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van Dijk NJ, Hagos DG, Huggins DM, Carrillo E, Ajala S, Chicharro C, Kiptanui D, Solana JC, Abner E, Wolday D, Schallig HDFH. Simplified molecular diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis: Laboratory evaluation of miniature direct-on-blood PCR nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011637. [PMID: 38713648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in resource-limited endemic regions is currently based on serological testing with rK39 immunochromatographic tests (ICTs). However, rK39 ICT frequently has suboptimal diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, treatment monitoring and detection of VL relapses is reliant on insensitive and highly invasive tissue aspirate microscopy. Miniature direct-on-blood PCR nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (mini-dbPCR-NALFIA) is an innovative and user-friendly molecular tool which does not require DNA extraction and uses a lateral flow strip for result read-out. This assay could be an interesting candidate for more reliable VL diagnosis and safer test of cure at the point of care. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS The performance of mini-dbPCR-NALFIA for diagnosis of VL in blood was assessed in a laboratory evaluation and compared with the accuracy of rK39 ICTs Kalazar Detect in Spain and IT LEISH in East Africa. Limit of detection of mini-dbPCR-NALFIA was 650 and 500 parasites per mL of blood for Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum, respectively. In 146 blood samples from VL-suspected patients from Spain, mini-dbPCR-NALFIA had a sensitivity of 95.8% and specificity 97.2%, while Kalazar Detect had a sensitivity of 71.2% and specificity of 94.5%, compared to a nested PCR reference. For a sample set from 58 VL patients, 10 malaria patients and 68 healthy controls from Ethiopia and Kenya, mini-dbPCR-NALFIA had a pooled sensitivity of 87.9% and pooled specificity of 100% using quantitative PCR as reference standard. IT LEISH sensitivity and specificity in the East African samples were 87.9% and 97.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Mini-dbPCR-NALFIA is a promising tool for simplified molecular diagnosis of VL and follow-up of treated patients in blood samples. Future studies should evaluate its use in endemic, resource-limited settings, where mini-dbPCR-NALFIA may provide an accurate and versatile alternative to rK39 ICTs and aspirate microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert J van Dijk
- Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Experimental Parasitology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dawit Gebreegziabiher Hagos
- Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Experimental Parasitology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Daniela M Huggins
- Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Experimental Parasitology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sophia Ajala
- Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Experimental Parasitology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carmen Chicharro
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Kiptanui
- Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital, Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya
| | - Jose Carlos Solana
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Edwin Abner
- Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital, Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya
| | - Dawit Wolday
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Henk D F H Schallig
- Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Experimental Parasitology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Rossi NRDLP, Fialho SN, Gouveia ADJ, Ferreira AS, da Silva MA, Martinez LDN, Paula do Nascimento WDS, Gonzaga A, de Medeiros DSS, de Barros NB, de Cássia Alves R, Gonçalves GM, Teles CGB. Quinine and chloroquine: Potential preclinical candidates for the treatment of tegumentary Leishmaniasis. Acta Trop 2024; 252:107143. [PMID: 38331084 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107143] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in more than 90 countries, constituting a relevant public health problem. Limited treatment options, increase in resistance, and therapeutic failure are important aspects for the discovery of new treatment options. Drug repurposing may accelerate the discovery of antiLeishmanial drugs. Recent tests indicating the in vitro potential of antimalarials Leishmania resulted in the design of this study. This study aimed at evaluating the susceptibility of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis to chloroquine (CQ) and quinine (QN), alone or in combination with amphotericin B (AFT) and pentamidine (PTN). In the in vitro tests, first, we evaluated the growth inhibition of 50 % of promastigotes (IC50) and cytotoxicity for HepG2 and THP-1 cells (CC50). The IC50 values of AFT and PNT were below 1 µM, while the IC50 values of CQ and QN ranged between 4 and 13 µM. Concerning cytotoxicity, CC50 values ranged between 7 and 30 µM for AFT and PNT, and between 22 and 157 µM for the antimalarials. We also calculated the Selectivity Index (SI), where AFT and PTN obtained the highest values, while the antimalarias obtained values between 5 and 12. Both antimalarials were additive (ƩFIC 1.05-1.8) in combination with AFT and PTN. For anti-amastigote activity, the drugs obtained the following ICA50 values: AFT (0.26 µM), PNT (2.09 µM), CQ (3.77 µM) and QN (24.5 µM). In the in vivo tests, we observed that the effective dose for the death of 50 % of parasites (ED50) of AFT and CQ were 0.63 mg/kg and 27.29 mg/kg, respectively. When combining CQ with AFT, a decrease in parasitemia was observed, being statistically equal to the naive group. For cytokine quantification, it was observed that CQ, despite presenting anti-inflammatory activity was effective at increasing the production of IFN-γ. Overall, our data indicate that chloroquine will probably be a candidate for repurposing and use in drug combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norton Rubens Diunior Lucas Pejara Rossi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - EpiAmO, Brazil.
| | - Saara Neri Fialho
- Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; São Lucas Educacional-Afya, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - EpiAmO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia Legal - BIONORTE, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Aurileya de Jesus Gouveia
- Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - EpiAmO, Brazil
| | - Amália Santos Ferreira
- Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - EpiAmO, Brazil
| | | | - Leandro Do Nascimento Martinez
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; São Lucas Educacional-Afya, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - EpiAmO, Brazil
| | - Welington da Silva Paula do Nascimento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - EpiAmO, Brazil
| | - Arlindo Gonzaga
- Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia Legal - BIONORTE, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Giselle Martins Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Carolina Garcia Bioni Teles
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Plataforma de Bioensaios de Malária e Leishmaniose (PBML), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; São Lucas Educacional-Afya, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - EpiAmO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia Legal - BIONORTE, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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3
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Pacher G, Franca T, Lacerda M, Alves NO, Piranda EM, Arruda C, Cena C. Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Using FTIR Spectroscopy and Machine Learning: An Animal Model Study. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:467-474. [PMID: 38189234 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00430] [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] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a polymorphic and spectral skin disease caused by Leishmania spp. protozoan parasites. CL is difficult to diagnose because conventional methods are time-consuming, expensive, and low-sensitive. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with machine learning (ML) algorithms has been explored as an alternative to achieve fast and accurate results for many disease diagnoses. Besides the high accuracy demonstrated in numerous studies, the spectral variations between infected and noninfected groups are too subtle to be noticed. Since variability in sample set characteristics (such as sex, age, and diet) often leads to significant data variance and limits the comprehensive understanding of spectral characteristics and immune responses, we investigate a novel methodology for diagnosing CL in an animal model study. Blood serum, skin lesions, and draining popliteal lymph node samples were collected from Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis-infected BALB/C mice under experimental conditions. The FTIR method and ML algorithms accurately differentiated between infected (CL group) and noninfected (control group) samples. The best overall accuracy (∼72%) was obtained in an external validation test using principal component analysis and support vector machine algorithms in the 1800-700 cm-1 range for blood serum samples. The accuracy achieved in analyzing skin lesions and popliteal lymph node samples was satisfactory; however, notable disparities emerged in the validation tests compared to results obtained from blood samples. This discrepancy is likely attributed to the elevated sample variability resulting from molecular compositional differences. According to the findings, the successful functioning of prediction models is mainly related to data analysis rather than the differences in the molecular composition of the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pacher
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Thiago Franca
- Laboratório de Óptica e Fotônica (SISFOTON-UFMS), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Miller Lacerda
- Laboratório de Óptica e Fotônica (SISFOTON-UFMS), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Natália O Alves
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Eliane M Piranda
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Carla Arruda
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Cícero Cena
- Laboratório de Óptica e Fotônica (SISFOTON-UFMS), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
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4
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Amato VS, Franco LAM, de Souza RM, da Silva CAM, Ramundo MS, Côrtes MF, Corrêa-Castro G, Santos-Oliveira JR, Da-Cruz AM, Pagliari C, Galo LK, Tuon FF. Case Report: In Situ and Systemic Immune Response to Mucosal Leishmaniasis in an HIV-Infected Patient. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:228-233. [PMID: 38109765 PMCID: PMC10859819 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In situ and systemic evaluations of the immune responses of HIV-infected patients to mucosal leishmaniasis have been poorly described. We describe a recently diagnosed HIV-infected patient with mucosal leishmaniasis who was characterized by a CD4 count of 85 cells/mm3 and nasal septum destruction resulting from pruritic and ulcerated nasal mucosa with crust formation and progression over 2 years. In situ and systemic immune evaluations of T cell activation, memory, and exhaustion were conducted using cytofluorometric assays, and sequencing of the Leishmania species was performed. The immune profile of HIV-infected patient with mucosal leishmaniasis shows a mixed Th1/Th2 pattern and an activated and exhausted status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdir Sabbaga Amato
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Parasitologia, São Paulo, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Doenças e Moléstias Infecciosas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Augusto Moyses Franco
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Parasitologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina Maia de Souza
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Parasitologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Alves Maia da Silva
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Parasitologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Severo Ramundo
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Parasitologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Farrel Côrtes
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Resistência Antimicrobiana, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Corrêa-Castro
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Núcleo de Ciências Biomédicas Aplicadas, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia – IFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joanna Reis Santos-Oliveira
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Núcleo de Ciências Biomédicas Aplicadas, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia – IFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alda M. Da-Cruz
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carla Pagliari
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciane Kanashiro Galo
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe Francisco Tuon
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas e Emergentes, Curitiba, Brazil
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5
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Torrico MC, Ballart C, Fernández-Arévalo A, Solano M, Rojas E, Abras A, Gonzales F, Mamani Y, Arnau A, Lozano D, Gascón J, Picado A, Torrico F, Muñoz C, Gállego M. The need for culture in tegumentary leishmaniasis diagnosis in Bolivia: A comparative evaluation of four parasitological techniques using two sampling methods. Acta Trop 2024; 250:107092. [PMID: 38065375 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107092] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are zoonotic diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In Bolivia, leishmaniasis occurs mainly in the cutaneous form (CL) followed by the mucosal or mucocutaneous form (ML or MCL), grouped as tegumentary leishmaniosis (TL), while cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are rare. The cases of TL are routinely diagnosed by parasitological methods: Direct Parasitological Exam (DPE) and axenic culture, the latter being performed only by specialized laboratories. The aim of the present study was to optimize the parasitological diagnosis of TL in Bolivia, using two sampling methods. Samples from 117 patients with suspected TL, obtained by aspiration (n = 121) and scraping (n = 121) of the edge of the lesion were tested by: direct parasitological exam, culture in TSTB medium, and miniculture and microculture in Schneider's medium. A positive laboratory result by any of the four techniques evaluated using either of the two sampling methods was considered the gold standard. Of the 117 suspected patients included, TL was confirmed in 96 (82 %), corresponding 79 of the confirmed cases (82.3 %) to CL and 16 (16.7 %) to ML. Parasitological techniques specificity was 100 % and their analytical sensitivity was greater with scraping samples in TSTB culture (98 %). Scraping samples in TSTB and miniculture correlated well with the reference (Cohen's kappa coefficient=0.88) and showed good reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient ≥0.91). Microculture provided positive results earlier than the other culture methods (mean day 4.5). By day 14, 98 % of positive cultures had been detected. Scraping sampling and miniculture were associated with higher culture contamination (6 % and 17 %, respectively). Bacterial contamination predominated, regardless of the sampling and culture method, while filamentous fungi and mixed contamination were more frequently observed in cultures from scraping samples. In conclusion: (i) scraping samples proved more suitable for the diagnosis of TL as they increased analytical sensitivity, are less traumatic for the patient and are safer for laboratory personnel than aspirates; (ii) culture, mainly in TSBT medium, should be used for the diagnosis of TL due to its high sensitivity (doubling the number of cases diagnosed by DPE) and its low cost compared to other culture media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Cruz Torrico
