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Khositharattanakool P, Pathawong N, Pongsiri A, Pengsakul T, Ponlawat A, Somwang P. Trypanosoma infection and bloodmeal analysis in post-feeding sand flies across Thailand. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107343. [PMID: 39098750 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies are recognized as a primary vector of Leishmania and are also suspected vectors of Trypanosoma. The transmission cycle of these parasites relies on the distribution of sand fly vectors, parasites, and reservoir animals. This study aimed to detect Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA and identify the sources of bloodmeals in post-feeding sand flies captured across Thailand. A total of 42,911 field female sand flies were collected from 11 provinces across Thailand using CDC light traps. Among these, 253 post-feeding sand flies were selected for analysis. The predominant species in this study was Sergentomyia khawi (33.60 %). The DNA was extracted from individual female sand flies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), specific to the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene regions were used to detect the presence of Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA, respectively. Additionally, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene region was utilized to identify the sources of host bloodmeals. Leishmania DNA was not detected in any specimens. The analysis of SSU rRNA sequences revealed the presence of Trypanosoma DNA (11.46 %, 29/253) in sand fly samples. Among these samples, T. noyesi (1.58 %, 4/253) was identified in Idiophlebotomus longiforceps and Phlebotomus asperulus, Trypanosoma Anura01+02/Frog2 (1.18 %, 3/253) in Se. khawi, and Trypanosoma Anura04/Frog1 (8.70 %, 22/253) in Se. khawi, Se. hivernus and Grossomyia indica. Bloodmeal analysis utilizing the COI gene revealed a diverse range of vertebrate hosts' blood, including bird, bat, frog and sun skink. Our findings confirm the presence of Trypanosoma DNA and identify the sources of bloodmeals from vertebrate hosts in various sand fly species, suggesting their potential as possible vectors for Trypanosoma in Thailand. Furthermore, our study is the first to provide molecular evidence using the COI gene to identify frogs as a host blood source for sand flies in Thailand. Further studies focusing on the isolation of live parasites in sand flies to confirm vector potential and examining the role of animal reservoirs will enhance our understanding of the host-parasite relationship and enable more efficient control for disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pathamet Khositharattanakool
- School of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; Biomedical Technology Research Group for Vulnerable Populations, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Nattaphol Pathawong
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Arissara Pongsiri
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Theerakamol Pengsakul
- Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; Health and Environmental Research Center (HERC), Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Alongkot Ponlawat
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Puckavadee Somwang
- School of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; Biomedical Technology Research Group for Vulnerable Populations, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand.
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Promrangsee C, Sriswasdi S, Sunantaraporn S, Savigamin C, Pataradool T, Sricharoensuk C, Boonserm R, Ampol R, Pruenglampoo P, Mungthin M, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Siriyasatien P, Preativatanyou K. Seasonal dynamics, Leishmania diversity, and nanopore-based metabarcoding of blood meal origins in Culicoides spp. in the newly emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Northern Thailand. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:400. [PMID: 39300564 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06487-z] [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: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical cases of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites have been increasingly reported in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand. Recent evidence has shown that Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites successfully developed into infective metacyclic promastigotes in Culicoides biting midges, strongly supporting their putative role in disease transmission. However, Culicoides diversity, host preference, and Leishmania prevalence in endemic areas remain largely unknown. METHODS We investigated the seasonal dynamics, infection prevalence, and blood meal identification of Culicoides collected from the emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Lampang Province, Northern Thailand, during 2021-2023. Midge samples were molecularly screened for Leishmania using SSU rRNA-qPCR and ITS1-PCR, followed by Sanger plasmid sequencing, and parasite haplotype diversity was analyzed. Host blood meal origins were comparatively identified using host-specific Cytb-PCRs and a nanopore-based metabarcoding approach. RESULTS A total of 501 parous and gravid females and 46 blood-engorged ones belonging to at least 17 species of five subgenera (Remmia, Trithecoides, Avaritia, Hoffmania, and Meijerehelea) and two species groups (Shortti and Calvipalpis) were collected with temporal differences in abundance. Leishmania was detected by SSU