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Capistrano Costa NT, de Souza Pereira AM, Silva CC, Souza EDO, de Oliveira BC, Ferreira LFGR, Hernandes MZ, Pereira VRA. Exploring Bioinformatics Solutions for Improved Leishmaniasis Diagnostic Tools: A Review. Molecules 2024; 29:5259. [PMID: 39598648 PMCID: PMC11596704 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29225259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 11/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Significant populations in tropical and sub-tropical locations all over the world are severely impacted by a group of neglected tropical diseases called leishmaniases. This disease is caused by roughly 20 species of the protozoan parasite from the Leishmania genus. Disease prevention strategies that include early detection, vector control, treatment of affected individuals, and vaccination are all essential. The diagnosis is critical for selecting methods of therapy, preventing transmission of the disease, and minimizing symptoms so that the affected individual can have a better quality of life. Nevertheless, the diagnostic methods do eventually have limitations, and there is no established gold standard. Some disadvantages include the existence of cross-reactions with other species, and limited sensitivity and specificity, which are mostly determined by the type of antigen used to perform the tests. A viable alternative for a more precise diagnosis is the application of recombinant antigens, which have been generated using bioinformatics approaches and have shown increased diagnostic accuracy. This approach proves valuable as it spans from epitope selection to predicting the interactions within the antibody-antigen complex through docking analysis. As a result, identifying potential new antigens using bioinformatics resources becomes an effective technique since it may result in an earlier and more accurate diagnosis. Consequently, the primary aim of this review is to conduct a comprehensive overview of the most significant in silico tools developed over time, with a focus on evaluating their efficacy and exploring their potential applications in optimizing the selection of highly specific molecules for a more effective diagnosis of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natáli T. Capistrano Costa
- Medicinal Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil; (N.T.C.C.); (E.d.O.S.); (L.F.G.R.F.); (M.Z.H.)
| | - Allana M. de Souza Pereira
- Immunopathology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Departament of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhaes Institute, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil;
| | - Cibele C. Silva
- Immunopathology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Departament of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhaes Institute, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil;
| | - Emanuelle de Oliveira Souza
- Medicinal Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil; (N.T.C.C.); (E.d.O.S.); (L.F.G.R.F.); (M.Z.H.)
| | | | - Luiz Felipe G. R. Ferreira
- Medicinal Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil; (N.T.C.C.); (E.d.O.S.); (L.F.G.R.F.); (M.Z.H.)
| | - Marcelo Z. Hernandes
- Medicinal Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, PE, Brazil; (N.T.C.C.); (E.d.O.S.); (L.F.G.R.F.); (M.Z.H.)
| | - Valéria R. A. Pereira
- Immunopathology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Departament of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhaes Institute, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil;
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Castro RBD, Badaró de Moraes JV, de Souza ACA, Favarato ES, Voorwald FA, Dos Santos FM, Bressan GC, Vasconcellos RDS, Fietto JLR. High-resolution mapping of linear epitopes from LiNTPDase2: Advancing leishmaniasis detection using optimized protein and peptide antigens. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 110:116448. [PMID: 39029390 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Visceral Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania infantum, is a tropical neglected disease and the most dangerous form of Leishmaniasis. It occurs zoonotically, with domestic transmission posing risks to humans as dogs have high susceptibility and are natural reservoirs of the parasite. Given their epidemiological role, improvements are needed in diagnosing Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL). Thus, we mapped linear epitopes from the rLiNTPDase2 antigen through peptide microarray and identified six positive epitopes. Validation through peptide ELISA revealed three promising peptides with accuracies of 78.6%, 85.92%, and 79.59%. Their combination yielded 97.58% accuracy. Negative epitopes were also found, which interacted with CVL-negative and Chagas Disease positive samples. Their removal from the rLiNTPDase2 sequence resulted in the rNT2.neg, which obtained enhanced specificity over rLiNTPDase2. The rNT2.neg validation achieved 87.50% sensitivity, 90.55% specificity, and 93.5% accuracy within 127 CVL-positive and 96 CVL-negative samples. Therefore, three peptides and rNT2.neg show significant promise for CVL diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raissa Barbosa de Castro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - João Victor Badaró de Moraes
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Anna Cláudia Alves de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Evandro Silva Favarato
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Azevedo Voorwald
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Fabiane Matos Dos Santos
- Departament of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário S/N, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Costa Bressan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Raphael de Souza Vasconcellos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lopes Rangel Fietto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil; Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária (Bioagro), Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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3
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Assis BPN, Chaves AT, Lage DP, Cardoso MM, Freitas CS, Pereira IAG, Câmara RSB, Martins VT, de Oliveira ALG, Machado-de-Ávila RA, Galdino AS, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Christodoulides M, Gonçalves DU, Bueno LL, Fujiwara RT, Coelho EAF, da Costa Rocha MO. Serodiagnosis of paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy using a recombinant chimeric protein composed of specific B-cell epitopes derived from Mycobacterium leprae proteins. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2024; 147:102505. [PMID: 38583359 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2024.102505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Leprosy diagnosis is difficult due to the clinical similarity with other infectious diseases, and laboratory tests presents problems related to sensitivity and/or specificity. In this study, we used bioinformatics to assess Mycobacterium leprae proteins and formulated a chimeric protein that was tested as a diagnostic marker for the disease. The amino acid sequences from ML0008, ML0126, ML0308, ML1057, ML2028, ML2038, ML2498 proteins were evaluated, and the B-cell epitopes QASVAYPATSYADFRAHNHWWNGP, SLQRSISPNSYNTARVDP and QLLGQTADVAGAAKSGPVQPMGDRGSVSPVGQ were considered M. leprae-specific and used to construct the gene encoding the recombinant antigen. The gene was constructed, the recombinant protein was expressed, purified and tested in ELISA using 252 sera, which contained samples from multibacillary (MB) or paucibacillary (PB) leprosy patients, from their household contacts and healthy individuals, as well as from patients with Chagas disease, visceral and tegumentary leishmaniases (VL/TL), malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) for MB and PB samples compared to sera from both healthy subjects and individuals with cross-reactive diseases were 100%. The Se value for MB and PB samples compared to sera from household contacts was 100%, but Sp was 64%. In conclusion, data suggest that this protein could be considered in future studies for leprosy diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara P N Assis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Hospital Eduardo de Menezes, Belo Horizonte, 30622-020, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana T Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana M Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela A G Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel S B Câmara
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Laura G de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A Machado-de-Ávila
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro S Galdino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, 35.501-296, Minas Gerais e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Brasil
| | - Miguel A Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José S/N, Umacollo, Arequipa, 04000, Peru
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, England, UK
| | - Denise U Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lílian L Bueno
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T Fujiwara
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Manoel O da Costa Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Sadeghi A, Sadeghi M, Fakhar M, Zakariaei Z, Sadeghi M, Bastani R. A deep learning-based model for detecting Leishmania amastigotes in microscopic slides: a new approach to telemedicine. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:551. [PMID: 38824500 PMCID: PMC11144338 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09428-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis, an illness caused by protozoa, accounts for a substantial number of human fatalities globally, thereby emerging as one of the most fatal parasitic diseases. The conventional methods employed for detecting the Leishmania parasite through microscopy are not only time-consuming but also susceptible to errors. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to develop a model based on deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, that could facilitate automated diagnosis of leishmaniasis. METHODS In this research, we introduce LeishFuNet, a deep learning framework designed for detecting Leishmania parasites in microscopic images. To enhance the performance of our model through same-domain transfer learning, we initially train four distinct models: VGG19, ResNet50, MobileNetV2, and DenseNet 169 on a dataset related to another infectious disease, COVID-19. These trained models are then utilized as new pre-trained models and fine-tuned on a set of 292 self-collected high-resolution microscopic images, consisting of 138 positive cases and 154 negative cases. The final prediction is generated through the fusion of information analyzed by these pre-trained models. Grad-CAM, an explainable artificial intelligence technique, is implemented to demonstrate the model's interpretability. RESULTS The final results of utilizing our model for detecting amastigotes in microscopic images are as follows: accuracy of 98.95 1.4%, specificity of 98 2.67%, sensitivity of 100%, precision of 97.91 2.77%, F1-score of 98.92 1.43%, and Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve of 99 1.33. CONCLUSION The newly devised system is precise, swift, user-friendly, and economical, thus indicating the potential of deep learning as a substitute for the prevailing leishmanial diagnostic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Sadeghi
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Sadeghi
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fakhar
- Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, P. O box, Sari, 48166-33131, Iran.
| | - Zakaria Zakariaei
- Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Division, Mazandaran Registry Center for Opioids Poisoning, Anti-microbial Resistance Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Reza Bastani
- Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, P. O box, Sari, 48166-33131, Iran
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5
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Sheikh SY, Hassan F, Shukla D, Bala S, Faruqui T, Akhter Y, Khan AR, Nasibullah M. A review on potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Parasitol Int 2024; 100:102863. [PMID: 38272301 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Leishmania, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for the occurrence of leishmaniasis, a disease that is prevalent in tropical regions. Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar in Asian countries, is one of the most significant forms of VL, along with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (ML). Management of this condition typically entails the use of chemotherapy as the sole therapeutic option. The current treatments for leishmaniasis present several drawbacks, including a multitude of side effects, prolonged treatment duration, disparate efficacy across different regions, and the emergence of resistance. To address this urgent need, it is imperative to identify alternative treatments that are both safer and more effective. The identification of appropriate pharmacological targets in conjunction with biological pathways constitutes the initial stage of drug discovery. In this review, we have addressed the key metabolic pathways that represent potential pharmacological targets as well as prominent treatment options for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabahat Yasmeen Sheikh
- Department of Chemistry, Integral University, Dasauli, Kursi road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Firoj Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Integral University, Dasauli, Kursi road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Deepanjali Shukla
- Department of Chemistry, Integral University, Dasauli, Kursi road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Shashi Bala
- Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Tabrez Faruqui
- Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Yusuf Akhter
- Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India
| | - Abdul Rahman Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Integral University, Dasauli, Kursi road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Malik Nasibullah
- Department of Chemistry, Integral University, Dasauli, Kursi road, Lucknow 226026, India.
