1
|
Hoyos J, Rosales-Chilama M, León C, González C, Gómez MA. Sequencing of hsp70 for discernment of species from the Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis complex from endemic areas in Colombia. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:406. [PMID: 36329517 PMCID: PMC9635106 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05438-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colombia is ranked very high among countries with the highest numbers of endemic Leishmania species (n = 9) causing human disease. Although much effort has been devoted to generating simple and specific tools for Leishmania species identification, challenges remain in the discrimination of species belonging to the Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis complex: L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (V.) panamensis. METHODS A set of seven reference strains of species belonging to the L. (Leishmania) and L. (Viannia) subgenera, clinical strains from human cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL; n = 26) and samples collected from sylvatic mammals and sand flies (n = 7) from endemic areas in Colombia were analyzed in this study. The heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) was amplified by PCR from DNA extracted from logarithmic-phase promastigotes or tissue samples, and the PCR products were sequenced. Sequence alignment was performed against a set of previously published and curated sequences, and phylogenetic analysis based on the maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches was conducted. Haplotype diversity among strains and species of the L. (V.) guyanensis complex was explored using a median-joining network. RESULTS Sequencing of the hsp70 gene for L. (Viannia) spp. typing was comparable to species identification using isoenzyme electrophoresis or monoclonal antibodies. Complete species matching was found, except for one sylvatic sample with an identity yet unsolved. Among the L. (V.) panamensis clinical strains, two distinctive phylogenetic clusters were found to correlate with two different zymodemes: L. (V.) panamensis Z2.2 and Z2.3. Analysis of samples from sylvatic environments identified novel records of naturally infected wild mammal and sand fly species. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the adequacy of hsp70 gene sequencing as a single-locus approach for discrimination of L. (Viannia) spp., as well as for exploring the genetic diversity within the L. (V.) guyanensis complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Hoyos
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología Y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, D.C Colombia
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento E Investigaciones Médicas (CIDEIM), Campus de la Universidad Icesi (Edificio O), Cali, Colombia
- Present Address: Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA
| | - Mariana Rosales-Chilama
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento E Investigaciones Médicas (CIDEIM), Campus de la Universidad Icesi (Edificio O), Cali, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Cielo León
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología Y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, D.C Colombia
| | - Camila González
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología Y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, D.C Colombia
| | - María Adelaida Gómez
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento E Investigaciones Médicas (CIDEIM), Campus de la Universidad Icesi (Edificio O), Cali, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Characterization of a protein with unknown function (LinJ.30.3360) in Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania infantum. Exp Parasitol 2020; 221:108048. [PMID: 33307096 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by trypanosomatid protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In the Americas, the species Leishmania amazonensis is predominantly associated with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) while L. infantum is an agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The genome sequences of Leishmania spp. have shown that each genome can contain about 8000 genes encoding proteins, more than half of which have an unknown function (''hypotheticals") at the time of publication. To understand the biology and genome of the organisms, it is important to discover the function of these "hypothetical" proteins; however, few studies have focused on their characterizations. Previously, LinJ.30.3360 (a protein with unknown function) was identified as immunogenic to canine serum with VL and a good antigen to diagnose the visceral form in dogs. Here, we show that the LinJ.30.3360 protein is conserved in L. infantum, L. tarantolae, L. donovani, L. major, L. mexicana, L. braziliensis, L. panamensis, Leptomonas pyrrhocoris, and Leptomonas seymouri. It has been annotated as a MORN (Membrane Occupation and Recognition Nexus) domain protein. However, since the function of this motif is unknown, functional inferences based on the primary sequence are not possible. The protein has a folded β-leaf secondary structure, and phosphorylation was the only post-translational modification (PTM) found using prediction approach. Experiments have shown that it is located close to the flagellar pocket and presents similar abundance in both L. amazonensis and L. infantum. Furthermore, because it is a conserved protein in trypanosomatids but not in mammals and also because of its antigenicity, LinJ.30.3360 may constitute a potential drug target and/or vaccine for leishmaniasis.
Collapse
|
3
|
Lima BSDS, Esteves BB, Fialho-Júnior LC, Mendes TADO, Pires SDF, Chapeourouge A, Perales J, de Andrade HM. Study of the differentially abundant proteins among Leishmania amazonensis, L. braziliensis, and L. infantum. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240612. [PMID: 33057350 PMCID: PMC7561129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis has been considered as emerging and re-emerging disease, and its increasing global incidence has raised concerns. The great clinical diversity of the disease is mainly determined by the species. In several American countries, tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is associated with both Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis, while visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is associated with L. (L.) infantum. The major molecules that determine the most diverse biological variations are proteins. In the present study, through a DIGE approach, we identified differentially abundant proteins among the species mentioned above. We observed a variety of proteins with differential abundance among the studied species; and the biological networks predicted for each species showed that many of these proteins interacted with each other. The prominent proteins included the heat shock proteins (HSPs) and the protein network involved in oxide reduction process in L. amazonensis, the protein network of ribosomes in L. braziliensis, and the proteins involved in energy metabolism in L. infantum. The important proteins, as revealed by the PPI network results, enrichment categories, and exclusive proteins analysis, were arginase, HSPs, and trypanothione reductase in L. amazonensis; enolase, peroxidoxin, and tryparedoxin1 in L. braziliensis; and succinyl-CoA ligase [GDP -forming] beta-chain and transaldolase in L. infantum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Soares de Souza Lima
- Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga (FADIP), Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Barbara Beiral Esteves
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Fialho-Júnior
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Simone da Fonseca Pires
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Jonas Perales
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helida Monteiro de Andrade
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Genetic polymorphism in Leishmania infantum isolates from human and animals determined by nagt PCR-RFLP. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:54. [PMID: 29898776 PMCID: PMC6001066 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0439-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and sporadic human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Mediterranean region. The genetic variation of the Leishmania parasites may result in different phenotypes that can be associated with the geographical distribution and diversity of the clinical manifestations. The main objective of this study was to explore the genetic polymorphism in L. infantum isolates from human and animal hosts in different regions of Morocco. METHODS The intraspecific genetic variability of 40 Moroccan L. infantum MON-1 strains isolated from patients with VL (n = 31) and CL (n = 2) and from dogs (n = 7) was evaluated by PCR-RFLP of nagt, a single-copy gene encoding N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase. For a more complete analysis of L. infantum polymorphism, we included the restriction patterns of nagt from 17 strains available in the literature and patterns determined by in-silico digestion of three sequences from the GenBank database. RESULTS Moroccan L. infantum strains presented a certain level of genetic diversity and six distinct nagt-RFLP genotypes were identified. Three of the six genotypes were exclusively identified in the Moroccan population of L. infantum: variant M1 (15%), variant M2 (7.5%), and variant M3 (2.5%). The most common genotype (65%), variant 2 (2.5%), and variant 4 (7.5%), were previously described in several countries with endemic leishmaniasis. Phylogenetic analysis segregated our L. infantum population into two distinct clusters, whereas variant M2 was clearly distinguished from both cluster I and cluster II. This distribution highlights the degree of genetic variability among the Moroccan L. infantum population. CONCLUSION The nagt PCR-RFLP method presented here showed an important genetic heterogeneity among Moroccan L. infantum strains isolated from human and canine reservoirs with 6 genotypes identified. Three of the six Moroccan nagt genotypes, have not been previously described and support the particular genetic diversity of the Moroccan L. infantum population reported in other studies.
