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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Janev-Holcer N, Bogdanic M, Ferenc T, Vujica Ferenc M, Krcmar S, Savic V, Stevanovic V, Ilic M, Barbic L. Current Status of Vector-Borne Diseases in Croatia: Challenges and Future Prospects. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1856. [PMID: 37763260 PMCID: PMC10532474 DOI: 10.3390/life13091856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Different vector-borne pathogens are present or have (re-)emerged in Croatia. Flaviviruses tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV), West Nile (WNV), and Usutu (USUV) are widely distributed in continental regions, while Toscana virus (TOSV) and sandfly fever viruses are detected at the Croatian littoral. Recently, sporadic clinical cases of Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) and Bhanja bandavirus infection and seropositive individuals have been reported in continental Croatia. Acute infections and serologic evidence of WNV, TBEV, USUV, and TAHV were also confirmed in sentinel animals and vectors. Autochthonous dengue was reported in 2010 at the Croatian littoral. Lyme borreliosis is the most widely distributed vector-borne bacterial infection. The incidence is very high in northwestern and eastern regions, which correlates with numerous records of Ixodes ricinus ticks. Acute human Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections are reported sporadically, but there are many records of serologic evidence of anaplasmosis in animals. Mediterranean spotted fever (Rickettsia conorii) and murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi) are the main rickettsial infections in Croatia. Human leishmaniasis is notified sporadically, while serologic evidence of leishmaniasis was found in 11.4% of the Croatian population. After the official eradication of malaria in 1964, only imported cases were reported in Croatia. Since vector-borne diseases show a growing trend, continuous monitoring of vectors is required to protect the population from these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Natasa Janev-Holcer
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Thomas Ferenc
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mateja Vujica Ferenc
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stjepan Krcmar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Maia C, Conceição C, Pereira A, Rocha R, Ortuño M, Muñoz C, Jumakanova Z, Pérez-Cutillas P, Özbel Y, Töz S, Baneth G, Monge-Maillo B, Gasimov E, Van der Stede Y, Torres G, Gossner CM, Berriatua E. The estimated distribution of autochthonous leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum in Europe in 2005-2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011497. [PMID: 37467280 PMCID: PMC10389729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study describes the spatial and temporal distribution between 2005 and 2020 of human and animal leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum in European countries reporting autochthonous cases, and highlights potential activities to improve disease control. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS It was based on a review of the scientific literature and data reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministries of Health, including hospital discharges in some countries. Autochthonous infections were reported in the scientific literature from 22 countries, including 13 and 21 countries reporting human and animal infections, respectively. In contrast, only 17 countries reported autochthonous human leishmaniasis cases to the WHO and 8 countries animal infections to the WOAH. The number of WOAH reported cases were 4,203, comprising 4,183 canine cases and 20 cases in wildlife. Of 8,367 WHO reported human cases, 69% were visceral leishmaniasis cases-of which 94% were autochthonous-and 31% cutaneous leishmaniasis cases-of which 53% were imported and mostly in France. The resulting cumulative incidence per 100,000 population of visceral leishmaniasis between 2005-2020, was highest in Albania (2.15 cases), followed by Montenegro, Malta, Greece, Spain and North Macedonia (0.53-0.42), Italy (0.16), Portugal (0.09) and lower in other endemic countries (0.07-0.002). However, according to hospital discharges, the estimated human leishmaniasis incidence was 0.70 in Italy and visceral leishmaniasis incidences were 0.67 in Spain and 0.41 in Portugal. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Overall, there was no evidence of widespread increased incidence of autochthonous human leishmaniasis by L. infantum in European countries. Visceral leishmaniasis incidence followed a decreasing trend in Albania, Italy and Portugal, and peaked in Greece in 2013, 2014 and 2017, and in Spain in 2006-2007 and 2011-2013. Animal and human cutaneous leishmaniasis remain highly underreported. In humans, hospital discharge databases provide the most accurate information on visceral leishmaniasis and may be a valuable indirect source of information to identify hotspots of animal leishmaniasis. Integrated leishmaniasis surveillance and reporting following the One Health approach, needs to be enhanced in order to improve disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Conceição
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - André Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rafael Rocha
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- SaBio, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Zarima Jumakanova
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Yusuf Özbel
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Seray Töz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Begoña Monge-Maillo
- Unidad de Referencia Nacional para Enfermedades Tropicales, Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elkhan Gasimov
- Division of Country Health Programmes, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yves Van der Stede
- Biological Hazards, Animal Health and Welfare (BIOHAW) Unit, European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy
| | - Gregorio Torres
- Science Department, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Paris, France
| | - Céline M. Gossner
- Disease Programme Unit, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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El Mazini S, Barhoumi M, Mhaidi I, Daoui O, Kbaich MA, El Kacem S, El Idrissi Saik I, Riyad M, Bekhti K, Guizani I, Lemrani M. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Leishmania infantum in Morocco as Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) Approach. Pathogens 2023; 12:785. [PMID: 37375475 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is endemic in Morocco, and it causes both visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). In this study, the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach was used to investigate the phylogeny and population structure of Leishmania infantum strains isolated from CL and VL patients and the canine reservoir in different leishmaniasis endemic foci in Morocco. For this purpose, eight loci (pgm, alat, me, fh, g6pd, pgd, gpi and cytb) were amplified in 40 samples, out of which 31 were successfully sequenced. The genetic diversity analysis detected a high degree of intraspecific genetic variability among the studied strains. The phylogenetic and the haplotype analyses showed that most of the strains from the same geographical areas clustered together. The recombination among Leishmania infantum strains was revealed through a splits tree analysis and the number of recombination events. Moreover, the assessment of the gene flow between Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica through phylogenetic analysis and haplotype diversity in two endemic foci where the two species were sympatric showed no genetic exchange between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara El Mazini
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fes 30000, Morocco
| | - Mourad Barhoumi
- Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP)/ LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, B.P. 74, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Idris Mhaidi
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Othmane Daoui
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Mouad Ait Kbaich
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Sofia El Kacem
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
| | - Imane El Idrissi Saik
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Research Team on Immunopathology of Infectious and Systemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
| | - Myriam Riyad
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Research Team on Immunopathology of Infectious and Systemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 21100, Morocco
| | - Khadija Bekhti
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fes 30000, Morocco
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP)/ LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, B.P. 74, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Meryem Lemrani
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Morocco, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
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Taxonomy, Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Iranian Leishmania Strains of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1274-1284. [PMID: 33942225 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the broad distribution of leishmaniasis in Iran, there is a little genetic information about the causative agents and epidemiological status of the disease. Genetic diversity of the parasite is suggested to be one of the factors, which influences the clinical manifestations of the disease. In this study, we investigated the genetic variations, population structure, and evolutionary history of Leishmania species from endemic foci of Iran. METHODS Fifty-two isolates from humans, canines, and rodents from different endemic foci of Iran were used to sequence the N-acetyl glucosamine-1-phosphate transferase (Nagt) gene. Phylogenetic and structure analyses were performed to investigate inter- and intra-species diversity of the Leishmania isolates. RESULTS In total, 10 haplotypes including L. major (n = 6), L. tropica (n = 2), L. infantum (n = 1) and L. turanica (n = 1) were identified across 52 isolates. Haplotype diversity (Hd) ranged from zero for L. infantum and L. turanica to 0.78 ± 0.136 for L. major. This study identified population structure of Leishmania isolates from different geographical regions of Iran. The results of the phylogenetic tree showed 4 distinct clades for each species of Leishmania. In addition, the highest intraspecies diversity was observed among L. major isolates. No correlation was observed between species and geographic distribution of haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS Leishmania isolates were identified at the species level using the Nagt gene, low variation within species indicates conservation of this gene in Leishmania. The results provide knowledge into the evolutionary history of Iranian Leishmania isolates.
