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Buffi G, Ceccarelli M, Diotallevi A, Abruzzese M, Bruno F, Castelli G, Vitale F, Andreoni F, Bencardino D, Magnani M, Galluzzi L. High-resolution melting (HRM)-based detection of polymorphisms in the malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase genes for Leishmania infantum genotyping. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:282. [PMID: 37580789 PMCID: PMC10426199 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05878-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease endemic in the Mediterranean region where Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of human and canine infection. Characterization of this parasite at the subspecies level can be useful in epidemiological studies, to evaluate the clinical course of the disease (e.g. resistant strains, visceral and cutaneous forms of leishmaniasis) as well as to identify infection reservoirs. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), a method currently recognized as the reference method for characterizing and identifying strains of Leishmania, is cumbersome and time-consuming and requires cultured parasites. These disadvantages have led to the development of other methods, such as multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), for typing Leishmania parasites; however, these methods have not yet been applied for routine use. In this study, we first used MLST to identify informative polymorphisms on single-copy genes coding for metabolic enzymes, following which we developed two rapid genotyping assays based on high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis to explore these polymorphisms in L. infantum parasites. METHODS A customized sequencing panel targeting 14 housekeeping genes was designed and MLST analysis was performed on nine L. infantum canine and human strains/isolates. Two quantitative real-time PCR-HRM assays were designed to analyze two informative polymorphisms on malic enzyme (ME) and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) genes (390T/G and 1831A/G, respectively). The two assays were applied to 73 clinical samples/isolates from central/southern Italy and Pantelleria island, and the results were confirmed by DNA sequencing in a subset of samples. RESULTS The MLST analysis, together with sequences available in the Genbank database, enabled the identification of two informative polymorphisms on the genes coding for ME and GPI. The fast screening of these polymorphisms using two HRM-based assays in 73 clinical samples/isolates resulted in the identification of seven genotypes. Overall, genotype 1 (sequence type 390T/1831G) was the most highly represented (45.2%) in the overall sample and correlated with the most common L. infantum zymodemes (MON-1, MON-72). Interestingly, in Pantelleria island, the most prevalent genotype (70.6%) was genotype 6 (sequence type 390T/1831A). CONCLUSIONS Applying our HRM assays on clinical samples allowed us to identify seven different genotypes without the need for parasite isolation and cultivation. We have demonstrated that these assays could be used as fast, routine and inexpensive tools for epidemiological surveillance of L. infantum or for the identification of new infection reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Buffi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Marcello Ceccarelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Aurora Diotallevi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | | | - Federica Bruno
- OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Palermo, PA, Italy
| | - Germano Castelli
- OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Palermo, PA, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Palermo, PA, Italy
| | - Francesca Andreoni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Daniela Bencardino
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Luca Galluzzi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy.
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El Mazini S, Barhoumi M, Mhaidi I, Daoui O, Kbaich MA, El Kacem S, El Idrissi Saik I, Riyad M, Bekhti K, Guizani I, Lemrani M. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Leishmania infantum in Morocco as Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) Approach. Pathogens 2023; 12:785. [PMID: 37375475 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060785] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is endemic in Morocco, and it causes both visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). In this study, the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach was used to investigate the phylogeny and population structure of Leishmania infantum strains isolated from CL and VL patients and the canine reservoir in different leishmaniasis endemic foci in Morocco. For this purpose, eight loci (pgm, alat, me, fh, g6pd, pgd, gpi and cytb) were amplified in 40 samples, out of which 31 were successfully sequenced. The genetic diversity analysis detected a high degree of intraspecific genetic variability among the studied strains. The phylogenetic and the haplotype analyses showed that most of the strains from the same geographical areas clustered together. The recombination among Leishmania infantum strains was revealed through a splits tree analysis and the number of recombination events. Moreover, the assessment of the gene flow between Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica through phylogenetic analysis and haplotype diversity in two endemic foci where the two species were sympatric showed no genetic exchange between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara El Mazini
