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Fathima PA, Shah HK, Sivalaxmi B, Haritha HA, Ajithlal PM, Aiswarya RS, Saini P. Genetic diversity of Leishmania donovani causing visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Western Ghats, India. Gene 2024; 928:148803. [PMID: 39074644 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
The visceral and atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis (VL and CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an emerging infectious disease in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. In this study, L. donovani specific kinetoplast minicircle DNA (k-DNA) sequence analysis was conducted to ascertain the genetic variability among the L. donovani isolates from the Western Ghats. Out of 23 CL and 5 VL suspected patient samples, 18 CL and 3 VL tested positive for k-DNA diagnostic PCR. Subsequently, 17 CL and 3 VL samples were found positive for L. donovani specific k-DNA PCR. Although the genetic diversity among the VL and CL isolates was low, there was clear variation from the parasites reported from other countries. The parasites characterized from the current study were more related to those reported from East Africa and India.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Fathima
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - Harish Kumar Shah
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - B Sivalaxmi
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - H A Haritha
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - P M Ajithlal
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - R S Aiswarya
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - Prasanta Saini
- Indian Council of Medical Research- Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India.
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Rezaei A, Sharifiyazdi H, Rakhshandehroo E, Yaghoobpour T, Derakhshandeh N. Dogs may carry Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major in their blood circulation: a molecular and hematological study. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:448. [PMID: 39363300 PMCID: PMC11451050 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dogs may be infected with species of Leishmania parasites that are disseminated through blood circulation and invade the internal organs. In this study, we aim to detect the parasite in the blood of dogs using the PCR technique. The present work was performed from February 2022 to May 2023 in Fars Province, southern Iran, where the disease is endemic. RESULTS In total, 7(5.1%) out of 135 blood samples, six were identified as Leishmania tropica and one as Leishmania major. We found no trace of Leishmania infantum, which is always known for visceral infection. In addition, no sign of cutaneous lesions or a significant disease was seen in the animals infected with both species. Of 48 dogs with anemia, two were Leishmania positive. The mean value of hematological parameters in the infected dogs was within the normal range except for a significant reduction in the platelet measures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data revealed that both Leishmania species, tropica and major, may manifest as viscerotropic leishmaniasis. More investigations are needed to understand the conditions under which these species choose the type of infection. Moreover, our data emphasize the role of asymptomatic dogs in carrying these parasites, a crucial factor in spreading the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rezaei
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hassan Sharifiyazdi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Rakhshandehroo
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P.O. Box 71441-69155, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Tina Yaghoobpour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nooshin Derakhshandeh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Maestrini S, Diotallevi A, Santilli L, Canovari B, Orlandi C, Buffi G, Ceccarelli M, Galluzzi L. The use of conjunctival swabs in the diagnosis of human visceral leishmaniasis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 110:116450. [PMID: 39029389 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe disease whose diagnosis comprises immunological tests, microscopic biopsy examination, and biomolecular assays. In veterinary medicine, conjunctival swabs are widely used for detection of parasite DNA. Here, we describe the case of human VL in which conjunctival swabs were successfully used for Leishmania detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Maestrini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Aurora Diotallevi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy.
| | - Luca Santilli
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, San Salvatore Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Territoriale Pesaro-Urbino, Pesaro, Italy
| | - Benedetta Canovari
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, San Salvatore Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Territoriale Pesaro-Urbino, Pesaro, Italy
| | - Chiara Orlandi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Gloria Buffi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Marcello Ceccarelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Luca Galluzzi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
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Astman N, Arbel C, Katz O, Barzilai A, Solomon M, Schwartz E. Tolerability and Safety of Miltefosine for the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:218. [PMID: 39330907 PMCID: PMC11436031 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9090218] [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: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Miltefosine, an orally administered drug, is an important component of the therapeutic arsenal against visceral and mucosal forms of leishmaniasis. However, data regarding the safety and tolerability of miltefosine treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are relatively limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerability, safety, and adverse events (AEs) of miltefosine treatment in patients with CL. In this cohort study, we reviewed the medical records of all miltefosine-treated patients between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2022, at Israel Defense Forces military dermatology clinics and the dermatology and Tropical Medicine Clinics at Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel. A total of 68 patients (54 males, 79%) with a median age of 30.3 ± 15.6 years (range: 18-88) were included in this study. Leishmania species were identified as L. major (n = 37, 54.4%), L. tropica (n = 12, 17.6%), L. braziliensis (n = 18, 26.5%), and L. infantum (n = 1, 1.5%) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Miltefosine tablets were administered orally at a dose of 50 mg, three times daily, for 28 days. Overall, 44 patients (65%) completed the 28-day treatment, and the remaining patients required dose reduction or early discontinuation of treatment. AEs (of any degree) were common, reported in 91% of patients. Both previously reported and previously unreported AEs were documented. Gastrointestinal symptoms (66.1%) and malaise (23.5%) typically occurred during the first two weeks of treatment and tended to subside. Other AEs, including acute renal failure (20.6%), sudden and severe pleuritic chest pain (7.6%), acne exacerbation (11.8%), suppuration of CL lesions (17.8%), and AEs related to the male genitourinary system (39.6% of males), typically occurred towards the end of treatment. The latter included testicular pain, epididymitis, diminution or complete absence of ejaculate, inability to orgasm, and impotence. Severe AEs necessitated treatment discontinuation (29.4%) or hospitalization (10.3%). URTI-like symptoms, arthritis, cutaneous eruption, pruritus, and laboratory abnormalities were also observed. Overall, the cure rate (for all patients combined) evaluated 3 months after the completion of treatment was 60%. The tolerability of miltefosine treatment for CL is low. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring is required during treatment, as severe AEs are not uncommon. As new insights regarding its toxicities emerge, further studies are required to define the role of miltefosine in the treatment of CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Astman
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Israel Defense Force (IDF) Medical Corps, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Chen Arbel
- Israel Defense Force (IDF) Medical Corps, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Oren Katz
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Aviv Barzilai
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Michal Solomon
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Center for Geographic Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262000, Israel
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Rodrigues JC, Ribeiro-da-Silva RC, Guimarães-E-Silva AS, de Oliveira MDS, Rodrigues BL, Pimenta RCDJS, Galati EAB, Pinheiro VCS. Phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna, blood meal source, and detection of Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) DNA in the Gurupi Biological Reserve, Eastern Amazon, Brazil. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024:tjae108. [PMID: 39222367 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjae108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
This study was conducted in the Gurupi Biological Reserve (REBIO-Gurupi), the largest area of Amazon rainforest in Maranhão State, Brazil. The objectives were to survey the sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna of REBIO-Gurupi, identify blood meal sources, and investigate the presence of Leishmania (Ross, 1903) (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) DNA. Individuals were collected using Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps and black and white Shannon traps in May and Jun 2022 and Jan 2023. DNA was extracted from female sand flies and subjected to amplification and sequencing of cytochrome b molecular marker (CYTB) for identification of blood meal sources and the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of ribosomal DNA for Leishmania detection. A total of 514 sand flies individuals were sampled, of which 93 were identified at the genus or series level (9 taxa) and 421 were identified at the species level (24 taxa). Psychodopygus davisi (Root, 1934) (41.1%), Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho, 1939) (10.3%), and Psychodopygus (Mangabeira, 1941) Chagasi Series Barretto, 1962 (9.7%) were the most frequently collected. Human (Homo sapiens, Primates, Hominidae) and tapir (Tapirus terrestris, Perissodactyla, Tapiridae) DNA was detected in 10 female sand flies. Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum Cunha and Chagas, 1937 DNA was detected in 2 specimens of Ps. davisi. Given the presence of vectors of Leishmania in REBIO-Gurupi, it is imperative to conduct more comprehensive studies on the interactions among sand flies, Leishmania, and pathogen reservoirs in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judson Chaves Rodrigues
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Programa de Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde (PPGBAS), Laboratório de Entomologia Médica (LABEM), Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Rosa Cristina Ribeiro-da-Silva
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Programa de Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde (PPGBAS), Laboratório de Entomologia Médica (LABEM), Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Antonia Suely Guimarães-E-Silva
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Programa de Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde (PPGBAS), Laboratório de Entomologia Médica (LABEM), Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Leite Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo-(FSP/USP), Pós-graduação em Saúde Pública, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Valéria Cristina Soares Pinheiro
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Programa de Biodiversidade, Ambiente e Saúde (PPGBAS), Laboratório de Entomologia Médica (LABEM), Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Programa de Pós-graduação da rede BIONORTE, LABEM, Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
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Hakkour M, Badaoui B, El Hamiani Khatat S, Sahibi H, Fellah H, Sadak A, Sebti F. Genetic diversity in Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica isolates from human and canine hosts in northern Morocco. Gene 2024; 921:148484. [PMID: 38642857 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated nine provinces in northern Morocco and collected 275 skin scraping, 22 bone marrow aspirates, and 89 fine needle aspirations from suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients and potentially infected dogs. Molecular analysis using ITS1 RFLP PCR and RT-PCR revealed a higher prevalence of L. infantum (66.18 %; χ2 = 28.804; df = 1; P-value = 8.01e-08) than L. tropica in skin scraping, with L. infantum being the sole causative agent for both VL and canine leishmaniasis. L. infantum was predominantly found in most provinces, while L. tropica was relatively more dominant in Taza Province. Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) revealed distinct clustering between L. tropica and the other three species. However, no small subset of SNPs could clearly differentiate between Infantum_CL, Infantum_VL, and CanL, as they likely share a significant genetic background. The high rate of L. infantum could be attributed to the abundance of sand fly species transmitting VL. In Taza Province, Phlebotomus sergenti, responsible for anthroponotic CL, is the most abundant species. DNA sequencing demonstrated sequence heterogeneity in L. infantum (variants 1-9) and L. tropica (variants 1-7). Phylogenetic analysis showed a distinct separation between L. tropica and L. infantum strains, with an overlap among L. infantum strains isolated from cutaneous, visceral, and canine cases, and dogs serving as the central population for L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Hakkour
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome Laboratory of Zoology and General Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco; National Reference Laboratory of Leishmaniasis, National Institute of Hygiene, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Bouabid Badaoui
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome Laboratory of Zoology and General Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco; African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Laayoune, Morocco.
| | | | - Hamid Sahibi
- Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Hajiba Fellah
- National Reference Laboratory of Leishmaniasis, National Institute of Hygiene, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Abderrahim Sadak
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome Laboratory of Zoology and General Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Faiza Sebti
- National Reference Laboratory of Leishmaniasis, National Institute of Hygiene, Rabat, Morocco.