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Abdoul-Latif FM, Oumaskour K, Abdallah N, Ainane A, Houmed Aboubaker I, Merito A, Mohamed H, Ainane T. Overview of Research on Leishmaniasis in Africa: Current Status, Diagnosis, Therapeutics, and Recent Advances Using By-Products of the Sargassaceae Family. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:523. [PMID: 38675483 PMCID: PMC11054980 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040523] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis in Africa, which has been designated as a priority neglected tropical disease by various global organizations, exerts its impact on millions of individuals, primarily concentrated within this particular region of the world. As a result of the progressively grave epidemiological data, numerous governmental sectors and civil organizations have concentrated their endeavors on this widespread outbreak with the objective of devising appropriate remedies. This comprehensive examination delves into multiple facets of this parasitic ailment, scrutinizing the associated perils, diagnostic intricacies, and deficiencies within the existing therapeutic protocols. Despite the established efficacy of current treatments, they are not immune to deleterious incidents, particularly concerning toxicity and the emergence of parasitic resistance, thus accentuating the necessity of exploring alternative avenues. Consequently, this research not only encompasses conventional therapeutic approaches, but also extends its scope to encompass complementary and alternative medicinal techniques, thereby striving to identify innovative solutions. A particularly auspicious dimension of this study lies in the exploration of natural substances and by-products derived from some brown algae of the Sargassaceae family. These resources possess the potential to assume a pivotal role in the management of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatouma Mohamed Abdoul-Latif
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé (ISSS), Djibouti City P.O. Box 2530, Djibouti
- Medicinal Research Institute, Center for Studies and Research of Djibouti, IRM-CERD, Route de l’Aéroport, Haramous, Djibouti City P.O. Box 486, Djibouti
| | - Khadija Oumaskour
- Superior School of Technology of Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
| | - Nadira Abdallah
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé (ISSS), Djibouti City P.O. Box 2530, Djibouti
| | - Ayoub Ainane
- Superior School of Technology of Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
| | | | - Ali Merito
- Medicinal Research Institute, Center for Studies and Research of Djibouti, IRM-CERD, Route de l’Aéroport, Haramous, Djibouti City P.O. Box 486, Djibouti
| | - Houda Mohamed
- Peltier Hospital of Djibouti, Djibouti City P.O. Box 2123, Djibouti
| | - Tarik Ainane
- Superior School of Technology of Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
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Moura HB, Ker HG, Ramos LS, Nogueira LM, Machado JM, Dias DS, Rodrigues RAL, da Paz MC, Teixeira-Neto RG, Reis AB, Galdino AS, Silva ES. Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis by Flow Cytometry Serology using the rMELEISH Multiepitope Antigen Coupled in a Functional Bead. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2024; 25:2290-2299. [PMID: 38409720 DOI: 10.2174/0113892010268142231226115140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease, with dogs being the main reservoir of the Leishmania infantum parasite. OBJECTIVE To develop a new flow cytometry test to diagnosis canine VL (CVL) diagnosis. METHODS The current study addresses a new flow cytometry test using beads coupled to the multiepitope antigen rMELEISH. RESULTS In the study set of samples a sensitivity (87.1%) and specificity (89.9%) was observed. Considering the dogs' clinical status, 20/20 (100.0%) of the symptomatic sera tested positive, while 19/22 (86.4%) of the oligosymptomatic and 16/20 (80.0%) of asymptomatic were positive. In the non-infected control, all samples (0/30) tested as negative. In the cross-reaction control, the test was more efficient in dogs infected with L. braziliensis (2/10) and Trypanosoma cruzi (0/10), than those with Babesia canis (4/10) and Ehrlichia canis (4/10). Dogs immunized with different vaccines (Leishmune, Leish-Tec®, or LBSap) did not present serological reactivity. CONCLUSION The flow cytometry serology through coupling the antigen rMELEISH in functional beads showed high accuracy in diagnosing CVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Bonifácio Moura
- Laboratório de Doenças Infecto-parasitárias, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501- 296, Brazil
| | - Henrique Gama Ker
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Citometria de Fluxo, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Luana S Ramos
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Lais M Nogueira
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Machado
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Daniel S Dias
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Rita Alaíde Leandro Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Doenças Infecto-parasitárias, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501- 296, Brazil
| | - Mariana Campos da Paz
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia & Bioativos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Rafael Gonçalves Teixeira-Neto
- Laboratório de Doenças Infecto-parasitárias, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501- 296, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Barbosa Reis
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Citometria de Fluxo, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro S Galdino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Eduardo S Silva
- Laboratório de Doenças Infecto-parasitárias, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501- 296, Brazil