rRNA-qPCR in 31 samples of at least 11 midge species, consisting of Culicoides oxystoma, C. guttifer, C. orientalis, C. mahasarakhamense, C (Trithecoides) spp., C. innoxius, C. shortti, C. arakawae, C. sumatrae, C. actoni, and C. fulvus, with the overall infection prevalence of 5.7%. The latter six species represent the new records as putative leishmaniasis vectors in Northern Thailand. The ITS1-PCR and plasmid sequencing revealed that Leishmania martiniquensis was predominantly identified in all qPCR-positive species, whereas L. orientalis was identified only in three C. oxystoma samples. The most dominant haplotype of L. martiniquensis in Thailand was genetically intermixed with those from other geographical regions, confirming its globalization. Neutrality test statistics were also significantly negative on regional and country-wide scales, suggesting rapid population expansion or selective sweeps. Nanopore-based blood meal analysis revealed that most Culicoides species are mammalophilic, with peridomestic and wild mammals (cow, pig, deer, and goat-like species) and humans as hosts, while C. guttifer and C. mahasarakhamense fed preferentially on chickens. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed seasonal dynamics and sympatric circulation of L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis in different species of Culicoides. Evidence of human blood feeding was also demonstrated, implicating Culicoides as putative vectors of human leishmaniasis in endemic areas. Further research is therefore urgently needed to develop vector control strategies and assess the infection status of their reservoir hosts to effectively minimize disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chulaluk Promrangsee
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sira Sriswasdi
- Center of Excellence in Computational Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sakone Sunantaraporn
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chatuthanai Savigamin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanapat Pataradool
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Rungfar Boonserm
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rinnara Ampol
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pitchayaporn Pruenglampoo
- Division of Medical Technical and Academic Affairs, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanok Preativatanyou
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Sundar S, Chakravarty J. Recent Advances in the Treatment of Leishmaniasis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2024; 43:e310-e313. [PMID: 38907629 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Sundar
- From the Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Nawattanapaibool N, Ruang-areerate T, Piyaraj P, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, Siripattanapipong S. Development of nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay for duplex detection of Leishmania martiniquensis and Leishmania orientalis in asymptomatic patients with HIV. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307601. [PMID: 39186742 PMCID: PMC11346928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic protozoa of the Leishmania genus, remains a global health concern with significant morbidity and mortality. In Thailand, the rising incidence of autochthonous leishmaniasis cases involving Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis and novel Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis underscores the critical need for accurate diagnosis and effective control strategies. This study presents a sensitive and specific nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (NALFIA) that integrates a duplex PCR assay with a lateral flow device (LFD) strip format. Targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, known for its unique combination of conserved and variable sequences, this assay employs primers labeled with biotin, digoxigenin, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) markers, enabling precise species identification and differentiation of these two Leishmania species. Remarkably, the assay achieves a sensitivity that surpasses agarose gel electrophoresis, detecting as few as 10-2 parasite/μL for L. martiniquensis and 10-4 parasite/μL for L. orientalis. Notably, the assay exhibited reliable specificity, revealing no cross-amplification with other major viscerotropic Leishmania species or reference organisms. Evaluation using 62 clinical samples further confirms the effectiveness of the PCR-LFD assay, with a sensitivity of 100% for L. martiniquensis and 83.3% for L. orientalis, and an excellent agreement (κ value = 0.948) with nested PCR. This integrated assay represents a promising advancement in diagnostic tools, offering rapid and accurate results that can significantly contribute to effective disease management and control. Given the increasing relevance of these Leishmania species in current public health scenarios, this assay serves as a valuable tool for both diagnostic and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toon Ruang-areerate
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phunlerd Piyaraj
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
