1
|
Turner CM, Loughry WJ, Perez-Heydrich C, Wilson TP, Gaudin TJ. Seroprevalence of Leprosy in Nine-Banded Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) from Tennessee, USA, 2021-22. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:758-762. [PMID: 38757151 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00163] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is currently considered an invasive species in parts of its range in the USA, and this range continues to expand to the north and east. Nine-banded armadillos are one of a handful of mammals known to contract leprosy (also known as Hansen's disease); range expansion thus leads to public health concerns about whether this might increase human exposure to infected animals. We collected blood samples from 61 road-killed armadillos over two summers (2021 and 2022) in Tennessee, a US state near the northern extreme of the species' current range, and screened them for exposure to Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. All animals were seronegative, providing no evidence that range expansion is increasing the distribution of leprosy in the US.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carissa M Turner
- Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, Program in Environmental Science, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Dept. 2653, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403, USA
| | - W J Loughry
- Department of Biology, Valdosta State University, 1500 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, Georgia 31698, USA
| | - Carolina Perez-Heydrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
| | - Thomas P Wilson
- Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, Program in Environmental Science, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Dept. 2653, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403, USA
| | - Timothy J Gaudin
- Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, Program in Environmental Science, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Dept. 2653, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lopes-Luz L, Saavedra DP, Fogaça MBT, Bührer-Sékula S, Stefani MMDA. Challenges and advances in serological and molecular tests to aid leprosy diagnosis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:2083-2094. [PMID: 38059475 PMCID: PMC10800132 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231209422] [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] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is a neglected chronic infectious disease caused by obligate intracellular bacilli, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Despite multidrug therapy (MDT) success, leprosy accounts for more than 200,000 new cases yearly. Leprosy diagnosis remains based on the dermato-neurologic examination, but histopathology of skin biopsy and bacilloscopy of intradermal scraping are subsidiary diagnostic tests that require expertise and laboratory infrastructure. This minireview summarizes the state of the art of serologic tests to aid leprosy diagnosis, highlighting enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and point-of-care tests (POCT) biotechnologies. Also, the impact of the postgenomic era on the description of new recombinantly expressed M. leprae-specific protein antigens, such as leprosy Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) diagnostic (LID)-1 is summarized. Highly specific and sensitive molecular techniques to detect M. leprae DNA as the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) are briefly reviewed. Serology studies using phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) semi-synthetic antigens, LID-1 fusion antigen, and the single fusion complex natural disaccharide-octyl (NDO)-LID show high sensitivity in multibacillary (MB) patients. However, serology is not applicable to paucibacillary patients, as they have weak humoral response and robust cell-mediated response, requiring tests for cellular biomarkers. Unlike ELISA-based tests, leprosy-specific POCT based on semi-synthetic PGL-I antigens and NDO-LID 1 antigen is easy to perform, cheaper, equipment-free, and can contribute to early diagnosis avoiding permanent incapacities and helping to interrupt M. leprae transmission. Besides its use to help diagnosis of household contacts or at-risk populations in endemic areas, potential applications of leprosy serology include monitoring MDT efficacy, identification of recent infection, especially in young children, as surrogate markers of disease progression to orient adult chemoprophylaxis and as a predictor of type 2 leprosy reactions. Advances in molecular biology techniques have reduced the complexity and execution time of qPCR confirming its utility to help diagnosis while leprosy-specific LAMP holds promise as an adjunct test to detect M. leprae DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Lopes-Luz
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Djairo Pastor Saavedra
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Matheus Bernardes Torres Fogaça
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Samira Bührer-Sékula
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Mariane Martins de Araújo Stefani
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pena MT, Lahiri R, Ebenezer GJ, Wheat SW, Figarola J, Truman RW, Adams LB. The Armadillo as a Model for Leprosy Nerve Function Impairment: Preventative and Therapeutic Interventions. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:879097. [PMID: 35814754 PMCID: PMC9259846 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.879097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium leprae infection of peripheral nerves and the subsequent nerve function impairment (NFI), especially in response to reactional episodes, are hallmarks of leprosy. Improved treatments for M. leprae-induced nerve injury are needed, as most if not all of the disability and stigma associated with leprosy arises from the direct or indirect effects of NFI. Nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), like humans, exhibit the full clinical spectrum of leprosy and extensive involvement of the peripheral nerves. In this study, state-of-the-art technology was used to compare nerve function between uninfected and M. leprae-infected armadillos. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and compound muscle action potential (cMAP), which measure changes in the rate of impulse conduction velocity and amplitude, revealed a progression of impairment that was directly correlated with the duration of M. leprae infection and enabled development of an objective nerve impairment scoring system. Ultrasonography accompanied by color Doppler imaging detected enlargement of the M. leprae-infected nerves and increased vascularity, possibly due to inflammation. Assessment of epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD), which shows a length-dependent innervation in armadillos that is similar to humans, identified small fiber degeneration early after M. leprae infection. Staining for neuromuscular junction (NMJ) integrity, which is an indicator of signal transduction efficiency into skeletal muscle, discerned a markedly lower number and structural integrity of NMJ in M. leprae-infected armadillo footpads. These tools for assessing nerve injury were used to monitor the effects of intervention therapy. Two potential neuro-protective drugs, ethoxyquin (EQ) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), were tested for their ability to ameliorate peripheral nerve injury in M. leprae-infected armadillos. 4-AP treatment improved MNCV, cMAP, and EFND compared to untreated animals, while EQ had less effect. These results support the armadillo as a model for M. leprae-induced peripheral nerve injury that can provide insights toward the understanding of NFI progression and contribute to the preclinical investigation of the safety and efficacy of neuro-preventive and neuro-therapeutic interventions for leprosy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Pena