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fes 30000, Morocco
| | - Mourad Barhoumi
- Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP)/ LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, B.P. 74, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Idris Mhaidi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Othmane Daoui
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Mouad Ait Kbaich
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Sofia El Kacem
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Imane El Idrissi Saik
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Research Team on Immunopathology of Infectious and Systemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
| | - Myriam Riyad
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Research Team on Immunopathology of Infectious and Systemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
| | - Khadija Bekhti
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fes 30000, Morocco
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP)/ LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, B.P. 74, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Meryem Lemrani
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
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El-Mouhdi K, Boussaa S, Chahlaoui A, Fekhaoui M. Prevalence and risk factors of canine leishmaniasis in Morocco: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:967-987. [PMID: 36457764 PMCID: PMC9606190 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01521-2] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human visceral leishmaniasis has long been associated with canine leishmaniasis (CL). However, to date, there is no clear information on the status of the disease in dogs in Morocco that could be used by policymakers for the prevention of human cases. This study aims to assess the status of CL in Morocco and its risk factors through an exhaustive literature search. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. The main results showed that the overall prevalence of CL in Morocco is 17% (95% CI: 0.12-0.22), caused by two strains of Leishmania parasite: Leishmania tropica and L. infantum. According to the region, the maximum prevalence was reported in the coastal provinces and in the central part of the country; while, the CL risk was higher in rural area (18% [95% CI: 0.14-0.23]) and at altitude above 1000 m (23% [95% CI: - 0.08-0.53]). Regarding the intrinsic factors, the prevalence of the disease increased with the age of the dog, (30% [95% CI - 0.09-0.68) and the risk was very high in clinically asymptomatic dogs (RR = 2.08 [95% CI: 1.15-3.76]). This study is the first in Morocco indicating the CL prevalence, its geographical distribution and detailing its risk factors. These results are needed to improve management strategies for the canine reservoir of leishmaniasis in Morocco and interrupt the local transmission cycle to humans. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-022-01521-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima El-Mouhdi
- Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
- Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Meknes, Morocco
- Natural Resources Management and Development Team, Laboratory of Health and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Samia Boussaa
- Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques (ISPITS), Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abdelkader Chahlaoui
- Natural Resources Management and Development Team, Laboratory of Health and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
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Benikhlef R, Chaouch M, Abid MB, Aoun K, Harrat Z, Bouratbine A, BenAbderrazak S. ITS1
and cpb genetic polymorphisms in Algerian and Tunisian
Leishmania infantum