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Mule SN, Alemán EV, Rosa-Fernandes L, Saad JS, de Oliveira GS, Martins D, Angeli CB, Brandt-Almeida D, Cortez M, Larsen MR, Shaw JJ, Teixeira MMG, Palmisano G. Leishmaniinae: Evolutionary inferences based on protein expression profiles (PhyloQuant) congruent with phylogenetic relationships among Leishmania, Endotrypanum, Porcisia, Zelonia, Crithidia, and Leptomonas. Proteomics 2024:e2100313. [PMID: 38850190 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202100313] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Evolutionary relationships among parasites of the subfamily Leishmaniinae, which comprises pathogen agents of leishmaniasis, were inferred based on differential protein expression profiles from mass spectrometry-based quantitative data using the PhyloQuant method. Evolutionary distances following identification and quantification of protein and peptide abundances using Proteome Discoverer and MaxQuant software were estimated for 11 species from six Leishmaniinae genera. Results clustered all dixenous species of the genus Leishmania, subgenera L. (Leishmania), L. (Viannia), and L. (Mundinia), sister to the dixenous species of genera Endotrypanum and Porcisia. Placed basal to the assemblage formed by all these parasites were the species of genera Zelonia, Crithidia, and Leptomonas, so far described as monoxenous of insects although eventually reported from humans. Inferences based on protein expression profiles were congruent with currently established phylogeny using DNA sequences. Our results reinforce PhyloQuant as a valuable approach to infer evolutionary relationships within Leishmaniinae, which is comprised of very tightly related trypanosomatids that are just beginning to be phylogenetically unraveled. In addition to evolutionary history, mapping of species-specific protein expression is paramount to understand differences in infection processes, tissue tropisms, potential to jump from insects to vertebrates including humans, and targets for species-specific diagnostic and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ngao Mule
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Evaristo Villalba Alemán
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joyce S Saad
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Deivid Martins
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Blanes Angeli
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Deborah Brandt-Almeida
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauro Cortez
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Martin Røssel Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DK, Denmark
| | - Jeffrey J Shaw
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ampol R, Somwang P, Khositharattanakool P, Promrangsee C, Pataradool T, Tepboonreung P, Siriyasatien P, Preativatanyou K. Nanopore-Based Surveillance of Leishmania Parasites in Culicoides Latrielle (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Caught from the Affected Community and Tham Phra Cave in Chiang Rai Province, the Endemic Area of Leishmaniasis in Northern Thailand. INSECTS 2024; 15:327. [PMID: 38786883 PMCID: PMC11122411 DOI: 10.3390/insects15050327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
In this research, we elucidated the species composition of Culicoides biting midges, infection prevalence, and genetic diversity of Leishmania parasites circulating in the affected community in Chiang Rai Province, being the most endemic area in Northern Thailand. A total of 146 parous and gravid females, belonging to at least twelve Culicoides species in five subgenera and one species group, were trapped from three collection sites with an overall Leishmania prevalence of 26.7% (39/146). Leishmania was detected, using ITS1-PCR, in C. mahasarakamense (15), C. guttifer (11), C. (Trithecoides) spp. (8), C. jacobsoni (2), C. oxystoma (2), and C. orientalis (1). The evidence of Leishmania infection in these last five species represents new records in Northern Thailand. Given a high infection rate in cavernicolous specimens, this indicates an increased risk of parasite exposure when visiting the cave. Using the nanopore amplicon sequencing, L. martiniquensis was ubiquitously identified in all positives, and more than half of these were also co-infected with L. orientalis. The genetic diversity analysis revealed 13 and 17 unique haplotypes for L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis, respectively. Higher haplotype diversity and relatively low nucleotide diversity were observed in both parasite populations, suggesting recent population divergence. Neutrality tests (Tajima's D and Fu and Li's D) showed to be significantly negative, indicating rapid population growth or a selective sweep. Moreover, dominant haplotypes of both Leishmania species were 100% identical to those in all leishmaniasis patients previously reported from Northern Thailand, strongly supporting the imperative role of Culicoides spp. in disease transmission. Essentially, this research provides the first entomological surveillance data representing the sympatric existence, transmission dynamics, and genetic complexity of two autochthonous Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites in several Culicoides species in the endemic area of Northern Thailand. This would contribute to a more complete understanding of the epidemiology of vector infection and facilitate the development of vector control programs to effectively reduce the transmission of this neglected tropical disease in endemic areas of Northern Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinnara Ampol
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.A.); (T.P.); (P.S.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Puckavadee Somwang
- Biomedical Technology Research Group for Vulnerable Populations, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (P.S.); (P.K.)