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen’s Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Maria Teresa Pena,
| | - Ramanuj Lahiri
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen’s Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Gigi J. Ebenezer
- Department of Neurology, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stephen W. Wheat
- Department of Neurology-Guest Lecturer, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - John Figarola
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen’s Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Richard W. Truman
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen’s Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Linda B. Adams
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen’s Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Romero CP, Castro R, do Brasil PEA, Pereira DR, Pinheiro RO, Toscano CM, de Oliveira MRF. Accuracy of rapid point-of-care serological tests for leprosy diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220317. [PMID: 35416839 PMCID: PMC9000963 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease, still endemic in many countries that may lead to neurological, ophthalmic, and motor sequelae if not treated early. Access to timely diagnosis and multidrug therapy (MDT) remains a crucial element in the World Health Organization’s strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to evaluate the accuracy of rapid point-of-care (POC) tests for diagnosis of leprosy. METHODS Searches were carried out in electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CRD, Cochrane Library and LILACS) in April 2021 for patients with suspicion or confirmatory diagnostic of leprosy, classified in multibacillary (MB) or paucibacillary (PB) cases, performing rapid POC serological tests compared to clinical evaluation, smear microscopy and immunohistochemistry analysis. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2). A meta-analysis was undertaken to generate pooled estimates of diagnostic parameters, presenting sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) values. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO, CRD # 42014009658. FINDINGS From 893 potentially relevant references, 12 articles were included reporting 16 diagnostic tests accuracy studies with 5395 individuals enrolled. Meta-analysis of NDO-LID and PGL-I tests data in MB patients showed sensitivity and specificity [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 0.83 (0.71-0.91), 0.91 (0.72-0.97); and 0.92 (0.86-0.96), 0.93 (0.78-0.98); respectively, with high heterogeneity among the studies. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results can inform policymakers regarding the possibility of implementing accurate, rapid POC tests for leprosy in public health services, especially within primary health care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Phang Romero
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Rodolfo Castro
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sérgio Arouca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Pedro Emmanuel A do Brasil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Roberta Olmo Pinheiro
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Hanseníase, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Cristiana M Toscano
- Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil.,Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Instituto de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Maria Regina Fernandes de Oliveira
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Instituto de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.,Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haywood CJ, Jordon AM, Pena M, Nielsen CK, Jiménez FA. Tissue and Gastrointestinal Parasites of Colonizing Nine-Banded Armadillos at the Edge of Their Northern Range. J Parasitol 2022; 108:57-63. [DOI: 10.1645/21-76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carly J. Haywood
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6501
| | - Abigail M. Jordon
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6501
| | - Maria Pena
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
| | - Clayton K. Nielsen
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6501
| | - F. Agustín Jiménez
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6501
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhou Z, Pena M, van Hooij A, Pierneef L, de Jong D, Stevenson R, Walley R, Corstjens PLAM, Truman R, Adams L, Geluk A. Detection and Monitoring of Mycobacterium leprae Infection in Nine Banded Armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus) Using a Quantitative Rapid Test. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:763289. [PMID: 34777319 PMCID: PMC8581735 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.763289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae with tropism for skin and peripheral nerves. Incessant transmission in endemic areas is still impeding elimination of leprosy. Although detection of M. leprae infection remains a challenge in asymptomatic individuals, the presence of antibodies specific for phenolglycolipid-I (PGL-I) correlate with bacterial load. Therefore, serosurveillance utilizing field-friendly tests detecting anti-PGL-I antibodies, can be applied to identify those who may transmit bacteria and to study (reduction of) M. leprae transmission. However, serology based on antibody detection cannot discriminate between past and present M. leprae infection in humans, nor can it detect individuals carrying low bacillary loads. In humans, anti-PGL-I IgM levels are long-lasting and usually detected in more individuals than anti-PGL-I IgG levels. Inherent to the characteristically long incubation time of leprosy, IgM/IgG relations (antibody kinetics) in leprosy patients and infected individuals are not completely clear. To investigate the antibody response directly after infection, we have measured antibody levels by ELISA, in longitudinal samples of experimentally M. leprae infected, susceptible nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus). In addition, we assessed the user- and field-friendly, low-cost lateral flow assay (LFA) utilizing upconverting reporter particles (UCP), developed for quantitative detection of human anti-PGL-I IgM (UCP-LFA), to detect treatment- or vaccination-induced changes in viable bacterial load. Our results show that serum levels of anti-PGL-I IgM, and to a lesser extent IgG, significantly increase soon after experimental M. leprae infection in armadillos. In view of leprosy phenotypes in armadillos, this animal model can provide useful insight into antibody kinetics in early infection in the various spectral forms of human leprosy. The UCP-LFA for quantitative detection of anti-PGL-I IgM allows monitoring the efficacy of vaccination and rifampin-treatment in the armadillo leprosy model, thereby providing a convenient tool to evaluate the effects of drugs and vaccines and new diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maria Pena
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Anouk van Hooij
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Louise Pierneef
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Danielle de Jong
- Department Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Roena Stevenson
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Rachel Walley
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Richard Truman
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Linda Adams