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Fundación CEADES y Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
| | - Cristina Ballart
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Fernández-Arévalo
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Solano
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Ernesto Rojas
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Alba Abras
- Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Fabiola Gonzales
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Yercin Mamani
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Albert Arnau
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Daniel Lozano
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Fundación CEADES y Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Joaquim Gascón
- Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Albert Picado
- Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Fundación CEADES y Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Carmen Muñoz
- Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Montserrat Gállego
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
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6
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Ghosh P, Chowdhury R, Faisal K, Khan MAA, Hossain F, Rahat MA, Chowdhury MAA, Mithila NT, Kamal M, Maruf S, Nath R, Kobialka RM, Ceruti A, Cameron M, Duthie MS, Wahed AAE, Mondal D. Evaluation of a Point-of-Need Molecular Diagnostic Tool Coupled with Rapid DNA Extraction Methods for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3639. [PMID: 38132223 PMCID: PMC10742398 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13243639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A rapid, cost-effective, and simple nucleic acid isolation technique coupled with a point-of-need DNA amplification assay is a desirable goal for programmatic use. For diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) rapid tests for the detection of Leishmania DNA are versatile and have operational advantages over qPCR. To facilitate the delivery of the RPA test at point-of-need for VL diagnosis, we compared two rapid DNA extraction methods, SwiftDx (SX) and an in-house Boil and Spin (BS) method, coupled with RPA amplification, versus more widely used methods for DNA extraction and amplification, namely Qiagen (Q) kits and qPCR, respectively. A total of 50 confirmed VL patients and 50 controls, matched for age and gender, were recruited from Mymensingh, Bangladesh, a region highly endemic for VL. Blood samples were collected from each participant and DNA was extracted using Q, SX and BS methods. Following DNA extraction, qPCR and RPA assays were performed to detect L. donovani in downstream analysis. No significant differences in sensitivity of the RPA assay were observed between DNA extraction methods, 94.00% (95% CI: 83.45-98.75%), 90% (95% CI: 78.19-96.67%), and 88% (95% CI: 75.69-95.47%) when using Q, SX, and BS, respectively. Similarly, using qPCR, no significant differences in sensitivity were obtained when using Q or SX for DNA extraction, 94.00% (95% CI: 83.45-98.75%) and 92.00% (80.77-97.78%), respectively. It is encouraging that RPA and qPCR showed excellent agreement (k: 0.919-0.980) when different extraction methods were used and that the DNA impurities using BS had no inhibitory effect on the RPA assay. Furthermore, significantly higher DNA yields were obtained using SX and BS versus Q; however, a significantly higher parasite load was detected using qPCR when DNA was extracted using Q versus SX. Considering the cost, execution time, feasibility, and performance of RPA assay, rapid extraction methods such as the Boil and Spin technique appear to have the potential for implementation in resource-limited endemic settings. Further clinical research is warranted prior to broader application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Ghosh
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Rajashree Chowdhury
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Khaledul Faisal
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Md. Anik Ashfaq Khan
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Leipzig University, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.A.A.K.); (R.M.K.); (A.C.)
| | - Faria Hossain
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Md. Abu Rahat
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Md. Arko Ayon Chowdhury
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Nishad Tasnim Mithila
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Mostafa Kamal
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Shomik Maruf
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Rupen Nath
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Rea Maja Kobialka
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Leipzig University, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.A.A.K.); (R.M.K.); (A.C.)
| | - Arianna Ceruti
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Leipzig University, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.A.A.K.); (R.M.K.); (A.C.)
| | - Mary Cameron
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London WC1E 7HT, UK;
| | | | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Leipzig University, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.A.A.K.); (R.M.K.); (A.C.)
| | - Dinesh Mondal
- Nutrition Research Division (NRD), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (R.C.); (K.F.); (F.H.); (M.A.R.); (M.A.A.C.).; (N.T.M.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (R.N.); (D.M.)
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Ivănescu L, Andronic BL, Grigore-Hristodorescu S, Martinescu GV, Mîndru R, Miron L. The immune response in canine and human leishmaniasis and how this influences the diagnosis- a review and assessment of recent research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1326521. [PMID: 38149009 PMCID: PMC10749942 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1326521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a widespread but still underdiagnosed parasitic disease that affects both humans and animals. There are at least 20 pathogenic species of Leishmania, most of them being zoonotic. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis remains a major challenge, with an important role being played by the species of parasites involved, the genetic background, the immunocompetence of the host. This paper brings to the fore the sensitivity of the balance in canine and human leishmaniasis and addresses the importance of the host's immune response in establishing a correct diagnosis, especially in certain cases of asymptomatic leishmaniasis, or in the situation the host is immunosuppressed or acquired leishmaniasis through vertical transmission. The methods considered as a reference in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis no longer present certainty, the diagnosis being influenced mostly by the immune response of the host, which differs according to the presence of other associated diseases or even according to the breed in dogs. Consequently, the diagnosis and surveillance of leishmaniasis cases remains an open topic, requiring new diagnostic methods adapted to the immunological state of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Ivănescu
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
| | - Bianca Lavinia Andronic
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
| | | | | | - Raluca Mîndru
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
| | - Liviu Miron
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
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Bento MF, de Souza GS, Vieira BS, da Silva ÂA, Krawczak FDS, de Moura VMBD. Sensitivity of PCR in conjunctival swab samples for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2023; 32:e009423. [PMID: 38018627 PMCID: PMC10704863 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612023063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
To compare the sensitivity of conjunctival swab (CS) and conventional samples (blood, spleen, liver, lymphoid and cutaneous tissue) in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out using PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, VHL/BVS (Virtual Health Library), CAPES, and Scielo databases. Articles published from 2002 to 2022 were considered and the review was updated in Jul 2023. From the total of 371 identified studies, 8 met all the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Data from 658 CVL-positive dogs and 2541 PCR results were considered. Using a random effect model, data on the sensitivity of the test was compared between intervention (CS samples) and comparison (all the other samples) groups. Overall, the use of CS in the PCR diagnosis of CVL produced 12% higher sensitivity (p=0.013) in the test than all the other samples in combination. The animals' clinical condition did not influence (p>0.142) this overall result. However, when CS was individually compared to each of the conventional samples, the consistent result was observed (p=0.012) only in the CS versus bone marrow comparison. Given their rapid acquisition, minimal invasiveness, and lower cost relative to conventional samples, CS samples present a promising alternative for the molecular diagnosis of CVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Fagundes Bento
- Setor de Patologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Gabriela Scarpin de Souza
- Setor de Patologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Bruno Serpa Vieira
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Instituto Federal de Mato Grosso – IFMT, Alta Floresta, MT, Brasil
| | - Ângela Adamski da Silva
- Laboratório de Patologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
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9
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Roberts T, Keddie SH, Rattanavong S, Gomez SR, Bradley J, Keogh RH, Bärenbold O, Falconer J, Mens PF, Hopkins H, Ashley EA. Accuracy of the direct agglutination test for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:782. [PMID: 37946107 PMCID: PMC10636880 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasitological investigation of bone marrow, splenic or lymph node aspirations is the gold standard for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). However, this invasive test requires skilled clinical and laboratory staff and adequate facilities, and sensitivity varies depending on the tissue used. The direct agglutination test (DAT) is a serological test that does not need specialised staff, with just minimal training required. While previous meta-analysis has shown DAT to have high sensitivity and specificity when using parasitology as the reference test for diagnosis, meta-analysis of DAT compared to other diagnostic techniques, such as PCR and ELISA, that are increasingly used in clinical and research settings, has not been done. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to determine the diagnostic performance of DAT compared to all available tests for the laboratory diagnosis of human VL. We searched electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Global Health, Scopus, WoS Science Citation Index, Wiley Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Africa-Wide Information, LILACS and WHO Global Index. Three independent reviewers screened reports and extracted data from eligible studies. A meta-analysis estimated the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of DAT. RESULTS Of 987 titles screened, 358 were selected for full data extraction and 78 were included in the analysis, reporting on 32,822 participants from 19 countries. Studies included were conducted between 1987-2020. Meta-analysis of studies using serum and DAT compared to any other test showed pooled sensitivity of 95% (95%CrI 90-98%) and pooled specificity of 95% (95%CrI 88-98%). Results were similar for freeze-dried DAT and liquid DAT when analysed separately. Sensitivity was lower for HIV-positive patients (90%, CrI 59-98%) and specificity was lower for symptomatic patients (70%, CrI 43-89%). When comparing different geographical regions, the lowest median sensitivity (89%, CrI 67-97%) was in Western Asia (five studies). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates high estimated pooled sensitivity and specificity of DAT for diagnosis of VL, although sensitivity and specificity were lower for different patient groups and geographical locations. This review highlights the lack of standardisation of DAT methods and preparations, and the lack of data from some important geographical locations. Future well-reported studies could provide better evidence to inform test implementation for different patient populations and use cases. PROSPERO REGISTRATION CRD42021240830.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamalee Roberts
- Lao- Oxford-Mahosot Hospital- Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Mahosot Road, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Sayaphet Rattanavong
- Lao- Oxford-Mahosot Hospital- Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Mahosot Road, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Santiago Rayment Gomez
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, St Marys Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - John Bradley
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ruth H Keogh
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Jane Falconer
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Petra F Mens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Experimental Parasitology Unit, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center at the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi Hopkins
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Ashley
- Lao- Oxford-Mahosot Hospital- Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Mahosot Road, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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10
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Kaye PM, Matlashewski G, Mohan S, Le Rutte E, Mondal D, Khamesipour A, Malvolti S. Vaccine value profile for leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2023; 41 Suppl 2:S153-S175. [PMID: 37951693 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.057] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania infections are global, occurring in 98 countries and all World Health Organization (WHO) regions with 600 million to 1 billion people at risk of infection. Visceral leishmaniasis is associated with almost 20,000 reported deaths annually, with children under 5 years of age being at the greatest risk of mortality. Amongst WHO-recognised Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), leishmaniasis is one of the most important in terms of mortality and morbidity. With an increasing global burden of disease and a growing threat from climate change, urbanisation and drug resistance, there remains an imperative to develop leishmaniasis vaccines. New tools to understand correlates of protection and to assess vaccine efficacy are being developed to ease the transition into larger scale efficacy trials or provide alternate routes to licensure. Early indications suggest a diverse portfolio of manufacturers exists in endemic countries with an appetite to develop leishmaniasis vaccines. This Vaccine Value Profile (VVP) provides a high-level, comprehensive assessment of the currently available data to inform the potential public health, economic, and societal value of leishmaniasis vaccines. The leishmaniasis VVP was developed by a working group of subject matter experts from academia, public health groups, policy organizations, and non-profit organizations. All contributors have extensive expertise on various elements of the leishmaniasis VVP and have collectively described the state of knowledge and identified the current gaps. The VVP was developed using only existing and publicly available information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Kaye
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK.
