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Al-Ashwal MA, Al-Adhroey AH, Atroosh WM, Al-Subbary AA, Albhri AA, Azlan UW, Tan JH, Alkhali AA, Alshoteri SA, Sady H, Alharazi TH, Lau YL, Al-Mekhlafi HM. First report of Leishmania tropica in domestic and wild animal hosts in hyperendemic areas of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in western Yemen: a neglected tropical disease needing One Health approach. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:256. [PMID: 38935203 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08273-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected tropical disease, is a major public health concern in Yemen, with Leishmania tropica identified as the main causative agent. This study aims to investigate the occurrence and distribution of Leishmania parasites in domestic and wild animals in CL endemic areas in the western highlands of Yemen. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Utmah District of western Yemen. Blood and skin scraping specimens were collected from 122 domestic and wild animals and tested for the Leishmania DNA using internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) nested polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on 20 L. tropica sequences obtained from animals in this study and 34 sequences from human isolates (collected concurrently from the same study area) retrieved from the GenBank. Overall, L. tropica was detected in 16.4% (20/122) of the examined animals, including 11 goats, two dogs, two bulls, one cow, one donkey, one rabbit, one rat and one bat. None of the examined cats and sheep was positive. The animal sequences were segregated into four different L. tropica haplotypes, with the majority of the animal (15/20) and human (32/34) sequences composed of one dominant haplotype/genotype. These findings represent the first confirmed evidence of natural L. tropica infections in different kinds of domestic and wild animals in western Yemen, suggesting these animals potentially have a role in the transmission of CL in Yemen. Therefore, a One Health approach is required for the effective prevention and control of this devastating disease among endemic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal Ali Al-Ashwal
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Wahib M Atroosh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen.
| | | | - Adel Ahmed Albhri
- Al-Medan Health Centre, Ministry of Health and Population, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Ummi Wahidah Azlan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jia Hui Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Arwa Ahmed Alkhali
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
| | - Sheikh Abdulhafed Alshoteri
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen
| | - Hany Sady
- Centre for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Talal H Alharazi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Jazan University, 45142, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a 1247, Yemen.
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Amare GA, Mekonnen GG, Kassa M, Addisu A, Kendie DA, Tegegne B, Abera A, Tadesse D, Getahun S, Wondmagegn YM, Merdekios B, Asres MS, van Griensven J, Van der Auwera G, van Henten S, Pareyn M. First report of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in Ethiopia. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:457. [PMID: 38104111 PMCID: PMC10725588 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06057-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a common neglected tropical disease in Ethiopia. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani presents in the lowlands, while cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) affects people living in the highlands. Although CL is described as being caused by Leishmania aethiopica, there is also evidence of L. tropica and L. major isolated from a patient, sand flies and potential reservoirs. Information on species causing CL in Ethiopia is patchy, and no nation-wide study has ever been done. Understanding which species are causing CL in Ethiopia can have important implications for patient management and disease prevention. METHODS We analyzed stored routine samples and biobanked DNA isolates from previously conducted studies of CL patients from different centers in the north, center and south of Ethiopia. Species typing was performed using ITS-1 PCR with high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis, followed by HSP70 amplicon sequencing on a selection of the samples. Additionally, sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients were analyzed. RESULTS Of the 226 CL samples collected, the Leishmania species could be determined for 105 (45.5%). Leishmania aethiopica was identified in 101 (96.2%) samples from across the country. In four samples originating from Amhara region, northwestern Ethiopia, L. donovani was identified by ITS-1 HRM PCR, of which two were confirmed with HSP70 sequences. While none of these four patients had symptoms of VL, two originated from known VL endemic areas. CONCLUSIONS The majority of CL was caused by L. aethiopica, but CL due to L. tropica and L. major cannot be ruled out. Our study is the first to our knowledge to demonstrate CL patients caused by L. donovani in Ethiopia. This should spark future research to investigate where, how and to which extent such transmission takes place, how it differs genetically from L. donovani causing VL and whether such patients can be diagnosed and treated successfully with the currently available tools and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adugna Abera
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Myrthe Pareyn
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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de Souza NN, Ursine RL, Cruz DS, Xavier EDMS, Queiroz LDRP, Falcão LAD, de Araújo WS, Gontijo CMF, Melo MN, Vieira TM. Leishmania species infection of bats: A systematic review. Acta Trop 2023; 248:107025. [PMID: 37769863 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107025] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
A wide variety of mammals, including domestic and wild species, have been considered potential hosts and reservoirs for Leishmania. Bats have longevity, dispersal capacity, and adaptability to synotropic environments, characteristics that may favor their role in maintaining the life cycle of parasites. Therefore, the objective of this study was to carry out a worldwide systematic review of the occurrence of Leishmania species in bats, as well as to identify associations between eating habits and the type of sample collected with the occurrence of the infection. Data were obtained from a bibliographic search for studies that used molecular methods to identify parasites, employing the keywords "bats" AND "Leishmania" and their synonyms. We found 68 original studies, of which 20 were included in this review. Most studies were conducted in Brazil (60 %) and only 10 % were conducted in Old World countries. In all, 48 bat species were recorded that hosted seven Leishmania species, resulting in 62 different host-parasite interactions, and the Leishmania infantum interaction with bat species presented higher frequency. There was no significant difference between Leishmania species richness, infection percentage, and type of sample analyzed, but in general, it is observed that the use of different biological samples seems to expand the possibility of parasite detection. The patterns observed here indicate that bats can become infected with a wide variety of Leishmania species and likely play an important role in maintaining the parasite's life cycle. Thus, we suggest that studies aimed at understanding the transmission cycle of leishmaniasis include the investigation of bats as potential hosts or reservoirs of Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núbia Nunes de Souza
- Post Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros C.P. 39401-002, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Renata Luiz Ursine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina C.P. 39.100 - 000, Brazil
| | - Dardiane Santos Cruz
- Post Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros C.P. 39401-002, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Lorena Dos Reis Pereira Queiroz
- Post Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros C.P. 39401-002, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luiz Alberto Dolabela Falcão
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais C.P. 39401-002, Brazil
| | - Walter Santos de Araújo
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais C.P. 39401-002, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria Ferreira Gontijo
- Research Group on Leishmaniasis, Research Center René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria Norma Melo
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thallyta Maria Vieira
- Post Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros C.P. 39401-002, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais C.P. 39401-002, Brazil
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Dhivahar J, Parthasarathy A, Krishnan K, Kovi BS, Pandian GN. Bat-associated microbes: Opportunities and perils, an overview. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22351. [PMID: 38125540 PMCID: PMC10730444 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22351] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential biotechnological uses of bat-associated bacteria are discussed briefly, indicating avenues for biotechnological applications of bat-associated microbes. The uniqueness of bats in terms of their lifestyle, genomes and molecular immunology may predispose bats to act as disease reservoirs. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has shown several instances of bats harbouring the ancestral lineages of bacterial (Bartonella), protozoal (Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi) and viral (SARS-CoV2) pathogens infecting humans. Along with the transmission of viruses from bats, we also discuss the potential roles of bat-associated bacteria, fungi, and protozoan parasites in emerging diseases. Current evidence suggests that environmental changes and interactions between wildlife, livestock, and humans contribute to the spill-over of infectious agents from bats to other hosts. Domestic animals including livestock may act as intermediate amplifying hosts for bat-origin pathogens to transmit to humans. An increasing number of studies investigating bat pathogen diversity and infection dynamics have been published. However, whether or how these infectious agents are transmitted both within bat populations and to other hosts, including humans, often remains unknown. Metagenomic approaches are uncovering the dynamics and distribution of potential pathogens in bat microbiomes, which might improve the understanding of disease emergence and transmission. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on bat zoonoses of public health concern and flag the gaps in the knowledge to enable further research and allocation of resources for tackling future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Dhivahar