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de Avelar DM, Santos CC, Fusaro Faioli A. Developments in Leishmaniasis diagnosis: A patent landscape from 2010 to 2022. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002557. [PMID: 37910459 PMCID: PMC10619796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The current study aims to contribute to the understanding of leishmaniasis diagnosis by providing an overview of patent filings in this field and analyzing whether the methods revealed are consistent with the needs described by the scientific community, in special the main gaps detected by the World Health Organization's 2021-2030 Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases. To this aim, a patent search was carried out focusing on documents disclosing leishmaniasis diagnostic methods supported by experimental evidence and with earliest priority date from 2010 onwards. Our results show that patenting activity is low and patent families are often formed by individual filings. Most R&D activity occurs in Brazil, which is also the main market of protection. Brazilian academic institutions are the main patent drivers, and collaboration between different institutions is rare. Most patent families describe immunological methods based on ELISA assays, using antibodies directed to K39 and homologues. kDNA is the primary gene for molecular testing. Experimental evidence of test performance in fulfilling critical diagnostic gaps is usually absent. The patent scenario suggests that leishmaniasis diagnostic gaps need to be more closely addressed to drive innovation directed to the control and/or elimination of leishmaniasis. From the public policy point of view, the following strategies are suggested: (i) strengthening collaborative networks, (ii) enhancing the participation of the private sector, and (iii) increasing funding, with special focus on the remaining diagnostic gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alice Fusaro Faioli
- Instituto René Rachou—Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Inovação em Doenças de Populações Negligenciadas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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9
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Zaman N, Azam SS. Quantum Dynamics and Bi Metal Force Field Parameterization Yielding Significant Antileishmanial Targets. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:1371-1385. [PMID: 36730993 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Amid emerging drug resistance to metal inhibitors, high toxicity, and onerous drug delivery procedures, the computational design of alternate formulations encompassing functional metal-containing compounds greatly relies on large-scale atomistic simulations. Simulations particularly with Au(I), Ag, Bi(V), and Sb(V) pose a major challenge to elucidate their molecular mechanism due to the absence of force field parameters. This study thus quantum mechanically derives force field parameters of Bi(V) as an extension of the previous experimental study conducted on heteroleptic triorganobismuth(V) biscarboxylates of type [BiR3(O2CR')2]. We have modeled two organo-bismuth(V) carboxylates, which are optimized and parameterized along with the famous pentavalent antimonial drug: meglumine antimoniate using quantum mechanics original Seminarian methods with the SBKJC effective core potential (ECP) basis set. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of bismuth- and antimony-containing compounds in complex with two enzymes, trypanothione synthetase-amidase (TSA) and trypanothione reductase, are performed to target the (T(SH)2) pathway at multiple points. MD simulations provide novel insights into the binding mechanism of TSA and highlight the role of a single residue Arg569 in modulating the ligand dynamics. Moreover, the presence of an ortho group in a ligand is emphasized to facilitate interactions between Arg569 and the active site residue Arg313 for higher inhibitory activity of TSA. This preliminary generation of parameters specific to bismuth validated by simulations in replica will become a preamble of future computational and experimental research work to open avenues for newer and suitable drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Zaman
- Computational Biology Lab, National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad45320, Pakistan
| | - Syed Sikander Azam
- Computational Biology Lab, National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad45320, Pakistan
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Amini SM, Hadighi R, Najm M, Alipour M, Hasanpour H, Vosoogh M, Vosough A, Hajizadeh M, Badirzadeh A. The Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin-coated Gold Nanoparticle Against Leishmania Major Causative Agent of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL): An In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:104. [PMID: 36781499 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03172-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
We synthesized and characterized curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles (Cur@AuNPs) and investigated their stability, cytotoxicity, leishmanicidal activity in in vitro and in in vivo experiments. Cur@AuNPs synthesized through a simple one-pot green chemistry technique. The in vitro leishmanicidal activity of curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles against extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of protozoan parasite Leishmania major (L. major) was determined by applying the tetrazolium reduction colorimetric quantitative MTT technique. For in vivo assessment, the footpad lesion size and parasite burden in two infection site organs including lymph nodes and footpads of susceptible BALB/c mice infected with L. major were measured. Mice immune responses in all study groups were quantified by measuring the levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Viability of Leishmania promastigotes significantly diminished with the inhibition in promastigotes growth (IC50) of 64.79 μg/mL and 29.89 μg/mL for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. In vitro nanoparticles treatment efficiently cleared the L. major amastigotes explanted in macrophages but had no harmful toxicity on the mice cells. In the in vivo condition, in the treated infected BALB/c mice the CL lesion size, Leishmania parasite burden, and IL-4 were decreased, while IFN-γ was significantly increased. The results suggest that Cur@AuNP was an effective compound against Leishmania parasite in vitro and in vivo, efficiently induced T-helper 1 (Th1) responses and augmented host cellular immune responses, and ending in a reduced Leishmania parasite burden. Therefore, it may be identified as a novel potential therapeutic approach for the local therapy of zoonotic CL treatment with high cure rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Amini
- Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramtin Hadighi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Najm
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Lahijan Branch Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran
