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Dávila-Martínez C, Castillo-Velázquez U, Soto-Domínguez A, Nevárez-Garza AM, Arce-Mendoza AY, Hernandez-Vidal G, Zamora-Avila DE, Rodriguez-Tovar LE. Immunohistochemical localization of TNF-α and IL-4 in granulomas of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand white rabbits infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Cytokine 2020; 130:155055. [PMID: 32182455 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a fungi-related, obligate, zoonotic, spore-forming intracellular eukaryotic microorganism. This emerging pathogen causes granulomas to form in the brain and kidneys of infected individuals. The objective of the current study was to detect the distribution of TNF-α- and IL-4-positive cells using immunohistochemistry within these granulomas in both infected immunocompetent (group A) and immunosuppressed (group B) New Zealand white rabbits. In the brain, labeled TNF-α immune cells were mainly located in the granuloma peripheries in group B. Granulomas examined in the kidneys of groups A and B were TNF-α positive, but were significantly different (p < 0.001) when compared with the brain. IL-4-producing immune cells in the brain and kidneys were disseminated within granulomas in groups A and B; however, no significant difference (p > 0.05), was observed. IL-4 positive cells were more numerous in brain sections of group B and differed significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with kidneys. Granulomas were not observed in control animals (groups C and D). In conclusion, we identified TNF-α positive cells in both the brain and kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed animals; IL-4 positive cells were numerous in the brains of immunosuppressed rabbits; however, in terms of percentage were numerous in the brains of immunocompetent rabbits. Immunosuppression appeared to stimulate a change in the cellular phenotype of Th1- to Th2-like granulomas in the brain and kidneys via an unknown mechanism. Expression of pro- and pre-inflammatory cytokines in microsporidian granulomas suggests a mechanism by which E. cuniculi evades the immune response, causing more severe disease. These results increase our understanding of TNF-α and IL-4-positive cells within the E. cuniculi granuloma microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dávila-Martínez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L. C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - U Castillo-Velázquez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L. C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - A Soto-Domínguez
- Departamento de Histología, Facultad de Medicina, UANL, Monterrey, N. L. C.P. 64460, Mexico
| | - A M Nevárez-Garza
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L. C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - A Y Arce-Mendoza
- Cuerpo Académico de Inmunología Clínica y Dermatología, Facultad de Medicina, UANL, Col. Mitras Centro, Monterrey, N. L. C.P. 64460, Mexico
| | - G Hernandez-Vidal
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L. C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - D E Zamora-Avila
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiologia Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L. C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - L E Rodriguez-Tovar
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L. C.P. 66050, Mexico.
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2
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Soto-Domínguez A, Dávila-Martínez C, Castillo-Velázquez U, Nevárez-Garza A, Rodríguez-Rocha H, Saucedo-Cárdenas O, Arce Mendoza A, Zarate-Ramos J, Rodríguez-Tovar L. Variation of the CD4, CD8, and MHC II cell population in granulomas of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed rabbits in Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 68:101387. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Pereira A, Alvares-Saraiva AM, Konno FTDC, Spadacci-Morena DD, Perez EC, Mariano M, Lallo MA. B-1 cell-mediated modulation of M1 macrophage profile ameliorates microbicidal functions and disrupt the evasion mechanisms of Encephalitozoon cuniculi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007674. [PMID: 31536488 PMCID: PMC6779274 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we have investigated the possible effect of B-1 cells on the activity of peritoneal macrophages in E. cuniculi infection. In the presence of B-1 cells, peritoneal macrophages had an M1 profile with showed increased phagocytic capacity and index, associated with the intense microbicidal activity and a higher percentage of apoptotic death. The absence of B-1 cells was associated with a predominance of the M2 macrophages, reduced phagocytic capacity and index and microbicidal activity, increased pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines production, and higher percentual of necrosis death. In addition, in the M2 macrophages, spore of phagocytic E. cuniculi with polar tubular extrusion was observed, which is an important mechanism of evasion