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Dvorak V, Kasap OE, Ivovic V, Mikov O, Stefanovska J, Martinkovic F, Omeragic J, Pajovic I, Baymak D, Oguz G, Hlavackova K, Gresova M, Gunay F, Vaselek S, Ayhan N, Lestinova T, Cvetkovikj A, Soldo DK, Katerinova I, Tchakarova S, Yılmaz A, Karaoglu B, Iranzo JR, Kadriaj P, Velo E, Ozbel Y, Petric D, Volf P, Alten B. Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in eight Balkan countries: historical review and region-wide entomological survey. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:573. [PMID: 33176888 PMCID: PMC7661266 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04448-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are medically important vectors of human and veterinary disease-causing agents. Among these, the genus Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), and phleboviruses are of utmost importance. Despite such significance, updated information about sand fly fauna is missing for Balkan countries where both sand flies and autochtonous leishmaniases are historically present and recently re-emerging. Therefore, a review of historical data on sand fly species composition and distribution in the region was followed by a large-scale entomological survey in eight Balkan countries to provide a recent update on local sand fly fauna. METHODS The literature search involved the period 1910-2019. The entomological survey was conducted at 1189 sampling stations in eight countries (Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia), covering 49 settlements and 358 sampling sites between June and October in the years 2014 and 2016, accumulating 130 sampling days. We performed a total of 1189 trapping nights at these stations using two types of traps (light and CO2 attraction traps) in each location. Sampling was performed with a minimal duration of 6 (Montenegro) and a maximal of 47 days (Serbia) between 0-1000 m.a.s.l. Collected sand flies were morphologically identified. RESULTS In total, 8490 sand fly specimens were collected. Morphological identification showed presence of 14 species belonging to genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. Historical data were critically reviewed and updated with our recent findings. Six species were identified in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2 new records), 5 in Montenegro (2 new records), 5 in Croatia (2 new records), 9 in Bulgaria (5 new records), 11 in North Macedonia (1 new record), 10 in Serbia (no new records), 9 in Kosovo (3 new records) and 4 in Slovenia (no new records). CONCLUSIONS This study presents results of the first integrated sand fly fauna survey of such scale for the Balkan region, providing first data on sand fly populations for four countries in the study area and presenting new species records for six countries and updated species lists for all surveyed countries. Our findings demonstrate presence of proven and suspected vectors of several Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vit Dvorak
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ozge Erisoz Kasap
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Vladimir Ivovic
- Science and Research Centre, University of Primorska, Koper-Capodistra, Slovenia
| | - Ognyan Mikov
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jovana Stefanovska
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Franjo Martinkovic
- Department for Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases with Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasmin Omeragic
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases of Animals, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Igor Pajovic
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Devrim Baymak
- National Institute of Public Health, Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Gizem Oguz
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kristyna Hlavackova
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Gresova
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filiz Gunay
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Slavica Vaselek
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nazli Ayhan
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ IRD 190, INSERM 1207 IHU Mediterranee Infection), 13005 Marseille, France
- EA7310, Laboratoire de Virologie, Université de Corse-Inserm, 20250 Corte, France
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleksandar Cvetkovikj
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Darinka Klaric Soldo
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases of Animals, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ivelina Katerinova
- National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Medical Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Simona Tchakarova
- National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Medical Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ayda Yılmaz
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Begum Karaoglu
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Jose Risueno Iranzo
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Perparim Kadriaj
- Department of Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases Department, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Enkelejda Velo
- Department of Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases Department, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Yusuf Ozbel
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Dusan Petric
- Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Petr Volf
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bulent Alten
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Risk-free point-of-care visceral leishmaniasis diagnostics: combining buffy coat microscopy and immunoassay in tertiary rural hospitals in Sudan. Acta Trop 2020; 211:105599. [PMID: 32592684 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), a life-threating disease in Sudan and Eastern Africa, is usually diagnosed by a painful and invasive tissue aspirate microscopy. This study assessed the diagnostic effectiveness of buffy coat (BC) microscopy and the rK39 immunoassay test separately and combined as an easy non-invasive method applied to peripheral blood sample for field diagnosis of VL. 151 VL suspected patients were recruited from tertiary rural hospitals in Bazura, Gedaref state, from 2014-2015. All patients were tested for VL using rK39 ICT and microscopy smears from LN aspirate and BC in addition to PCR from BC as a reference standard test. Both BC and LN aspirate microscopy showed perfect specificity (100%) with false negative results, while the majority of true positives (81%) had a low-parasite burden. ICT showed almost perfect agreement but limited by its poor specificity. Each of these three tests is inadequate as a consistent single diagnostic tool and should be replaced by PCR in routine practice. Combining the results of risk-free BC microscopy and rk39 ICT, using peripheral blood sample, improved VL diagnosis with almost perfect agreement and 93.4% accuracy. Our findings indicate that combined BC microscopy and ICT are accurate, simple and easy point-of-care VL diagnostic tools in community and rural hospitals that can replace or reduce the use of invasive tissue aspirates microscopy, when PCR is unavailable. This is particularly of value in endemic rural areas, decreasing the delay in final diagnosis and preventing deaths caused by VL.