- Research Department of Zoology, St. Johns College, Palayamkottai, 627002, India
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Loyola College, Chennai, 600034, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Anutthaman Parthasarathy
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Richmond Building, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Kathiravan Krishnan
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Basavaraj S. Kovi
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ganesh N. Pandian
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
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Azami-Conesa I, Pérez-Moreno P, Matas Méndez P, Sansano-Maestre J, González F, Mateo Barrientos M, Gómez-Muñoz MT. Occurrence of Leishmania infantum in Wild Mammals Admitted to Recovery Centers in Spain. Pathogens 2023; 12:1048. [PMID: 37624008 PMCID: PMC10458632 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081048] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is distributed worldwide and affects humans and domestic and wild mammals. In Europe, specifically in the Mediterranean basin, leishmaniasis is endemic due to the concurrence of the phlebotomine vectors and reservoir mammals, including carnivorous wildlife species and other less studied wild species. In this article, spleen, skin, and eye or oral swabs taken from 134 wild mammals admitted to five wildlife recovery centers in Spain were used. PCR employing fragments of the Repeat region, ITS1, and SSUrRNA were used for detection, and positive samples were processed for sequencing. L. infantum was detected in three out of the nine species analyzed, including European hedgehog, European badger, and red squirrel, with percentages ranging from 11.53 to 35.71%, depending on the species. Most of the species showed higher percentages of positivity in spleen samples than in skin samples. A small number of animals from the remaining six species tested negative, including Algerian hedgehog, stone marten, least weasel, garden dormouse, western polecat, and Egyptian mongoose. Hedgehogs and badgers are good candidates for consideration as epidemiological sentinels and pose a higher risk as potential reservoirs of leishmaniasis based on their percentage of infection and wide distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Azami-Conesa
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (I.A.-C.); (P.P.-M.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Pérez-Moreno
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (I.A.-C.); (P.P.-M.)
| | - Pablo Matas Méndez
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Jose Sansano-Maestre
- Department of Animal Health and Public Health, Catholic University of Valencia, 46002 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Fernando González
- GREFA (Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat), Monte del Pilar, 28220 Madrid, Spain;
- Departmental Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo Barrientos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Gómez-Muñoz
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (I.A.-C.); (P.P.-M.)
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Castillo-Castañeda AC, Patiño LH, Zuñiga MF, Cantillo-Barraza O, Ayala MS, Segura M, Bautista J, Urbano P, Jaimes-Dueñez J, Ramírez JD. An overview of the trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites infecting several mammal species in Colombia. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:471. [PMID: 36522757 PMCID: PMC9756507 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05595-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatids are among the most critical parasites for public health due to their impact on human, animal, and plant health. Diseases associated with these pathogens manifest mainly in poor and vulnerable populations, where social, environmental, and biological factors modulate the case incidence and geographical distribution. METHODS We used Sanger and amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) in samples from different mammals to identify trypanosomatid infections in several departments in Colombia. A total of 174 DNA samples (18 humans, 83 dogs, and 73 wild mammals) were analyzed by conventional PCR using a fragment of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) gene and Sanger sequenced the positive samples. Twenty-seven samples were sent for amplicon-based NGS using the same gene fragment. Data obtained were used to perform diversity analyses. RESULTS One hundred and thirteen samples were positive for PCR by Hsp70 fragment; these corresponded to 22.1% Leishmania spp., 18.6% L. amazonensis, 9.7% L. braziliensis, 14.2% L. infantum, 8% L. panamensis, and 27.4% Trypanosoma cruzi. Comparison of the identified species by the two sequencing technologies used resulted in 97% concordance. Alpha and beta diversity indices were significant, mainly for dogs; there was an interesting index of coinfection events in the analyzed samples: different Leishmania species and the simultaneous presence of T. cruzi and even T. rangeli in one of the samples analyzed. Moreover, a low presence of L. braziliensis was observed in samples from wild mammals. Interestingly, to our knowledge, this is the first report of Leishmania detection in Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris (capybara) in Colombia. CONCLUSIONS The Hsp70 fragment used in this study is an optimal molecular marker for trypanosomatid identification in many hosts and allows the identification of different species in the same sample when amplicon-based sequencing is used. However, the use of this fragment for molecular diagnosis through conventional PCR should be carefully interpreted because of this same capacity to identify several parasites. This point is of pivotal importance in highly endemic countries across South America because of the co-circulation of different genera from the Trypanosomatidae family. The findings show an interesting starting point for One Health approaches in which coevolution and vector-host interactions can be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana C. Castillo-Castañeda
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luz H. Patiño
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Maria Fernanda Zuñiga
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Omar Cantillo-Barraza
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia ,grid.412881.60000 0000 8882 5269Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas (BCEI), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Martha S. Ayala
- grid.419226.a0000 0004 0614 5067Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Maryi Segura
- grid.419226.a0000 0004 0614 5067Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jessica Bautista
- grid.419226.a0000 0004 0614 5067Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Plutarco Urbano
- Grupo de Investigaciones Biológicas de La Orinoquía, Universidad Internacional del Trópico Americano (Unitropico), Yopal, Colombia
| | - Jeiczon Jaimes-Dueñez
- grid.442158.e0000 0001 2300 1573Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Animales GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia UCC, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
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Ramos LGSM, Costa VA, Louzeiro NM, Carvalho CCA, de Maria Seabra Nogueira R, Speranca MA, Cabral AD, Costa FB, Barros MC, da Costa Fraga E, Marcili A, da Costa AP. Chiropterans as a potential hosts of Leishmania spp. in endemic areas for leishmaniasis in northeastern Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:987-992. [PMID: 36028935 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The species of the genus Leishmania are protozoa that are widely distributed from Asia to the Americas, affecting humans and wild and domestic animals. Little is known about infection by Leishmania in bats in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Leishmania in bats in Maranhão. Blood samples were collected from bat species for parasitological diagnosis. Samples of spleen and liver were collected for molecular analysis. All the blood cultures were negative. In two blood smears, organisms similar to amastigotes of Leishmania sp. were detected. Of the 116 samples, two spleen samples were positive and showed similarity to Leishmania infantum. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate whether bats take part in the epidemiological chain of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Arlei Marcili
- São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil.,Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
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8
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Debash H, Ebrahim H, Bisetegn H. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis among patients attending at Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital, Sekota, Northeast Ethiopia: A five-year trend analysis (2016-2020). SAGE Open Med 2022; 10:20503121221129720. [PMID: 36246535 PMCID: PMC9558864 DOI: 10.1177/20503121221129720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study was designed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis among patients attending at Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital, Sekota, Northeast Ethiopia over the last 5 years. Methods A 5-year retrospective study was conducted at Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. Data were summarized and analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 26 version software, respectively. To present the data and evaluate the patterns in cutaneous leishmaniasis cases across the 5 years, months, and seasons, descriptive statistics were utilized. In multivariable logistic regression analysis of determinants in relation to cutaneous leishmaniasis positivity, p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result The overall positivity rate of cutaneous leishmaniasis was 31.1% (452 out of 1455) over the last 5 years at Tefera Hailu Memorial Hospital. The result showed a fluctuating yet declining trend in cutaneous leishmaniasis infections. The highest number of cases was registered in 2016, while the lowest was in 2020. Males and the age group of 15-49 years, accounted 78.5% and 79.9% of the patients, respectively, were the hardest hit by cutaneous leishmaniasis in the area. Similarly, the highest number of cases was observed in Dehana district (268). From all registered confirmed cases, 54 (10.7%) were previously treated cases. Moreover, the majority of cases, 423 (93.6%) were localized cutaneous leishmaniasis and most of the lesions were on the face. Conclusion Although the results indicate a fluctuating yet declining trend, the positivity rate of confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in the area remains alarming and indicates a major public health burden. Therefore, efforts are required to reduce the disease burden through continuous monitoring and evaluation of control measures in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habtu Debash
- Habtu Debash, Department of Medical
Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University,
Dessie, Ethiopia.
