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Independent Circulation of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica in Their Respective Sandfly Vectors for Transmission of Zoonotic and Chronic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Co-Existing in a Mixed Focus of Central Tunisia. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080855. [PMID: 36014976 PMCID: PMC9414077 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) and chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CCL) are known to overlap in Central Tunisia. Sandflies were collected using sticky traps and CDC light-traps set in rodent burrows at the ecotones surrounding the village, in houses, and in animal shelters during July–October 2017, 2018, and 2019. A total of 17,175 sandflies were collected during the three sandfly seasons and identified morphologically to species level. Of a total of 18 sandfly species reported in Tunisia, 16 were identified in this mixed focus of ZCL and CCL. Except for the rocky mountainous areas, Phlebotomus papatasi was the most abundant sandfly species in all biotopes. In the mountainous areas, Phlebotomus sergenti is the most abundant sandfly species belonging to the genus Phlebotomus. Female sandflies were tested for the presence of Leishmania species by PCR. The overall infection prevalence of sandflies with Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica was 0.42% and 0.065%, respectively. The sequencing of PCR-amplified ITS1 products showed that L. major is the predominant species in all biotopes and transmitted mostly by P. papaptasi followed by Phlebotomus longicuspis and Sergentomyia species. Leishmania tropica was detected in Phlebotomus sergenti and in Phlebotomus longicuspis collected in bedrooms and in the ecotone of rocky mountainous areas. Our results provided strong evidence that the proximity of human settlements to biotopes of rodent reservoir hosts of L. major and of L. tropica resulted into the cocirculation of both Leishmania species leading to a mixed focus of ZCL and CCL. The epidemiology of leishmaniases in North Africa is highly complex by the high diversity of sandfly vectors and their associated Leishmania species, leading to a mixed form of cutaneous leishmaniasis. It is of major epidemiological importance to point to the risk of spillover from rural to urban areas leading to the anthroponization of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Therefore, efficient control to reduce the indoor abundance of sandfly vectors in order to reduce the incidence of leishmaniases is urgently needed.
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Ghawar W, Chaouch M, Ben Salah A, Snoussi MA, Salem S, Kharroubi G, Chouchen S, Bouaoun A, Laouini D, Bettaieb J, Ben Abderrazak S. First Report of Two Jaculus Rodents as Potential Reservoir Hosts of Leishmania Parasites in Tunisia. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081502. [PMID: 35893560 PMCID: PMC9332729 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081502] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study shows, for the first time, natural Leishmania infection among Jaculus spp. in an endemic region of Tataouine, South Tunisia. To better characterize the transmission cycles in this complex focus of mixed transmission, Leishmania detection and species identification were performed by direct examination, internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS1)-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and sequencing of Jaculus (J.) jaculus (Linnaeus, 1758) and J. hirtipes (Lichtenstein, 1823) rodent species, which are frequently encountered in this area. Leishmania parasites were observed in 19 (41.3%) smears, while DNA parasites were detected in 28 (60.9%) Jaculus spp. spleens; among them, 12 (54.5%) were from 22 J. jaculus individuals and 16 (66.7%) were from 24 J. hirtipes individuals. Leishmania parasites were confirmed as Leishmania (L.) killicki (syn. L. tropica) in two J. hirtipes individuals (4.3%) and L. major (n = 24; 52.2%) in 10 J. jaculus and 14 J. hirtipes individuals. This finding represents the first evidence of natural infection with Leishmania parasites in rodents belonging to the Jaculus genus, providing the rationale to consider them as potential reservoir hosts of Old World Leishmania parasites in Tunisia and North Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wissem Ghawar
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (A.B.S.); (M.A.S.); (S.S.); (G.K.); (J.B.)
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +216-71-843-755; Fax: +216-71-791-833
| | - Melek Chaouch
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics (LR16IPT09), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Afif Ben Salah
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (A.B.S.); (M.A.S.); (S.S.); (G.K.); (J.B.)