isolates from humans and dogs. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 70:201-212. [PMID: 36443904 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania (L.) infantum strains, isolated from varying hosts and clinical manifestations (cutaneous, visceral and canine leishmaniasis), were investigated in order to understand the genetic polymorphisms within this species in Algeria and Tunisia. Two DNA-based typing methods were tested in order to evaluate their effectiveness against Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), widely considered as the reference method for Leishmania parasite typing. On the other hand, MLEE is cumbersome, high-cost, time consuming and frequently does not detect intra-species genetic polymorphisms. In this work, we used two molecular target regions to discriminate L. infantum strains, Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and the cysteine proteinase B (cpb). The ITS1 region offers good resolution for Leishmania discrimination but does not spotlight intra-species polymorphisms. In contrast, cpbE and cpbF PCR-Sequencing demonstrated a certain variability within CL and VL Algerian and Tunisian L. infantum isolates. Following phylogenetic analyses of 44 L. infantum isolates, two main groups were identified, a group with 39 bp deletion in the cpb sequence, composed of cutaneous, visceral and canine isolates from both countries with no significant clinical or geographic distribution; these samples were typed as MON-1, MON-24, and MON-80 zymodemes. A second group which presents a clear clusterization of Tunisian cutaneous strains belonging to the L. infantum MON-24. This group, with no deletion in the mature domain of the cpb gene sequence, should be further explored with a higher number of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razika Benikhlef
- Laboratoire d'Eco‐épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Route du Petit Staoueli Institut Pasteur d'Algérie Dely‐Brahim Algeria
- Laboratoire de Recherche Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules, LR 20‐IPT‐06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis Université Tunis El Manar Tunis Tunisia
| | - Melek Chaouch
- Laboratoire de Recherche Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules, LR 20‐IPT‐06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis Université Tunis El Manar Tunis Tunisia
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics, LR 16 IPT 09 Institut Pasteur de Tunis Tunis Tunisia
| | - Meriem Ben Abid
- Laboratoire de Recherche Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules, LR 20‐IPT‐06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis Université Tunis El Manar Tunis Tunisia
| | - Karim Aoun
- Laboratoire de Recherche Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules, LR 20‐IPT‐06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis Université Tunis El Manar Tunis Tunisia
- Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie et d'Ecologie Parasitaires Institut Pasteur de Tunis Tunis Tunisia
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratoire d'Eco‐épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Route du Petit Staoueli Institut Pasteur d'Algérie Dely‐Brahim Algeria
- Laboratoire Biodiversité Et Environnement: Interactions, Génomes USTHB Bab Ezzouar Algeria
| | - Aida Bouratbine
- Laboratoire de Recherche Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules, LR 20‐IPT‐06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis Université Tunis El Manar Tunis Tunisia
| | - Souha BenAbderrazak
- Laboratoire de Recherche Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules, LR 20‐IPT‐06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis Université Tunis El Manar Tunis Tunisia
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El mazini S, Ejghal R, Bekhti K, Lemrani M. The Sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum in Morocco: A presumably trend towards endemicity. Acta Trop 2022; 227:106288. [PMID: 34933005 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
In Morocco, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease; it is considered a major public health problem caused by three species Leishmaniamajor, Leishmaniatropica, and the dermotropic variant MON-24 of Leishmaniainfantum. This species has three incriminated vectors named; Phlebotomus ariasi, Phlebotomus longicuspis and Phlebotomus perniciosus, with the dog as reservoir.The main aim of this review is to elucidate the current epidemiological pattern of CL due to L.infantum and to investigate the factors facilitating its propagation throughout the country. Therefore, the number of CL cases due to L.infantum, their repartition; the distribution of L.infantum vectors, as well as the factors affecting their abundance and spread were investigated. We showed a wide extension of this form of CL, from the north of Morocco to the Saharan areas, as well as an increase of reported cases. This extension of the disease has been accompanied by a juxtaposed spread and a high abundance of confirmed vectors of L. infantum, which are present in almost all bioclimatic zones. In this review, we have highlighted the impact of climate: temperature, humidity, precipitation; vegetation and human activities on the geographical expansion of L. infantum vectors. These abiotic and biotic factors constitute favorable conditions for the increase of vector populations, and their introduction into areas where they did not exist before, and subsequently raise the risk of introduction of this form of cutaneous leishmaniasis into previously free areas. To conclude, CL by L.infantum, traditionally evolving as a sporadic form, is changing to an endemic mode, which seeks more epidemiological studies, and more attention from the health authorities when implementing control programs.