Collapse
|
5
|
Recent advances in trypanosomatid research: genome organization, expression, metabolism, taxonomy and evolution. Parasitology 2018; 146:1-27. [PMID: 29898792 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Unicellular flagellates of the family Trypanosomatidae are obligatory parasites of invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. Dixenous species are aetiological agents of a number of diseases in humans, domestic animals and plants. Their monoxenous relatives are restricted to insects. Because of the high biological diversity, adaptability to dramatically different environmental conditions, and omnipresence, these protists have major impact on all biotic communities that still needs to be fully elucidated. In addition, as these organisms represent a highly divergent evolutionary lineage, they are strikingly different from the common 'model system' eukaryotes, such as some mammals, plants or fungi. A number of excellent reviews, published over the past decade, were dedicated to specialized topics from the areas of trypanosomatid molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, host-parasite relationships or other aspects of these fascinating organisms. However, there is a need for a more comprehensive review that summarizing recent advances in the studies of trypanosomatids in the last 30 years, a task, which we tried to accomplish with the current paper.
Collapse
|
6
|
Population Structure of Leishmania tropica Causing Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southern Iran by PCR-RFLP of Kinetoplastid DNA. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:6049198. [PMID: 29984240 PMCID: PMC6011176 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6049198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Iran is one of the six countries with the most cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients. Understanding better the genotypes of the parasite population in relation to geography and climate is critical to achieving better CL control. We aimed to characterise the population structure of Leishmania tropica, the cause of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), from important foci in southeast (Bam and Kerman) and southwest (Shiraz) Iran. A total of 39 L. tropica isolates from ACL patients from southeast (Bam 14, Kerman 12) and southwest (Shiraz 13) Iran were analysed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) using restriction enzymes MspI (HpaII) and ClaI. 37 genotypes were identified among south Iran L. tropica isolates. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) tree obtained from the banding patterns of ClaI digested kDNA RFLP distinguished southeast from and southwest L. tropica isolates with some subclustering but the MspI derived tree showed greater discrimination with greater subclustering and divergence of the two foci of southeast region but with some overlapping. Although a monophyletic structure has been defined for southeast L. tropica, isolates from two foci of southeast Iran were partly discriminated in the current study.
Collapse
|
7
|
Experimental mixed infection of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Leishmania (L.) infantum in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Parasitology 2017; 144:1191-1202. [PMID: 28487000 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In South America, visceral leishmaniasis is frequently caused by Leishmania infantum and, at an unknown frequency, by Leishmania amazonensis. Therefore, mixed infections with these organisms are possible. Mixed infections might affect the clinical course, immune response, diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of the disease. Here we describe the clinical course of mixed infections with L. amazonensis and L. infantum in a hamster model. We show that mixed infections are associated with more severe clinical disease than infection with L. amazonensis or L. infantum alone. In spleens with mixed infections, L. infantum outcompeted L. amazonensis in the tissue, but not in culture from tissue. We found increased levels of IgG in animals infected with L. infantum. Although more than 30 bands were revealed in a Western blot, the highest immunogenicity was observed with proteins having molecular masses of 95 and 90 kDa, whereas proteins with molecular masses of lower than 50 kDa were reactive frequently with serum from hamsters infected with L. amazonensis, and proteins with molecular masses of 80 and 70 kDa were reactive only with serum from hamsters infected with L. infantum. This finding has important implications regarding the biology of Leishmania and humoral immune responses to infections with these organisms.
Collapse
|
8
|
Akhoundi M, Downing T, Votýpka J, Kuhls K, Lukeš J, Cannet A, Ravel C, Marty P, Delaunay P, Kasbari M, Granouillac B, Gradoni L, Sereno D. Leishmania infections: Molecular targets and diagnosis. Mol Aspects Med 2017; 57:1-29. [PMID: 28159546 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Progress in the diagnosis of leishmaniases depends on the development of effective methods and the discovery of suitable biomarkers. We propose firstly an update classification of Leishmania species and their synonymies. We demonstrate a global map highlighting the geography of known endemic Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. We summarize a complete list of techniques currently in use and discuss their advantages and limitations. The available data highlights the benefits of molecular markers in terms of their sensitivity and specificity to quantify variation from the subgeneric level to species complexes, (sub) species within complexes, and individual populations and infection foci. Each DNA-based detection method is supplied with a comprehensive description of markers and primers and proposal for a classification based on the role of each target and primer in the detection, identification and quantification of leishmaniasis infection. We outline a genome-wide map of genes informative for diagnosis that have been used for Leishmania genotyping. Furthermore, we propose a classification method based on the suitability of well-studied molecular markers for typing the 21 known Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. This can be applied to newly discovered species and to hybrid strains originating from inter-species crosses. Developing more effective and sensitive diagnostic methods and biomarkers is vital for enhancing Leishmania infection control programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Akhoundi
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Tim Downing
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katrin Kuhls
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Wildau, Germany
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arnaud Cannet
- Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France
| | - Christophe Ravel
- French National Reference Centre on Leishmaniasis, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Marty
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France
| | - Pascal Delaunay
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Mohamed Kasbari
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, ANSES, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, Cedex, France
| | - Bruno Granouillac
- IRD/UMI 233, INSERM U1175, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Luigi Gradoni
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Denis Sereno
- MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France; Intertryp UMR IRD177, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lima BSS, Pires SF, Fialho LC, Oliveira EJ, Machado-de-Avila RA, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Chapeaurouge AD, Perales J, Andrade HM. A proteomic road to acquire an accurate serological diagnosis for human tegumentary leishmaniasis. J Proteomics 2016; 151:174-181. [PMID: 27262223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Diagnostic tools are important for clinical management and epidemiological evaluation of Tegumentary (TL) and Visceral (VL) Leishmaniasis. Serology is not frequently used for the diagnosis of the TL form because low antibody titers and cross-reaction with VL. Therefore, it is crucial to identify specific and immunogenic antigens from species associated with the TL form. Here we employed a proteomic approach coupled to an in silico analysis and identified the most abundant and immunogenic proteins from Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum. Of 16 species specific proteins, nine were from the species causative of the TL form (L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis). In silico analysis revealed 18 B-cell epitopes with 0% similarity to Trypanosoma cruzi orthologs and, therefore, less likely to crossreact with sera of patients with Chagas disease. Two proteins reacted exclusively with serum from TL patients and presented several B-cell epitopes without similarity to T. cruzi orthologs: the hypothetical protein GI 134063939 and the metallo-peptidase Clan MA(E)-Family M3. The immunoassay revealed nine peptides with strong reactivity to sera from TL patients. These proteins and peptides may be good candidates to improve the specificity and sensibility of serological tests aiming to diagnose the TL of this neglected human disease. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE As no gold-standard test for tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) exists, a combination of different diagnostic techniques is often necessary to obtain precise results. Thus, the identification of species-specific, highly immunogenic and abundant proteins that stimulate the humoral immune response in the host should help in the development of serological tests for human TL. Herein we searched for these potential antigens in Leishmania species related to American Leishmaniasis (L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis and L. infantum). To this end, we employed an immunoproteomic approach using proteins from these Leishmania species and sera from TL and Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) patients. Our study unveils specific proteins and peptides that may represent antigens that will help the efforts to improve the accuracy of serological tests to diagnose the TL form.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B S S Lima