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Nawattanapaibool N, Ruang-areerate T, Piyaraj P, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, Siripattanapipong S. Development of nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay for duplex detection of Leishmania martiniquensis and Leishmania orientalis in asymptomatic patients with HIV. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307601. [PMID: 39186742 PMCID: PMC11346928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic protozoa of the Leishmania genus, remains a global health concern with significant morbidity and mortality. In Thailand, the rising incidence of autochthonous leishmaniasis cases involving Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis and novel Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis underscores the critical need for accurate diagnosis and effective control strategies. This study presents a sensitive and specific nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (NALFIA) that integrates a duplex PCR assay with a lateral flow device (LFD) strip format. Targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, known for its unique combination of conserved and variable sequences, this assay employs primers labeled with biotin, digoxigenin, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) markers, enabling precise species identification and differentiation of these two Leishmania species. Remarkably, the assay achieves a sensitivity that surpasses agarose gel electrophoresis, detecting as few as 10-2 parasite/μL for L. martiniquensis and 10-4 parasite/μL for L. orientalis. Notably, the assay exhibited reliable specificity, revealing no cross-amplification with other major viscerotropic Leishmania species or reference organisms. Evaluation using 62 clinical samples further confirms the effectiveness of the PCR-LFD assay, with a sensitivity of 100% for L. martiniquensis and 83.3% for L. orientalis, and an excellent agreement (κ value = 0.948) with nested PCR. This integrated assay represents a promising advancement in diagnostic tools, offering rapid and accurate results that can significantly contribute to effective disease management and control. Given the increasing relevance of these Leishmania species in current public health scenarios, this assay serves as a valuable tool for both diagnostic and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toon Ruang-areerate
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phunlerd Piyaraj
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
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Lima CM, Bourquia M, Zahri A, Haissen N, Santarém N, Cardoso L, Cordeiro da Silva A. Veterinary perspectives on the urbanization of leishmaniosis in Morocco. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:348. [PMID: 39160608 PMCID: PMC11334585 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06411-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum, L. major and L. tropica is endemic in Morocco. Growing evidence of both human and canine Leishmania infections in urban centres has been reported. Since many forms of the disease are zoonotic, veterinarians play an important role in leishmaniosis control by intervening at the parasite host level. This study aimed to bring together One Health principles to connect canine and feline leishmaniosis epidemiology within urban centres of Morocco (Rabat and Fez) and assess the level of awareness of Moroccan veterinarians about facing this threat. METHODS A molecular survey was conducted for Leishmania DNA detection in canine (n = 155) and feline (n = 32) whole-blood samples. Three conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols were implemented. The first PCR aimed at identifying infected animals by targeting Leishmania spp. kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA). The second and third PCR targeted the Leishmania internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-1) and the Leishmania small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) gene, respectively, aiming at identification of the infecting species after Sanger sequencing-positive amplicons. Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) against Leishmania spp. was evaluated in 125 dogs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using an in-house protocol, including three Leishmania-specific antigens (SPLA, rKDDR and LicTXNPx). Sera from 25 cats were screened for total IgG to Leishmania spp. by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). An online questionnaire was presented to Moroccan veterinarians addressing their knowledge and practices towards animal leishmaniosis. RESULTS Overall, 19.4% of the dogs tested positive for Leishmania kDNA and ITS-1 and sequencing revealed infection with L. infantum among PCR-positive dogs. These animals presented a wide range of ELISA seropositivity results (16.7%, 34.9% and 51.6%) according to the tested antigens (rKDDR, SPLA and LicTXNPx, respectively). Use of kDNA-PCR revealed 12.5% cats positive to Leishmania spp. otherwise found to be seronegative by IFAT. CONCLUSIONS A considerable prevalence of infection was identified in dogs from urban centres of Morocco. Additionally, this is the first report of feline infection with Leishmania spp. in this country and in urban settings. Moroccan veterinarians are aware that animal leishmaniosis is endemic in Morocco, representing a public health threat, and are knowledgeable about canine leishmaniosis diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara M Lima
- Host-Parasite Interaction Group, i3S, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Bourquia
- Unité de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, Département de Pathologie et Santé Publique Vétérinaires, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abderrahmane Zahri
- Unité de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, Département de Pathologie et Santé Publique Vétérinaires, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Nada Haissen
- Unité de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, Département de Pathologie et Santé Publique Vétérinaires, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Host-Parasite Interaction Group, i3S, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Anabela Cordeiro da Silva
- Host-Parasite Interaction Group, i3S, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Maurelli MP, Zribi L, Fayala NEHB, Manzillo VF, Balestrino I, Hamdi N, Bouratbine A, Gizzarelli M, Rinaldi L, Aoun K, Oliva G. First detection of Leishmania major in dogs living in an endemic area of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:333. [PMID: 39123245 PMCID: PMC11312402 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06395-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dogs are considered the main domestic animals that may be a reservoir for Leishmania infantum, the agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) in several countries of the world. The dog may host other Leishmania species, but its epidemiological role in the maintenance and spreading of these parasites is not completely elucidated. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), caused by Leishmania major, affects thousands of people every year and is particularly diffused in many countries of North Africa and Middle East Asia. In ZCL endemic countries, few reports of L. major-positive dogs have been reported, probably because most human cases occur in poor rural areas where the social role of the dog and its medical management is not well considered. The aim of the present study is to better understand the possible involvement of domestic dogs in the epidemiology of ZCL. METHODS Our research focused on a well-established endemic focus of ZCL, in the area of Echrarda, Kairouan Governorate, central Tunisia. A total of 51 dogs with no or mild clinical signs of vector borne diseases were selected in small villages where human cases of ZCL are yearly present. All dogs were sampled for the Leishmania spp. diagnosis, by using the following procedures: blood sample for serology and buffy coat quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), popliteal fine needle aspiration, and cutaneous biopsy punch for lymph node and skin qPCR. RESULTS The results demonstrated a high percentage (21.6%) of dogs positive at least at one or more test; the most sensitive technique was the lymph node qPCR that detected 8/11 positive dogs. Nine, out of the eleven positive dogs, resulted as infected by Leishmania infantum; ITS1-PCR-sequencing allowed Leishmania major identification in the remaining two cases, both from the popliteal lymph node samples, which can suggest a possible visceral spread of a cutaneous Leishmania species in the dog. Interestingly, one of the two L. major-positive dogs was living in the same house where 6-year-old children showed cutaneous lesions referred to as ZCL. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. major-positive dogs in Tunisia, the epidemiological role of which remains under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Nour El Houda Ben Fayala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Foglia Manzillo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Ines Balestrino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | - Noureddine Hamdi
- Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development-Ministry of Agriculture (CRDA), Kairouan, Tunisia
| | | | - Manuela Gizzarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Karim Aoun
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Gaetano Oliva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Alves NO, Oshiro JA, Silva YC, Pacher GC, Casaril AE, Rizk YS, Uehara SNO, Paniago AMM, Andrade ILX, Arruda CCP, Oliveira AG. VL-HIV co-infection with Leishmania containing skin lesions resembling para-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012438. [PMID: 39186781 PMCID: PMC11379370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a group of neglected vector-borne infectious diseases that are among the six priority endemic diseases worldwide. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe clinical manifestation, characterized by systemic and chronic visceral involvement and high mortality in immunosuppressed and untreated patients. VL can be complicated into post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), and when dermatologic disorders occur simultaneously with active VL, an intermediate clinical form called para-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (para-KDL) occurs. This clinical form is of great epidemiological relevance, as humans act as a source of infection for vectorial transmission. In the Americas, Brazil is among the seven countries responsible for more than 90% of VL cases, though reports of PKDL and para-KDL are rare. This paper presents three cases of VL-HIV co-infection with Leishmania-containing skin lesions resembling para-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. The cases were investigated by the team from the Infectious Diseases Department of University Hospital (HUMAP/UFMS) in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The three patients exhibited skin lesions where amastigote forms of L. (L.) infantum were identified. All cases exhibited similar clinical manifestations of para-KDL, including fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and disseminated skin lesions. The study described the prevalence of comorbidities, the incidence of VL relapse, and the therapeutic regimen in relation to the outcomes. The study underscores the importance of follow-up and secondary prophylaxis in patients with VL, which are essential for the efficacy of the treatment. Furthermore, the study provides insight into the potential epidemiological profile of para-KDL cases in Brazil, which contributes to the development of more efficient clinical management strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália O. Alves
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Jéssica A. Oshiro
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Yunna C. Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Gabriela C. Pacher
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Aline E. Casaril
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Yasmin S. Rizk
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Silvia N. O. Uehara
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Maria Aparecida Pedrossian University Hospital—Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Anamaria M. M. Paniago
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Maria Aparecida Pedrossian University Hospital—Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Isadora L. X. Andrade
- Maria Aparecida Pedrossian University Hospital—Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Carla C. P. Arruda
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Alessandra G. Oliveira
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
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11
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Fathima PA, Aiswarya RS, Shah HK, Ajithlal PM, Rajesh KR, Shubin C, Reena KJ, Kumar A, Saini P. Emergence of imported cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major: a case series from Kerala, India. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:278. [PMID: 39023835 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is often considered a 'great imitator' and is the most common form of leishmaniasis. The Leishmania species responsible for CL varies among countries, as these species exhibit specific distribution patterns. The increased mobility of people across countries has resulted in the imported incidences of leishmaniasis caused by non-endemic species of Leishmania. During 2023, we confirmed three CL cases caused by L. major from Kerala, India, and upon detailed investigation, these were identified to be imported from the Middle East and Kazakhstan regions. This is the first report of CL caused by L. major from Kerala. The lesion morphology, detection of anti-rK 39 antibody and Leishmania parasite DNA from the blood samples were the unique observations of these cases. Kerala, being an emerging endemic zone of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and CL, the imported incidences of leishmaniasis by non-endemic species can pose a significant threat, potentially initiating new transmission cycles of leishmaniasis caused by non-endemic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Fathima
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - R S Aiswarya
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - Harish Kumar Shah
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - P M Ajithlal
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - K R Rajesh
- Govt. Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - C Shubin
- District Surveillance Unit, Malappuram, Kerala, India
| | - K J Reena
- Directorate of Health Services, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, India
| | - Prasanta Saini
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India.
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12
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Mejía-Chimá WA, Hernández-Vera SD, Pérez-Vargas OY, Rivero Rodriguez ME, Paternina Luis E, Bejarano Eduar E. Comparison of conjunctival swabs and blood samples in dogs for molecular and serological detection of Leishmania infantum infection in Colombia. J Vector Borne Dis 2024; 61:400-405. [PMID: 38381044 DOI: 10.4103/jvbd.jvbd_182_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES Surveillance of canine leishmaniasis in Colombia is restricted to the appearance of visceral leishmaniasis cases in humans, and is mainly performed by serological tests. This requires blood sampling by veterinarians or technicians according to Colombian laws. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of conjunctival swabs in the molecular detection of Leishmania in dogs from the municipality of Ovejas, Sucre. METHODS The present study was cross-sectional and descriptive. The collection source of samples and information was primary. Blood samples and conjunctival swabs from 121 dogs were analysed by PCR-ITS1 to detect Leishmania spp. Positive samples were used to amplify a conserved region of the Leishmania infantum kinetoplast minicircle. Performance of both sample types was calculated by proportion of positive samples of each type and the degree of agreement between them was determined by Cohen's kappa (κ) agreement index. RESULTS Leishmania infection was detected in 17.4% (21/121) of blood samples and in 16.5% (20/121) of conjunctival swabs. In total, 28.1% (34/121) of the canines were infected, of which 11.8% (4/34) were infected with L. infantum in the conjunctival swabs and 5.9 % (2/34) in the blood samples. The agreement between blood and conjunctiva was medium (κ = 0.207) by PCR-ITS1 amplification. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION The use of conjunctival swab as a non-invasive sample could be used as an alternative method for surveillance of canine leishmaniasis.
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13
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Lindner AK, Moreno-del Castillo MC, Wintel M, Equihua Martinez G, Richter J, Kurth F, Pfäfflin F, Zoller T, Gertler M, Georgi S, Nürnberg M, Hülso C, Bernhard J, Kotsias SK, Seigerschmidt A, van Loon W, Mockenhaupt F, Kampmann B, Harms G. American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Imported cases in Berlin 2000-2023. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012323. [PMID: 39008517 PMCID: PMC11271916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) shows variable response to therapy, but data on species-specific treatment efficacy is scarce. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with ACL imported to a tertiary centre in Germany and determine whether species-specific therapy according to the 2014 "LeishMan" group recommendations is associated with cure. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Charité Institute of International Health in Berlin. We analysed data on PCR-confirmed ACL cases collected between 2000 and 2023. Systemic therapy included liposomal amphotericin B, miltefosine, pentavalent antimony, ketoconazole or itraconazole. Localized therapy included perilesional pentavalent antimony or paromomycin ointment. Cure was defined as re-epithelialization of ulcers or disappearance of papular-nodular lesions after 3 months of treatment. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the effect of species-specific systemic therapy on the outcome. RESULTS 75 cases were analysed. Most patients were male (62%), median age was 35 years, no patient had a history of immunosuppression. The most common reason for travel was tourism (60%), the most common destination was Costa Rica (28%), the median duration of illness was 8 weeks, and most patients presented with ulcers (87%). Lesions were complex in 43%. The most common Leishmania (L.) species was L. braziliensis (28%), followed by L. panamensis (21%). 51/73 (70%) patients were cured after initial therapy and 17/21 (81%) after secondary therapy. Cure after systemic therapy was more frequent when species-specific treatment recommendations were followed (33/45; 73%), compared to when not followed, (6/17; 35%, P = 0.008). This association was independent of age, sex, previous therapy, complex lesions, and Leishmania species (adjusted OR, 5.06; 95% CI, 1.22-24.16). CONCLUSIONS ACL is a rare, imported disease in Germany. Complex lesions were common, challenging successful therapy. This study highlights the importance of identifying the parasite species and suggests that a species-specific approach to treatment leads to better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas K. Lindner
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Cristina Moreno-del Castillo
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mia Wintel
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriela Equihua Martinez
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Richter
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Kurth
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frieder Pfäfflin
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Zoller
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Gertler
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Georgi
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Nürnberg
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Hülso
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Bernhard
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Konopelska Kotsias
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonio Seigerschmidt
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Mockenhaupt
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gundel Harms
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Al-Ashwal MA, Al-Adhroey AH, Atroosh WM, Al-Subbary AA, Albhri AA, Azlan UW, Tan JH, Alkhali AA, Alshoteri SA, Sady H, Alharazi TH, Lau YL, Al-Mekhlafi HM. First report of Leishmania tropica in domestic and wild animal hosts in hyperendemic areas of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in western Yemen: a neglected tropical disease needing One Health approach. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:256. [PMID: 38935203 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08273-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected tropical disease, is a major public health concern in Yemen, with Leishmania tropica identified as the main causative agent. This study aims to investigate the occurrence and distribution of Leishmania parasites in domestic and wild animals in CL endemic areas in the western highlands of Yemen. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Utmah District of western Yemen. Blood and skin scraping specimens were collected from 122 domestic and wild animals and tested for the Leishmania DNA using internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) nested polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on 20 L. tropica sequences obtained from animals in this study and 34 sequences from human isolates (collected concurrently from the same study area) retrieved from the GenBank. Overall, L. tropica was detected in 16.4% (20/122) of the examined animals, including 11 goats, two dogs, two bulls, one cow, one donkey, one rabbit, one rat and one bat. None of the examined cats and sheep was positive. The animal sequences were segregated into four different L. tropica haplotypes, with the majority of the animal (15/20) and human (32/34) sequences composed of one dominant haplotype/genotype. These findings represent the first confirmed evidence of natural L. tropica infections in different kinds of domestic and wild animals in western Yemen, suggesting these animals potentially have a role in the transmission of CL in Yemen. Therefore, a One Health approach is required for the effective prevention and control of this devastating disease among endemic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal Ali Al-Ashwal
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Wahib M Atroosh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen.
| | | | - Adel Ahmed Albhri
- Al-Medan Health Centre, Ministry of Health and Population, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Ummi Wahidah Azlan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jia Hui Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Arwa Ahmed Alkhali
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
| | - Sheikh Abdulhafed Alshoteri
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen
| | - Hany Sady
- Centre for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Talal H Alharazi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Jazan University, 45142, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a 1247, Yemen.