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences (CMMS), Arabian Gulf University (AGU), Manama 329, Bahrain
| | - Mohamed Ali Snoussi
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (A.B.S.); (M.A.S.); (S.S.); (G.K.); (J.B.)
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
| | - Sadok Salem
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (A.B.S.); (M.A.S.); (S.S.); (G.K.); (J.B.)
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
| | - Ghassen Kharroubi
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (A.B.S.); (M.A.S.); (S.S.); (G.K.); (J.B.)
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Said Chouchen
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Health Regional Directorate of Tataouine, Administrative City, Tataouine Nouvelle, Tataouine 3263, Tunisia
| | - Amor Bouaoun
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Health Regional Directorate of Tataouine, Administrative City, Tataouine Nouvelle, Tataouine 3263, Tunisia
| | - Dhafer Laouini
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
| | - Jihene Bettaieb
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (A.B.S.); (M.A.S.); (S.S.); (G.K.); (J.B.)
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.C.); (A.B.)
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Souha Ben Abderrazak
- Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (M.C.); (S.B.A.)
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
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Climate Change Influences on the Potential Distribution of the Sand Fly Phlebotomus sergenti, Vector of Leishmania tropica in Morocco. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:858-866. [PMID: 35294974 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00533-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniases are a vector-borne disease, re-emerging in several regions of the world posing a burden on public health. As other vector-borne diseases, climate change is a crucial factor affecting the evolution of leishmaniasis. In Morocco, anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is widespread geographically as many foci across the country, mainly in central Morocco. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of ACL due to Leishmania tropica, and its corresponding vector Phlebotomus sergenti in Morocco. METHODS Using Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) tool, the estimated geographical range shift of L. tropica and P. sergenti by 2050 was projected under two Representative's Concentration's Pathways (RCPs) to be 2.6 and RCP 8.5 respectively. P. sergenti records were obtained from field collections of the laboratory team and previously published entomological observations, while, epidemiological data for L. tropica were obtained from Moroccan Ministry of Health reports. RESULTS Our models under present-day conditions indicated a probable expansion for L. tropica as well as for its vector in Morocco, P. sergenti. It showed a concentrated distribution in the west-central and northern area of Morocco. Future predictions anticipate expansion into areas not identified as suitable for P. sergenti under present conditions, particularly in northern and southeastern areas of Morocco. L. tropica is also expected to have high expansion in southern areas for the next 30 years in Morocco. CONCLUSION This indicates that L. tropica and P. sergenti will continue to find suitable climate conditions in the future. A higher abundance of P. sergenti may indeed result in a higher transmission risk of ACL. This information is essential in developing a control plan for ACL in Morocco. However, future investigations on L. tropica reservoirs are needed to confirm our predictions.
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Sekulic S, Jovanovic A, Zivanovic Z, Simic S, Kesic S, Petkovic B, Capo I, van Loon JJ. Which precocial rodent species is more suitable as the experimental model of microgravity influence on prenatal musculosketal development on international space station? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 33:48-57. [PMID: 35491029 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) has the possibility to perform experiments regarding rodent reproduction in microgravity. The musculoskeletal system at birth in precocial rodent species more resembles the human than that of altricial rodent species. For precocial rodent species with body weight ≤ 500 g (limit of ISS) determined were: adult body mass, newborn body mass, head-body length, tail length, existing variants (wild, domesticated, laboratory), single/group housing, dry food consumption/24 h, water intake/24 h, basal metabolic rate mlO2/g/h, environmental temperature, sand baths, urine output ml/24 h, fecal output g/24 h, size of fecal droplet, hair length, life span, length of oestrus cycle, duration of pregnancy, building nest, litter size, stage of musculoskeletal maturity at birth, and the duration of weaning. Characteristics were obtained by searching SCOPUS as well as the World Wide Web with key words for each of the species in English, Latin and, local language name. These characteristics were compared in order to find most appropriate species. Twelve precocial rodent species were identified. There is not enough data for Common yellow-toothed cavy, and Eastern spiny mouse. Inappropriate species were: Gundis, Dassie rat are a more demanding species for appropriate tending, litter size is small; Octodon degus requires sand baths as well as a nest during the first two weeks after delivery; muscle maturity of Spiny mouse at birth (myotubular stage), does not correspond to the human (late histochemical