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Annemieke Geluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wallace E, Hendrickson D, Tolli N, Mehaffy C, Peña M, Nick JA, Knabenbaur P, Watkins J, Simpson A, Amin AG, Chatterjee D, Dobos KM, Lahiri R, Adams L, Strong M, Salfinger M, Bradford R, Stedman TT, Riojas MA, Hazbón MH. Culturing Mycobacteria. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2314:1-58. [PMID: 34235647 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1460-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Building upon the foundational research of Robert Koch, who demonstrated the ability to grow Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the first time in 1882 using media made of coagulated bovine serum, microbiologists have continued to develop new and more efficient ways to grow mycobacteria. Presently, all known mycobacterial species can be grown in the laboratory using either axenic culture techniques or in vivo passage in laboratory animals. This chapter provides conventional protocols to grow mycobacteria for diagnostic purposes directly from clinical specimens, as well as in research laboratories for scientific purposes. Detailed protocols used for production of M. tuberculosis in large scale (under normoxic and hypoxic conditions) in bioreactors and for production of obligate intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium leprae and "Mycobacterium lepromatosis" using athymic nude mice and armadillos are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carolina Mehaffy
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - María Peña
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jerry A Nick
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Phillip Knabenbaur
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jackson Watkins
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Anne Simpson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Anita G Amin
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Delphi Chatterjee
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Karen M Dobos
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ramanuj Lahiri
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Linda Adams
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Michael Strong
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Max Salfinger
- College of Public Health & Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
McClean MCW, Bhattacharyya T, Mertens P, Murphy N, Gilleman Q, Gustin Y, Zeippen N, Xavier SCC, Jansen AM, Miles MA. A lineage-specific rapid diagnostic test (Chagas Sero K-SeT) identifies Brazilian Trypanosoma cruzi II/V/VI reservoir hosts among diverse mammalian orders. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227828. [PMID: 31951634 PMCID: PMC6968848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas disease in the Americas, is comprised of six genetic lineages (TcI-TcVI) and a possible seventh (TcBat, related to TcI). Identification of T. cruzi lineages infecting reservoir mammalian species is fundamental to resolving transmission cycles. However, this is hindered by the limited sensitivity and technical complexity of parasite isolation and genotyping. An alternative approach is serology using T. cruzi lineage-specific epitopes, such as those of the trypomastigote small surface antigen (TSSA). For surveillance of T. cruzi lineage infections in mammal species from diverse Brazilian regions, we apply a novel rapid diagnostic test (RDT, Chagas Sero K-SeT), which incorporates the TSSA peptide epitope specific to TcII/V/VI (TSSApep-II/V/VI) and Protein G detection of antibodies. Chagas Sero K-SeT RDT results with sera from experimentally infected mice, from tamarin primates (Leontopithecus spp.) and from canines (Canis familiaris) were concordant with corresponding TSSApep-II/V/VI ELISAs. The Chagas Sero K-Set detected TcII/V/VI infections in Leontopithecus spp. from the Atlantic forest (n = 46), in C. familiaris (n = 16) and Thrichomys laurentius (n = 2) from Caatinga biome and Chiroptera (n = 1) from Acre, Amazonia. The Chagas Sero K-SeT RDT is directly applicable to TcII/V/VI-specific serological surveillance of T. cruzi infection in several different mammalian Orders. It can replace ELISAs and provides efficient, point-of-sampling, low-cost detection of TcII/V/VI infections, with at least equivalent sensitivity, although some mammals may be difficult to trap, and, not unexpectedly, Chagas Sero K-SeT could not recognise feline IgG. Knowledge of sylvatic hosts of T. cruzi can be expanded, new reservoir species discovered, and the ecology of transmission cycles clarified, particularly with adaptation to further mammalian Orders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mairi C. W. McClean
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tapan Bhattacharyya
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Niamh Murphy
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Samanta C. C. Xavier
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana M. Jansen
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
da Silva Ferreira J, de Carvalho FM, Vidal Pessolani MC, de Paula Antunes JMA, de Medeiros Oliveira IVP, Ferreira Moura GH, Truman RW, Peña MT, Sharma R, Duthie MS, de Paula Souza E Guimarães RJ, Nogueira Brum Fontes A, NoelSuffys P, McIntosh D. Serological and molecular detection of infection with Mycobacterium leprae in Brazilian six banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus). Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 68:101397. [PMID: 31775113 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Leprosy was recognized as a zoonotic disease, associated with nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the Southern United States of America in 2011. In addition, there is growing evidence to support a role for armadillos in zoonotic leprosy in South America. The current study evaluated twenty specimens of the six-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus), collected from rural locations in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil for evidence of infection with Mycobacterium leprae. Serum was examined using two "in-house" enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and via two commercially available (ML flow and NDO-LID®) immunochromatographic lateral flow (LF) tests, for detection of the PGL-I and/or LID-1 antigens of the bacterium. The presence of M. leprae DNA in liver tissue was examined using the multi-copy, M. leprae-specific repetitive element (RLEP), as target in conventional and nested PCR assays. Molecular and anti-PGL-I-ELISA data indicated that 20/20 (100 %) of the armadillos were infected with M. leprae. The corresponding detection levels recorded with the LF tests were 17/20 (85 %) and 16/20 (85 %), for the NDO-LID® and ML flow tests, respectively. Our results indicate that, in common with D. novemcinctus, six banded armadillos (a species hunted and reared as a food-source in some regions of Brazil, including RN), represent a potential reservoir of M. leprae and as such, their role in a possible zoonotic cycle of leprosy within Brazil warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica da Silva Ferreira
- Multiuser Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Parasitology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Richard Wayne Truman
- Department of Health and Humans Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, United States
| | - Maria Teresa Peña
- Department of Health and Humans Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, United States
| | - Rahul Sharma
- Department of Health and Humans Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, United States
| | | | | | - Amanda Nogueira Brum Fontes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Mycobacteria, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Philip NoelSuffys
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Mycobacteria, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Douglas McIntosh
