | | | | | - Alexis Valentin
- UMR 152 PharmaDev Université de Toulouse, IRD, UPS, Toulouse France
| | | | | | - Françoise Benoit‐Vical
- LCC–CNRS Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse France
- INSERM Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale France
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139
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Montalvo AM, Alba A, Fraga J, Marzoa A, Torres C, Muskus C. Improving the sensitivity of an hsp20-based PCR for genus detection of Leishmania parasites in cutaneous clinical samples: a proof of concept. Parasitol Res 2019; 119:345-349. [PMID: 31776667 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease of medical importance widely distributed around the world. Several methods are available for diagnosis but molecular approaches are highly recommended. To improve the sensitivity of an existing hsp20 gene based-PCR protocol to detect Leishmania parasites, primers were redesigned to amplify a shorter fragment using a new PCR variant (PCR-hsp20S). In this study, we aimed at characterizing the performance of the new method on cutaneous clinical samples and compare it with the former PCR-hsp20. The analytical sensitivity of the PCR-hsp20S was evaluated using DNA dilutions (100-0.1 pg) from Leishmania donovani and resulted in the detection of 10 fg of parasitic DNA, the equivalent to 0.05 parasite genome. For the diagnostic evaluation, a panel of 127 human clinical samples was used to calculate the parameters of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of the PCR-hsp20S. Diagnostic sensitivity was 94% (CI, 89.1-99.7%) and the specificity of 100% (CI, 98.6-100%). The same panel was also evaluated with the PCR-hsp20 to calculate the agreement between both molecular assays and to compare their performances. While both hsp20-based PCRs showed a good agreement coefficient (kappa index = 0.6), the performance of the novel variant, PCR-hsp20S, was significantly higher in terms of sensitivity (P = 0.0001) allowing the accurate detection of a higher number of Leishmania-positive clinical samples. We endorse the use of the PCR-hsp20S over the former protocol for the detection of Leishmania parasites from cutaneous clinical samples. In addition, as an improved sensitivity was achieved with the new method merely through the amplification of a shorter gene fragment, this investigation constitutes an experimental proof of this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Montalvo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí (IPK), Havana, Cuba.
| | - Annia Alba
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí (IPK), Havana, Cuba
| | - Jorge Fraga
- Department of Science and Innovation, IPK, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Cecia Torres
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí (IPK), Havana, Cuba
| | - Carlos Muskus
- PECET (Program of Study and Control of Tropical Diseases), University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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140
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Nzelu CO, Kato H, Peters NC. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): An advanced molecular point-of-care technique for the detection of Leishmania infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007698. [PMID: 31697673 PMCID: PMC6837287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus, represents an important health problem in many regions of the world. Lack of effective point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests applicable in resources-limited endemic areas is a critical barrier to effective treatment and control of leishmaniasis. The development of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has provided a new tool towards the development of a POC diagnostic test based on the amplification of pathogen DNA. LAMP does not require a thermocycler, is relatively inexpensive, and is simple to perform with high amplification sensitivity and specificity. In this review, we discuss the current technical developments, applications, diagnostic performance, challenges, and future of LAMP for molecular diagnosis and surveillance of Leishmania parasites. Studies employing the LAMP assay to diagnose human leishmaniasis have reported sensitivities of 80% to 100% and specificities of 94% to 100%. These observations suggest that LAMP offers a good molecular POC technique for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis and is also readily applicable to screening at-risk populations and vector sand flies for Leishmania infection in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwunonso O. Nzelu
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine and Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- * E-mail: (CON); (NCP)
| | - Hirotomo Kato
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Nathan C. Peters
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine and Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- * E-mail: (CON); (NCP)
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141
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Gow I, Millar D, Ellis J, Melki J, Stark D. Semi-Quantitative, Duplexed qPCR Assay for the Detection of Leishmania spp. Using Bisulphite Conversion Technology. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:E135. [PMID: 31683788 PMCID: PMC6958480 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4040135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is caused by the flagellated protozoan Leishmania, and is a neglected tropical disease (NTD), as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Bisulphite conversion technology converts all genomic material to a simplified form during the lysis step of the nucleic acid extraction process, and increases the efficiency of multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) reactions. Through utilization of qPCR real-time probes, in conjunction with bisulphite conversion, a new duplex assay targeting the 18S rDNA gene region was designed to detect all Leishmania species. The assay was validated against previously extracted DNA, from seven quantitated DNA and cell standards for pan-Leishmania analytical sensitivity data, and 67 cutaneous clinical samples for cutaneous clinical sensitivity data. Specificity was evaluated by testing 76 negative clinical samples and 43 bacterial, viral, protozoan and fungal species. The assay was also trialed in a side-by-side experiment against a conventional PCR (cPCR), based on the Internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1 region). Ninety-seven percent of specimens from patients that previously tested positive for Leishmania were positive for Leishmania spp. with the bisulphite conversion assay, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 copies per PCR was achieved, while the LOD of the ITS1 methodology was 10 cells/1000 genomic copies per PCR. This method of rapid, accurate and simple detection of Leishmania can lead to improved diagnosis, treatment and public health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ineka Gow
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
- Genetic Signatures Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia.
| | | | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - John Melki
- Genetic Signatures Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia.
| | - Damien Stark
- Microbiology Department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
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142
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Abbasi I, Nasereddin A, Warburg A. Development of a next generation DNA sequencing-based multi detection assay for detecting and identifying Leishmania parasites, blood sources, plant meals and intestinal microbiome in phlebotomine sand flies. Acta Trop 2019; 199:105101. [PMID: 31361989 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by Leishmania parasites transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae). Human infections with different Leishmania species cause characteristic clinical manifestations; cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis. Here we describe the development and application of a Miseq Next GenerationSequencing (NGS)-based Multi Detection Assay (MDA) designed to characterize metagenomics parameters pertinent to the sand fly vectors which may affect their vectorial capacity for Leishmania. For this purpose, we developed a MDA by which, DNA fragments were amplified through polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and then sequenced by MiSeq/NGS. PCR amplification was achieved using some published and some new primers designed specifically for identifying Leishmania spp. (ITS1), sand fly spp. (cytochrome oxidase I), vertebrate blood (Cytochrome b), plant DNA ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit gene (rbcL), and prokaryotic micobiome (16 s rRNA). This MDA/NGS analysis was performed on two species of wild-caught sand flies that transmit different Leishmania spp. in two ecologically distinct, but geographically neighboring locations. The results were analyzed to identify, quantitate and correlate the measured parameters in order to assess their putative importance in the transmission dynamics of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Abbasi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Abdelmajeed Nasereddin
- The Genomics Applications Laboratory, The Core Research Facility, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Alon Warburg
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
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143
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Chanmol W, Jariyapan N, Somboon P, Bates MD, Bates PA. Development of Leishmania orientalis in the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) and the biting midge Culicoides soronensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Acta Trop 2019; 199:105157. [PMID: 31491400 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis is a newly described species causing human leishmaniasis in Thailand whose natural vector is unknown. L. orientalis infections in sand flies and/or biting midges under laboratory conditions have not been previously investigated. In this study, the development of L. orientalis in two experimental vectors, Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies and Culicoides sonorensis biting midges was investigated for the first time using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and histological examination. The results showed that L. orientalis was unable to establish infection in Lu. longipalpis. No parasites were found in the sand fly gut 4 days post-infected blood meal (PIBM). In contrast, the parasite successfully established infection in C. sonorensis. The parasites differentiated from amastigotes to procyclic promastigotes in the abdominal midgut (AMG) on day 1 PIBM. On day 2 PIBM, nectomonad promastigotes were observed in the AMG and migrated to the thoracic midgut (TMG). Leptomonad promastigotes appeared at the TMG on day 3 PIBM. Clusters of leptomonad promastigotes and metacyclic promastigotes colonized around the stomodeal valve with the accumulation of a promastigote secretory gel-like material from day 3 PIBM onwards. Haptomonad-like promastigotes were observed from day 5 PIBM, and the proportion of metacyclic promastigotes reached 23% on day 7 PIBM. The results suggest that biting midges or other sand fly genera or species might be vectors of L. orientalis.