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de Araújo GR, de Mello ÉM, de Oliveira VNGM, Dos Santos TR, Nunes RV, de Andrade HM, Furtado LFV, Rabelo ÉML. Bats as hosts of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Minas Gerais, an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 32:100740. [PMID: 35725103 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100740] [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: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bats are parasitized by a wide spectrum of ecto and endoparasites, but their role as a reservoir for some zoonoses is not fully understood. The objective of this work was to evaluate the presence of Leishmania DNA in the blood of bats from 30 municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We analyzed samples of 120 bats, covering 29 species. The blood samples were used for DNA extraction and submitted to conventional PCR analysis with primers directed to the Leishmania ITS-1 region of the rRNA. In total, 1.67% (2/120 samples) were positive for Leishmania spp., detected in animals from the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, the state capital. Sequencing of the positive samples revealed that both bats were infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Considering the adaptability of some bats species to synanthropic environments, the results of the present work can contribute to a better comprehension of the leishmaniasis cycle and epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Rotondo de Araújo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Érica Munhoz de Mello
- Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Valéria Nayara Gomes Mendes de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Talita Rodrigues Dos Santos
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ramon Vieira Nunes
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Hélida Monteiro de Andrade
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luis Fernando Viana Furtado
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Unidade Passos, Avenida Juca Stockler, 1130, CEP 37900-106, Nossa Senhora das Graças, Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Élida Mara Leite Rabelo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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El Idrissi Saik I, Benlabsir C, Fellah H, Lemrani M, Riyad M. Transmission patterns of Leishmania tropica around the Mediterranean basin: Could Morocco be impacted by a zoonotic spillover? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010009. [PMID: 35025884 PMCID: PMC8757988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to Leishmania tropica is a neglected tropical disease characterized by a wide geographical distribution in the Mediterranean basin and is endemic in several of its countries. In addition, the vector Phlebotomus sergenti is abundantly present all around the basin. Its transmission cycle is still subject to debate. In some countries, the presence of an animal reservoir has been confirmed. In Morocco, CL due to L. tropica has risen since the 1980s and has spread widely to become the most abundant form of leishmaniasis in the territory. However, the anthroponotic transmission is so far the only recognized mode, despite recordings of L. tropica infection in animal hosts. In this review article, we assess the situation of CL due to L. tropica in the Mediterranean basin with a focus on Morocco and gather knowledge about any potential zoonotic transmission in the country. A concomitant zoonotic transmission could explain the persistence of the disease in areas where human protective measures combined with vector management did not help reduce the disease burden. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to Leishmania tropica is a neglected tropical disease still considered to be anthroponotic in Morocco despite evidence of zoonotic transmission in other endemic countries of the Mediterranean basin. Its high incidence in the country makes it necessary to investigate whether or not a potential concomitant zoonotic transmission exists alongside the anthroponotic one. Moreover, several reports of natural animal infection have been noted in the country. In this paper, we review how CL due to L. tropica is present around the Mediterranean basin, with a particular focus on the Moroccan foci, and try to unveil the existence of a zoonotic transmission in the area. A deep understanding of the transmission patterns of L. tropica in the region is necessary for the implementation of effective control measures and a better assessment of the disease burden. In addition, the complexity of this neglected disease requires more fundamental and applied research to unveil potential factors involved in its spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imane El Idrissi Saik
- 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, Morocco
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Chaimaa Benlabsir
- 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, Morocco
| | - Hassan Fellah
- 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, Morocco
| | - Meryem Lemrani
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, 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, Morocco
- * E-mail:
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Riva MM, Pastor FM, Almeida YV, Duarte LM, Souza LIS, Zanini MS, da Silva MA. Detection of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in bats from Espírito Santo, Brazil (2018-2019). Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3857-3863. [PMID: 34499197 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07042-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Studying the occurrence of Leishmania in bats would help toward clarifying the role of these animals in epidemiological cycles. Therefore, the objective of this study was to detect Leishmania spp. in bats from the Brazilian State of Espírito Santo. In total, 105 bats from 11 species which had been collected from 17 municipalities of Espírito Santo were obtained from the IDAF Rabies Diagnostic Laboratory between December 2018 and June 2019. DNA was extracted from the bone marrow, skin, and spleen samples and analysed using conventional PCR, with primers specific for the kinetoplastic DNA minicircle of the parasitic species Leishmania (Viannnia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum, and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. To identify the Leishmania species, the positive PCR products were analysed using PCR-RFLP with the HaeIII enzyme and 8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Positivity for L. (V.) braziliensis was observed in five (4.76%) bats: namely, one male Eumops glaucinus from Vitória (in a skin sample), one male Artibeus lituratus from Vila Velha and one female Eumops glaucinus from Vitória (both in bone marrow samples), and one male A. lituratus from Vitória and one male Molossus rufus from Guarapari (both in the spleen samples). To our best knowledge, this is the first report of the detection of Leishmania in bats from Espírito Santo as well as of Leishmania DNA in the bone marrow of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara Mezabarba Riva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe Martins Pastor
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil
| | - Yuri Vieira Almeida
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil
| | - Lívia Martino Duarte
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil
| | - Lígia Isabelle Silva Souza
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil
| | - Marcos Santos Zanini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil.
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e da Saúde, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, CEP 29.500-000, Brazil.
