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Segarra S. Nutritional Modulation of the Immune Response Mediated by Nucleotides in Canine Leishmaniosis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2601. [PMID: 34946204 PMCID: PMC8703464 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an emerging, uncontrolled, and neglected zoonotic disease. Climate change is contributing to its ongoing global expansion. The dog is the main reservoir; hence the importance of implementing effective treatment, prevention, and control measures in this animal species to protect public health. However, although the standard treatment for canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is effective, it does not provide full parasitological clearance, and side effects and drug resistance have been described. The host's immune system plays a key role in the establishment and evolution of leishmaniasis. Dietary nucleotides modulate the immune response and, given their reported efficacy and safety in sick and clinically healthy Leishmania-infected dogs and because they represent a sustainable option with no associated side effects or resistance, they could be included within the prevention, treatment, and control strategies for leishmaniasis. This article briefly summarizes the scientific literature on CanL management, including unresolved issues, and reviews the scientific evidence on immunomodulatory effects of dietary nucleotides in different animal species. It also proposes a CanL management algorithm, including nucleotides. It is concluded that nutritional modulation of the immune response with nucleotides can contribute to better management of leishmaniasis following a One Health approach, especially in the COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Segarra
- R&D Bioiberica S.A.U., 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
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Merchant A, Yu T, Shi J, Zhou X. Development of a Diagnostic Marker for Phlebotomus papatasi to Initiate a Potential Vector Surveillance Program in North America. INSECTS 2018; 9:insects9040162. [PMID: 30424532 PMCID: PMC6315872 DOI: 10.3390/insects9040162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Phlebotomus papatasi, an Old World sand fly species, is primarily responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, a highly infectious and potentially lethal disease. International travel, especially military rotations, between domestic locations and P. papatasi-prevalent regions in the Middle East poses an imminent threat to the public health of US citizens. Because of its small size and cryptic morphology, identification of P. papatasi is challenging and labor-intensive. Here, we developed a ribosomal DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting P. papatasi genomic DNA from mixed samples containing multiple sand flies native to the Americas. Serial dilution of P. papatasi samples demonstrated that this diagnostic assay could detect one P. papatasi from up to 255 non-target sand flies. Due to its simplicity, sensitivity and specificity, this rapid identification tool is suited for a long-term surveillance program to screen for the presence of P. papatasi in the continental United States and to reveal geographical regions potentially vulnerable to sand fly-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Merchant
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
| | - Tian Yu
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
| | - Jizhe Shi
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
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Velez R, Ballart C, Domenech E, Abras A, Fernández-Arévalo A, Gómez SA, Tebar S, Muñoz C, Cairó J, Gállego M. Seroprevalence of canine Leishmania infantum infection in the Mediterranean region and identification of risk factors: The example of North-Eastern and Pyrenean areas of Spain. Prev Vet Med 2018; 162:67-75. [PMID: 30621900 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Mediterranean basin is an endemic region for canine leishmaniosis (CanL), where it represents a major veterinary problem and raises human health concerns. However, the distribution of the disease is heterogeneous and not all countries and locations have been equally studied and characterized. This work describes the situation of CanL in Girona province (Catalonia, Spain), for which no data has been previously reported, and presents a relevant study to exemplify other areas with similar characteristics across the region. Four cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys were performed from 2012 to 2016 throughout the province, including 36 sampling stations in 26 localities and a total of 593 dogs. For each animal, individual and location variables were also collected. Additionally, each dog owner answered a questionnaire about their knowledge of CanL and preventive methods used. Blood samples were analysed by an in-house ELISA and a mixed logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between pre-determined variables and dog seropositivity. A Spearman's correlation was used to assess the association between dog owners' perceived risk of CanL and Leishmania infantum seropositivity in dogs at a given location. The overall true seroprevalence estimated for Girona province was 19.5% (95%CI: 15.5-23.5), of which only 6.8% (10/146) were considered symptomatic. Age of the dog [OR = 1.21 (95%CI: 1.11-1.31); p < 0.001] and altitude [OR = 0.02 (95%CI: 0.001-0.19); p = 0.001] were identified as risk factors for the infection. The results obtained in this study are expected to aid in the implementation of directed control programmes in CanL endemic areas throughout Europe, as well as to provide suitable data for the design of better risk assessment maps of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Velez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - C Ballart
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - E Domenech
- Hospital Veterinari Canis, Girona, Spain.
| | - A Abras
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Laboratori d'Ictiologia Genètica, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - A Fernández-Arévalo
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - S A Gómez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - S Tebar
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - C Muñoz
- Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - J Cairó
- Hospital Veterinari Canis, Girona, Spain.