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Fernández-Arévalo A, El Baidouri F, Ravel C, Ballart C, Abras A, Lachaud L, Tebar S, Lami P, Pratlong F, Gállego M, Muñoz C. The Leishmania donovani species complex: A new insight into taxonomy ☆. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:1079-1088. [PMID: 32889062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Among the 20 or so Leishmania spp. described as pathogenic for humans, those of the Leishmania donovani complex are the exclusive causative agents of systemic and fatal visceral leishmaniasis. Although well studied, the complex is taxonomically controversial, which hampers clinical and epidemiological research. In this work, we analysed 56 Leishmania strains previously identified as L. donovani, Leishmania archibaldi or Leishmania infantum, isolated from humans, dogs and sandfly vectors throughout their distribution area. The strains were submitted to biochemical and genetic analyses and the resulting data were compared for congruence. Our results show: i) a partial concordance between biochemical and genetic-based data, ii) very limited genetic variability within the L. donovani complex, iii) footprints of frequent genetic exchange along an east-west gradient, marked by a widespread diffusion of alleles across the geographical range, and iv) a large-scale geographical spreading of a few genotypes. From a taxonomic point of view, considering the absence of relevant terminology in existing classes, the L. donovani complex could be treated as a single entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fernández-Arévalo
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Spain & Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Fouad El Baidouri
- Department of Botany, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Christophe Ravel
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Cristina Ballart
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Abras
- Laboratori d'Ictiologia Genètica, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Laurence Lachaud
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Silvia Tebar
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrick Lami
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Francine Pratlong
- National Reference Centre for Leishmaniasis, University Hospital Centre of Montpellier, MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Montserrat Gállego
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciènces de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carme Muñoz
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Spain & Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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Application of next generation sequencing (NGS) for descriptive analysis of 30 genomes of Leishmania infantum isolates in Middle-North Brazil. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12321. [PMID: 32704096 PMCID: PMC7378178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68953-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania donovani and L. infantum. Likely, L. infantum was introduced in the New World by the Iberic colonizers. Due to recent introduction, the genetic diversity is low. Access to genomic information through the sequencing of Leishmania isolates allows the characterization of populations through the identification and analysis of variations. Population structure information may reveal important data on disease dynamics. Aiming to describe the genetic diversity of L. infantum from the Middle-North, Brazil, next generation sequencing of 30 Leishmania isolates obtained in the city of Teresina, from where the disease dispersed, was performed. The variations were categorized accordingly to the genome region and impact and provided the basis for chromosomal ploidy and population structure analysis. The results showed low diversity between the isolates and the Iberic reference genome JPCM5. Most variations were seen in non-coding regions, with modifying impact. The ploidy number analysis showed aneuploid profile. The population structure analysis revealed the presence of two L. infantum populations identified in Teresina. Further population genetics studies with a larger number of isolates should be performed in order to identify the genetic background associated with virulence and parasite ecology.
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A historical review on vector distribution and epidemiology of human and animal leishmanioses in Eastern Europe. Res Vet Sci 2019; 123:185-191. [PMID: 30682581 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Many canine diseases, infectious or parasitic, have been newly reported as autochthonous in the last few years in Eastern Europe. This is notably evident for vector-borne diseases. The mechanisms behind the particular epidemiological pattern of infectious and parasitic diseases of pets in Eastern Europe are complex. Most countries from Eastern Europe are regarded as non-endemic for leishmaniosis, with sporadic cases only in both humans and dogs. However, recently, new imported or autochthonous cases are reported every year. The aim of the current review is to synoptically review and critically analyse the epidemiological situation of leishmaniosis and the distribution of the sand fly vectors in Eastern Europe, namely in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus.
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10
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Rugna G, Carra E, Bergamini F, Calzolari M, Salvatore D, Corpus F, Gennari W, Baldelli R, Fabbi M, Natalini S, Vitale F, Varani S, Merialdi G. Multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) reveals host-related population structure in Leishmania infantum from northeastern Italy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006595. [PMID: 29975697 PMCID: PMC6057669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is an ongoing health problem in southern Europe, where dogs are considered the main reservoirs of the disease. Current data point to a northward spread of VL and canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in Italy, with new foci in northern regions previously regarded as non-endemic. Methodology/Principal findings Multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) was performed to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of L. infantum on 55 samples from infected humans, dogs and sand flies of the E-R region between 2013 and 2017. E-R samples were compared with 10 L. infantum samples from VL cases in other Italian regions (extra E-R) and with 52 strains within the L. donovani complex. Data displayed significant microsatellite polymorphisms with low allelic heterozygosity. Forty-one unique and eight repeated MLMT profiles were recognized among the L. infantum samples from E-R, and ten unique MLMT profiles were assigned to the extra E-R samples. Bayesian analysis assigned E-R samples to two distinct populations, with further sub-structuring within each of them; all CanL samples belonged to one population, genetically related to Mediterranean MON-1 strains, while all but one VL cases as well as the isolate from the sand fly Phlebotomus perfiliewi fell under the second population. Conversely, VL samples from other Italian regions proved to be genetically similar to strains circulating in dogs. Conclusions/Significance A peculiar epidemiological situation was observed in northeastern Italy, with the co-circulation of two distinct populations of L. infantum; one population mainly detected in dogs and the other population detected in humans and in a sand fly. While the classical cycle of CanL in Italy fits well into the data obtained for the first population, the population found in infected humans exhibits a different cycle, probably not involving a canine reservoir. This study can contribute to a better understanding of the population structure of L. infantum circulating in northeastern Italy, thus providing useful epidemiologic information for public health authorities. Visceral leishmaniasis is a sand fly-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Leishmania infantum is the only parasitic species circulating in Italy and dogs are considered the main reservoirs of the disease. In this study, 55 L. infantum strains obtained from humans, dogs and sand flies from the Emiliana-Romagna (E-R) region, northeastern Italy, were assessed using multilocus microsatellite typing, a tool applied for population genetic studies. Results were compared with those obtained from 10 samples of visceral leishmaniasis cases occurring in other Italian regions and with 52 strains of the L. donovani complex from other foci of leishmaniasis. Our genetic analysis revealed that canine and human L. infantum strains from the E-R region were separated in two distinct populations; all samples obtained from dogs belonged to one population, while all but one human samples as well as a sand fly sample fell under another population. Samples from patients with visceral leishmaniasis from other Italian regions proved to be genetically similar to strains circulating in dogs. Our findings raise questions on the role of dogs as main reservoirs for human visceral leishmaniasis in the investigated area of northeastern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Rugna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Elena Carra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Bergamini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Salvatore
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesco Corpus
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - William Gennari
- Dipartimento Integrati Interaziendali Medicina di Laboratorio e Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Policlinico di Modena, Italy
| | - Raffaella Baldelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Massimo Fabbi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvano Natalini
- Department of Animal Health, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefania Varani