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A Systematic Review (1990-2021) of Wild Animals Infected with Zoonotic Leishmania. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051101. [PMID: 34065456 PMCID: PMC8160881 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by several species of Leishmania that affect humans and many domestic and wild animals with a worldwide distribution. The objectives of this review are to identify wild animals naturally infected with zoonotic Leishmania species as well as the organs infected, methods employed for detection and percentage of infection. A literature search starting from 1990 was performed following the PRISMA methodology and 161 reports were included. One hundred and eighty-nine species from ten orders (i.e., Carnivora, Chiroptera, Cingulata, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Lagomorpha, Eulipotyphla, Pilosa, Primates and Rodentia) were reported to be infected, and a few animals were classified only at the genus level. An exhaustive list of species; diagnostic techniques, including PCR targets; infected organs; number of animals explored and percentage of positives are presented. L. infantum infection was described in 98 wild species and L. (Viania) spp. in 52 wild animals, while L. mexicana, L. amazonensis, L. major and L. tropica were described in fewer than 32 animals each. During the last decade, intense research revealed new hosts within Chiroptera and Lagomorpha. Carnivores and rodents were the most relevant hosts for L. infantum and L. (Viannia) spp., with some species showing lesions, although in most of the studies clinical signs were not reported.
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Lypaczewski P, Matlashewski G. Leishmania donovani hybridisation and introgression in nature: a comparative genomic investigation. THE LANCET MICROBE 2021; 2:e250-e258. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(21)00028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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Jones CM, Welburn SC. Leishmaniasis Beyond East Africa. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:618766. [PMID: 33732738 PMCID: PMC7959848 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.618766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is having a substantial impact on our environment and ecosystems and has altered the way humans live, access, and utilize resources with increased risk of zoonotic infectious disease encounters. As global temperatures continue to increase, they impact on public health, migration, food security and land conflict, and as new environments become favorable, exposure to disease carrying vectors. Increased forests or natural habitat clearance for land repurposing, urbanization, road building, and water management are related to an increase in emerging vector borne parasitic diseases. The East African region remains one of the most impacted regions globally for leishmaniasis, a vector borne disease that impacts significantly on the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of affected communities and for which a lack of reporting and control interventions hinder progress toward elimination of this neglected tropical disease. As our world continues to transform, both politically and climatically, it is essential that measures are put in place to improve surveillance and disease management with implementation of control measures, including vector control, especially in low- and middle-income countries that are expected to be most impacted by changes in climate. Only through effective management, now, can we be sufficiently resilient to preventing the inevitable spread of vectors into suitable habitat and expansion of the geographical range of leishmaniasis. This review offers a current perspective on Leishmaniasis as an endemic disease in East Africa and examines the potential of the recent emergence of Leishmania infection in hitherto unaffected regions to become a public health concern if no disease management is achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Jones
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, China.,Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Susan C Welburn
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, China.,Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Seasonal Distribution of Phlebotomus papatasi, Vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:585-598. [PMID: 32347533 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-020-00201-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The activity of Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, a vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, is known to be seasonal, but the information describing these patterns is sparse in time and space. The purpose of his paper is to conduct a meta-analysis to depict the seasonality of P. papatasi at the global scale. METHODS The current paper uses data from a collection of 1200 scientific papers, where 300 are about the vector and 36 include monthly data (of 61 sites) of the P. papatasi from 15 countries published from 1994 to 2017. RESULTS The activity peaked mainly in dry periods in all explored sites. A map of seasonal distribution depicted a peak activity in August, followed by September. Geographically (geographic preference), August and September at the latitude 33° showed the highest abundance at a global scale. Concerning the latitude P. papatasi distribution, the high number is localized between 27° and 35°. However, the high number of this species according to the longitude is localized between - 4° and 58°, which shows a high interval of activity. Locally, for the habitat preference, the findings show a preference of this vector to indoor than to outdoor. CONCLUSIONS All these results can be helpful in identifying the period and sites of a future potential risk of leishmaniasis. This is the first attempt at the update of the vector activity both at global and local scale.
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Low Incidence and Mortality from SARS-CoV-2 in Southern Europe. Proposal of a hypothesis for Arthropod borne Herd immunity. Med Hypotheses 2020; 143:110121. [PMID: 32759006 PMCID: PMC7375308 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 incidence and mortality in Europe have shown wide variation. Northern Italy in particular the Lombardy region, north-eastern French regions, Switzerland and Belgium were amongst the hardest hit, while the central and southern Italian regions, all the Balkan countries from Slovenia to Greece and the Islands of Malta and Cyprus had much fewer cases and deaths per capita, and deaths per number of cases. Differences in public health measures, and health care delivery, in the author’s opinion, can only partly explain the difference. The geographical distribution of Phlebotomus sand-flies and the relative distribution of arthropod borne diseases Leishmaniasis and Phlebovirus infections especially the Sicilian Sandfly fever group corresponds to most areas of low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. A hypothesis is proposed whereby repeated arthropod or sandfly vector infection of humans by novel viruses of zoonotic origins carrying bat or mammalian RNA/DNA, such as phleboviruses may have resulted in the development of an effective evolutionary immune response to most novel zoonotic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 by means of survival of the fittest possibly over many generations. This process probably ran in parallel and concurrent with the progressive evolution of novel coronaviruses which spread from one mammalian species to another. Other possible, but less likely mechanisms for the role of sandfly meals within a much shorter time frame may have led to, (i) previous exposure and infection of humans with the SARS-Cov-2 virus itself, or a closely related corona virus in the previous decades, or (ii) exposure of human populations to parts coronavirus protein namely either S or more likely N protein carried mechanically by arthropods, but without clinical disease causing direct immunity or (iii) by causing infection with other arthropod borne viruses which could carry bat DNA/RNA and have similar functional proteins resulting in an immediate cross-reactive immune response rather than by natural selection. The Evidence possibly supporting or disputing this hypothesis is reviewed, however the major problem with the hypothesis is that to date no coronavirus has ever been isolated from arthropods. Such a hypothesis can only be supported by research investigating the possible biological relationship of arthropods and coronaviruses where paradoxically they may be promoting immunity rather than disease.
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First detection of Leishmania infantum in common urban bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus in Europe. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:172-176. [PMID: 32593861 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is a protozoan causing leishmaniasis in humans and in dogs, among other animals, which is an endemic disease in the Mediterranean basin. In recent years, the role of wildlife as a possible reservoir of the disease was analyzed and several species of carnivores were reported to have the highest infection rates, with foxes and wolves being the more widely studied species; the role of rabbits and hares as reservoirs of leishmaniasis has also been described. In addition, several studies highlighted the role of bats as suitable hosts for Leishmania species (L. braziliensis, L. major, L. mexicana, and L. tropica) in South and Central America and Africa, but no Leishmania spp. infection in Chiroptera has been reported in Europe. In this study, samples from spleen, hair, and blood were analyzed to detect L. infantum DNA in bats from the Community of Madrid (Spain). Infection by L. infantum was detected in 59.2% of the bats studied (n = 16/27), with the spleen being selected as the site for detection, yielding 14/16 positive results (87.5% sensitivity), followed by hair (n = 7/16) and blood (n = 6/16). In two animals, samples from all three anatomical sites tested positive (7.4% of the total animals), while in four animals the spleen and hair samples tested positive (14.8%), in one animal the blood and hair samples tested positive (3.7%), and in another animal the blood sample only tested positive (3.7%). This is the first report of L. infantum detection in the common urban bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in Europe.
