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Fathima PA, Shah HK, Sivalaxmi B, Haritha HA, Ajithlal PM, Aiswarya RS, Saini P. Genetic diversity of Leishmania donovani causing visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Western Ghats, India. Gene 2024; 928:148803. [PMID: 39074644 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
The visceral and atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis (VL and CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an emerging infectious disease in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. In this study, L. donovani specific kinetoplast minicircle DNA (k-DNA) sequence analysis was conducted to ascertain the genetic variability among the L. donovani isolates from the Western Ghats. Out of 23 CL and 5 VL suspected patient samples, 18 CL and 3 VL tested positive for k-DNA diagnostic PCR. Subsequently, 17 CL and 3 VL samples were found positive for L. donovani specific k-DNA PCR. Although the genetic diversity among the VL and CL isolates was low, there was clear variation from the parasites reported from other countries. The parasites characterized from the current study were more related to those reported from East Africa and India.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Fathima
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - Harish Kumar Shah
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - B Sivalaxmi
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - H A Haritha
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - P M Ajithlal
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - R S Aiswarya
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - Prasanta Saini
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India.
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Piyasiri SB, Fathima P, Shah HK, Senanyake S, Samaranayake N, Karunaweera ND, Rahi M, Saini P. Comparative Analysis of Phlebotomus argentipes Vector of Leishmaniasis in India and Sri Lanka. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1459. [PMID: 39065228 PMCID: PMC11278908 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071459] [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: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Phlebotomus argentipes is the predominant sandfly vector of leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent. India and Sri Lanka primarily report visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani. We compared Ph. argentipes from two locations, focusing on its morphological, molecular, and salivary protein characteristics. Sandflies were captured using CDC light traps and cattle-baited net traps. Species identification and morphological comparisons were carried out using standard taxonomic keys. DNA extracted from 12 Sri Lankan sandfly samples was PCR-amplified and sequenced for the variable region of Cytochrome oxidase subunit I. Existing DNA sequences of India from GenBank were utilized for a phylogenetic analysis between Sri Lanka and India. Salivary protein profiles were studied using SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and electrospray ionization/LC/MS/MS. The morphological similarities observed between female Ph. argentipes from India and Sri Lanka suggest the presence of Ph. argentipes var. glaucus. A phylogenetic analysis showed genetic divergence between Ph. argentipes populations, but both shared a similar salivary protein profile. A common, strong 30 kDa immunogenic band comprised PagSP05, PagSP06, and PagSP17 proteins of Ph. argentipes. The similarity between the immunogenic salivary proteins suggests their potential use as common markers for vector exposure or immune response stimulants across regions. The use of multiple samples for each category of serum would improve the comprehensiveness of the immunogenic profiles obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachee Bhanu Piyasiri
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo 0800, Sri Lanka; (S.B.P.); (S.S.); (N.S.); (N.D.K.)
| | - P.A. Fathima
- Vector Control Research Centre, Field Station, Kottayam 686003, Kerala, India (H.K.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Harish Kumar Shah
- Vector Control Research Centre, Field Station, Kottayam 686003, Kerala, India (H.K.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Sanath Senanyake
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo 0800, Sri Lanka; (S.B.P.); (S.S.); (N.S.); (N.D.K.)
| | - Nilakshi Samaranayake
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo 0800, Sri Lanka; (S.B.P.); (S.S.); (N.S.); (N.D.K.)
| | - Nadira Darshani Karunaweera
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo 0800, Sri Lanka; (S.B.P.); (S.S.); (N.S.); (N.D.K.)
| | - Manju Rahi
- Vector Control Research Centre, Field Station, Kottayam 686003, Kerala, India (H.K.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Prasanta Saini
- Vector Control Research Centre, Field Station, Kottayam 686003, Kerala, India (H.K.S.); (M.R.)
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Fathima PA, Aiswarya RS, Shah HK, Ajithlal PM, Rajesh KR, Shubin C, Reena KJ, Kumar A, Saini P. Emergence of imported cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major: a case series from Kerala, India. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:278. [PMID: 39023835 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08304-z] [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: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is often considered a 'great imitator' and is the most common form of leishmaniasis. The Leishmania species responsible for CL varies among countries, as these species exhibit specific distribution patterns. The increased mobility of people across countries has resulted in the imported incidences of leishmaniasis caused by non-endemic species of Leishmania. During 2023, we confirmed three CL cases caused by L. major from Kerala, India, and upon detailed investigation, these were identified to be imported from the Middle East and Kazakhstan regions. This is the first report of CL caused by L. major from Kerala. The lesion morphology, detection of anti-rK 39 antibody and Leishmania parasite DNA from the blood samples were the unique observations of these cases. Kerala, being an emerging endemic zone of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and CL, the imported incidences of leishmaniasis by non-endemic species can pose a significant threat, potentially initiating new transmission cycles of leishmaniasis caused by non-endemic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Fathima
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - R S Aiswarya
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - Harish Kumar Shah
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - P M Ajithlal
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - K R Rajesh
- Govt. Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - C Shubin
- District Surveillance Unit, Malappuram, Kerala, India
| | - K J Reena
- Directorate of Health Services, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, India
| | - Prasanta Saini
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India.