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144
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Pereira A, Parreira R, Cristóvão JM, Castelli G, Bruno F, Vitale F, Campino L, Maia C. Phylogenetic insights on Leishmania detected in cats as revealed by nucleotide sequence analysis of multiple genetic markers. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 77:104069. [PMID: 31670155 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cats have been found infected by the same Leishmania species that also infect dogs and humans in both the New and Old Worlds, and their role as additional reservoir hosts of L. infantum has been previously suggested. Currently, the genetic diversity of Leishmania spp. detected in cats is poorly understood. In this cross-sectional study, the partial nucleotide sequences of four gene markers (cytB, g6pdh, hsp70 and ITS-rDNA) were explored to investigate the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships of Leishmania parasites detected in cats. A total of 25 cat buffy coat samples where the presence of Leishmania SSU-rDNA was revealed by PCR (from a convenience sample of 465 cats screened), as well as six Leishmania strains previously isolated from cats, were included in this study. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the majority of Leishmania parasites detected in cats did not display distinctive genetic features, sharing the same genetic types with L. infantum strains isolated from humans, dogs and phlebotomine sand flies. Unexpectedly, DNA of L. major and/or of a L. major/L. donovani sensu lato hybrid was detected in buffy coat samples of two cats from different regions of Portugal. However, a mix infection hypothesis cannot be formally excluded. To our knowledge, this study represents the first evidence for the presence of DNA of Leishmania hybrid parasites in cats. The results reported here not only reinforce the idea that cats play a role in the epidemiology of zoonotic leishmaniosis but also indicate the circulation of L. major and/or L. major/L. donovani s.l. hybrid parasites in Portugal. Also, whenever sequencing of whole Leishmania genomes regularly cannot be accomplished, and while their complete genomes remain under-represented in the nucleotide sequence databases, the combined use of multiple genetic markers, including kinetoplast maxicircle DNA, seems to be essential for typing of Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHMT), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Parasitology Unit, IHMT/NOVA, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Parreira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHMT), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Microbiology Unit, IHMT/NOVA, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Manuel Cristóvão
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHMT), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Parasitology Unit, IHMT/NOVA, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Germano Castelli
- OIE Leishmaniasis Reference laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Bruno
- OIE Leishmaniasis Reference laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- OIE Leishmaniasis Reference laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Lenea Campino
- Medical Parasitology Unit, IHMT/NOVA, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHMT), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Parasitology Unit, IHMT/NOVA, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal.
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145
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Honek JF. Commentary on "Current Challenges in the Development of Vaccines and Drugs Against Emerging Vector-borne Diseases" by Professor Kwang-sun Kim, Pusan National University, Republic of Korea. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:3201-3204. [PMID: 31526346 DOI: 10.2174/092986732617190820145226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John F Honek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
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146
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Brandão EMV, Xavier SCC, Carvalhaes JG, D’Andrea PS, Lemos FG, Azevedo FC, Cássia-Pires R, Jansen AM, Roque ALR. Trypanosomatids in Small Mammals of an Agroecosystem in Central Brazil: Another Piece in the Puzzle of Parasite Transmission in an Anthropogenic Landscape. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8040190. [PMID: 31615153 PMCID: PMC6963188 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8040190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We surveyed infection by Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. in small wild mammals from Cumari, Goiás State aiming to investigate the diversity of trypanosomatid in a modified landscape of the Brazilian Cerrado (and possible infection overlapping with canids from the same area). Blood, skin, spleen, and liver samples were collected for parasitological, serological, and molecular assays. Gracilinanus agilis was the most abundant species (N = 70; 48.6%) and it was the only one with patent parasitemia. Characterization by mini-exon and 18SrDNA targets were achieved in 7/10 hemocultures with positive fresh blood examination, which confirmed the T. cruzi infection by Discrete Typing Units (DTU) TcI in single (N = 2) and mixed infections with other DTUs (N = 5). T. rangeli and T. dionisii were detected in skin fragments from Didelphis albiventris and Oecomys cleberi, respectively. G. agilis were found to be infected by L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis, while Leishmania sp. DNA was detected in the liver of Oligoryzomys nigripes and Calomys expulsus. Subpatent infection by T. cruzi and Leishmania sp. was serologically detected in 15% and 9% of the small mammal fauna, respectively. Small mammals from Cumari are included in T. cruzi and Leshmania spp. transmission cycles, showing a higher diversity of trypanosomatid species and/or genotypes than that observed in canids of the same agroecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elida M. V. Brandão
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040900, Brasil; (E.M.V.B.); (S.C.C.X.); (A.M.J.)