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15
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Cardoso SF, Guesser JVC, Rodrigues AAF, Brazil RP, Rona LDP, Pitaluga AN. Leishmania infantum detection in Nyssomyia neivai and dogs in Southern Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:269. [PMID: 38918858 PMCID: PMC11200822 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06336-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sand fly Nyssomyia neivai is one of the most abundant species in Southern Brazil. It is frequently found in areas that are foci of visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Santa Catarina, caused by Leishmania infantum. In this region, the main vector of L. infantum, Lutzomyia longipalpis, has not been detected. In the absence of L. longipalpis, this study aimed to identify the sand fly fauna and diagnose any potential Leishmania spp. infection in sand flies and in dogs in a region of Southern Brazil that experienced a recent canine visceral leishmaniasis outbreak. METHODS This report includes a survey of the sand fly fauna at the Zoonosis Control Center of the Municipality of Tubarão (Santa Catarina, Brazil). Molecular tests were conducted to investigate Leishmania spp. natural infection in sand flies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In positive females, in addition to morphological identification, molecular analysis through DNA barcoding was performed to determine the sand fly species. Additionally, the dogs were tested for the presence of Leishmania spp. using a non-invasive technique for the collection of biological material, to be assessed by PCR. RESULTS A total of 3419 sand flies, belonging to five genera, were collected. Nyssomyia neivai was the most abundant species (85.8%), followed by Migonemyia migonei (13.3%), Pintomyia fischeri (0.8%), Evandromyia edwardsi (< 0.1%), and species of the genus Brumptomyia. (0.1%). Out of the 509 non-engorged females analyzed by PCR, two (0.4%) carried L. infantum DNA. The naturally infected females were identified as Ny. neivai, in both morphological and molecular analysis. In addition, two out of 47 conjunctival swabs from dogs tested positive for L. infantum, yielding an infection rate of 4.2%. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the presence of Ny. neivai naturally infected with L. infantum in an area where dogs were also infected by the parasite, suggesting its potential role as a vector in Southern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Fernandes Cardoso
- Department of Cell Biology, Embryology, and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance (DIVE), Santa Catarina's State Health Secretary, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - João Victor Costa Guesser
- Department of Cell Biology, Embryology, and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luísa Damazio Pitaluga Rona
- Department of Cell Biology, Embryology, and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil.
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Entomology, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (INCT-EM, CNPq), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - André Nóbrega Pitaluga
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Entomology, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (INCT-EM, CNPq), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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16
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Roca-Geronès X, Sala C, Marteles D, Villanueva-Saz S, Riera C, Alcover MM, Fisa R. Genetic Variability in Leishmaniasis-Causing Leishmania infantum in Humans and Dogs from North-East Spain. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1796. [PMID: 38929415 PMCID: PMC11200389 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is the primary cause of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the European Mediterranean region. Subspecies-level characterization of L. infantum aids epidemiological studies by offering insights into the evolution and geographical distribution of the parasite and reservoir identity. In this study, conducted in north-east Spain, 26 DNA samples of L. infantum were analyzed, comprising 21 from 10 humans and 5 from 5 dogs. Minicircle kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) polymerase chain reaction assays using primers MC1 and MC2, followed by sequencing, were employed to assess intraspecific genetic variability. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis detected seven genotypes (G1, G2, G12*-G15*, and G17*), with five being reported for the first time (*). The most prevalent was the newly described G13 (54%), while the other currently identified genotypes were predominantly found in single samples. The in silico restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method revealed five genotypes (B, F, N, P, and W), one of them previously unreported (W). Genotype B was the most prevalent (85%), comprising three SNP genotypes (G1, G2, and G13), whereas the other RFLP genotypes were associated with single SNP genotypes. These kDNA genotyping methods revealed significant intraspecific genetic diversity in L. infantum, demonstrating their suitability for fingerprinting and strain monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Roca-Geronès
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Secció de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Sala
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Secció de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana Marteles
- Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain (S.V.-S.)
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sergio Villanueva-Saz
- Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain (S.V.-S.)
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Cristina Riera
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Secció de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mª Magdalena Alcover
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Secció de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Fisa
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Secció de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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17
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de Souza CF, dos Santos CA, Bevilacqua PD, Andrade Filho JD, Brazil RP. Molecular Detection of Leishmania spp. and Blood Source of Female Sand Flies in the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce and Municipality of Timóteo, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:133. [PMID: 38922045 PMCID: PMC11209318 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9060133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the bite female sand fly. The present work is characterized as a descriptive study in two areas: a forest area located in the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, and another urban area located in the municipality of Timóteo-MG, with the objective of identifying the presence of Leishmania spp. and the blood source of the collected female sand flies. Part of the females were obtained from the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, and part was collected using 19 ligth traps distributed in residences of Timóteo. For molecular studies of Leishmania spp. DNA, the ITS1 gene was used, and in the search for blood source, the CytB gene was used and positive samples were sequenced. The study demonstrated that there are at least three species of Leishmania circulating in the study areas: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, and Leishmania (V.) guyanensis. Nyssomyia whitmani was the predominant sand fly species in the urban area of Timóteo with a positive diagnosis for the presence of Leishmania braziliensis DNA. We found the presence of blood from Gallus gallus (Chicken) and Sus scrofa (Pig) in sand flies. The present study demonstrates that Leishmania braziliensis is the main agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the study area, with the effective participation of Nyssomyia whitmani as the vector and both Gallus gallus and Sus scrofa acting as a food source for female sand flies, and helping maintaining the sand fly life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Ferreira de Souza
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Carlos Alberto dos Santos
- Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, Prefeitura Municipal de Timóteo, Avenida Acesita, 3230, São José, Timóteo 35182-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - Paula Dias Bevilacqua
- Grupo de Pesquisa Violências, Gênero e Saúde, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz), Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, MG, Brazil;
| | - José Dilermando Andrade Filho
- Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz), Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, MG, Brazil;
| | - Reginaldo Peçanha Brazil
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
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Layouni S, Remadi L, Kidar A, Chaâbane-Banaoues R, Haouas N, Babba H. Clinical polymorphism of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis: combination of the clinical and the parasitological diagnosis. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:238. [PMID: 38856772 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08263-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania (L.) major. This zoonosis is characterized by a broad-spectrum clinical polymorphism and may be underestimated and poorly treated since it is a simulator of various dermatoses. The aim of our study was to analyze the clinical polymorphism of patients with ZCL. A total of 142 patients with confirmed CL based on the microscopic examination of skin lesion biopsies were included in this study. Molecular typing of Leishmania species revealed that all patients were infected with L. major. In total, 14 clinical forms were observed. Six were typical and eight were atypical. The typical ZCL forms are grouped as follows: papular (26.76%), ulcero-crusted (26.05%), ulcerated (13.38%), impetiginous (9.86%), nodular (9.15%), and papulo-nodular (5.63%) lesions. In atypical ZCL forms, we described erythematous (2.81%), erysipeloid (1.4%), sporotrichoid, (1.4%), keratotic (0.7%) lupoid (0.7%), lichenoid (0.7%), psoriasiform (0.7%), and zosteriform (0.7%) lesions. Here, the lichenoid and the keratotic forms caused by L. major were reported for the first time in Tunisia. These findings will help physicians to be aware of the unusual lesions of ZCL that could be confused with other dermatological diseases. For this reason, it will be necessary to improve the diagnosis of CL especially in endemic areas. Such large clinical polymorphism caused by L. major may be the result of a complex association between the vector microbiota, the parasite, and the host immune state, and further studies should be carried out in order to reveal the mechanisms involved in clinical polymorphism of ZCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Layouni
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (Code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
- Department of Nutrition and Environmental Sciences, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mahdia, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Latifa Remadi
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (Code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Raja Chaâbane-Banaoues
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (Code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Najoua Haouas
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (Code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (Code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
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Senbill H, Karawia D, Zeb J, Alyami NM, Almeer R, Rahman S, Sparagano O, Baruah A. Molecular screening and genetic diversity of tick-borne pathogens associated with dogs and livestock ticks in Egypt. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012185. [PMID: 38837987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) offer optimal climatic conditions for tick reproduction and dispersal. Research on tick-borne pathogens in this region is scarce. Despite recent advances in the characterization and taxonomic explanation of various tick-borne illnesses affecting animals in Egypt, no comprehensive examination of TBP (tick-borne pathogen) statuses has been performed. Therefore, the present study aims to detect the prevalence of pathogens harbored by ticks in Egypt. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A four-year PCR-based study was conducted to detect a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) harbored by three economically important tick species in Egypt. Approximately 86.7% (902/1,040) of the investigated Hyalomma dromedarii ticks from camels were found positive with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii (18.8%), Ehrlichia ruminantium (16.5%), Rickettsia africae (12.6%), Theileria annulata (11.9%), Mycoplasma arginini (9.9%), Borrelia burgdorferi (7.7%), Spiroplasma-like endosymbiont (4.0%), Hepatozoon canis (2.4%), Coxiella burnetii (1.6%) and Leishmania infantum (1.3%). Double co-infections were recorded in 3.0% (27/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, triple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by three pathogen species) were found in 9.6% (87/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, whereas multiple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by ≥ four pathogen species) comprised 12% (108/902). Out of 1,435 investigated Rhipicephalus rutilus ticks collected from dogs and sheep, 816 (56.9%) ticks harbored Babesia canis vogeli (17.1%), Rickettsia conorii (16.2%), Ehrlichia canis (15.4%), H. canis (13.6%), Bo. burgdorferi (9.7%), L. infantum (8.4%), C. burnetii (7.3%) and Trypanosoma evansi (6.6%) in dogs, and 242 (16.9%) ticks harbored Theileria lestoquardi (21.6%), Theileria ovis (20.0%) and Eh. ruminantium (0.3%) in sheep. Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 11% (90/816), 7.6% (62/816), and 10.3% (84/816), respectively in Rh. rutilus from dogs, whereas double and triple co-infections represented 30.2% (73/242) and 2.1% (5/242), respectively in Rh. rutilus from sheep. Approximately 92.5% (1,355/1,465) of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks of cattle carried a burden of Anaplasma marginale (21.3%), Babesia bigemina (18.2%), Babesia bovis (14.0%), Borrelia theleri (12.8%), R. africae (12.4%), Th. annulata (8.7%), Bo. burgdorferi (2.7%), and Eh. ruminantium (2.5%). Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 1.8% (25/1,355), 11.5% (156/1,355), and 12.9% (175/1,355), respectively. The detected pathogens' sequences had 98.76-100% similarity to the available database with genetic divergence ranged between 0.0001 to 0.0009% to closest sequences from other African, Asian, and European countries. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close similarities between the detected pathogens and other isolates mostly from African and Asian countries. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Continuous PCR-detection of pathogens transmitted by ticks is necessary to overcome the consequences of these infection to the hosts. More restrictions should be applied from the Egyptian authorities on animal importations to limit the emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne pathogens in the country. This is the first in-depth investigation of TBPs in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haytham Senbill
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India
- Department of Applied Entomology & Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Donia Karawia
- Department of Pesticide Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Jehan Zeb
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Zoology, Govt. Ghazi Umara Khan Degree College Samarbagh, Higher Education Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Nouf M Alyami