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Castelli G, Bruno F, Caputo V, Fiorella S, Sammarco I, Lupo T, Migliazzo A, Vitale F, Reale S. Genetic tools discriminate strains of Leishmania infantum isolated from humans and dogs in Sicily, Italy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008465. [PMID: 32706789 PMCID: PMC7406075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is one of the most important vector-borne diseases and it represents a serious world health problem affecting millions of people. High levels of Leishmania infections, affecting both humans and animals, are recognized among Italian regions. Among these, Sicily has one of the highest prevalence of Leishmania infection. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Seventy-eight Leishmania strains isolated from human and animal samples across Sicily, were analyzed for the polymorphic k26-gene and genotypes were assigned according to the size of the PCR products. A multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) approach based on the analysis of 11 independent loci was used to investigate populations structure and genetic diversity of the isolated strains. Six L. infantum reference strains were included in the analysis for comparison. Bayesian clustering analysis of microsatellite data showed that all the isolated strains clustered in two genetically distinct populations, corresponding to human and canine isolates respectively. A further subdivision was observed between the two main groups, giving a good correlation between human strains and their geographic origin, conversely canine population showed a great genetic variability diffused in the territory. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Among the 78 Leishmania isolates, K26 analysis detected 71 samples (91%) as MON-1 zymodeme, confirming it as the predominant strain in Mediterranean area and 7 human samples (9%) as non-MON-1. MLMT gives important insights into the epidemiology of leishmaniases and allows characterization of different strains to a higher resolution than possible with zymodeme typing. Two main populations presented a strong correlation respect to the different hosts, exhibiting a co-circulation of two distinct populations of L. infantum. The population found in infected humans exhibited a correlation with geographic origin. These clusters could represent a geographically restricted population of strains with the same or related genotypes. This study can contribute to an understanding of Leishmania epidemiology, including the spread of reservoirs and sand fly vectors in the different foci of infection, characterizing parasites within the different hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germano Castelli
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Bruno
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Caputo
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal-Infant, Internal Medicine and Specialization of Excellence “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE) University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Santi Fiorella
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal-Infant, Internal Medicine and Specialization of Excellence “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE) University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Ignazio Sammarco
- Tecnologie Diagnostiche Innovative, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Tiziana Lupo
- Tecnologie Diagnostiche Innovative, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Migliazzo
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Stefano Reale
- Tecnologie Diagnostiche Innovative, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
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Chargui N, Slama D, Haouas N, Rmadi L, Babba H. Transmission cycle analysis in a Leishmania infantum focus: Infection rates and blood meal origins in sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae). JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2018; 43:321-327. [PMID: 30408299 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An entomological study was conducted in a Leishmania infantum focus, including the identification of the sand fly species, the detection and the characterization of Leishmania DNA in female sand flies, and blood meal origins in engorged sand flies. A total of 643 sand flies (31% female, 69% male) was identified based on their morphological features or molecular markers. Ten different species were identified, with Phlebotomus perniciosus, the confirmed vector of L. infantum, being the most abundant (56%), P. papatasi in 25% of sand flies, the unique vector species of L. major, and P. longicuspis in 7% of cases, the suspected second vector of L. infantum. Moreover, the infection rate was 3.4% in P. perniciousus, P. papatasi, P. longicuspis, and Sergentomya minuta. Also, L. infantum was identified in five unfed P. perniciosus and two P. longicuspis. Our results suggest the vector role of P. perniciosus and P. longicuspis in the transmission cycle of L. infantum. The DNA of four mammalian species (human, rabbit, horse, and cow) was identified in the blood meals of sand flies, suggesting that these species are potential reservoirs of leishmaniasis, though it is not yet fully elucidated (especially for MON-24 and MON-80). We suggest the existence of different transmission cycles of L. infantum involving different species of sand flies and hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najla Chargui
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology (LP3M), Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, Department of Clinical Biology, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Darine Slama