| | - Maryam Alipour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Hasanpour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mehran Vosoogh
- Center of Experimental and Comparative Studies, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Araz Vosough
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran
| | - Maryam Hajizadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Daraban Bocaneti F, Ivanescu LM, Miron L, Tanase OI, Dascalu MA. An Overview on Leishmaniasis in Romania: Diagnosis and Therapeutics. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:334. [PMID: 36355877 PMCID: PMC9697536 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne disease considered to be one of the twenty neglected diseases by the World Health Organization, represents one of the public health concerns in endemic countries. In humans, as well as in animal counterparts, the infection can evolve with different clinical localizations, such as those that are cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral. Romania has been traditionally considered a nonendemic country for Leishmania species infection and has had sporadic positive human cases; however, the climate change recorded in recent decades has created potentially optimal conditions for the preponderant vectors of Phlebotomus spp., which has lately been identified in various parts of country. Moreover, with people and dogs (the prevailing hosts) traveling in endemic countries, the disease was imported and diagnosed in both species, and became a medical concern. In this review, we focused on the: (1) epidemiological data of leishmaniasis cases, both in humans and animals, reported by Romania; (2) diagnostic tools available for confirmation since there is a lack of gold-standard laboratory methods for human and dog patients; and (3) conventional antileishmanial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentina Daraban Bocaneti
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700489 Iasi, Romania
| | - Larisa Maria Ivanescu
- Department of Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700489 Iasi, Romania
| | - Liviu Miron
- Department of Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700489 Iasi, Romania
| | - Oana Irina Tanase
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700489 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mihaela Anca Dascalu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700489 Iasi, Romania
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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A 2022 Updated Narrative Review into Diagnosis and Management Developments. Am J Clin Dermatol 2022; 23:823-840. [PMID: 36103050 PMCID: PMC9472198 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-022-00726-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This review is an update of an earlier narrative review published in 2015 on developments in the clinical management of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) including diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control measurements. CL is a vector-borne infection caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania. The vector is the female sandfly. Globally, CL affects 12 million cases and annually 2 million new cases occur. CL is endemic in almost 100 countries and the total risk population is approximately 350 million people. WHO lists CL an emerging and uncontrolled disease and a neglected tropical disease. Local experience-based evidence remains the mainstay for the management of CL. Whereas intralesional therapeutic options are the first treatment option for most CL patients, those with mucocutaneous and disseminated involvement require a systemic therapeutic approach. Moreover, different Leishmania species can vary in their treatment outcomes. Therefore, species determination is critical for optimal CL clinical management. New DNA techniques allow for relatively easy Leishmania species determination, yet they are not easily implemented in resource-limited settings. There is a desperate need for novel, less toxic, and less painful treatment options, especially for children with CL. Yet, the large and well conducted studies required to provide the necessary evidence are lacking. To further control and potentially eliminate CL, we urgently need to improve vector control, and diagnostics, and we require efficient and safe vaccines. Alas, since CL primarily affects poor people, biotechnical companies dedicate little investment into the research programs that could lead to diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and vaccine innovations.
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Geographic distribution of human leishmaniasis and phlebotomine sand flies in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:227. [PMID: 35751099 PMCID: PMC9233378 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05353-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, sand flies and cases of visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniases have been reported in almost all municipalities. The aim of this study was to analyze the geographic distribution of VL and CL in relation the sand fly species found in the municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul. METHODS We analyzed VL and CL cases from 2001 to 2018 using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Data collected since 2003 on the presence of sand fly vectors (proven or suspected) were provided by the State Health Secretariat. RESULTS A total of 3566 and 3030 cases of VL and CL, respectively, were reported from 2001 to 2018. The municipalities with the most reported cases of VL were Campo Grande (2495), Três Lagoas (442), Corumbá (140) and Aquidauana (136); and those for CL were Campo Grande (635) and Bodoquena (197). The following sand fly species with vector potential were found in 59 municipalities (74.7%): Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia cruzi, Nyssomyia whitmani, Migonemyia migonei, Nyssomyia neivai, Pintomyia pessoai, Bichromomyia flaviscutellata and Pintomyia fischeri. Sand flies were present in six municipalities where no cases of VL were reported and in two municipalities where no cases of CL were reported. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the geographical distribution of VL and CL in Mato Grosso do Sul expanded during the study period, and highlight the presence of sand fly vectors in municipalities where these diseases are currently considered to be non-endemic.
