1
|
Shaw JJ, Marinho-Júnior JF, Courtenay O, Brandão-Filho SP. Assessing reservoir host status in leishmaniasis with special reference to the infectiousness of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infections in wild rodents. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2023; 56:0503. [PMID: 38126376 PMCID: PMC10726968 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0503-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular methods have been responsible for a notable increase in the detection of Leishmaniinae infections in wild animals. Determining their infectiousness is of paramount importance in evaluating their epidemiological significance. One of the most efficient ways of determining infectiousness for vector borne diseases is xenodiagnosis with the appropriate vector. However, this is logistically very difficult to accomplish in the field, and an ideal solution is to find a molecular surrogate for xenodiagnosis. In this review we discuss different approaches to the problem by focusing on the infectiousness of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in rodents under laboratory and field conditions. Comparisons with similar studies for other Leishmania species emphasizes that there are pivotal differences in the infectiousness and the importance of asymptomatic infections in different hosts. Potentially the most promising surrogate is the real time quantitative PCR (qPCR). However, its success depends on choosing a tissue that relates to the vector's feeding location and the parasite's tissue tropism. This requires detailed knowledge of the infection of each species in its wild hosts. We conclude that for L. (V.) braziliensis infections in wild rodents the tissue of choice for a molecular xenodiagnostic test, based on the qPCR is blood, providing that a significant number of samples must be examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J. Shaw
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Universidade de São PauloInstituto de Ciências BiomédicasDepartamento de ParasitologiaSão PauloSPBrasil
| | - José F. Marinho-Júnior
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, PE, Brasil. Fundação Oswaldo CruzInstituto Aggeu MagalhãesRecifePEBrasil
| | - Orin Courtenay
- University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences and the Zeeman Institute, Coventry, United Kingdom.University of WarwickSchool of Life Sciences and the Zeeman InstituteCoventryUnited Kingdom
| | - Sinval P. Brandão-Filho
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, PE, Brasil. Fundação Oswaldo CruzInstituto Aggeu MagalhãesRecifePEBrasil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Lestinova T, Becvar T, Frynta D, Benallal KE, Mekarnia N, Harrat Z, Volf P. Infectiousness of Asymptomatic Meriones shawi, Reservoir Host of Leishmania major. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040614. [PMID: 37111500 PMCID: PMC10143307 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are neglected diseases caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania that threaten millions of people worldwide. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. major is a typical zoonosis transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and maintained in rodent reservoirs. The female sand fly was assumed to become infected by feeding on the skin lesion of the host, and the relative contribution of asymptomatic individuals to disease transmission was unknown. In this study, we infected 32 Meriones shawi, North African reservoirs, with a natural dose of L. major obtained from the gut of infected sand flies. Skin manifestations appeared in 90% of the animals, and xenodiagnosis with the proven vector Phlebotomus papatasi showed transmissibility in 67% of the rodents, and 45% were repeatedly infectious to sand flies. Notably, the analysis of 113 xenodiagnostic trials with 2189 sand flies showed no significant difference in the transmissibility of animals in the asymptomatic and symptomatic periods; asymptomatic animals were infectious several weeks before the appearance of skin lesions and several months after their healing. These results clearly confirm that skin lesions are not a prerequisite for vector infection in CL and that asymptomatic animals are an essential source of L. major infection. These data are important for modeling the epidemiology of CL caused by L. major.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kamal Eddine Benallal
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Eco Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases and Population Genetics, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, 16045 Algiers, Algeria
| | - Nalia Mekarnia
- Laboratory of Eco Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases and Population Genetics, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, 16045 Algiers, Algeria
- EA ESCAPE 7510, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51 Rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims CEDEX, France
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratory of Eco Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases and Population Genetics, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, 16045 Algiers, Algeria
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marinho-Júnior JF, Monteiro JFCLS, Sales de Carvalho AW, de Carvalho FG, de Paiva Cavalcanti M, Shaw J, Courtenay O, Brandão-Filho SP. High levels of infectiousness of asymptomatic Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infections in wild rodents highlights their importance in the epidemiology of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010996. [PMID: 36716345 PMCID: PMC9910795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidemiological significance of wildlife infections with aetiological agents causing human infectious diseases is largely determined by their infection status, contact potential with humans (via vectors for vector-borne diseases), and their infectiousness to maintain onward transmission. This study quantified these parameters in wild and synanthropic naturally infected rodent populations in an endemic region of tegumentary leishmaniasis in northeast Brazil. METHODS Capture-mark-recapture (CMR) of rodents was conducted over 27 months in domestic/peri domestic environs, household plantations and nearby Atlantic Forest (9,920 single trap nights). Rodent clinical samples (blood and ear tissue) were tested for infection by conventional PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, and xenodiagnosis to measure infectiousness to the local sand fly vector. RESULTS A total 603 individuals of 8 rodent species were (re)captured on 1,051 occasions. The most abundant species were Nectomys squamipes (245 individuals, 41% of the total catch), Rattus rattus (148, 25%), and Necromys lasiurus (83, 14%). All species were captured in greater relative frequencies in plantations; R. rattus was the only species captured in all three habitats including in and around houses. Four species, comprising 22.6% of individuals captured at least twice, were geolocated in more than one habitat type; 78.6% were infected with L. (V.) braziliensis, facilitating inter-species and inter-habitat transmission. Species specific period prevalence ranged between 0%-62% being significantly higher in N. squamipes (54-62%) and Hollochillus sciureus (43-47%). Xenodiagnosis was performed on 41 occasions exposing 1,879 Nyssomyia whitmani sand