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology (LP3M), Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, Department of Clinical Biology, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Najoua Haouas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology (LP3M), Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, Department of Clinical Biology, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Latifa Rmadi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology (LP3M), Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, Department of Clinical Biology, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology (LP3M), Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, Department of Clinical Biology, Monastir, Tunisia
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Ceccarelli M, Diotallevi A, Andreoni F, Vitale F, Galluzzi L, Magnani M. Exploiting genetic polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes for rapid screening of Leishmania infantum genotypes. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:572. [PMID: 30382928 PMCID: PMC6211443 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania infantum is the aetiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Numerous strains and/or zymodemes have been identified and characterized by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE). MLEE is considered the reference method for L. infantum parasite typing and it is based upon enzyme electrophoretic mobility analysis from promastigote cultures. However, the MLEE technique is cumbersome, time-consuming and does not detect silent genetic mutations or nucleotide changes that give rise to amino acid changes that do not alter electrophoretic mobility. As a result of these difficulties, many DNA-based typing methods have been developed over the past few years. However, relative to the enzymes utilized in MLEE analysis, we observed a shortage of DNA sequences available in the GenBank database or an absolute lack of sequences belonging to specific zymodemes. The aims of the present study were to (i) implement the number of sequences coding for metabolic enzymes used in MLEE; (ii) identify polymorphisms that characterize L. infantum zymodemes most prevalent in the Mediterranean basin; and (iii) exploit these polymorphisms to develop a rapid screening test that would give results comparable with existing MLEE typing. Results Partial sequences of seven metabolic enzyme genes (malic enzyme, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase and mannose phosphate isomerase) were obtained from 11 L. infantum strains. The comparison of these sequences with those obtained from GenBank allowed for the identification of a few polymorphisms that could distinguish several zymodemes. In particular, the polymorphism 390T>G in the malic enzyme gene has been exploited to develop a high-resolution melt (HRM)-based assay to rapidly differentiate the genotype 390T, associated with zymodemes MON-1, MON-72 and MON-201, evidencing a partial agreement between genotyping results and MLEE. The assay has been successfully applied to L. infantum clinical isolates and clinical samples. Conclusions A HRM-based assay for rapid identification of genotypes associated with the most common L. infantum zymodemes in the Mediterranean basin has been developed and its potential application in epidemiological research for L. infantum population screening, without parasite isolation and culturing, has been demonstrated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3143-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Ceccarelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Aurora Diotallevi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Francesca Andreoni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily "A Mirri", Palermo, PA, Italy
| | - Luca Galluzzi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy.
| | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy
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Genetic polymorphism in Leishmania infantum isolates from human and animals determined by nagt PCR-RFLP. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:54. [PMID: 29898776 PMCID: PMC6001066 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0439-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and sporadic human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Mediterranean region. The genetic variation of the Leishmania parasites may result in different phenotypes that can be associated with the geographical distribution and diversity of the clinical manifestations. The main objective of this study was to explore the genetic polymorphism in L. infantum isolates from human and animal hosts in different regions of Morocco. METHODS The intraspecific genetic variability of 40 Moroccan L. infantum MON-1 strains isolated from patients with VL (n = 31) and CL (n = 2) and from dogs (n = 7) was evaluated by PCR-RFLP of nagt, a single-copy gene encoding N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase. For a more complete analysis of L. infantum polymorphism, we included the restriction patterns of nagt from 17 strains available in the literature and patterns determined by in-silico digestion of three sequences from the GenBank database. RESULTS Moroccan L. infantum strains presented a certain level of genetic diversity and six distinct nagt-RFLP genotypes were identified. Three of the six genotypes were exclusively identified in the Moroccan population of L. infantum: variant M1 (15%), variant M2 (7.5%), and variant M3 (2.5%). The most common genotype (65%), variant 2 (2.5%), and variant 4 (7.5%), were previously described in several countries with endemic leishmaniasis. Phylogenetic analysis segregated our L. infantum population into two distinct clusters, whereas variant M2 was clearly distinguished from both cluster I and cluster II. This distribution highlights the degree of genetic variability among the Moroccan L. infantum population. CONCLUSION The nagt PCR-RFLP method presented here showed an important genetic heterogeneity among Moroccan L. infantum strains isolated from human and canine reservoirs with 6 genotypes identified. Three of the six Moroccan nagt genotypes, have not been previously described and support the particular genetic diversity of the Moroccan L. infantum population reported in other studies.