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Sakshi Mohan
- Center for Health Economics (CHE), University of York, York, UK.
| | - Epke Le Rutte
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Dinesh Mondal
- Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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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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12
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Takamiya NT, Rogerio LA, Torres C, Leonel JAF, Vioti G, de Sousa Oliveira TMF, Valeriano KC, Porcino GN, de Miranda Santos IKF, Costa CHN, Costa DL, Ferreira TS, Gurgel-Gonçalves R, da Silva JS, Teixeira FR, De Almeida RP, Ribeiro JMC, Maruyama SR. Parasite Detection in Visceral Leishmaniasis Samples by Dye-Based qPCR Using New Gene Targets of Leishmania infantum and Crithidia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:405. [PMID: 37624343 PMCID: PMC10457869 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8080405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected disease considered a serious public health problem, especially in endemic countries. Several studies have discovered monoxenous trypanosomatids (Leptomonas and Crithidia) in patients with VL. In different situations of leishmaniasis, investigations have examined cases of co-infection between Leishmania spp. and Crithidia spp. These coinfections have been observed in a wide range of vertebrate hosts, indicating that they are not rare. Diagnostic techniques require improvements and more robust tools to accurately detect the causative agent of VL. This study aimed to develop a real-time quantitative dye-based PCR (qPCR) assay capable of distinguishing Leishmania infantum from Crithidia-related species and to estimate the parasite load in samples of VL from humans and animals. The primer LinJ31_2420 targets an exclusive phosphatase of L. infantum; the primer Catalase_LVH60-12060_1F targets the catalase gene of Crithidia. Therefore, primers were designed to detect L. infantum and Crithidia sp. LVH60A (a novel trypanosomatid isolated from VL patients in Brazil), in samples related to VL. These primers were considered species-specific, based on sequence analysis using genome data retrieved from the TriTryp database and the genome assembling of Crithidia sp. LVH60A strain, in addition to experimental and clinical data presented herein. This novel qPCR assay was highly accurate in identifying and quantifying L. infantum and Crithidia sp. LVH60A in samples obtained experimentally (in vitro and in vivo) or collected from hosts (humans, dogs, cats, and vectors). Importantly, the screening of 62 cultured isolates from VL patients using these primers surprisingly revealed that 51 parasite cultures were PCR+ for Crithidia sp. In addition, qPCR assays identified the co-infection of L. infantum with Crithidia sp. LVH60A in two new VL cases in Brazil, confirming the suspicion of co-infection in a previously reported case of fatal VL. We believe that the species-specific genes targeted in this study can be helpful for the molecular diagnosis of VL, as well as for elucidating suspected co-infections with monoxenous-like trypanosomatids, which is a neglected fact of a neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayore Tamie Takamiya
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Center for Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil; (N.T.T.); (F.R.T.)
| | - Luana Aparecida Rogerio
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Center for Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil; (N.T.T.); (F.R.T.)
| | - Caroline Torres
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Center for Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil; (N.T.T.); (F.R.T.)
| | - João Augusto Franco Leonel
- Post-Graduate Program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Geovanna Vioti
- Post-Graduate Program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Tricia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
- Post-Graduate Program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Karoline Camila Valeriano
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, FMRP-USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Carlos H. N. Costa
- Natan Portela Institute of Tropical Diseases, Teresina 64002-510, PI, Brazil
| | | | - Tauana Sousa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology and Vector Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Gurgel-Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology and Vector Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - João Santana da Silva
- Fiocruz-Bi-Institutional Translational Medicine Project, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Roberti Teixeira
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Center for Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil; (N.T.T.); (F.R.T.)
| | - Roque Pacheco De Almeida
- Department of Medicine, Center for Biology and Health Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Aracaju 49060-108, SE, Brazil
| | - José M. C. Ribeiro
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, NIH/NIAID, Rockville, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sandra Regina Maruyama
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Center for Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil; (N.T.T.); (F.R.T.)
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Khorram M, Masjedi H, Tabrizi F, Rezaei M, Tabarsi P, Marjani M, Pourabdoullah M, Sheikholeslami FM. The Accuracy of Diagnosis and Genotyping of Leishmania Species Based on Spliced Leader Mini-Exon Gene by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Sequencing Assays. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2023; 18:331-341. [PMID: 37886256 PMCID: PMC10597884 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v18i3.13756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Background We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of genotyping of Leishmania species by the spliced leader mini-exon gene. Methods Suspected leishmaniasis patients, referred to Masieh Daneshvary Hospital, Tehran, Iran were included from May 2017 to September 2021. The Leishmania species were genotyped by PCRRFLP based on the SL mini-exon gene and the ITS1 region of SSU-rRNA gene and compared with the sequencing results. The expressed metabolites of metacyclic promastigotes were evaluated by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Results Out of 66 suspected cases, 36 (54.4%) were positive for Leishmania species based on the PCR assays. In 21 (31.8%) cases, promastigotes grew on culture tubes. Based on the RFLP of SL RNA profile, 13 (19.7%) L. tropica, 9 (13.6%) L. major, 3 (4.5%) L. infantum, and 8 (12.1%) C. fasciculata isolates, isolated from culture media, were identified; however, 3 (4.5%) cases were unidentifiable due to the low number of parasites. Seventeen metabolites were expressed by the metacyclic forms of L. major, L. tropica and C. fasciculata isolates. The top differential metabolites expressed more in C. fasciculata were FAD, p-Methoxybenzyl alcohol and S-b-G-5, 5-G-b-S (A = CH2) (P<0.005) whereas Veratryl glycerols and D-(+)-Mannose were significantly increased in L. major and Betulin, LTyrosine in L. tropica (P<0.01). Conclusion The invaluable techniques such as sequencing and 1H-NMR confirmed the results of genotyping of Leishmania species based on the SL mini-exon gene. SL mini exon gene can be used as a diagnostic tool to differentiate various Leishmania genotypes and detect contamination of culture media with C. fasciculata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahyar Khorram
- Department of New Sciences and Technologies, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Heidar Masjedi
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Tabrizi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Rezaei
- Genomic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Payam Tabarsi
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Marjani
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mihan Pourabdoullah
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh-Maryam Sheikholeslami
- Pediatric Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dr. Khosroshahi’s Pathobiology Laboratory, Tehran, Iran
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Król G, Fortunka K, Majchrzak M, Piktel E, Paprocka P, Mańkowska A, Lesiak A, Karasiński M, Strzelecka A, Durnaś B, Bucki R. Metallic Nanoparticles and Core-Shell Nanosystems in the Treatment, Diagnosis, and Prevention of Parasitic Diseases. Pathogens 2023; 12:838. [PMID: 37375528 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The usage of nanotechnology in the fight against parasitic diseases is in the early stages of development, but it brings hopes that this new field will provide a solution to target the early stages of parasitosis, compensate for the lack of vaccines for most parasitic diseases, and also provide new treatment options for diseases in which parasites show increased resistance to current drugs. The huge physicochemical diversity of nanomaterials developed so far, mainly for antibacterial and anti-cancer therapies, requires additional studies to determine their antiparasitic potential. When designing metallic nanoparticles (MeNPs) and specific nanosystems, such as complexes of MeNPs, with the shell of attached drugs, several physicochemical properties need to be considered. The most important are: size, shape, surface charge, type of surfactants that control their dispersion, and shell molecules that should assure specific molecular interaction with targeted molecules of parasites' cells. Therefore, it can be expected that the development of antiparasitic drugs using strategies provided by nanotechnology and the use of nanomaterials for diagnostic purposes will soon provide new and effective methods of antiparasitic therapy and effective diagnostic tools that will improve the prevention and reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Król
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Kamila Fortunka
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Michał Majchrzak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Ewelina Piktel
- Independent Laboratory of Nanomedicine, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2B, 15-222 Białystok, Poland
| | - Paulina Paprocka
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Angelika Mańkowska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Agata Lesiak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Maciej Karasiński
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Strzelecka
- Department of Public Health , Institute of Health Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Bonita Durnaś
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Robert Bucki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland
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15
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Momeni K, Ghorbian S, Ahmadpour E, Sharifi R. Identification of molecular mechanisms causing skin lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Sci Rep 2023; 13:9836. [PMID: 37330553 PMCID: PMC10276835 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35868-0] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease, caused by a protozoan parasite. Its most common form is cutaneous leishmaniasis, which leaves scars on exposed body parts from bites by infected female phlebotomine sandflies. Approximately 50% of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis fail to respond to standard treatments, creating slow-healing wounds which cause permanent scars on the skin. We performed a joint bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in healthy skin biopsies and Leishmania cutaneous wounds. DEGs and WGCNA modules were analyzed based on the Gene Ontology function, and the Cytoscape software. Among almost 16,600 genes that had significant expression changes on the skin surrounding Leishmania wounds, WGCNA determined that one of the modules, with 456 genes, has the strongest correlation with the size of the wounds. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that this module includes three gene groups with significant expression changes. These produce tissue-damaging cytokines or disrupt the production and activation of collagen, fibrin proteins, and the extracellular matrix, causing skin wounds or preventing them from healing. The hub genes of these groups are OAS1, SERPINH1, and FBLN1 respectively. This information can provide new ways to deal with unwanted and harmful effects of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavoos Momeni
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Ahar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran
| | - Saeid Ghorbian
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Ahar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Rasoul Sharifi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Ahar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran
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16
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Grifferty G, Shirley H, O'Brien K, Hirsch JL, Orriols AM, Amechi KL, Lo J, Chanda N, El Hamzaoui S, Kahn J, Yap SV, Watson KE, Curran C, Atef AbdelAlim A, Bose N, Cilfone AL, Wamai R. The leishmaniases in Kenya: A scoping review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011358. [PMID: 37262045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The leishmaniases are a group of four vector-borne neglected tropical diseases caused by 20 species of protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through a bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. Endemic in over 100 countries, the four types of leishmaniasis-visceral leishmaniasis (VL) (known as kala-azar), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL)-put 1.6 billion people at risk. In Kenya, the extent of leishmaniasis research has not yet been systematically described. This knowledge is instrumental in identifying existing research gaps and designing appropriate interventions for diagnosis, treatment, and elimination. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS This study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology to determine the state of leishmaniases research in Kenya and identify research gaps. We searched seven online databases to identify articles published until January 2022 covering VL, CL, MCL, and/or PKDL in Kenya. A total of 7,486 articles were found, of which 479 underwent full-text screening, and 269 met our eligibility criteria. Most articles covered VL only (n = 141, 52%), were published between 1980 and 1994 (n = 108, 39%), and focused on the theme of "vectors" (n = 92, 34%). The most prevalent study types were "epidemiological research" (n = 88, 33%) tied with "clinical research" (n = 88, 33%), then "basic science research" (n = 49, 18%) and "secondary research" (n = 44, 16%). CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE While some studies still provide useful guidance today, most leishmaniasis research in Kenya needs to be updated and focused on prevention, co-infections, health systems/policy, and general topics, as these themes combined comprised less than 4% of published articles. Our findings also indicate minimal research on MCL (n = 1, <1%) and PKDL (n = 2, 1%). We urge researchers to renew and expand their focus on these neglected diseases in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Grifferty
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- African Centre for Community Investment in Health, Nginyang, Baringo County, Kenya
| | - Hugh Shirley
- African Centre for Community Investment in Health, Nginyang, Baringo County, Kenya
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katherine O'Brien
- African Centre for Community Investment in Health, Nginyang, Baringo County, Kenya
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jason L Hirsch
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Adrienne M Orriols
- African Centre for Community Investment in Health, Nginyang, Baringo County, Kenya
- University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kiira Lani Amechi
- Department of International Affairs, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joshua Lo
- Department of Mathematics and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Neeharika Chanda
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarra El Hamzaoui
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jorja Kahn
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Samantha V Yap
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kyleigh E Watson
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christina Curran
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amina Atef AbdelAlim
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Neeloy Bose
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alissa Link Cilfone
- Northeastern University Library, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Richard Wamai