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Pareyn M, Hendrickx R, Girma N, Hendrickx S, Van Bockstal L, Van Houtte N, Shibru S, Maes L, Leirs H, Caljon G. Evaluation of a pan-Leishmania SL RNA qPCR assay for parasite detection in laboratory-reared and field-collected sand flies and reservoir hosts. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:276. [PMID: 32487217 PMCID: PMC7268266 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04141-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In eco-epidemiological studies, Leishmania detection in vectors and reservoirs is frequently accomplished by high-throughput and sensitive molecular methods that target minicircle kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). A pan-Leishmania SYBR green quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay which detects the conserved spliced-leader RNA (SL RNA) sequence was developed recently. This study assessed the SL RNA assay performance combined with a crude extraction method for the detection of Leishmania in field-collected and laboratory-reared sand flies and in tissue samples from hyraxes as reservoir hosts. Methods Field-collected and laboratory-infected sand fly and hyrax extracts were subjected to three different qPCR approaches to assess the suitability of the SL RNA target for Leishmania detection. Nucleic acids of experimentally infected sand flies were isolated with a crude extraction buffer with ethanol precipitation and a commercial kit and tested for downstream DNA and RNA detection. Promastigotes were isolated from culture and sand fly midguts to assess whether there was difference in SL RNA and kDNA copy numbers. Naive sand flies were spiked with a serial dilution of promastigotes to make a standard curve. Results The qPCR targeting SL RNA performed well on infected sand fly samples, despite preservation and extraction under presumed unfavorable conditions for downstream RNA detection. Nucleic acid extraction by a crude extraction buffer combined with a precipitation step was highly compatible with downstream SL RNA and kDNA detection. Copy numbers of kDNA were found to be identical in culture-derived parasites and promastigotes isolated from sand fly midguts. SL RNA levels were slightly lower in sand fly promastigotes (ΔCq 1.7). The theoretical limit of detection and quantification of the SL RNA qPCR respectively reached down to 10−3 and 10 parasite equivalents. SL RNA detection in stored hyrax samples was less efficient with some false-negative assay results, most likely due to the long-term tissue storage in absence of RNA stabilizing reagents. Conclusions This study shows that a crude extraction method in combination with the SL RNA qPCR assay is suitable for the detection and quantification of Leishmania in sand flies. The assay is inexpensive, sensitive and pan-Leishmania specific, and accordingly an excellent assay for high-throughput screening in entomological research.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrthe Pareyn
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Rik Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Nigatu Girma
- Biology Department, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Sarah Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lieselotte Van Bockstal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Simon Shibru
- Biology Department, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Ecology and seasonality of sandflies and potential reservoirs of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ochollo, a hotspot in southern Ethiopia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007667. [PMID: 31425506 PMCID: PMC6715250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ochollo is a village in southern Ethiopia burdened with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), where Phlebotomus pedifer is the only vector for Leishmania aethiopica and hyraxes are confirmed reservoir hosts. A detailed description of the different players of transmission, and the ecology and seasonality of the vector needs to be established in order to accomplish efficient control programs. Methods and findings Between March 2017 and February 2018, a monthly sandfly collection was carried out in different habitats and records of temperature and humidity were taken. Rodents and hyraxes were trapped in the dry and wet season. All samples were screened for Leishmania kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). Positive samples were further processed for determination of the Leishmania species and the species of the sandfly/small mammal that was found infected. Additionally, the species of 400 sandfly specimens from different habitats and seasons was identified. 17,190 Sergentomyia and Phlebotomus sandflies were caught and showed an overall kDNA prevalence of 2.6%, all were L. aethiopica infections only found in P. pedifer. The overall sandfly and P. pedifer abundance peaked in the dry season and was negatively correlated with the %RH. The kDNA prevalence varied over the months and was negatively correlated with the temperature. Total sandfly abundance did not differ between the sampled habitats, but P. pedifer was the distinct predominant species only in caves. Moreover, significantly more infected sandflies were found in caves. Only 1/192 rodents were kDNA positive, while 20.0% (5/25) of Heterohyrax brucei were found infected. Conclusions This study suggests that caves may be a source of multiplication of the infection. If an outdoor control program would be considered, it would be useful to focus on caves in the wet season, when the sandfly abundance is lowest. The captured rodent species appear not important for transmission and the contribution of hyraxes in transmission should be further investigated. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis poses a considerable health problem in Ethiopia. Efficient disease control can only be accomplished when all players of transmission are well understood and taken into account. The aim of our study was to investigate in a village in the south, called Ochollo, whether rodents also harbor the parasite and to assess the different potential vector species (sandflies) and their spatial and seasonal distribution. We established that the rodent species we captured are probably no hosts for Leishmania aethiopica, but confirmed that hyraxes are abundant and that a high percentage of them is positive for L. aethiopica. Based on a very large sample size, we found that Phlebotomus pedifer is the only vector in the area. We discovered that the general sandfly and specific P. pedifer abundance are lowest in the wet season and negatively correlated with humidity. We also demonstrated that the sandfly abundance is equally distributed among different habitats, but P. pedifer and infected sandflies mainly reside in caves. Altogether, we suggest that if outdoor sandfly control methods would be considered, it would be useful to carry it out in the wet season in or around caves. The role of hyraxes in disease transmission should be further investigated.
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Medkour H, Davoust B, Dulieu F, Maurizi L, Lamour T, Marié JL, Mediannikov O. Potential animal reservoirs (dogs and bats) of human visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum in French Guiana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007456. [PMID: 31216270 PMCID: PMC6602241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In French Guiana, cutaneous leishmaniasis is highly endemic, whereas no autochthonous case of visceral leishmaniasis have been reported so far. However, due to its proximity to Brazil which is highly endemic for visceral leishmaniasis, and the high transboundary population flow, an epidemiological challenge could arise at any time. As an overseas department and region and the largest outermost region of the European Union, epidemiological surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis is of great importance. Our study aimed to investigate the presence of Leishmania spp. in domestic (dogs) and sylvatic (bats) animals from French Guiana. Over the 2008-2018 period, samples from 349 animals were collected. They included blood from 179 autochthonous dogs and 59 bats, spleen samples from 33 bats and, blood from 78 military working dogs (MWD) collected before their departure from continental France and at the end of their four-month stay in French Guiana. Samples were screened using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays targeting Leishmania DNA followed by sequencing of 18S rRNA, kDNA and ITS2 genes. L. infantum was detected in 2.3% (8/349) of animals with 1.7% (3/179) of autochthonous dogs, 5.1% (4/78) of MWD returning from French Guiana, whereas they were negative before their departure. One of them dates back to 2012. All these dogs were positive for serological tests. In addition, L. infantum DNA was detectable in one bat spleen sample, belonging to Carollia perspicillata species. We report here for the first time an infection with L. infantum in dogs and bat from French Guiana. Our results suggest the existence of potential reservoir and transmission cycle for visceral leishmaniasis, at least since 2012, which was unknown in this territory until now. Further studies are needed to determine how these animals were infected and which vectors are involved in the transmission in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hacène Medkour
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée-Infection, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Davoust
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée-Infection, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Animal Epidemiology Working Group of the Military Health Service, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Jean-Lou Marié
- Animal Epidemiology Working Group of the Military Health Service, Marseille, France
- French Army Health Service, Paris, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée-Infection, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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van Henten S, Adriaensen W, Fikre H, Akuffo H, Diro E, Hailu A, Van der Auwera G, van Griensven J. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Due to Leishmania aethiopica. EClinicalMedicine 2018; 6:69-81. [PMID: 31193672 PMCID: PMC6537575 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania aethiopica is the main causative species for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ethiopia. Despite its considerable burden, L. aethiopica has been one of the most neglected Leishmania species. In this review, published evidence on L. aethiopica history, geography, vector, reservoir, epidemiology, parasitology, and immunology is discussed and knowledge gaps are outlined. L. aethiopica endemic regions are limited to the highland areas, although nationwide studies on CL prevalence are lacking. Phlebotomus pedifer and P. longipes are the sandfly vectors and hyraxes are considered to be the main reservoir, but the role of other sandfly species and other potential reservoirs requires further investigation. Where and how transmission occurs exactly are also still unknown. Most CL patients in Ethiopia are children and young adults. Lesions are most commonly on the face, in contrast to CL caused by other Leishmania species which may more frequently affect other body parts. CL lesions caused by L. aethiopica seem atypical and more severe in their presentation as compared to other Leishmania species. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis are relatively common, and healing of lesions caused by L. aethiopica seems to take longer than that of other species. A thorough documentation of the natural evolution of L. aethiopica as well as in depth studies into the immunological and parasitological characteristics that underpin the atypical and severe clinical presentation are needed. Better understanding of CL caused by this parasite species will contribute to interventions related to transmission, prevention, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia van Henten
- Unit of HIV and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Corresponding author.