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Ait Kbaich M, Mhaidi I, Ezzahidi A, Dersi N, El Hamouchi A, Riyad M, Akarid K, Lemrani M. New epidemiological pattern of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two pre-Saharan arid provinces, southern Morocco. Acta Trop 2017; 173:11-16. [PMID: 28527882 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Three Leishmania species are responsible of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Morocco. Zoonotic CL due to Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum, the first is known as established in the eastern arid regions, whereas the latter evolves sporadically, especially in the North. While Leishmania tropica, classically considered anthroponotic, is endemic in the semi-arid regions and is largely distributed throughout the country. The aim of this study was to identify the Leishmania species causing CL in two Provinces in arid pre-Saharan region known as zoonotic CL foci, and to contribute an update to the national data concerning the distribution of Leishmania species in both regions. The recruitment of patients was done in six localities in Ouarzazate and Zagoura provinces in 2015 and 2016. Out of 81 samples collected, 66 were positive (81%) by ITS1-PCR amplification of Leishmania DNA extracted from stained smears. The highest rate of Leishmania infection was registered in children aged 9 years or less (71,2%). The ITS1-PCR- RFLP analysis revealed the predominance of L. major infecting 52 patients (79%), followed by L. tropica in 12 patients (18%) and L. infantum in 2 patients who had no history of travel outside the studied area (3%). The sequencing of the ITS1 of both L. infantum, showed 100% similarities with L. infantum strains isolated from dogs and visceral leishmaniasis patients from the south and north of Morocco. The coexistence of the 3 Leishmania species in the same focus, and the difficult distinction of infections associated to the different Leishmania species based only on clinical lesions' aspects complicate the diagnosis and then the national control strategy, as well as the therapeutic management. The epidemiological pattern of CL in the studied areas appears to have changed during the last decades, from a predominant zoonotic CL caused by L. major to a polymorphic disease that can be due to any of the 3 Leishmania species. The expansion of L. infantum and L. tropica in southern parts of Morocco, calls for in depth epidemiological investigations for a better understanding of the CL situations in Southern parts of the country and for an assessment of the climate impact and environment changes on the leishmaniasis transmission system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouad Ait Kbaich
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco; Molecular Genetics and Immunophysiopathology Research Team, Health and Environment Laboratory, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Aïn Chock Faculty of Sciences, Morocco
| | - Idriss Mhaidi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco; Molecular Genetics and Immunophysiopathology Research Team, Health and Environment Laboratory, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Aïn Chock Faculty of Sciences, Morocco
| | | | - Nouredine Dersi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Adil El Hamouchi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Myriam Riyad
- Laboratory of Parasitology, & Research Team, System and Infectious Diseases Immunopathology, Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty, University of Hassan II of Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Khadija Akarid
- Molecular Genetics and Immunophysiopathology Research Team, Health and Environment Laboratory, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Aïn Chock Faculty of Sciences, Morocco
| | - Meryem Lemrani
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.
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El Hamouchi A, Ejghal R, Hida M, Lemrani M. Intraspecific genetic variability in a population of Moroccan Leishmania infantum revealed by PCR-RFLP of kDNA minicircles. Acta Trop 2017; 169:142-149. [PMID: 28209553 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In Morocco, Leishmania infantum is the main etiologic agent of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This species has been proven to be an opportunistic agent in HIV+ patients and is also responsible of sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).This work aims to evaluate the genetic variability of Moroccan L. infantum strains based on PCR-RFLP analysis of the kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA) minicircles. A total of 75 DNA samples extracted from positive Giemsa-stained smears (n=32) and from L. infantum cultures (n=43) was studied. The samples have been taken from VL patients infected (n=7) or not (n=56) by HIV, patients with CL (n=2) and finally from infected dogs (n=10). An hypervariable region of kDNA was amplified using the primers MC1 and MC2; the PCR products were digested separately by a panel of nine restriction enzymes. The presence or absence of restriction fragments was scored in a binary matrix and the SplitsTree4 software was used for the construction of a Neighbor-Net network. Moroccan L. infantum population showed an important level of variability with the identification of 6 genotypes. For each genotype a PCR product was sequenced, confirming the presence of all the expected restriction sites. The predominant profile was the genotype B. A new genotype, named Q was detected for the first time, whereas the four other genotypes (G, K, N and O) were reported sporadically in the Mediterranean basin. The Neighbor-Net network segregates our L. infantum population into 3 clusters: Cluster I includes genotype B, cluster II grouping the genotypes O, Q and G and finally the cluster III contains the genotype N. The kDNA-PCR-RFLP assay is suitable for use directly on biological samples; it reveals an important degree of genetic variability among L. infantum strains even those belonging to the same zymodeme what is of great epidemiological interest.