- Multiuser Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Parasitology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Murphy N, Macchiaverna NP, Victoria Cardinal M, Bhattacharyya T, Mertens P, Zeippen N, Gustin Y, Gilleman Q, Gürtler RE, Miles MA. Lineage-specific rapid diagnostic tests can resolve Trypanosoma cruzi TcII/V/VI ecological and epidemiological associations in the Argentine Chaco. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:424. [PMID: 31522683 PMCID: PMC6746045 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3681-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas disease, is comprised of at least 6 genetic lineages (TcI-TcVI). Their geographical distribution, clinical associations and reservoir hosts are not fully elucidated, as genotyping is hampered due to the difficulty in isolating representative populations of organisms. Lineage-specific serological techniques may address these issues. METHODS Trypanosoma cruzi lineage-specific serological assays were performed on human, canine, feline and armadillo sera from the Gran Chaco in northern Argentina, a region of ongoing transmission. Synthetic peptides representing lineage-specific epitopes of the trypomastigote small surface antigen (TSSA) were used in ELISA, and the TcII/V/VI shared epitope peptide (TSSApep-II/V/VI) was used in the Chagas Sero K-SeT rapid diagnostic test (RDT). RESULTS Chagas Sero K-SeT RDT, using Protein G to detect human and canine IgG, was at least as sensitive as TSSApep-II/V/VI ELISA using specific secondary antibodies. For sera from humans TSSApep-II/V/VI seroprevalence by Chagas Sero K-SeT was 273/393 (69.5%), for dogs 48/73 (65.8%) and for armadillos 1/7 (14.3%); by ELISA for cats 5/19 (26.3%). The seroprevalence for humans was similar to that for Bolivian patients, amongst whom we previously observed an association of TSSApep-II/V/VI seropositivity with severity of cardiomyopathy. In humans, prevalence of TSSApep-II/V/VI recognition was associated with locality, and with increasing and decreasing age within the Qom and Creole populations, respectively. For dogs TSSApep-II/V/VI recognition was associated with being born before community-wide insecticide spraying (P = 0.05) and with Qom household (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We show here that Chagas Sero K-SeT RDT can replace ELISA for TSSApep-II/V/VI serology of humans and dogs; for humans there were statistically significant associations between a positive Chagas Sero K-SeT RDT and being resident in Area IV, and for dogs association with Qom household or with being born before the mass spraying campaign; we also show that with cats the TcII/V/VI epitope can be detected by ELISA. We assessed the lineage distribution in an unprecedented 83% of the human T. cruzi-seropositive population. These results form the basis for more detailed studies, enabling rapid in-the-field surveillance of the distribution and clustering of these lineages among humans and mammalian reservoirs of T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Murphy
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Natalia P. Macchiaverna
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exacta y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M. Victoria Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exacta y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tapan Bhattacharyya
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Ricardo E. Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exacta y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
van ‘t Noordende AT, Korfage IJ, Lisam S, Arif MA, Kumar A, van Brakel WH. The role of perceptions and knowledge of leprosy in the elimination of leprosy: A baseline study in Fatehpur district, northern India. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007302. [PMID: 30951526 PMCID: PMC6469810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the introduction of new interventions to prevent leprosy, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) given to contacts of leprosy patients, it is necessary to update our understanding of knowledge and perception of leprosy among the populations where these interventions will be introduced, in order to tailor communication optimally to the current situation. This study is a baseline study of the PEP++ project and aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding leprosy in Fatehpur, India. METHODOLOGY The study used a community-based cross-sectional design with a mixed-methods approach. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices with the KAP measure, and stigma with the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue community stigma scale (EMIC-CSS) and the Social Distance Scale (SDS). In addition, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with all participant groups. The quantitative data were analysed using stepwise multivariate regression. The qualitative data were analysed using open, inductive coding and content analysis. FINDINGS A total of 446 participants were included in the study: 100 persons affected by leprosy, 111 close contacts, 185 community members and 50 health care workers. In addition, 24 in-depth interviews were conducted and 35 people were included in focus group discussions. 12.5% of the participants had adequate knowledge of leprosy, while 22% had poor knowledge. Knowledge on cause (answered correctly by 10% of the participants), mode of transmission (5%) and symptoms of leprosy (16%) was especially poor. The mean EMIC-CSS score was 15.3 (95%CI 14.6-16.0) and mean SDS score 7.2 (95%CI 6.6-7.8). Better knowledge of leprosy was associated with lower levels of social distance towards persons affected by leprosy. CONCLUSION This study revealed poor knowledge regarding leprosy and high levels of stigma and fear and desire to keep social distance towards persons affected by leprosy. Community education that takes cultural beliefs, knowledge gaps and fears into consideration could improve knowledge, reduce misconceptions and positively influence the perception of leprosy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna T. van ‘t Noordende
- NLR, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Disability Studies in the Netherlands, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ida J. Korfage
- Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Anil Kumar
- Central Leprosy Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tatipally S, Srikantam A, Kasetty S. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a Potential Point of Care Laboratory Test for Leprosy Diagnosis-A Systematic Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3040107. [PMID: 30275432 PMCID: PMC6306935 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3040107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and mainly affects skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes. Suitable tools for providing bacteriological evidence of leprosy are needed for early case detection and appropriate therapeutic management. Ideally these tools are applicable at all health care levels for the effective control of leprosy. This paper presents a systematic review analysis in order to investigate the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) vis-à-vis slit skin smears (SSS) in various clinical settings and its potential usefulness as a routine lab test for leprosy diagnosis. Records of published journal articles were identified through PubMed database search. Twenty-seven articles were included for the analysis. The evidence from this review analysis suggests that PCR on skin biopsy is the ideal diagnostic test. Nevertheless, PCR on SSS samples also seems to be useful with its practical value for application, even at primary care levels. The review findings also indicated the necessity for improving the sensitivity of PCR and further research on specificity in ruling out other clinical conditions that may mimic leprosy. The M. leprae-specific repetitive element (RLEP) was the most frequently-used marker although its variable performance across the clinical sites and samples are a matter of concern. Undertaking further research studies with large sample numbers and uniform protocols studied simultaneously across multiple clinical sites is recommended to address these issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sushma Tatipally
- LEPRA Society, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, Cherlapally, Hyderabad 501301, Telangana, India.