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rafa Almeer
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sahidur Rahman
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India
| | - Olivier Sparagano
- Agricultural Sciences and Practice, Royal Agricultural University (RAU), Cirencester, United Kingdom
| | - Aiswarya Baruah
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India
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Rodríguez-González J, Wilkins-Rodríguez AA, Gutiérrez-Kobeh L. Human Dendritic Cell Maturation Is Modulated by Leishmania mexicana through Akt Signaling Pathway. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:118. [PMID: 38787051 PMCID: PMC11126033 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9050118] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) along with macrophages are the main host cells of the intracellular parasite Leishmania. DC traverse a process of maturation, passing through an immature state with phagocytic ability to a mature one where they can modulate the immune response through the secretion of cytokines. Several studies have demonstrated that Leishmania inhibits DC maturation. Nevertheless, when cells are subjected to a second stimulus such as LPS/IFN-γ, they manage to mature. In the maturation process of DC, several signaling pathways have been implicated, importantly MAPK. On the other hand, Akt is a signaling pathway deeply involved in cell survival. Some Leishmania species have shown to activate MAPK and Akt in different cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of ERK and Akt in the maturation of monocyte-derived DC (moDC) infected with L. mexicana. moDC were infected with L. mexicana metacyclic promastigotes, and the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt, the expression of MHCII and CD86 and IL-12 transcript, and secretion were determined in the presence or absence of an Akt inhibitor. We showed that L. mexicana induces a sustained Akt and ERK phosphorylation, while the Akt inhibitor inhibits it. Moreover, the infection of moDC downregulates CD86 expression but not MHCII, and the Akt inhibitor reestablishes CD86 expression and 12p40 production. Thus, L. mexicana can modulate DC maturation though Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Rodríguez-González
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez, Oaxaca C.P. 68120, Mexico;
| | - Arturo A. Wilkins-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City C.P. 14080, Mexico;
| | - Laila Gutiérrez-Kobeh
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City C.P. 14080, Mexico;
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Solomon M, Ollech A, Pavlotsky F, Barzilai A, Schwartz E, Baum S, Astman N. Comparison of Intralesional Sodium Stibogluconate versus Intralesional Meglumine Antimoniate for the Treatment of Leishmania major Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Acta Derm Venereol 2024; 104:adv35089. [PMID: 38682801 DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.35089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Israel is endemic for Old-World cutaneous leishmaniasis. The most common species is Leishmania major. However, the available treatment options are limited. This study's objective was to compare the authors' experience with different antimony intralesional treatments of Leishmania major cutaneous leishmaniasis. A retrospective evaluation was undertaken for cases of Leishmania major cutaneous leishmaniasis treated by pentavalent antimony in a university-affiliated medical centre in Israel. The previous treatment of intralesional sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam®) was compared with the current treatment of meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®). One hundred cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated during the study period, of whom 33 were treated with intralesional sodium stibogluconate and 67 were treated with intralesional meglumine antimoniate. The patients were 78 males and 22 females, mean age 24 (range 10-67) and there was a total of 354 skin lesions. Within 3 months from treatment, 91% (30/33) of the intralesional sodium stibogluconate group and 88% (59/67) of the intralesional meglumine antimoniate group had complete healing of the cutaneous lesions after an average of 3 treatment cycles (non-statistically significant). In conclusion, the 2 different medications have the same efficacy and safety for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. Pentavalent antimoniate intralesional infiltration treatment is safe, effective, and well tolerated with minimal side effects for Old-World cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Solomon
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Ayelet Ollech
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Felix Pavlotsky
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Aviv Barzilai
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- The School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Sharon Baum
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nadav Astman
- Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Ullah W, Khan A, Niaz S, Al-Garadi MA, Nasreen N, Swelum AA, Ben Said M. Epidemiological survey, molecular profiling and phylogenetic analysis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2024; 118:273-286. [PMID: 38055843 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), an emerging vector-borne ailment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, exhibits diverse spread patterns and outbreaks. METHODS To comprehend its epidemiology and identify parasite species, we conducted an active survey on suspected CL cases (n=8845) in KPK. RESULTS Microscopy and internal transcribed spacer-1 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) molecular techniques detected Leishmania spp. in blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis gauged genetic affinities with other areas. District Bannu displayed the highest CL impact (14.58%), while Swat had the lowest impact (4.33%) among cases. Annual blood examination rate, parasite incidence and slide positivity rate were 4.96 per 1000 people, 0.0233 and 0.047%, respectively. CL infections were prevalent in 1- to 20-y-olds, with males (57.17%) more vulnerable than females (42.82%). Single lesions occurred in 43.73% of patients, while 31.2% people had two lesions, 17.31% had three lesions and 7.74% had more than three lesions. Most had sand-fly exposure but lacked preventive measures like repellents and bed nets. Leishmania tropica was confirmed via RFLP analysis in amplified samples. Phylogenetic analysis unveiled genetic parallels between L. tropica of KPK and isolates from China, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Syria and Morocco. CONCLUSIONS Urgent comprehensive control measures are imperative. Early detection, targeted interventions and raising awareness of CL and sand-fly vectors are vital for reducing the disease's impact. International collaboration and monitoring are crucial to tackle Leishmania spp.'s genetic diversity and curtail its cross-border spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasia Ullah
- Depart ment of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Botany/Zoology, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Department of Biology, Mountain Allison university, Sackville, new Brunswick, Canada
| | - Sadaf Niaz
- Depart ment of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Maged A Al-Garadi
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasreen Nasreen
- Depart ment of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ayman A Swelum
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
- Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
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Ferrer E, Aguilar CM, Viettri M, Torrellas A, Lares M, Diaz M, Delgado O, Feliciangeli MD, Herrera L. Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis, Sympatric Zoonoses Present in Human from Rural Communities of Venezuela. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:616-627. [PMID: 38294711 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00786-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. coexist in several endemic areas, and there are few studies of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis coinfection worldwide; for this reason, the objective of this work was to determine the Chagas disease and leishmaniasis coinfection in several rural communities co-endemic for these diseases. METHODS A total of 1107 human samples from six co-endemic rural communities of Cojedes state, Venezuela, were analyzed. Serum samples were evaluated by ELISA, indirect hemagglutination, and indirect immunofluorescence for Chagas disease diagnosis, and individuals were evaluated for leishmaniasis by leishmanin skin test (LST). Approximately, 30% of the individuals were also analyzed by PCR (blood clot samples) for T. cruzi and for Leishmania spp. RESULTS The 14.7% of the individuals were positive to Trypanosoma cruzi infection by serology, and 25.8% were positive to Leishmania spp. current or past infection by LST. Among the group with PCR results, 7.8% were positive for T. cruzi, and 9.4% for Leishmania spp. The coinfection T. cruzi/Leishmania spp. was 6.5%. The T. cruzi DTUs of the positive blood clot samples were TcI, revealed using the molecular markers: (i) intergenic region of the miniexon, (ii) D7 divergent domain of the 24Sα rDNA, (iii) size-variable domain of the 18S rDNA, and (iv) hsp60-PCR-RFLP (EcoRV). The Leishmania species identified were L. (Leishmania) mexicana and L. (Viannia) braziliensis. CONCLUSION A high prevalence was found for T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. single and coinfections in almost all communities studied, being these results of relevance for the implementation of control programs in co-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ferrer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela.
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela.
| | - Cruz M Aguilar
- Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET-UC), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, San Carlos, Cojedes, Venezuela
| | - Mercedes Viettri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Annhymariet Torrellas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - María Lares
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Marietta Diaz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET-UC), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, San Carlos, Cojedes, Venezuela
| | - Olinda Delgado
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical (IMT), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María D Feliciangeli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Leidi Herrera
- Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical (IZET), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
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Kariyawasam R, Lau R, Valencia BM, Llanos-Cuentas A, Boggild AK. Novel detection of Leishmania RNA virus-1 (LRV-1) in clinical isolates of Leishmania Viannia panamensis. Parasitology 2024; 151:151-156. [PMID: 38031433 PMCID: PMC10941039 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
American tegumentary leishmaniasis comprises a discrete set of clinical presentations endemic to Latin America. Leishmania RNA virus-1 (LRV-1) is a double-stranded RNA virus identified in 20–25% of the Leishmania Viannia braziliensis and L. V. guyanensis, however not in L. V. panamensis. This is the first report of LRV-1 in L. V. panamensis and its associations with clinical phenotypes of ATL. Unique surplus discard clinical isolates of L. V. panamensis were identified from the Public Health Ontario Laboratory (PHOL) and the Leishmania Clinic of the Instituto de Medicina Tropical ‘Alexander von Humboldt’ between 2012 and 2019 and screened for LRV-1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patient isolates were stratified according to clinical phenotype. Of 30 patients with L. V. panamensis, 14 (47%) and 16 (53%) patients had severe and non-severe ATL, respectively. Five (36%) of 14 severe cases and 2 (12%) of 16 non-severe cases were positive for LRV-1, respectively. No differences in sex were observed for clinical phenotype and LRV-1 status. Although an association between LRV-1 status and clinical phenotype was not demonstrated, this is the first description of the novel detection of LRV-1 in L. V. panamensis, a species that has been documented predominantly in Central America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwandi Kariyawasam
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-Public Health, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada
| | - Rachel Lau
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1 Canada
| | - Braulio M. Valencia
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical ‘Alejandro von Humboldt’, Lima, Peru
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Andrea K. Boggild
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Tropical Disease Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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da Silveira JAG, Moreira SM, do Nascimento AF, de Oliveira MM, dos Santos HA, Estevam LGTDM, Pereira CR, Oliveira AGG, D’Elia ML, Araujo ADC, Silva JMM. Preparing Collared Peccary ( Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) for Reintroduction into the Wild: A Screening for Parasites and Hemopathogens of a Captive Population. Pathogens 2024; 13:47. [PMID: 38251354 PMCID: PMC10819336 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The reintroduction of captive animals to the wild helps restore endangered species, but it risks pathogen transmission, harming wild populations. Such transmission can impact the genetic diversity and long-term viability of these populations. This study assessed parasite diversity and load in captive Pecari tajacu, a species native to the Americas and culturally significant to Brazilian indigenous culture, prior to reintroduction. Samples from 24 peccaries were analyzed for ectoparasites, hemopathogens, and stool parasites with direct and molecular analysis. Findings showed that various parasites were present. Two peccaries (8.3%) were infested by the adult tick Amblyomma sculptum. Six (25.0%) tested positive for Trypanosoma evansi, four (16.7%) for hemobacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae, twelve (50.0%) for hemotropic Mycoplasma, and seven (29.2%) for Leishmania braziliensis. Stool samples indicated multiple parasites, with sixteen (66.7%) peccaries infected by Strongylida order parasites, Spiruridae in three (12.5%), and Ascaris suum in one (4.2%) animal. Cysts of Balantidium sp. were found in twenty (83.3%), Entamoeba polecki in five (20.8%), and Iodamoeba bütschlii in two (8.3%) peccaries. To our current knowledge, this is the first global report of Leishmania braziliensis, Iodamoeba bütschlii, and Entamoeba polecki in P. tajacu, irrespective of the environment, including both captivity and wild conditions. Some of these parasites are common in domestic animals, and others are zoonotic, indicating potential interspecies pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simone Magela Moreira
- Department of Agrarian Sciences, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Minas Gerais-Campus Bambuí, Bambuí 38900-000, MG, Brazil; (S.M.M.); (A.F.d.N.)
| | - Ariane Flávia do Nascimento
- Department of Agrarian Sciences, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Minas Gerais-Campus Bambuí, Bambuí 38900-000, MG, Brazil; (S.M.M.); (A.F.d.N.)
| | - Marco Miguel de Oliveira
- Biological Science, State University of Minas Gerais-Unit Ituiutaba, Ituiutaba 38302-192, MG, Brazil;
| | - Hudson Andrade dos Santos
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (H.A.d.S.); (A.d.C.A.)
| | | | | | - Anna Gabriela Guimarães Oliveira
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil;
| | | | - Andreina de Carvalho Araujo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (H.A.d.S.); (A.d.C.A.)
