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Elnoor ZIA, Abdelmajeed O, Mustafa A, Gasim T, Musa SAM, Abdelmoneim AH, Omer IIA, Fadl HAO. Hematological picture of pediatric Sudanese patients with visceral leishmaniasis and prediction of leishmania donovani parasite load. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12:6374-6382. [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i30.6374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a systemic protozoan infection caused by Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) and transmitted by sand flies, causing macrophage invasion in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Diagnosis of VL is currently based on clinical signs, symptoms, and specific in-vitro markers and bone marrow investigations. However, VL's specific hematological and bone marrow manifestation in Sudanese pediatric patients is not well studied.
AIM To examine the blood and bone marrow characteristics in pediatric patients from Sudan who have VL.
METHODS This is a retrospective hospital-based study with a sample of 107 consecutive Sudanese pediatric patients. The data focused on hematological and bone marrow results. We included only the completed records of the pediatric patients with VL in the Tropical Disease Teaching Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan from the period of 2016 to 2020.
RESULTS The majority of pediatric patients included in this study are below 5-years-old (n = 59, 55.2%). Moreover, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia were among the prevalent characteristics in the population under study. To further analyze the data, we developed a machine learning model using boosted forest algorithms to predict L. donovani parasites load, with a mean accuracy of 0.88 for the training dataset and an accuracy of 0.46, 0.50, and 0.74 for mild, moderate, and severe L. donovani parasite load in the validation dataset.
CONCLUSION This study shows that the most common bone marrow change among Sudanese VL children was increased chronic inflammatory cells (n = 88, 82.2%) with present macrophage hemophagocytes (n = 103, 96.3%). While anemia and thrombocytopenia were the most common hematological changes. These results will hopefully lead to an early diagnosis and hence better management for Sudanese pediatric patients with suspected VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Ibrahim Ahmed Elnoor
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Omdurman Ahilia University, Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan
- Mohammed Alamin Hamid Pediatric Hospital, Omdurman Khartoum, Sudan
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Medicine, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Omaima Abdelmajeed
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan
- Tropical Diseases Teaching Hospital, Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Alamin Mustafa
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Thuraya Gasim
- Faculty of Medicine, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan
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van Dijk NJ, Carter J, Kiptanui D, Mens PF, Schallig HDFH. A case-control study on risk factors for visceral leishmaniasis in West Pokot County, Kenya. Trop Med Int Health 2024. [PMID: 39229674 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.14049] [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] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe parasitic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. VL is endemic in West Pokot County, Kenya, where effective strategies to interrupt transmission are impeded by the limited understanding of VL risk factors. Therefore, this case-control study aimed to explore environmental, behavioural and household determinants of VL in West Pokot. METHODS From November 2022 to January 2023, a structured questionnaire was administered to 36 symptomatic primary VL cases attending Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital in West Pokot and to 50 healthy controls from local villages. The VL status of all participants was confirmed using an rK39 rapid diagnostic test. Associations between questioned determinants and VL were investigated by means of age-corrected univariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Significant associations were found between VL and housing characteristics, such as window presence and floor type. VL cases more frequently reported the presence of cattle, dogs and sheep in their house yards. VL was also associated with cutting down trees in the house yard and house proximity to several Acacia tree species. Furthermore, outdoor activities, including travelling outside the residence for more than 2 weeks, activities near termite mounds, and forest activities during the rainy season, increased the risk of VL. CONCLUSIONS This work reports a number of previously undescribed risk factors for VL in the understudied West Pokot focus. The results suggest VL transmission occurs both peri-domestically at night and outdoors during the day, particularly when sandfly resting sites are disturbed. Our findings warrant further research into sandfly ecology and potential zoonotic parasite reservoirs in West Pokot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert J van Dijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jane Carter
- Regional Laboratory Programme, Amref Health Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Petra F Mens
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk D F H Schallig
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Vilas-Boas DF, Nakasone EKN, Gonçalves AAM, Lair DF, de Oliveira DS, Pereira DFS, Silva GG, Conrado IDSS, Resende LA, Zaldívar MF, Mariano RMDS, Dutra WO, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Galdino AS, Silveira-Lemos D, Giunchetti RC. Global Distribution of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis and the Role of the Dog in the Epidemiology of the Disease. Pathogens 2024; 13:455. [PMID: 38921753 PMCID: PMC11206782 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoa of the species Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (syn = Leishmania chagasi) and Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani, which are transmitted by hematophagous insects of the genera Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus. The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is considered the main urban reservoir of the parasite due to the high parasite load on its skin, serving as a source of infection for sandfly vectors and, consequently, perpetuating the disease in the urban environment. Some factors are considered important in the perpetuation and spread of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in urban areas, such as stray dogs, with their errant behavior, and houses that have backyards with trees, shade, and organic materials, creating an attractive environment for sandfly vectors. CVL is found in approximately 50 countries, with the number of infected dogs reaching millions. However, due to the difficulty of controlling and diagnosing the disease, the number of infected animals could be even greater. In the four continents endemic for CVL, there are reports of disease expansion in endemic countries such as Brazil, Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia, as well as in areas where CVL is not endemic, for example, Uruguay. Socio-environmental factors, such as migration, drought, deforestation, and global warming, have been pointed out as reasons for the expansion into areas where it had been absent. Thus, the objective of this review is to address (i) the distribution of CVL in endemic areas, (ii) the role of the dog in the visceral leishmaniasis epidemiology and the factors that influence dog infection and the spread of the disease, and (iii) the challenges faced in the control of CVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Fernandes Vilas-Boas
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Eiji Kevin Nakasone Nakasone
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Ana Alice Maia Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Daniel Ferreira Lair
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Diana Souza de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Diogo Fonseca Soares Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Geralda Gabriele Silva
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Ingrid dos Santos Soares Conrado
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Lucilene Aparecida Resende
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Maykelin Fuentes Zaldívar
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Reysla Maria da Silveira Mariano
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Miguel Angel Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru;
| | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Microorganism Biotechnology Laboratory, Federal University of São João Del-Rei (UFSJ), Midwest Campus, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil;
| | - Denise Silveira-Lemos
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
| | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratory of Biology of Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (D.F.V.-B.); (E.K.N.N.); (A.A.M.G.); (D.F.L.); (D.S.d.O.); (D.F.S.P.); (G.G.S.); (I.d.S.S.C.); (L.A.R.); (M.F.Z.); (R.M.d.S.M.); (W.O.D.); (D.S.-L.)
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Jibreel T, Khogali A, Jiménez M, Raiyed A, Dakein O, Alsharif B, Khalid NM, Osman OF, Nour BYM, Mohamed GH, Molina R, Vidal-López A, Díaz-Regañón R, den Boer M, Alvar J, Courtenay O, Elnaiem DE. Host preference and human blood index of Phlebotomus orientalis, an exophilic sand fly vector of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Sudan. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:782-792. [PMID: 37540228 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, kala azar), caused by Leishmania donovani, transmitted by Phlebotomus orientalis, is a serious systemic disease that causes high morbidity and mortality rates in Sudan and other parts of East Africa and the world. Despite progress in understanding the epidemiology of the disease in East Africa, little is known about the host preference of P. orientalis in kala azar endemic villages of Sudan, which have some of the highest VL incidence rates in the world. The present study used host choice experiments and blood-meal identification approaches to determine the host preference of P. orientalis in kala azar endemic villages in Gedarif state, eastern Sudan. In the host choice experiment, tent traps were used to compare the attractiveness of cows, donkeys, sheep and goats for host-seeking P. orientalis. In the blood-meal identification study, blood-fed P. orientalis females, captured inside houses and peri-domestic habitats, were subjected to molecular typing using cytochrome b gene (cyt b) amplification and sequence analysis. Cows and donkeys were the most attractive to blood-seeking P. orientalis, followed by goats. Similarly, the blood-meal analysis of P. orientalis showed that the vector preferentially feeds on cows, followed by donkeys, humans and goats. The human blood index of P. orientalis was 19.4% (42/216), indicating a high zoophilic habit of the vector, both inside and outside the houses. Although the order of host preference varied by location, it was clear that cows are the most preferred host of P. orientalis in the area. Results are discussed in relation to the role of domestic/livestock animals in VL zoopotentiation and zooprophylaxis. Inference is made on the potential impact of insecticide treatment of cows in control of the vector and the transmission of VL in Sudan and other parts of East Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayseer Jibreel
- Blue Nile National Institute for Communicable Diseases, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan
| | - Altayeb Khogali
- Blue Nile National Institute for Communicable Diseases, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adeel Raiyed
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Osman Dakein
- Kala azar Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gedarif, Gedarif, Sudan
| | - Bashir Alsharif
- Medical Entomology Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Omran F Osman
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Bakri Y M Nour
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan
| | - Gamal Hassan Mohamed
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Vidal-López
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Díaz-Regañón
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Orin Courtenay
- Zeeman Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Dia-Eldin Elnaiem
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland, USA
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Sharma A, Kumar S, Panda PK, Yadav S, Kalita D. Emerging leishmaniasis in southern Himalayas: A mini-review. World J Clin Infect Dis 2023; 13:11-23. [DOI: 10.5495/wjcid.v13.i2.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. However, in the last decade, the number of cases has been reduced from well-documented endemic parts, but sporadic cases have been reported widely from various non-endemic areas, especially from the southern Himalayan zone. This raises concerns about the emergence of new ecological niches. This warrants a critical evaluation of key factors causing this rapid spread and possibly indigenous transmission. This mini-review article is aimed to briefly address the parasite, the vector, and the environmental aspects in the transmission of leishmaniasis in these new foci against a background of worldwide endemic leishmaniasis with a special focus on the southern Himalayan zone. As the lack of knowledge about the causative parasites, vectors, reservoir hosts, atypical presentations, and their management make the problem serious and may lead to the emergence of public health issues. The present works also reviewed the existing information regarding clinical variations, diagnostic methods, treatment, its outcome, and ignite for further research in these aspects of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani Sharma
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh 249203, India
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh 249203, India
| | - Prasan Kumar Panda
- Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh 249203, India
| | - Sweety Yadav
- Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh 249203, India
| | - Deepjyoti Kalita
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh 249203, India
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Studentsky L, Orshan L, Akad F, Ben Avi I, Diaz D, Elbaz S, Sagi O, Zagron G, Valinsky L, Davidovich-Cohen M, Baneth G. Leishmania donovani Transmission Cycle Associated with Human Infection, Phlebotomus alexandri Sand Flies, and Hare Blood Meals, Israel 1. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:945-955. [PMID: 37080961 PMCID: PMC10124660 DOI: 10.3201/eid2905.221657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major or L. tropica and visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum have been reported in Israel. We collected Phlebotomus spp. sand flies in the Negev desert of southern Israel to identify circulating Leishmania spp. Of 22,636 trapped sand flies, 80% were P. alexandri. We sequenced Leishmania-specific internal transcribed spacer 1 fragments and K26 genes. Of 5,019 Phlebotomus female sand flies, 2.5% were Leishmania DNA-positive; 92% of infections were L. donovani. Phylogenetic analyses showed separate clustering of L. donovani and L. infantum. P. alexandri flies positive for L. donovani harbored blood meals from European hares. Leishmania DNA isolated from a patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis who lived in the survey area was identical to L. donovani from P. alexandri flies. We report circulation of L. donovani, a cause of visceral leishmaniasis, in southern Israel. Prompt diagnosis and Leishmania spp. identification are critical to prevent leishmaniasis progression.