- African Centre for Community Investment in Health, Nginyang, Baringo County, Kenya
- Department of Cultures, Societies and Global Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Integrated Initiative for Global Health, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Global and Public Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos, Nigeria
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17
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Yentur Doni N, Bertani PJ, Volpedo G, Saljoughian N, Varikuti S, Matlashewski G, Lu W, Satoskar AR. Development of a novel immunoFET technology-based POC assay for detection of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major. Parasite Immunol 2023:e12984. [PMID: 37183939 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is considered as one of the 20 neglected tropical diseases. Current methods of leishmanial diagnosis depend on conventional laboratory-based techniques, which are time-consuming, costly and require special equipment and trained personnel. In this context, we aimed to provide an immuno field effect transistors (ImmunoFET) biosensor that matches the conventional standards for point-of-care (POC) monitoring and detection of Leishmania (L.) donovani/Leishmania major. Crude antigens prepared by repeated freeze thawing of L. donovani/L. major stationary phase promastigotes were used for ELISA and ImmunoFETs. Lesishmania-specific antigens were serially diluted in 1× PBS from a concentration of 106 -102 parasites/mL. A specific polyclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA was established for the detection of Leishmania antigens. An immunoFET technology-based POC novel assay was constructed for the detection of Leishmania antigens. Interactions between antigen-antibody at the gate surface generate an electrical signal that can be measured by semiconductor field-effect principles. Sensitivity was considered and measured as the change in current divided by the initial current. The final L. donovani/L. major crude antigen protein concentrations were measured as 1.50 mg/mL. Sandwich ELISA against the Leishmania 40S ribosomal protein detected Leishmania antigens could detect as few as 100 L. donovani/L. major parasites. An immunoFET biosensor was constructed based on the optimization of aluminium gallium nitride/gallium nitride (AlGaN/GaN) surface oxidation methods. The device surface was composed by an AlGaN/GaN wafer with a 23 nm AlGaN barrier layer, a 2 μm GaN layer on the silicon carbide (SiC) substrate for Leishmania binding, and coated with a specific antibody against the Leishmania 40S ribosomal protein, which was successfully detected at concentrations from 106 to 102 parasites/mL in 1× PBS. At the concentration of 104 parasites, the immunoFETs device sensitivities were 13% and 0.052% in the sub-threshold regime and the saturation regime, respectively. Leishmania parasites were successfully detected by the ImmunoFET biosensor at a diluted concentration as low as 150 ng/mL. In this study, the developed ImmunoFET biosensor performed well. ImmunoFET biosensors can be used as an alternative diagnostic method to ELISA. Increasing the sensitivity and optimization of immuno-FET biosensors might allow earlier and faster detection of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nebiye Yentur Doni
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Harran University, Türkiye
- Wexner Medical Centre, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, The Ohio State of University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Paul J Bertani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Greta Volpedo
- Wexner Medical Centre, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, The Ohio State of University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Noushin Saljoughian
- Wexner Medical Centre, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, The Ohio State of University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sanjay Varikuti
- Wexner Medical Centre, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, The Ohio State of University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State of university, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Wu Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Wexner Medical Centre, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, The Ohio State of University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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18
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Moreira POL, Nogueira PM, Monte-Neto RL. Next-Generation Leishmanization: Revisiting Molecular Targets for Selecting Genetically Engineered Live-Attenuated Leishmania. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041043. [PMID: 37110466 PMCID: PMC10145799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research devoted to finding a vaccine against leishmaniasis, we are still lacking a safe and effective vaccine for humans. Given this scenario, the search for a new prophylaxis alternative for controlling leishmaniasis should be a global priority. Inspired by leishmanization-a first generation vaccine strategy where live L. major parasites are inoculated in the skin to protect against reinfection-live-attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust elicited protective immune response. In addition, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection upon challenge with a virulent strain. The discovery of a precise and easy way to perform CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing allowed the selection of safer null mutant live-attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. Here, we revisited molecular targets associated with the selection of live-attenuated vaccinal strains, discussing their function, their limiting factors and the ideal candidate for the next generation of genetically engineered live-attenuated Leishmania vaccines to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo O L Moreira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Paula M Nogueira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Rubens L Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
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19
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Fujimori M, Valencia-Portillo RT, Lindoso JAL, Celeste BJ, de Almeida RP, Costa CHN, da Cruz AM, Druzian AF, Duthie MS, Fortaleza CMCB, de Oliveira ALL, Paniago AMM, Queiroz IT, Reed S, Vallur AC, Goto H, Sanchez MCA. Recombinant protein KR95 as an alternative for serological diagnosis of human visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282483. [PMID: 36862710 PMCID: PMC9980733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Americas, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, leading to death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. In Brazil, the disease reaches all regions, and in 2020, 1,933 VL cases were reported with 9.5% lethality. Thus, an accurate diagnosis is essential to provide the appropriate treatment. Serological VL diagnosis is based mainly on immunochromatographic tests, but their performance may vary by location, and evaluation of diagnostic alternatives is necessary. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of ELISA with the scantily studied recombinant antigens, K18 and KR95, comparing their performance with the already known rK28 and rK39. Sera from parasitologically confirmed symptomatic VL patients (n = 90) and healthy endemic controls (n = 90) were submitted to ELISA with rK18 and rKR95. Sensitivity (95% CI) was, respectively, 83.3% (74.2-89.7) and 95.6% (88.8-98.6), and specificity (95% CI) was 93.3% (85.9-97.2) and 97.8% (91.8-99.9). For validation of ELISA with the recombinant antigens, we included samples from 122 VL patients and 83 healthy controls collected in three regions in Brazil (Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest). When comparing the results obtained with the VL patients' samples, significantly lower sensitivity was obtained by rK18-ELISA (88.5%, 95% CI: 81.5-93.2) compared with rK28-ELISA (95.9%, 95% CI: 90.5-98.5), but the sensitivity was similar comparing rKR95-ELISA (95.1%, 95% CI: 89.5-98.0), rK28-ELISA (95.9%, 95% CI: 90.5-98.5), and rK39-ELISA (94.3%, 95% CI: 88.4-97.4). Analyzing the specificity, it was lowest with rK18-ELISA (62.7%, 95% CI: 51.9-72.3) with 83 healthy control samples. Conversely, higher and similar specificity was obtained by rKR95-ELISA (96.4%, 95% CI: 89.5-99.2), rK28-ELISA (95.2%, 95% CI: 87.9-98.5), and rK39-ELISA (95.2%, 95% CI: 87.9-98.5). There was no difference in sensitivity and specificity across localities. Cross-reactivity assessment, performed with sera of patients diagnosed with inflammatory disorders and other infectious diseases, was 34.2% with rK18-ELISA and 3.1% with rKR95-ELISA. Based on these data, we suggest using recombinant antigen KR95 in serological assays for VL diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahyumi Fujimori
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - José Angelo Lauletta Lindoso
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Julieta Celeste
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roque Pacheco de Almeida
- Departamento de Medicina Interna e Patologia, Hospital Universitário/EBSERH, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | | | - Alda Maria da Cruz
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Angelita Fernandes Druzian
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Igor Thiago Queiroz
- Hospital Giselda Trigueiro, Secretaria Estadual da Saúde Pública, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Steve Reed
- HDT Bio, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Aarthy C. Vallur
- InBios International Inc, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Hiro Goto
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Carmen Arroyo Sanchez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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20
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Li Z, Fang Y, Zhang Y, Zhou X. RNA-seq analysis of differentially expressed LncRNAs from leishmaniasis patients compared to uninfected humans. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106738. [PMID: 36379256 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106738] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that seriously endangers human health. Furthermore, among the parasitic diseases, leishmaniasis is the third most common cause of death after malaria and schistosomiasis. However, the potential function of LncRNAs in leishmaniasis remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the differentially expressed LncRNAs in leishmaniasis. The sera of leishmaniasis patients and uninfected persons for controls were obtained and analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. Moreover, the expression of key LncRNAs was detected by qPCR. The results showed that 970 differentially expressed LncRNAs and 1692 differentially expressed mRNAs were screened compared to control groups. Then, 520 target genes were identified by using bioinformation analysis and the ENCORI database. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that the differentially expressed target genes were enriched in autophagy animal, FoxO signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, and apoptosis, et al. Among those differentially expressed LncRNAs, nine key LncRNAs were selected (MALAT1, NUTM2A-AS1, and LINC00963 had high expression; LINC00622, MAPKAPK5-AS1, LINC02289, XPC-AS1, ZFAS1 and SNHG5 had low expression) by qPCR. This study suggests that different expressions of LncRNAs may involve in the potential function in leishmaniasis and provide a novel insight for diagnosis of this zoonotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqiu Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Xiaonong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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21
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Kalita E, Panda M, Rao A, Prajapati VK. Exploring the role of secretory proteins in the human infectious diseases diagnosis and therapeutics. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 133:231-269. [PMID: 36707203 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Secretory proteins are playing important role during the host-pathogen interaction to develop the infection or protection into the cell. Pathogens developing infectious disease to human being are taken up by host macrophages or number of immune cells, play an important role in physiological, developmental and immunological function. At the same time, infectious agents are also secreting various proteins to neutralize the resistance caused by host cells and also helping the pathogens to develop the infection. Secretory proteins (secretome) are only developed at the time of host-pathogen interaction, therefore they become very important to develop the targeted and potential therapeutic strategies. Pathogen specific secretory proteins released during interaction with host cell provide opportunity to develop point of care and rapid diagnostic kits. Proteins secreted by pathogens at the time of interaction with host cell have also been found as immunogenic in nature and numbers of vaccines have been developed to control the spread of human infectious diseases. This chapter highlights the importance of secretory proteins in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to fight against human infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elora Kalita
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Mamta Panda
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Abhishek Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
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22
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Jurebi RM, Almutiri MK, Alghamdi B, Alghamdi AS, Alhajry HH, Al-Helali SM, Alzaidi AH, Alzahrani YS, Al-Mutairy MH, Jurebi A, Alshareef A, Almarzooq A, Alsaedi MQ. Compliance of Primary Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia With the National Surveillance System of Tropical and Non-tropical Dermatological Diseases. Cureus 2023; 15:e34306. [PMID: 36865961 PMCID: PMC9973668 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Control and prevention of infectious diseases has been a primary health mandate. The reporting system is a vital step in preventing and controlling of these diseases. Most important, healthcare workers who have a responsibility to report must be aware of this responsibility. The present study aimed to improve the compliance of primary healthcare workers against reportable tropical and non-tropical dermatological diseases. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The objective was to assess the knowledge, skills, and practice of primary healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia regarding the surveillance system of reportable tropical and non-tropical dermatological diseases using an assessment tool featuring closed-ended questions. As a secondary objective, this study assessed the satisfaction of primary healthcare workers with the surveillance system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Through a cross-sectional design, the study used an electronic self-administered questionnaire targeting the primary healthcare workers who met the inclusion criteria through a non-probability sampling technique. RESULTS By the end of the study period, data had been collected from 377 primary healthcare workers. Slightly more than half of them worked for the ministry of health facilities. In the last year, the vast majority (88%) of participants did not report any infectious diseases. Poor or low knowledge was reported by almost half of the participants concerning which dermatological diseases should be notified immediately on clinical suspicion or routinely on a weekly basis. Clinically and in response to the skills assessment, 57% of the participants had lower skills scores in detecting and identifying the skin ulcer of leishmania. Half of the participants were less satisfied with the feedback after their notification and considered the notification forms complicated and time-consuming, especially with the usual high workload in primary healthcare centers. Furthermore, the observed significant differences (p < 0.001) in knowledge and skill scores were demonstrated with female healthcare workers, older participants, employees from the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, and workers with more than ten years of experience. CONCLUSION The present study has shown the limitations of public health surveillance due to underreporting and lack of timeliness. The dissatisfaction of study participants with feedback after the notification step is another finding that demonstrates the need for collaboration among public health authorities and healthcare workers. Fortunately, health departments can implement measures to improve practitioners' awareness through continuous medical education and providing frequent feedback to overcome these hurdles.