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Kariyawasam R, Gascon B, Challa P, Mah J, Lau R, Valencia BM, Llanos-Cuentas A, Boggild AK. Spectrum of bacterial pathogens in inflammatory and noninflammatory cutaneous ulcers of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2024; 11:20499361241274200. [PMID: 39296379 PMCID: PMC11409304 DOI: 10.1177/20499361241274200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) ulcers exhibiting an inflammatory phenotype, characterized by purulent exudate, erythema, pain, and/or lymphatic involvement, are empirically treated with antibiotics. Objective The spectrum of bacteria present in localized versus inflammatory phenotypes of CL is elucidated herein. Methods Filter paper lesion impressions (FPLIs) from 39 patients with CL (19 inflammatory and 20 noninflammatory ulcers) were evaluated via real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and end-point PCR targeting: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus spp., Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 16S rDNA. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on six specimens. Results In total, 30/39 (77%) patients' ulcers had ⩾1 bacterium detected, which included the following species: S. aureus (n = 16, 41%), C. freundii (n = 13, 33%), P. aeruginosa (n = 12, 31%), E. cloacae (n = 12, 31%), K. pneumoniae (n = 11, 28%), Enterococcus spp. (n = 7, 18%), E. coli (n = 6, 15%), and S. pyogenes (n = 4, 10). Prevalence of bacterial species did not differ by CL phenotype (p = 0.63). However, patients with inflammatory phenotypes were, on average, over a decade older than patients with noninflammatory phenotypes (42 years vs 27 years) (p = 0.01). The inflammatory phenotype was more prevalent among ulcers of Leishmania Viannia braziliensis (58%) and L. V. panamensis (83%) compared to those of L. V. guyanensis (20%) (p = 0.0369). Conclusion The distribution of flora did not differ between inflammatory and noninflammatory CL phenotypes. Further prospective analysis, including additional WGS studies of all CL ulcers for nonbacterial organisms, is necessary to determine the role of empiric antibiotic therapy in inflammatory and purulent CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwandi Kariyawasam
- Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan Gascon
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Priyanka Challa
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jordan Mah
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rachel Lau
- Public Health Ontario Laboratories, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Braulio M Valencia
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Unidad de Leishmaniasis y Malaria, Lima, Peru
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alejandro Llanos-Cuentas
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Unidad de Leishmaniasis y Malaria, Lima, Peru
| | - Andrea K Boggild
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tropical Disease Unit, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, 13EN-218, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Castillo AP, Miranda JVO, Fonseca PLC, Silva SDO, Lopes REN, Spanhol VC, Moreira RG, Nicolino RR, Queiroz DC, de Araújo E Santos LCG, Dos Santos APS, Rivetti HAA, Martins-Duarte ES, de Almeida Vitor RW, Dos Reis JKP, Aguiar RS, da Silveira JAG. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and co-infections in stray cats in Brazil. Acta Trop 2024; 249:107056. [PMID: 37913970 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107056] [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] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The zoonotic virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans (COVID-19), has been identified in cats. Notably, most positive cases were in cats that had close contact with infected humans, suggesting a role for humans in animal transmission routes. Previous studies have suggested that animals with immune depletion are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. To date, there is limited evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in stray and free-range cats affected by other pathogens. In this study, we investigated infections caused by SARS-CoV-2, Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Mycoplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in stray cats from an urban park in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. From February to September 2021, 78 mixed-breed cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and hemopathogens using molecular analysis at Américo Renné Giannetti Municipal Park, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect IgG in T. gondii. None of the animals in this study showed any clinical signs of infections. The SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA was detected in 7.7 % of cats, and a whole virus genome sequence analysis revealed the SARS-CoV-2 Delta lineage (B.1.617.2). Phylogenetic analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2 isolated from cats was grouped into the sublineage AY.99.2, which matches the epidemiological scenario of COVID-19 in the urban area of our study. Leishmania infantum was detected and sequenced in 9 % of cats. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 23.1 %. Hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. was detected in 7.7 % of the cats, with Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum being the most common. Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae were detected in 38.5 % of the cats, FeLV was detected in 17,9 %, and none of the cats studied tested positive for FIV. This study reports, for the first time, the SARS-CoV-2 infection with whole-genome sequencing in stray cats in southeastern Brazil and co-infection with other pathogens, including Bartonella spp. and Feline leukemia virus. Our study observed no correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and the other detected pathogens. Our results emphasize the importance of monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in stray cats to characterize their epidemiological role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and reinforce the importance of zoonotic disease surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisleidy Pérez Castillo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil; Laboratório de PROTOVET, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Joao Victor Oliveira Miranda
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Paula Luize Camargos Fonseca
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Soraia de Oliveira Silva
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rosálida Estevam Nazar Lopes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Viviane Campos Spanhol
- Laboratório de Retroviroses, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rennan Garcias Moreira
- Centro de Laboratórios Multiusuários, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rafael Romero Nicolino
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Defesa Sanitária Animal, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel Costa Queiroz
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luiza Campos Guerra de Araújo E Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Anna Pio Soares Dos Santos
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Hugo Adriano Araújo Rivetti
- Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte, R. Édna Quintel, 173 - São Bernardo, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-705, Brazil
| | - Erica S Martins-Duarte
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Wagner de Almeida Vitor
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jenner Karlisson Pimenta Dos Reis
- Laboratório de Retroviroses, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renato Santana Aguiar
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Júlia Angélica Gonçalves da Silveira
- Laboratório de PROTOVET, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
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Riebenbauer K, Czerny S, Egg M, Urban N, Kinaciyan T, Hampel A, Fidelsberger L, Karlhofer F, Porkert S, Walochnik J, Handisurya A. The changing epidemiology of human leishmaniasis in the non-endemic country of Austria between 2000 to 2021, including a congenital case. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011875. [PMID: 38198499 PMCID: PMC10805284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with intracellular protozoans of the genus Leishmania. Transmission occurs predominantly by the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, other routes, including congenital transmission, are rare. The disease manifests as either cutaneous, visceral or mucosal/mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. In recent years, changes in the epidemiological pattern have been reported from Europe. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 311 new and 29 published leishmaniasis cases occurring between 01/01/2000 and 12/31/2021 in Austria were collected and analyzed. These encompassed 146 cutaneous (CL), 14 visceral (VL), 4 mucosal, and 3 cases with concurrent VL and CL. In addition, asymptomatic infections, comprising 11 unspecified cases with Leishmania DNA detectable only in the blood and 162 cases with anti-Leishmania antibodies were reported. Particularly since 2016, the incidence of leishmaniasis has steadily risen, mainly attributable to increasing numbers of CL and cases with positive serology against Leishmania species, whereas the incidence of VL has slowly decreased. Analysis revealed that a shift in the causative species spectrum had occurred and that a substantial number of CL cases were caused by members of the Leishmania donovani/infantum complex. Simultaneous occurrence of VL and CL was identified in immunocompromised individuals, but also in a not yet reported case of an immunocompetent child after vertical transmission. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of leishmaniasis has risen in the recent years. The numbers are anticipated to keep rising due to increasing human mobility, including travel and forced migration, growing reservoir host populations as well as expansion and dispersal of vector species caused by climate and habitat changes, urbanization and globalization. Hence, elevated awareness for the disease, including possible transmission in previously non-endemic regions and non-vector transmission modes, support of sandfly surveillance efforts and implementation and establishment of public health interventions in a One Health approach are pivotal in the global efforts to control and reduce leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Czerny
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Egg
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolaus Urban
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tamar Kinaciyan
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Amélie Hampel
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luise Fidelsberger
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Karlhofer
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Porkert
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Al-Ashwal MA, Atroosh WM, Al-Adhroey AH, Al-Subbary AA, Yee-Ling L, Al-Mekhlafi HM. A disfiguring neglected tropical disease sweeps war-torn Yemen: a community-based study of prevalence and risk factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis among rural communities in the western highlands. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2023; 117:823-838. [PMID: 37486252 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major health problem in Yemen and is endemic in many rural areas across the country. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional survey followed by unmatched case-control comparisons was conducted among 612 participants in Utmah district, western Yemen. A total of 223 participants were included in the case-control analysis to identify the significant risk factors. Skin scrapping samples were examined by microscopy and internal transcribed spacer 1 nested polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Overall, 33% (202/612) of the participants had active skin lesions and/or scars that met the clinical criteria for CL. A total of 90 (14.7%) participants had suspected active CL lesions; however, a prevalence of 8.7% (53/612) was obtained based on molecular and parasitological examination, with Leishmania tropica being the only causative agent identified. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that being ≤10 y old, being female, living in houses with cracked walls, living in the presence of other family members with typical ulcerating skin diseases and sleeping outside were factors significantly associated with an increased likelihood of having CL. Moreover, keeping livestock on the ground floor of the house was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of having CL. CONCLUSION The study reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of CL among the studied population. Therefore there is an urgent need for effective control measures and improved treatment efforts against this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal A Al-Ashwal
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wahib M Atroosh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen
| | - Abdulelah H Al-Adhroey
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Assia A Al-Subbary
- National Centre of Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Public Health and Population, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Lau Yee-Ling
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a 1247, Yemen
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Thomaz-Soccol V, Gonçalves AL, Baggio RA, Bisetto Jr. A, Celestino A, Hospinal-Santiani M, de Souza A, Mychalizen M, Borges ME, Piechnik CA. One piece of the puzzle: Modeling vector presence and environment reveals seasonality, distribution, and prevalence of sandflies and Leishmania in an expansion area. One Health 2023; 17:100581. [PMID: 37332885 PMCID: PMC10273283 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent geographic spread of Leishmania infantum along the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay has been highlighted. In our previous study, Lutzomyia longipalpis was found in 55 of 123 patches surveyed, and in some patches, sandflies were found at higher densities, forming hotspots. Based on the One Health approach, we investigated the seasonality of the vector, the presence of parasite DNA, and the environmental factors that contribute to vector and parasite dispersal in these previously described hotspots in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Entomological surveys were conducted monthly for one year. Fourteen hotspots peridomicile and six intradomicile were sampled. PCR was used to assess the prevalence of Leishmania DNA in sandflies. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression was used to determine the association of micro- and mesoscale environmental variables with the occurrence and abundance of the three most abundant sandfly species sampled. A total of 3543 species were captured, with Lutzomyia longipalpis being the predominant species (71.78%) of the 13 species found. Evandromyia edwardsi, Expapillata firmatoi, Micropygomyia ferreirana and Pintomyia christenseni were reported for the first time in the region. NDVI, distance to water, precipitation, west-to-east wind, wind speed, maximum and minimum relative humidity, and sex were significant variables associated with vector presence/abundance in the environment. Vector presence/abundance in the peridomicile was associated with precipitation, altitude, maximum temperature, minimum and maximum relative humidity, west-to-east wind, wind speed, and sex. Leishmania DNA was detected in an average of 21% of Lu. longipalpis throughout the year. Vector abundance is concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas, with some specimens present in different parts of the city and some sites with high vector abundance. This distribution suggests that the risk of actual contact between humans and parasite vectors in urban areas during the epidemic period is associated with patches of peri-urban vegetation and then extends into urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanete Thomaz-Soccol
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rua Francisco H. dos Santos, Centro Politécnico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - André Luiz Gonçalves
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rua Francisco H. dos Santos, Centro Politécnico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Rafael Antunes Baggio
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rua Francisco H. dos Santos, Centro Politécnico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Alceu Bisetto Jr.