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Konno H, Yokoyama N, Tamura Y, Aoshima K, Nakao R, Takiguchi M, Katakura K. An experimental challenge model for Leishmania donovani in beagle dogs, showing a similar pattern of parasite burden in the peripheral blood and liver. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3569-3579. [PMID: 36222954 PMCID: PMC9554375 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07681-7] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum are closely related species. However, the former is considered the causative agent for anthroponotic visceral leishmaniasis (AVL), while the latter is known to be responsible for zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) with dogs as the main reservoir host. Although molecular detection of L. donovani from naturally infected dogs has been reported in AVL endemic areas, the experimental infection of dogs with this species is very limited. Here, we constructed an experimental canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) model with L. donovani infection using beagle dogs. During an observation period of 8 months after parasite inoculation, few clinical symptoms were observed in the three inoculated dogs. The overall hematological and biochemical data of the dogs showed normal levels, and there were no remarkable changes in the peripheral CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, or FoxP3+ T cell populations. Liver biopsy sampling was conducted to monitor the parasite burden in the liver. A similar pattern of the amount of mitochondrial kinetoplast DNA was observed in the peripheral blood and liver by real-time PCR analysis. In addition, parasite antigens were detected from the liver biopsy sections by immunohistochemical analysis, further supporting the existence of parasites in the liver. These results showed a subclinical CVL model for L. donovani in beagle dogs with a similar kinetics of parasite burden in the peripheral blood and liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroya Konno
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Nozomu Yokoyama
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yu Tamura
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.,Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Keisuke Aoshima
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.,Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
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Ahmed M, Abdulslam Abdullah A, Bello I, Hamad S, Bashir A. Prevalence of human leishmaniasis in Sudan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Methodol 2022; 12:305-318. [PMID: 36159098 PMCID: PMC9350725 DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v12.i4.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are three main forms of leishmaniasis in humans: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The prevalence of human leishmaniasis varies widely in different countries and different regions of the same country. To date, there is no overall estimation of the prevalence of human leishmaniasis in Sudan.
AIM To determine the pooled prevalence of human leishmaniasis and the disease risk factors among Sudanese citizens.
METHODS From all articles written in English or Arabic languages conducted before the 4th of August 2021 from [Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and MEDLINE, African Journals Online (AJOL), ResearchGate, direct Google search, Google Scholar, and universities websites], just 20 articles with a total of 230960 participants were eligible for this study. Data synthesis and analysis were done using STATA software, version 16. EndNote citation manager version X9.3.3 and Reference Citation Analysis (RCA) were used to remove the duplicated studies and manage the citation respectively.
RESULTS The overall pooled prevalence of human leishmaniasis in Sudan was 21% (with confidence interval 12%-30%). CL was the most common type of leishmaniasis in Sudan, with a pooled prevalence of 26% followed by VL (18%). Nevertheless, the pooled prevalence of human leishmaniasis in Sudan was higher in males compared with females (60% vs 40%). The current results revealed that the people in the age group between 15 and 44 were the most affected group (60%), and central Sudan has the highest pooled prevalence of human leishmaniasis (27%) compared with other regions of Sudan. Finally, the prevalence of human leishmaniasis seems to decrease with time.
CONCLUSION This study showed that human leishmaniasis infection is still endemic in many regions in Sudan and highly prevalent in central and eastern Sudan, and CL is the most prevalent in the country. Males and adults were more susceptible to infection compared with females and children. However, the human leishmaniasis prevalence decreased relatively over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa Ahmed
- Department of Reproductive Health Sciences, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 119, Oyo state, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anaesthesia, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ALsalam University, Al-fula 120, West Kordofan state, Sudan
| | - Abdullah Abdulslam Abdullah
- Department of Reproductive Health Sciences, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 119, Oyo state, Nigeria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Gadarif, Gadarif 208, Sudan
| | - Idris Bello
- Department of Reproductive Health Sciences, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 119, Oyo state, Nigeria
- Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora 120, Oyo state, Nigeria
| | - Suad Hamad
- Department of Zoonotic Disease and Disease Control, Ministry of Animal Resources, Al-Hamadi 215, South Kordofan state, Sudan
| | - Aboelgassim Bashir
- Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, AL-Salam University, Al-Fulla 209, West Kordofan state, Sudan
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9
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Cecílio P, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Oliveira F. Sand flies: Basic information on the vectors of leishmaniasis and their interactions with Leishmania parasites. Commun Biol 2022; 5:305. [PMID: 35379881 PMCID: PMC8979968 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-sucking arthropods transmit a variety of human pathogens acting as disseminators of the so-called vector-borne diseases. Leishmaniasis is a spectrum of diseases caused by different Leishmania species, transmitted quasi worldwide by sand flies. However, whereas many laboratories focus on the disease(s) and etiological agents, considerably less study the respective vectors. In fact, information on sand flies is neither abundant nor easy to find; aspects including basic biology, ecology, and sand-fly-Leishmania interactions are usually reported separately. Here, we compile elemental information on sand flies, in the context of leishmaniasis. We discuss the biology, distribution, and life cycle, the blood-feeding process, and the Leishmania-sand fly interactions that govern parasite transmission. Additionally, we highlight some outstanding questions that need to be answered for the complete understanding of parasite–vector–host interactions in leishmaniasis. In this review, numerous aspects of sand flies as vectors of Leishmania parasites—from biology to the vector parasite interactions—are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Cecílio
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA. .,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
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10
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Kushwaha AK, Scorza BM, Singh OP, Rowton E, Lawyer P, Sundar S, Petersen CA. Domestic mammals as reservoirs for Leishmania donovani on the Indian subcontinent: Possibility and consequences on elimination. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:268-277. [PMID: 33686764 PMCID: PMC8455064 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania donovani is the causative agent of historically anthroponotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) on the Indian subcontinent (ISC). L. donovani is transmitted by the sand fly species Phlebotomus argentipes. Our collaborative group and others have shown that sand flies trapped outside in endemic villages have fed on cattle and dogs in addition to people. Domestic animals are reservoirs for L. donovani complex spp., particularly L. infantum, in other endemic areas. Multiple studies using quantitative PCR or serological detection methods have demonstrated that goats, cattle, rats and dogs were diagnostically positive for L. donovani infection or exposure in eastern Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. There is a limited understanding of the extent to which L. donovani infection of domestic animals drives transmission to other animals or humans on the ISC. Evidence from other vector-borne disease elimination strategies indicated that emerging infections in domestic species hindered eradication. The predominant lesson learned from these other situations is that non-human reservoirs must be identified, controlled and/or prevented. Massive efforts are underway for VL elimination on the Indian subcontinent. Despite these herculean efforts, residual VL incidence persists. The spectre of an animal reservoir complicating elimination efforts haunts the final push towards full VL control. Better understanding of L. donovani transmission on the Indian subcontinent and rigorous consideration of how non-human reservoirs alter VL ecology are critical to sustain elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anurag Kumar Kushwaha
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Breanna M. Scorza
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Om Prakash Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Edgar Rowton
- Division of Entomology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Phillip Lawyer
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Christine A. Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa, Coralville, Iowa, USA
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11
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Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis : update on biological diagnosis. LA TUNISIE MEDICALE 2022; 100:13-26. [PMID: 35822327 PMCID: PMC8996314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe life threatening parasitosis requiring early management of cases. It is an emerging disease in the Mediterranean region with a spread of endemic areas and an increase in case incidence. The patient profile has also evolved with more affected adults, presenting generally non-specific symptoms. Hence the interest of a systematic biological confirmation. The microscopic detection of Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrow aspirates (BMA) smears is the gold standard diagnostic technique. However, it requires invasive sampling. Serological tests searching for specific antibodies remain highly contributory, but their interpretation must always take into account the epidemiological context and the patient's clinical and biological features. Currently, the Western-Blot represents the most specific serological technique for diagnostic confirmation. VL diagnosis has greatly improved by the introduction of both rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and molecular biological techniques. RDTs using recombinant rk39 antigen are easy to perform and deliver results in less than 30 minutes. Real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is currently retained as the best technique for VL diagnosis. It is efficient on simple blood samples, allowing to avoid invasive BMA needed for microscopy. In addition, real time PCR estimates parasite load which is helpful for the post-treatment follow-up. In any case, the choice of techniques to be used should be strategic and adapted to the local epidemiology as well as to the means available.