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Assolini JP, Carloto ACM, Bortoleti BTDS, Gonçalves MD, Tomiotto Pellissier F, Feuser PE, Cordeiro AP, Hermes de Araújo PH, Sayer C, Miranda Sapla MM, Pavanelli WR. Nanomedicine in leishmaniasis: A promising tool for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease - An update overview. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 923:174934. [PMID: 35367420 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from visceral to cutaneous, with millions of new cases and thousands of deaths notified every year. The severity of the disease and its various clinical forms are determined by the species of the causative agent, Leishmania, as well as the host's immune response. Major challenges still exist in the diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis, and there is no vaccine available to prevent this disease in humans. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool in a variety of fields. In this review, we highlight the main and most recent advances in nanomedicine to improve the diagnosis and treatment, as well as for the development of vaccines, for leishmaniasis. Nanomaterials are nanometric in size and can be produced by a variety of materials, including lipids, polymers, ceramics, and metals, with varying structures and morphologies. Nanotechnology can be used as biosensors to detect antibodies or antigens, thus improving the sensitivity and specificity of such immunological and molecular diagnostic tests. While in treatment, nanomaterials can act as drug carriers or, be used directly, to reduce any toxic effects of drug compounds to the host and to be more selective towards the parasite. Furthermore, preclinical studies show that different nanomaterials can carry different Leishmania antigens, or even act as adjuvants to improve a Th1 immune response in an attempt to produce an effective vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo Assolini
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Universidade Alto Vale do Rio Peixe, Caçador, SC, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | - Paulo Emilio Feuser
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | - Arthur Poester Cordeiro
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Claudia Sayer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil.
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15
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Vale DL, Machado AS, Ramos FF, Lage DP, Freitas CS, de Oliveira D, Galvani NC, Luiz GP, Fagundes MI, Fernandes BB, Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Ludolf F, Tavares GSV, Guimarães NS, Chaves AT, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Tupinambás U, Rocha MOC, Gonçalves DU, Martins VT, Machado-de-Ávila RA, Coelho EAF. Evaluation from a B-cell epitope-based chimeric protein for the serodiagnosis of tegumentary and visceral leishmaniasis. Microb Pathog 2022; 167:105562. [PMID: 35513293 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of leishmaniasis presents problems due to the variable sensitivity and/or specificity of tests. In addition, high levels of anti-parasite antibodies can remain after treatment, making it difficult to conduct a prognostic follow-up of patients. In this context, it is necessary to identify new candidates to be examined for the sensitive and specific diagnosis of the disease. In the present study, four Leishmania proteins, previously shown as antigenic for tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL), were evaluated, and their linear specific B-cell epitopes were predicted and used to generate a new gene codifying chimeric protein called ChimB, which was cloned, and the recombinant version was expressed, purified, and evaluated in ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) to diagnose TL and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). A total of 220 human serum samples were used, and, when ChimB was used, results showed sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 100% for the diagnosis of both diseases; however, when using peptides, the sensitivity values reached from 28.0% to 57.3% and specificity varied from 16.3% to 83.7%. A soluble Leishmania extract (SLA) showed sensitivity and specificity values of 30.7% and 45.9%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) value for ChimB was 1.0, while for synthetic peptides, this value reached between 0.502 and 0.635, whereas for SLA, the value was of 0.589. Serological assays using sera samples collected before and after treatment showed significant reductions in the anti-ChimB antibody levels after therapy, suggesting a prognostic role of this recombinant antigen. In conclusion, preliminary data suggest the use from ChimB as a potential candidate for the diagnosis and prognosis of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danniele L Vale
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Amanda S Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daysiane de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Nathalia C Galvani
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriel P Luiz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Mirian I Fagundes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Bruna B Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - João A Oliveira-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nathalia S Guimarães
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana T Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Miguel A Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José S/N, Umacollo, Arequipa, 04000, Peru
| | - Unaí Tupinambás
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Manoel O C Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Denise U Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A Machado-de-Ávila
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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16
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Sensitive and specific serodiagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis using a new chimeric protein based on specific B-cell epitopes of Leishmania antigenic proteins. Microb Pathog 2021; 162:105341. [PMID: 34883228 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Serological tests used for the diagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) presents problems, mainly related to their variable sensitivity and/or specificity, which can be caused by low levels of antileishmanial antibodies or by presence of cross-reactive diseases, respectively. In this context, the search for new antigenic candidates presenting higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently required. In the present study, the amino acid sequences of the LiHyT, LiHyD, LiHyV, and LiHyP proteins, which were previously showed to be antigenic in the visceral leishmaniasis (VL), were evaluated and eight B-cell epitopes were predicted and used for construction of gene codifying a chimeric protein called ChimLeish. The protein was expressed, purified and evaluated as a recombinant antigen in ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for the diagnosis of TL. The own B cell epitopes used to construct the chimera were synthetized and also evaluated as antigens, as well as a soluble Leishmania braziliensis antigenic extract (SLA). Results showed that ChimLeish presented 100% sensitivity and specificity to diagnose TL, while synthetic peptides showed sensitivity varying from 9.1% to 90.9%, while specificity reached from 98.3% to 99.1%. SLA showed sensitivity and specificity of 18.2% and 98.3%, respectively. A preliminary prognostic evaluation showed that anti-ChimLeish IgG antibodies declined in significant levels, when serological reactivity was compared before and six months after treatment, suggesting also a possible prognostic role of this antigen for TL.