flies to five rodent species (37 individuals). Similar mean levels of infectiousness amongst the more common rodent species were observed. Longitudinal xenodiagnosis of the N. squamipes population revealed a persistent level of infectiousness over 13 months follow-up, infecting a median 48% (IQR: 30.1%-64.2%) of exposed blood-fed vectors. The proportion of exposed flies infected was greater in the low compared to in the high seasonal period of vector abundance. L. (V.) braziliensis parasite loads in rodent blood quantified by qPCR were similar across rodent species but did not represent a reliable quantitative marker of infectiousness to sand flies. The standardised risk of rodent infection in plantations was 70.3% relative to 11.3% and 18.4% in peri domestic and forest habitats respectively. R. rattus was the only exception to this trend indicating greatest risk in the peri domestic environment. CONCLUSIONS The results support the view that a collective assemblage of wild and synanthropic rodent species is an important wild reservoir of L. (V.) braziliensis in this region, with N. squamipes and R. rattus probably playing a key role in transmission within and between habitat types and rodent species. Rodents, and by implication humans, are at risk of infection in all sampled habitats, but more so in homestead plantations. These conclusions are based on one of the longest CMR study of small rodents in an American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) foci.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francisco Gomes de Carvalho
- Department of Immunology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães/FIOCRUZ, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Milena de Paiva Cavalcanti
- Department of Immunology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães/FIOCRUZ, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jeffrey Shaw
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Orin Courtenay
- The Zeeman Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (SPBF); (OC)
| | - Sinval Pinto Brandão-Filho
- Department of Immunology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães/FIOCRUZ, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- * E-mail: (SPBF); (OC)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ticha L, Sadlova J, Bates P, Volf P. Experimental infections of sand flies and geckos with Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) adleri and Leishmania (S.) hoogstraali. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:289. [PMID: 35953873 PMCID: PMC9367110 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05417-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Species belonging to the subgenus Sauroleishmania are parasites of reptiles, and traditionally considered to be non-pathogenic to mammals. Knowledge of the development of these parasites in sand flies and their mechanism of transmission is currently lacking. The main aim of this study was to test the susceptibility of various sand fly species to infection by two Sauroleishmania species, focusing on the localization of parasites in the sand fly intestinal tract. Methods The development of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania [S.]) adleri and Leishmania (S.) hoogstraali was studied in six sand fly species (Phlebotomus orientalis, P. argentipes, P. sergenti, P. papatasi, P. duboscqi, Sergentomyia schwetzi). Sand flies were fed through a chick-skin membrane on blood containing Sauroleishmania promastigotes, and they were dissected at various time intervals post blood meal (PBM). Guts were examined microscopically for the presence of parasites, and the intensity and localizations of infections were recorded. Morphological forms of both Sauroleishmania species developing in P. orientalis were analyzed. Experimental infections of geckos using sand fly-derived promastigotes were also performed, and the reptiles were repeatedly examined for Sauroleishmania infection by xenodiagnosis and PCR analysis. Results High infection rates for both Sauroleishmania species were observed in P. orientalis and P. argentipes, with the parasites migrating anteriorly and undergoing a peripylarian type of development, including colonization of the stomodeal valve. Conversely, the development of L. (S.) adleri in P. sergenti, P. papatasi and Se. schwetzi was restricted to the sand fly hindgut (hypopylarian type of development). Five morphological forms were distinguished for both Sauroleishmania species developing in P. orientalis. All experimentally infected geckos scored negative for Sauroleishmania based on xenodiagnosis and molecular analysis. Conclusions The results showed that Sauroleishmania promastigotes can undergo either a peripylarian or hypopylarian type of development in the sand fly intestinal tract, depending on the sand fly species infected. We demonstrated that P. argentipes and P. orientalis, two sand fly species known as permissive vectors for mammalian parasites of subgenus Leishmania, are also highly susceptible to Sauroleishmania as the parasites developed mature late-stage infections, including colonization of the sand fly stomodeal valve. Thus, the role of Phlebotomus sand flies in transmission of Sauroleishmania should be reconsidered and further investigated. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05417-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Ticha
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vojtkova B, Frynta D, Spitzova T, Lestinova T, Votypka J, Volf P, Sadlova J. Repeated Sand Fly Bites of Infected BALB/c Mice Enhance the Development of Leishmania Lesions. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.745104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sand fly saliva has considerable immunomodulatory effects on Leishmania infections in mammalian hosts. Studies on several Leishmania – sand fly - host combinations have demonstrated that co-inoculation with Leishmania parasites enhances pathogenicity, while pre-exposure of hosts to sand fly bites provides significant protection against infection. However, the third scenario, the effect of sand fly saliva on parasite development in hosts infected before exposure to sand flies, remains an understudied aspect of Leishmania–host–vector interaction. Here we studied the effect of exposure of L. major-infected BALB/c mice to repeated sand fly bites. Mice infected intradermally with sand fly-derived Leishmania were repeatedly bitten by Phlebotomus duboscqi females every two weeks. The lesion development was recorded weekly for ten weeks post-infection and parasite load and distribution in various organs were tested post mortem using qPCR. Repeated sand fly bites significantly enhanced the development of cutaneous lesions; they developed faster and reached larger size than in unexposed mice. Multiple sand fly bites also increased parasites load in inoculated ears. On the other hand, the distribution of parasites in mice body and their infectiousness to vectors did not differ significantly between groups. Our study provides the first evidence that multiple and repeated exposures of infected BALB/c mice to sand fly bites significantly enhance the progress of local skin infection caused by Leishmania major and increase tissue parasite load, but do not affect the visceralization of parasites. This finding appeals to adequate protection of infected humans from sand fly bites, not only to prevent transmission but also to prevent enlarged lesions.