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merialdi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
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Validation of rK39 immunochromatographic test and direct agglutination test for the diagnosis of Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis in Spain. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006277. [PMID: 29494596 PMCID: PMC5849364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the most severe form of leishmaniasis, is endemic in Europe with Mediterranean countries reporting endemic status alongside a worrying northward spread. Serological diagnosis, including immunochromatographic test based on the recombinant antigen rK39 (rK39-ICT) and a direct agglutination test (DAT) based on the whole parasite antigen, have been validated in regions with high VL burden, such as eastern Africa and the Indian subcontinent. To date, no studies using a large set of patients have performed an assessment of both methods within Europe. Methodology/Principal findings We selected a range of clinical serum samples from patients with confirmed VL (including HIV co-infection), Chagas disease, malaria, other parasitic infections and negative samples (n = 743; years 2009–2015) to test the performance of rK39-ICT rapid test (Kalazar Detect Rapid Test; InBios International, Inc., USA) and DAT (ITM-DAT/VLG; Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium). An in-house immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), was included for comparison. Estimated sensitivities for rK39-ICT and DAT in HIV-negative VL patients were 83.1% [75.1–91.2] and 84.2% [76.3–92.1], respectively. Sensitivity was reduced to 67.3% [52.7–82.0] for rK39 and increased to 91.3% [82.1–100.0] for DAT in HIV/VL co-infected patients. The in-house IFAT was more sensitive in HIV-negative VL patients, 84.2% [76.3–92.1] than in HIV/VL patients, 79.4% [73.3–96.2]. DAT gave 32 false positives in sera from HIV-negative VL suspects, compared to 0 and 2 for rK39 and IFAT, respectively, but correctly detected more HIV/VL patients (42/46) than rK39 (31/46) and IFAT (39/46). Conclusions/Significance Though rK39-ICT and DAT exhibited acceptable sensitivity and specificity a combination with other tests is required for highly sensitive diagnosis of VL cases in Spain. Important variation in the performance of the tests were seen in patients co-infected with HIV or with other parasitic infections. This study can help inform the choice of serological test to be used when screening or diagnosing VL in a European Mediterranean setting. Visceral leishmaniasis is the most severe form of leishmaniasis, a disease transmitted through the bite of an infected sandfly. Although the biggest burden of leishmaniasis is in eastern Africa and the Indian subcontinent, the disease is also endemic in parts of Europe. Previous studies have looked at performance of diagnostic methods, but not in great detail on samples derived from a European setting. Using a large set of samples from a national reference laboratory in Madrid, Spain, we assessed a leishmaniasis rapid test and a direct agglutination test for serological diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in Europe. Both tests were effective at diagnosing VL, but important differences were seen when testing patients co-infected with HIV or with other parasitic infections. This study can help inform which diagnostic tests are suitable for use in a European Mediterranean setting.
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12
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Margaroni M, Agallou M, Athanasiou E, Kammona O, Kiparissides C, Gaitanaki C, Karagouni E. Vaccination with poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles loaded with soluble Leishmania antigens and modified with a TNFα-mimicking peptide or monophosphoryl lipid A confers protection against experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Int J Nanomedicine 2017; 12:6169-6184. [PMID: 28883727 PMCID: PMC5574665 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s141069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) persists as a major public health problem, and since the existing chemotherapy is far from satisfactory, development of an effective vaccine emerges as the most appropriate strategy for confronting VL. The development of an effective vaccine relies on the selection of the appropriate antigen and also the right adjuvant and/or delivery vehicle. In the present study, the protective efficacy of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs), which were surface-modified with a TNFα-mimicking eight-amino-acid peptide (p8) and further functionalized by encapsulating soluble Leishmania infantum antigens (sLiAg) and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a TLR4 ligand, was evaluated against challenge with L. infantum parasites in BALB/c mice. Vaccination with these multifunctionalized PLGA nanoformulations conferred significant protection against parasite infection in vaccinated mice. In particular, vaccination with PLGA-sLiAg-MPLA or p8-PLGA-sLiAg NPs resulted in almost complete elimination of the parasite in the spleen for up to 4 months post-challenge. Parasite burden reduction was accompanied by antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Specifically, injection with PLGA-sLiAg-MPLA raised exclusively anti-sLiAg IgG1 antibodies post-vaccination, while in p8-PLGA-sLiAg-vaccinated mice, no antibody production was detected. However, 4 months post-challenge, in mice vaccinated with all the multifunctionalized NPs, antibody class switching towards IgG2a subtype was observed. The study of cellular immune responses revealed the increased proliferation capacity of spleen cells against sLiAg, consisting of IFNγ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Importantly, the activation of CD8+ T cells was exclusively attributed to vaccination with PLGA NPs surface-modified with the p8 peptide. Moreover, characterization of cytokine production in vaccinated-infected mice revealed that protection was accompanied by significant increase of IFNγ and lower levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in protected mice when compared to control infected group. Conclusively, the above nanoformulations hold promise for future vaccination strategies against VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritsa Margaroni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute.,Department of Animal and Human Physiology, School of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - Maria Agallou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute
| | - Evita Athanasiou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute
| | - Olga Kammona
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
| | - Costas Kiparissides
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Catherine Gaitanaki
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, School of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute
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Athanasiou E, Agallou M, Tastsoglou S, Kammona O, Hatzigeorgiou A, Kiparissides C, Karagouni E. A Poly(Lactic- co-Glycolic) Acid Nanovaccine Based on Chimeric Peptides from Different Leishmania infantum Proteins Induces Dendritic Cells Maturation and Promotes Peptide-Specific IFNγ-Producing CD8 + T Cells Essential for the Protection against Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis. Front Immunol 2017; 8:684. [PMID: 28659922 PMCID: PMC5468442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania (L.) donovani and L. infantum protozoan parasites, can provoke overwhelming and protracted epidemics, with high case-fatality rates. An effective vaccine against the disease must rely on the generation of a strong and long-lasting T cell immunity, mediated by CD4+ TH1 and CD8+ T cells. Multi-epitope peptide-based vaccine development is manifesting as the new era of vaccination strategies against Leishmania infection. In this study, we designed chimeric peptides containing HLA-restricted epitopes from three immunogenic L. infantum proteins (cysteine peptidase A, histone H1, and kinetoplastid membrane protein 11), in order to be encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles with or without the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) or surface modification with an octapeptide targeting the tumor necrosis factor receptor II. We aimed to construct differentially functionalized peptide-based nanovaccine candidates and investigate their capacity to stimulate the immunomodulatory properties of dendritic cells (DCs), which are critical regulators of adaptive immunity generated upon vaccination. According to our results, DCs stimulation with the peptide-based nanovaccine candidates with MPLA incorporation or surface modification induced an enhanced maturation profile with prominent IL-12 production, promoting allogeneic T cell proliferation and intracellular production of IFNγ by CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. In addition, DCs stimulated with the peptide-based nanovaccine candidate with MPLA incorporation exhibited a robust transcriptional activation, characterized by upregulated genes indicative of vaccine-driven DCs differentiation toward type 1 phenotype. Immunization of HLA A2.1 transgenic mice with this peptide-based nanovaccine candidate induced peptide-specific IFNγ-producing CD8+ T cells and conferred significant protection against L. infantum infection. Concluding, our findings supported that encapsulation of more than one chimeric multi-epitope peptides from different immunogenic L. infantum proteins in a proper biocompatible delivery system with the right adjuvant is considered as an improved promising approach for the development of a vaccine against VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evita Athanasiou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Agallou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Olga Kammona
- Laboratory of Polymer Reaction Engineering, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Costas Kiparissides