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Lin ZN, Sun YC, Wang JP, Lai YL, Sheng LX. Next-generation sequencing technology for diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of a patient with visceral leishmaniasis: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:9903-9910. [PMID: 34877329 PMCID: PMC8610921 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i32.9903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania and transmitted by infected sand flies. VL has a low incidence in China, and its clinical presentation is complex and atypical. This disease is easily misdiagnosed and can become life-threatening within a short period of time. Therefore, early, rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of the disease are essential.
CASE SUMMARY A 25-year-old male patient presented with the clinical manifestations of irregular fever, hepatosplenomegaly, increased polyclonal globulin, and pancytopenia. The first bone marrow puncture biopsy did not provide a clear diagnosis. In order to relieve the pressure and discomfort of the organs caused by the enlarged spleen and to confirm the diagnosis, splenectomy was performed, and hemophagocytic syndrome was diagnosed by pathological examination of the spleen biopsy. Following bone marrow and spleen pathological re-diagnosis and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology detection, the patient was finally diagnosed with VL. After treatment with liposomal amphotericin B, the body temperature quickly returned to normal and the hemocytes recovered gradually. Post-treatment re-examination of the bone marrow puncture and mNGS data showed that Leishmania was not detected.
CONCLUSION As a fast and accurate detection method, mNGS can diagnose and evaluate the efficacy of treatment in suspicious cases of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou-Ning Lin
- Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Ningbo University, Ningbo 315000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yong-Cheng Sun
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jia-Ping Wang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yan-Li Lai
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li-Xia Sheng
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315000, Zhejiang Province, China
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Nesakumar N, Lakshmanakumar M, Srinivasan S, Jayalatha JBB A, Balaguru Rayappan JB. Principles and Recent Advances in Biosensors for Pathogens Detection. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202101062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Noel Nesakumar
- Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB) SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Muthaiyan Lakshmanakumar
- Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB) SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
- School of Electrical & Electronics Engineering SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Soorya Srinivasan
- School of Electrical & Electronics Engineering SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Arockia Jayalatha JBB
- School of Electrical & Electronics Engineering SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
| | - John Bosco Balaguru Rayappan
- Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB) SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
- School of Electrical & Electronics Engineering SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur 613 401 Tamil Nadu India
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Cabezas-Pérusse Y, Daligault F, Ferrières V, Tasseau O, Tranchimand S. Modulation of the Activity and Regioselectivity of a Glycosidase: Development of a Convenient Tool for the Synthesis of Specific Disaccharides. Molecules 2021; 26:5445. [PMID: 34576917 PMCID: PMC8468180 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of disaccharides, particularly those containing hexofuranoside rings, requires a large number of steps by classical chemical means. The use of glycosidases can be an alternative to limit the number of steps, as they catalyze the formation of controlled glycosidic bonds starting from simple and easy to access building blocks; the main drawbacks are the yields, due to the balance between the hydrolysis and transglycosylation of these enzymes, and the enzyme-dependent regioselectivity. To improve the yield of the synthesis of β-d-galactofuranosyl-(1→X)-d-mannopyranosides catalyzed by an arabinofuranosidase, in this study we developed a strategy to mutate, then screen the catalyst, followed by a tailored molecular modeling methodology to rationalize the effects of the identified mutations. Two mutants with a 2.3 to 3.8-fold increase in transglycosylation yield were obtained, and in addition their accumulated regioisomer kinetic profiles were very different from the wild-type enzyme. Those differences were studied in silico by docking and molecular dynamics, and the methodology revealed a good predictive quality in regards with the regioisomer profiles, which is in good agreement with the experimental transglycosylation kinetics. So, by engineering CtAraf51, new biocatalysts were enabled to obtain the attractive central motif from the Leishmania lipophosphoglycan core with a higher yield and regioselectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yari Cabezas-Pérusse
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)—UMR 6226, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (Y.C.-P.); (V.F.); (O.T.)