Collapse
|
6
|
Khan MAA, Faisal K, Chowdhury R, Nath R, Ghosh P, Ghosh D, Hossain F, Abd El Wahed A, Mondal D. Evaluation of molecular assays to detect Leishmania donovani in Phlebotomus argentipes fed on post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis patients. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:465. [PMID: 34503557 PMCID: PMC8428120 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04961-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) caused by Leishmania donovani (LD) is a skin disorder that often appears after treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. PKDL patients are potential reservoirs of LD parasites, which can initiate a new epidemic of anthroponotic VL. Therefore, host infectiousness to its sand fly vector is a critical factor for transmission, and its accurate estimation can facilitate control strategies. At present, conventional microscopy serves as the reference method to detect parasites in its vector. However, low sensitivity of microscopy can be a limiting factor. METHODS In this study, real-time quantitative PCR (LD-qPCR) and recombinase polymerase amplification (LD-RPA) assays were evaluated against microscopy for the detection of LD DNA extracted from live sand flies five days after controlled feeding on PKDL cases. RESULTS The sensitivity of LD-qPCR and LD-RPA assays were found to be 96.43 and 100%, respectively, against microscopy for the selected fed sand flies (n = 28), and an absolute specificity of both molecular tools for apparently unfed sand flies (n = 30). While the proportion of infectious cases among 47 PKDL patients was estimated as 46.81% as defined by microscopic detection of LD in at least one fed sand fly per case, LD-RPA assay evaluation of only the microscopy negative sand flies fed to those 47 PKDL cases estimated an even greater proportion of infectious cases (51.06%). In overall estimation of the infectious cases in retrospective manner, discordance in positivity rate was observed (p < 0.05) between LD-RPA (59.57%) assay and microscopy (46.81%), while LD-RPA had slightly better positivity rate than LD-qPCR (55.32%) as well. CONCLUSIONS Considering the sensitivity, cost, detection time, and field applicability, RPA assay can be considered as a promising single molecular detection tool for investigations pertaining to LD infections in sand flies and/or host infectiousness in PKDL, while it can also be useful in confirmation of microscopy negative sand fly samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Anik Ashfaq Khan
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Khaledul Faisal
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rajashree Chowdhury
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rupen Nath
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Prakash Ghosh
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Debashis Ghosh
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Faria Hossain
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Dinesh Mondal
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh. .,Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cloots K, Singh OP, Singh AK, Van der Auwera G, Kumar P, Gedda MR, Rai TK, Hasker E, Sundar S, Boelaert M. Assessing L. donovani Skin Parasite Load: A Proof of Concept Study of a Microbiopsy Device in an Indian Setting. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:645121. [PMID: 33791246 PMCID: PMC8006290 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.645121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the endgame of the elimination initiative of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) on the Indian subcontinent, one of the main questions remaining is whether asymptomatically infected individuals also contribute to transmission. We piloted a minimally invasive microbiopsy device that could help answer this question. While the potential of this device has been previously illustrated in Ethiopia, no such information is available for the setting of the Indian subcontinent. In this proof of concept study we aimed to assess 1) to what extent skin parasite load obtained with the new microbiopsy device correlates with disease status, 2) to what extent skin parasite load correlates with blood parasite load in the same subject, and 3) to what extent the skin parasite load obtained from different sampling sites on the body correlates with one another. Methods We performed a pilot study in Bihar, India, including 29 VL patients, 28 PKDL patients, 94 asymptomatically infected individuals, 22 endemic controls (EC), and 28 non-endemic controls (NEC). Presence of infection with L. donovani in the blood was assessed using Direct Agglutination Test, rK39 ELISA, Whole Blood Analysis measuring IFN-γ and qPCR. A skin sample was collected with the microbiopsy device on two different locations on the body. PKDL patients provided a third skin sample from the edge of a PKDL lesion. Parasite load in the skin was measured by qPCR. Findings We found a clear correlation between the skin parasite load obtained with the microbiopsy device and disease status, with both higher skin parasite loads and higher proportions of positive skin samples in VL and PKDL patients compared to asymptomatics, EC, and NEC. No clear correlation between skin parasite load and blood parasite load was found, but a moderate correlation was present between the skin parasite load in arm and neck samples. In addition, we found four positive skin samples among asymptomatic individuals, and 85% of PKDL lesions tested positive using this microbiopsy device. Conclusions In line with previous pilot studies, our results from an Indian setting suggest that the microbiopsy device provides a promising tool to measure skin parasite load, and – if validated by xenodiagnosis studies – could facilitate much needed larger scale studies on infectiousness of human subgroups. In addition, we advocate further evaluation of this device as a diagnostic tool for PKDL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristien Cloots
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Om Prakash Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.,Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Gert Van der Auwera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Mallikarjuna Rao Gedda
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Tulika Kumari Rai
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Epco Hasker
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Marleen Boelaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Reimão JQ, Coser EM, Lee MR, Coelho AC. Laboratory Diagnosis of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis: Current and Future Methods. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1632. [PMID: 33105784 PMCID: PMC7690623 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with two main clinical forms: cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Diagnosis of leishmaniasis is still a challenge, concerning the detection and correct identification of the species of the parasite, mainly in endemic areas where the absence of appropriate resources is still a problem. Most accessible methods for diagnosis, particularly in these areas, do not include the identification of each one of more than 20 species responsible for the disease. Here, we summarize the main methods used for the detection and identification of leishmaniasis that can be performed by demonstration of the parasite in biological samples from the patient through microscopic examination, by in vitro culture or animal inoculation; by molecular methods through the detection of parasite DNA; or by immunological methods through the detection of parasite antigens that may be present in urine or through the detection of specific antibodies against the parasite. Potential new methods that can be applied for laboratory diagnosis of leishmaniasis are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Quero Reimão
- Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil; (J.Q.R.); (M.R.L.)
| | - Elizabeth Magiolo Coser
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Brazil;
| | - Monica Ran Lee
- Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil; (J.Q.R.); (M.R.L.)