- Departamento de Parasitologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP: 486 - CEP: 31.270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - S F Pires
- Departamento de Parasitologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP: 486 - CEP: 31.270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - L C Fialho
- Departamento de Parasitologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP: 486 - CEP: 31.270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - E J Oliveira
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, CP: 1742 - CEP: 30190-002 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - R A Machado-de-Avila
- Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, CEP: 88.806-000 Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - C Chávez-Olórtegui
- Departamento Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP: 486 - CEP: 31.270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - A D Chapeaurouge
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - J Perales
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - H M Andrade
- Departamento de Parasitologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP: 486 - CEP: 31.270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
da Silva TAM, Gomes LI, Oliveira E, Coura-Vital W, Silva LDA, Pais FSM, Ker HG, Reis AB, Rabello A, Carneiro M. Genetic homogeneity among Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum isolates from dog and human samples in Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area (BHMA), Minas Gerais, Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:226. [PMID: 25889010 PMCID: PMC4407872 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0837-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain municipalities in the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area (BHMA), Minas Gerais, Brazil, have the highest human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) mortality rates in the country and also demonstrate high canine seropositivity. In Brazil, the etiologic agent of VL is Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraspecific genetic variability of parasites from humans and from dogs with different clinical forms of VL in five municipalities of BHMA using PCR-RFLP and two target genes: kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and gp63. METHODS In total, 45 samples of DNA extracted from clinical samples (n = 35) or L. infantum culture (n = 10) were evaluated. These samples originated from three groups: adults (with or without Leishmania/HIV co-infection; n = 14), children (n = 18) and dogs (n = 13). The samples were amplified for the kDNA target using the MC1 and MC2 primers (447 bp), while the Sg1 and Sg2 (1330 bp) primers were used for the gp63 glycoprotein target gene. RESULTS The restriction enzyme patterns of all the samples tested were monomorphic. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal a high degree of genetic homogeneity for the evaluated gene targets among L. infantum samples isolated from different hosts and representing different clinical forms of VL in the municipalities of BHMA studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thais Almeida Marques da Silva
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. .,Laboratório de Epidemiologia das Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Luciana Inácia Gomes
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Edward Oliveira
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Wendel Coura-Vital
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia das Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. .,Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. .,Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Letícia de Azevedo Silva
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Fabiano Sviatopolk-Mirsky Pais
- Grupo de Genômica e Biologia Computacional, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Henrique Gama Ker
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Alexandre Barbosa Reis
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Ana Rabello
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Mariangela Carneiro
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia das Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. .,Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cross-species genetic exchange between visceral and cutaneous strains of Leishmania in the sand fly vector. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:16808-13. [PMID: 25385616 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1415109111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic exchange between Leishmania major strains during their development in the sand fly vector has been experimentally shown. To investigate the possibility of genetic exchange between different Leishmania species, a cutaneous strain of L. major and a visceral strain of Leishmania infantum, each bearing a different drug-resistant marker, were used to coinfect Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies. Eleven double-drug-resistant progeny clones, each the product of an independent mating event, were generated and submitted to genotype and phenotype analyses. The analysis of multiple allelic markers across the genome suggested that each progeny clone inherited at least one full set of chromosomes from each parent, with loss of heterozygosity at some loci, and uniparental retention of maxicircle kinetoplast DNA. Hybrids with DNA contents of approximately 2n, 3n, and 4n were observed. In vivo studies revealed clear differences in the ability of the hybrids to produce pathology in the skin or to disseminate to and grow in the viscera, suggesting polymorphisms and differential inheritance of the gene(s) controlling these traits. The studies, to our knowledge, represent the first experimental confirmation of cross-species mating in Leishmania, opening the way toward genetic linkage analysis of important traits and providing strong evidence that genetic exchange is responsible for the generation of the mixed-species genotypes observed in natural populations.
Collapse
|
12
|
Evolution and species discrimination according to the Leishmania heat-shock protein 20 gene. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 18:229-37. [PMID: 23722022 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2013] [Revised: 05/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The Leishmania genus comprises up to 35 species, of which 20 are responsible for human disease. However, the taxonomic status for many of them is under discussion. The small Heat Shock Proteins (sHSPs) are physiologically relevant, protecting cellular proteins from aggregation and maintaining cellular viability under intensive stress conditions. In Leishmania, a protein of this class was previously described, the 20-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP20), which is encoded by a single gene. In the present study, we used this target, alone or in combination with hsp70 gene, to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among Leishmania species. Using a pair of degenerate primers it was possible amplifying a 370bp fragment of the hsp20 coding region in 39 strains of very different geographic origins, representing in total 16 Leishmania species (14 if L. chagasi and L. archibaldi are considered synonymous names of L. infantum and L. donovani, respectively). Nucleotide sequences were readily obtained by direct sequencing of the amplification products. Both phylogenetic trees and networks based on either hsp20 sequences or combined datasets of hsp20 and hsp70 sequences were constructed. These phylogenic analyses supported the division of the Leishmania genus into nine species: L. (L.) donovani, L. (L.) major, L. (L.) tropica, L. (L.) aethiopica, L. (L.) mexicana, L. (V.) lainsoni, L. (V.) naiffi, L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (V.) braziliensis. Additionally, by network analysis, the subspecies L. (L.) donovani infantum and L. (V.) braziliensis peruviana were recognized within the L. (L.) donovani and L. (V.) braziliensis species, respectively. Therefore, hsp20 gene was found to be a suitable molecular marker for Leishmania typing and classification purposes. In addition, this study represents a solid contribution to the objective of establishing a more reliable taxonomy for the genus Leishmania.