| | - Samanta C. C. Xavier
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040900, Brasil; (E.M.V.B.); (S.C.C.X.); (A.M.J.)
| | - Jeiel G. Carvalhaes
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040900, Brasil; (J.G.C.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Paulo S. D’Andrea
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040900, Brasil; (J.G.C.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Frederico G. Lemos
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado (PCMC)–Unidade Acadêmica Especial de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás/Regional Catalão, Catalão, GO 75704020, Brasil; (F.G.L.); (F.C.A.)
| | - Fernanda C. Azevedo
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado (PCMC)–Unidade Acadêmica Especial de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás/Regional Catalão, Catalão, GO 75704020, Brasil; (F.G.L.); (F.C.A.)
| | - Renata Cássia-Pires
- Laboratório de Biologia de Parasitos, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59012570, Brasil;
| | - Ana M. Jansen
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040900, Brasil; (E.M.V.B.); (S.C.C.X.); (A.M.J.)
| | - André L. R. Roque
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040900, Brasil; (E.M.V.B.); (S.C.C.X.); (A.M.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1416; Fax: +55-21-2562-1609
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147
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Camacho E, Rastrojo A, Sanchiz Á, González-de la Fuente S, Aguado B, Requena JM. Leishmania Mitochondrial Genomes: Maxicircle Structure and Heterogeneity of Minicircles. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10100758. [PMID: 31561572 PMCID: PMC6826401 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is present in almost all eukaryotic organisms, is a useful marker for phylogenetic studies due to its relative high conservation and its inheritance manner. In Leishmania and other trypanosomatids, the mtDNA (also referred to as kinetoplast DNA or kDNA) is composed of thousands of minicircles and a few maxicircles, catenated together into a complex network. Maxicircles are functionally similar to other eukaryotic mtDNAs, whereas minicircles are involved in RNA editing of some maxicircle-encoded transcripts. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is increasingly used for assembling nuclear genomes and, currently, a large number of genomic sequences are available. However, most of the time, the mitochondrial genome is ignored in the genome assembly processes. The aim of this study was to develop a pipeline to assemble Leishmania minicircles and maxicircle DNA molecules, exploiting the raw data generated in the NGS projects. As a result, the maxicircle molecules and the plethora of minicircle classes for Leishmania major, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis have been characterized. We have observed that whereas the heterogeneity of minicircle sequences existing in a single cell hampers their use for Leishmania typing and classification, maxicircles emerge as an extremely robust genetic marker for taxonomic studies within the clade of kinetoplastids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Camacho
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI) UAM+CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto Rastrojo
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI) UAM+CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - África Sanchiz
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI) UAM+CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sandra González-de la Fuente
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI) UAM+CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Begoña Aguado
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI) UAM+CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jose M Requena
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Campus de Excelencia Internacional (CEI) UAM+CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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148
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Ortuño M, Latrofa MS, Iborra MA, Pérez-Cutillas P, Bernal LJ, Risueño J, Muñoz C, Bernal A, Sánchez-Lopez PF, Segovia M, Annoscia G, Maia C, Cortes S, Campino L, Otranto D, Berriatua E. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between Leishmania infantum from dogs, humans and wildlife in south-east Spain. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:961-973. [PMID: 31512370 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum causes human and canine leishmaniosis. The parasite, transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, infects species other than dogs and people, including wildlife, although their role as reservoirs of infection remains unknown for most species. Molecular typing of parasites to investigate genetic variability and evolutionary proximity can help understand transmission cycles and designing control strategies. We investigated Leishmania DNA variability in kinetoplast (kDNA) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences in asymptomatically infected wildlife (n = 58) and symptomatically and asymptomatically infected humans (n = 38) and dogs (n = 15) from south-east Spain, using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and in silico restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. All ITS2 sequences (n = 76) displayed a 99%-100% nucleotide identity with a L. infantum reference sequence, except one with a 98% identity to a reference Leishmania panamensis sequence, from an Ecuadorian patient. No heterogeneity was recorded in the 73 L. infantum ITS2 sequences except for one SNP in a human parasite sequence. In contrast, kDNA analysis of 44 L. infantum sequences revealed 11 SNP genotypes (nucleotide variability up to 4.3%) and four RFLP genotypes including B, F and newly described S and