| | - Adriano Cappellazzo Coelho
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Brazil;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen H, Fan C, Gao H, Yin Y, Wang X, Zhang Y, Wang H. Leishmaniasis Diagnosis via Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:528884. [PMID: 33072623 PMCID: PMC7538539 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.528884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania. Although the incidence of leishmaniasis in China is currently low, it has not been completely eradicated. In 2019, visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in three patients using bone marrow microscopic examination and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). The bone marrow mNGS results from the three patients indicated that 99.9, 99.6, and 30.3% of non-human reads matched the Leishmania genome, and plasma mNGS results from one of the patients revealed that 46.2% of non-human reads matched the Leishmania genome. In the second patient's plasma, no Leishmania sequences were detected by plasma mNGS, and the third patient's plasma was unavailable. The pathogen in all three patients was identified as Leishmania infantum. Leishmania amastigotes were observed by microscopic examination of bone marrow smears in all three patients, but were not found in peripheral blood smears. This indicates that the sensitivity of mNGS is higher than that of smear microscopy and that mNGS can be used to identify Leishmania at the species level. All three patients were elderly male farmers, two from Shanxi and one from Beijing. All three patients had splenomegaly and pancytopenia. Originally, these patients were misdiagnosed and treated for extended periods in other hospitals. Diagnoses of visceral leishmaniasis took place 6, 2, and 2 months after the onset of symptoms in the three patients. In conclusion, this study confirms that bone marrow mNGS can be used to quickly and accurately confirm a diagnosis in patients with suspected leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chunhong Fan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyao Yin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Central Asian Rodents as Model Animals for Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani Research. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091440. [PMID: 32962237 PMCID: PMC7563294 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical manifestation of leishmaniases depends on parasite species, host genetic background, and immune response. Manifestations of human leishmaniases are highly variable, ranging from self-healing skin lesions to fatal visceral disease. The scope of standard model hosts is insufficient to mimic well the wide disease spectrum, which compels the introduction of new model animals for leishmaniasis research. In this article, we study the susceptibility of three Asian rodent species (Cricetulus griseus, Lagurus lagurus, and Phodopus sungorus) to Leishmania major and L. donovani. The external manifestation of the disease, distribution, as well as load of parasites and infectiousness to natural sand fly vectors, were compared with standard models, BALB/c mice and Mesocricetus auratus. No significant differences were found in disease outcomes in animals inoculated with sand fly- or culture-derived parasites. All Asian rodent species were highly susceptible to L. major. Phodopus sungorus showed the non-healing phenotype with the progressive growth of ulcerative lesions and massive parasite loads. Lagurus lagurus and C. griseus represented the healing phenotype, the latter with high infectiousness to vectors, mimicking best the character of natural reservoir hosts. Both, L. lagurus and C. griseus were also highly susceptible to L. donovani, having wider parasite distribution and higher parasite loads and infectiousness than standard model animals.
Collapse
|
11
|
Thakur S, Joshi J, Kaur S. Leishmaniasis diagnosis: an update on the use of parasitological, immunological and molecular methods. J Parasit Dis 2020; 44:253-272. [PMID: 32419743 PMCID: PMC7223249 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01212-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of leishmaniasis has always been a major challenge as its clinical features resemble some other commonly occurring diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid, and malaria. Reliable laboratory methods become important for differential diagnosis. Demonstration of the parasites in stained preparations of bone marrow and splenic aspirates being risky and invasive is still the gold standard for diagnosis. Serological tests utilizing rapid immunochromatographic formats or rK39 in enzyme linked immune sorbent assay, immunoblotting, direct agglutination test have complications related to high proportions of positive asymptomatic individuals and the inability to diagnose a relapse. Among the molecular techniques, polymerase chain reaction is the most commonly used technique that is successfully implied for diagnosis. This review provides updated information on the recent developments in the field of diagnosis in leishmaniasis, various methods utilized with their advantages and limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Thakur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| | - Jyoti Joshi
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| | - Sukhbir Kaur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sereno D, Akhoundi M, Sayehmri K, Mirzaei A, Holzmuller P, Lejon V, Waleckx E. Noninvasive Biological Samples to Detect and Diagnose Infections due to Trypanosomatidae Parasites: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1684. [PMID: 32121441 PMCID: PMC7084391 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Unicellular eukaryotes of the Trypanosomatidae family include human and animal pathogens that belong to the Trypanosoma and Leishmania genera. Diagnosis of the diseases they cause requires the sampling of body fluids (e.g., blood, lymph, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid) or organ biopsies (e.g., bone marrow, spleen), which are mostly obtained through invasive methods. Body fluids or appendages can be alternatives to these invasive biopsies but appropriateness remains poorly studied. To further address this question, we perform a systematic review on clues evidencing the presence of parasites, genetic material, antibodies, and antigens in body secretions, appendages, or the organs or proximal tissues that produce these materials. Paper selection was based on searches in PubMed, Web of Science, WorldWideScience, SciELO, Embase, and Google. The information of each selected article (n = 333) was classified into different sections and data were extracted from 77 papers. The presence of Trypanosomatidae parasites has been tracked in most of organs or proximal tissues that produce body secretions or appendages, in naturally or experimentally infected hosts. The meta-analysis highlights the paucity of studies on human African trypanosomiasis and an absence on animal trypanosomiasis. Among the collected data high heterogeneity in terms of the I2 statistic (100%) is recorded. A high positivity is recorded for antibody and genetic material detection in urine of patients and dogs suffering leishmaniasis, and of antigens for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Data on conjunctival swabs can be analyzed with molecular methods solely for dogs suffering canine visceral leishmaniasis. Saliva and hair/bristles showed a pretty good positivity that support their potential to be used for leishmaniasis diagnosis. In conclusion, our study pinpoints significant gaps that need to be filled in order to properly address the interest of body secretion and hair or bristles for the diagnosis of infections caused by Leishmania and by other Trypanosomatidae parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sereno
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, 34032 Montpellier, France; (V.L.); (E.W.)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR MIVEGEC IRD, CNRS, 34032 Montpellier, France
| | - Mohammad Akhoundi
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, 93000 Bobigny, France;
| | - Kourosh Sayehmri
- Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Department of Biostatistics, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam 6931851147, Iran;
| | - Asad Mirzaei
- Parasitology Department, Paramedical School, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam 6931851147, Iran;
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam 6931851147, Iran
| | - Philippe Holzmuller
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE “Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Ecosystèmes”, F-34398 Montpellier, France;
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Montpellier (I-MUSE), 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Veerle Lejon
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, 34032 Montpellier, France; (V.L.); (E.W.)
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Institut de Recherche pour le Dévelopement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, 34032 Montpellier, France; (V.L.); (E.W.)