| | - Aparna Srikantam
- LEPRA Society, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, Cherlapally, Hyderabad 501301, Telangana, India.
| | - Sanjay Kasetty
- Formerly at LEPRA Society, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, Cherlapally, Hyderabad 501301, Telangana, India.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
de Santana JF, da Silva MR, Picheth GF, Yamanaka IB, Fogaça RL, Thomaz-Soccol V, Machado-de-Avila RA, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Sierakowski MR, de Freitas RA, Alvarenga LM, de Moura J. Engineered biomarkers for leprosy diagnosis using labeled and label-free analysis. Talanta 2018; 187:165-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
14
|
Evidence of zoonotic leprosy in Pará, Brazilian Amazon, and risks associated with human contact or consumption of armadillos. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006532. [PMID: 29953440 PMCID: PMC6023134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is a human pathogen and the causative agent for leprosy, a chronic disease characterized by lesions of the skin and peripheral nerve damage. Zoonotic transmission of M. leprae to humans by nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) has been shown to occur in the southern United States, mainly in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Nine-banded armadillos are also common in South America, and residents living in some areas in Brazil hunt and kill armadillos as a dietary source of protein. This study examines the extent of M. leprae infection in wild armadillos and whether these New World mammals may be a natural reservoir for leprosy transmission in Brazil, similar to the situation in the southern states of the U.S. The presence of the M. leprae-specific repetitive sequence RLEP was detected by PCR amplification in purified DNA extracted from armadillo spleen and liver tissue samples. A positive RLEP signal was confirmed in 62% of the armadillos (10/16), indicating high rates of infection with M. leprae. Immunohistochemistry of sections of infected armadillo spleens revealed mycobacterial DNA and cell wall constituents in situ detected by SYBR Gold and auramine/rhodamine staining techniques, respectively. The M. leprae-specific antigen, phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) was detected in spleen sections using a rabbit polyclonal antibody specific for PGL-I. Anti-PGL-I titers were assessed by ELISA in sera from 146 inhabitants of Belterra, a hyperendemic city located in western Pará state in Brazil. A positive anti-PGL-I titer is a known biomarker for M. leprae infection in both humans and armadillos. Individuals who consumed armadillo meat most frequently (more than once per month) showed a significantly higher anti-PGL-I titer than those who did not eat or ate less frequently than once per month. Armadillos infected with M. leprae represent a potential environmental reservoir. Consequently, people who hunt, kill, or process or eat armadillo meat are at a higher risk for infection with M. leprae from these animals.
Collapse
|
15
|
Acosta Soto L, Gómez Echevarría JR, Torres Muñoz P. Máculas hipocrómicas sin alteración de la sensibilidad en cooperante. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2018; 36:57-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
16
|
Dynamics of leprosy in nine-banded armadillos: Net reproductive number and effects on host population dynamics. Ecol Modell 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
17
|
Hungria EM, Bührer-Sékula S, de Oliveira RM, Aderaldo LC, Pontes ADA, Cruz R, Gonçalves HDS, Penna MLF, Penna GO, Stefani MMDA. Leprosy reactions: The predictive value of Mycobacterium leprae-specific serology evaluated in a Brazilian cohort of leprosy patients (U-MDT/CT-BR). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005396. [PMID: 28222139 PMCID: PMC5336302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leprosy reactions, reversal reactions/RR and erythema nodosum leprosum/ENL, can cause irreversible nerve damage, handicaps and deformities. The study of Mycobacterium leprae-specific serologic responses at diagnosis in the cohort of patients enrolled at the Clinical Trial for Uniform Multidrug Therapy Regimen for Leprosy Patients in Brazil/U-MDT/CT-BR is suitable to evaluate its prognostic value for the development of reactions. Methodology IgM and IgG antibody responses to PGL-I, LID-1, ND-O-LID were evaluated by ELISA in 452 reaction-free leprosy patients at diagnosis, enrolled and monitored for the development of leprosy reactions during a total person-time of 780,930 person-days, i.e. 2139.5 person-years, with a maximum of 6.66 years follow-up time. Principal findings Among these patients, 36% (160/452) developed reactions during follow-up: 26% (119/452) RR and 10% (41/452) had ENL. At baseline higher anti-PGL-I, anti-LID-1 and anti-ND-O-LID seropositivity rates were seen in patients who developed ENL and RR compared to reaction-free patients (p<0.0001). Seroreactivity in reactional and reaction-free patients was stratified by bacilloscopic index/BI categories. Among BI negative patients, higher anti-PGL-I levels were seen in RR compared to reaction-free patients (p = 0.014). In patients with 0<BI<3, (36 RR, 36 reaction-free), higher antibody levels to PGL-I (p = 0.014) and to LID-1 (p = 0.035) were seen in RR while difference in anti-ND-O-LID positivity was borderline (p = 0.052). Patients with BI≥3 that developed ENL had higher levels of anti-LID-1 antibodies (p = 0.028) compared to reaction-free patients. Anti-PGL-I serology had a limited predictive value for RR according to receiver operating curve/ROC analyses (area-under-the-curve/AUC = 0.7). Anti LID-1 serology at baseline showed the best performance to predict ENL (AUC 0.85). Conclusions Overall, detection of anti-PGL-I, anti-LID-1 and anti-ND-O-LID antibodies at diagnosis, showed low sensitivity and specificity for RR prediction, indicating low applicability of serological tests for RR prognosis. On the other hand, anti-LID-1 serology at diagnosis has shown prognostic value for ENL development in BI positive patients. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00669643 Leprosy is a debilitating dermato-neurologic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. One of the main difficulties in the clinical management of leprosy patients is the development of leprosy reactions which are immune inflammatory episodes that can cause irreversible handicaps, incapacities and deformities. There are two major types of leprosy reactions: reversal reaction (RR) and erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Currently, there is no laboratory test able to predict the emergence of leprosy reactions among recently diagnosed patients. In order to investigate laboratory markers for the occurrence of leprosy reactions, we investigated the prognostic value of serologic responses to M. leprae antigens (PGL-I, LID-1, ND-O-LID) in 452 leprosy patients enrolled at the Clinical Trial for Uniform Multidrug Therapy Regimen for Leprosy Patients in Brazil/U-MDT/CT-BR. At diagnosis higher anti-PGL-I, anti-LID-1 and anti-ND-O-LID seropositivity rates were seen in patients who developed ENL and RR compared to reaction-free patients. The anti-PGL-I serology at diagnosis show low sensitivity to predict RR and anti-LID-1 serology at diagnosis has shown prognostic value for ENL development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emerith Mayra Hungria