| | - Wim Adriaensen
- Unit of HIV and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Helina Fikre
- Leishmania Research and Treatment Center, University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Hannah Akuffo
- Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ermias Diro
- Leishmania Research and Treatment Center, University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Addis Ababa University School of Medicine, Ethiopia
| | - Gert Van der Auwera
- Unit of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan van Griensven
- Unit of HIV and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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22
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Gebremichael D. Zoonotic impact and epidemiological changes of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia. Open Vet J 2018; 8:432-440. [PMID: 30538935 PMCID: PMC6258520 DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v8i4.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the growing public health challenges in Ethiopia and estimated over 7,000 and 50,000 new cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) per year, respectively. The aim of the review is to address zoonotic impact and epidemiological changes of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia. VL is caused by L. donovani and it is endemic in many parts of the country with one third of the country’s landmass is highly suitable for VL. CL is principally caused by L. aethiopica. CL is endemic and widespread in the highland of Ethiopia. Northern lowland foci are Humera and Metema plains in the Tigray and Amhara regional states constitute the main VL endemic areas in the country, contributing over 60% of the total burden. The southern foci are the south-western savannah, and the south-eastern semi-arid lowlands which account for approximately 20 % of the total VL burden in Ethiopia. Leishmaniasis is a serious zoonotic disease in Ethiopia with more reservoir hosts maintaining the disease. Dogs and hyraxes are the main reservoir hosts for visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the country, respectively. Epidemiological changes of leishmaniasis may relate to environmental changes and expansion of mega projects such as irrigations and sugar cane factories, knowledge and socio-economic factors, development of new settlements, migration of peoples and HIV/AIDS co-infection. Expansions of mega projects such as sugar factories and irrigations are suitable for reproduction of stray dogs, rodents, wild canids and vectors. VL is one of the major challenges to prevent and control in the endemic areas of the country. Therefore, new research should be imperative, especially in the mega projects to design strategic control and prevention methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawit Gebremichael
- Veterinary Public Health, Aksum University Shire Campus, College of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Shire, Ethiopia
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23
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El Hamouchi A, Ajaoud M, Arroub H, Charrel R, Lemrani M. Genetic diversity of Leishmania tropica in Morocco: does the dominance of one haplotype signify its fitness in both predominantly anthropophilic Phlebotomus sergenti and human beings? Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 66:373-380. [PMID: 30281944 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In Morocco, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica is endemic to locations where the predominantly anthropophilic blood-feeding Phlebotomus sergenti and humans co-perpetuate. The objective of this study was to explore whether the range of epidemiological features of CLcould be linked to the range of L. tropica genetic heterogeneity and to further explore the relationships between the genetic diversity of L. tropica in both P. sergenti and humans. L. tropica DNAwas extracted from dermal scarping smears of 125 CLpatients. Genetic polymorphisms were analyzed by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and 5.8S rDNAgene. Nucleotide diversity (π), haplotype diversity (Hd) and Tajima's D test for neutrality, as well as overall and pairwise FSTvalues, were calculated using Arlequin ver 3.5 software. Out of the 125 amplified DNAsequences, 93 were completely sequenced and 13 L. tropica haplotypes were identified, which confirmed the significant genetic heterogeneity of L. tropica in Morocco. The most common haplotype included 74 out of 93 sequences; this haplotype is not only widely represented but was also detected in P. sergenti, which is known to be the most abundant species in the studied foci. Considering the negative value calculated using Tajima's D index, we briefly discussed the hypothesis that the L. tropica common haplotype propagation could be a sign of its fitness in P. sergenti and human hosts. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) shows significant correlations between intraspecific variants of L. tropica and patients' geographic origins. The long-term goals of the present pilot study are to further explore the relationships between the genetic diversity of L. tropica in human and P. sergenti populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil El Hamouchi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Malika Ajaoud
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Hassan Arroub
- Laboratory of Management and Valorization of Natural Resources, FST, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Rémi Charrel
- IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, EPV UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" & IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Meryem Lemrani
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
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24
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Assefa A. Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence in animals and humans. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00723. [PMID: 30101202 PMCID: PMC6082994 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Ethiopia does not have an overall estimation of prevalence of leishmaniasis infection at a country level. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize and pool estimates of studies that report the prevalence of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia. The literature search was conducted to identify all published studies reporting the prevalence of leishmaniasis with clearly designed inclusion and exclusion criteria. From all screened articles, 30 studies were eligible for final meta-analysis and systematic review. Because substantial heterogeneity was expected, random-effects meta-analyses were carried out using the total sample size and number of positives to estimate the prevalence of the disease at a country level. Between-study variability was high (τ2 = 0.02; heterogeneity I2 = 99.72% with Heterogeneity chi-square = 11985.41, a degree of freedom = 33 and P = 0.001). The overall random pooled prevalence of leishmaniasis was 19% (95% CI 14%-24%). Meta-regression analysis showed that diagnosis method used have contributed to the heterogeneity of studies. Molecular diagnosis has significantly lower prevalence than microscopic examination with a coefficient of -0.32, a p-value of 0.024, and CI (-0.6-0.05). The result of effect estimates against its standard error showed there was no publication bias with a P value of 0.084. This review indicated that there is still a higher prevalence of Leishmaniasis in the country. Reporting on risk factors like sex and age affected, species of Leishmania involved and many more other risk factors reviewing was not possible in this study due to lack of completeness in articles included. However, this report is an indication that the country needs nationally coordinated extensive prevention and control plan to reduce public health and socio-economic impact of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalew Assefa
- Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 62, Sekota, Ethiopia
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25
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Galluzzi L, Ceccarelli M, Diotallevi A, Menotta M, Magnani M. Real-time PCR applications for diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:273. [PMID: 29716641 PMCID: PMC5930967 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2859-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by many Leishmania species, which can infect both humans and other mammals. Leishmaniasis is a complex disease, with heterogeneous clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic infections to lesions at cutaneous sites (cutaneous leishmaniasis), mucosal sites (mucocutaneous leishmaniasis) or in visceral organs (visceral leishmaniasis), depending on the species and host characteristics. Often, symptoms are inconclusive and leishmaniasis can be confused with other co-endemic diseases. Moreover, co-infections (mainly with HIV in humans) can produce atypical clinical presentations. A correct diagnosis is crucial to apply the appropriate treatment and the use of molecular techniques in diagnosis of leishmaniasis has become increasingly relevant due to their remarkable sensitivity, specificity and possible application to a variety of clinical samples. Among them, real-time PCR (qPCR)-based approaches have become increasingly popular in the last years not only for detection and quantification of Leishmania species but also for species identification. However, despite qPCR-based methods having proven to be very effective in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, a standardized method does not exist. This review summarizes the qPCR-based methods in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis focusing on the recent developments and applications in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Galluzzi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, via Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, PU Italy