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12
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Selim A, Shoulah S, Abdelhady A, Alouffi A, Alraey Y, Al-Salem WS. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Canine Leishmaniasis in Egypt. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8100236. [PMID: 34679066 PMCID: PMC8541007 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8100236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is caused by Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) that is transmitted by sand fly vectors with dogs acting as the main reservoir. METHODS The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of CanL in dogs from Egypt and assessed the associated risk factors. The study was conducted from 2019 to 2020 in five governorates situated in Northern Egypt. Serum samples from 450 asymptomatic dogs were serologically examined by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Overall, the seroprevalence rate of CanL was 21.3% and the highest rates were observed in Cairo and Giza governorates. The univariable analysis revealed that the seropositivity of CanL was strongly related to the dogs' ages, length of hair, absence of veterinary care or application of insecticides, and the type of floor of their shelters. The risk factors that were found to be associated with CanL in exposed dogs were: age group 2-4 years old (OR = 12, 95% CI: 1.6-92.3); short hair (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.2-3.6); absence of veterinary care (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.3-5.8); no application of insecticides (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.5-6.5) and their residence in a shelter with an earthen floor (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 0.7-2.9). CONCLUSIONS Based on the present results, CanL is present in Egyptian dogs and this increases the possibility of transmission by sand fly to humans with whom they have contact. Consequently, an efficient monitoring programme and effective control measures are important to reduce the risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelfattah Selim
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), College of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt;
- Correspondence:
| | - Salma Shoulah
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), College of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt;
| | - Abdelhamed Abdelhady
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Center, Giza 8655, Egypt;
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia;
- Chair Vaccines Research of Infectious Diseases, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser Alraey
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Waleed S. Al-Salem
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
- Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh 11195, Saudi Arabia
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13
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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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14
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Bejano S, Shumie G, Kumar A, Asemahagn E, Damte D, Woldie S, Mulugeta A, Manaye N, Genetu A, Gadisa E, Mamo G. Prevalence of asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis in human and dog, Benishangul Gumuz regional state, Western Ethiopia. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:39. [PMID: 33430946 PMCID: PMC7798290 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Benishangul-Gumuz region is an important development corridor in Ethiopia. Large-scale projects such as the Great Renaissance Dam, mining and agriculture have entailed huge environmental modifications and settlement pattern changes. There is no detailed epidemiological information on visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the region. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the epidemiology and risk factors associated with Leishmania infection. A leishmanin skin test (LST) was done for 1342 participants, and for 253 of them rK39 and DAT were carried out. Thirty-six dogs owned by households with LST-positive member(s) were rK39 and DAT tested. A pretested questionnaire was used to capture individual and household characteristics. RESULTS Of the 89.2% (1197/1342) who availed themselves of the LST reading, 6.0% were positive. The rk39 and DAT positivity among the 253 tested were 3.2% and 5.9%, respectively. In dogs, positivity rates by rK39 and DAT were 13.9% and 5.6%, respectively. Of the household and individual risk factors, presence of a dog in the household (P = 0.005), male sex (0.003), residence woreda (0.000) and occupation (0.023) showed a strong positive association with LST positivity. Individuals who lived in households that had dogs were 2.6 times more likely to be LST positive (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.54, 4.40). Being female decreased the probability of being LST positive by 0.38 times (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.20, 0.72). People living in Guba and Kurmuk had 4.7 (AOR = 4.74, 95% CI 1.83, 12.31) and 5.9 (AOR = 5.85, 95% CI 2.27, 15.09) times more risk of being infected. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated the presence of active VL transmission in the areas. Thus, we underline the need to establish the responsible vector(s) and reservoir(s) for comprehensive early containment plans to prevent potentially harmful public health and economic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibabaw Bejano
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Neglected Tropical Disease and Malaria Research Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Department of Veterinary Science, Assosa University College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Assosa, Ethiopia.,Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Immunology and Public Health, Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Debre-Zeyit, Ethiopia
| | - Girma Shumie
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Neglected Tropical Disease and Malaria Research Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Immunology and Public Health, Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Debre-Zeyit, Ethiopia
| | - Eyuel Asemahagn
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Neglected Tropical Disease and Malaria Research Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Demekech Damte
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Neglected Tropical Disease and Malaria Research Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sinkinesh Woldie
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Neglected Tropical Disease and Malaria Research Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abate Mulugeta
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Nigus Manaye
- World Health Organization Ethiopia Country Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Genetu
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Neglected Tropical Disease and Malaria Research Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Endalamaw Gadisa
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Neglected Tropical Disease and Malaria Research Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Gezahegn Mamo
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Immunology and Public Health, Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Debre-Zeyit, Ethiopia
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15
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Fernández-Arévalo A, El Baidouri F, Ravel C, Ballart C, Abras A, Lachaud L, Tebar S, Lami P, Pratlong F, Gállego M, Muñoz C. The Leishmania donovani species complex: A new insight into taxonomy ☆. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:1079-1088. [PMID: 32889062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Among the 20 or so Leishmania spp. described as pathogenic for humans, those of the Leishmania donovani complex are the exclusive causative agents of systemic and fatal visceral leishmaniasis. Although well studied, the complex is taxonomically controversial, which hampers clinical and epidemiological research. In this work, we analysed 56 Leishmania strains previously identified as L. donovani, Leishmania archibaldi or Leishmania infantum, isolated from humans, dogs and sandfly vectors throughout their distribution area. The strains were submitted to biochemical and genetic analyses and the resulting data were compared for congruence. Our results show: i) a partial concordance between biochemical and genetic-based data, ii) very limited genetic variability within the L. donovani complex, iii) footprints of frequent genetic exchange along an east-west gradient, marked by a widespread diffusion of alleles across the geographical range, and iv) a large-scale geographical spreading of a few genotypes. From a taxonomic point of view, considering the absence of relevant terminology in existing classes, the L. donovani complex could be treated as a single entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fernández-Arévalo
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Spain & Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Fouad El Baidouri
- Department of Botany, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Christophe Ravel
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Cristina Ballart
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Abras
- Laboratori d'Ictiologia Genètica, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Laurence Lachaud
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Silvia Tebar
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrick Lami
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Francine Pratlong
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Montserrat Gállego
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carme Muñoz
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Spain & Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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16
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Studies of host preferences of wild-caught Phlebotomus orientalis and Ph. papatasi vectors of leishmaniasis in Sudan. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236253. [PMID: 32692759 PMCID: PMC7373290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Understanding the feeding behavior and host choice of sand flies provides valuable information on vector-host relationships and elucidates the epidemiological patterns of leishmaniasis transmission. Blood meal analysis studies are essential for estimating the efficiency of pathogen transmission, assessing the relative human disease risk, and assist in identifying the other potential hosts of leishmaniasis. In Sudan and most of East Africa, there are large remaining gaps in knowledge regarding the feeding habits of phlebotomine vectors. The study aimed to identify the blood meal sources and, therefore, the host preferences of the principal vectors Phlebotomus orientalis and Ph. papatasi in leishmaniasis endemic areas of eastern and central Sudan. Materials and methods Sand flies were collected from two endemic villages in eastern and central Sudan using CDC light traps and sticky traps. The phlebotomine sand flies were morphologically and then molecularly identified. The source of blood meal of the engorged females was determined using a multiplex PCR methodology and specific primers of cytochrome b gene of mitochondrial DNA for human, goat, cow, and dog. The detection of the Leishmania parasite was done using PCR. Results The total number of collected female phlebotomine sand flies was 180. Morphological identification revealed the abundance of Ph. orientalis 103 (57.2%), Ph. papatasi 42 (23.3%), Ph. bergeroti 31 (17.2%), Ph. rodhaini 2 (1.1%) and Ph. duboscqi 2 (1.1%) in the study sites. Out of the 180 collected, 31 (17%) were blood-fed flies. Three species were blood-fed and molecularly identified: Ph. papatasi (N = 7, 22.6%), Ph. bergeroti (N = 9, 26%), and Ph. orientalis (N = 15, 48.4%). Blood meal analysis revealed human DNA in two Ph. orientalis (6.4%), hence, the anthropophilic index was 13.3%. Conclusions Multiplex PCR protocol described here allowed the identification of blood meal sources of many vertebrate species simultaneously. The results indicate that wild-caught Ph. orientalis are anthropophilic in the study areas. Further studies on larger blood-fed sample size are required to validate the potential applications of this technique in designing, monitoring and evaluating control programs, particularly in investigating the potential non-human hosts of leishmaniasis.
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17
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Carvalho MR, Dias ÁFDLR, Almeida ADBPFD, Alves MR, Paes AS, Sousa VRF. Canine visceral leishmaniasis: perception, prevalence, and spatial distribution in municipality of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, Mato Grosso, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e021019. [PMID: 32428187 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The midwest region of Brazil has witnessed an increase in the number of cases of human (HVL) and canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the population's perception of these diseases, factors associated with CVL, its spatial distribution, and the prevalence of anti-Leishmania spp. in 385 dogs, determined using a commercially available immunochromatographic rapid test and confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 385 samples, 54 were positive for CVL and confirmed by ELISA, corresponding to a prevalence of 14%. Knowledge of signs of CVL by tutors (p = 0.038); previous occurrence of CVL in the vicinity (p = 0.022); symptomatic dog(s) (p = 0.014), splenomegaly (p = 0.055), and ear ulcer(s) (p = 0.059) were significantly associated with CVL. The results revealed a significant prevalence of CVL spatially distributed in rural and urban contexts. The association between environmentally related variables and perception and the occurrence of CVL underscores the importance of implementing control and prevention strategies primarily focused on environmental management and health education activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Roberto Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Álvaro Felipe de Lima Ruy Dias
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | | | - Mário Ribeiro Alves
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Adilson Santos Paes
- Secretaria de Saúde de Nossa Senhora do Livramento, Nossa Senhora do Livramento, MT, Brasil
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Moura CRLDP, Costa CHN, Moura RDD, Braga ARF, Silva VC, Costa DL. Cutaneous parasitism in patients with American visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2020; 53:e20190446. [PMID: 32130324 PMCID: PMC7094057 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0446-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) represents a public health concern in several
areas of the world. In the American continent, VL transmission is typically
zoonotic, but humans with active VL caused by Leishmania
infantum are able to infect sandflies. Thus, individuals with
cutaneous parasitic infections may act as reservoirs and allow interhuman
transmission. Additionally, the skin may be responsible for reactivation of
the disease after therapy. This study’s objective was to evaluate cutaneous
parasitism in humans with VL in an American endemic area. METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted in northeast Brazil
from October 2016 to April 2017. Biopsies of healthy skin for histopathology
and immunohistochemistry were performed prior to treatment in all study
patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients between the ages of five months to 78 years were
included in the study. Seven patients (31.8%) tested positive for HIV. Only
one patient had cutaneous parasitism, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry
prior to treatment. Parasitism was not detected after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous parasitism in the healthy skin of humans with visceral
leishmaniasis, although unusual, may be a source of infection for
phlebotomine sandflies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rafael de Deus Moura
- Universidade Federal do Piauí, Departamento de Medicina Especializada, Teresina, PI, Brasil.,Universidade Federal do Piauí, Hospital Universitário, Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | - Aline Reis Ferro Braga
- Universidade Federal do Piauí, Hospital Universitário, Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | | | - Dorcas Lamounier Costa
- Universidade Federal do Piauí, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Nathan Portella, Teresina, PI, Brasil