- SESA- Secretary of Health of the State of Paraná and the Ninth Health Region, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Adão Celestino
- SESA- Secretary of Health of the State of Paraná and the Ninth Health Region, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Manuel Hospinal-Santiani
- Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rua Francisco H. dos Santos, Centro Politécnico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - André de Souza
- Foz do Iguaçu City Hall, Zoonosis Control Center, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil
| | - Mario Mychalizen
- Graduate Program in Environmental Management, Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Eduardo Borges
- Biological Interactions, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), P.O. Box 19073, 81531-890 Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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Al Rashed A, Al Jindan R, Al Jaroodi S, Al Mohanna A, El-Badry AA. Molecular identification of Leishmania major species in phlebotomine sand flies from Al Ahsa, Eastern KSA. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2023; 18:1268-1272. [PMID: 37275953 PMCID: PMC10238839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.05.007] [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: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is considered an overlooked public health threat in KSA. CL is endemic to several Saudi regions, including Al Ahsa City, Eastern KSA. To our knowledge, no prior molecular identification of Leishmania parasites in vectors in Al Ahsa has been published. The aim of this study was to perform molecular identification of Leishmania species in sand flies collected from Al Ahsa. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Ahsa from July 2020 to May 2021. Sand flies were collected from the three areas with the highest rates of CL cases and sand flies, according to data from the Vector Borne Diseases Prevention Center in Al Ahsa. CDC miniature light traps and sticky traps were used to collect sand flies. Pools of 3-10 female sand flies were subjected to genomic DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was then amplified with a protocol targeting the Leishmania genus and using species-specific primers. For Leishmania species identification, a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used. Results Ten of 113 pools of samples tested positive for the Leishmania genus, according to our experimental protocol. Characterization of Leishmania species by PCR-RFLP established Leishmania major as the only species found in the collected sand flies. Conclusion This is the first documentation of molecular identification of Leishmania species in phlebotomine sand flies in the Al Ahsa region. L. major was the only species identified in our study. Further comprehensive research investigating the vectors and reservoirs will be crucial to establish the dynamics of transmission of Leishmania in Al Ahsa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullatif Al Rashed
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, KSA
| | - Reem Al Jindan
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, KSA
| | - Salma Al Jaroodi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, KSA
| | - Ahmed Al Mohanna
- Vector Control Department, Vector and Zoonotic Diseases Center, Ministery of Health, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A. El-Badry
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, KSA
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Souza DA, Oliveira-Santos LGR, Infran JDOM, Fernandes WDS, Arrua AEC, Piranda EM, de Oliveira AG. Spatiotemporal changes in exposition risk to leishmaniases vector in residences within a fishing tourism area of Pantanal wetland. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011809. [PMID: 38048353 PMCID: PMC10721170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Miranda Municipality of Mato Grosso do Sul, borders the Pantanal wetland, a famous fishing destination visited by tourists from all over the world, and is a location where visceral leishmaniasis has been reported. To assess the risk of Leishmania infantum transmission, we studied the sandfly community, focusing on known vector and parasite presence. We conducted light trap collections twice per month at nine sites within the city (including two forested areas) for one year. We collected a total of 12,727 sand flies, 10,891 males and 1,836 females belonging to 11 species: Brumptomyia avellari, Evandromyia aldafalcaoae, Ev. evandroi, Ev. lenti, Ev. sallesi, Ev. walkeri, Lu. longipalpis, Nyssomyia whitmani, Psathyromyia bigeniculata, Pa. hermanlenti and Pa. punctigeniculata. Lutzomyia longipalpis, the proven vector of Leishmania infantum, was captured each month, and was the most abundant species observed, accounting for more than 99% of sand flies captured in most sites, especially where chicken coops were present. Evidence of Leishmania infantum infection was detected in 0.40% of Lu. longipalpis tested. We developed a generalized mixed multilevel model for Lu. longipalpis, that includes within-year seasonality, location of capture (indoors vs. outdoors), vector abundance, and sex ratio. The VL vector was abundant both inside and outside houses. Large numbers of Lu. longipalpis were observed in outdoor sites where domestic animals were present but were absent from forest sites. Our findings suggest high vector populations and Le. infantum presence in a city where tourists could be exposed to visceral leishmaniasis, with significant implications for more surveillance and control activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Alovisi Souza
- Graduate Program in Animal Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | | | - Jucelei de Oliveira Moura Infran
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Wagner de Souza Fernandes
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Aline Etelvina Casaril Arrua
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Eliane Mattos Piranda
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Gutierrez de Oliveira
- Graduate Program in Animal Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Laboratory of Human Parasitology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
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Roy L, Cloots K, Uranw S, Rai K, Bhattarai NR, Smekens T, Hendrickx R, Caljon G, Hasker E, Das ML, Van Bortel W. The ongoing risk of Leishmania donovani transmission in eastern Nepal: an entomological investigation during the elimination era. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:404. [PMID: 37932813 PMCID: PMC10629032 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05986-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a life-threatening neglected tropical disease, is targeted for elimination from Nepal by the year 2026. The national VL elimination program is still confronted with many challenges including the increasingly widespread distribution of the disease over the country, local resurgence and the questionable efficacy of the key vector control activities. In this study, we assessed the status and risk of Leishmania donovani transmission based on entomological indicators including seasonality, natural Leishmania infection rate and feeding behavior of vector sand flies, Phlebotomus argentipes, in three districts that had received disease control interventions in the past several years in the context of the disease elimination effort. METHODS We selected two epidemiologically contrasting settings in each survey district, one village with and one without reported VL cases in recent years. Adult sand flies were collected using CDC light traps and mouth aspirators in each village for 12 consecutive months from July 2017 to June 2018. Leishmania infection was assessed in gravid sand flies targeting the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the parasite (SSU-rRNA) and further sequenced for species identification. A segment (~ 350 bp) of the vertebrate cytochrome b (cytb) gene was amplified from blood-fed P. argentipes from dwellings shared by both humans and cattle and sequenced to identify the preferred host. RESULTS Vector abundance varied among districts and village types and peaks were observed in June, July and September to November. The estimated Leishmania infection rate in vector sand flies was 2.2% (1.1%-3.7% at 95% credible interval) and 0.6% (0.2%-1.3% at 95% credible interval) in VL and non-VL villages respectively. The common source of blood meal was humans in both VL (52.7%) and non-VL (74.2%) villages followed by cattle. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the risk of ongoing L. donovani transmission not only in villages with VL cases but also in villages not reporting the presence of the disease over the past several years within the districts having disease elimination efforts, emphasize the remaining threats of VL re-emergence and inform the national program for critical evaluation of disease elimination strategies in Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalita Roy
- Tropical and Infectious Disease Centre, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Kristien Cloots
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Surendra Uranw
- Department of Internal Medicine, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Keshav Rai
- Department of Microbiology, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Narayan R Bhattarai
- Department of Microbiology, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Tom Smekens
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rik Hendrickx
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Epco Hasker
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Murari L Das
- Department of Microbiology, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Wim Van Bortel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Outbreak Research Team, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Bel Hadj Ali I, Saadi-Ben Aoun Y, Hammami Z, Rhouma O, Chakroun AS, Guizani I. Handheld Ultra-Fast Duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays and Lateral Flow Detection and Identification of Leishmania Parasites for Cutaneous Leishmaniases Diagnosis. Pathogens 2023; 12:1292. [PMID: 38003756 PMCID: PMC10675497 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Early and accurate detection of infectious diseases is a key step for surveillance, epidemiology and control, notably timely disease diagnosis, patient management and follow-up. In this study, we aimed to develop handheld ultra-fast duplex PCR assays coupled to amplicon detection by lateral flow (LF) immunoassay to deliver a rapid and simple molecular diagnostic test for concomitant detection and identification of the main Leishmania parasites encountered in Tunisia. We selected two DNA targets to amplify L. major/L. tropica and L. infantum/L. tropica groups of species DNAs, respectively. We optimized the experimental conditions of a duplex ultra-fast PCR. The amplification is performed using a portable Palm convection PCR machine within 18 min, and the products are detected using an LF cassette within 10 min. The test allows the identification of the infecting species according to the position and number of test lines revealed. Tested on a selection of DNAs of representative Leishmania strains of the three studied species (N = 37), the ultra-fast duplex PCR-LF showed consistent, stable and reproducible results. The analytical limit of detection of the test was 0.4 pg for L. major, 4 pg for L. infantum and 40 pg for L. tropica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf Bel Hadj Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology-LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (Y.S.-B.A.); (Z.H.); (O.R.); (A.S.C.); (I.G.)
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Vaz TP, Quaresma PF, Rêgo FD, Souza CB, Fontes G, Gontijo CMF. Clinical and Laboratory Response of Domiciled Dogs with Visceral Leishmaniasis Treated with Miltefosine and Allopurinol. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:472. [PMID: 37888600 PMCID: PMC10610677 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8100472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) remains a significant disease worldwide. In Brazil, its treatment is performed using miltefosine, which has demonstrated promising outcomes in dogs. This study represents the first attempt to treat and monitor dogs with CVL in natural conditions over the course of one year. The dogs were divided into two groups: G1 received miltefosine and allopurinol for 28 days, while G2 received miltefosine for 28 days, followed by allopurinol for one year. The follow-up involved clinical, hematological, and biochemical evaluations, as well as the detection of Leishmania DNA in skin and bone marrow samples. By the end of the follow-up, dogs in G2 exhibited improved staging compared to their initial conditions, whereas those in G1 showed worsened staging. Leishmania DNA in skin and bone marrow decreased between 6 and 12 months after treatment. Our observations indicate that the treatment using miltefosine reduces the detection of the parasite in the skin and bone marrow for up to one year following its administration. The continuous use of allopurinol contributes to control of the disease in dogs. These findings provide valuable insights into the response of dogs treated in natural conditions, offering essential information for veterinarians and public health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita Pereira Vaz
- René Rachou Institute (FIOCRUZ/MG), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil; (T.P.V.); (F.D.R.); (C.B.S.)
| | - Patrícia Flávia Quaresma
- Campus Reitor João Davi Ferreira Lima, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil;
| | - Felipe Dutra Rêgo
- René Rachou Institute (FIOCRUZ/MG), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil; (T.P.V.); (F.D.R.); (C.B.S.)
| | - Camila Binder Souza
- René Rachou Institute (FIOCRUZ/MG), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil; (T.P.V.); (F.D.R.); (C.B.S.)
| | - Gilberto Fontes
- Campus Centro Oeste, Federal University of São João del Rei (UFSJ), Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, 400, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil;
| | - Célia Maria Ferreira Gontijo
- René Rachou Institute (FIOCRUZ/MG), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil; (T.P.V.); (F.D.R.); (C.B.S.)
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Dutra-Rêgo F, Lima MA, Almeida GLP, de Almeida PS, Bastos GKSDV, Alexandre LVDN, Samaniego RD, da Silva WA, Ogaya ADM, Andrade-Filho JD. Molecular detection of Leishmania and blood meal analysis in sand flies from Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Acta Trop 2023; 245:106961. [PMID: 37268196 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the presence of Leishmania in sand flies collected from a peridomestic area in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, after an autochthonous case of cutaneous leishmaniasis was confirmed. A total of 1,542 sand flies belonging to seven species were collected, with Lu. cruzi being the most prevalent (94.3%). We detected the presence of DNA from Le. infantum (7 pools) and Le. braziliensis (3 pools) by sequencing the ITS1 amplicon in ten pools, all of which were composed of engorged (3) and non-engorged (7) females of Lu. cruzi. We collected 24 engorged females, with Homo sapiens being the most common blood meal source (91.6%), followed by Dasyprocta azarae and Canis lupus familiaris (4.2% each). To our knowledge, this is the first molecular evidence of Le. braziliensis in wild-caught Lu. cruzi in Brazil, suggesting its potential role as a vector for this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Dutra-Rêgo
- Grupo de Estudo em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Mariana Alves Lima
- Grupo de Estudo em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Giovana Luísa Pereira Almeida
- Grupo de Estudo em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Paulo Silva de Almeida
- Laboratório Regional de Entomologia de Dourados, Núcleo Regional de Saúde, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Mato Grosso Sul, Brasil
| | - Grace Kelly Sguario do Valle Bastos
- Laboratório Regional de Entomologia da Gerência de Vigilância em Saúde de Corumbá, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
| | - Luiza Vilalva das Neves Alexandre
- Laboratório Regional de Entomologia da Gerência de Vigilância em Saúde de Corumbá, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Daltro Samaniego
- Laboratório Regional de Entomologia da Gerência de Vigilância em Saúde de Corumbá, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
| | - Walkiria Arruda da Silva
- Laboratório Regional de Entomologia da Gerência de Vigilância em Saúde de Corumbá, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
| | - Alcides de Moraes Ogaya
- Laboratório Regional de Entomologia da Gerência de Vigilância em Saúde de Corumbá, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
| | - José Dilermando Andrade-Filho