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales «Dr Hideyo Noguchi», Universidad autònoma de yucatán, Merida, Yucatán 97000, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Becvar T, Lestinova T, Spitzova T, Bates P, Volf P. Host competence of the African rodents Arvicanthis neumanni, A. niloticus and Mastomys natalensis for Leishmania donovani from Ethiopia and L. ( Mundinia) sp. from Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 11:40-45. [PMID: 31879594 PMCID: PMC6920283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani is regarded as mostly anthroponotic, but a role for animal reservoir hosts in transmission has been suggested in East Africa. Field studies in this region have shown the presence of this parasite in several mammalian species, including rodents of the genera Arvicanthis and Mastomys. Further, the natural reservoirs of Leishmania (Mundinia) sp. causing human cutaneous disease in Ghana, West Africa, are unknown. This study assessed the potential role of the Sub-Saharan rodents Arvicanthis neumanni, A. niloticus and Mastomys natalensis as hosts of L. donovani and L. sp. from Ghana, based on experimental infections of animals and xenodiagnoses. The distribution and load of parasites were determined post mortem using qPCR from the blood, skin and viscera samples. The attractiveness of Arvicanthis and Mastomys to Phlebotomus orientalis was tested by pair-wise comparisons. None of the animals inoculated with L. donovani were infectious to P. orientalis females, although, in some animals, parasites were detected by PCR even 30 weeks post infection. Skin infections were characterized by low numbers of parasites while high parasite burdens were present in spleen, liver and lymph nodes only. Therefore, wild Arvicanthis and Mastomys found infected with L. donovani, should be considered parasite sinks rather than parasite reservoirs. This is indirectly supported also by results of host choice experiments with P. orientalis in which females preferred humans over both Arvicanthis and Mastomys, and their feeding rates on rodents ranged from 1.4 to 5.8% only. Therefore, the involvement of these rodents in transmission of L. donovani by P. orientalis is very unlikely. Similarly, poor survival of Leishmania parasites in the studied rodents and negative results of xenodiagnostic experiments do not support the involvement of Arvicanthis and Mastomys spp. in the transmission cycle of L. sp. from Ghana. Three species of Sub-Saharan rodents were infected and xenodiagnosed. Skin infections in Arvicanthis and Mastomys were characterized by low parasite loads. None of animals inoculated with leishmania were infectious to sand flies. Phlebotomus orientalis females significantly preferred man over rodents. Rodents are unlikely to be involved in the circulation of the two studied Leishmania in nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tatiana Spitzova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cafiero MA, Barlaam A, Camarda A, Radeski M, Mul M, Sparagano O, Giangaspero A. Dermanysuss gallinae attacks humans. Mind the gap! Avian Pathol 2019; 48:S22-S34. [DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2019.1633010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assunta Cafiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Barlaam
- Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Camarda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Miroslav Radeski
- Department for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Monique Mul
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Olivier Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR
| | - Annunziata Giangaspero
- Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rodrigues de Oliveira A, Pinheiro GRG, Tinoco HP, Loyola ME, Coelho CM, Dias ES, Monteiro ÉM, de Oliveira Lara e Silva F, Pessanha AT, Souza AGM, Pereira NCL, Gontijo NF, Fujiwara RT, Alves da Paixão T, Santos RL. Competence of non-human primates to transmit Leishmania infantum to the invertebrate vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007313. [PMID: 30995227 PMCID: PMC6488095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide relevance. Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in Brazil, where it is caused by Leishmania infantum with Lutzomyia longipalpis being the most important invertebrate vector. Non-human primates are susceptible to L. infantum infection. However, little is known about the role of these species as reservoirs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmissibility potential of visceral leishmaniasis by non-human primates through xenodiagnosis using the phlebotomine Lu. longipalpis as well as to identify phlebotomine species prevalent in the area where the primates were kept in captivity, and assess infection by Leishmania in captured phlebotomine specimens. Fifty two non-human primates kept in captivity in an endemic area for leishmaniasis were subjected to xenodiagnosis. All primates were serologically tested for detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies. Additionally, an anti-Lu. longipalpis saliva ELISA was performed. Sand flies fed on all animals were tested by qPCR to identify and quantify L. infantum promastigotes. Eight of the 52 non-human primates were positive by xenodiagnosis, including three Pan troglodytes, three Leontopithecus rosalia, one Sapajus apella, and one Miopithecus talapoin, with estimated numbers of promastigotes ranging from 5.67 to 1,181.93 per μg of DNA. Positive animals had higher levels of IgG anti-Lu. longipalpis saliva when compared to negative animals, prior to xenodiagnosis. Captive non-human primates are capable of infecting Lu. longipalpis with L. infantum. Our findings also demonstrate the relevance of non-human primates as sentinels to zoonotic diseases. Several phlebotomine species, including Lu. longipalpis, have been identified in the area where the primates were maintained, but only one pool of Lutzomyia lenti was infected with L. infantum. This study has implications for public health strategies and conservation medicine. Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. The disease is endemic in several Brazilian regions, including the city of Belo Horizonte, where visceral leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted by Lutzomyia longipalpis. This study evaluated the competence of non-human primates to infect Lutzomyia longipalpis with Leishmania infantum. Eight of 52 non-human primates were positive to leishmaniasis by xenodiagnosis, i.e. capable of infecting sand flies, with averages of 5.67 to 1,181.93 promastigotes/μg of DNA. Positive animals had higher levels of IgG anti-Lu. longipalpis saliva when compared to negative animals, prior to xenodiagnosis. This study highlights the importance of non-human primates in the leishmaniasis cycle, providing information that is relevant for development of better public health strategies, and to conservation medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayisa Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Rafael Gomide Pinheiro
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Herlandes P. Tinoco
- Fundação de Parques Municipais e Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria Elvira Loyola
- Fundação de Parques Municipais e Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlyle Mendes Coelho
- Fundação de Parques Municipais e Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Angela Tinoco Pessanha
- Fundação de Parques Municipais e Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Nelder F. Gontijo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T. Fujiwara
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Alves da Paixão
- Departamento de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renato Lima Santos