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Omics Approaches in Drug Development against Leishmaniasis: Current Scenario and Future Prospects. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010039. [PMID: 36678387 PMCID: PMC9866966 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease transmitted in humans by the bite of Leishmania-infected phlebotomine sandflies. Each year approximately 58,500 cases of leishmaniasis are diagnosed across the globe, with a mortality rate of nearly seven percent. There are over 20 parasitic strains of Leishmania which are known to cause distinct types of leishmaniasis and pose an endemic threat to humans worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial to develop potential medications and vaccines to combat leishmaniasis. However, the task of developing therapeutic solutions is challenging due to Leishmania's digenetic lifecycle. The challenge is further intensified by cases of resistance against the available drugs. Owing to these challenges, the conventional drug development regimen is further limited by target discovery and ligand suitability for the targets. On the other hand, as an added advantage, the emergence of omics-based tools, such as high-end proteomics, transcriptomics and genomics, has hastened the pace of target discovery and target-based drug development. It is now becoming apparent that multi-omics convergence and an inter-connected systems approach is less time-consuming and more cost-effective for any drug-development process. This comprehensive review is an attempt to summarize the current knowledge on the muti-omics approach in drug development against leishmaniasis. In particular, it elaborates the potential target identification from secreted proteins in various stages of Leishmania infection and also illustrates the convergence of transcriptomic and genomic data towards the collective goal of drug discovery. This review also provides an understanding of the potential parasite's drug targets and drug resistance characteristics of the parasite, which can be used in designing effective and specific therapeutics.
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Mathison BA, Bradley BT. Review of the Clinical Presentation, Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Leishmaniasis. Lab Med 2022:6873137. [DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmac134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne infection caused by kinetoplastid protozoans in the genera Leishmania and Endotrypanum. The disease occurs worldwide in the tropics and subtropics and can be particularly burdensome in resource-limited settings. Diseases caused by leishmaniasis range in severity from mild cutaneous lesions to life-threatening visceral and disfiguring mucocutaneous illnesses. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is needed to ensure proper clinical management of patients afflicted with this disease. Complicating matters of diagnosis and treatment are the diversity of species within these 2 genera and the variable specificity of diagnostic assays. This mini-review provides laboratory professionals with an overview of Leishmania epidemiology, biology, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, and treatments with additional emphasis placed on the nuances involved in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A Mathison
- Insitute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories , Salt Lake City, UT , USA
| | - Benjamin T Bradley
- Insitute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories , Salt Lake City, UT , USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, UT , USA
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Chemical Composition and In Vitro and In Silico Antileishmanial Evaluation of the Essential Oil from Croton linearis Jacq. Stems. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121712. [PMID: 36551370 PMCID: PMC9774621 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Croton linearis Jacq. is an aromatic shrub that has been utilized in traditional medicine in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Cuba. Recent studies have revealed the antiprotozoal potential of its leaves. The present work is aimed to identify the volatile constituents of essential oil from the stems of C. linearis (CLS-EO) and evaluate its in vitro antileishmanial activity. In addition, an in silico study of the molecular interactions was performed using molecular docking. A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of CLS-EO identified 1,8-cineole (27.8%), α-pinene (11.1%), cis-sabinene (8.1%), p-cymene (5.7%), α-terpineol (4.4%), epi-γ-eudesmol (4.2%), linalool (3.9%), and terpinen-4-ol (2.6%) as major constituents. The evaluation of antileishmanial activity showed that CLS-EO has good activity on both parasite forms (IC50Promastigote = 21.4 ± 0.1 μg/mL; IC50Amastigote = 18.9 ± 0.3 μg/mL), with a CC50 of 49.0 ± 5.0 μg/mL on peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice (selectivity index = 2 and 3 using the promastigote and amastigote results). Molecular docking showed good binding of epi-γ-eudesmol with different target enzymes of Leishmania. This study is the first report of the chemical composition and anti-Leishmania evaluation of CLS-EO. These findings provide support for further studies of the antileishmanial effect of this product.
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Coutinho TL, Marson FAL, Rangel O, Giorgio S, Silva KC, Levy CE. Monitoring Leishmania infantum Infections in Female Lutzomyia longipalpis by Using DNA Extraction on Cation Exchange Paper and PCR Pool Testing. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12112653. [PMID: 36359496 PMCID: PMC9689157 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112653] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis remains a serious public health issue, and Brazil was among the seven countries with the highest prevalence of this disease worldwide. The measures to control this disease are not easily developed, and the improvement of its diagnosis, surveillance, and control is still needed. This study aimed to carry out the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis of Leishmania infantum in vector samples in some municipalities of the State of São Paulo, which included two municipalities with human disease transmission and two with dog transmission only. Vectors were collected in traps with luminous bait. Next, they were killed at -4 °C and kept in 70% alcohol. Groups of ten female insects (pools) were mashed on cation exchange paper (fine cellulose phosphate with 18 µEq/cm² ionic exchange capacity) for DNA extraction. The PCR was carried out to identify the natural infection of the Leishmania genus in female Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lu. Longipalpis). Out of the 3,880 Lu. longipalpis phlebotomines, 1060 were female and 2820 were male (3:1). The method used to extract the DNA in pools of ten phlebotomines and the PCR resulted in sensitivity, specificity, practicality, and faster analyses when compared to the individual analysis method. The procedure described can be used on a large scale in the leishmaniasis epidemiological surveillance, enabling a higher number of analyses and the optimization of human resources because the traditional diagnostic method is carried out via desiccation of the insect digestive system and microscopic examination, which is time-demanding and there is the need of manual skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Leonetti Coutinho
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Augusto Lima Marson
- Post Graduate Program in Health Science, Laboratory of Medical and Human Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, São Paulo, Brazil
- Correspondence: or (F.A.L.M.); (C.E.L.); Tel.: +55-19-997692712 (F.A.L.M.)
| | - Osias Rangel
- Pasteur Institute, São Paulo 01311-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Selma Giorgio
- Biology Institute, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kamila Cristina Silva
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Emilio Levy
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, São Paulo, Brazil
- Correspondence: or (F.A.L.M.); (C.E.L.); Tel.: +55-19-997692712 (F.A.L.M.)
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Cutaneous/Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis Treatment for Wound Healing: Classical versus New Treatment Approaches. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres13040059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (ML) show clinical spectra that can range from a localized lesion (with a spontaneous healing process) to cases that progress to a generalized systemic disease with a risk of death. The treatment of leishmaniasis is complex since most of the available drugs show high toxicity. The development of an effective topical drug formulation for CL and ML treatment offers advantages as it will improve patient’s compliance to the therapy given the possibility for self-administration, as well as overcoming the first pass metabolism and the high costs of currently available alternatives. The most common dosage forms include solid formulations, such as membranes and semi-solid formulations (e.g., ointments, creams, gels, and pastes). Topical treatment has been used as a new route of administration for conventional drugs against leishmaniasis and its combinations, as well as to exploit new substances. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of using topical drug delivery for the treatment of these two forms of leishmaniasis and the relevance of combining this approach with other pharmaceutical dosage forms. Emphasis will also be given to the use of nanomaterials for site-specific delivery.
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Khatami A, Yazdanparast T, Ahmad Nasrollahi S, Miramin Mohammadi A, Yadangi S, Khamesipour A, Kassir M, Firooz A. Biophysical and ultrasonographic changes of acute Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis skin lesions in comparison with uninvolved skin: A possible tool for non-invasive early detection and treatment outcome assessment. Dermatol Ther 2022; 35:e15699. [PMID: 35808917 DOI: 10.1111/dth.15699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a skin disease caused by intracellular protozoa, which is endemic in Iran. The goal of this study was to compare biophysical characteristics in CL lesions with uninvolved skin. METHODS Stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, surface friction, pH, sebum, melanin, erythema, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, and R5), thickness and echo-density of epidermis and dermis were measured on the active erythematous indurated part of a typical CL lesion in 20 patients, and compared with the same location on the other side of the body as control. Paired t- test was used for statistical analyses and a P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Melanin content, R2 and echo-density of dermis were significantly lower, whereas transepidermal water loss, friction index, pH, erythema index, temperature and the thickness of dermis were significantly higher in CL lesions. There was no significant difference in stratum corneum hydration, sebum, R0, R5, thickness of epidermis and density of epidermis between CL and normal skin. CONCLUSIONS CL lesions are characterized by certain changes in biophysical and ultrasonographic properties, which are mostly correlated with histological features. These changes are likely to be useful in the non-invasive early detection of CL and also as treatment outcome measures for clinical trials of new treatment modalities for CL in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Khatami
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Information Technology Management, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Taraneh Yazdanparast
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saman Ahmad Nasrollahi
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Miramin Mohammadi
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yadangi
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Firooz
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Clinical Trial Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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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: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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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Wijnant GJ, Dumetz F, Dirkx L, Bulté D, Cuypers B, Van Bocxlaer K, Hendrickx S. Tackling Drug Resistance and Other Causes of Treatment Failure in Leishmaniasis. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.837460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania parasite. The disease is transmitted by female sand flies and, depending on the infecting parasite species, causes either cutaneous (stigmatizing skin lesions), mucocutaneous (destruction of mucous membranes of nose, mouth and throat) or visceral disease (a potentially fatal infection of liver, spleen and bone marrow). Although more than 1 million new cases occur annually, chemotherapeutic options are limited and their efficacy is jeopardized by increasing treatment failure rates and growing drug resistance. To delay the emergence of resistance to existing and new drugs, elucidating the currently unknown causes of variable drug efficacy (related to parasite susceptibility, host immunity and drug pharmacokinetics) and improved use of genotypic and phenotypic tools to define, measure and monitor resistance in the field are critical. This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of drug action and resistance in Leishmania, ongoing challenges (including setbacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic) and provides an overview of possible strategies to tackle this public health challenge.