Collapse
|
13
|
Motoie G, Ferreira GEM, Cupolillo E, Canavez F, Pereira-Chioccola VL. Spatial distribution and population genetics of Leishmania infantum genotypes in São Paulo State, Brazil, employing multilocus microsatellite typing directly in dog infected tissues. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 18:48-59. [PMID: 23665466 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2012] [Revised: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the genetic characteristics of Leishmania infantum samples from São Paulo (SP) State, Brazil in order to collaborate with information about the possible origins of the parasites, as well as, the introduction and spread of visceral leishmaniasis in this Brazilian State. Multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) was performed using a set of 17 microsatellite markers. DNA was extracted from 250 samples collected from dogs diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis and 112 (45%) were genotyped: 67 from the northwest region (NWSP), and 29 from the southeast region (SESP) of SP. The results were correlated with other 16 samples from Mato Grosso do Sul State (MS) (which borders NWSP). Although, a small portion of samples was genotyped, it was possible to genotype multiple loci using small amounts of Leishmania DNA extracted directly from dog tissues. Despite the fact that MLMT analysis defined 33 different genotypes, a low polymorphism was detected within the parasites studied with 10 polymorphic loci. There are two main genetic clusters circulating in SP with strong genetic differentiation, one (POP-A) is composed by samples from SESP and NWSP and presented a weak signal of geographical substructure. The other, belongs to the same cluster found in the state of MS (POP-B), which was the main one. The majority (93.75%) of MS parasite genotypes belonged to POP-B, with just one sample (6.25%) grouped in POP-A. POP-B also comprised 10.34% of SESP and 26.87% of NWSP samples. Besides one sample from MS, POP-A is composed by 73.13% of NWSP and 89.66% of SESP samples. The MLMT analysis supported the idea of canine visceral leishmaniasis being introduced in the Northwest region of SP State by the traffic of humans and dogs from MS. In the southeast region of SP occurred an introduction of a new L. infantum genetic cluster. Probably the transmission was spread by traffic of infected dogs from other Brazilian regions, or by introduction of imported dogs from other countries. All these data together contributed to the detection of the genetic profile of L. infantum population in SP State.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Motoie
- Laboratório de Parasitologia do Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Graça GCD, Volpini AC, Romero GAS, Oliveira Neto MPD, Hueb M, Porrozzi R, Boité MC, Cupolillo E. Development and validation of PCR-based assays for diagnosis of American cutaneous leishmaniasis and identification of the parasite species. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2013; 107:664-74. [PMID: 22850958 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762012000500014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, PCR assays targeting different Leishmania heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) regions, producing fragments ranging in size from 230-390 bp were developed and evaluated to determine their potential as a tool for the specific molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). A total of 70 Leishmania strains were analysed, including seven reference strains (RS) and 63 previously typed strains. Analysis of the RS indicated a specific region of 234 bp in the hsp70 gene as a valid target that was highly sensitive for detection of Leishmania species DNA with capacity of distinguishing all analyzed species, after polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). This PCR assay was compared with other PCR targets used for the molecular diagnosis of leishmaniasis: hsp70 (1400-bp region), internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd). A good agreement among the methods was observed concerning the Leishmania species identification. Moreover, to evaluate the potential for molecular diagnosis, we compared the PCR targets hsp70-234 bp, ITS1, G6pd and mkDNA using a panel of 99 DNA samples from tissue fragments collected from patients with confirmed CL. Both PCR-hsp70-234 bp and PCR-ITS1 detected Leishmania DNA in more than 70% of the samples. However, using hsp70-234 bp PCR-RFLP, identification of all of the Leishmania species associated with CL in Brazil can be achieved employing a simpler and cheaper electrophoresis protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grazielle Cardoso da Graça
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Coleção de Leishmania, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mannaert A, Downing T, Imamura H, Dujardin JC. Adaptive mechanisms in pathogens: universal aneuploidy in Leishmania. Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:370-6. [PMID: 22789456 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genomic stability and maintenance of the correct chromosome number are assumed to be essential for normal development in eukaryotes. Aneuploidy is usually associated with severe abnormalities and decrease of cell fitness, but some organisms appear to rely on aneuploidy for rapid adaptation to changing environments. This phenomenon is mostly described in pathogenic fungi and cancer cells. However, recent genome studies highlight the importance of Leishmania as a new model for studies on aneuploidy. Several reports revealed extensive variation in chromosome copy number, indicating that aneuploidy is a constitutive feature of this protozoan parasite genus. Aneuploidy appears to be beneficial in organisms that are primarily asexual, unicellular, and that undergo sporadic epidemic expansions, including common pathogens as well as cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- An Mannaert
- Unit of Molecular Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Batista LFDS, Segatto M, Guedes CES, Sousa RS, Rodrigues CAT, Brazuna JCM, Silva JS, Santos SO, Larangeira D, Macedo AM, Schriefer A, Veras PST. An assessment of the genetic diversity of Leishmania infantum isolates from infected dogs in Brazil. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012; 86:799-806. [PMID: 22556077 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Correlations between the genetic diversity of Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi) isolates and their respective geographic origins support the theoretic assumption that visceral leishmaniasis probably originated in the Old World. Because dogs are widely considered to be the main reservoir of this disease, the present study aimed to investigate the degree of genetic divergence among 44 leishmanial canine isolates from two Brazilian cities, Jequié and Campo Grande, located approximately 2,028 km from each other. We hypothesized that a low degree of genetic divergence would be observed among these isolates. In fact, statistical analyses found no significant differences between the isolates using both random amplified polymorphic DNA and multilocus microsatellite typing genotyping techniques with three and seven markers, respectively. These findings provide support for the recent introduction of L. infantum into the New World.
Collapse
|
17
|
Molecular approaches for a better understanding of the epidemiology and population genetics ofLeishmania. Parasitology 2010; 138:405-25. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182010001538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARYMolecular approaches are being used increasingly for epidemiological studies of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases. Several molecular markers resolving genetic differences betweenLeishmaniaparasites at species and strain levels have been developed to address key epidemiological and population genetic questions. The current gold standard, multilocus enzyme typing (MLEE), needs cultured parasites and lacks discriminatory power. PCR assays identifying species directly with clinical samples have proven useful in numerous field studies. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is potentially the most powerful phylogenetic approach and will, most probably, replace MLEE in the future. Multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) is able to discriminate below the zymodeme level and seems to be the best candidate for becoming the gold standard for distinction of strains. Population genetic studies by MLMT revealed geographical and hierarchic population structure inL. tropica, L. majorand theL. donovanicomplex. The existence of hybrids and gene flow betweenLeishmaniapopulations suggests that sexual recombination is more frequent than previously thought. However, typing and analytical tools need to be further improved. Accessible databases should be created and sustained for integrating data obtained by different researchers. This would allow for global analyses and help to avoid biases in analyses due to small sample sizes.
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
A variety of recombinant protein expression systems have been developed for heterologous genes in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems such as bacteria, yeast, mammals, insects, transgenic animals, and plants. Recently Leishmania tarentolae, a trypanosomatid protozoan parasite of the white-spotted wall gecko (Tarentola annularis), has been suggested as candidate for heterologous genes expression. Trypanosomatidae are rich in glycoproteins, which can account for more than 10% of total protein; the oligosaccharide structures are similar to those of mammals with N-linked galactose, and fucose residues. To date several heterologous proteins have been expressed in L. tarentolae including both cytoplasmic enzymes and membrane receptors. Significant advances in the development of new strains and vectors, improved techniques, and the commercial availability of those tools coupled with a better understanding of the biology of Leishmania species will lead to value and power in commercial and research labs alike.