| | - Marcello Ceccarelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, via Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, PU Italy
| | - Aurora Diotallevi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, via Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, PU Italy
| | - Michele Menotta
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, via Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, PU Italy
| | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, via Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, PU Italy
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26
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Lourenço JLM, Minuzzi-Souza TT, Silva LR, Oliveira AC, Mendonça VJ, Nitz N, Aguiar LM, Gurgel-Gonçalves R. High frequency of trypanosomatids in gallery forest bats of a Neotropical savanna. Acta Trop 2018; 177:200-206. [PMID: 29050949 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Bats are well-known hosts of trypanosomatids, though information about their role as reservoirs of these protozoans in the Brazilian savanna is poorly known. We aimed to analyze the occurrence of trypanosomatid species in bats occurring in remnants of gallery forests of Brasília, Federal District of Brazil. We sampled bats using mist nets in six sites, and we collected blood, wing fragments and oral swab samples from all captured individuals. Trypanosomatids were identified in the captured bats through sequencing of the SSUrRNA region and kDNA qPCR. We found no parasite in blood smears of 146 individuals of 14 species captured, but blood cultures were positive for nine bats. We detected trypanosomatids molecularly in 111 (76%) specimens of all bat species in the studied areas. Most of the infected bats had Leishmania-like DNA detected in blood and swab samples of the oral mucosa. We distinguished three species of Trypanosoma (Trypanosoma dionisii, T. rangeli and T. cruzi) in Carollia perspicillata. SSUrRNA PCR of oral samples is a non-invasive and practical method for identification of trypanosomatid species in bats. Our results support our belief that bats could be potential reservoirs for Trypanosoma and Leishmania-like species in the enzootic cycle of these parasites in gallery forests of the Brazilian Cerrado biome.
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27
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Mitková B, Hrazdilová K, D'Amico G, Duscher GG, Suchentrunk F, Forejtek P, Gherman CM, Matei IA, Ionică AM, Daskalaki AA, Mihalca AD, Votýpka J, Hulva P, Modrý D. Eurasian golden jackal as host of canine vector-borne protists. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:183. [PMID: 28410591 PMCID: PMC5391582 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2110-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Jackals are medium-sized canids from the wolf-like clade, exhibiting a unique combination of ancestral morphotypes, broad trophic niches, and close phylogenetic relationships with the wolf and dog. Thus, they represent a potential host of several pathogens with diverse transmission routes. Recently, populations of the Eurasian golden jackal Canis aureus have expanded into the Western Palaearctic, including most of Europe. The aim of our study was to examine Eurasian golden jackals from Romania, Czech Republic and Austria for a wide spectrum of vector-borne protists and to evaluate the role of this species as a reservoir of disease for domestic dogs and/or humans. Results Diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplifications revealed 70% of jackals to be positive for Hepatozoon, 12.5% positive for piroplasms, and one individual positive for Leishmania infantum. Phylogenetic analyses of partial 18S rDNA sequences invariably placed sequenced isolates of Hepatozoon into the H. canis clade. For piroplasms, both the 18S and cox1 sequences obtained confirmed the presence of Babesia canis and “Theileria annae” in 5 and 2 individuals, respectively, providing the first records of these two piroplasmids in Eurasian golden jackals. A single animal from Dolj County (Romania) was PCR-positive for L. infantum, as confirmed also by sequencing of ITS1-5.8S. Conclusions Apparently, expanding populations of jackals can play a significant role in spreading and maintaining new Babesia canis foci in Central Europe. The role of jackals in the epidemiology of “Theileria annae” and H. canis is probably similar to that of red foxes and should be taken into account in further research on these parasites. Also the presence of L. infantum deserves attention. Our study confirms that once established, the populations of Eurasian golden jackals constitute natural reservoirs for many canine vector-borne diseases, analogous to the role of the coyotes in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Mitková
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic. .,CEITEC-VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- CEITEC-VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gianluca D'Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Georg Gerhard Duscher
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Suchentrunk
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pavel Forejtek
- Animal Protection, Welfare and Behaviour, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Game Ecology, Šumavská 416/15, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Adriana Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Aikaterini Alexandra Daskalaki
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic.,Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hulva
- Department of Zoology, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, Dvořákova 7, 701 03, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Obame-Nkoghe J, Leroy EM, Paupy C. Diversity and role of cave-dwelling hematophagous insects in pathogen transmission in the Afrotropical region. Emerg Microbes Infect 2017; 6:e20. [PMID: 28400590 PMCID: PMC5457679 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2017.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The progressive anthropization of caves for food resources or economic purposes increases human exposure to pathogens that naturally infect cave-dwelling animals. The presence of wild or domestic animals in the immediate surroundings of caves also may contribute to increasing the risk of emergence of such pathogens. Some zoonotic pathogens are transmitted through direct contact, but many others require arthropod vectors, such as blood-feeding insects. In Africa, hematophagous insects often play a key role in the epidemiology of many pathogens; however, their ecology in cave habitats remains poorly known. During the last decades, several investigations carried out in Afrotropical caves suggested the medical and veterinary importance particularly of insect taxa of the Diptera order. Therefore, the role of some of these insects as vectors of pathogens that infect cave-dwelling vertebrates has been studied. The present review summarizes these findings, brings insights into the diversity of cave-dwelling hematophagous Diptera and their involvement in pathogen transmission, and finally discusses new challenges and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, 911, Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Eric-Maurice Leroy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, 911, Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - Christophe Paupy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 224-5290 CNRS-IRD-UM, IRD Montpellier, 911, Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.,Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
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29