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Samira Bührer-Sékula
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | - Rossilene Cruz
- Fundação de Dermatologia Tropical e Venereologia Alfredo da Matta, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | | | - Maria Lúcia Fernandes Penna
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Bioestatística, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sharma R, Singh P, Loughry WJ, Lockhart JM, Inman WB, Duthie MS, Pena MT, Marcos LA, Scollard DM, Cole ST, Truman RW. Zoonotic Leprosy in the Southeastern United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 21:2127-34. [PMID: 26583204 PMCID: PMC4672434 DOI: 10.3201/eid2112.150501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The geographic range and complexity of this disease are increasing. Nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are naturally infected
with Mycobacterium leprae and have been implicated in zoonotic
transmission of leprosy. Early studies found this disease mainly in Texas and
Louisiana, but armadillos in the southeastern United States appeared to be free of
infection. We screened 645 armadillos from 8 locations in the southeastern United
States not known to harbor enzootic leprosy for M. leprae DNA and
antibodies. We found M. leprae–infected armadillos at each
location, and 106 (16.4%) animals had serologic/PCR evidence of infection. Using
single-nucleotide polymorphism variable number tandem repeat genotyping/genome
sequencing, we detected M. leprae genotype 3I-2-v1 among 35
armadillos. Seven armadillos harbored a newly identified genotype (3I-2-v15). In
comparison, 52 human patients from the same region were infected with 31 M.
leprae types. However, 42.3% (22/52) of patients were infected with 1 of
the 2 M. leprae genotype strains associated with armadillos. The
geographic range and complexity of zoonotic leprosy is expanding.
Collapse
|
19
|
PATTERNS OF MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE INFECTION IN WILD NINE-BANDED ARMADILLOS (DASYPUS NOVEMCINCTUS) IN MISSISSIPPI, USA. J Wildl Dis 2016; 52:524-32. [PMID: 27195687 DOI: 10.7589/2015-03-066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus ) is the only known nonhuman reservoir of Mycobacterium leprae , the causative agent of Hansen's disease or leprosy. We conducted a 6-yr study on a wild population of armadillos in western Mississippi that was exposed to M. leprae to evaluate the importance of demographic and spatial risk factors on individual antibody status. We found that spatially derived covariates were not predictive of antibody status. Furthermore, analyses revealed no evidence of clustering by antibody-positive individuals. Lactating females and adult males had higher odds of being antibody positive than did nonlactating females. No juveniles or yearlings were antibody positive. Results of these analyses support the hypothesis that M. leprae infection patterns are spatially homogeneous within this armadillo population. Further research related to movement patterns, contact among individuals, antibody status, and environmental factors could help address hypotheses related to the role of environmental transmission on M. leprae infection and the mechanisms underlying the differential infection patterns among demographic groups.
Collapse
|
20
|
Barreto JG, Bisanzio D, Frade MAC, Moraes TMP, Gobbo AR, de Souza Guimarães L, da Silva MB, Vazquez-Prokopec GM, Spencer JS, Kitron U, Salgado CG. Spatial epidemiology and serologic cohorts increase the early detection of leprosy. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:527. [PMID: 26573912 PMCID: PMC4647818 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1254-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leprosy remains an important public health problem in some specific high-burden pockets areas, including the Brazilian Amazon region, where it is hyperendemic among children. Methods We selected two elementary public schools located in areas most at risk (cluster of leprosy or hyperendemic census tract) to clinically evaluate their students. We also followed anti-PGL-I seropositive and seronegative individuals and households for 2 years to compare the incidence of leprosy in both groups. Results Leprosy was detected in 11 (8.2 %) of 134 school children in high risk areas. The difference in the prevalence was statistically significant (p < .05) compared to our previous findings in randomly selected schools (63/1592; 3.9 %). The 2-year follow-up results showed that 22.3 and 9.4 % of seropositive and seronegative individuals, respectively, developed leprosy (p = .027). The odds of developing overt disease in seropositive people were 2.7 times that of negative people (p < .01), indicating that a follow-up of 10 seropositives has a >90 % probability to detect at least one new case in 2 years. The odds of clinical leprosy were also higher in “positive houses” compared to “negative houses” (p < .05), indicating that a follow-up of ten people living in households with at least one seropositive dweller have a 85 % probability to detect at least one new case in 2 years. Conclusions Targeted screening involving school-based surveillance planned using results obtained by spatial analysis and targeted household and individual continuous surveillance based on serologic data should be applied to increase the early detection of new leprosy cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josafá Gonçalves Barreto
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia UEPA/UFPA/Marcello Candia, Av. João Paulo II, 113. Bairro Dom Aristides, Marituba, CEP: 67200-000, , Pará, Brazil. .,Universidade Federal do Pará, Campus Castanhal, Marituba, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Donal Bisanzio
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Marco Andrey Cipriani Frade
- Divison of Dermatology of Internal Medicine Department of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Tania Mara Pires Moraes
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia UEPA/UFPA/Marcello Candia, Av. João Paulo II, 113. Bairro Dom Aristides, Marituba, CEP: 67200-000, , Pará, Brazil.