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Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Becvar T, Lestinova T, Spitzova T, Bates P, Volf P. Host competence of the African rodents Arvicanthis neumanni, A. niloticus and Mastomys natalensis for Leishmania donovani from Ethiopia and L. ( Mundinia) sp. from Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 11:40-45. [PMID: 31879594 PMCID: PMC6920283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani is regarded as mostly anthroponotic, but a role for animal reservoir hosts in transmission has been suggested in East Africa. Field studies in this region have shown the presence of this parasite in several mammalian species, including rodents of the genera Arvicanthis and Mastomys. Further, the natural reservoirs of Leishmania (Mundinia) sp. causing human cutaneous disease in Ghana, West Africa, are unknown. This study assessed the potential role of the Sub-Saharan rodents Arvicanthis neumanni, A. niloticus and Mastomys natalensis as hosts of L. donovani and L. sp. from Ghana, based on experimental infections of animals and xenodiagnoses. The distribution and load of parasites were determined post mortem using qPCR from the blood, skin and viscera samples. The attractiveness of Arvicanthis and Mastomys to Phlebotomus orientalis was tested by pair-wise comparisons. None of the animals inoculated with L. donovani were infectious to P. orientalis females, although, in some animals, parasites were detected by PCR even 30 weeks post infection. Skin infections were characterized by low numbers of parasites while high parasite burdens were present in spleen, liver and lymph nodes only. Therefore, wild Arvicanthis and Mastomys found infected with L. donovani, should be considered parasite sinks rather than parasite reservoirs. This is indirectly supported also by results of host choice experiments with P. orientalis in which females preferred humans over both Arvicanthis and Mastomys, and their feeding rates on rodents ranged from 1.4 to 5.8% only. Therefore, the involvement of these rodents in transmission of L. donovani by P. orientalis is very unlikely. Similarly, poor survival of Leishmania parasites in the studied rodents and negative results of xenodiagnostic experiments do not support the involvement of Arvicanthis and Mastomys spp. in the transmission cycle of L. sp. from Ghana. Three species of Sub-Saharan rodents were infected and xenodiagnosed. Skin infections in Arvicanthis and Mastomys were characterized by low parasite loads. None of animals inoculated with leishmania were infectious to sand flies. Phlebotomus orientalis females significantly preferred man over rodents. Rodents are unlikely to be involved in the circulation of the two studied Leishmania in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tatiana Spitzova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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20
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Yared S, Gebresilassie A, Abbasi I, Aklilu E, Kirstein OD, Balkew M, Brown AS, Clouse RM, Warburg A, Hailu A, Gebre-Michael T. A molecular analysis of sand fly blood meals in a visceral leishmaniasis endemic region of northwestern Ethiopia reveals a complex host-vector system. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02132. [PMID: 31384683 PMCID: PMC6661399 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, or “kala-azar”) is a major cause of disability and death, especially in East Africa. Its vectors, sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), are poorly controlled and guarded against in these regions, owing in part to a lack of understanding about their feeding behavior. Methods A total of 746 freshly fed female sand flies were collected in five population centers in Kafta Humera (northwestern Ethiopia), where VL is endemic. Flies were collected from habitats that ranged from inside houses to open fields, using light traps and sticky traps. Sources of sand fly blood meals were identified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and DNA amplification with reverse-line blot analysis (PCR-RLB); 632 specimens were screened using ELISA, 408 of which had identifiable blood meals, and 114 were screened using PCR-RLB, 53 of which yielded identifications. Fly species determinations were based on morphology, and those specimens subjected to PCR-RLB were also screened for Leishmania parasites using conventional PCR to amplify the nuclear marker ITS1 (internal transcribed spacer 1) with Leishmania-specific primers. Results More than three-fourths of all sand flies collected were Phlebotomus orientalis, and the remaining portion was comprised of nine other species. Nearly two-thirds of P. orientalis specimens were collected at village peripheries. The most common blood source for all flies was donkey (33.9% of all identifications), followed by cow (24.2%), human (17.6%), dog (11.8%), and goat or sheep (8.6%); mixtures of blood meals from different sources were found in 28.2% of all flies screened. Unidentified blood meals, presumably from wildlife, not domestic animals, were significantly higher in farm fields. Leishmania parasites were not detected in any of the 114 flies screened, not surprising given an expected infection rate of 1–5 out of 1,000. Meals that included a mixture of human and cow blood were significantly more frequent relative to all cow meals than human blood meals were to non-cow meals, suggesting a zoopotentiative interaction between cows and humans in this system. Conclusions Habitat and host preferences of sand fly vectors in Kafta Humera confirmed the finding of previous reports that the main vector in the region, Phlebotomus orientalis, is a highly opportunistic feeder that prefers large animals and is most commonly found at village peripheries. These results were similar to those of a previous study conducted in a nearby region (Tahtay Adiabo), except for the role of cattle on the prevalence of human blood meals. Preliminary examinations of blood meal data from different settings point to the need for additional surveys and field experiments to understand the role of livestock on biting risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Yared
- Department of Biology, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia
| | - Araya Gebresilassie
- Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ibrahim Abbasi
- The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Institute for Medical Research, The Hebrew University, Israel
| | - Essayas Aklilu
- Department of Biology, Mada Walabu University, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia
| | - Oscar D Kirstein
- The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Institute for Medical Research, The Hebrew University, Israel
| | - Meshesha Balkew
- President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) Vector Link Project, Ethiopia
| | - Adam S Brown
- Harvard University, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ronald M Clouse
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alon Warburg
- The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Institute for Medical Research, The Hebrew University, Israel
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, School of Medicine; Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Teshome Gebre-Michael
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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21
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Diro E, Blesson S, Edwards T, Ritmeijer K, Fikre H, Admassu H, Kibret A, Ellis SJ, Bardonneau C, Zijlstra EE, Soipei P, Mutinda B, Omollo R, Kimutai R, Omwalo G, Wasunna M, Tadesse F, Alves F, Strub-Wourgaft N, Hailu A, Alexander N, Alvar J. A randomized trial of AmBisome monotherapy and AmBisome and miltefosine combination to treat visceral leishmaniasis in HIV co-infected patients in Ethiopia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0006988. [PMID: 30653490 PMCID: PMC6336227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected patients requires special case management. AmBisome monotherapy at 40 mg/kg is recommended by the World Health Organization. The objective of the study was to assess if a combination of a lower dose of AmBisome with miltefosine would show acceptable efficacy at the end of treatment. Methodology/Principal findings An open-label, non-comparative randomized trial of AmBisome (30 mg/kg) with miltefosine (100 mg/day for 28 days), and AmBisome monotherapy (40 mg/kg) was conducted in Ethiopian VL patients co-infected with HIV (NCT02011958). A sequential design was used with a triangular continuation region. The primary outcome was parasite clearance at day 29, after the first round of treatment. Patients with clinical improvement but without parasite clearance at day 29 received a second round of the allocated treatment. Efficacy was evaluated again at day 58, after completion of treatment. Recruitment was stopped after inclusion of 19 and 39 patients in monotherapy and combination arms respectively, as per pre-specified stopping rules. At D29, intention-to-treat efficacy in the AmBisome arm was 70% (95% CI 45–87%) in the unadjusted analysis, and 50% (95% CI 27–73%) in the adjusted analysis, while in the combination arm, it was 81% (95% CI 67–90%) and 67% (95% CI 48–82%) respectively. At D58, the adjusted efficacy was 55% (95% CI 32–78%) in the monotherapy arm, and 88% (95% CI 79–98%) in the combination arm. No major safety concerns related to the study medication were identified. Ten SAEs were observed within the treatment period, and 4 deaths unrelated to the study medication. Conclusions/Significance The extended treatment strategy with the combination regimen showed the highest documented efficacy in HIV-VL patients; these results support a recommendation of this regimen as first-line treatment strategy for HIV-VL patients in eastern Africa. Trial registration number www.clinicaltrials.govNCT02011958. Visceral Leishmaniasis is a complex parasitological disease and is particularly challenging to treat in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antimonial drugs used in first-line treatments for immunocompetent patients in eastern Africa are more toxic in immunocompromised patients. In 2010, a WHO expert committee recommended a lipid formulation of amphotericin B as first line treatment for HIV/VL co-infected patients, based on a single clinical trial conducted in Spain and empirical information obtained from scattered case reports using AmBisome (liposomal amphotericin B). In addition, Médecins Sans Frontières began a compassionate use regimen combining AmBisome and miltefosine a in a treatment centre in Northwest Ethiopia with encouraging results. Here, we report the results of a trial to assess the efficacy and safety of both the currently internationally recommended treatment of AmBisome monotherapy and the new AmBisome-miltefosine combination regimen, in Ethiopian patients. The results of this trial show that one course of treatment with either regimen could be insufficient to clear parasites in a high proportion of patients and that an extended treatment strategy, of administrating a second course of treatment, could lead to a high parasite clearance rate in patients treated with the combination regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermias Diro
- Leishmaniasis Research and Treatment Centre, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Severine Blesson
- Research & Development Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Tansy Edwards
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Helina Fikre
- Leishmaniasis Research and Treatment Centre, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Henok Admassu
- Abdurafi Health Centre, Médecins sans Frontières, Abdurafi, Ethiopia
| | - Aderajew Kibret
- Abdurafi Health Centre, Médecins sans Frontières, Abdurafi, Ethiopia
| | - Sally J. Ellis
- Research & Development Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Clelia Bardonneau
- Research & Development Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eduard E. Zijlstra
- Research & Development Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Brian Mutinda
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | | | - Fentahun Tadesse
- Neglected Tropical Diseases, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fabiana Alves
- Research & Development Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft
- Research & Development Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Neal Alexander
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Alvar
- Research & Development Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
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22
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Sumova P, Sima M, Spitzova T, Osman ME, Guimaraes-Costa AB, Oliveira F, Elnaiem DEA, Hailu A, Warburg A, Valenzuela JG, Volf P. Human antibody reaction against recombinant salivary proteins of Phlebotomus orientalis in Eastern Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006981. [PMID: 30513081 PMCID: PMC6279015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phlebotomus orientalis is a vector of Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of life threatening visceral leishmaniasis spread in Eastern Africa. During blood-feeding, sand fly females salivate into the skin of the host. Sand fly saliva contains a large variety of proteins, some of which elicit specific antibody responses in the bitten hosts. To evaluate the exposure to sand fly bites in human populations from disease endemic areas, we tested the antibody reactions of volunteers' sera against recombinant P. orientalis salivary antigens. Methodology/Principal findings Recombinant proteins derived from sequence data on P. orientalis secreted salivary proteins, were produced using either bacterial (five proteins) or mammalian (four proteins) expression systems and tested as antigens applicable for detection of anti-P. orientalis IgG in human sera. Using these recombinant proteins, human sera from Sudan and Ethiopia, countries endemic for visceral leishmaniasis, were screened by ELISA and immunoblotting to identify the potential markers of exposure to P. orientalis bites. Two recombinant proteins; mAG5 and mYEL1, were identified as the most promising antigens showing high correlation coefficients as well as good specificity in comparison to the whole sand fly salivary gland homogenate. Combination of both proteins led to a further increase of correlation coefficients as well as both positive and negative predictive values of P. orientalis exposure. Conclusions/Significance This is the first report of screening human sera for anti-P. orientalis antibodies using recombinant salivary proteins. The recombinant salivary proteins mYEL1 and mAG5 proved to be valid antigens for screening human sera from both Sudan and Ethiopia for exposure to P. orientalis bites. The utilization of equal amounts of these two proteins significantly increased the capability to detect anti-P. orientalis antibody responses. Hosts repeatedly bitten by phlebotomine sand flies develop species-specific antibody responses against certain sand fly salivary antigens. Salivary gland homogenate (SGH) is frequently used to evaluate the levels of this antibody response in host. However, SGH is less suitable for large-scale studies, since obtaining sufficient numbers of salivary glands is labor intensive and requires expertise in dissection. To replace SGH as antigen to screen for exposure to sand fly bites, specific recombinant salivary antigens were utilized. Our study assessed the human antibody reactions against recombinant salivary proteins of Phlebotomus orientalis. This sand fly species is a vector of Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of severe visceral leishmaniasis in Eastern Africa. To identify valid markers of exposure to P. orientalis in humans, we screened for anti-P. orientalis antibody responses in serum samples from individuals residing in Sudan and Ethiopia. We tested nine recombinant salivary antigens and found a combination of yellow-related protein (mYEL1) and antigen 5-related protein (mAG5) the best marker of exposure, accurately correlating with the levels of exposure to P. orientalis bites as determined using SGH. Thus the combination mYEL1+ mAG5 can comprise a useful epidemiological tool to determine levels of exposure to P. orientalis in populations living in endemic areas of Eastern Africa, which could help in monitoring the distribution of P. orientalis and therefore assessing suitable anti-vector campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Sumova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Michal Sima
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tatiana Spitzova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maha E. Osman
- Commission for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Anderson B. Guimaraes-Costa
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Dia-Eldin A. Elnaiem
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alon Warburg
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University—Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jesus G. Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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23