T genotypes. Genotype frequency was significantly greater in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic individuals. Both methods similarly grouped parasites as predominantly or exclusively found in humans, in dogs, in wildlife or in all three of them. Accordingly, the phylogenetic analysis of kDNA sequences revealed three main clusters, two as a paraphyletic human parasites clade and a third including dogs, people and wildlife parasites. Results suggest that Leishmania infantum genetics is complex even in small geographical areas and that, probably, several independent transmission cycles take place simultaneously including some connecting animals and humans. Investigating these transmission networks may be useful in understanding the transmission dynamics, infection risk and therefore in planning L. infantum control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria S Latrofa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - María A Iborra
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario 'Virgen de la Arrixaca', Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Luis J Bernal
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Risueño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ana Bernal
- Centro de Zoonosis del Ayuntamiento de Murcia, Carril Torre Molina, La Albatalia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro F Sánchez-Lopez
- Servicio de Sanidad Ambiental, Dirección General de Salud Pública y Adicciones, Consejería de Salud de la Región de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Segovia
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario 'Virgen de la Arrixaca', Murcia, Spain
| | - Giada Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia Cortes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lenea Campino
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional 'Campus Mare Nostrum', Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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149
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Maslov DA. Separating the Wheat from the Chaff: RNA Editing and Selection of Translatable mRNA in Trypanosome Mitochondria. Pathogens 2019; 8:E105. [PMID: 31323762 PMCID: PMC6789859 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mitochondria of trypanosomes and related kinetoplastid protists, most mRNAs undergo a long and sophisticated maturation pathway before they can be productively translated by mitochondrial ribosomes. Some of the aspects of this pathway (identity of the promotors, transcription initiation, and termination signals) remain obscure, and some (post-transcriptional modification by U-insertion/deletion, RNA editing, 3'-end maturation) have been illuminated by research during the last decades. The RNA editing creates an open reading frame for a productive translation, but the fully edited mRNA often represents a minor fraction in the pool of pre-edited and partially edited precursors. Therefore, it has been expected that the final stages of the mRNA processing generate molecular hallmarks, which allow for the efficient and selective recognition of translation-competent templates. The general contours and several important details of this process have become known only recently and represent the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri A Maslov
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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150
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Chowdhury FT, Shohan MU, Islam T, Mimu TT, Palit P. A Therapeutic Approach Against Leishmania donovani by Predicting RNAi Molecules Against the Surface Protein, gp63. Curr Bioinform 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1574893613666180828095737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background:
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the Leishmania sp. and can be
classified into two major types: cutaneous and visceral leismaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis is the
deadlier type and is mediated by Leishmania donovani and involves the establishment of persistent
infection and causes damage to the liver, spleen and bone marrow. With no vaccine yet available
against leishmaniasis and the current therapeutic drugs of leishmaniasis being toxic and expensive;
an alternative treatment is necessary.
Objective:
Surface glycocalyx protein gp63, plays a major role in the virulence and resulting
pathogenicity associated with the disease. Henceforth, silencing the gp63 mRNA through the RNA
interference system was the aim of this study.
Methods:
In this study two competent siRNAs and three miRNAs have been designed against gp63
for five different strains of L. donovani by using various computational methods. Target specific
siRNAs were designed using siDirect 2.0 and to design possible miRNA, another tool named IDT
(IntegratedDNA Technology). Screening for off-target similarity was done by BLAST and the GC
contents and the secondary structures of the designed RNAs were determined. RNA-RNA
interaction was calculated by RNAcofold and IntraRNA, followed by the determination of heat
capacity and the concentration of duplex by DNAmelt web server.
Results:
The selected RNAi molecules; two siRNA and three miRNA had no off-target in human
genome and the ones with lower GC content were selected for efficient RNAi function. The
selected ones showed proper thermodynamic characteristics to suppress the expression of the
pathogenic gene of gp63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana T. Chowdhury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad U.S. Shohan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tasmia Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Taisha T. Mimu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Parag Palit
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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