| | - Angélica Rita Gobbo
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia UEPA/UFPA/Marcello Candia, Av. João Paulo II, 113. Bairro Dom Aristides, Marituba, CEP: 67200-000, , Pará, Brazil.
| | - Layana de Souza Guimarães
- Unidade de Referência Especializada em Dermatologia Sanitária Dr. Marcello Candia, Marituba, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Moisés Batista da Silva
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia UEPA/UFPA/Marcello Candia, Av. João Paulo II, 113. Bairro Dom Aristides, Marituba, CEP: 67200-000, , Pará, Brazil. .,Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| | | | - John Stewart Spencer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - Uriel Kitron
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Claudio Guedes Salgado
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia UEPA/UFPA/Marcello Candia, Av. João Paulo II, 113. Bairro Dom Aristides, Marituba, CEP: 67200-000, , Pará, Brazil. .,Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Balamayooran G, Pena M, Sharma R, Truman RW. The armadillo as an animal model and reservoir host for Mycobacterium leprae. Clin Dermatol 2015; 33:108-15. [PMID: 25432816 DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Apart from humans, armadillos are the only known natural hosts of Mycobacterium leprae. They are well developed as hosts for in vivo propagation of M leprae and are advancing as models for studying the pathogenesis of leprosy and translational research. Armadillos are immunologically intact. They exhibit the full Ridley-Jopling spectrum of histopathologic responses to M leprae and uniquely manifest extensive neurological involvement that closely recapitulates human leprosy. In addition, free-ranging armadillos in some regions are known to harbor a naturally occurring infection with M leprae, and zoonotic transmission between armadillos and humans has been implicated in a large number of new case presentations. We review the role of the armadillo as a model for leprosy and reservoir for human infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayathriy Balamayooran
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Department of Health Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Maria Pena
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Department of Health Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Rahul Sharma
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Department of Health Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Richard W Truman
- Department of Health Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Hansen's Disease Program, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
da Conceição Oliveira Coelho Fabri A, Carvalho APM, Araujo S, Goulart LR, de Mattos AMM, Teixeira HC, Goulart IMB, Duthie MS, Correa-Oliveira R, Lana FCF. Antigen-specific assessment of the immunological status of various groups in a leprosy endemic region. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:218. [PMID: 26021317 PMCID: PMC4448205 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-0962-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serological tests can be important tools to assist in the diagnosis of leprosy and can contribute to an earlier diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibody responses against phenolic glycolipid-1 (PGL-1), natural disaccharide linked to human serum albumin via an octyl (NDO-HSA), Leprosy IDRI Diagnostic-1 (LID-1) and natural disaccharide octyl--Leprosy IDRI Diagnostic-1 (NDO-LID) in leprosy patients, household contacts of patients and the general population. METHODS Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to analyze the antigen-specific antibody responses of 94 leprosy cases, 104 household contacts of cases and 2.494 individuals from the general population. RESULTS A positive correlation was observed for the antibody responses to all antigens studied. A higher proportion of seropositivity for all antigens, along with stronger magnitude of response, was observed in multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients and household contacts of MB leprosy patients compared with the levels observed in paucibacillary (PB) leprosy patients and household contacts of PB leprosy patients. A substantial and significant positive correlation was found between seropositivity and the bacterial index for the leprosy patients. Anti-PGL-1 tests were more frequently positive than anti-NDO-HSA tests among patients with all clinical forms of leprosy and among the group of household contacts. The LID-1 and NDO-LID antigens showed a greater capacity to identify household contacts and individuals from the general population infected with M. leprae. CONCLUSIONS Tests that measure the antibody responses against LID-1, NDO-LID, NDO-HSA and PGL-1 were effective tools for the detection of patients with MB leprosy. Our data indicate that the anti-LID-1 and anti-NDO-LID responses were more effective than an anti-NDO-HSA response for the identification of individuals with subclinical infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angélica da Conceição Oliveira Coelho Fabri
- Department of Basic Nursing, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
- Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Ana Paula Mendes Carvalho
- Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Sergio Araujo
- National Reference Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Leprosy - CREDESH, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Ricardo Goulart
- Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Ana Márcia Menezes de Mattos
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Science - Immunology and Infectious Parasitic Disease, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Henrique Couto Teixeira
- Department of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Isabela Maria Bernardes Goulart
- National Reference Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Leprosy - CREDESH, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | | | - Rodrigo Correa-Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - CPqRR, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Immunology, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - UFOP, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais - INCT-DT, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Carlos Félix Lana
- Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Department of Maternal and Child Nursing and Public Health, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
de Souza MM, Netto EM, Nakatani M, Duthie MS. Utility of recombinant proteins LID-1 and PADL in screening for Mycobacterium leprae infection and leprosy. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2014; 108:495-501. [DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/tru093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