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Hrncirova K, Lestinova T, Spitzova T, Becvar T, Votypka J, Bates P, Volf P. Host competence of African rodents Arvicanthis neumanni, A. niloticus and Mastomys natalensis for Leishmania major. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 8:118-126. [PMID: 30740304 PMCID: PMC6356118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major is a typical zoonosis circulating in rodents. In Sub-Saharan Africa the reservoirs remain to be identified, although L. major has been detected in several rodent species including members of the genera Arvicanthis and Mastomys. However, differentiation of true reservoir hosts from incidental hosts requires in-depth studies both in the field and in the laboratory, with the best method for testing the infectiousness of hosts to biting vectors being xenodiagnosis. Here we studied experimental infections of three L. major strains in Arvicanthis neumanni, A. niloticus and Mastomys natalensis; the infections were initiated either with sand fly-derived or with culture-derived Leishmania promastigotes. Inoculated rodents were monitored for several months and tested by xenodiagnoses for their infectiousness to Phlebotomus duboscqi, the natural vector of L. major in Sub-Saharan Africa. The distribution and load of parasites were determined post mortem using qPCR from the blood, skin and viscera samples. The attractiveness of Arvicanthis and Mastomys to P. duboscqi was tested by pair-wise comparisons. Three L. major strains used significantly differed in infectivity: the Middle Eastern strain infected a low proportion of rodents, while two Sub-Saharan isolates (LV109, LV110) infected a high percentage of animals and LV110 also produced higher parasite loads in all host species. All three rodent species maintained parasites of the LV109 strain for 20-25 weeks and were able to infect P. duboscqi without apparent health complications: infected animals showed only temporary swellings or changes of pigmentation at the site of inoculation. However, the higher infection rates, more generalized distribution of parasites and longer infectiousness period to sand flies in M. natalensis suggest that this species plays the more important reservoir role in the life cycle of L. major in Sub-Saharan Africa. Arvicanthis species may serve as potential reservoirs in seasons/periods of low abundance of Mastomys.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Hrncirova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tatiana Spitzova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Coura FM, Passos SKP, Pelegrino MDOF, Leme FDOP, Paz GF, Gontijo CMF, Costa-Val APD. Serological, molecular, and microscopic detection of Leishmania in cats (Felis catus) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:570-574. [PMID: 30183999 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The role of cats in the epidemiological cycle of leishmaniasis remains unclear. To better understand the occurrence of leishmaniasis in cats, we studied the frequency of Leishmania in serum samples of 100 cats living in an endemic region for canine and human leishmaniasis by serological, parasitological, and molecular methods. Of the 100 cats, 54 were seropositive for Leishmania antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody test. None of the bone marrow aspirates collected from these cats tested positive for the parasite in culture or upon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Biopsy samples of the ears also tested negative for Leishmania upon PCR analysis. These findings may indicate that the region is endemic for canine leishmaniasis and cats are infected by Leishmania; or that cross-reaction with antibodies against other parasites increases the frequency of seropositivity; or that cats respond to Leishmania infection by producing antibodies when few or no parasites are present in bone marrow and tissue samples. Overall, our results suggest that cats can be infected by Leishmania ; however, we failed to demonstrate feline parasitosis. These findings highlight the need to study leishmaniasis in cats, since sandflies feed on cats, these animals may act as a reservoir for the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Morcatti Coura
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais, Campus Bambuí, Fazenda Varginha, Bambuí, MG, Brasil
| | | | | | - Fabiola de Oliveira Paes Leme
- Departamento de Clinica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | | | - Adriane Pimenta da Costa-Val
- Departamento de Clinica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ishemgulova A, Hlaváčová J, Majerová K, Butenko A, Lukeš J, Votýpka J, Volf P, Yurchenko V. CRISPR/Cas9 in Leishmania mexicana: A case study of LmxBTN1. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192723. [PMID: 29438445 PMCID: PMC5811015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites cause human cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Several studies proposed involvement of certain genes in infectivity of these parasites based on differential mRNA expression data. Due to unusual gene expression mechanism, functions of such genes must be further validated experimentally. Here, we investigated a role of one of the putative virulence factors, LmxM.22.0010-encoded BTN1 (a protein involved in Batten disease in humans), in L. mexicana infectivity. Due to the incredible plasticity of the L. mexicana genome, we failed to obtain a complete knock-out of LmxM.22.0010 using conventional recombination-based approach even after ablating four alleles of this gene. To overcome this, we established a modified CRISPR-Cas9 system with genomic expression of Cas9 nuclease and gRNA. Application of this system allowed us to establish a complete BTN1 KO strain of L. mexicana. The mutant strain did not show any difference in growth kinetics and differentiation in vitro, as well as in the infectivity for insect vectors and mice hosts. Based on the whole-transcriptome profiling, LmxM.22.0010-encoded BTN1 was considered a putative factor of virulence in Leishmania. Our study suggests that ablation of LmxM.22.0010 does not influence L. mexicana infectivity and further illustrates importance of experimental validation of in silico-predicted virulence factors. Here we also describe the whole genome sequencing of the widely used model isolate L. mexicana M379 and report a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system suitable for complete KO of multi-copy genes in organisms with flexible genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aygul Ishemgulova
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Jana Hlaváčová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Majerová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anzhelika Butenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Institute of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Skin parasite landscape determines host infectiousness in visceral leishmaniasis. Nat Commun 2017; 8:57. [PMID: 28680146 PMCID: PMC5498584 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00103-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the infectiousness of patients for the sand fly vector of visceral leishmaniasis is linked to parasites found in the skin. Using a murine model that supports extensive skin infection with Leishmania donovani, spatial analyses at macro-(quantitative PCR) and micro-(confocal microscopy) scales indicate that parasite distribution is markedly skewed. Mathematical models accounting for this heterogeneity demonstrate that while a patchy distribution reduces the expected number of sand flies acquiring parasites, it increases the infection load for sand flies feeding on a patch, increasing their potential for onward transmission. Models representing patchiness at both macro- and micro-scales provide the best fit with experimental sand fly feeding data, pointing to the importance of the skin parasite landscape as a predictor of host infectiousness. Our analysis highlights the skin as a critical site to consider when assessing treatment efficacy, transmission competence and the impact of visceral leishmaniasis elimination campaigns. Parasitemia has been considered the main determinant of visceral leishmaniasis transmission. By combining imaging, qPCR and experimental xenodiagnoses with mathematical models, Doehl et al. argue that the patchy landscape of parasites in the skin is necessary to explain infectiousness.