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Jaber HT, Hailu A, Pratlong F, Lami P, Bastien P, Jaffe CL. Analysis of genetic polymorphisms and tropism in East African Leishmania donovani by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism and kDNA minicircle sequencing. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 65:80-90. [PMID: 30016714 PMCID: PMC6218636 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the most severe form of leishmaniasis, is caused by Leishmania donovani. In addition to fatal VL, these parasites also cause skin diseases in immune-competent and -suppressed people, post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and HIV/VL co-infections, respectively. Genetic polymorphism in 36 Ethiopian and Sudanese L. donovani strains from VL, PKDL and HIV/VL patients was examined using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP), kDNA minicircle sequencing and Southern blotting. Strains were isolated from different patient tissues: in VL from lymph node, spleen or bone marrow; and in HIV/VL from skin, spleen or bone marrow. When VL and PKDL strains from the same region in Sudan were examined by Southern blotting using a DNA probe to the L. donovani 28S rRNA gene only minor differences were observed. kDNA sequence analysis distributed the strains in no particular order among four clusters (A - D), while AFLP analysis grouped the strains according to geographical origin into two major clades, Southern Ethiopia (SE) and Sudan/Northern Ethiopia (SD/NE). Strains in the latter clade were further divided into subpopulations by zymodeme, geography and year of isolation, but not by clinical symptoms. However, skin isolates showed significantly (p < 0.0001) fewer polymorphic AFLP fragments (average 10 strains = 348.6 ± 8.1) than VL strains (average 26 strains = 383.5 ± 3.8).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan T Jaber
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Asrat Hailu
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Francine Pratlong
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, National Reference Centre for Leishmanioses, Academic Hospital of Montpellier, France; University of Montpellier, CNRS 5290/IRD 224 "MiVEGEC", Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Lami
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, National Reference Centre for Leishmanioses, Academic Hospital of Montpellier, France; University of Montpellier, CNRS 5290/IRD 224 "MiVEGEC", Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, National Reference Centre for Leishmanioses, Academic Hospital of Montpellier, France; University of Montpellier, CNRS 5290/IRD 224 "MiVEGEC", Montpellier, France
| | - Charles L Jaffe
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Omer RA, Daugschies A, Gawlowska S, Elnahas A, Kern P, Bashir S, Ali MSA, Osman A, Romig T. First detection of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1) in dogs in central Sudan. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1657-1661. [PMID: 29627858 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5851-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Eighty-four stray dogs shot as a part of a governmental rabies control program in two neighboring towns of central Sudan were examined for the presence of Echinococcus spp. and other intestinal helminths. Echinococcus worms were identified to species level by PCR and gene sequencing. For comparative reasons, rectal content of the necropsied dogs was examined for helminth eggs and subjected to copro-PCR for Echinococcus. At necropsy, 51.2% (43/84) of the dogs harbored Echinococcus canadensis (G6/7) worms with worm burdens ranging from 22,000 to 80,000. Dipylidiun caninum was found in 53.6% of the dogs. At coproscopy, taeniid eggs were found in 37 of the 43 dogs which were positive for Echinococcus at necropsy, but none in the 41 necropsy-negative dogs. In addition, 58% of the rectal samples contained eggs of Toxocara spp., 34.5% eggs of Trichuris spp. (34.5%), and 26% eggs of Ancylostoma caninum. Copro-PCR gave positive results for E. canadensis with 97.5% (39/40) of nonhibiting samples from the necropsy positive dogs; the one remaining dog tested positive for E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1), whose partial cox1 and nad1 sequences showed a 100% identity with various reference sequences of the G1 genotype. 100% of 38 non-inhibited samples taken from the necropsy-negative dogs were also negative in copro-PCR. This is the first study which combines prevalence and genetic identification of Echinococcus spp. in dogs of Sudan. Together with a recent report from cattle, it confirms the autochthonous presence, at low level, of E. granulosus sensu stricto in Central Sudan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rihab Ali Omer
- National University Research Institute (NURI), National University, Alraqi District, Khartoum, Sudan.
| | - Arwid Daugschies
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Gawlowska
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ayman Elnahas
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sofia Bashir
- National University Research Institute (NURI), National University, Alraqi District, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohammed Sir Alkhatim Ali
- National University Research Institute (NURI), National University, Alraqi District, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Amin Osman
- National University Research Institute (NURI), National University, Alraqi District, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Thomas Romig
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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Mohammed MA, Khalid NM, Aboud MA. Kala-azar in Darfur: Evidence for indigenous transmission in Al-Malha Locality, North Darfur, western Sudan. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:149. [PMID: 29510744 PMCID: PMC5840704 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2746-3] [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: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent reports showed high numbers of visceral leishmaniasis cases in North Darfur, western Sudan. Due to a lack of previous studies, no information is available on local transmission of the disease in these areas. Therefore, a pilot entomological and epidemiological study was conducted in Al-Malha Locality during the year 2013, to investigate possibility of local transmission and places and times of the year where and when people contract the infection. METHODS Kala-azar incidence data were obtained from records of Ministry of Health, North Darfur; Al-Malha rural hospital; and the Federal Ministry of Health, Division of Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases. Sand flies were collected using sticky paper and rodent burrow traps from five different microhabitats during three different phases of the year. Species identification was undertaken using appropriate taxonomic keys. Data were statistically analyzed to determine the distribution of kala-azar among different age groups and between sexes, and to compare the species richness and distribution of different sandfly species between the different microhabitats. RESULTS The most affected age groups with kala-azar during the period 2013-2016 were children between one and five years old and those under one year. Females were found to be more affected than males. A total of 918 sand fly specimens were collected using sticky paper and rodent burrow traps from five microhabitats. Identified specimens belong to 13 species; 5 Phlebotomus and 8 Sergentomyia. Phlebotomus orientalis, the principal vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Sudan and other East African countries, was found for the first time in the area. No other known vector of VL was found in the collection. The highest number of sand flies was recorded during the summer season (63%), with S. antennata (48%) and S. schwetzi (24.1%) being the most abundant species. Among Phlebotomus species, P. orientalis showed relatively high density (8.6%). A dry seasonal water course (called "Khor") seems to be the most preferred habitat for most of the sand fly species since most of the collections (41.2%) were made from this site, followed by the rodent burrows. CONCLUSIONS The presence of P. orientalis and the high prevalence of VL in infants in the Al-Malha area provide the first evidence for local transmission of the parasite causing kala-azar in Darfur. Transmission is probably occurring during summer near the woodland where a high density of the vector was recorded. As a pre-requisite for designing effective control of VL in North Darfur, large scale entomological and epidemiological studies are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mariam A Aboud
- Department of Biology and Biological Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
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Sunyoto T, Potet J, Boelaert M. Visceral leishmaniasis in Somalia: A review of epidemiology and access to care. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005231. [PMID: 28278151 PMCID: PMC5344316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Somalia, ravaged by conflict since 1991, has areas endemic for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a deadly parasitic disease affecting the rural poor, internally displaced, and pastoralists. Very little is known about VL burden in Somalia, where the protracted crisis hampers access to health care. We reviewed evidence about VL epidemiology in Somalia and appraised control options within the context of this fragile state's health system. VL has been reported in Somalia since 1934 and has persisted ever since in foci in the southern parts of the country. The only feasible VL control option is early diagnosis and treatment, currently mostly provided by nonstate actors. The availability of VL care in Somalia is limited and insufficient at best, both in coverage and quality. Precarious security remains a major obstacle to reach VL patients in the endemic areas, and the true VL burden and its impact remain unknown. Locally adjusted, innovative approaches in VL care provision should be explored, without undermining ongoing health system development in Somalia. Ensuring VL care is accessible is a moral imperative, and the limitations of the current VL diagnostic and treatment tools in Somalia and other endemic settings affected by conflict should be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temmy Sunyoto
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Médecins sans Frontières Campaign for Access to Medicines, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Potet
- Médecins sans Frontières Campaign for Access to Medicines, Geneva, Switzerland
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Agusto FB, ELmojtaba IM. Optimal control and cost-effective analysis of malaria/visceral leishmaniasis co-infection. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171102. [PMID: 28166308 PMCID: PMC5293207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, a deterministic model involving the transmission dynamics of malaria/visceral leishmaniasis co-infection is presented and studied. Optimal control theory is then applied to investigate the optimal strategies for curtailing the spread of the diseases using the use of personal protection, indoor residual spraying and culling of infected reservoirs as the system control variables. Various combination strategies were examined so as to investigate the impact of the controls on the spread of the disease. And we investigated the most cost-effective strategy of all the control strategies using three approaches, the infection averted ratio (IAR), the average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Our results show that the implementation of the strategy combining all the time dependent control variables is the most cost-effective control strategy. This result is further emphasized by using the results obtained from the cost objective functional, the ACER, and the ICER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folashade B. Agusto
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, 66045, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Ibrahim M. ELmojtaba
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O.Box 36, Al Khodh, Oman
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Rock KS, Quinnell RJ, Medley GF, Courtenay O. Progress in the Mathematical Modelling of Visceral Leishmaniasis. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 94:49-131. [PMID: 27756459 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The leishmaniases comprise a complex of diseases characterized by clinical outcomes that range from self-limiting to chronic, and disfiguring and stigmatizing to life threatening. Diagnostic methods, treatments, and vector and reservoir control options exist, but deciding the most effective interventions requires a quantitative understanding of the population level infection and disease dynamics. The effectiveness of any set of interventions has to be determined within the context of operational conditions, including economic and political commitment. Mathematical models are the best available tools for studying quantitative systems crossing disciplinary spheres (biology, medicine, economics) within environmental and societal constraints. In 2005, the World Health Assembly and government health ministers of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding to eliminate the life threatening form of leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), on the Indian subcontinent by 2015 through a combination of early case detection, improved treatments, and vector control. The elimination target is <1 case/10,000 population at the district or subdistrict level compared to the current 20/10,000 in the regions of highest transmission. Towards this goal, this chapter focuses on mathematical models of VL, and the biology driving those models, to enable realistic predictions of the best combination of interventions. Several key issues will be discussed which have affected previous modelling of VL and the direction future modelling may take. Current understanding of the natural history of disease, immunity (and loss of immunity), and stages of infection and their durations are considered particularly for humans, and also for dogs. Asymptomatic and clinical infection are discussed in the context of their relative roles in Leishmania transmission, as well as key components of the parasite-sandfly-vector interaction and intervention strategies including diagnosis, treatment and vector control. Gaps in current biological knowledge and potential avenues to improve model structures and mathematical predictions are identified. Underpinning the marriage between biology and mathematical modelling, the content of this chapter represents the first step towards developing the next generation of models for VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Rock
- University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | | | - G F Medley
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - O Courtenay
- University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
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El Sawaf BM, Kassem HA, Mogalli NM, El Hossary SS, Ramadan NF. Current knowledge of sand fly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of northwestern Yemen and how it relates to leishmaniasis transmission. Acta Trop 2016; 162:11-19. [PMID: 27282094 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This report presents the results of the first entomological survey of the sand fly fauna in northwestern Yemen. Sand flies were collected using sticky paper traps and CDC light traps from Hajjah governorate, a cutaneous leishmaniasis focus due to Leishmania tropica. Six Phlebotomus species: P. alexandri, P. arabicus. P. bergeroti, P. orientalis, P. papatasi, P. sergenti and ten Sergentomyia species: S. africana, S. antennata, S. christophersi, S. dolichopa, S. dreyfussi, S. fallax, S. multidens, S. taizi, S. tiberiadis, S. yusafi were identified. P. alexandri was the most predominant Phlebotomus species and P. papatasi was a scarce species. S. fallax was the principal Sergentomyia species and S. dolichopa was the least species encountered. The diversity of the sand fly fauna within and among three altitudinal ranges using Simpson index and Jaccard's diversity coefficient respectively were measured. High species diversity was found in all altitude ranges. There seemed to be more association between sand fly fauna in higher altitudes with fauna from moderate altitudes. Sand fly seasonal activity showed a mono-modal trend in the lowland and a confluent bimodal trend in the highlands. Leishmania DNA could not be detected from 150 Phlebotomus females using PCR-RFLP. A possible zoonotic cutaneous transmission cycle due to Leishmania tropica in northwestern Yemen would involve P. arabicus as the sand fly vector and the rock hyrax as the reservoir host. The vector competence for P. alexandri as a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Hajjah governorate is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahira M El Sawaf
- Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Hala A Kassem
- Ain Shams University, Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt.