Collapse
|
19
|
Fraga J, Montalvo AM, De Doncker S, Dujardin JC, Van der Auwera G. Phylogeny of Leishmania species based on the heat-shock protein 70 gene. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2009; 10:238-45. [PMID: 19913110 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2009.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Revised: 11/04/2009] [Accepted: 11/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The 70kDa heat-shock protein (HSP70) is conserved across prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and the protein as well as its encoding gene have been applied in phylogenetic studies of different parasites. In spite of the frequent use of New World Leishmania species identification on the basis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in the hsp70 gene, it was never sequenced extensively for studying evolutionary relationships. To fill this void we determined the nucleotide sequence of an 1380bp fragment of the coding region commonly used in RFLP analysis, from 43 isolates and strains of different geographic origins. Combination with previously determined sequences amounted to a phylogenetic analysis including 52 hsp70 sequences representing 17 species commonly causing leishmaniasis both in the New and Old World. The genus Leishmania formed a monophyletic group with three distinct subgenera L. (Leishmania), L. (Viannia), and L. (Sauroleishmania). The obtained phylogeny supports the following eight species: L. (L.) donovani, L. (L.) major, L. (L.) tropica, L. (L.) mexicana, L. (V.) lainsoni, L. (V.) naiffi, L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (V.) braziliensis, in some of which subspecies can be recognized: L. (L.) donovani infantum, L. (V.) guyanensis panamensis, and L. (V.) braziliensis peruviana. The currently recognized L. (L.) aethiopica, L. (L.) garnhami, and L. (L.) amazonensis did not form monophyletic clusters. These findings are discussed in relation to results from other genes and proteins, which have to be integrated in order to build a genetically supported taxonomy for the entire genus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Fraga
- Parasitology Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kouri, La Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
da Silva LA, de Sousa CDS, da Graça GC, Porrozzi R, Cupolillo E. Sequence analysis and PCR-RFLP profiling of the hsp70 gene as a valuable tool for identifying Leishmania species associated with human leishmaniasis in Brazil. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2009; 10:77-83. [PMID: 19913112 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2009.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2009] [Revised: 10/25/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Since the first report of the genus Leishmania, many species have been described. In Brazil, human leishmaniasis has been associated with eight Leishmania species, of which seven are responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). In some endemic areas, CL is associated with only one species; however, in other areas, such as the Amazon, the etiology of CL can be assigned to many species. The multitude of highly similar Leishmania species in Brazil makes it difficult to develop an appropriate method of typing them. Most Leishmania species were first described based on epidemiological and biological characteristics, and these were later corroborated by Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (MLEE), the gold standard technique for identifying Leishmania species. In an attempt to overcome the limitations of MLEE, many PCR-based methods have been developed and used for parasite identification. In the present study, we analyzed the sequence of the hsp70 gene in Leishmania species associated with human leishmaniasis in Brazil. This analysis led to the identification of restriction enzymes that could be used for PCR-RFLP-based identification. The results obtained were in complete agreement with those obtained by MLEE, suggesting that PCR-RFLP analysis of hsp70 could soon replace MLEE for routine Leishmania typing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Alves da Silva
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
A new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the central area of Paraná State, southern Brazil. Acta Trop 2009; 111:308-15. [PMID: 19482000 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2008] [Revised: 05/07/2009] [Accepted: 05/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We report a new endemic zone of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the central area of the State of Paraná (Municipality of Prudentópolis), in southern Brazil. This region was not previously considered endemic for CL, and this work constitutes the first report of CL endemicity there. Leishmaniasis was confirmed by smear, culture, and ELISA. Parasites were isolated and identified by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (PCR-RAPD). Phylogeographical analysis, based on two different criteria, was able to distinguish between RAPD profiles from different geographical regions. In total, 100 patients were diagnosed with leishmaniasis by culture and serology methods. The reported incidence rate was 4.32%. Of the 100 patients, 92% of the patients had single lesions, and 79.98% of these lesions were located on their limbs. The fact that 61% of patients were male rural workers points to an extradomiciliar type of transmission. In houses where human leishmaniasis was diagnosed, 29% of the dogs presented anti-Leishmania antibodies. A total of 1663 phlebotomines, representing 5 species, were captured in the studied area with CDC-like light minitraps. Lutzomyia intermedia s.l. was the most prevalent species (94.40%). The isolated parasites were grouped with Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. The epidemiological implications are discussed in the present article.
Collapse
|
22
|
Typing of four genetic loci discriminates among closely related species of New World Leishmania. Int J Parasitol 2009; 39:355-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2008] [Revised: 08/07/2008] [Accepted: 08/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
23
|
Kuhls K, Chicharro C, Cañavate C, Cortes S, Campino L, Haralambous C, Soteriadou K, Pratlong F, Dedet JP, Mauricio I, Miles M, Schaar M, Ochsenreither S, Radtke OA, Schönian G. Differentiation and gene flow among European populations of Leishmania infantum MON-1. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2008; 2:e261. [PMID: 18612461 PMCID: PMC2438616 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2007] [Accepted: 06/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean region, South America, and China. MON-1 L. infantum is the predominating zymodeme in all endemic regions, both in humans and dogs, the reservoir host. In order to answer important epidemiological questions it is essential to discriminate strains of MON-1. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We have used a set of 14 microsatellite markers to analyse 141 strains of L. infantum mainly from Spain, Portugal, and Greece of which 107 strains were typed by MLEE as MON-1. The highly variable microsatellites have the potential to discriminate MON-1 strains from other L. infantum zymodemes and even within MON-1 strains. Model- and distance-based analysis detected a considerable amount of structure within European L. infantum. Two major monophyletic groups-MON-1 and non-MON-1-could be distinguished, with non-MON-1 being more polymorphic. Strains of MON-98, 77, and 108 were always part of the MON-1 group. Among MON-1, three geographically determined and genetically differentiated populations could be identified: (1) Greece; (2) Spain islands-Majorca/Ibiza; (3) mainland Portugal/Spain. All four populations showed a predominantly clonal structure; however, there are indications of occasional recombination events and gene flow even between MON-1 and non-MON-1. Sand fly vectors seem to play an important role in sustaining genetic diversity. No correlation was observed between Leishmania genotypes, host specificity, and clinical manifestation. In the case of relapse/re-infection, only re-infections by a strain with a different MLMT profile can be unequivocally identified, since not all strains have individual MLMT profiles. CONCLUSION In the present study for the first time several key epidemiological questions could be addressed for the MON-1 zymodeme, because of the high discriminatory power of microsatellite markers, thus creating a basis for further epidemiological investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Kuhls
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bañuls AL, Hide M, Prugnolle F. Leishmania and the leishmaniases: a parasite genetic update and advances in taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenicity in humans. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2007; 64:1-109. [PMID: 17499100 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-308x(06)64001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases remain a major public health problem today despite the vast amount of research conducted on Leishmania pathogens. The biological model is genetically and ecologically complex. This paper explores the advances in Leishmania genetics and reviews population structure, taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenicity. Current knowledge of Leishmania genetics is placed in the context of natural populations. Various studies have described a clonal structure for Leishmania but recombination, pseudo-recombination and other genetic processes have also been reported. The impact of these different models on epidemiology and the medical aspects of leishmaniases is considered from an evolutionary point of view. The role of these parasites in the expression of pathogenicity in humans is also explored. It is important to ascertain whether genetic variability of the parasites is related to the different clinical expressions of leishmaniasis. The review aims to put current knowledge of Leishmania and the leishmaniases in perspective and to underline priority questions which 'leishmaniacs' must answer in various domains: epidemiology, population genetics, taxonomy and pathogenicity. It concludes by presenting a number of feasible ways of responding to these questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Bañuls