- Grupo de Estudo em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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Zribi L, El Houda Ben-Fayala N, Aissi W, Ben-Abid M, Souissi O, Hamdi N, Boulehmi N, Ghrab J, Jemni A, Jamel A, Handous M, Bouratbine A, Oliva G, Aoun K. Canine Leishmania spp. infection in two distinct foci of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 44:100906. [PMID: 37652625 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum and L. major, respectively, are endemic in Tunisia. The aim of the study was to assess canine Leishmania spp. infection prevalence as well as to identify the Leishmania species involved in two well-documented and geographically distinct VL and ZCL foci. One hundred seventy-six dogs were randomly recruited in the VL focus of Sbikha-Zaghouan (n = 100) and the ZCL focus of Echrarda-Nasrallah (n = 76). Physical examination and blood collection were systemically performed. Needle aspiration was done in case of lymph node (LN) enlargement. All sera were tested by ELISA. kDNA RT-PCR was performed on DNA extracts from (i) buffy coats of seropositive dogs and (ii) LN aspirates. Leishmania species identification was done by ITS1 PCR-sequencing. Thirty-three dogs (18.8%) were infected by Leishmania; 30 having anti-Leishmania antibodies and 3 were seronegative dogs with Leishmania DNA in LN aspirates. Prevalence of infection was significantly higher in VL foci than in ZCL foci (27% versus 7.9%, p = 0.002). Leishmania species was identified in 11 dogs and corresponded to L. infantum. Combination of serology and qPCR on LN aspirates seems to be the best option for canine leishmaniasis diagnosis. Infection is more frequent in VL foci and L. infantum is the only identified species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Zribi
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Nour El Houda Ben-Fayala
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia; University Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Wafa Aissi
- National Center of Promotion of Organs Transplant, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1006 Bab Saadoun, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Meriem Ben-Abid
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Souissi
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Noureddine Hamdi
- Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development-Ministry of Agriculture (CRDA), 3100 Kairouan, Tunisia
| | - Nada Boulehmi
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Jamila Ghrab
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | | | - Meriem Handous
- Lab of rabies, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Aïda Bouratbine
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Karim Aoun
- Lab of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology & Biomolecules LR 20-IPT-06, Institut Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
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Usman M, Natala AJ, Jatau ID, Ogo NI, Jeelani G, Goto Y, Nozaki T, McKerrow JH, Balogun EO. Molecular identification of phlebotomine sand flies and the harbored Leishmania spp. in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1219629. [PMID: 37719668 PMCID: PMC10500309 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1219629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Female sand flies are hematophagous, feeding on animals and in the process serve as vectors for Leishmania, the parasites that cause leishmaniasis in humans. Leishmaniasis are a group of parasitic neglected tropical diseases in 98 countries including Nigeria and kills ~60,000 people/year. In Nigeria, Sokoto State is endemic to leishmaniasis but there is a knowledge gap on the identity of the prevalent sand flies and the Leishmania species they transmit. Hence, this cross-sectional study was designed to take inventory of the species of sand flies in Sokoto using genetic methods. Methods 1,260 (310 females) sand flies were collected from three Local Government Areas (L.G.A) of Sokoto State- Wamakko, Sokoto South and Kware. Genomic DNA was extracted from each fly and DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on the DNA samples using primers targeting the arthropods mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (mt-coI) gene, and nested PCR with primers targeting the gene for Leishmania internal transcribed spacer-1 (its-1) of ribosomal RNA its-1rRNA. The PCR products were sequenced. Results Gene sequence analysis revealed five species of sand flies belonging to the old-world genera namely Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. The identified species were P. papatasi (6.45%), S. adleri (6.45%), S. affinis (9.7%), S. distincta (9.7%), S. schwetzi (67.7%). Within the sampling period, sand flies were most abundant in the rainy months of August (104/33.5%) and September (116/37.4%) with all the five identified species occurring. Sequence analysis of its-1 gene identified Leishmania infantum in two sand flies (2/310)- P. papatasi (from Sokoto South) and S. affinis (from Wamakko). BLAST search in NCBI and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sand fly species are related to the species reported in different parts of Africa, while the L. infantum is identical to strain reported in Brazil (KY379083.1). Discussion Phlebotomus papatasi and four species belonging to the genus Sergentomyia are the most prevalent sand flies in Sokoto State, Nigeria and they harbor L. infantum solely. The results shed light on why visceral leishmaniasis is the most predominant form of the disease. Therefore, we recommend that adequate care for dogs must be instituted as dogs are the major animal reservoir for L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmud Usman
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Audu Joseph Natala
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Isa Danladi Jatau
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Ndudim Isaac Ogo
- Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Ghulam Jeelani
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Goto
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Tokyo University, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Emmanuel Oluwadare Balogun
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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Buffi G, Ceccarelli M, Diotallevi A, Abruzzese M, Bruno F, Castelli G, Vitale F, Andreoni F, Bencardino D, Magnani M, Galluzzi L. High-resolution melting (HRM)-based detection of polymorphisms in the malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase genes for Leishmania infantum genotyping. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:282. [PMID: 37580789 PMCID: PMC10426199 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05878-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease endemic in the Mediterranean region where Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of human and canine infection. Characterization of this parasite at the subspecies level can be useful in epidemiological studies, to evaluate the clinical course of the disease (e.g. resistant strains, visceral and cutaneous forms of leishmaniasis) as well as to identify infection reservoirs. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), a method currently recognized as the reference method for characterizing and identifying strains of Leishmania, is cumbersome and time-consuming and requires cultured parasites. These disadvantages have led to the development of other methods, such as multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), for typing Leishmania parasites; however, these methods have not yet been applied for routine use. In this study, we first used MLST to identify informative polymorphisms on single-copy genes coding for metabolic enzymes, following which we developed two rapid genotyping assays based on high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis to explore these polymorphisms in L. infantum parasites. METHODS A customized sequencing panel targeting 14 housekeeping genes was designed and MLST analysis was performed on nine L. infantum canine and human strains/isolates. Two quantitative real-time PCR-HRM assays were designed to analyze two informative polymorphisms on malic enzyme (ME) and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) genes (390T/G and 1831A/G, respectively). The two assays were applied to 73 clinical samples/isolates from central/southern Italy and Pantelleria island, and the results were confirmed by DNA sequencing in a subset of samples. RESULTS The MLST analysis, together with sequences available in the Genbank database, enabled the identification of two informative polymorphisms on the genes coding for ME and GPI. The fast screening of these polymorphisms using two HRM-based assays in 73 clinical samples/isolates resulted in the identification of seven genotypes. Overall, genotype 1 (sequence type 390T/1831G) was the most highly represented (45.2%) in the overall sample and correlated with the most common L. infantum zymodemes (MON-1, MON-72). Interestingly, in Pantelleria island, the most prevalent genotype (70.6%) was genotype 6 (sequence type 390T/1831A). CONCLUSIONS Applying our HRM assays on clinical samples allowed us to identify seven different genotypes without the need for parasite isolation and cultivation. We have demonstrated that these assays could be used as fast, routine and inexpensive tools for epidemiological surveillance of L. infantum or for the identification of new infection reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Buffi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Marcello Ceccarelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Aurora Diotallevi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | | | - Federica Bruno
- OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Palermo, PA, Italy
| | - Germano Castelli
- OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Palermo, PA, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- OIE Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Palermo, PA, Italy
| | - Francesca Andreoni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Daniela Bencardino
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Luca Galluzzi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, PU, Italy.
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Benallal KE, Mezai G, Mefissel M, Klari N, Lardjane C, Khardine AF, Kherachi I, Dib Y, Brahmi K, Sadlova J, Volf P, Harrat Z. Host competence of Algerian Gerbillus amoenus for Leishmania major. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:69-73. [PMID: 37144140 PMCID: PMC10151220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most important neglected disease reported in North Africa, Algeria ranks second in the world with more than 5000 cases per year. In Algeria, two rodent species Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi, are so far known as proven reservoirs of Leishmania major, however, they are absent in several endemic localities. In this study, we experimentally infected Gerbillus rodents trapped around human dwellings in Illizi, Algeria to assess their susceptibility to L. major. Seven gerbils, morphologically and molecularly identified as Gerbillus amoenus, were intradermally inoculated with 104 parasites derived from culture, monitored for six months and their infectiousness for sand flies was tested by xenodiagnosis. The study revealed that G. amoenus was susceptible to L. major and was able to maintain and transmit the parasites to sand flies tested six months after infection, suggesting the role of this gerbil as a potential reservoir for L. major.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Eddine Benallal
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Corresponding author. Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Ghania Mezai
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
| | | | - Nadia Klari
- Mouloud Maameri University, Department of Biology, Ecology and Biology of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Laboratory, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Cylia Lardjane
- Mouloud Maameri University, Department of Biology, Ecology and Biology of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Laboratory, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Ahmed-Fayez Khardine
- Laboratory Emergent and Reemergent Viruses, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
| | - Ihcen Kherachi
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
| | - Yacine Dib
- Public Establishment of Nearby Health of Illizi, Ibn-Sina, Algeria
| | - Karima Brahmi
- Mouloud Maameri University, Department of Biology, Ecology and Biology of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Laboratory, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
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Kiplagat S, Villinger J, Kigen CK, Kidambasi KO, Muema JM, Mwangi SM, Wangari M, Matoke-Muhia D, Masiga DK, Bargul JL. Discovery of the vector of visceral leishmaniasis, Phlebotomus ( Artemievus) alexandri Sinton, 1928, in Kenya suggests complex transmission dynamics. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 4:100134. [PMID: 37593661 PMCID: PMC10428034 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic to specific regions due to the ecological preferences of phlebotomine sand flies and Leishmania spp. transmission. Sand fly entomological data in northern Kenya are scarce due to limited studies and neglect of leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) sand fly diversity and distribution; (ii) occurrence of Leishmania DNA within sand flies; and (iii) blood-meal sources of sand flies in Laisamis, northern Kenya. We conducted an entomological survey during February and March of 2021 in five areas of Laisamis sub-county using standard CDC light traps. A total of 1009 sand flies (394 male and 615 female) were morphologically identified, and representative samples verified by PCR amplification and sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Similarly, we identified blood-meal sources and Leishmania DNA in female sand flies by PCR amplicon sequencing of the vertebrate cytochrome b (cyt b) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the 28S rRNA gene, respectively. Sergentomyia clydei (59.8%) was the most abundant sand fly species. Though collected mainly from one locality (Tirgamo), 14.8% of samples belonged to Phlebotomus (Artemievus) alexandri Sinton, 1928. We detected DNA of Leishmania major in 5.19% of Ph. alexandri, whereas Leishmania adleri DNA was detected in S. clydei (7.51%), Sergentomyia squamipleuris (8.00%), and Sergentomyia africanus (8.33%). Nine of 13 blood-fed sand flies had obtained blood from humans, of which 33.3% had L. major DNA. Both Ph. alexandri and S. clydei primarily fed on humans and could potentially be involved in the transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of sand fly vector populations and their potential to transmit leishmaniasis in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Kiplagat
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Collins K. Kigen
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Kevin O. Kidambasi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jackson M. Muema
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - Stephie M. Mwangi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Maureen Wangari
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel K. Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Joel L. Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
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de Oliveira CM, Yang TS, Duarte MA, Marr H, McManus CM, André MR, Birkenheuer AJ, Paludo GR. Canine piroplasmids: Molecular detection and laboratory characterization in dogs from Brasilia, Brazil, with the first molecular evidence of dog exposure to a novel opossum-associated Babesia sp. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102181. [PMID: 37084584 PMCID: PMC10698754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Canine piroplasmid infections can be caused by Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Rangelia vitalii. In Brazil, canine babesiosis caused by Babesia vogeli is endemic and reported throughout the country. On the other hand, Rangeliosis caused by R. vitalii has only been described so far in the South and Southeast regions. Despite that, studies analyzing the laboratory and molecular characterization of these hemoprotozoa are still scarce. To investigate the occurrence, the laboratory features, the molecular characterization, and the diversity of piroplasmids from Midwestern Brazil, a survey was performed using blood samples obtained from 276 domestic dogs from Brasília, Federal District, Midwestern Brazil. A broad-range quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU4) was used to detect piroplasmid DNA. The overall molecular occurrence of piroplasmids was 11.2% (31/276), with 9.7% (27/276) of the sequences identified as Babesia vogeli (98-100% identity to B. vogeli isolate from the USA). Based on a partial 18S rRNA sequence pairwise alignment (-250 bp), 1.4% (4/276) of the sequences showed only 76.8% identity with B. vogeli but 100% identity with opossum-associated Babesia sp. (MW290046-53). These findings suggest the exposure of dogs from Brazil to a recently described Babesia sp. isolated from white-eared opossum. None of the analyzed dogs was positive for Theileria spp. or R. vitalii. Subsequently, all positive sequences were submitted to three additional PCR assays based on the 18S rRNA, cox-1, and cytb genes, aiming at performing a haplotype network analysis. Haplotype network using cox-1 sequences showed the presence of six different haplotypes of B. vogeli; one of them was shared with isolates from Brazil, the USA, and India. When including animals co-infected with other vector-borne diseases, piroplasmid-positive dogs had 2.3 times higher chance of having thrombocytopenia than the negative ones. The molecular results demonstrated that the compared Babesia vogeli sequences showed a low variability as well as evidence of exposure to a putative novel opossum-associated Babesia sp. in dogs from Midwestern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Manoel de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Tzushan Sharon Yang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Matheus Almeida Duarte
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Henry Marr
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Concepta Margaret McManus
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Jaboticabal São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adam Joseph Birkenheuer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil.