- School of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Pathamet Khositharattanakool
- Biomedical Technology Research Group for Vulnerable Populations, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (P.S.); (P.K.)
- School of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Chulaluk Promrangsee
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Thanapat Pataradool
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.A.); (T.P.); (P.S.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Medical Science Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Piyapat Tepboonreung
- Medical Science Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.A.); (T.P.); (P.S.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kanok Preativatanyou
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.A.); (T.P.); (P.S.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Becvar T, Vojtkova B, Pacakova L, Vomackova Kykalova B, Ticha L, Volf P, Sadlova J. Steppe lemmings and Chinese hamsters as new potential animal models for the study of the Leishmania subgenus Mundinia (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011897. [PMID: 38739677 PMCID: PMC11090356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania, the dixenous trypanosomatid parasites, are the causative agents of leishmaniasis currently divided into four subgenera: Leishmania, Viannia, Sauroleishmania, and the recently described Mundinia, consisting of six species distributed sporadically all over the world infecting humans and/or animals. These parasites infect various mammalian species and also cause serious human diseases, but their reservoirs are unknown. Thus, adequate laboratory models are needed to enable proper research of Mundinia parasites. In this complex study, we compared experimental infections of five Mundinia species (L. enriettii, L. macropodum, L. chancei, L. orientalis, and four strains of L. martiniquensis) in three rodent species: BALB/c mouse, Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) and steppe lemming (Lagurus lagurus). Culture-derived parasites were inoculated intradermally into the ear pinnae and progress of infection was monitored for 20 weeks, when the tissues and organs of animals were screened for the presence and quantity of Leishmania. Xenodiagnoses with Phlebotomus duboscqi were performed at weeks 5, 10, 15 and 20 post-infection to test the infectiousness of the animals throughout the experiment. BALB/c mice showed no signs of infection and were not infectious to sand flies, while Chinese hamsters and steppe lemmings proved susceptible to all five species of Mundinia tested, showing a wide spectrum of disease signs ranging from asymptomatic to visceral. Mundinia induced significantly higher infection rates in steppe lemmings compared to Chinese hamsters, and consequently steppe lemmings were more infectious to sand flies: In all groups tested, they were infectious from the 5th to the 20th week post infection. In conclusion, we identified two rodent species, Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) and steppe lemming (Lagurus lagurus), as candidates for laboratory models for Mundinia allowing detailed studies of these enigmatic parasites. Furthermore, the long-term survival of all Mundinia species in steppe lemmings and their infectiousness to vectors support the hypothesis that some rodents have the potential to serve as reservoir hosts for Mundinia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pacakova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Lucie Ticha
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Maia C. Sand fly-borne diseases in Europe: epidemiological overview and potential triggers for their emergence and re-emergence. J Comp Pathol 2024; 209:6-12. [PMID: 38320331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are vectors of human and animal pathogens, including Leishmania species protozoan parasites and viruses of the genus Phlebovirus. In Europe, visceral zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum, a deadly disease when left untreated, is endemic in southern countries, and dogs are the main reservoir hosts for human infection. Most phleboviruses cause asymptomatic infections or flu-like syndromes in humans, but Toscana phlebovirus can cause meningitis and encephalitis. These diseases are likely to re-emerge, posing a growing threat to public and animal health. Potential triggers include the movement of humans and dogs, increasing numbers of immunosuppressive conditions, climate change and other human-mediated environmental changes. An overview of the main epidemiological characteristics of the pathogens transmitted by sand flies in Europe and the potential triggers involved in their emergence and re-emergence are reviewed here. There is a need to implement mandatory notification of human and canine leishmaniases and human phleboviruses and coordinated epidemiological surveillance programmes at a European level, and to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and citizens about sand fly-borne diseases, following a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1348-009, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Kimcharoensuk S, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, Nawattanapaibool N, Tan-Ariya P, Siripattanapipong S. In vitro drug susceptibility using a parasite-rescue and transformation assay of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis and Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis amastigotes against antileishmanial drugs. Acta Trop 2024; 249:107081. [PMID: 37993039 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an emerging infectious disease in Thailand, with Leishmania martiniquensis and Leishmania orientalis identified as the primary causative agents among immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Variations in drug susceptibility among different Leishmania species have been reported in different regions. Therefore, drug susceptibility assays are essential to assess the effectiveness of antileishmanial drugs used or potentially used in the affected areas. This study investigated the in vitro drug sensitivity of L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis, along with two reference species causing VL, namely L. donovani and L. infantum, against six antileishmanial drugs. Using a parasite-rescue and transformation assay, the results demonstrated that the IC50 values of amphotericin B (AmB), miltefosine (MIL), and sodium stibogluconate (Sb(III)) against all Leishmania species tested were within the sensitive range of each drug. On the contrary, the IC50 values of artemisinin (ART) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA), drugs primarily used for malaria treatment, were outside the sensitive range of the Leishmania species tested except L. infantum. This in vitro study highlights that AmB could effectively exhibit good sensitivity against the intracellular amastigotes of L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis. Also, MIL and Sb(III) could be considered alternative drugs for antileishmanial treatment in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirinan Kimcharoensuk
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | | | - Peerapan Tan-Ariya
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Ruang-Areerate T, Ruang-Areerate P, Manomat J, Naaglor T, Piyaraj P, Mungthin M, Leelayoova S, Siripattanapipong S. Genetic variation and geographic distribution of Leishmania orientalis and Leishmania martiniquensis among Leishmania/HIV co-infection in Thailand. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23094. [PMID: 38155252 PMCID: PMC10754904 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50604-4] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 1999, the number of asymptomatic leishmaniasis cases has increased continuously in Thailand, particularly among patients with HIV who are prone to develop symptoms of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis further. The asymptomatic infection could play a key role in Leishmania transmission and distribution. Understanding population structure and phylogeographic patterns could be crucially needed to develop effective diagnoses and appropriate guidelines for therapy. In this study, genetic variation and geographic distribution of the Leishmania/HIV co-infected population were investigated in endemic northern and southern Thailand. Interestingly, Leishmania orientalis was common and predominant in these two regions with common regional haplotype distribution but not for the others. Recent population expansion was estimated, probably due to the movement and migration of asymptomatic individuals; therefore, the transmission and prevalence of Leishmania infection could be underestimated. These findings of imbalanced population structure and phylogeographic distribution patterns provide valuable, insightful population structure and geographic distribution of Leishmania/HIV co-infection to empower prevention and control of transmission and expansion of asymptomatic leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toon Ruang-Areerate
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
| | - Panthita Ruang-Areerate
- BIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Jipada Manomat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Tawee Naaglor
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Phunlerd Piyaraj
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
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11
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Sapp SGH, Low R, Nine G, Nascimento FS, Qvarnstrom Y, Barratt JLN. Genetic characterization and description of Leishmania (Leishmania) ellisi sp. nov.: a new human-infecting species from the USA. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:52. [PMID: 38099974 PMCID: PMC10724317 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08034-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In a 2018 report, an unusual case of cutaneous leishmaniasis was described in a 72-year-old female patient residing in Arizona, United States of America (USA). Preliminary analysis of the 18S rDNA and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes supported the conclusion that the Leishmania strain (strain 218-L139) isolated from this case was a novel species, though a complete taxonomic description was not provided. Identification of Leishmania at the species level is critical for clinical management and epidemiologic investigations so it is important that novel human-infecting species are characterized taxonomically and assigned a unique scientific name compliant with the ICZN code. Therefore, we sought to provide a complete taxonomic description of Leishmania strain 218-L139. Phylogenetic analysis of several nuclear loci and partial maxicircle genome sequences supported its position within the subgenus Leishmania and further clarified the distinctness of this new species. Morphological characterization of cultured promastigotes and amastigotes from the original case material is also provided. Thus, we conclude that Leishmania (Leishmania) ellisi is a new cause of autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G H Sapp