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR CNRS/IRD 2724, Génétique et Evolution des Maladies Infectieuses, IRD Montpellier, 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Rotureau B. Are New World leishmaniases becoming anthroponoses? Med Hypotheses 2006; 67:1235-41. [PMID: 16797861 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2006] [Accepted: 02/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the New World, leishmaniases are originally wild exoanthropic zoonoses developing in sylvatic ecotopes. For a long time, Leishmania parasites have shown a remarkable plasticity to face modifications in their environment. Now, both geographical extension and numerical increase of leishmaniasis cases in the New World are giving cause for concern. These circumstances might have been provoked by the simple invasion of zoonotic foci by humans. However, dramatic evolutionary mechanisms are also at work in the New World: (i) the reduction of biodiversity associated with anthropogenic environmental changes (deforestation and urbanization); and (ii) the subsequent adaptations and interactions of new vectors and reservoir hosts at the interface with humans. This paper considers that these processes could result in new pathogenic complexes tending to synanthropic zoonoses, if not anthroponoses. Increasing man-made risk factors could thus possibly make leishmaniases a growing public health concern in the New World.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brice Rotureau
- Laboratoire Hospitalo-universitaire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Equipe EA 3593, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Médecine de l'Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, Campus Saint-Denis, BP 718, 97336 Cayenne, French Guiana
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Nasereddin A, Baneth G, Schönian G, Kanaan M, Jaffe CL. Molecular fingerprinting of Leishmania infantum strains following an outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in central Israel. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 43:6054-9. [PMID: 16333098 PMCID: PMC1317210 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.12.6054-6059.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human and canine visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum emerged in central Israel after an absence of over 30 years. The origin of this outbreak was investigated by examining genetic polymorphisms in 37 strains isolated from dogs and patients with visceral leishmaniasis in the continuously active northern Israeli and West Bank foci and in a new Israeli focus using DNA fingerprinting with the human multilocus minisatellite probe 33.15. Analysis of the patterns obtained by DNA fingerprinting separated the strains geographically into northern (clade B) and central (clades A and C) genotypic groups. These results suggest that the emergence of visceral leishmaniasis in central Israel is due not to parasite spread from northern Israel to the new focus but rather to increased parasite transmission in central Israel and the West Bank coupled with changes in the ecoepidemiology of this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abedelmajeed Nasereddin
- Department of Parasitology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 91220, Israel
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hespanhol RC, de Nazaré C Soeiro M, Meuser MB, de Nazareth S L Meirelles M, Côrte-Real S. The expression of mannose receptors in skin fibroblast and their involvement in Leishmania (L.) amazonensis invasion. J Histochem Cytochem 2005; 53:35-44. [PMID: 15637336 DOI: 10.1177/002215540505300105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania are protozoa that invade mononuclear phagocytes with the involvement of different ligand-receptor systems, including mannose receptors. Until now, scant data are available concerning the mechanisms that govern the infection of Leishmania in other host cell types such as fibroblasts. Our aim was to analyze the expression of mannose receptors in primary cultures of skin fibroblasts (SF) further characterizing their role during the invasion of promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Both fluorescent, light, and electron microscopy assays revealed that SF have mannose receptors since they bound and internalized mannosylated ligands in addition to being positively labeled by fuc-BSA-FITC probes. d-mannose competition assays revealed the participation of mannose receptors during the parasite association with SF presenting upregulated receptor expression during the initial steps of the infection. After longer periods of Leishmania:fibroblasts contact, the modulation noted in the host mannose receptors was reverted concomitantly to the infection control, suggesting that the parasites were required for the alteration maintenance and providing evidences that the SF may display microbicidal mechanisms to control the Leishmania infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata C Hespanhol
- Lab. Biologia Celular, Departamento de Ultra-estrutura e Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
de Castro EA, Luz E, Telles FQ, Pandey A, Biseto A, Dinaiski M, Sbalqueiro I, Soccol VT. Eco-epidemiological survey of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis American cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Ribeira Valley River, Paraná State, Brazil. Acta Trop 2005; 93:141-9. [PMID: 15652328 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2004.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2004] [Revised: 10/19/2004] [Accepted: 10/27/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is endemic since last century in Adrianópolis Municipality, Ribeira Valley and is a serious public health. A study carried out during 1993-2003 on epidemiological surveys conducted in rural communities showed 339 new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) detected from four municipalities (Adrianópolis, Cerro Azul, Doutor Ulysses and Rio Branco do Sul). A larger prevalence of cutaneous lesions was observed in rural workers (36%), women with domestic activities (18%), and younger students (31%). Multiple lesions were noticed in 53% of patients, but only one case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis was reported. Twenty stocks were isolated from patients with characteristics lesions and were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis using multi-locus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and Random Amplified DNA (RAPD). In Phlebotominae survey, five species were obtained. Lutzomyia intermedia sl. represented 97.5% in peridomiciliar area and 100% in domicile. A canine serological survey made (Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test, IFAT and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, ELISA) in six rural county of Adrianópolis Municipality during 1998-1999 showed that 15.1% (24/159) of dogs were sera reactive. No lesions were observed in dogs and no parasite was isolated from lymph node aspirates and biopsies. In wild reservoirs study, only seven animals (Cricetidae, Desmodus sp. and edentates) were captured, but no parasites were found in culture from deep organs. The paper presents results of our 10 years study on cutaneous leishmaniasis survey in the Ribeira River Valley, East Region of Paraná State, Brazil. Environment changes in this region are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edilene Alcântara de Castro
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Patologia Básica, Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, 81.531-990, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ajzenberg D, Bañuls AL, Su C, Dumètre A, Demar M, Carme B, Dardé ML. Genetic diversity, clonality and sexuality in Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Parasitol 2004; 34:1185-96. [PMID: 15380690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2004.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2004] [Revised: 06/28/2004] [Accepted: 06/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The majority of Toxoplasma gondii strains from a variety of human and animal sources have been grouped into three highly clonal but closely related lineages. The low occurrence of nucleotide differences among the three predominant lineages and their unusual dimorphic allelic composition suggest that they have arisen from a recent common ancestry. Less than 1% of the previously studied strains contain unique genotypes and high divergence of DNA sequence, and therefore are considered 'exotic' or 'atypical' strains. The seemingly low genetic diversity in T. gondii may have been underestimated because most parasite strains in previous studies were collected from human patients and domestic animals in North America and Europe. To investigate the genetic diversity of T. gondii, we analysed parasite strains isolated from remote geographical regions by multilocus microsatellite sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The genetic diversity indices, the molecular analysis of microsatellite genotypes and the constructed phylogram considered together suggest that the global T. gondii population is highly diversified and not characteristic of a clonal organism. The most parsimonious hypothesis is that T. gondii presents a complex population structure with a mix of clonal and sexual propagation as a function of the environmental conditions. The comparison between domestic strains data on one hand and wild strains data on the other hand is in favour of more frequent sexual recombinations in wild environment even though Toxoplasma subpopulation in human and domestic animals is largely clonal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Ajzenberg