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Yang C, Li S, Lu D, He Z, Wang D, Qian D, Liu Y, Zhou R, Ji P, Chen JH, Zhang H. Reemergence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Henan Province, China. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:318. [PMID: 37368736 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8060318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was widely prevalent in Henan Province in the 1950s. Through active efforts by the government, there were no local cases reported from 1984 to 2015. In 2016, local VL cases reoccurred, and there was an increasing trend of VL cases in Henan Province. To provide a scientific control of VL, an investigation was conducted in Henan Province from 2016 to 2021. The data from VL cases were obtained from the Disease Surveillance Reporting System of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The rK39 immunochromatographic test (ICT) and PCR assay were performed among high-risk residents and all dogs in the patients' village. ITS1 was amplified, sequenced, and subjected to phylogenetic analyses. A total of 47 VL cases were reported in Henan Province during 2016-2021. Of the cases, 35 were local, and they were distributed in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and Anyang. The annual average incidence was 0.008/100,000, showing an upward trend year by year (χ2 = 3.987, p = 0.046). Their ages ranged from 7 months to 71 years, with 44.68% (21/47) in the age group of 0-3 years and 46.81% (22/47) in the age group ≥15 years. The cases occurred throughout the year. The high-risk populations were infants and young children (age ≤3), accounting for 51.06% (24/47), followed by farmers at 36.17% (17/47). The ratio of males to females was 2.13:1. The positive rates of rK39 ICT and PCR were 0.35% (4/1130) and 0.21% (1/468) in the residents. The positive rates of rK39 ICT and PCR were 18.79% (440/2342) and 14.92% (139/929) in the dogs. The ITS1 amplification products in the patients and positive dogs were sequenced. The homology between the target sequence and Leishmania infantum was more than 98%. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the patients and the positive dogs were infected by the same type of Leishmania, which was consistent with the strains in the hilly endemic areas in China. This paper showed that patients and domestic dogs were infected by the same type of L. infantum and that the positive rate in dogs was relatively high in Henan Province. Because the measures of patient treatment and culling of infected dogs were not effective in reducing VL incidence in Henan Province, it is urgent to develop new approaches for the control of VL, such as wearing insecticide-impregnated collars on dogs, treating the positive dogs, spraying insecticide for sandflies control, and improving residents' self-protection awareness to prevent the further spread of VL in Henan Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyun Yang
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Suhua Li
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Deling Lu
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Zhiquan He
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Dan Qian
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Ruimin Zhou
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Penghui Ji
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
- Henan Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Parasitic Pathogen and Vector, No. 105 South Agricultural Road Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou 450016, China
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de Pinho FA, Mendes MO, de Magalhães VLP, Tinôco AAC, Seoane JHL, Rêgo FD, Soares RP, Barrouin-Melo SM. Clinical evolution of equine leishmaniasis with self-limiting cutaneous disease caused by Leishmania infantum in northeastern Brazil: A case report. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 41:100881. [PMID: 37208087 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum infections have long been described in humans and dogs worldwide, but characterization of equine cases remains scarce. We describe the clinical evolution of a natural L. infantum infection to contribute to the diagnostic knowledge and epidemiology of equine leishmaniasis (EL). An auction-acquired four-year-old Mangalarga Marchador mare from Pernambuco state, presented a few subcutaneous nodules on the head and neck upon arrival at the purchaser's stud at Bahia state, in November of 2019. They progressed to multiple ulcerated and non-ulcerated nodules and spread to both right limbs in seven weeks. Hematology revealed anemia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis, and elevated plasma fibrinogen. Histopathology of the biopsied nodules identified a granulomatous dermatitis with macrophages containing Leishmania amastigotes. PCR detected Leishmania in skin lesions, but not in blood or spleen aspirate samples; ITS1 PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing confirmed L. infantum species. A topical antiseptic and insect-repellent therapy and a monthly follow-up were established. All lesions improved progressively, without specific anti-Leishmania treatment, and 14 months later there was a consistent resolution. This first description of EL by L. infantum in an endemic area is relevant to emphasize the need for epidemiological studies, and to enhance clinicians' awareness for differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaviane Alves de Pinho
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Milton Santos 500, CEP: 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Milton Santos 500, CEP: 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Mariana Oliveira Mendes
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Milton Santos 500, CEP: 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Vitor Luiz Pereira de Magalhães
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Milton Santos 500, CEP: 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | | | - Felipe Dutra Rêgo
- Instituto Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 - Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte, CEP: 30190-009, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Instituto Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 - Barro Preto, Belo Horizonte, CEP: 30190-009, MG, Brazil.
| | - Stella Maria Barrouin-Melo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Teaching Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Milton Santos 500, CEP: 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Milton Santos 500, CEP: 40170-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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El Mazini S, Barhoumi M, Mhaidi I, Daoui O, Kbaich MA, El Kacem S, El Idrissi Saik I, Riyad M, Bekhti K, Guizani I, Lemrani M. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Leishmania infantum in Morocco as Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) Approach. Pathogens 2023; 12:785. [PMID: 37375475 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is endemic in Morocco, and it causes both visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). In this study, the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach was used to investigate the phylogeny and population structure of Leishmania infantum strains isolated from CL and VL patients and the canine reservoir in different leishmaniasis endemic foci in Morocco. For this purpose, eight loci (pgm, alat, me, fh, g6pd, pgd, gpi and cytb) were amplified in 40 samples, out of which 31 were successfully sequenced. The genetic diversity analysis detected a high degree of intraspecific genetic variability among the studied strains. The phylogenetic and the haplotype analyses showed that most of the strains from the same geographical areas clustered together. The recombination among Leishmania infantum strains was revealed through a splits tree analysis and the number of recombination events. Moreover, the assessment of the gene flow between Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica through phylogenetic analysis and haplotype diversity in two endemic foci where the two species were sympatric showed no genetic exchange between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara El Mazini
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fes 30000, Morocco
| | - Mourad Barhoumi
- Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP)/ LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, B.P. 74, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Idris Mhaidi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Othmane Daoui
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Mouad Ait Kbaich
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Sofia El Kacem
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Imane El Idrissi Saik
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Research Team on Immunopathology of Infectious and Systemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
| | - Myriam Riyad
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Research Team on Immunopathology of Infectious and Systemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
| | - Khadija Bekhti
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fes 30000, Morocco
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP)/ LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, B.P. 74, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Meryem Lemrani
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
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Solomon M, Astman N, Warshavsky K, Barzilai A, Meningher T, Avni D, Schwartz E. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum, Israel, 2018-2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:988-991. [PMID: 37081590 PMCID: PMC10124670 DOI: 10.3201/eid2905.221812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic to Israel. Previously, CL caused by Leishmania infantum had been reported in Israel only once (in 2016). We report 8 L. infantum CL cases; 7 occurred during 2020-2021. None of the patients had systemic disease. L. infantum CL may be an emerging infection in Israel.
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de Souza DK, Addo SO, Desewu K, Nzelu CO, Mosore MT, Nimo-Paintsil S, Attram N, Appawu M, Wilson MD, Boakye DA. Investigating potential sand fly vectors after the first reported outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:154. [PMID: 37118766 PMCID: PMC10148561 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05767-4] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted through the bite of infected female sand flies. Since the first reported outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana, in 1999, there has been limited published information on its vectors and reservoir hosts there. Previous studies have shown strong dominance of the sand fly genus Sergentomyia over the genus Phlebotomus in Ghana. Thus the aim of this study was to determine the possible sand fly vector species in Ghana, as well as their human-feeding behavior, from the time of the first reported outbreak of CL in the country. METHODS Sand flies were collected from randomly selected houses in three communities. They were identified and used for blood meal source identification and the detection of Leishmania infection using molecular methods. RESULTS: A total of 1051 female sand flies were morphologically identified, of which Sergentomyia africana africana (29%) was the predominant species. Among the 275 female sand flies that had blood-fed, the identified blood meal sources included chicken (33.8%) and goat (12.4%); the percentage of human blood meals was 32%. Single-source and mixed-source blood meals were identified in Sergentomyia africana africana (11.6%), Sergentomyia ingrami (14.9%) and Sergentomyia simillima (20%), with S. simillima having the highest proportion of blood meals that included human blood (14.6%). Using molecular methods, unfed sand flies and identified human-feeding species were examined for the presence of Leishmania DNA. Pool screening analysis revealed three pools of S. ingrami positive for Leishmania major DNA, with an infection rate of 1.27% (95% confidence interval 2.467-3.647). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that some Sergentomyia species may be involved in the transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana. However, the role of S. ingrami as a vector of leishmaniasis in Ghana needs to be conclusively validated by isolating the parasite from this species and through experimental transmission studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dziedzom K de Souza
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Seth Offei Addo
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwame Desewu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Chukwunonso O Nzelu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine and Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Mba T Mosore
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Shirley Nimo-Paintsil
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Naiki Attram
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Appawu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel A Boakye
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Kim HJ, Kim EJ, Choi JW, Kim YC, Lee HI, Shin HI. A Rare Case of Imported Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum in the Republic of Korea, 2021. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8040223. [PMID: 37104348 PMCID: PMC10142730 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease and an infectious disease transmitted by sandflies that occurs worldwide. In the absence of physicians seeking to identify the causes of disease in non-endemic areas, appropriate diagnoses cannot be made, thereby hampering effective treatment. In this report, we examined a nodular lesion on a patient's chin by performing a biopsy and molecular analysis. The biopsy finding led to the identification of a Leishmania amastigote. On the basis of PCR analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 gene and 5.8 S ribosomal RNA with a subsequent BLAST search, we identified the causal organism as Leishmania infantum. The patient, who had visited Spain from 1 July to 31 August 2018, was accordingly diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis and was administered liposomal amphotericin B, which successfully treated the skin lesion. Travel history plays an important role in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, and physicians should bear in mind that travelers can also introduce diseases and pathogens to non-endemic areas. Identification of Leishmania at the species level will increase the efficacy of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jung Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science and Infectious Biology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jin Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Woong Choi
- Department of Dermatology, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - You Chan Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Il Lee
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Il Shin
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
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Al-Jawabreh A, Ereqat S, Al-Jawabreh H, Dumaidi K, Nasereddin A. Genetic diversity and haplotype analysis of Leishmania tropica identified in sand fly vectors of the genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia using next-generation sequencing technology. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1351-1360. [PMID: 37036520 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07835-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to investigate the genetic diversity of Leishmania tropica in the sand fly vector, targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the genus Leishmania. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted using Galaxy, MEGA version X, DnaSP ver. 6.12.03, and PopART 1.7 software for NGS analysis, phylogenetic tree, genetic diversity, and haplotype networking, respectively. A total of 307 engorged sand flies were trapped, with an overall Leishmania infection rate of 9.4 (29/307) and 6.8% by NGS and ITS1-PCR, respectively. Two Leishmania-infected sand fly genera were identified: Phlebotomus (10.2%, 26/254) and Sergentomyia (5.7% (3/53). The phylogenetic tree showed two clusters, cluster I included the four study sequences along with 25 GenBank-retrieved DNA sequences. Cluster II consisted of three sequences from Iran and Pakistan. The genetic diversity analysis for the 29 L. tropica sequences showed high haplotype (gene) diversity index (Hd) (0.62 ± 0.07) but low nucleotide diversity index (π) (0.04 ± 0.01). Tajima's D, a neutrality test, is more negative in cluster I (D = - 2.0) than in total population (D = - 1.83), but both are equally significant (P < 0.001), indicating that observed variation in cluster I and whole population is less frequent than expected. The median-joining haplotype network produced a total of 11 active haplotypes. In conclusion, L. tropica from sand flies in Palestine is monophyletic that assembled in one main phylogroup and one haplotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Al-Jawabreh
- Arab American University, Jenin, Palestine
- Leishmaniases Research Unit-Jericho, Jericho, Palestine
| | - Suheir Ereqat
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine.
| | - Hanan Al-Jawabreh
- Leishmaniases Research Unit-Jericho, Jericho, Palestine
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
| | | | - Abedelmajeed Nasereddin
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
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Capucci DC, Campos AM, Soares JVR, Ramos VDV, Binder C, Lima MA, Margonari C, Andrade Filho JD. Ecology and natural infection of phlebotomine sand flies in different ecotopes and environments in the municipality of Pains, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106789. [PMID: 36463952 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106789] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) are vectors of protozoa of the genus Leishmania and distributed throughout Brazil, formerly restricted to rural areas, have expanded including to periurban and urban regions, been recorded in different habitats. This study aimed to understand the dynamics of sand flies in different ecotopes in the municipality of Pains. Sand flies were captured during thirty samplings using HP light traps installed in seven different ecotopes for two consecutive nights, once a month, from August 2018 to July 2019. A total of 1,352 sand flies were captured, representing 24 species belong to ten genera. Evandromyia edwardsi was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia lenti and Micropygomyia quinquefer. Leishmania DNA was detected in seven female sand flies in four ecotopes, for an infection rate of 0.9%. Sand flies were collected in all seven ecotopes, although forest (23.04%), cave (20.88%) and pasture (17.75%) had higher abundance and richness. Similarity was found among ecotopes, indicating that they are all important for the maintenance of the sand fly community. Spatial analysis indicated high densities of sand flies in areas with natural characteristics. All ecotopes in the municipality were evidenced to have an adequate and harmonious epidemiological profile for the transmission and expansion of leishmaniasis throughout the territory. Because of the increasing environmental changes and deforestation in the municipality, the risk of generating ecological imbalance and increased cases of leishmaniasis is imminent, which highlights the importance of developing preventive and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Cristina Capucci
- Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz Minas), 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Aldenise Martins Campos
- Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz Minas), 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - João Vítor Reis Soares
- Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz Minas), 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | - Camila Binder
- Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz Minas), 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Mariana Alves Lima
- Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz Minas), 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Carina Margonari
- Grupo de Estudos em Leishmanioses, Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz Minas), 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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