- Laboratory of Polymer Reaction Engineering, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Laboratory of Chemical Engineering B, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
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Rugna G, Carra E, Corpus F, Calzolari M, Salvatore D, Bellini R, Di Francesco A, Franceschini E, Bruno A, Poglayen G, Varani S, Vitale F, Merialdi G. Distinct Leishmania infantum Strains Circulate in Humans and Dogs in the Emilia-Romagna Region, Northeastern Italy. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:409-415. [PMID: 28301296 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leishmaniasis is an emerging problem in Italy and is on the increase in the Emilia-Romagna region, northeastern part of the country. Nevertheless, studies dealing with the molecular characterization of Leishmania spp. circulating in these areas are limited. In the present work, we explored the genetic polymorphism of Leishmania isolates from 28 cases of canine leishmaniasis and three cases of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which occurred in 2013-2014 in the Emilia-Romagna region. The characterization was carried out in comparison with nine human isolates of Leishmania from other VL endemic Italian regions and two reference strains. Nucleic acid from 31 Leishmania-positive phlebotomine sandfly pools, sampled in 2012-2013 in the Emilia-Romagna region, were also evaluated. DNA amplification and sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer-1 and of a repetitive nuclear region on chromosome 31 were carried out for genotyping. Two size polymorphic targets were also analyzed by PCR, the cpb E/F-gene and the k26-gene. Altogether, the analysis showed the circulation of different Leishmania infantum genotypes in the Emilia-Romagna region: two genotypes found in dogs from public kennels were similar to VL isolates from other Italian regions, whereas a third genotype was detected in VL cases of the Emilia-Romagna region and in all but one of the sandfly pools. The combined molecular tools applied in this study can constitute a helpful support for parasite tracking (e.g., in outbreak investigations) and for a better understanding of the epidemiological evolution of leishmaniasis in northeastern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Rugna
- 1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Carra
- 1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Corpus
- 1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- 1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Salvatore
- 2 Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna , Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Romeo Bellini
- 3 Medical and Veterinary Entomology Department, Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli" IAEA Collaborating Center , Crevalcore, Italy
| | | | - Erica Franceschini
- 4 Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria , Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonella Bruno
- 5 Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo , S.C. Microbiologia e Virologia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Poglayen
- 2 Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna , Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefania Varani
- 6 Unit of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, St. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna , Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- 7 National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.) , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merialdi
- 1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
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Akhoundi M, Downing T, Votýpka J, Kuhls K, Lukeš J, Cannet A, Ravel C, Marty P, Delaunay P, Kasbari M, Granouillac B, Gradoni L, Sereno D. Leishmania infections: Molecular targets and diagnosis. Mol Aspects Med 2017; 57:1-29. [PMID: 28159546 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Progress in the diagnosis of leishmaniases depends on the development of effective methods and the discovery of suitable biomarkers. We propose firstly an update classification of Leishmania species and their synonymies. We demonstrate a global map highlighting the geography of known endemic Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. We summarize a complete list of techniques currently in use and discuss their advantages and limitations. The available data highlights the benefits of molecular markers in terms of their sensitivity and specificity to quantify variation from the subgeneric level to species complexes, (sub) species within complexes, and individual populations and infection foci. Each DNA-based detection method is supplied with a comprehensive description of markers and primers and proposal for a classification based on the role of each target and primer in the detection, identification and quantification of leishmaniasis infection. We outline a genome-wide map of genes informative for diagnosis that have been used for Leishmania genotyping. Furthermore, we propose a classification method based on the suitability of well-studied molecular markers for typing the 21 known Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. This can be applied to newly discovered species and to hybrid strains originating from inter-species crosses. Developing more effective and sensitive diagnostic methods and biomarkers is vital for enhancing Leishmania infection control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Akhoundi
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Tim Downing
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katrin Kuhls
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Wildau, Germany
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arnaud Cannet
- Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France
| | - Christophe Ravel
- French National Reference Centre on Leishmaniasis, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Marty
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France
| | - Pascal Delaunay
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Mohamed Kasbari
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, ANSES, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, Cedex, France
| | - Bruno Granouillac
- IRD/UMI 233, INSERM U1175, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Luigi Gradoni
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Denis Sereno
- MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France; Intertryp UMR IRD177, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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16
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Agallou M, Margaroni M, Athanasiou E, Toubanaki DK, Kontonikola K, Karidi K, Kammona O, Kiparissides C, Karagouni E. Identification of BALB/c Immune Markers Correlated with a Partial Protection to Leishmania infantum after Vaccination with a Rationally Designed Multi-epitope Cysteine Protease A Peptide-Based Nanovaccine. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005311. [PMID: 28114333 PMCID: PMC5295723 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Through their increased potential to be engaged and processed by dendritic cells (DCs), nanovaccines consisting of Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with both antigenic moieties and adjuvants are attractive candidates for triggering specific defense mechanisms against intracellular pathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and prophylactic potential of a rationally designed multi-epitope peptide of Leishmania Cysteine Protease A (CPA160-189) co-encapsulated with Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) in PLGA NPs against L. infantum in BALB/c mice and identify immune markers correlated with protective responses. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The DCs phenotypic and functional features exposed to soluble (CPA160-189, CPA160-189+MPLA) or encapsulated in PLGA NPs forms of peptide and adjuvant (PLGA-MPLA, PLGA-CPA160-189, PLGA-CPA160-189+MPLA) was firstly determined using BALB/c bone marrow-derived DCs. The most potent signatures of DCs maturation were obtained with the PLGA-CPA160-189+MPLA NPs. Subcutaneous administration of PLGA-CPA160-189+MPLA NPs in BALB/c mice induced specific anti-CPA160-189 cellular and humoral immune responses characterized by T cells producing high amounts of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNFα and IgG1/IgG2a antibodies. When these mice were challenged with 2x107 stationary phase L. infantum promastigotes, they displayed significant reduced hepatic (48%) and splenic (90%) parasite load at 1 month post-challenge. This protective phenotype was accompanied by a strong spleen lymphoproliferative response and high levels of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNFα versus low IL-4 and IL-10 secretion. Although, at 4 months post-challenge, the reduced parasite load was preserved in the liver (61%), an increase was detected in the spleen (30%), indicating a partial vaccine-induced protection. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study provide a basis for the development of peptide-based nanovaccines against leishmaniasis, since it reveals that vaccination with well-defined Leishmania MHC-restricted epitopes extracted from various immunogenic proteins co-encapsulated with the proper adjuvant or/and phlebotomine fly saliva multi-epitope peptides into clinically compatible PLGA NPs could be a promising approach for the induction of a strong and sustainable protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Agallou
- Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Maritsa Margaroni
- Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Evita Athanasiou
- Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Katerina Kontonikola
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantina Karidi
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Olga Kammona
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Costas Kiparissides
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