of the immune response. The results showed the importance of B-1 cells in the modulation of macrophage function against E. cuniculi infection, increasing microbicidal activity, and reducing the fungal mechanisms involved in the evasion of the immune response. The adaptive immune response plays a key role against Encephalitozoon cuniculi, an opportunistic fungus for T cells immunodeficient patients. The role of B cells and antibody play in natural resistance to Encephalitozoon cuniculi remains unknown. Previously, we demonstrated that B-1 deficient mice (XID), an important component of innate immunity, were more susceptible to encephalitozoonosis, despite the increase in the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Here we observed that the absence of B-1 cells was associated with a larger population of M2 macrophages, a balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines profile, which had lower microbicidal activity against E. cuniculi infection. However, in the presence of B-1 cells, peritoneal macrophages had a M1 profile with showed increased microbicidal activity and a higher percentage of apoptotic death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Pereira
- Programa de Patologia Ambiental e Experimental, Universidade Paulista, Rua José Maria Whitaker, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Curso de Biomedicina, Centro Universitário São Camilo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anuska Marcelino Alvares-Saraiva
- Programa de Patologia Ambiental e Experimental, Universidade Paulista, Rua José Maria Whitaker, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação Interdisciplinar em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, Rua Galvão Bueno, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Laboratório de Fisiopatologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Cristina Perez
- Programa de Patologia Ambiental e Experimental, Universidade Paulista, Rua José Maria Whitaker, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mario Mariano
- Programa de Patologia Ambiental e Experimental, Universidade Paulista, Rua José Maria Whitaker, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Maria Anete Lallo
- Programa de Patologia Ambiental e Experimental, Universidade Paulista, Rua José Maria Whitaker, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Curso de Biomedicina, Centro Universitário São Camilo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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4
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Nevárez-Garza AM, Castillo-Velázquez U, Soto-Domínguez A, Montes-de-Oca-Luna R, Zamora-Ávila DE, Wong-González A, Rodríguez-Tovar LE. Quantitative analysis of TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10 expression, nitric oxide response, and apoptosis in Encephalitozoon cuniculi-infected rabbits. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 81:235-243. [PMID: 29229442 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, interleukin (IL) -4 and IL-10, as well as apoptosis and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in the brain and kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand White rabbits infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi. All of the animals had clinical signs histopathological lesions compatible with encephalitozoonosis and were E. cuniculi-positive by using a carbon immunoassay test. Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection promoted the expression of TNF-α and NO production in the kidneys of infected rabbits, and a synergic effect was observed in animal treated with dexamethasone. The IL-4 expression was similar in the brain and kidneys of infected rabbits, regardless of their immunologic status. The IL-10 mRNA expression in the brain of infected immunosuppressed rabbits was elevated when compared with positive controls. Apoptosis of granuloma mononuclear-like cells was detected in immunocompetent E. cuniculi-infected rabbits, but it was more evident in infected-immunosuppressed animals. Nitric oxide levels were elevated both in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed infected animals, but it was more apparent in the kidneys. These data suggest that modulation of the immune response by E. cuniculi could contribute to the survival of the parasite within phagocytic cells in granulomas via an as yet undetermined mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M Nevárez-Garza
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - Uziel Castillo-Velázquez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Soto-Domínguez
- Cuerpo Académico de Morfología, Facultad de Medicina, UANL, Monterrey, N. L., C.P. 64460, Mexico
| | - R Montes-de-Oca-Luna
- Cuerpo Académico de Morfología, Facultad de Medicina, UANL, Monterrey, N. L., C.P. 64460, Mexico
| | - Diana E Zamora-Ávila
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Wong-González
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., C.P. 66050, Mexico
| | - Luis E Rodríguez-Tovar
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., C.P. 66050, Mexico.