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Teixeira Bezerra T, Oliveira de Almeida M, Maria de Amorim Lima N, Lúcia de Castro Rodrigues N, Gomes Pereira Ribeiro V, Jania Teixeira M, Carbone L, Mele G, Lomonaco D, Elaine Mazzetto S. In vitro antileishmanial activity of sustainable anacardic acid and cardol based silver nanoparticles on L. braziliensis. Int J Pharm 2022; 619:121698. [PMID: 35337904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The search for effective and less toxic drugs for the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is desirable due to the emergence of resistant parasites. The present study shows the preparation, characterization and in vitro antileishmanial activity of green-based silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL, main constituents: anacardic acid (AA) and cardol (CD). The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was achieved by reduction with sodium borohydride in the presence of anacardic acid or cardol under microwave irradiation (400 W, 60 °C, 5 min) resulting in AgAA and AgCD. In vitro assay showed opposite effects for AgAA and AgCD. While AgAA is highly toxic to macrophages (CC50 = 6.910 µg mL-1) and almost non-toxic for L.braziliensis (IC50 = 86.61 µg mL-1), AgCD results very selective toward killing the parasite (CC50 = 195.0 µg mL-1, IC50 = 11.54 µg mL-1). AA's higher polarity and conical shape easily promote cell lysis by increasing cell permeability, while CD has a protective effect: for that reason, AA and AgAA were not further used for tests. CD (EC50 = 2.906 µg mL-1) had higher ability to kill intracellular amastigotes than AgCD (EC50 = 16.00 µg mL-1), however, less intact cells were seen on isolated CD tests. In addition, considering that NO is one of the critical molecular species for the intracellular control of Leishmania, we used Griess colorimetric test to analyze the effect of treatment with AgCD and CD. Overall, the in vitro antileishmanial tests indicate that AgCD should be further explored as a promising non-toxic treatment for CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thayllan Teixeira Bezerra
- Laboratório de Produtos e Tecnologia em Processos (LPT), Departamento de Química Orgânica e Inorgânica (DQOI), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus do Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará 60455-900, Brazil.
| | - Mayara Oliveira de Almeida
- Laboratório de Produtos e Tecnologia em Processos (LPT), Departamento de Química Orgânica e Inorgânica (DQOI), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus do Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará 60455-900, Brazil
| | - Nayane Maria de Amorim Lima
- Laboratório de Produtos e Tecnologia em Processos (LPT), Departamento de Química Orgânica e Inorgânica (DQOI), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus do Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará 60455-900, Brazil
| | - Naya Lúcia de Castro Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Porangabuçu, Fortaleza, Ceará 60441-750, Brazil
| | - Viviane Gomes Pereira Ribeiro
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza (ICEN), Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira (UNILAB), Redenção, Ceará 62790-000, Brazil
| | - Maria Jania Teixeira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Porangabuçu, Fortaleza, Ceará 60441-750, Brazil
| | - Luigi Carbone
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology c/o Campus Ecotekne, University of Salento, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mele
- Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Diego Lomonaco
- Laboratório de Produtos e Tecnologia em Processos (LPT), Departamento de Química Orgânica e Inorgânica (DQOI), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus do Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará 60455-900, Brazil
| | - Selma Elaine Mazzetto
- Laboratório de Produtos e Tecnologia em Processos (LPT), Departamento de Química Orgânica e Inorgânica (DQOI), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus do Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará 60455-900, Brazil
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Vazin A, Heidaripour MS, Kalantari M, Hatam G. Molecular-based detection of Leishmania tropica isolates among sensitive, resistant, and relapsed patients treated with Meglumine Antimoniate. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:328-333. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01471-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Singhai M, Kakkar N, Gupta N, Bala M, Singh R, Singh S. Utility of smear examination, culture, and serological tests in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis/post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis at National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi. Trop Parasitol 2022; 12:54-58. [PMID: 35923261 PMCID: PMC9341136 DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_7_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: A range of assays have been developed to detect specific antileishmanial antibody, such as rK 39 immunochromatographic test (ICT), KE 16 ICT, ELISA test, and indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), which play a crucial role in serological diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). However, limited published reports are available on the utility of serological test (IFAT test/rk 39), smear examination, and culture in the diagnosis of VL and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in our country. Materials and Methods: We present utility of serological test (IFAT test/rK 39), smear examination for Leishmania donovani (LD) bodies, and culture in 2589 samples from 2294 VL/PKDL suspected patients (January 2009–December 2019) tested in Centre for Arboviral and Zoonotic diseases, National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi, India, for laboratory diagnosis of VL/PKDL. Results: A total of 80/553 (14.4%) cases were confirmed of VL (74/522 cases by demonstration of LD bodies in bone marrow smear examination, 5/12 in splenic smear examination 1/19 by culture) and 4/21 (19.0%) cases were confirmed of PKDL (demonstration of LD bodies in slit skin smear examination. In our study 197/1368 (14.4%) cases were diagnosed positive by IFAT, 34/646 (5.2%) cases by rk 39 ICT for VL/PKDL by demonstration of specific antileishmanial antibodies. Conclusion: As the goal of elimination of VL as a public health problem is approaching, apart from serological tests such as rk 39 and IFAT, direct methods of detection such as (parasitic demonstration in BM smear, culture, and molecular tests) for Leishmania may play a crucial role for achieving a correct diagnosis and treatment. We also concluded that IFAT though not field-friendly, its optimal use as an adjunct test with BM smear in all stages of infections may be required. Further rk39 is a simple, reliable, noninvasive, and field-friendly test for diagnosis VL, especially in endemic areas.
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Silva CJD, Monteiro JFDCLS, Lima KPBD, Silva CSDAGE, Almeida ÉLD, Souza SFD, Medeiros ÂCR, Macedo FMRD, Brandão-Filho SP, Santos SNCD, Brito MEFD. Study on the zoonotic cycle of tegumentary leishmaniasis in an endemic area of a metropolitan region in the Northeastern region of Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2022; 64:e60. [PMID: 36197421 PMCID: PMC9528310 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202264060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to characterize the transmission cycle of the tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) in an old colonization area at Pernambuco State, Brazil. The aims were to identify autochthonous cases, sandflies fauna, domestic animals as possible reservoir hosts and the Leishmania species involved in this endemic area. A total of 168 suspected human cases of TL and 272 domestic animals (canine, feline, equine, goat, and sheep) were included. The sandflies were captured and identified by species. Patients were predominantly male and the average age was 37+18.1 years old. Of 85 patients who had skin lesions, 25.6% of them had direct positive smears for TL and 34 isolates were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The confirmation for TL diagnosed by molecular detection (PCR) was almost three times more sensitive than the direct test [p < 0.001; PR = 2.72] associated with clinical examination. The Kappa test on PCR between two different specimens, biopsy, and skin lesion swab was 60.8% (p < 0.001). More than 200 specimens of sandflies (80 males and 159 females) were captured and identified as Lutzomyia whitmani (99.6%) and Lu. evandroi (0.4%). The detection of L. (V.) braziliensis by Real-Time PCR in the blood of a captured fed female was positive in 59.3% of Lu. whitmani. Of the 272 domestic animals included, 61.76% were male (n = 168). Thirty-six animals (13.2%) had lesions compatible with TL (34 dogs, 1 cat and 1 sheep) and 3 of them, all dogs, had lesions on the snout, showing destruction of cartilage and mucosa. The study suggests the participation of domestic animals as possible reservoirs. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the transmission cycle and take recommended measures in order to control the disease.
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Rogers MJ, McManus DP, Muhi S, Gordon CA. Membrane Technology for Rapid Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0032920. [PMID: 34378956 PMCID: PMC8404699 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00329-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over one billion people worldwide, with individuals from communities in low-socioeconomic areas being most at risk and suffering the most. Disease management programs are hindered by the lack of infrastructure and resources for clinical sample collection, storage, and transport and a dearth of sensitive diagnostic methods that are inexpensive as well as accurate. Many diagnostic tests and tools have been developed for the parasitic NTDs, but the collection and storage of clinical samples for molecular and immunological diagnosis can be expensive due to storage, transport, and reagent costs, making these procedures untenable in most areas of endemicity. The application of membrane technology, which involves the use of specific membranes for either sample collection and storage or diagnostic procedures, can streamline this process, allowing for long-term sample storage at room temperature. Membrane technology can be used in serology-based diagnostic assays and for nucleic acid purification prior to molecular analysis. This facilitates the development of relatively simple and rapid procedures, although some of these methods, mainly due to costs, lack accessibility in low-socioeconomic regions of endemicity. New immunological procedures and nucleic acid storage, purification, and diagnostics protocols that are simple, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective must be developed as countries progress control efforts toward the elimination of the parasitic NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine J. Rogers
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen Muhi
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine A. Gordon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Kumari D, Singh K. Exploring the paradox of defense between host and Leishmania parasite. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 102:108400. [PMID: 34890999 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, still remains a global concern for the healthcare sector. The primary causative agents of the disease comprise diverse leishmanial species, leading to recurring failures in disease diagnosis and delaying the initiation of appropriate chemotherapy. Various species of the Leishmania parasite cause diverse clinical manifestations ranging from skin ulcers to systemic infections. Therefore, host immunity in response to different forms of infecting species of Leishmania becomes pivotal in disease progression or regression. Thus, understanding the paradox of immune arsenals during host and parasite interface becomes crucial to eliminate this deadly disease. In the present review, we have elaborated on the immunological perspectives of the disease and discussed primary host immune cells that form a defense line to counteract parasite infection. Furthermore, we also have shed light on the immune cells and effector molecules responsible for parasite survival in host lethal milieu/ environment. Next, we have highlighted recent molecules/compounds showing potent leishmanicidal activities pertaining to their pro-oxidant and immuno-modulatory mechanisms. This review addresses an immuno-biological overview of the factors influencing the parasitic disease, as this knowledge can aid in the unraveling/ identification of potential biomarkers, novel therapeutics, and vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Kumari
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Galvani NC, Machado AS, Lage DP, Freitas CS, Vale DL, de Oliveira D, Ludolf F, Ramos FF, Fernandes BB, Luiz GP, Mendonça DVC, Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Reis TAR, Tavares GSV, Chaves AT, Guimarães NS, Tupinambás U, Cota GF, Humbert MV, Martins VT, Christodoulides M, Coelho EAF, Machado-de-Ávila RA. ChimLeish, a new recombinant chimeric protein evaluated as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for visceral leishmaniasis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4037-4047. [PMID: 34664113 PMCID: PMC8523347 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07342-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease of global importance caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, and coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common in countries where both diseases are endemic. In particular, widely used immunological tests for VL diagnosis have impaired sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) in VL/HIV coinfected patients and there is also cross-reactivity with other endemic diseases, e.g., Chagas disease, malaria, and tuberculosis. To develop new antigens to improve the diagnosis of VL and VL/HIV coinfection, we predicted eight specific B-cell epitopes of four Leishmania infantum antigens and constructed a recombinant polypeptide chimera antigen called ChimLeish. A serological panel of 195 serum samples was used to compare the diagnostic capabilities of ChimLeish alongside the individual synthetic peptides. ChimLeish reacted with sera from all VL and VL/HIV coinfected patients [Se = 100%; Sp = 100%; area under the curve (AUC) = 1.0]. Peptides showed lower reactivities (Se = 76.8 to 99.2%; Sp = 67.1 to 95.7%; AUC between 0.87 and 0.98) as did a L. infantum antigenic preparation used as an antigen control (Se = 56.8%; Sp = 69.5%: AUC = 0.45). Notably, ChimLeish demonstrated a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of anti-ChimLeish antibodies after treatment and cure of a small number of patients. Although only a limited serological panel was tested, preliminary data suggest that ChimLeish should be evaluated in larger sample studies for the diagnosis of VL and VL/HIV coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia C Galvani
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Amanda S Machado
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Camila S Freitas
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Danniele L Vale
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Daysiane de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Bruna B Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Gabriel P Luiz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Débora V C Mendonça
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - João A Oliveira-da-Silva
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Thiago A R Reis
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Ana T Chaves
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Nathalia S Guimarães
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Unaí Tupinambás
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Gláucia F Cota
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria V Humbert
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, England, UK
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, England, UK
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Laboratório de Pesquisa do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil.