For decades antimonials were the drugs of choice for the treatment of visceral
leishmaniasis (VL), but the recent emergence of resistance has made them redundant as
first-line therapy in the endemic VL region in the Indian subcontinent. The application of
other drugs has been limited due to adverse effects, perceived high cost, need for
parenteral administration and increasing rate of treatment failures. Liposomal
amphotericin B (AmB) and miltefosine (MIL) have been positioned as the effective
first-line treatments; however, the number of monotherapy MIL-failures has increased after
a decade of use. Since no validated molecular resistance markers are yet available,
monitoring and surveillance of changes in drug sensitivity and resistance still depends on
standard phenotypic in vitro promastigote or amastigote susceptibility
assays. Clinical isolates displaying defined MIL- or AmB-resistance are still fairly
scarce and fundamental and applied research on resistance mechanisms and dynamics remains
largely dependent on laboratory-generated drug resistant strains. This review addresses
the various challenges associated with drug susceptibility and -resistance monitoring in
VL, with particular emphasis on the choice of strains, susceptibility model selection and
standardization of procedures with specific read-out parameters and well-defined threshold
criteria. The latter are essential to support surveillance systems and safeguard the
limited number of currently available antileishmanial drugs.
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Pratlong F, Balard Y, Lami P, Talignani L, Ravel C, Dereure J, Lefebvre M, Serres G, Bastien P, Dedet JP. The Montpellier Leishmania Collection, from a Laboratory Collection to a Biological Resource Center: A 39-Year-Long Story. Biopreserv Biobank 2016; 14:470-479. [PMID: 27379470 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2015.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the development of a laboratory collection of Leishmania that was initiated in 1975 and, after 39 years, has become an international Biological Resource Center (BRC-Leish, Montpellier, France, BioBank No. BB-0033-00052), which includes 6353 strains belonging to 36 Leishmania taxa. This is a retrospective analysis of the technical and organizational changes that have been adopted over time to take into account the technological advances and related modifications in the collection management and quality system. The technical improvements concerned the culture and cryopreservation techniques, strain identification by isoenzymatic and molecular techniques, data computerization and quality management to meet the changes in international standards, and in the cryogenic and microbiological safety procedures. The BRC is working toward obtaining the NF-S 96-900 certification in the coming years. Our long-term expertise in Leishmania storage and typing and collection maintenance should encourage field epidemiologists and clinical practitioners in endemic countries to secure their own strain collection with the help of the French BRC-Leish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine Pratlong
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Yves Balard
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Lami
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Loïc Talignani
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Ravel
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Dereure
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Michèle Lefebvre
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Ghislaine Serres
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Dedet
- Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier-National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases-Unit MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290/IRD 224/University of Montpellier)-Academic Hospital Center (C.H.U.) of Montpellier , Montpellier, France
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19
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Alten B, Maia C, Afonso MO, Campino L, Jiménez M, González E, Molina R, Bañuls AL, Prudhomme J, Vergnes B, Toty C, Cassan C, Rahola N, Thierry M, Sereno D, Bongiorno G, Bianchi R, Khoury C, Tsirigotakis N, Dokianakis E, Antoniou M, Christodoulou V, Mazeris A, Karakus M, Ozbel Y, Arserim SK, Erisoz Kasap O, Gunay F, Oguz G, Kaynas S, Tsertsvadze N, Tskhvaradze L, Giorgobiani E, Gramiccia M, Volf P, Gradoni L. Seasonal Dynamics of Phlebotomine Sand Fly Species Proven Vectors of Mediterranean Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004458. [PMID: 26900688 PMCID: PMC4762948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The recent geographical expansion of phlebotomine vectors of Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean subregion has been attributed to ongoing climate changes. At these latitudes, the activity of sand flies is typically seasonal; because seasonal phenomena are also sensitive to general variations in climate, current phenological data sets can provide a baseline for continuing investigations on sand fly population dynamics that may impact on future scenarios of leishmaniasis transmission. With this aim, in 2011–2013 a consortium of partners from eight Mediterranean countries carried out entomological investigations in sites where L. infantum transmission was recently reported. Methods/Principal Findings A common protocol for sand fly collection included monthly captures by CDC light traps, complemented by sticky traps in most of the sites. Collections were replicated for more than one season in order to reduce the effects of local weather events. In each site, the trapping effort was left unchanged throughout the survey to legitimate inter-seasonal comparisons. Data from 99,000 collected specimens were analyzed, resulting in the description of seasonal dynamics of 56,000 sand flies belonging to L. infantum vector species throughout a wide geographical area, namely P. perniciosus (Portugal, Spain and Italy), P. ariasi (France), P. neglectus (Greece), P. tobbi (Cyprus and Turkey), P. balcanicus and P. kandelakii (Georgia). Time of sand fly appearance/disappearance in collections differed between sites, and seasonal densities showed variations in each site. Significant correlations were found between latitude/mean annual temperature of sites and i) the first month of sand fly appearance, that ranged from early April to the first half of June; ii) the type of density trend, varying from a single peak in July/August to multiple peaks increasing in magnitude from May through September. A 3-modal trend, recorded for P. tobbi in Cyprus, represents a novel finding for a L. infantum vector. Adults ended the activity starting from mid September through November, without significant correlation with latitude/mean annual temperature of sites. The period of potential exposure to L.infantum in the Mediterranean subregion, as inferred by adult densities calculated from 3 years, 37 sites and 6 competent vector species, was associated to a regular bell-shaped density curve having a wide peak center encompassing the July-September period, and falling between early May to late October for more than 99% of values. Apparently no risk for leishmaniasis transmission took place from December through March in the years considered. We found a common pattern of nocturnal females activity, whose density peaked between 11 pm and 2 am. Conclusions Despite annual variations, multiple collections performed over consecutive years provided homogeneous patterns of the potential behavior of leishmaniasis vectors in selected sites, which we propose may represent sentinel areas for future monitoring. In the investigated years, higher potential risk for L. infantum transmission in the Mediterranean was identified in the June-October period (97% relative vector density), however such risk was not equally distributed throughout the region, since density waves of adults occurred earlier and were more frequent in southern territories. Recent projections on global warming indicate a constant rise of temperatures in the Mediterranean subregion in the near-mid future. While this phenomenon already caused geographical expansion of several arthropod-borne diseases, it is likely to affect also temporal parameters of seasonally transmitted diseases such as leishmaniasis, a protozoan infection spread by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. Phenology of sand flies consists in the periods of emergence of adults and their disappearance from collections following an activity period during warm months, which can be characterized by peaks of abundance. Current phenological observations can be important for continuing investigations on sand fly dynamics that may impact on leishmaniasis transmission in the future. With this aim, partners from eight Mediterranean countries identified sites with documented Leishmania infantum transmission by six different vector species and performed multiannual trappings. From the high number of 56,000 specimens collected throughout an area spanning from Portugal at west to Georgia at east, the current seasonal dynamics of Mediterranean vectors was obtained. Both, period of adults emergence and type of density trend were found to be significantly correlated with latitude or mean annual temperature of trapping sites. At the southernmost latitudes, vector activity started as early as begin of April and ended by late November, showing that the no-risk period of potential exposure to L. infantum lasted only 4 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bulent Alten
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Carla Maia
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Unidade Parasitologia Médica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Odete Afonso
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Unidade Parasitologia Médica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lenea Campino