Collapse
|
20
|
Dumetz F, Imamura H, Sanders M, Seblova V, Myskova J, Pescher P, Vanaerschot M, Meehan CJ, Cuypers B, De Muylder G, Späth GF, Bussotti G, Vermeesch JR, Berriman M, Cotton JA, Volf P, Dujardin JC, Domagalska MA. Modulation of Aneuploidy in Leishmania donovani during Adaptation to Different In Vitro and In Vivo Environments and Its Impact on Gene Expression. mBio 2017; 8:e00599-17. [PMID: 28536289 PMCID: PMC5442457 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00599-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy is usually deleterious in multicellular organisms but appears to be tolerated and potentially beneficial in unicellular organisms, including pathogens. Leishmania, a major protozoan parasite, is emerging as a new model for aneuploidy, since in vitro-cultivated strains are highly aneuploid, with interstrain diversity and intrastrain mosaicism. The alternation of two life stages in different environments (extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes) offers a unique opportunity to study the impact of environment on aneuploidy and gene expression. We sequenced the whole genomes and transcriptomes of Leishmania donovani strains throughout their adaptation to in vivo conditions mimicking natural vertebrate and invertebrate host environments. The nucleotide sequences were almost unchanged within a strain, in contrast to highly variable aneuploidy. Although high in promastigotes in vitro, aneuploidy dropped significantly in hamster amastigotes, in a progressive and strain-specific manner, accompanied by the emergence of new polysomies. After a passage through a sand fly, smaller yet consistent karyotype changes were detected. Changes in chromosome copy numbers were correlated with the corresponding transcript levels, but additional aneuploidy-independent regulation of gene expression was observed. This affected stage-specific gene expression, downregulation of the entire chromosome 31, and upregulation of gene arrays on chromosomes 5 and 8. Aneuploidy changes in Leishmania are probably adaptive and exploited to modulate the dosage and expression of specific genes; they are well tolerated, but additional mechanisms may exist to regulate the transcript levels of other genes located on aneuploid chromosomes. Our model should allow studies of the impact of aneuploidy on molecular adaptations and cellular fitness.IMPORTANCE Aneuploidy is usually detrimental in multicellular organisms, but in several microorganisms, it can be tolerated and even beneficial. Leishmania-a protozoan parasite that kills more than 30,000 people each year-is emerging as a new model for aneuploidy studies, as unexpectedly high levels of aneuploidy are found in clinical isolates. Leishmania lacks classical regulation of transcription at initiation through promoters, so aneuploidy could represent a major adaptive strategy of this parasite to modulate gene dosage in response to stressful environments. For the first time, we document the dynamics of aneuploidy throughout the life cycle of the parasite, in vitro and in vivo We show its adaptive impact on transcription and its interaction with regulation. Besides offering a new model for aneuploidy studies, we show that further genomic studies should be done directly in clinical samples without parasite isolation and that adequate methods should be developed for this.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Dumetz
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - H Imamura
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Sanders
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - V Seblova
- Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Myskova
- Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - P Pescher
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - M Vanaerschot
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - C J Meehan
- Mycobacteriology Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - B Cuypers
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Advanced Database Research and Modelling (ADReM), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - G De Muylder
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - G F Späth
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - G Bussotti
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - J R Vermeesch
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - M Berriman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - J A Cotton
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - P Volf
- Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J C Dujardin
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M A Domagalska
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cannet A, Akhoundi M, Michel G, Marty P, Delaunay P. Experimental infection of Phlebotomus perniciosus by bioluminescent Leishmania infantum using murine model and artificial feeder. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2017; 111:495-500. [PMID: 27439032 PMCID: PMC4981113 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760160100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is transmitted by sandflies and caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In the present study, we carried out a screening on the experimental infection of Phlebotomus pernioucus by bioluminescent Leishmania infantum using murine model and artificial feeder. We developed a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based method to determine individually the number of Leishmania promastigotes fed by infected flies. Among 1840 new emerged female sand flies, 428 were fed on the infected mice. After their death, they were analysed individually by RT-PCR. Our results demonstrated just a single Leishmania positive female at sixth day post meal. A total of 1070 female sand flies were exposed in contact with artificial feeder containing the human blood with two different quantities of Leishmania parasites: 2.106/mL and 1.107/mL. A blood meal including 1.107/mL LUC-promastigotes was proposed to 270 females and 75 (28%) flies were engorged. Among them, 44 (59%) were positive by RT-PCR analysis, with a relative average of 50551 Leishmania parasites. In case of blood feeding of females with 2.106/mL promastigotes, 57 out of 800 (7%) females succeed to feed from artificial feeder which 22 (39%) were positive with a relative average of 6487 parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Cannet
- Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Mohammad Akhoundi
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Nice, France
| | - Gregory Michel
- Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Pierre Marty
- Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Nice, France
| | - Pascal Delaunay
- Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Nice, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Martín-Martín I, Jiménez M, González E, Eguiluz C, Molina R. Natural transmission of Leishmania infantum through experimentally infected Phlebotomus perniciosus highlights the virulence of Leishmania parasites circulating in the human visceral leishmaniasis outbreak in Madrid, Spain. Vet Res 2015; 46:138. [PMID: 26645907 PMCID: PMC4673772 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0281-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A human leishmaniasis outbreak is occurring in the Madrid region, Spain, with the parasite and vector involved being Leishmania infantum and Phlebotomus perniciosus respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the virulence of L. infantum isolates from the focus using a natural transmission model. Hamsters were infected by intraperitoneal inoculation (IP) or by bites of sand flies experimentally infected with L. infantum isolates obtained from P. perniciosus collected in the outbreak area (IPER/ES/2012/BOS1FL1 and IPER/ES/2012/POL2FL6) and a well characterized L. infantum strain JPCM5 (MCAN/ES/98/LLM-877). Hamster infections were monitored by clinical examination, serology, culture, parasite burden, Giemsa-stained imprints, PCR, histopathology and xenodiagnostic studies. Establishment of infection of L. infantum was achieved with the JPCM5 strain and outbreak isolates by both P. perniciosus infective bites or IP route. However, high virulence of BOS1FL1 and POL2FL6 isolates was highlighted by the clinical outcome of disease, high parasite detection in spleen and liver, high parasitic loads and positivity of Leishmania serology. Transmission by bite of POL2FL6 infected flies generated a slower progression of clinical disease than IP infection, but both groups were infective to P. perniciosus by xenodiagnosis at 2 months post-infection. Conversely, hamsters inoculated with JPCM5 were not infective to sand flies. Histopathology studies confirmed the wide spread of POL2FL6 parasites to several organs. A visceral leishmaniasis model that mimics the natural transmission in nature allowed us to highlight the high virulence of isolates that are circulating in the focus. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the outbreak epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inés Martín-Martín