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo A Machado-de-Ávila
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, 88806-000, Brazil
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Santos TTO, Ramos FF, Gonçalves IAP, Tavares GSV, Ludolf F, Bandeira RS, Silva AM, Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Reis TAR, Machado AS, Lage DP, Freitas CS, Vale DL, Martins VT, Alves LA, Guimarães NS, Chaves AT, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Cota GF, Silveira JAG, Tupinambás U, Gonçalves DU, Christodoulides M, Coelho EAF. Potential of recombinant LiHyQ, a novel Leishmania infantum protein, for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis and as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for human leishmaniasis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection: A preliminary study. Acta Trop 2021; 224:106126. [PMID: 34537185 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory diagnosis of leishmaniasis shows variable efficacy in detecting infected mammalian hosts and there is a need to identify suitable antigens to improve the accuracy of diagnostic tests. In the present study, a L. infantum hypothetical protein called LiHyQ was evaluated for the diagnosis of tegumentary (TL) and visceral (VL) leishmaniasis using canine and human samples. A collection of dog sera (n=155) were tested and contained samples from asymptomatic (n=20) and symptomatic (n=25) VL animals, from healthy dogs living in endemic (n=25) or non-endemic (n=25) areas of disease, from Leish-Tec® vaccinated dogs (n=20) or from dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis (n=15), Babesia canis (n=10) and Trypanosoma cruzi (n=15). Sensitivity (Se), Specificity (Sp), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 100% were observed for rLiHyQ with these samples, whereas the Se, Sp, PPV and NPV values with L. infantum Soluble Leishmania Antigen (SLA) preparation were 60.0%, 99.0%, 96.0% and 86.0%, respectively. A collection of human sera (n=305) were tested and contained samples from TL (n=50) and VL (n=40) patients, from VL/HIV co-infected patients (n=35), from patients infected with HIV alone (n=30), Chagas Disease (n=30), malaria (n=10), tuberculosis (n=10), paracoccidioidomycosis (n=15), leprosy (n=30) or aspergillosis (n=15); and from healthy subjects (n=40). Se, Sp, PPV and NPV values of 100% were observed for rLiHyQ with these samples, whereas the Se, Sp, PPV and NPV values with SLA were 58.0%, 76.0%, 50.0% and 82.0%, respectively. The antibody reactivity against the protein was compared with commercial kits, and the kappa index varied from 0.95 to 1.00 for rLiHyQ, and of 0.55 to 0.82 for the kits. In addition, the serological follow-up of treated patients showed a significant reduction in rLiHyQ-specific IgG antibody levels. All canine and human samples were tested at the same time using the same reagents, in order to reduce experimental variation and interference in data interpretation. In conclusion, our preliminary data suggest a diagnostic and prognostic role for rLiHyQ against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís T O Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela A P Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel S Bandeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alessandra M Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago A R Reis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - 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, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Livia A Alves
- Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Prefeitura Municipal de Igarapé. Igarapé, 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Gláucia F Cota
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Julia A G Silveira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Unaí Tupinambás
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30.130-100, 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, England
| | - 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, 30.130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Razzaghi-Asl N, Hashemi N. Identification of potential antileishmanial agents via structure-based molecular simulations. J Mol Graph Model 2021; 110:108039. [PMID: 34736055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2021.108039] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease with frequent annual incidence. An important issue in chemotherapy is the emergence of resistance, toxicity and lack of cost-effectiveness within current drugs. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to design effective drugs against disease. Current contribution was devoted to the in-silico analysis of binding a few flavonoids/alkaloids to relevant leishmanial targets. Docking scores were used to prioritize acquired affinities and top ranked binders were subjected to subsequent 100-ns MD simulation in explicit water. Binding trajectories revealed the tightest interaction modes for two flavonoid molecules (acerosin and nevadensin) in the uracil DNA glycolase (UDG) active site. Acerosin showed less conformational changes whereas, nevadensin interacted stably during longer simulation time. Conserved interactions of Gln205 and His331 to acerosin indicated their dominant biological role in complex stability. No conserved residues were perceived for nevadensin interactions and a completely new and stable binding conformation could be retrieved after 12 ns simulation. Moreover; acerosin was subjected to DFT analysis for pairwise decomposition evaluations of interacted residues. Although primary mechanisms of action are yet to be discovered, UDG may be a promising target for developing antileishmanial flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Razzaghi-Asl
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, 5618953141, Iran.
| | - Niloufar Hashemi
- Student Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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Kumari D, Perveen S, Sharma R, Singh K. Advancement in leishmaniasis diagnosis and therapeutics: An update. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 910:174436. [PMID: 34428435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is regarded as a neglected tropical disease by World Health Organization (WHO) and is ranked next to malaria as the deadliest protozoan disease. The primary causative agents of the disease comprise of diverse leishmanial species sharing clinical features ranging from skin abrasions to lethal infection in the visceral organs. As several Leishmania species are involved in infection, the role of accurate diagnosis becomes pivotal in adding new dimensions to anti-leishmanial therapy. Diagnostic methods must be fast, reliable, easy to perform, highly sensitive, and specific to differentiate among similar parasitic diseases. Herein, we present the conventional and recent approaches impended for the disease diagnosis and their sensitivity, specificity, and clinical application in parasite detection. Furthermore, we have also elaborated various new methods to cure leishmaniasis, which include host-directed therapies, drug repurposing, nanotechnology, and combinational therapy. This review addresses novel techniques and innovations in leishmaniasis, which can aid in unraveling new strategies to fight against the deadly infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Kumari
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Summaya Perveen
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Rashmi Sharma
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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Ramos FF, Tavares GSV, Ludolf F, Machado AS, Santos TTO, Gonçalves IAP, Dias ACS, Alves PT, Fraga VG, Bandeira RS, Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Reis TAR, Lage DP, Martins VT, Freitas CS, Chaves AT, Guimarães NS, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Tupinambás U, Rocha MOC, Cota GF, Fujiwara RT, Bueno LL, Goulart LR, Coelho EAF. Diagnostic application of sensitive and specific phage-exposed epitopes for visceral leishmaniasis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection. Parasitology 2021; 148:1706-1714. [PMID: 35060464 PMCID: PMC11010164 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has improved with the search of novel antigens; however, their performance is limited when samples from VL/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfected patients are tested. In this context, studies conducted to identify more suitable antigens to detect both VL and VL/HIC coinfection cases should be performed. In the current study, phage display was performed using serum samples from healthy subjects and VL, HIV-infected and VL/HIV-coinfected patients; aiming to identify novel phage-exposed epitopes to be evaluated with this diagnostic purpose. Nine non-repetitive and valid sequences were identified, synthetized and tested as peptides in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments. Results showed that three (Pep2, Pep3 and Pep4) peptides showed excellent performance to diagnose VL and VL/HIV coinfection, with 100% sensitivity and specificity values. The other peptides showed sensitivity varying from 50.9 to 80.0%, as well as specificity ranging from 60.0 to 95.6%. Pep2, Pep3 and Pep4 also showed a potential prognostic effect, since specific serological reactivity was significantly decreased after patient treatment. Bioinformatics assays indicated that Leishmania trypanothione reductase protein was predicted to contain these three conformational epitopes. In conclusion, data suggest that Pep2, Pep3 and Pep4 could be tested for the diagnosis of VL and VL/HIV coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda F. Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thaís T. O. Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela A. P. Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana C. S. Dias
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama, Bloco 2E, Sala 248, 38400-902Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patrícia T. Alves
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama, Bloco 2E, Sala 248, 38400-902Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vanessa G. Fraga
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama, Bloco 2E, Sala 248, 38400-902Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel S. Bandeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago A. R. Reis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Unaí Tupinambás
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gláucia F. Cota
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte31270-901, 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, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luiz Ricardo Goulart
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama, Bloco 2E, Sala 248, 38400-902Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA95616, USA
| | - Eduardo A. F. Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Anti-leishmanial compounds from microbial metabolites: a promising source. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:8227-8240. [PMID: 34625819 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11610-6] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania is a complex disease caused by the protozoan parasites and transmitted by female phlebotomine sandfly. The disease affects some of the poorest people on earth with an estimated 700,000 to 1 million new cases annually. The current treatment for leishmaniasis is toxic, long, and limited, in view of the high resistance rate presented by the parasite, necessitating new perspectives for treatment. The discovery of new compounds with different targets can be a hope to make the treatment more efficient. Microbial metabolites and their structural analogues with enormous scaffold diversity and structural complexity have historically played a key role in drug discovery. We found thirty-nine research articles published between 1999 and 2021 in the scientific database (PubMed, Science Direct) describing microbes and their metabolites with activity against leishmanial parasites which is the focus of this review. KEY POINTS: • Leishmania affects the poorest regions of the globe • Current treatments for leishmaniasis are toxic and of limited efficacy • Microbial metabolites are potential sources of antileishmania drugs.