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Unidade Parasitologia Médica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Servicio de Parasitología, Unidad de Entomología Médica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela González
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Servicio de Parasitología, Unidad de Entomología Médica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Servicio de Parasitología, Unidad de Entomología Médica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Laure Bañuls
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Jorian Prudhomme
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Baptiste Vergnes
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Celine Toty
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Cécile Cassan
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Nil Rahola
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Magali Thierry
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Denis Sereno
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Gioia Bongiorno
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bianchi
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Khoury
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Nikolaos Tsirigotakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Dokianakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Antoniou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | | | - Mehmet Karakus
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ozbel
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Suha K. Arserim
- Vocational School of Health Sciences, Cela Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Ozge Erisoz Kasap
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Filiz Gunay
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gizem Oguz
- Department of Biology, Ecology Division, HUESRL-VERG laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sinan Kaynas
- Veterinary Faculty, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | | | | | | | - Marina Gramiccia
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Luigi Gradoni
- M.I.P.I. Department, Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Baneth G, Thamsborg SM, Otranto D, Guillot J, Blaga R, Deplazes P, Solano-Gallego L. Major Parasitic Zoonoses Associated with Dogs and Cats in Europe. J Comp Pathol 2015; 155:S54-74. [PMID: 26687277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.10.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Some of the most important zoonotic infectious diseases are associated with parasites transmitted from companion animals to man. This review describes the main parasitic zoonoses in Europe related to dogs and cats, with particular emphasis on their current epidemiology. Toxoplasmosis, leishmaniosis, giardiosis, echinococcosis, dirofilariosis and toxocariosis are described from the animal, as well as from the human host perspectives, with an emphasis on parasite life cycle, transmission, pathogenicity, prevention and identification of knowledge gaps. In addition, priorities for research and intervention in order to decrease the risks and burden of these diseases are presented. Preventing zoonotic parasitic infections requires an integrated multidisciplinary 'One Health' approach involving collaboration between veterinary and medical scientists, policy makers and public health officials.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - S M Thamsborg
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Veterinary Parasitology Research Group, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - D Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - J Guillot
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Department of Parasitology, BioPole d'Alfort, UPE, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - R Blaga
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Department of Parasitology, BioPole d'Alfort, UPE, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - P Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - L Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
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21
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Tomás-Pérez M, Hide M, Riera C, Montoya L, Bañuls AL, Ribera E, Portús M, Fisa R. Multilocus microsatellite typing of Leishmania infantum isolates in monitored Leishmania/HIV coinfected patients. Parasit Vectors 2015. [PMID: 26198004 PMCID: PMC4511019 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0989-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania infantum is the main etiological agent of both visceral and cutaneous clinical forms of leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean area. Leishmania/HIV coinfection in this area is characterized by a chronic course and frequent recurrences of clinical episodes. The present study using Multilocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT) analysis, a highly discriminative tool, aimed to genetically characterize L. infantum isolates taken from monitored Leishmania/HIV coinfected patients presenting successive clinical episodes. Methods In this study, by the analysis of 20 microsatellite loci, we studied the MLMT profiles of 25 L. infantum isolates from 8 Leishmania/HIV coinfected patients who had experienced several clinical episodes. Two to seven isolates per patient were taken before and after treatment, during clinical and non-clinical episodes, with time intervals of 6 days to 29 months. Genetic diversity, clustering and phenetic analyses were performed. Results MLMT enabled us to study the genetic characteristics of the 25 L. infantum isolates, differentiating 18 genotypes, corresponding to a genotypic diversity of 0.72. Fifteen genotypes were unique in the total sample set and only 3 were repeated, 2 of which were detected in different patients. Both clustering and phylogenetic analyses provided insights into the genetic links between the isolates; in five patients isolates showed clear genetic links: either the genotype was exactly the same or only slightly different. In contrast, the isolates of the other three patients were dispersed in different clusters and some could be the result of mixing between populations. Conclusions Our data indicated a great MLMT variability between isolates from coinfected patients and no predominant genotype was observed. Despite this, almost all clinical episodes could be interpreted as a relapse rather than a reinfection. The results showed that diverse factors like an intrapatient evolution over time or culture bias could influence the parasite population detected in the patient, making it difficult to differentiate between relapse and reinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Míriam Tomás-Pérez
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mallorie Hide
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Cristina Riera
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Liliana Montoya
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anne-Laure Bañuls
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Esteve Ribera
- Infectious Diseases Department and Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Montserrat Portús
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Roser Fisa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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Eroglu F, Koltas IS, Alabaz D, Uzun S, Karakas M. Clinical manifestations and genetic variation of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica in Southern Turkey. Exp Parasitol 2015; 154:67-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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23
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Chaara D, Ravel C, Bañuls AL, Haouas N, Lami P, Talignani L, El Baidouri F, Jaouadi K, Harrat Z, Dedet JP, Babba H, Pratlong F. Evolutionary history of Leishmania killicki (synonymous Leishmania tropica) and taxonomic implications. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:198. [PMID: 25889939 PMCID: PMC4387592 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0821-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The taxonomic status of Leishmania (L.) killicki, a parasite that causes chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis, is not well defined yet. Indeed, some researchers suggested that this taxon could be included in the L. tropica complex, whereas others considered it as a distinct phylogenetic complex. To try to solve this taxonomic issue we carried out a detailed study on the evolutionary history of L. killicki relative to L. tropica. Methods Thirty-five L. killicki and 25 L. tropica strains isolated from humans and originating from several countries were characterized using the MultiLocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (MLEE) and the MultiLocus Sequence Typing (MLST) approaches. Results The results of the genetic and phylogenetic analyses strongly support the hypothesis that L. killicki belongs to the L. tropica complex. Our data suggest that L. killicki emerged from a single founder event and that it evolved independently from L. tropica. However, they do not validate the hypothesis that L. killicki is a distinct complex. Therefore, we suggest naming this taxon L. killicki (synonymous L. tropica) until further epidemiological and phylogenetic studies justify the L. killicki denomination. Conclusions This study provides taxonomic and phylogenetic information on L. killicki and improves our knowledge on the evolutionary history of this taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhekra Chaara
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia. .,Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Christophe Ravel
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Anne- Laure Bañuls
- UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Najoua Haouas
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Patrick Lami
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Loïc Talignani
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Fouad El Baidouri
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France. .,School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK.