stage); Chinchilla requires separately housing, daily sand baths, has upper limit of weight. Possibility of keeping Southern mountain cavy as pet animal, short estrus, large litter size, absence of the need for nest and sand baths, makes this species the most promising candidates for experiments on ISS. If an experiment is planned with exposing gravid animals before term of the birth, then they might be kept together in the existing Rodent Habitat (USA). If an experiment with birth in microgravity is planned on ISS, the existing habitats do not provide conditions for such an experiment. It is necessary to develop habitats for separate keeping of pregnant animals to enable the following: 1. undisturbed delivery 2. prevent the possibility of hurting the newborns 3. ensure adequate post-partum maternal care and nursing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slobodan Sekulic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Aleksandar Jovanovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zeljko Zivanovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Svetlana Simic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Srdjan Kesic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Petkovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Capo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jack Jwa van Loon
- Department Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Pathology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences & Amsterdam Bone Center (ABC), Amsterdam University Medical Center location VUmc & Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TEC-MMG-LISLab, European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherlands
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Volpedo G, Huston RH, Holcomb EA, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Gannavaram S, Bhattacharya P, Nakhasi HL, Satoskar AR. From infection to vaccination: reviewing the global burden, history of vaccine development, and recurring challenges in global leishmaniasis protection. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1431-1446. [PMID: 34511000 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1969231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem and the second most lethal parasitic disease in the world due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines. Even when not lethal, leishmaniasis significantly affects individuals and communities through life-long disabilities, psycho-sociological trauma, poverty, and gender disparity in treatment. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the most relevant and recent research available on Pubmed and GoogleScholar highlighting leishmaniasis' global impact, pathogenesis, treatment options, and lack of effective control strategies. An effective vaccine is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality, lower health care costs, and reduce the economic burden of leishmaniasis for endemic low- and middle-income countries. Since there are several forms of leishmaniasis, a pan-Leishmania vaccine without geographical restrictions is needed. This review also focuses on recent advances and common challenges in developing prophylactic strategies against leishmaniasis. EXPERT OPINION Despite advances in pre-clinical vaccine research, approval of a human leishmaniasis vaccine still faces major challenges - including manufacturing of candidate vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices, developing well-designed clinical trials suitable in endemic countries, and defined correlates of protection. In addition, there is a need to explore Challenge Human Infection Model to avoid large trials because of fluctuating incidence and prevalence of leishmanasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ryan H Huston
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Erin A Holcomb
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Central Asian Rodents as Model Animals for Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani Research. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091440. [PMID: 32962237 PMCID: PMC7563294 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical manifestation of leishmaniases depends on parasite species, host genetic background, and immune response. Manifestations of human leishmaniases are highly variable, ranging from self-healing skin lesions to fatal visceral disease. The scope of standard model hosts is insufficient to mimic well the wide disease spectrum, which compels the introduction of new model animals for leishmaniasis research. In this article, we study the susceptibility of three Asian rodent species (Cricetulus griseus, Lagurus lagurus, and Phodopus sungorus) to Leishmania major and L. donovani. The external manifestation of the disease, distribution, as well as load of parasites and infectiousness to natural sand fly vectors, were compared with standard models, BALB/c mice and Mesocricetus auratus. No significant differences were found in disease outcomes in animals inoculated with sand fly- or culture-derived parasites. All Asian rodent species were highly susceptible to L. major. Phodopus sungorus showed the non-healing phenotype with the progressive growth of ulcerative lesions and massive parasite loads. Lagurus lagurus and C. griseus represented the healing phenotype, the latter with high infectiousness to vectors, mimicking best the character of natural reservoir hosts. Both, L. lagurus and C. griseus were also highly susceptible to L. donovani, having wider parasite distribution and higher parasite loads and infectiousness than standard model animals.
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