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A T-Cell Epitope-Based Multi-Epitope Vaccine Designed Using Human HLA Specific T Cell Epitopes Induces a Near-Sterile Immunity against Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in Hamsters. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101058. [PMID: 34696166 PMCID: PMC8537199 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting 12 million people annually. Even in the second decade of the 21st century, it has remained without an effective vaccine for human use. In the current study, we designed three multiepitope vaccine candidates by the selection of multiple IFN-γ inducing MHC-I and MHC-II binder T-cell specific epitopes from three previously identified antigen genes of Leishmania donovani from our lab by an immuno-informatic approach using IFNepitope, the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) T cell epitope identification tools, NET-MHC-1, and NET MHC-2 webservers. We tested the protective potential of these three multiepitope proteins as a vaccine in a hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis. The immunization data revealed that the vaccine candidates induced a very high level of Th1 biased protective immune response in-vivo in a hamster model of experimental visceral leishmaniasis, with one of the candidates inducing a near-sterile immunity. The vaccinated animals displayed highly activated monocyte macrophages with the capability of clearing intracellular parasites due to increased respiratory burst. Additionally, these proteins induced activation of polyfunctional T cells secreting INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in an ex-vivo stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, further supporting the protective nature of the designed candidates.
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Volpedo G, Huston RH, Holcomb EA, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Gannavaram S, Bhattacharya P, Nakhasi HL, Satoskar AR. From infection to vaccination: reviewing the global burden, history of vaccine development, and recurring challenges in global leishmaniasis protection. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1431-1446. [PMID: 34511000 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1969231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem and the second most lethal parasitic disease in the world due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines. Even when not lethal, leishmaniasis significantly affects individuals and communities through life-long disabilities, psycho-sociological trauma, poverty, and gender disparity in treatment. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the most relevant and recent research available on Pubmed and GoogleScholar highlighting leishmaniasis' global impact, pathogenesis, treatment options, and lack of effective control strategies. An effective vaccine is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality, lower health care costs, and reduce the economic burden of leishmaniasis for endemic low- and middle-income countries. Since there are several forms of leishmaniasis, a pan-Leishmania vaccine without geographical restrictions is needed. This review also focuses on recent advances and common challenges in developing prophylactic strategies against leishmaniasis. EXPERT OPINION Despite advances in pre-clinical vaccine research, approval of a human leishmaniasis vaccine still faces major challenges - including manufacturing of candidate vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices, developing well-designed clinical trials suitable in endemic countries, and defined correlates of protection. In addition, there is a need to explore Challenge Human Infection Model to avoid large trials because of fluctuating incidence and prevalence of leishmanasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ryan H Huston
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Erin A Holcomb
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Castelli G, Bruno F, Reale S, Catanzaro S, Valenza V, Vitale F. Molecular Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis: Quantification of Parasite Load by a Real-Time PCR Assay with High Sensitivity. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070865. [PMID: 34358015 PMCID: PMC8308825 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time PCR was developed to quantify Leishmania infantum kinetoplast DNA and optimized to achieve a sensitivity of 1 parasite/mL. For this purpose, we cloned the conserved kDNA fragment of 120 bp into competent cells and correlated them with serial dilutions of DNA extracted from reference parasite cultures calculating that a parasite cell contains approximately 36 molecules of kDNA. This assay was applied to estimate parasite load in clinical samples from visceral, cutaneous leishmaniasis patients and infected dogs and cats comparing with conventional diagnosis. The study aimed to propose a real-time PCR for the detection of Leishmania DNA from clinical samples trying to solve the diagnostic problems due to the low sensitivity of microscopic examination or the low predictive values of serology and resolve problems related to in vitro culture. The quantitative PCR assay in this study allowed detection of Leishmania DNA and quantification of considerably low parasite loads in samples that had been diagnosed negative by conventional techniques. In conclusion, this quantitative PCR can be used for the diagnosis of both human, canine and feline Leishmaniasis with high sensitivity and specificity, but also for evaluating treatment and the endpoint determination of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germano Castelli
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (S.C.); (V.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Federica Bruno
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (S.C.); (V.V.); (F.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0916565368
| | - Stefano Reale
- Laboratorio di Tecnologie Diagnostiche Innovative (TDI), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Simone Catanzaro
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (S.C.); (V.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Viviana Valenza
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (S.C.); (V.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (S.C.); (V.V.); (F.V.)
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Berriatua E, Maia C, Conceição C, Özbel Y, Töz S, Baneth G, Pérez-Cutillas P, Ortuño M, Muñoz C, Jumakanova Z, Pereira A, Rocha R, Monge-Maillo B, Gasimov E, Van der Stede Y, Torres G, Gossner CM. Leishmaniases in the European Union and Neighboring Countries. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27. [PMID: 34013857 PMCID: PMC8153892 DOI: 10.3201/eid2706.210239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A questionnaire survey of animal and human health authorities in Europe revealed that leishmaniases are not notifiable in all countries with autochthonous cases. Few countries implement surveillance and control targeting both animal and human infections. Leishmaniases are considered emergent diseases in most countries, and lack of resources is a challenge for control.
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Pomel S, Cojean S, Pons V, Cintrat JC, Nguyen L, Vacus J, Pruvost A, Barbier J, Gillet D, Loiseau PM. An adamantamine derivative as a drug candidate for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:2640-2650. [PMID: 34212184 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate compounds acting on the host cell machinery to impair parasite installation with the possible advantage of limiting drug resistance. The strategy therefore consisted of selecting compounds that are poorly active on the axenic parasite, but very active on the intramacrophage form of Leishmania. OBJECTIVES To identify a drug candidate from focused screening of adamantamine derivatives that can inhibit the development of Leishmania infantum in macrophages. METHODS In vitro screening was performed on a library of 142 adamantamine derivatives with axenic and intramacrophage forms of L. infantum, as well as cytotoxicity assays, allowing selection of the most promising compound. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) experiments, including pharmacokinetics and microsomal stability, were performed and finally the physicochemical stability of the compound was investigated to assess its suitability for further drug development. RESULTS VP343 was identified first in vitro, with a CC50 value of 63.7 μM and an IC50 value of 0.32 μM for L. infantum intramacrophage amastigotes and then in vivo, with a 59% reduction of the liver parasite burden after oral administration at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days. In addition, the ADME data were compatible with moving this compound further through the antileishmanial drug candidate pipeline. CONCLUSIONS VP343 has the properties of a good drug candidate and merits further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Pomel
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Sandrine Cojean
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Valérie Pons
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SCBM, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Cintrat
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SCBM, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Laetitia Nguyen
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Joël Vacus
- Drugabilis, 7, Allée de Londres, 91140, Villejust, France
| | - Alain Pruvost
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Julien Barbier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Daniel Gillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Memariani H, Memariani M. Melittin as a promising anti-protozoan peptide: current knowledge and future prospects. AMB Express 2021; 11:69. [PMID: 33983454 PMCID: PMC8119515 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-021-01229-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness still levy a heavy toll on human lives. Deplorably, only few classes of anti-protozoan drugs have thus far been developed. The problem is further compounded by their intrinsic toxicity, emergence of drug resistance, and the lack of licensed vaccines. Thus, there is a genuine exigency to develop novel anti-protozoan medications. Over the past years, melittin, the major constituent in the venom of European honeybee Apis mellifera, has gathered the attention of researchers due to its potential therapeutic applications. Insofar as we are aware, there has been no review pertinent to anti-protozoan properties of melittin. The present review outlines the current knowledge about anti-protozoan effects of melittin and its underlying mechanisms. The peptide has proven to be efficacious in killing different protozoan parasites such as Leishmania, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Trypanosoma in vitro. Apart from direct membrane-disruptive activity, melittin is capable of destabilizing calcium homeostasis, reducing mitochondrial membrane potential, disorganizing kinetoplast DNA, instigating apoptotic cell death, and induction of autophagy in protozoan pathogens. Emerging evidence suggests that melittin is a promising candidate for future vaccine adjuvants. Transmission-blocking activity of melittin against vector-borne pathogens underscores its potential utility for both transgenic and paratransgenic manipulations. Nevertheless, future research should focus upon investigating anti-microbial activities of melittin, alone or in combination with the current anti-protozoan medications, against a far broader spectrum of protozoan parasites as well as pre-clinical testing of the peptide in animal models.
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Kot K, Łanocha-Arendarczyk N, Ptak M, Łanocha A, Kalisińska E, Kosik-Bogacka D. Pathomechanisms in the Kidneys in Selected Protozoan Parasitic Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4209. [PMID: 33921746 PMCID: PMC8073708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084209] [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: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, and acanthamoebiasis are protozoan parasitic infections. They remain important contributors to the development of kidney disease, which is associated with increased patients' morbidity and mortality. Kidney injury mechanisms are not fully understood in protozoan parasitic diseases, bringing major difficulties to specific therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review is to present the biochemical and molecular mechanisms in kidneys infected with Leishmania spp., Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Acanthamoeba spp. We present available mechanisms of an immune response, oxidative stress, apoptosis process, hypoxia, biomarkers of renal injury in the serum or urine, and the histopathological changes of kidneys infected with the selected parasites. Pathomechanisms of Leishmania spp. and Plasmodium spp. infections have been deeply investigated, while Toxoplasma gondii and Acanthamoeba spp. infections in the kidneys are not well known yet. Deeper knowledge of kidney involvement in leishmaniasis and malaria by presenting their mechanisms provides insight into how to create novel and effective treatments. Additionally, the presented work shows gaps in the pathophysiology of renal toxoplasmosis and acanthamoebiasis, which need further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (N.Ł.-A.); (E.K.)
| | - Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (N.Ł.-A.); (E.K.)
| | - Michał Ptak
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Łanocha
- Department of Haematology and Transplantology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Elżbieta Kalisińska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (N.Ł.-A.); (E.K.)
| | - Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- Independent Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Botany, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
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Namazi MJ, Javaheri E, Atabati H, Mojadadi MS. Identification of Leishmania species by high-resolution melting analysis in newly emerged foci in Sabzevar, northeast of Iran. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:191-196. [PMID: 33746403 PMCID: PMC7921233 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01294-6] [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: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease with 1 to 1.5 million annual incidences. Microscopic examination of the Giemsa stained slides is the most common diagnostic method for CL. However, this method cannot distinguish leishmania species. Hence the present study was conducted to identify leishmania species by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis in the newly emerged foci of CL in Sabzevar, northeast of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, fifty patients with suspicious cutaneous lesions referring to the designated health center for diagnosis and treatment of CL in Sabzevar during 2017-2018, were recruited. All collected samples and prepared slides were stained for microscopic examination and then undergone HRM real-time PCR (HRM-PCR) assay to identify species of Leishmania parasites. The results of HRM-PCR technique showed that Leishmania major (L. major) was the dominant causative parasite in the newly emerged foci whereas L. tropica (L. tropica) was positive only in two patients. This was the first time that 7SL RNA-HRM-PCR assay was performed to precisely identify leishmania parasites in the northeast of Iran. We proved the newfound foci in which both L. major and L. tropica were present. In contrast to the recent studies which identified only L. major in the region, we showed that L. tropica was still present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Javad Namazi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation. College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ehsan Javaheri
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Hadi Atabati
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
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