| | | | - Shabaan S El Hossary
- Research and Training Center on Vectors of Diseases, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Nadia F Ramadan
- Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
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Al-Salem W, Herricks JR, Hotez PJ. A review of visceral leishmaniasis during the conflict in South Sudan and the consequences for East African countries. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:460. [PMID: 27549162 PMCID: PMC4994383 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1743-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused predominantly by Leishmania donovani and transmitted by both Phlebotomus orientalis and Phlebotomus martini, is highly endemic in East Africa where approximately 30 thousands VL cases are reported annually. The largest numbers of cases are found in Sudan - where Phlebotomus orientalis proliferate in Acacia forests especially on Sudan’s eastern border with Ethiopia, followed by South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Uganda. Long-standing civil war and unrest is a dominant determinant of VL in East African countries. Here we attempt to identify the correlation between VL epidemics and civil unrest. Objective and methodology In this review, literature published between 1955 and 2016 have been gathered from MSF, UNICEF, OCHA, UNHCR, PubMed and Google Scholar to analyse the correlation between conflict and human suffering from VL, which is especially apparent in South Sudan. Findings Waves of forced migration as a consequence of civil wars between 1983 and 2005 have resulted in massive and lethal epidemics in southern Sudan. Following a comprehensive peace agreement, but especially with increased allocation of resources for disease treatment and prevention in 2011, cases of VL declined reaching the lowest levels after South Sudan declared independence. However, in the latest epidemic that began in 2014 after the onset of a civil war in South Sudan, more than 1.5 million displaced refugees have migrated internally to states highly endemic for VL, while 800,000 have fled to neighboring countries. Conclusion We find a strong relationship between civil unrest and VL epidemics which tend to occur among immunologically naïve migrants entering VL-endemic areas and when Leishmania-infected individuals migrate to new areas and establish additional foci of disease. Further complicating factors in East Africa’s VL epidemics include severe lack of access to diagnosis and treatment, HIV/AIDS co-infection, food insecurity and malnutrition. Moreover, cases of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) can serve as important reservoirs of anthroponotic Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer R Herricks
- Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.,Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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31
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Pratlong F, Balard Y, Lami P, Talignani L, Ravel C, Dereure J, Lefebvre M, Serres G, Bastien P, Dedet JP. The Montpellier Leishmania Collection, from a Laboratory Collection to a Biological Resource Center: A 39-Year-Long Story. Biopreserv Biobank 2016; 14:470-479. [PMID: 27379470 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2015.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the development of a laboratory collection of Leishmania that was initiated in 1975 and, after 39 years, has become an international Biological Resource Center (BRC-Leish, Montpellier, France, BioBank No. BB-0033-00052), which includes 6353 strains belonging to 36 Leishmania taxa. This is a retrospective analysis of the technical and organizational changes that have been adopted over time to take into account the technological advances and related modifications in the collection management and quality system. The technical improvements concerned the culture and cryopreservation techniques, strain identification by isoenzymatic and molecular techniques, data computerization and quality management to meet the changes in international standards, and in the cryogenic and microbiological safety procedures. The BRC is working toward obtaining the NF-S 96-900 certification in the coming years. Our long-term expertise in Leishmania storage and typing and collection maintenance should encourage field epidemiologists and clinical practitioners in endemic countries to secure their own strain collection with the help of the French BRC-Leish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine Pratlong
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Yves Balard
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Lami
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Loïc Talignani
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Ravel
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Dereure
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Michèle Lefebvre
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Ghislaine Serres
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Dedet
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
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Akter S, Alam MZ, Nakao R, Yasin G, Kato H, Katakura K. Molecular and Serological Evidence of Leishmania Infection in Stray Dogs from Visceral Leishmaniasis-Endemic Areas of Bangladesh. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:795-799. [PMID: 27382083 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar, is mainly caused by two closely related Leishmania species, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani Leishmania infantum is responsible for zoonotic VL, with dogs as the main reservoir host in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. In the Indian subcontinent, VL is caused by L. donovani and is considered anthroponotic, although the only known vector, the sand fly, is zoophilic in nature. The role of domestic and stray dogs in VL transmission is still unclear in this area. We screened 50 stray dogs from VL-endemic areas of Bangladesh for serological and molecular evidence of Leishmania infection. We detected anti-Leishmania antibodies in six (12%) dog serum samples using rK39 immunochromatographic tests. We observed Leishmania kinetoplast DNA in 10 (20%) buffy coat DNA samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), five of which were positive based on internal transcribed spacer 1-PCR. A sequencing analysis of the amplified products confirmed that the parasitic DNA was derived from L. donovani Our findings support the hypothesis that stray dogs are an animal reservoir for L. donovani in this endemic region. Further studies are required to determine the precise role of dogs in the epidemiology of VL in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Akter
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Zahangir Alam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Golam Yasin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Hirotomo Kato
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan.
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Nackers F, Mueller YK, Salih N, Elhag MS, Elbadawi ME, Hammam O, Mumina A, Atia AA, Etard JF, Ritmeijer K, Chappuis F. Determinants of Visceral Leishmaniasis: A Case-Control Study in Gedaref State, Sudan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004187. [PMID: 26544177 PMCID: PMC4636291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving knowledge on local determinants of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is crucial to guide the development of relevant control strategies. This study aimed to identify individual and household level determinants of primary VL in 24 highly endemic villages of Tabarak Allah hospital's catchment area, Gedaref State, Sudan. METHODS From September 2012 to July 2013, in an unmatched case-control design, 198 patients with primary VL were compared to 801 controls free of VL symptoms and with a negative VL rapid test. Using random spatial sampling, controls were selected with a distribution of age, sex and village of residence proportionate to the distribution of the target population. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS Children and men were at higher risk of VL. Reporting VL patient(s) in the household in the previous year was the strongest VL risk factor. In a multivariate analysis, VL risk increased with household size, sleep location (outside the yard, not in the farm), evening outdoor activities in the rainy season (playing, watching TV, radio listening), use of ground nut oil as animal repellent and of smoke of Acacia seyal as indoor repellent, presence of dogs in the yard at night, Acacia nilotica in the yard's immediate surroundings and of a forest at eye range. VL risk appeared to decrease with the use of drinking water sources other than the village water tank, a buffer distance from the adjacent house yard, and with the presence of animals other than dogs in the yard at night. In contrast with previous studies, housing factors, mosquito-net use, black cotton soil, ethnicity, socioeconomic index, presence of Balanites aegyptica and Azadirachta indica in the yard were not independent VL determinants. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Although these results do not provide evidence of causality, they provide useful suggestions for guiding further intervention studies on VL preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Niven Salih
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Geneva, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mousab Siddig Elhag
- Federal Ministry of Health, Neglected Tropical Diseases Division, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Omer Hammam
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Geneva, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ann Mumina
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Geneva, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Atia Abdalla Atia
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Geneva, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Jean-François Etard
- Epicentre, Paris, France
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Koert Ritmeijer
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - François Chappuis
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Geneva University Hospital, Department of Community Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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Rohousova I, Talmi-Frank D, Kostalova T, Polanska N, Lestinova T, Kassahun A, Yasur-Landau D, Maia C, King R, Votypka J, Jaffe CL, Warburg A, Hailu A, Volf P, Baneth G. Exposure to Leishmania spp. and sand flies in domestic animals in northwestern Ethiopia. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:360. [PMID: 26152578 PMCID: PMC4495613 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0976-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani is considered an anthroponosis; however, Leishmania-infected animals have been increasingly reported in L. donovani foci, and the role of these animals as reservoirs for human L. donovani infection remains unclear. Methods We conducted a study of domestic animals (goats, sheep, cows, dogs, and donkeys) in three L. donovani foci in northwestern Ethiopia. Domestic animals were screened for Leishmania DNA and for anti-L. donovani IgG. Serum anti-sand fly saliva antibodies were used as a marker of exposure to the vector sand fly, Phlebotomus orientalis. Results Of 546 animals tested, 32 (5.9 %) were positive for Leishmania DNA, with positive animals identified among all species studied. Sequencing indicated that the animals were infected with parasites of the L. donovani complex but could not distinguish between L. infantum and L. donovani. A total of 18.9 % of the animals were seropositive for anti-L. donovani IgG, and 23.1 % of the animals were seropositive for anti-P. orientalis saliva IgG, with the highest seroprevalence observed in dogs and sheep. A positive correlation was found between anti-P. orientalis saliva and anti-L. donovani IgGs in cows, goats, and sheep. Conclusions The detection of L. donovani complex DNA in the blood of domestic animals, the reported seroprevalence to the L. donovani antigen, and the widespread exposure to sand fly saliva among domestic animals indicate that they are frequently exposed to Leishmania infection and are likely to participate in the epidemiology of Leishmania infection, either as potential blood sources for sand flies or possibly as parasite hosts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0976-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Rohousova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Dalit Talmi-Frank
- School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
| | - Tatiana Kostalova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Nikola Polanska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Aysheshm Kassahun
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Daniel Yasur-Landau
- School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
| | - Carla Maia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic. .,Medical Parasitology Unit, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Roni King
- Israel Nature and Parks Authority, 3 Am Ve'Olamo Street, Jerusalem, 95463, Israel.