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Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains an important public health issue worldwide causing substantial morbidity and mortality. The Indian subcontinent accounted for up to 90% of the global VL burden in the past but made significant progress during recent years and is now moving towards elimination. However, to achieve and sustain elimination of VL, knowledge gaps on infection reservoirs and transmission need to be addressed urgently. Xenodiagnosis is the most direct way for testing the infectiousness of hosts to the vectors and can be used to investigate the dynamics and epidemiology of Leishmania donovani transmission. There are, however, several logistic and ethical issues with xenodiagnosis that need to be addressed before its application on human subjects. In the current Review, we discuss the critical knowledge gaps in VL transmission and the role of xenodiagnosis in disease transmission dynamics along with its technical challenges. Establishment of state of the art xenodiagnosis facilities is essential for the generation of much needed evidence in the VL elimination initiative.
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Saini P, Kumar NP, Ajithlal PM, Joji A, Rajesh KR, Reena KJ, Kumar A. Visceral Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania donovani Zymodeme MON-37, Western Ghats, India. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26:1956-1958. [PMID: 32687040 PMCID: PMC7392465 DOI: 10.3201/eid2608.200557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Thakur L, Singh KK, Shanker V, Negi A, Jain A, Matlashewski G, Jain M. Atypical leishmaniasis: A global perspective with emphasis on the Indian subcontinent. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006659. [PMID: 30260957 PMCID: PMC6159859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among the neglected tropical diseases, leishmaniasis continues to be prevalent in many tropical and subtropical countries despite international, national, and local efforts towards its control and elimination over the last decade. This warrants a critical evaluation of such factors as under-reporting, asymptomatic infections, post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) cases, and drug resistance. In this review, we highlight lesser-understood atypical presentations of the disease involving atypical parasite strains against a background of classical leishmaniasis with a focus on the Indian subcontinent. METHODS AND FINDINGS A literature review based on endemic areas, the nature of disease manifestation, and underlying causative parasite was performed with data collected from WHO reports for each country. Searches on PubMed included the term ''leishmaniasis" and "leishmaniasis epidemiology" alone and in combination with each of the endemic countries, Leishmania species, cutaneous, visceral, endemic, non-endemic, typical, classical, atypical, and unusual with no date limit and published in English up to September 2017. Our findings portray a scenario with a wider distribution of the disease in new endemic foci, with new discoveries of parasite-driven atypical disease manifestations in different regions of the world. Unlike the classical picture, some Leishmania species are associated with more than one disease presentation, e.g., the L. donovani complex, generally associated with the visceral form, is now also associated with a cutaneous disease presentation, while L. tropica species complex, known to cause cutaneous disease, can cause viscerotropic disease. This phenomenon points towards the discovery of novel parasite variants as etiologic agents of atypical disease manifestations and represents an excellent opportunity to identify and study genes that control disease virulence and tropism. CONCLUSIONS The increased recognition of atypical leishmaniasis as an outcome of parasite variants has major implications for leishmaniasis control and elimination. Identifying molecular correlates of parasite isolates from distinct regions associated with different disease phenotypes is required to understand the current epidemiology of leishmaniasis in regions with atypical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovlesh Thakur
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Kiran K. Singh
- Department of Geography and Geology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Vinay Shanker
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Sultanpur, Kumarhatti, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Ajeet Negi
- Department of Dermatology, Indira Gandhi Medical Centre, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Aklank Jain
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Manju Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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Montakhab-Yeganeh H, Abdossamadi Z, Zahedifard F, Taslimi Y, Badirzadeh A, Saljoughian N, Taheri T, Taghikhani M, Rafati S. Leishmania tarentolaeexpressing CXCL-10 as an efficient immunotherapy approach againstLeishmania major-infected BALB/c mice. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Montakhab-Yeganeh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry; Faculty of Medical Sciences; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
| | - Z. Abdossamadi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research; Pasteur Institute of Iran; Tehran Iran
| | - F. Zahedifard
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research; Pasteur Institute of Iran; Tehran Iran
| | - Y. Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research; Pasteur Institute of Iran; Tehran Iran
| | - A. Badirzadeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research; Pasteur Institute of Iran; Tehran Iran
| | - N. Saljoughian
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research; Pasteur Institute of Iran; Tehran Iran
| | - T. Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research; Pasteur Institute of Iran; Tehran Iran
| | - M. Taghikhani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry; Faculty of Medical Sciences; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
| | - S. Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research; Pasteur Institute of Iran; Tehran Iran
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Jambulingam P, Pradeep Kumar N, Nandakumar S, Paily K, Srinivasan R. Domestic dogs as reservoir hosts for Leishmania donovani in the southernmost Western Ghats in India. Acta Trop 2017; 171:64-67. [PMID: 28327413 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The peripheral blood samples from domestic dogs (n=47) and wild rats (n=25) in the Kani Tribe settlements, located southernmost part of the Western Ghats, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India were examined for Leishmania infection. This area is known for cases of leishmaniasis with cutaneous manifestations and sandfly abundance. The tribes domesticate dogs to protect them from untoward activities of wild animals. Leishmania donovani parasite DNA was detected only from 6.4% (n=3) of the blood samples collected from the domestic dogs by amplification of the diagnostic kinetoplast mini-circle DNA and PCR-RFLP analysis of the UTR region of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) gene. None of the blood samples collected from rats was positive. Through sequencing, L. donovani infection among dogs was confirmed. The DNA sequences generated for hsp70 were deposited with the GenBank. The GenBank accession numbers of these samples are KR905363, KR905364 and KR905365 for hsp70 genes. The results indicated that the DNA isolates from dog blood samples matched precisely with that of our earlier isolates from skin lesions of Kani tribes and also from P. argentipes vector. Thus, the role of dogs as reservoirs for L. donovani parasite in the Kani tribe settlements is confirmed.
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