- Unidad de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Unidad de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Estela González
- Unidad de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - César Eguiluz
- Unidad de Veterinaria, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Unidad de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Seblova V, Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Votypka J, Carpenter S, Bates PA, Volf P. The Biting Midge Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Is Capable of Developing Late Stage Infections of Leishmania enriettii. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004060. [PMID: 26367424 PMCID: PMC4569557 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite their importance in animal and human health, the epidemiology of species of the Leishmania enriettii complex remains poorly understood, including the identity of their biological vectors. Biting midges of the genus Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea) have been implicated in the transmission of a member of the L. enriettii complex in Australia, but the far larger and more widespread genus Culicoides has not been investigated for the potential to include vectors to date. Methodology/Principal Findings Females from colonies of the midges Culicoides nubeculosus Meigen and C. sonorensis Wirth & Jones and the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Nevia (Diptera: Psychodidae) were experimentally infected with two different species of Leishmania, originating from Australia (Leishmania sp. AM-2004) and Brazil (Leishmania enriettii). In addition, the infectivity of L. enriettii infections generated in guinea pigs and golden hamsters for Lu. longipalpis and C. sonorensis was tested by xenodiagnosis. Development of L. enriettii in Lu. longipalpis was relatively poor compared to other Leishmania species in this permissive vector. Culicoides nubeculosus was not susceptible to infection by parasites from the L. enriettii complex. In contrast, C. sonorensis developed late stage infections with colonization of the thoracic midgut and the stomodeal valve. In hamsters, experimental infection with L. enriettii led only to mild symptoms, while in guinea pigs L. enriettii grew aggressively, producing large, ulcerated, tumour-like lesions. A high proportion of C. sonorensis (up to 80%) feeding on the ears and nose of these guinea pigs became infected. Conclusions/Significance We demonstrate that L. enriettii can develop late stage infections in the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis. This midge was found to be susceptible to L. enriettii to a similar degree as Lutzomyia longipalpis, the vector of Leishmania infantum in South America. Our results support the hypothesis that some biting midges could be natural vectors of the L. enriettii complex because of their vector competence, although not Culicoides sonorensis itself, which is not sympatric, and midges should be assessed in the field while searching for vectors of related Leishmania species including L. martiniquensis and "L. siamensis". This study investigates the laboratory infection of two species of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and one species of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) with two species of Leishmania. These members of the L. enriettii complex were demonstrated to colonize the stomodeal valve of Culicoides sonorensis following membrane feeding on blood-parasite mixtures or direct feeding on guinea pigs that demonstrated clinical signs of infection. In contrast, three other species of Leishmania that are known to be transmitted by sand flies failed to successfully develop in C. sonorensis. A sand fly species which is highly permissive to Leishmania infection, Lu. longipalpis, a widespread vector of L. infantum in Latin America, was found to support only moderate infections of L. enriettii from Brazil and Leishmania sp. AM-2004 from Australia. In addition to establishing a suitable laboratory model for infection of Culicoides with L. enriettii, successful infection of C. sonorensis highlights that vectors other than sand flies should be considered as part of epidemiological studies on parasites belonging to the L. enriettii complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Seblova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Simon Carpenter
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Andrew Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Mol JPS, Soave SA, Turchetti AP, Pinheiro GRG, Pessanha AT, Malta MCC, Tinoco HP, Figueiredo LA, Gontijo NF, Paixão TA, Fujiwara RT, Santos RL. Transmissibility of Leishmania infantum from maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) to Lutzomyia longipalpis. Vet Parasitol 2015; 212:86-91. [PMID: 26342623 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is the cause of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. The disease is transmitted mostly through the bite of the invertebrate vector, the phlebotomine Lutzomyia longipalpis in the New World. Although the domestic dog is considered the most important reservoir of the disease, other mammalian, including wildlife, are susceptible to infection. The goal of this study was to perform xenodiagnosis to evaluate the capacity of naturally infected maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) to transmit Leishmania infantum to female sand flies (L. longipalpis). Xenodiagnoses were performed in February and August, 2013, when 77.7% (three maned wolves and four bush dogs) or 100% of the animals were positive, respectively. However, parasite loads in the engorged sand flies was low (<200 promastigotes and <150.2 parasites/μg of DNA). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two species or the two time points (February and August). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that maned wolves (C. brachyurus) and bush dogs (S. venaticus) asymptomatically infected with L. infantum are capable of transmitting L. infantum to the invertebrate host L. longipalpis, although the parasite loads in engorged phlebotomines exposed to these animals were very low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana P S Mol
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Semíramis A Soave
- Departamento de Jardim Zoológico da Fundação Zoo-Botânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Andréia P Turchetti
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme R G Pinheiro
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Angela T Pessanha
- Departamento de Jardim Zoológico da Fundação Zoo-Botânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo C C Malta
- Departamento de Jardim Zoológico da Fundação Zoo-Botânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Herlandes P Tinoco
- Departamento de Jardim Zoológico da Fundação Zoo-Botânica de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luiza A Figueiredo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Nelder F Gontijo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Tatiane A Paixão
- Departamento de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T Fujiwara
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Renato L Santos
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|