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ross Low
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Gabriela Nine
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Fernanda S Nascimento
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yvonne Qvarnstrom
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joel L N Barratt
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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12
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Anuntasomboon P, Siripattanapipong S, Unajak S, Choowongkomon K, Burchmore R, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, E-Kobon T. Identification of a unique conserved region from a kinetoplastid genome of Leishmania orientalis (formerly named Leishmania siamensis) strain PCM2 in Thailand. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19644. [PMID: 37950023 PMCID: PMC10638283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46638-3] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) appear in almost all eukaryotic species and are useful molecular markers for phylogenetic studies and species identification. Kinetoplast DNAs (kDNAs) are structurally complex circular mtDNA networks in kinetoplastids, divided into maxicircles and minicircles. Despite several kDNAs of many Leishmania species being examined, the kDNAs of the new species, Leishmania orientalis (formerly named Leishmania siamensis) strain PCM2, have not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the maxicircle and minicircle DNAs of L. orientalis strain PCM2 using hybrid genome sequencing technologies and bioinformatic analyses. The kDNA sequences were isolated and assembled using the SPAdes hybrid assembler from the Illumina short-read and PacBio long-read data. Circular contigs of the maxicircle and minicircle DNAs were reconstructed and confirmed by BLASTn and rKOMICs programs. The kDNA genome was annotated by BLASTn before the genome comparison and phylogenetic analysis by progressiveMauve, MAFFT, and MEGA programs. The maxicircle of L. orientalis strain PCM2 (18,215 bp) showed 99.92% similarity and gene arrangement to Leishmania enriettii strain LEM3045 maxicircle with variation in the 12s rRNA gene and divergent region. Phylogenetics of the whole sequence, coding regions, divergent regions, and 12s rRNA gene also confirmed this relationship and subgenera separation. The identified 105 classes of minicircles (402-1177 bp) were clustered monophyletically and related to the Leishmania donovani minicircles. The kinetoplast maxicircle and minicircle DNAs of L. orientalis strain PCM2 contained a unique conserved region potentially useful for specific diagnosis of L. orientalis and further exploration of this parasite population genetics in Thailand and related regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornchai Anuntasomboon
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Omics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food, and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Sasimanas Unajak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Richard Burchmore
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Teerasak E-Kobon
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Omics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food, and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok, Thailand.
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13
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Kaewmee S, Mano C, Phanitchakun T, Ampol R, Yasanga T, Pattanawong U, Junkum A, Siriyasatien P, Bates PA, Jariyapan N. Natural infection with Leishmania ( Mundinia) martiniquensis supports Culicoides peregrinus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as a potential vector of leishmaniasis and characterization of a Crithidia sp. isolated from the midges. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1235254. [PMID: 37675418 PMCID: PMC10478001 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1235254] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of autochthonous leishmaniasis in Thailand is increasing but the natural vectors that are responsible for transmission remain unknown. Experimental in vivo infections in Culicoides spp. with Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis and Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis, the major causative pathogens in Thailand, have demonstrated that biting midges can act as competent vectors. Therefore, the isolation and detection of Leishmania and other trypanosomatids were performed in biting midges collected at a field site in an endemic area of leishmaniasis in Tha Ruea and a mixed farm of chickens, goats, and cattle in Khuan Phang, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. Results showed that Culicoides peregrinus was the abundant species (>84%) found in both locations and only cow blood DNA was detected in engorged females. Microscopic examination revealed various forms of Leishmania promastigotes in the foregut of several C. peregrinus