24
|
PCR-based techniques for leprosy diagnosis: from the laboratory to the clinic. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2655. [PMID: 24722358 PMCID: PMC3983108 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In leprosy, classic diagnostic tools based on bacillary counts and histopathology have been facing hurdles, especially in distinguishing latent infection from active disease and diagnosing paucibacillary clinical forms. Serological tests and IFN-gamma releasing assays (IGRA) that employ humoral and cellular immune parameters, respectively, are also being used, but recent results indicate that quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a key technique due to its higher sensitivity and specificity. In fact, advances concerning the structure and function of the Mycobacterium leprae genome led to the development of specific PCR-based gene amplification assays for leprosy diagnosis and monitoring of household contacts. Also, based on the validation of point-of-care technologies for M. tuberculosis DNA detection, it is clear that the same advantages of rapid DNA detection could be observed in respect to leprosy. So far, PCR has proven useful in the determination of transmission routes, M. leprae viability, and drug resistance in leprosy. However, PCR has been ascertained to be especially valuable in diagnosing difficult cases like pure neural leprosy (PNL), paucibacillary (PB), and patients with atypical clinical presentation and histopathological features compatible with leprosy. Also, the detection of M. leprae DNA in different samples of the household contacts of leprosy patients is very promising. Although a positive PCR result is not sufficient to establish a causal relationship with disease outcome, quantitation provided by qPCR is clearly capable of indicating increased risk of developing the disease and could alert clinicians to follow these contacts more closely or even define rules for chemoprophylaxis.
Collapse
|
25
|
Development of a quantitative rapid diagnostic test for multibacillary leprosy using smart phone technology. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:497. [PMID: 24152601 PMCID: PMC3870957 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite efforts to eliminate leprosy as public health problem, delayed diagnosis and disabilities still occur in many countries. Leprosy diagnosis remains based on clinical manifestations and the number of clinicians with expertise in leprosy diagnosis is in decline. We have developed a new immunochromatographic test with the goal of producing a simple and rapid system that can be used, with a minimal amount of training, to provide an objective and consistent diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy. Methods The test immobilizes two antigens that have been recognized as excellent candidates for serologic diagnosis (the PGL-I mimetic, ND-O, and LID-1), on a nitrocellulose membrane. This allows the detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies within 20 minutes of the addition of patient sera. Furthermore, we coupled the NDO-LID® rapid tests with a new cell phone-based test reader platform (Smart Reader®) to provide objective interpretation that was both quantifiable and consistent. Results Direct comparison of serologic responses indicated that the rapid test detected a greater proportion of leprosy patients than a lab-based PGL-I ELISA. While positive responses were detected by PGL-I ELISA in 83.3% of multibacillary patients and 15.4% of paucibacillary patients, these numbers were increased to 87% and 21.2%, respectively, when a combination of the NDO-LID® test and Smart Reader® was used. Among multibacillary leprosy the sensitivity of NDO-LID® test assessed by Smart Reader® was 87% (95% CI, 79.2-92.7%) and the specificity was 96.1% (95% CI, 91.7- 98.6%). The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of NDO-LID® tests were 94% (95% CI, 87.4-97.8%) and 91.4% (95% CI, 85.9-95.2%), respectively. Conclusion The widespread provision of rapid diagnostic tests to facilitate the diagnosis or prognosis of multibacillary leprosy could impact on leprosy control programs by aiding early detection, directing appropriate treatment and potentially interrupting Mycobacterium leprae transmission.
Collapse
|
26
|
The epidemiological consequences of leprosy-tuberculosis co-infection. Math Biosci 2012; 241:225-37. [PMID: 23246805 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2012.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
While in antiquity both leprosy and tuberculosis were prevalent in Europe, leprosy declined thereafter and, simultaneously, tuberculosis prevalence increased. Since both diseases are caused by mycobacterial infections, it has been suggested that there might be a causal relationship between both epidemics. Chaussinand observed the inverse prevalence of leprosy and tuberculosis and suggested that individuals with a latent tuberculosis infection are protected from acquiring leprosy. His cross-immunity hypothesis has been countered more recently by a co-infection hypothesis. The latter suggestion, proposed by Donoghue, states that people being infected with multi-bacillary leprosy are more susceptible to tuberculosis, which leads to increased mortality from the disease. This study utilizes mathematical modeling to explore the epidemiological consequences of the co-infection hypothesis for realistically confined parameter values. While the co-infection hypothesis appears plausible at first glance, a second thought reveals that it comprises also substantial consequences for tuberculosis epidemics: if co-infection raises the mortality rate above that of purely tuberculosis infected persons, then tuberculosis might as well be eradicated by leprosy. It is the specific interplay of both increased susceptibility towards tuberculosis and increased death rate when co-infected that determines the epidemiological fate. As a result of this analysis, it is shown that there is a large parameter region where the eventual disappearance of leprosy could indeed be explained by co-infection. This parameter region is considerably larger than that predicted by the cross-immunity hypothesis. This shows that the co-infection hypothesis should be considered a significant alternative to the cross-immunity hypothesis. The time scales at which the effects of co-infection are observed depend critically on the spatial distribution of the individuals but reach epidemiologically realistic values for rather immobile individuals with local interaction.
Collapse
|
27
|
The ancient armadillo. Lab Anim (NY) 2012; 41:187. [PMID: 22718234 DOI: 10.1038/laban0712-187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|