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Lemma W, Bizuneh A, Tekie H, Belay H, Wondimu H, Kassahun A, Shiferaw W, Balkew M, Abassi I, Baneth G, Hailu A. Preliminary study on investigation of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in endemic foci of Ethiopia by detecting Leishmania infections in rodents. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2017; 10:418-422. [PMID: 28552113 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) by identification of the most probable reservoir hosts using parasite isolation and analysis of a possible transmission dynamics of the disease in extra-domestic agricultural fields and rural villages. METHODS Rodents were collected from selected study sites in kala-azar endemic areas based on information for localities of kala-azar cases for screening of Leishmania infections using parasitological, serological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from March, 2013 to January, 2014. Ketamine (Clorketam Veterinary) was used to anaesthesize the rodents according the prescribed dosage (average 2 mg/kg for intra-venous route). The blood obtained using sterile needle was dropped into sterile filter paper and allowed to air dry before sealing in plastic bags. The tissues from liver, spleen and skin were macerated in Locke's solution before transferring them into NNN medium. Blood and touch smears of liver, spleen, skin and bone marrow were prepared for fixing using methanol and staining by Giemsa stain for microscopy. These tissues were also used for DNA extractions and PCR amplification of Leishmania infection. RESULTS A total of 335 rodents (13 species) were analyzed by sampling internal organs. The infection rate by PCR was 11.1% (6/54) for Arvicanthis nilothicus compared to 17.6% (3/17) and 12.5% (2/16) for Acomys cahirinus and Tarera (G) robustus respectively. Almost all the infections were found from bone marrow samples (8/48 or 16.7%) compared with 1/91 (1.1%) liver, 2/87 (2.2%) spleen and 0/87 (0%) skin. In all study sites with past human VL cases, rodents and proved vectors shared similar habitats. CONCLUSIONS Leishmania donovani might circulate among different species of rodents in kala-azar endemic lowlands and valleys of Ethiopia by Phlebotomus orientalis and Phlebotomus martini. Detailed studies to substantiate the preliminary data on the possible role of these rodents are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wossenseged Lemma
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Asrat Bizuneh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Habte Tekie
- Department of Zoological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Belay
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Hirut Wondimu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aysheshm Kassahun
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 12844, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Welelta Shiferaw
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Meshesha Balkew
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ibrahim Abassi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot, 76100, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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30
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Coughlan S, Mulhair P, Sanders M, Schonian G, Cotton JA, Downing T. The genome of Leishmania adleri from a mammalian host highlights chromosome fission in Sauroleishmania. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43747. [PMID: 28256610 PMCID: PMC5335649 DOI: 10.1038/srep43747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Control of pathogens arising from humans, livestock and wild animals can be enhanced by genome-based investigation. Phylogenetically classifying and optimal construction of these genomes using short sequence reads are key to this process. We examined the mammal-infecting unicellular parasite Leishmania adleri belonging to the lizard-infecting Sauroleishmania subgenus. L. adleri has been associated with cutaneous disease in humans, but can be asymptomatic in wild animals. We sequenced, assembled and investigated the L. adleri genome isolated from an asymptomatic Ethiopian rodent (MARV/ET/75/HO174) and verified it as L. adleri by comparison with other Sauroleishmania species. Chromosome-level scaffolding was achieved by combining reference-guided with de novo assembly followed by extensive improvement steps to produce a final draft genome with contiguity comparable with other references. L. tarentolae and L. major genome annotation was transferred and these gene models were manually verified and improved. This first high-quality draft Leishmania adleri reference genome is also the first Sauroleishmania genome from a non-reptilian host. Comparison of the L. adleri HO174 genome with those of L. tarentolae Parrot-TarII and lizard-infecting L. adleri RLAT/KE/1957/SKINK-7 showed extensive gene amplifications, pervasive aneuploidy, and fission of chromosomes 30 and 36. There was little genetic differentiation between L. adleri extracted from mammals and reptiles, highlighting challenges for leishmaniasis surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Coughlan
- School of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Peter Mulhair
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Tim Downing
- School of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
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Barratt J, Kaufer A, Peters B, Craig D, Lawrence A, Roberts T, Lee R, McAuliffe G, Stark D, Ellis J. Isolation of Novel Trypanosomatid, Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) Provides Support for a Gondwanan Origin of Dixenous Parasitism in the Leishmaniinae. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005215. [PMID: 28081121 PMCID: PMC5230760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Leishmania includes approximately 53 species, 20 of which cause human leishmaniais; a significant albeit neglected tropical disease. Leishmaniasis has afflicted humans for millennia, but how ancient is Leishmania and where did it arise? These questions have been hotly debated for decades and several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests Leishmania originated in the Palearctic, and dispersed to the New World via the Bering land bridge. Others propose that Leishmania evolved in the Neotropics. The Multiple Origins theory suggests that separation of certain Old World and New World species occurred due to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Some suggest that the ancestor of the dixenous genera Leishmania, Endotrypanum and Porcisia evolved on Gondwana between 90 and 140 million years ago. In the present study a detailed molecular and morphological characterisation was performed on a novel Australian trypanosomatid following its isolation in Australia’s tropics from the native black fly, Simulium (Morops) dycei Colbo, 1976. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted and confirmed this parasite as a sibling to Zelonia costaricensis, a close relative of Leishmania previously isolated from a reduviid bug in Costa Rica. Consequently, this parasite was assigned the name Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. Assuming Z. costaricensis and Z. australiensis diverged when Australia and South America became completely separated, their divergence occurred between 36 and 41 million years ago at least. Using this vicariance event as a calibration point for a phylogenetic time tree, the common ancestor of the dixenous genera Leishmania, Endotrypanum and Porcisia appeared in Gondwana approximately 91 million years ago. Ultimately, this study contributes to our understanding of trypanosomatid diversity, and of Leishmania origins by providing support for a Gondwanan origin of dixenous parasitism in the Leishmaniinae. The genus Leishmania includes approximately 53 species, 20 of which cause human leishmaniais, a significant disease that has afflicted humans for millennia. But how ancient is Leishmania and where did it arise? Some suggest Leishmania originated in the Palearctic. Others suggest it appeared in the Neotropics. The Multiple Origins theory proposes that separation of certain Old World and Neotropical species occurred following the opening of the Atlantic. Others suggest that an ancestor to the Euleishmania and Paraleishmania appeared on Gondwana 90 to 140 million years ago (MYA). We performed a detailed molecular and morphological characterisation of a novel Australian trypanosomatid. This parasite is a sibling to the Neotropical Zelonia costaricensis, a close relative of Leishmania, and designated as Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. Assuming Z. costaricensis and Z. australiensis split when Australia and South America separated, their divergence occurred between 36 and 41 MYA. Using this event as a calibration point for a phylogenetic time tree, an ancestor of the dixenous Leishmaniinae appeared in Gondwana ~ 91 MYA. This study contributes to our understanding of trypanosomatid diversity by describing a unique Australian trypanosomatid and to our understanding of Leishmania evolution by inferring a Gondwanan origin for dixenous parasitism in the Leishmaniinae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Barratt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexa Kaufer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bryce Peters
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Insect Research Facility, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Douglas Craig
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Lawrence
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Medical Entomology, University of Sydney & Pathology West - ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tamalee Roberts
- St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Division of Microbiology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rogan Lee
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gary McAuliffe
- Microbiology Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Damien Stark
- St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Division of Microbiology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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