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Desoubeaux G, Piqueras MDC, Pantin A, Bhattacharya SK, Peschke R, Joachim A, Cray C. Application of mass spectrometry to elucidate the pathophysiology of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in rabbits. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177961. [PMID: 28723944 PMCID: PMC5516978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian species which can induce subclinical to serious disease in mammals including rabbits, a definitive natural host. The pathophysiology of infection has not been comprehensively elucidated. In this exploratory study, we utilized two mass spectrometry approaches: first, the analysis of the humoral response by profiling the microsporidian antigens as revealed by Western blot screening, and second, implementing the iTRAQ®-labeling protocol to focus on the changes within the host proteome during infection. Seven E. cuniculi proteins were identified at one-dimensional gel regions where specific seropositive reaction was observed by Western blot, including polar tube protein 3, polar tube protein 2, and for the first time reported: heat shock related 70kDa protein, polysaccharide deacetylase domain-containing protein, zinc finger protein, spore wall and anchoring disk complex protein EnP1, and translation elongation factor 1 alpha. In addition, there was a significant increase of nine host proteins in blood samples from E. cuniculi-diseased rabbits in comparison with non-diseased control subjects undergoing various inflammatory processes. This included serum paraoxonase, alpha-1-antiproteinase F precursor and alpha-1-antiproteinase S-1 which have presumptive catalytic activity likely related to infection control, and cystatin fetuin-B-type, an enzyme regulator that has been poorly studied to date. Notably, 11 proteins were found to be statistically increased in rabbits with neurological versus renal clinical presentation of E. cuniculi infection. Overall, this novel analysis based on mass spectrometry has provided new insights on the inflammatory and humoral responses during E. cuniculi infection in rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Desoubeaux
- University of Miami - Miller School of Medicine, Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- CHU de Tours, Service de Parasitologie – Mycologie – Médecine tropicale, Tours, France
- Université François-Rabelais, Faculté de Médecine, CEPR - INSERM U1100 / Équipe 3, Tours, France
| | - Maria del Carmen Piqueras
- University of Miami, Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Miller School of Medicin–, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ana Pantin
- University of Miami - Miller School of Medicine, Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sanjoy K. Bhattacharya
- University of Miami, Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Miller School of Medicin–, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Roman Peschke
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Joachim
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carolyn Cray
- University of Miami - Miller School of Medicine, Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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Rodríguez-Tovar LE, Castillo-Velázquez U, Arce-Mendoza AY, Nevárez-Garza AM, Zarate-Ramos JJ, Hernández-Vidal G, Rodríguez-Ramírez HG, Trejo-Chávez A. Interferon γ and interleukin 10 responses in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand White rabbits naturally infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 62:82-88. [PMID: 27156850 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured in the serum of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand White rabbits naturally infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi. IFN-γ levels were elevated in infected rabbits, and a synergic effect was observed in animals treated with the immunosuppressive agent dexamethasone (Dex). The role of IL-10 in infected rabbits remains unclear, as IL-10 levels were similar to those of negative controls. Dex appeared to exhibit a proinflammatory effect, as IFN-γ levels were elevated in infected immunosuppressed rabbits. Similarly, Dex exhibited a synergic effect in infected immunosuppressed rabbits, as evidenced by the elevation in IFN-γ production. These data indicate that the immune response to this glucocorticoid should be considered in the design of future animal model studies of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Rodríguez-Tovar
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., CP 66050, Mexico
| | - Uziel Castillo-Velázquez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., CP 66050, Mexico.