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Abstract
Dogs are the major reservoir of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin. In Morocco, canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is usually believed to be widespread mainly, if not only, in the northern regions and few data are available about the situation in southern parts of the country. Here, we report the results of a preliminary, clinical, and serological study carried out in 2004–2007, in four provinces of southern Morocco. Serological analyses were processed using two different Elisa techniques, a homemade Elisa test and IDVET commercial kit, and confirmed by two different western blot (WB) tests, homemade and LDBIO commercial kits. We highlighted the presence of CanL infection in southern regions, known until then as free of the disease: 19.8% (48/243) of examined dogs displayed clinical signs compatible with CanL and the seroprevalence was particularly high, respectively, 81.8% and 87.8% by Elisa and western blot tests. Our current developed and validated homemade (Elisa and WB) tools will be cost-effective and useful for next large-scale epidemiological studies on Moroccan leishmaniasis animal reservoir.
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Cortes S, Maurício IL, Kuhls K, Nunes M, Lopes C, Marcos M, Cardoso L, Schönian G, Campino L. Genetic diversity evaluation on Portuguese Leishmania infantum strains by multilocus microsatellite typing. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 26:20-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Amro A, Hamdi S, Lemrani M, Mouna I, Mohammed H, Mostafa S, Rhajaoui M, Hamarsheh O, Schönian G. Moroccan Leishmania infantum: genetic diversity and population structure as revealed by multi-locus microsatellite typing. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77778. [PMID: 24147078 PMCID: PMC3798341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum causes Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in northern Morocco. It predominantly affects children under 5 years with incidence of 150 cases/year. Genetic variability and population structure have been investigated for 33 strains isolated from infected dogs and humans in Morocco. A multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) approach was used in which a MLMtype based on size variation in 14 independent microsatellite markers was compiled for each strain. MLMT profiles of 10 Tunisian, 10 Algerian and 21 European strains which belonged to zymodeme MON-1 and non-MON-1 according to multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) were included for comparison. A Bayesian model-based approach and phylogenetic analysis inferred two L.infantum sub-populations; Sub-population A consists of 13 Moroccan strains grouped with all European strains of MON-1 type; and sub-population B consists of 15 Moroccan strains grouped with the Tunisian and Algerian MON-1 strains. Theses sub-populations were significantly different from each other and from the Tunisian, Algerian and European non MON-1 strains which constructed one separate population. The presence of these two sub-populations co-existing in Moroccan endemics suggests multiple introduction of L. infantum from/to Morocco; (1) Introduction from/to the neighboring North African countries, (2) Introduction from/to the Europe. These scenarios are supported by the presence of sub-population B and sub-population A respectively. Gene flow was noticed between sub-populations A and B. Five strains showed mixed A/B genotypes indicating possible recombination between the two populations. MLMT has proven to be a powerful tool for eco-epidemiological and population genetic investigations of Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Amro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Alquds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
- Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Salsabil Hamdi
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Laboratoire des Leishmanioses, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Meryem Lemrani
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Laboratoire des Leishmanioses, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Idrissi Mouna
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah Fes, Morocco
| | - Hida Mohammed
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah Fes, Morocco
| | - Sabri Mostafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Ibn Sina Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Rhajaoui
- Parasitology Department, Institut National d’Hygiène, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Omar Hamarsheh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Gabriele Schönian
- Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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Haouas N, Chaker E, Chargui N, Gorcii M, Belhadj S, Kallel K, Aoun K, Akrout FM, Ben Said M, Pratlong F, Dedet JP, Mezhoud H, Lami P, Zribi M, Azaiez R, Babba H. Geographical distribution updating of Tunisian leishmaniasis foci: about the isoenzymatic analysis of 694 strains. Acta Trop 2012; 124:221-8. [PMID: 22940099 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Revised: 07/29/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Over a period of ten years, a series of 694 Leishmania strains from Tunisian leishmaniasis foci were isolated and identified by isoenzymatic analysis. Strains were obtained from human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompetent subjects, visceral leishmaniasis in imunocompromised individuals and from dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. Two classically dermotropic species, Leishmania (L.) major and Leishmania killicki were found. L. major with the single zymodeme MON-25 was the most isolated in cutaneous leishmaniasis foci of the Centre and South of Tunisia with a recent northern extension. L. killicki zymodeme MON-8 was sporadically found both in its classical microfocus of Tataouine in southeastern Tunisia as well as in some new foci in Southwestern, Central and Northern Tunisia. Leishmania infantum with its three zymodemes MON-1, MON-24 and MON-80 was isolated from both visceral and cutaneous human cases. The majority of L. infantum strains were found in the Northern part of the country; however, some strains were reported for the first time in the Southern part. L. infantum MON-1 was the only zymodeme isolated from canine leishmaniasis.