| | - M Gállego
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Segarra S, Miró G, Montoya A, Pardo-Marín L, Teichenné J, Ferrer L, Cerón JJ. Prevention of disease progression in Leishmania infantum-infected dogs with dietary nucleotides and active hexose correlated compound. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:103. [PMID: 29467015 PMCID: PMC5822671 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2705-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of Leishmania infantum infection in clinically healthy dogs can be several times higher than that of clinical disease in endemic areas. Although treatment is not recommended in dogs with subclinical infection, these animals should be managed to prevent disease progression and parasite transmission to human beings or to other dogs. Dietary nucleotides and active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) have been shown to modulate the immune response. A recent study in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis receiving an initial 28-day course of methylglucamine antimoniate showed that six-month administration of a dietary supplement containing nucleotides plus AHCC achieves similar efficacy to allopurinol. Since the type of immune response plays a key role in the evolution of patients with leishmaniosis, the present study was aimed at evaluating the preventive effect of this supplement in avoiding or delaying disease progression in clinically healthy Leishmania-infected dogs. Methods Forty-six dogs were included in this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Dogs received once-daily oral administration of a placebo or a dietary supplement containing nucleotides plus AHCC. Disease progression was monitored throughout the study in both groups. At 0, 60, 180 and 365 days of treatment, clinical signs were evaluated using a validated clinical scoring system, and several analytes were measured from blood, urine, and bone marrow samples. Results During the study, a significantly lower (P = 0.047) proportion of dogs changed their clinical status and became sick in the supplement group (3/20; 15%), compared to the placebo group (10/22; 45.5%). ELISA-determined antibody titers were significantly reduced compared to baseline at all time points with the supplement (P < 0.01), but not with the placebo. The mean clinical score of disease severity was significantly lower in the supplement group after 180 days (P = 0.014). No significant differences were observed for the other parameters. The dietary supplement was well tolerated. Conclusions Oral administration of nucleotides plus AHCC for 365 days in clinically healthy L. infantum-infected dogs is safe, allows a significant reduction in anti-Leishmania antibodies, and leads to a lower disease progression rate, hence exerting a preventive effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Segarra
- R&D Bioiberica S.A.U, pl. Francesc Macià 7, 08029, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Montoya
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Pardo-Marín
- Interlab-UMU, Campus de Excelencia "Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30071, Murcia, Spain
| | - Joan Teichenné
- Eurecat - Health and Nutrition Unit, TECNIO, CEICS, av. Universitat 1, 43204, Reus, Spain
| | - Lluís Ferrer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interlab-UMU, Campus de Excelencia "Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30071, Murcia, Spain
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Miró G, Müller A, Montoya A, Checa R, Marino V, Marino E, Fuster F, Escacena C, Descalzo MA, Gálvez R. Epidemiological role of dogs since the human leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:209. [PMID: 28446214 PMCID: PMC5406968 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2147-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) has been in the spotlight since the 2009 outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Madrid. In the framework of the Leishmaniosis Surveillance Programme set up in Madrid, this study examines Leishmania-specific seroprevalences in stray dogs for the outbreak area and rest of the Madrid region over the period spanning from the outbreak to the present (2009–2016). These data are of interest because stray dogs could be sentinels for disease surveillance in endemic areas. Since 2011, we have also been monitoring owned dogs in the outbreak area. Methods Over the study period, Leishmania infantum seroprevalence was determined in 2,123 stray dogs from the outbreak and non-outbreak areas. A serological study was also performed for owned dogs in the outbreak area: high-risk dogs such as hunting or farm dogs (n = 1,722) and pets (n = 1372). All dogs were examined and blood was collected. The variables recorded for each animal were: breed, age, sex, and clinical history indicating if the animal was healthy or clinically suspected of having any disease, and if they showed a clinical picture compatible with CanL. Results Seroprevalences of L. infantum in stray dogs were similar in the two areas examined: 4.7% (20 out of 346) in the outbreak area and 5.4% (96 out of 1,777) in the remaining Madrid region (χ2 = 0.080, P = 0.777). A significant association was found between seroprevalence and age (z = -6.319; P < 0.001). Seroprevalence in owned dogs in the outbreak area was 2.1% in high-risk dogs (37 out of 1,722) and 1.2% in pets (17 out of 1,372) (χ2 = 3.561, P = 0.0591). Conclusions Both stray and owned dogs do not seem to play an important role in maintaining the transmission cycle of L. infantum in the Madrid outbreak area. The stable seroprevalence of infection observed in sentinel dogs suggests the good clinical management and prevention of CanL by local practitioners in owned dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Miró
- Grupo de Investigación Epicontrol-Carnívoros, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aurora Müller
- Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, c/Ronda de Segovia 52, 1ª planta, 28005, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Montoya
- Grupo de Investigación Epicontrol-Carnívoros, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocía Checa
- Grupo de Investigación Epicontrol-Carnívoros, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentina Marino
- Grupo de Investigación Epicontrol-Carnívoros, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eloy Marino
- Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, c/Ronda de Segovia 52, 1ª planta, 28005, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Fuster
- Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, c/Ronda de Segovia 52, 1ª planta, 28005, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Escacena
- Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, c/Ronda de Segovia 52, 1ª planta, 28005, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Descalzo
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Piel Sana Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología, Calle Ferraz, 100, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Gálvez
- Grupo de Investigación Epicontrol-Carnívoros, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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