| | - Kaouther Jaouadi
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratoire d'éco-épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Dely Ibrahim, Algeria.
| | - Jean-Pierre Dedet
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Francine Pratlong
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
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Peixoto HM, de Oliveira MRF, Romero GAS. Serological diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: systematic review and meta-analysis. Trop Med Int Health 2014; 20:334-52. [DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Regina Fernandes de Oliveira
- Center for Tropical Medicine; University of Brasília; Brasília Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Gustavo Adolfo Sierra Romero
- Center for Tropical Medicine; University of Brasília; Brasília Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment; Porto Alegre Brazil
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Domínguez-Bernal G, Jiménez M, Molina R, Ordóñez-Gutiérrez L, Martínez-Rodrigo A, Mas A, Cutuli MT, Carrión J. Characterisation of the ex vivo virulence of Leishmania infantum isolates from Phlebotomus perniciosus from an outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Madrid, Spain. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:499. [PMID: 25376381 PMCID: PMC4229600 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0499-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since mid 2009, an outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Madrid, Spain, has involved more than 560 clinical cases. Many of the cases occurred in people who live in areas around a newly constructed green park (BosqueSur). This periurban park provides a suitable habitat for sand flies (the vectors of Leishmania infantum). Indeed, studies of blood meals from sand flies captured in the area showed a strong association between the insect vector, hares or rabbits, and humans in the area. Interestingly, up to 70% of cases have been found in immunocompetent patients (aged between 46-60 years). This study was designed to evaluate the ex vivo virulence of the L. infantum isolates from Phlebotomus perniciosus captured in this area of Madrid. METHODS Murine macrophages and dendritic cells were infected ex vivo with L. infantum strain BCN150, isolate BOS1FL1, or isolate POL2FL7. At different times after infection, the infection indices, cytokine production (IL-12p40 and IL-10), NO release and arginase activities were evaluated. RESULTS Using an ex vivo model of infection in murine bone marrow-derived cells, we found that infection with isolates BOS1FL1 and POL2FL7 undermined host immune defence mechanisms in multiple ways. The main factors identified were changes in both the balance of iNOS versus arginase activities and the equilibrium between the production of IL-12 and IL-10. Infection with isolates BOS1FL1 and POL2FL7 also resulted in higher infection rates compared to the BCN150 strain. Infection index values at 24 h were as follows: BCN150-infected cells, 110 for infected MØ and 115 for infected DC; BOS1FL1-infected cells, 300 for infected MØ and 247 for infected DC; and POL2FL7-infected cells, 275 for infected MØ and 292 for infected DC. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that L. infantum isolates captured from this endemic area exhibited high virulence in terms of infection index, cytokine production and enzymatic activities involved in the pathogenesis of visceral leishmaniosis. Altogether, these data provide a starting point for the study of the virulence behaviour of parasites (BOS1FL1 and POL2FL7) isolated from P. perniciosus during the outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Madrid, Spain, and their involvement in infecting immunocompetent hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Domínguez-Bernal
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Medical Entomology Unit, Department of Parasitology, National Centre of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Medical Entomology Unit, Department of Parasitology, National Centre of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Abel Martínez-Rodrigo
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alicia Mas
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Teresa Cutuli
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Carrión
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Cortes S, Maurício IL, Kuhls K, Nunes M, Lopes C, Marcos M, Cardoso L, Schönian G, Campino L. Genetic diversity evaluation on Portuguese Leishmania infantum strains by multilocus microsatellite typing. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 26:20-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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A 22-year survey of leishmaniasis cases in a tertiary-care hospital in an endemic setting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:2834-45. [PMID: 24619118 PMCID: PMC3987007 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110302834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The northward spread of leishmaniasis from Mediterranean to Continental Europe affects our area where it is typically associated with Leishmania infantum infection. In this study a 22-year survey was performed in patients (including both patients with and without history of travel through endemic areas other than Italy) attending the University Hospital of Parma, Northern Italy, in order to make a contribution to describe the cases of the visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) diagnosed in this area. One hundred fifty-six samples from 134 patients with clinical suspicion of leishmaniasis (96 suspected of having VL, 37 CL and one both VL and CL) were analyzed in our laboratory during 1992–2013 by microscopy, culture and, from 2005, also by real-time PCR. Leishmania spp. were detected in 23 samples of 15 patients (seven with VL and eight with CL), representing an infection rate of 11.2%. The figure of the cases of leishmaniasis herein reported, even if not comparable to that described for Italian areas other than Parma, underlines that suitable tools are mandatory for correct diagnosis. Moreover, the severity of this disease, particularly VL with its documented northward spread, requires physicians of continental Europe to increase their attention about the possibility of suspecting leishmaniasis in patients reporting related signs and symptoms and/or risk factors.
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