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Charles L Jaffe
- 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, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Alon Warburg
- 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, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Gad Baneth
- School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
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Georgiadou SP, Makaritsis KP, Dalekos GN. Leishmaniasis revisited: Current aspects on epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. J Transl Int Med 2015; 3:43-50. [PMID: 27847886 PMCID: PMC4936444 DOI: 10.1515/jtim-2015-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. It is transmitted by phlebotomine female sand flies of the genera Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia in the old and new world, respectively. More than 20 well-recognized Leishmania species are known to infect humans and cause visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL) and mucocutaneous (ML) forms of the disease. Approximately 350 million people are at risk of contracting the disease and an estimated 1.6 million new cases occur annually. The disease mainly affects poor people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and is associated with malnutrition, population migration, poor residency conditions, frail immune system and lack of resources. Previously, diagnosis of leishmaniasis relied mainly on invasive techniques of detecting parasites in splenic and bone marrow aspirates. Nevertheless, serological tests using the recombinant kinesin antigen (rK39) and molecular methods (polymerase chain reaction) are considered the best options for diagnosis today, despite problems related to varying sensitivities and specificities and field adaptability. Therapy of leishmaniasis ranges from local treatment of cutaneous lesions to systemic often toxic, therapy for disseminated CL, ML and VL. Agents with efficacy against leishmaniasis include amphotericin B, pentavalent antimonial drugs, paromomycin and miltefosine. No single therapy of VL currently offers satisfactory efficacy along with safety. This article provides a brief and updated systematic review on the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of this neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah P Georgiadou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Konstantinos P Makaritsis
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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Sadlova J, Seblova V, Votypka J, Warburg A, Volf P. Xenodiagnosis of Leishmania donovani in BALB/c mice using Phlebotomus orientalis: a new laboratory model. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:158. [PMID: 25881258 PMCID: PMC4364506 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0765-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In areas endemic for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the majority of infected hosts remain asymptomatic but potentially infectious to biting sand flies. Their infectiousness for sand fly vectors is crucial for the transmission of the disease and can be quantified only by xenodiagnosis. However, in the case of human hosts, xenodiagnosis can be problematic for ethical and logistic reasons. The BALB/c mouse model described in this paper was designed to enable xenodiagnostic studies on VL hosts circumventing the need for human volunteers, it permits xenodiagnosis using the same individual host repeatedly, over several months. Methods BALB/c mice were intradermally inoculated in the ear pinnae with Leishmania donovani, primarily metacyclic stages isolated from the thoracic midguts of experimentally-infected Phlebotomus orientalis females. Naïve sand flies were allowed to feed on anaesthetized mice in 1-3-weeks- interval, firstly on the site of inoculation of L. donovani (weeks 2–8 post infection, p.i.), later on the whole body of mice (weeks 9 – 15 p.i.). Infections of sand flies were evaluated microscopically or by PCR analysis. Results Although infected mice did not show any signs of disease, 19% (N = 876) of the P. orientalis females that fed at the site of inoculation, became infected. The majority of L. donovani-positive females (76%) had heavy infections with their stomodeal valves colonized by attached parasites. Inoculated mouse ears remained infective for sand flies until week 15 p.i. Females feeding on other parts of the body remained negative with exception of two groups feeding on contralateral ears by week 12 p.i. On week 15, however, these two mice returned negative at xenodiagnosis of the contralateral ears. In sacrificed mice, the highest parasite numbers were found in inoculated ears and their draining lymph nodes. Infections were detected also in the spleen, liver, blood and rarely in the contralateral ear. Conclusions The study showed that BALB/c mice harbored parasites in sufficient numbers to promote heavy infections in P. orientalis and thus comprised a suitable laboratory model for xenodiagnoses of L. donovani. Parasites persisted in the inoculation site and were found transmissible for months to sand flies biting on the same site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague 2, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Czech Republic.
| | - Veronika Seblova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague 2, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague 2, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Czech Republic.
| | - Alon Warburg
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague 2, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Czech Republic.
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Sweileh WM, Al-Jabi SW, Abuzanat A, Sawalha AF, AbuTaha AS, Ghanim MA, Zyoud SH. Assessment of research productivity of Arab countries in the field of infectious diseases using Web of Science database. Infect Dis Poverty 2015; 4:2. [PMID: 25685346 PMCID: PMC4327970 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9957-4-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To meet the future challenges of infectious diseases and limit the spread of multidrug resistant microorganisms, a better understanding of published studies in the field of infectious diseases is needed. The objective of this study was to analyze the quantity and quality of research activity in the field of infectious diseases in Arab countries and compare it with that in non-Arab countries. METHODS Documents published in Arab countries within the research category of "infectious diseases" were extracted and analyzed using the Web of Science database. The data analyzed represent research productivity during the time interval between 1900 - 2012. RESULTS Worldwide, the total number of documents published in the field of infectious diseases up to 2012 was 227,188. A total of 2,408 documents in the field of infectious diseases were published in Arab countries, which represents 1.06% of worldwide research output. Research output from Arab countries in the field of infectious diseases was low for decades. However, approximately a five-fold increase was observed in the past decade. Arab countries ranked 56(th) to 218(th) on the standard competition ranking (SCR) in worldwide publications in the field of infectious diseases. Egypt, with a total publication of 464 (19.27%) documents ranked first among Arab countries, while Kuwait University was the most productive institution with a total of 158 (6.56%) documents. Average citation per document published in Arab countries was 13.25 and the h-index was 64. Tuberculosis (230; 9.55%), malaria (223; 9.26%), and hepatitis (189; 7.8%) were the top three infectious diseases studied as according to the retrieved documents. CONCLUSION The present data reveals that some Arab countries contribute significantly to the field of infectious diseases. However, Arab countries need to work harder to bridge the gap in this field. Compared with non-Arab countries in the Middle East, research output from Arab countries was high, but more efforts are needed to enhance the quality of this output. Future research in the field should be encouraged and correctly directed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed M Sweileh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Samah W Al-Jabi
- Department of Clinical and Community Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Alaeddin Abuzanat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Ansam F Sawalha
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Adham S AbuTaha
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Mustafa A Ghanim
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Sa’ed H Zyoud
- Department of Clinical and Community Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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Abstract
Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne zoonotic disease endemic in southern Europe, but which is spreading northwards. Millions of dogs, cats and other non-conventional companion animals susceptible to L. infantum, living in European households, may develop a severe disease and contribute to the spread of leishmaniosis because of travelling or re-homing. Dogs are the main reservoir but other new reservoirs have recently been incriminated. Sand flies remain the sole proven vector and non-vectorial transmission has been reported at individual level and in areas where the vector is absent. Clinical disease affects only a proportion of infected dogs and a complex genetic background of immune response is responsible for this susceptibility. There is a wide range of serological and parasitological diagnostic tools available whose cost-effective use depends on a reasoned approach. Clinical response to treatment of sick dogs is variable. Clinical cure is often obtained but clinical recurrence can occur and post-therapy follow up should be maintained life-long. In Europe, vaccination can be combined with individual protection with pyrethroids as part of an integrated approach to prevention. L. infantum is the only species isolated from cats in Europe and xenodiagnosis substantiated that infected cats are infectious for sand flies. Feline infection may be frequent in endemic areas, but prevalence is generally lower than in dogs. When cats are tested by both serological and molecular techniques discordant results are often observed. Feline cases have been reported from endemic areas in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, but four cases were also diagnosed in Switzerland in cats that had travelled to or been imported from Spain. Half of the cases were diagnosed in cats with impaired immune responses. Clinical manifestations compatible with feline leishmaniosis include lymph node enlargement, skin and mucocutaneous lesions, ocular lesions, chronic gingivostomatitis, hypergammaglobulinemia, and normocytic normochromic anemia. Cats have been empirically treated with some drugs used in dogs. Due to polymorphic clinical picture and the insidious progressive course, leishmaniosis can persist for a long time before dogs or cats are brought to a veterinarian and so diagnosis can be delayed. Exotic or new Leishmania spp. have been reported in humans, animals and vectors in Europe. This changing situation requires attention in Europe for designing epidemiological studies and control measures.
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Lemma W, Tekie H, Abassi I, Balkew M, Gebre-Michael T, Warburg A, Hailu A. Nocturnal activities and host preferences of Phlebotomus orientalis in extra-domestic habitats of Kafta-Humera lowlands, Kala-azar endemic, Northwest Ethiopia. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:594. [PMID: 25515239 PMCID: PMC4279602 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phlebotomus orientalis feeds on a variety of wild and domestic animals and transmits Leishmania donovani from hitherto unknown reservoir hosts to humans in extra-domestic habitats in the Metema - Humera lowlands. The aim of this study was to determine the nocturnal activities of P. orientalis and its preferred blood meal hosts. Methods Collections of Phlebotomus orientalis were made by using CDC light traps to determine the density as P. orientalis/hour CDC trap and preference to rodents by using Turner’s traps in agricultural fields, animal shelters and thickets of Acacia seyal in Baeker site-1 and Gelanzeraf site-2. The blood meal sources were detected by Reverse Line Blot (RLB) of cytochrome b polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification in August, 2012 from collections of sand flies in thickets of A. seyal (March 2011) and dense mixed forest (July 2011) in Baeker site 1. RLB PCR involved first amplification of animal specific sequences of cytochrome b using PCR techniques. Then the amplified sequence was hybridized with 11 species-specific probes for domestic animals adsorbed on nitrocellulose membrane for calorimetric color detection. Results A total of 6,083 P. orientalis (2,702 males and 3,381 females) were collected at hourly intervals using 22 CDC traps from January to May 2013. The peak activities of P. orientalis were at 1.00 a.m (134.0 ± 7.21) near animal shelters, 3.00 a.m (66.33 ± 46.40) in agricultural fields and 21:00 pm (40.6 ± 30.06) in thickets of A. seyal. This species was not attracted to the different species of rodents in trials carried out in March and April 2013. RLB PCR identified 7 human (28%), 9 mixed (human and cattle) (36%) and 2 cattle (8%) blood meals while 7 were unknown (28%). Conclusion Female P. orientalis can bite humans in extra-domestic habitats of Kafta-Humera lowlands at any hour of the night with peak biting after midnight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wossenseged Lemma
- Department of Parasitology, School of Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. .,Department of Zoological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Habte Tekie
- Department of Zoological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Ibrahim Abassi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Jerusalem, Israel. .,The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Meshesha Balkew
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Teshome Gebre-Michael
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Alon Warburg
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Jerusalem, Israel. .,The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Kenubih A, Dagnachew S, Almaw G, Abebe T, Takele Y, Hailu A, Lemma W. Preliminary survey of domestic animal visceral leishmaniasis and risk factors in north-west Ethiopia. Trop Med Int Health 2014; 20:205-10. [DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ambaye Kenubih
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Immunology and Public Health; Addis Ababa University; Debre Ziet Ethiopia
| | - Shimelis Dagnachew
- Department of Para-Clinical Studies; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Gondar University; Gondar Ethiopia
| | - Gizat Almaw
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center; Sebeta Ethiopia
| | - Tamerat Abebe
- Faculty of Medicine; Addis Ababa University; Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | | | - Asrat Hailu
- Faculty of Medicine; Addis Ababa University; Addis Ababa Ethiopia
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Leishmania donovani populations in Eastern Sudan: temporal structuring and a link between human and canine transmission. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:496. [PMID: 25410888 PMCID: PMC4255451 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0496-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by the members of the Leishmania donovani complex, has been responsible for devastating VL epidemics in the Sudan. Multilocus microsatellite and sequence typing studies can provide valuable insights into the molecular epidemiology of leishmaniasis, when applied at local scales. Here we present population genetic data for a large panel of strains and clones collected in endemic Sudan between 1993 and 2001. METHODS Genetic diversity was evaluated at fourteen microsatellite markers and eleven nuclear sequence loci across 124 strains and clones. RESULTS Microsatellite data defined six genetic subpopulations with which the nuclear sequence data were broadly congruent. Pairwise estimates of FST (microsatellite) and KST (sequence) indicated small but significant shifts among the allelic repertoires of circulating strains year on year. Furthermore, we noted the co-occurrence of human and canine L. donovani strains in three of the six clusters defined. Finally, we identified widespread deficit in heterozygosity in all four years tested but strong deviation from inter-locus linkage equilibrium in two years. CONCLUSIONS Significant genetic diversity is present among L. donovani in Sudan, and minor population structuring between years is characteristic of entrenched, endemic disease transmission. Seasonality in vector abundance and transmission may, to an extent, explain the shallow temporal clines in allelic frequency that we observed. Genetically similar canine and human strains highlight the role of dogs as important local reservoirs of visceral leishmaniasis.