| | - Franck Daligault
- CNRS, UFIP (Unité de Fonctionnalité et Ingénierie des Protéines)—UMR 6286, Université de Nantes, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Vincent Ferrières
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)—UMR 6226, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (Y.C.-P.); (V.F.); (O.T.)
| | - Olivier Tasseau
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)—UMR 6226, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (Y.C.-P.); (V.F.); (O.T.)
| | - Sylvain Tranchimand
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)—UMR 6226, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (Y.C.-P.); (V.F.); (O.T.)
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Herrera-Acevedo C, Flores-Gaspar A, Scotti L, Mendonça-Junior FJB, Scotti MT, Coy-Barrera E. Identification of Kaurane-Type Diterpenes as Inhibitors of Leishmania Pteridine Reductase I. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113076. [PMID: 34063939 PMCID: PMC8196580 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current treatments against Leishmania parasites present high toxicity and multiple side effects, which makes the control and elimination of leishmaniasis challenging. Natural products constitute an interesting and diverse chemical space for the identification of new antileishmanial drugs. To identify new drug options, an in-house database of 360 kauranes (tetracyclic diterpenes) was generated, and a combined ligand- and structure-based virtual screening (VS) approach was performed to select potential inhibitors of Leishmania major (Lm) pteridine reductase I (PTR1). The best-ranked kauranes were employed to verify the validity of the VS approach through LmPTR1 enzyme inhibition assay. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of selected bioactive compounds were examined using the random forest (RF) model (i.e., 2β-hydroxy-menth-6-en-5β-yl ent-kaurenoate (135) and 3α-cinnamoyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (302)) were below 10 μM. A compound similar to 302, 3α-p-coumaroyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (302a), was also synthesized and showed the highest activity against LmPTR1. Finally, molecular docking calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were performed for the VS-selected, most-active kauranes within the active sites of PTR1 hybrid models, generated from three Leishmania species that are known to cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in the new world (i.e., L. braziliensis, L. panamensis, and L. amazonensis) to explore the targeting potential of these kauranes to other species-dependent variants of this enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonny Herrera-Acevedo
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (C.H.-A.); (L.S.)
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia;
| | - Areli Flores-Gaspar
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia
- Correspondence: (A.F.-G.); (M.T.S.); Tel.: +57-1-650-00-00 (ext. 1526) (A.F.-G.); +55-83-99869-0415 (M.T.S.)
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (C.H.-A.); (L.S.)
| | | | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (C.H.-A.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: (A.F.-G.); (M.T.S.); Tel.: +57-1-650-00-00 (ext. 1526) (A.F.-G.); +55-83-99869-0415 (M.T.S.)
| | - Ericsson Coy-Barrera
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia;
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia
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Akulinina IK, Berechikidze IA, Larina SN, Sakharova TV, Degtyarevskaya TY, Romanelli M. Effectiveness of doxycycline for the treatment of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in vivo. Parasitology 2021; 148:361-365. [PMID: 33190654 PMCID: PMC11010172 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020002152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
There are available data on in vivo studies of monotherapy of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis with some antibacterial drugs (doxycycline) and their comparison with meglumine antimoniate (glucantime). We used golden Syrian hamsters as a laboratory model. Experimental groups were formed, each of which was treated with one of the tested drugs. Infection of animals was carried out with Leishmania major promastigotes. We selected highly virulent strains of L. major culture isolated from human ulcers or rodents. Meglumine antimoniate monotherapy and doxycycline monotherapy are quite effective and do not differ by the 30th day of their use in such indicators as the average degree of local damage and the average number of Leishmania in the lesions. The main differences were recorded in terms of average body weight gain and average clinical recovery in favour of doxycycline. Leishmania in the lesion on the 60th day were completely absent in treatment with doxycycline. The experiment proved the effectiveness of doxycycline monotherapy: Leishmania in the lesions were absolutely absent by the end of the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliia K. Akulinina
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Molodogvardeiskaya str., 34-263, Moscow121351, Russian Federation
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, Pisa56126, Italy
| | - Iza A. Berechikidze
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Molodogvardeiskaya str., 34-263, Moscow121351, Russian Federation
| | - Svetlana N. Larina
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Molodogvardeiskaya str., 34-263, Moscow121351, Russian Federation
| | - Tatyana V. Sakharova
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Molodogvardeiskaya str., 34-263, Moscow121351, Russian Federation
| | - Tatyana Yu. Degtyarevskaya
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Molodogvardeiskaya str., 34-263, Moscow121351, Russian Federation
| | - Marco Romanelli
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, Pisa56126, Italy
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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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