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, EA3174, Faculté de Médecine, 2 rue du Dr Marcland, 87031 Limoges, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Beati L, Cáceres AG, Lee JA, Munstermann LE. Systematic relationships among Lutzomyia sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Peru and Colombia based on the analysis of 12S and 28S ribosomal DNA sequences. Int J Parasitol 2004; 34:225-34. [PMID: 15037108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2003.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2003] [Revised: 10/15/2003] [Accepted: 10/17/2003] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lutzomyia spp. are New World phlebotomine sand flies, many of which are involved in the transmission of human diseases, such as leishmaniases and bartonellosis. The systematic classification of the approximately 400 species in the genus has been based on morphological characters, but the relationships within the genus are still very much in question. We have inferred phylogenies of 32 species of phlebotomine sand flies belonging to seven sub-genera and two species groups, by using fragments of the mitochondrial small subunit (12SrRNA) and of the nuclear large subunit (28SrRNA) ribosomal gene sequences. The subgenus Helcocyrtomyia and the Verrucarum species group, prominent representatives of the Peruvian sand fly fauna, were represented by 11 and 7 species, respectively. Although based on a limited number of taxa, the resulting phylogenies, based on 837 characters, provide an initial phylogenetic backbone for the progressive reconstruction of infrageneric relationships within Lutzomyia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Beati
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Schriefer A, Schriefer ALF, Góes-Neto A, Guimarães LH, Carvalho LP, Almeida RP, Machado PR, Lessa HA, de Jesus AR, Riley LW, Carvalho EM. Multiclonal Leishmania braziliensis population structure and its clinical implication in a region of endemicity for American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Infect Immun 2004; 72:508-14. [PMID: 14688132 PMCID: PMC343999 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.1.508-514.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In Corte de Pedra (CP), northeastern Brazil, Leishmania braziliensis causes three distinct forms of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). To test the hypothesis that strain polymorphism may be involved in this disease spectrum and accurately characterize the parasite population structure in CP, we compared one L. major, two non-CP L. braziliensis, one CP L. amazonensis, and 45 CP L. braziliensis isolates, obtained over a 10-year period from localized cutaneous, mucosal, and disseminated leishmaniasis patients, with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Electrophoretic profiles were mostly unique across species. All typing protocols revealed polymorphism among the 45 CP L. braziliensis isolates, which displayed eight different RAPD patterns and greater than 80% overall fingerprint identity, attesting to the adequacy of the tools to assess strain variability in CP's geographically limited population of parasites. The dendrogram based on the sum of RAPD profiles of each isolate unveiled nine discrete typing units clustered into five clades. Global positioning showed extensive overlap of these clades in CP, precluding geographic sequestration as the mechanism of the observed structuralization. Finally, all forms of ATL presented a statistically significant difference in their frequencies among the clades, suggesting that L. braziliensis genotypes may be accompanied by specific disease manifestation after infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Schriefer
- Serviço de Imunologia, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia and Instituto de Investigação em Imunologia, Salvador/Bahia, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Marfurt J, Nasereddin A, Niederwieser I, Jaffe CL, Beck HP, Felger I. Identification and differentiation of Leishmania species in clinical samples by PCR amplification of the miniexon sequence and subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. J Clin Microbiol 2003; 41:3147-53. [PMID: 12843055 PMCID: PMC165364 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.7.3147-3153.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently developed a new PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based assay using the miniexon sequence from the genus Leishmania. Here we report the application of this new genotyping method to naturally infected clinical samples for the differentiation of New and Old World Leishmania species. Of the newly developed assay and four currently applied diagnostic tests (i.e., in vitro cultivation, serology, and two other molecular assays using either the small subunit-internal transcribed spacer sequence or a repetitive genomic sequence), the miniexon assay showed the highest sensitivity, 89.7%, compared to 70.6, 57.1, 51.7, and 79.3%, respectively. Species differentiation was robust and reliable compared with that by two other Leishmania genotyping techniques. The assay provides a valuable tool for the identification of Leishmania directly from clinical samples and enables determination of the infecting species by a facile technique with high discrimination power. Since Leishmania causes a broad spectrum of diseases distinguished by different parasite and host factors, detection and characterization of the infecting species is crucial for the confirmation of a diagnosis as well as the establishment of the clinical prognosis and the initiation of an adequate therapeutic approach. The miniexon PCR-RFLP assay will facilitate such determination and might improve diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Marfurt
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Desquesnes M, Dávila AMR. Applications of PCR-based tools for detection and identification of animal trypanosomes: a review and perspectives. Vet Parasitol 2002; 109:213-31. [PMID: 12423934 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(02)00270-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper aims to review the applications of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and identification of trypanosomes in animals. The diagnosis of trypanosomes, initially based on microscopic observations and the host range of the parasites, has been improved, since the 1980s, by DNA-based identification. These diagnostic techniques evolved successively through DNA probing, PCR associated to DNA probing, and currently to PCR alone. Several DNA sequences have been investigated as possible targets for diagnosis, especially multi-copy genes such as mini-exon, kinetoplastid mini-circles, etc., but the most favoured target is the nuclear satellite DNA of mini-chromosomes, which presents the advantages, and the drawbacks, of highly repetitive short sequences (120-600 bp). Several levels of specificity have been achieved from sub-genus to species, sub-species and even types. Random priming of trypanosome DNA has even allowed "isolate specific" identification. Other work based on microsatellite sequences has provided markers for population genetic studies. For regular diagnosis, the sensitivity of PCR has increased with the advancement of technologies for sample preparation, to reach a level of 1 trypanosome/ml of blood, which has brought to field samples a sensitivity two to three times higher than microscopic observation of the buffy coat. Similarly, PCR has allowed an increase in the specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis in vectors such as tsetse flies. However, because of the diversity of Trypanosoma species potentially present in a single host, PCR diagnosis carried out on host material requires several PCR reactions; for example, in cattle, up to five reactions per sample may be required. Research is now focusing on a diagnosis based on the amplification of the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) of ribosomal DNA which presents the advantages of being a multi-copy locus (100-200), having a small size (300-800 bp), which varies from one taxon to another but is conserved in size in a given taxon. This may lead to the development of a multi-species-specific diagnostic protocol using a single PCR. By reducing the cost of the PCR diagnosis, this technique would allow a greater number of field samples to be tested in epidemiological studies and/or would increase the variety of Trypanosoma species that could be detected. Further investigations are required to develop and optimise multi-species-specific diagnostic tools for trypanosomes, which could also serve as a model for such tools in other pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Desquesnes
- Centre International de Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement-Elevage et Médecine Vétérinaire Tropicale (CIRAD-EMVT/CIRDES), 01BP 454, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
The question of population structure in parasitic protozoa has recently gained a renewed topicality with significant contributions on medically important pathogens, such as Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. The proposals that initiated this debate are reviewed here and the subsequent developments of the clonal theory, in light of recent contributions, are examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- UR Génétique des Maladies Infectieuses, UMR Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement 9926, IRD, BP 64501, 34393 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ishikawa EAY, Silveira FT, Magalhães ALP, Guerra júnior RB, Melo MN, Gomes R, Silveira TGV, Shaw JJ. Genetic variation in populations of Leishmania species in Brazil. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2002; 96 Suppl 1:S111-21. [PMID: 12055823 DOI: 10.1016/s0035-9203(02)90061-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The population structure of strains of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis sensu lato from Pará State and Paraná State in Brazil, of L. (V.) shawi and L. (Leishmania) amazonensis from Pará State, and the relationships of type strains of the subgenera L. (Viannia) and L. (Leishmania) were examined by the random-amplified polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acid (RAPD) technique. Four different primers (M13-40, QG1, L15996 and delta gt11R) were used. The bands were analysed using the neighbor-joining (NJ) and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) algorithms of the MEGA package. The topology of the NJ and UPGMA trees was very similar but they were not always identical. Both trees differentiated the standard strains of the different species. Strains from the same location were grouped together only in the UPGMA phenogram of the M13-40 primer. L. (V.) braziliensis isolates from Paraná State were genetically closer to those from Paragominas, Pará State than to those from the Amazonian regions of Carajás in Pará State and Peru. The relationship was not dependent on geographical distance. It is postulated that the groups arose from different origins, in which the Amazonian stocks were related to Psychodopygus sand flies while the Paraná strains originated from a gene pool transmitted by Lutzomyia sand flies such as Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani. Transmission by Ps. complexus in Paragominas is considered to be a secondary adaptation from the Lutzomyia leishmanial gene pool. Although the vectors of L. (V.) braziliensis are poorly known in the Amazon region, there is strong evidence that the major vectors are all Psychodopygus spp. There was a high degree of genetic variability amongst the L. (V.) shawi strains and there was no clear grouping according to the strains' origins. The genetic variability amongst L. (L.) amazonensis strains from the same locations was much lower but they formed 2 groups which coincided with their origin. Our results support the clonal population structure of Leishmania isolates and suggest that their distribution is related to the origin of the gene pool as well as to present vector and reservoir movements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E A Y Ishikawa
- Divisão de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Fundação Nacional de Saúde, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Bañuls AL, Hide M, Tibayrenc M. Evolutionary genetics and molecular diagnosis of Leishmania species. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2002; 96 Suppl 1:S9-13. [PMID: 12055858 DOI: 10.1016/s0035-9203(02)90045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An extensive study has been performed on various natural populations of Leishmania from the 'Old' and 'New Worlds' using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and random amplification of polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acid. The data are interpreted in evolutionary genetic terms in order to give a firm basis to studies dealing with the relevant medical properties of pathogens. We confirm that Leishmania undergoes clonal evolution with occasional phenomena of hybridization. This suggests that the microorganism genotypes are stable in space and time and consequently have epidemiological and medical relevance. It is crucial to have a clear definition of the taxa to be identified. In the case of Leishmania, there is at present no firm consensus on the species concept. We propose that any new species of Leishmania should correspond to a 'discrete typing unit' that exhibits specific medical and/or epidemiological characters. Based on this approach, the species status of L. peruviana can be supported. On the contrary, L. panamensis cannot be clearly distinguished from L. guyanensis. Our studies on the genetic diversity of Leishmania show that a given stock is not representative of the genus, the subgenera, or any species. We suggest that the genetic polymorphism of Leishmania has a strong impact on the parasite's biomedical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Bañuls
- Centre d'Etudes sur le Polymorphisme des Microorganismes, UMR CNRS-IRD 9926, Centre IRD, 911 Avenue Agropolis, B.P. 5045, 34032 Montpellier, France.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Toledo A, Martín-Sánchez J, Pesson B, Sanchiz-Marín C, Morillas-Márquez F. Genetic variability within the species Leishmania infantum by RAPD. A lack of correlation with zymodeme structure. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2002; 119:257-64. [PMID: 11814577 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-6851(01)00424-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The infraspecific variability of the species Leishmania infantum is studied by using genetic markers generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). We have applied this technique, using 18 primers of arbitrary sequence, to 33 strains of the parasite belonging to 18 zymodemes isolated in different clinical forms and hosts. Other strains belonging to the species L. donovani, L. major, L. tropica and L. mexicana were used as a reference. The RAPD technique produced very different genetic profiles between L. infantum and L. major, L. tropica and L. mexicana with all primers used, whereas 11 of the 18 primers distinguished L. infantum strains from the species L. donovani. All primers except 1 (TAF 300), generated polymorphism in the L. infantum strains. The dendrograms constructed with the isoenzyme data and with RAPD are congruent in relation to the separation of the different species but show little agreement within the L. infantum species, reflecting the genetic heterogeneity of the strains belonging to one zymodeme. A geographical structuralisation is observed with two diverging groups that evolve independently whereas there is no relation between the genotype of the parasite and the host or between the former and the clinical form of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Toledo
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18.071, Granada, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Brisse S, Verhoef J, Tibayrenc M. Characterisation of large and small subunit rRNA and mini-exon genes further supports the distinction of six Trypanosoma cruzi lineages. Int J Parasitol 2001; 31:1218-26. [PMID: 11513891 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00238-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
It has been proposed that isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of American trypanosomiasis, can be ordered into two primary phylogenetic lineages, first based on multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and random amplified polymorphic DNA, and subsequently based on the 24Salpha rRNA and mini-exon genes. Recent multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and random amplified polymorphic DNA data have additionally shown that the major multilocus enzyme electrophoresis/random amplified polymorphic DNA lineage II is further subdivided into five smaller lineages, designated IIa-IIe. In this study, the precise correspondence between the multilocus enzyme electrophoresis/random amplified polymorphic DNA and rRNA/mini-exon lineages was investigated. Using the 24Salpha rRNA and mini-exon markers in combination, five sets of strains were distinguished, corresponding to the multilocus enzyme electrophoresis/random amplified polymorphic DNA lineages I, IIa, IIc, IId and to lineages IIb/IIe together, respectively. The previous categorisation into only two primary lineages based on 24Salpha rRNA and mini-exon characterisation is explained, in part, by the lack of representativeness of the breadth of T. cruzi diversity in earlier study samples. Additionally, a PCR assay based on a length-variable region of the 18S rRNA gene distinguished lineage IIe from lineage IIb. Thus, the six multilocus enzyme electrophoresis/random amplified polymorphic DNA lineages could be readily identified by combining data from the 24Salpha rRNA, mini-exon and 18S rRNA characterisation assays, further supporting the relevance of these genetic units for T. cruzi strain classification and subspecific nomenclature. The recently proposed groups T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II correspond to multilocus enzyme electrophoresis/random amplified polymorphic DNA lineages I and IIb, respectively. Our findings show that T. cruzi lineage characterisation based on a single marker (either mini-exon or 24Salpha rRNA) has insufficient resolution, and leads to important reinterpretations of recent epidemiological and evolutionary studies based on the oversimplified rRNA/mini-exon dichotomic classification of T. cruzi isolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Brisse
- Eijkman-Winkler Institute, University Medical Centre Utrecht, AZU G04.614, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Dujardin JC, Henriksson J, Victoir K, Brisse S, Gamboa D, Arevalo J, Le Ray D. Genomic rearrangements in trypanosomatids: an alternative to the "one gene" evolutionary hypotheses? Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2000; 95:527-34. [PMID: 10904411 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762000000400015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most molecular trees of trypanosomatids are based on point mutations within DNA sequences. In contrast, there are very few evolutionary studies considering DNA (re) arrangement as genetic characters. Waiting for the completion of the various parasite genome projects, first information may already be obtained from chromosome size-polymorphism, using the appropriate algorithms for data processing. Three illustrative models are presented here. First, the case of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis/L. (V.) peruviana is described. Thanks to a fast evolution rate (due essentially to amplification/deletion of tandemly repeated genes), molecular karyotyping seems particularly appropriate for studying recent evolutionary divergence, including eco-geographical diversification. Secondly, karyotype evolution is considered at the level of whole genus Leishmania. Despite the fast chromosome evolution rate, there is qualitative congruence with MLEE- and RAPD-based evolutionary hypotheses. Significant differences may be observed between major lineages, likely corresponding to major and less frequent rearrangements (fusion/fission, translocation). Thirdly, comparison is made with Trypanosoma cruzi. Again congruence is observed with other hypotheses and major lineages are delineated by significant chromosome rearrangements. The level of karyotype polymorphism within that "species" is similar to the one observed in "genus" Leishmania. The relativity of the species concept among these two groups of parasites is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Dujardin
- Prins Leopold Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|