| | - Alma Y Arce-Mendoza
- Cuerpo Académico de Inmunología Clínica y Dermatología, Facultad de Medicina, UANL, Col. Mitras Centro, Monterrey, N. L., CP 64460, Mexico
| | - Alicia M Nevárez-Garza
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., CP 66050, Mexico
| | - Juan J Zarate-Ramos
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiologia Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., CP 66050, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Hernández-Vidal
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., CP 66050, Mexico
| | - Heidi G Rodríguez-Ramírez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., CP 66050, Mexico
| | - Armando Trejo-Chávez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, UANL, General Escobedo, N. L., CP 66050, Mexico
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7
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Rodríguez-Tovar LE, Nevárez-Garza AM, Trejo-Chávez A, Hernández-Martínez CA, Hernández-Vidal G, Zarate-Ramos JJ, Castillo-Velázquez U. Encephalitozoon cuniculi: Grading the Histological Lesions in Brain, Kidney, and Liver during Primoinfection Outbreak in Rabbits. J Pathog 2016; 2016:5768428. [PMID: 27022485 PMCID: PMC4789044 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5768428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This is the first confirmed report of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in farm meat rabbits located in Northern Mexico. Eighty young rabbits exhibited clinical signs of this zoonotic emerging disease, like torticollis, ataxia, paresis, circling, and rolling. Samples of brain, kidney, and liver were examined for histology lesions. For the first time the lesions caused by E. cuniculi were graded according to their severity (I, II, and III) and the size of the granulomas (Types A, B, and C). The main cerebral injuries were Grade III, coinciding with the presence of Type C granulomas. The cerebral lesions were located in the cortex, brain stem, and medulla. The renal lesions were also Grade III distributed throughout cortex and renal medulla, with no granuloma formation. The involvement of hypersensitivity Types III and IV is suggested. All of the rabbits were seropositive to E. cuniculi by CIA testing, suggesting that this zoonotic and emerging pathogen is widely distributed among animals intended for human consumption. We believe this work could be used as a guide when examining E. cuniculi and will provide direction to confirm the diagnosis of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E. Rodríguez-Tovar
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Calle Francisco Villa s/n, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, 66050 Escobedo, NL, Mexico
| | - Alicia M. Nevárez-Garza
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Calle Francisco Villa s/n, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, 66050 Escobedo, NL, Mexico
| | - Armando Trejo-Chávez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Calle Francisco Villa s/n, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, 66050 Escobedo, NL, Mexico
| | - Carlos A. Hernández-Martínez
- Cuerpo Académico de Nutrición y Forrajes, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Calle Francisco Villa s/n, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, 66050 Escobedo, NL, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Hernández-Vidal
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Calle Francisco Villa s/n, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, 66050 Escobedo, NL, Mexico
| | - Juan J. Zarate-Ramos
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Calle Francisco Villa s/n, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, 66050 Escobedo, NL, Mexico
| | - Uziel Castillo-Velázquez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Calle Francisco Villa s/n, Ex-Hacienda El Canadá, 66050 Escobedo, NL, Mexico
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Talbi FZ, El Ouali Lalami A, Janati Idrissi A, Sebti F, Faraj C. Leishmaniasis in central morocco: seasonal fluctuations of phlebotomine sand fly in aichoun locality, from sefrou province. PATHOLOGY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:438749. [PMID: 25741448 PMCID: PMC4337056 DOI: 10.1155/2015/438749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniases (CL) are endemic in Morocco. They are common in the human population in different localities such as Aichoun in Sefrou province, Morocco. This study was carried out in Aichoun locality from April to October 2012 in order to study the spatiotemporal trends of the main Leishmania phlebotomine vectors in this focus. Overall, 1171 sand flies, belonging to four species, were collected by sticky traps. Phlebotomus sergenti was the predominant species (78.4%) followed by Ph. perniciosus (10.5%), Ph. papatasi (7.94%), and Ph. longicuspis (3.16%). Sandflies were active during 6 months (May-October). Ph. sergenti, Ph. perniciosus, and Ph. papatasi displayed a bimodal distribution with a first peak in July and a second peak in September, while Ph. longicuspis showed a monophasic trend with a peak in August. The high abundance and the lengthy period of activity of Ph. sergenti and Ph. perniciosus, vectors of L. tropica and L. infantum, respectively, are a cause for concern as they indicate the high potential risk of Leishmania transmission in the studied areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Zahra Talbi
- Analysis and Modelisation of Continental Ecosystems Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, 30000 Fes, Morocco
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Hygiene, 27 Avenue Ibn Battuta, Agdal, 11400 Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abdelhakim El Ouali Lalami
- Regional Diagnostic Laboratory Epidemiological and Environmental Health, Regional Health Directorate, EL Ghassani Hospital, 30000 Fes, Morocco
| | - Abdellatif Janati Idrissi
- Analysis and Modelisation of Continental Ecosystems Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, 30000 Fes, Morocco
| | - Faiza Sebti
- National Reference Laboratory of Leishmaniasis, National Institute of Hygiene, 27 Avenue Ibn Battuta, Agdal, 11400 Rabat, Morocco
| | - Chafika Faraj
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Hygiene, 27 Avenue Ibn Battuta, Agdal, 11400 Rabat, Morocco
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