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Screening and characterization of RAPD markers in viscerotropic Leishmania parasites. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109773. [PMID: 25313833 PMCID: PMC4196940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is mainly due to the Leishmania donovani complex. VL is endemic in many countries worldwide including East Africa and the Mediterranean region where the epidemiology is complex. Taxonomy of these pathogens is under controversy but there is a correlation between their genetic diversity and geographical origin. With steady increase in genome knowledge, RAPD is still a useful approach to identify and characterize novel DNA markers. Our aim was to identify and characterize polymorphic DNA markers in VL Leishmania parasites in diverse geographic regions using RAPD in order to constitute a pool of PCR targets having the potential to differentiate among the VL parasites. 100 different oligonucleotide decamers having arbitrary DNA sequences were screened for reproducible amplification and a selection of 28 was used to amplify DNA from 12 L. donovani, L. archibaldi and L. infantum strains having diverse origins. A total of 155 bands were amplified of which 60.65% appeared polymorphic. 7 out of 28 primers provided monomorphic patterns. Phenetic analysis allowed clustering the parasites according to their geographical origin. Differentially amplified bands were selected, among them 22 RAPD products were successfully cloned and sequenced. Bioinformatic analysis allowed mapping of the markers and sequences and priming sites analysis. This study was complemented with Southern-blot to confirm assignment of markers to the kDNA. The bioinformatic analysis identified 16 nuclear and 3 minicircle markers. Analysis of these markers highlighted polymorphisms at RAPD priming sites with mainly 5′ end transversions, and presence of inter– and intra– taxonomic complex sequence and microsatellites variations; a bias in transitions over transversions and indels between the different sequences compared is observed, which is however less marked between L. infantum and L. donovani. The study delivers a pool of well-documented polymorphic DNA markers, to develop molecular diagnostics assays to characterize and differentiate VL causing agents.
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Concomitant Infection with Leishmania donovani and L. major in Single Ulcers of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients from Sudan. J Trop Med 2014; 2014:170859. [PMID: 24744788 PMCID: PMC3972916 DOI: 10.1155/2014/170859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In Sudan human leishmaniasis occurs in different clinical forms, that is, visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (ML), and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Clinical samples from 69 Sudanese patients with different clinical manifestations were subjected to a PCR targeting the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene for Leishmania species identification. Mixed infections were suspected due to multiple overlapping peaks presented in some sequences of the COII amplicons. Cloning these amplicons and alignment of sequences from randomly selected clones confirmed the presence of two different Leishmania species, L. donovani and L. major, in three out of five CL patients. Findings were further confirmed by cloning the ITS gene. Regarding other samples no significant genetic variations were found in patients with VL (62 patients), PKDL (one patient), or ML (one patient). The sequences clustered in a single homogeneous group within L. donovani genetic group, with the exception of one sequence clustering with L. infantum genetic group. Findings of this study open discussion on the synergetic/antagonistic interaction between divergent Leishmania species both in mammalian and vector hosts, their clinical implications with respect to parasite fitness and response to treatment, and the route of transmission with respect to vector distribution and or adaptation.
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Badirzadeh A, Mohebali M, Ghasemian M, Amini H, Zarei Z, Akhoundi B, Hajjaran H, Emdadi D, Molaei S, Kusha A, Alizadeh S. Cutaneous and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum in endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis, northwestern Iran 2002-2011: a case series. Pathog Glob Health 2014; 107:194-7. [PMID: 23816511 DOI: 10.1179/2047773213y.0000000097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Northwest and southern Iran. Reports of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Northwest areas are rare, and its etiological agents are unknown. In the current study, we report six CL and two post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) cases caused by Leishmania infantum from endemic areas of VL in the Northwest. Smears were made from skin lesions of 30 suspected patients in 2002-2011, and CL was determined by microscopy or culture. Leishmania spp. were identified by nested-PCR assay. The disease was confirmed in 20 out of 30 (66%) suspected patients by parasitological examinations. L. infantum was identified in eight and Leishmania major in 12 CL cases by nested-PCR. Cutaneous leishmaniasis patients infected with L. major had the history of travel to CL endemic areas. L. infantum antibodies were detected by direct agglutination test (DAT) at titers of 1:3200 in two cases with history of VL. Results of this study indicated that L. infantum is a causative agent of CL as well as PKDL in the VL endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Doroud D, Rafati S. Leishmaniasis: focus on the design of nanoparticulate vaccine delivery systems. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 11:69-86. [DOI: 10.1586/erv.11.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Hassan MM, Elamin EM, Mukhtar MM. Isolation and identification ofLeishmania donovanifromPhlebotomus orientalis, in an area of eastern Sudan with endemic visceral leishmaniasis. ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2013; 102:553-5. [DOI: 10.1179/136485908x311803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Farooq U, Choudhary S, Chacon AH, Lebrun E, Shiman MI, Hernandez J, Milikowski C, Kerdel FA, Romanelli P. Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients with AIDS: a report of two cases diagnosed in the USA. Int J Dermatol 2013; 52:1098-104. [DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Uzma Farooq
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
| | - Sonal Choudhary
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
| | - Anna H. Chacon
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
| | - Elizabeth Lebrun
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
| | - Michael I. Shiman
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
| | - Jose Hernandez
- Department of Pathology; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
| | - Clara Milikowski
- Department of Pathology; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
| | | | - Paolo Romanelli
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami; FL; USA
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Maroli M, Feliciangeli MD, Bichaud L, Charrel RN, Gradoni L. Phlebotomine sandflies and the spreading of leishmaniases and other diseases of public health concern. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2013; 27:123-47. [PMID: 22924419 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2012.01034.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 483] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sandflies transmit pathogens that affect humans and animals worldwide. We review the roles of phlebotomines in the spreading of leishmaniases, sandfly fever, summer meningitis, vesicular stomatitis, Chandipura virus encephalitis and Carrión's disease. Among over 800 species of sandfly recorded, 98 are proven or suspected vectors of human leishmaniases; these include 42 Phlebotomus species in the Old World and 56 Lutzomyia species in the New World (all: Diptera: Psychodidae). Based on incrimination criteria, we provide an updated list of proven or suspected vector species by endemic country where data are available. Increases in sandfly diffusion and density resulting from increases in breeding sites and blood sources, and the interruption of vector control activities contribute to the spreading of leishmaniasis in the settings of human migration, deforestation, urbanization and conflict. In addition, climatic changes can be expected to affect the density and dispersion of sandflies. Phlebovirus infections and diseases are present in large areas of the Old World, especially in the Mediterranean subregion, in which virus diversity has proven to be higher than initially suspected. Vesiculovirus diseases are important to livestock and humans in the southeastern U.S.A. and Latin America, and represent emerging human threats in parts of India. Carrión's disease, formerly restricted to regions of elevated altitude in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, has shown recent expansion to non-endemic areas of the Amazon basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maroli
- Unit of Vector-Borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Singh N, Mishra J, Singh R, Singh S. Animal reservoirs of visceral leishmaniasis in India. J Parasitol 2013; 99:64-7. [PMID: 22765517 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3085.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease that has both zoonotic and anthroponotic etiologies. In India, VL is endemic, considered to be anthroponotic, and caused by Leishmania donovani . Anthroponotic diseases are maintained by transmission from human to human and to a lesser extent from human to animals. Serum samples from 1,220 animals from 7 human VL endemic districts of Bihar, India, were tested for antibodies to a recombinant kinetoplast antigen (rK39 antigen) present in amastigotes of visceralizing Leishmania species, i.e., L. donovani complex. Additionally, PCR was used to examine samples positive by rK39 antigen serology. Antibodies to rK39 indicative of VL were detected in 33 of 1,220 animals. Thirty-one of 867 goats (Capra hircus), 1 of 161 cattle (Bos indicus), and 1 of 54 wild rats (Rattus sp.) were positive by rK39 serology. None of 106 chickens (Gallus domesticus), 26 sheep (Ovis aries), 3 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalus), or 3 dogs (Canis familiaris) was positive by rK39 serology. Leishmania donovani DNA was detected by PCR in 20 rK39 positive blood samples from goats and 1 sample from a cow. The present study indicates that goats are potential animal reservoirs of human VL in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niti Singh
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Esch KJ, Petersen CA. Transmission and epidemiology of zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals. Clin Microbiol Rev 2013; 26:58-85. [PMID: 23297259 PMCID: PMC3553666 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00067-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 77 million dogs and 93 million cats share our households in the United States. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of pets in their owners' physical and mental health. Given the large number of companion animals in the United States and the proximity and bond of these animals with their owners, understanding and preventing the diseases that these companions bring with them are of paramount importance. Zoonotic protozoal parasites, including toxoplasmosis, Chagas' disease, babesiosis, giardiasis, and leishmaniasis, can cause insidious infections, with asymptomatic animals being capable of transmitting disease. Giardia and Toxoplasma gondii, endemic to the United States, have high prevalences in companion animals. Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi are found regionally within the United States. These diseases have lower prevalences but are significant sources of human disease globally and are expanding their companion animal distribution. Thankfully, healthy individuals in the United States are protected by intact immune systems and bolstered by good nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene. Immunocompromised individuals, including the growing number of obese and/or diabetic people, are at a much higher risk of developing zoonoses. Awareness of these often neglected diseases in all health communities is important for protecting pets and owners. To provide this awareness, this review is focused on zoonotic protozoal mechanisms of virulence, epidemiology, and the transmission of pathogens of consequence to pet owners in the United States.
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