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Aït-Oudhia K, Harrat Z, Benikhlef R, Dedet JP, Pratlong F. Canine Leishmania infantum enzymatic polymorphism: a review including 1023 strains of the Mediterranean area, with special reference to Algeria. Acta Trop 2011; 118:80-6. [PMID: 21419095 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This bibliographic review reports the isoenzyme polymorphism of 1023 Leishmania infantum strains isolated from dogs that have been characterized by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis in the Leishmania Reference Centre of Montpellier, or in other laboratories, to which this typification technique has already been transferred. Between 1981 and 2010, a total of 12 zymodemes were identified around the Mediterranean basin: MON-1, MON-24, MON-34, MON-72, MON-77, MON-80, MON-98, MON-105, MON-108, MON-199, MON-199 var NP1130 and MON-281, of which 6 were present in Algeria. The zymodeme MON-1 was predominant (86.5% of the strains). The dog was confirmed as the main reservoir of L. infantum MON-1, while the reservoir of the other zymodemes has not yet been identified. The enzymatic polymorphism is relatively high in Algeria and in Spain in contrast to other Mediterranean countries. The reasons for this polymorphism are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Aït-Oudhia
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, Hacene Badi, El-Harrach, Algiers, Algeria.
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Ait-Oudhia K, Lami P, Lesceu S, Harrat Z, Hamrioui B, Dedet JP, Pratlong F. Increase in the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis in urban Algiers (Algeria) following the 2003 earthquake. ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2010; 103:679-92. [PMID: 20030992 DOI: 10.1179/000349809x12554106963591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Between 2005 and 2008, a serological survey for leishmanial infection was conducted among dogs from urban and peri-urban Algiers, with the focus on the new, densely populated areas that were built after the 2003 earthquake. Serum samples were collected from 1810 animals and tested for the presence of leishmanial antibodies by IFAT, ELISA and western blotting. The overall seroprevalence recorded was 25.1%. Of the seropositive dogs, 58.8% showed no clinical signs of the disease, 25.8% had a few, minor signs and the remaining 15.4% showed more severe illness. The major clinical signs of infection were weight loss, skin lesions and lymphadenopathy. Although seropositive dogs were found in all of the boroughs (daïras) of Algiers, seroprevalences were highest in the western part of the city (i.e. in the boroughs of Bouzaréah, Chéraga and Zéralda), ranging from 23.0% to 44.5%. Statistical analysis showed a relationship between seropositivity for leishmanial infection and the dog's age and lifestyle (i.e. whether the dog lived outside and/or in areas with dense vegetation). Only two zymodemes were identified amongst the 50 isolates investigated: MON-1 (88%) and MON-281 (12%). The latter zymodeme has not been previously found in Algeria, sandflies or dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ait-Oudhia
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, Hassen Badi El-Harrach, Algiers, Algeria.
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Population structure of Tunisian Leishmania infantum and evidence for the existence of hybrids and gene flow between genetically different populations. Int J Parasitol 2009; 39:801-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2008] [Revised: 11/17/2008] [Accepted: 11/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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