in the absence of bloodmeal remnants, indicating established infections. Molecular identification using ITS1 and 3'UTR HSP70 type I markers showed that the Leishmania parasites found in the midges were L. martiniquensis. The infection rate of L. martiniquensis in the collected flies was 2% in Tha Ruea and 6% in Khuan Phang, but no L. orientalis DNA or parasites were found. Additionally, organisms from two different clades of Crithidia, both possibly new species, were identified using SSU rRNA and gGAPDH genes. Choanomastigotes and promastigotes of both Crithidia spp. were observed in the hindgut of the dissected C. peregrinus. Interestingly, midges infected with both L. martiniquensis and Crithidia were found. Moreover, four strains of Crithidia from one of the clades were successfully isolated into culture. These parasites could grow at 37°C in the culture and infect BALB/c mice macrophages but no multiplication was observed, suggesting they are thermotolerant monoxenous trypanosomatids similar to Cr. thermophila. These findings provide the first evidence of natural infection of L. martiniquensis in C. peregrinus supporting it as a potential vector of L. martiniquensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saowalak Kaewmee
- Medical Parasitology Program, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chonlada Mano
- Center of Insect Vector Study, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Thanari Phanitchakun
- Center of Insect Vector Study, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Rinnara Ampol
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thippawan Yasanga
- Medical Science Research Equipment Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Urassaya Pattanawong
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anuluck Junkum
- Center of Insect Vector Study, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paul A. Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Narissara Jariyapan
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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14
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Preativatanyou K, Chinwirunsirisup K, Phumee A, Khositharattanakool P, Sunantaraporn S, Depaquit J, Siriyasatien P. Species diversity of phlebotomine sand flies and sympatric occurrence of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani complex, and Trypanosoma spp. in the visceral leishmaniasis focus of southern Thailand. Acta Trop 2023; 244:106949. [PMID: 37211153 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Autochthonous leishmaniasis in Thailand has recently been a public health concern due to an increasing number of new clinical cases. Most indigenous cases were diagnosed with Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis, and Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis. However, some doubts regarding vector misidentification have arisen and need to be elucidated. Accordingly, we aimed to assess the species composition of sand flies and determine the molecular prevalence of trypanosomatids in the transmission area of leishmaniasis in southern Thailand. In the present study, a total of 569 sand flies were caught from the vicinity of a visceral leishmaniasis patient's house in Na Thawi District, Songkhla Province. Of these, 229 parous and gravid females consisted of Sergentomyia khawi, Se. barraudi, Phlebotomus stantoni, Grassomyia indica, and Se. hivernus, accounting for 31.4%, 30.6%, 29.7%, 7.9%, and 0.4%, respectively. However, Se. gemmea, which has previously been proposed as the most abundant species and putative vector of visceral leishmaniasis, was not found in the present study. Based on ITS1-PCR and sequence analysis, two specimens of Gr. indica and Ph. stantoni showed positive amplification of L. martiniquensis and L. donovani complex, respectively, the first one being presumed indigenous and the second one being not. Anuran Trypanosoma was also molecularly detected using SSU rRNA-PCR and ubiquitously found in sixteen specimens of four dominant sand fly species except for Se. hivernus. The obtained sequences could be phylogenetically categorized into the two major amphibian clades (An04/Frog1 and An01+An02/Frog2). The existence of the monophyletic subgroup and distinct lineage suggests them as novel Trypanosoma species. The TCS network analysis of these anuran Trypanosoma sequences also revealed high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.925 ± 0.050), but low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.019 ± 0.009). Furthermore, the living anuran trypanosomes were microscopically demonstrated in a single specimen of Gr. indica, supporting the vectorial capacity. Importantly, our data confirmed the scarcity of Se. gemmea and also uncovered, for the first time, the co-circulation of L. martiniquensis, L. donovani complex, and suspected novel anuran Trypanosoma spp. in phlebotomine sand files, implicating their potential role as vectors of trypanosomatid parasites. Therefore, the novel data from this study would greatly facilitate the comprehension of the complexity of trypanosomatid transmission and the establishment of prevention and control measures for this neglected disease more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanok Preativatanyou
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Komson Chinwirunsirisup
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Atchara Phumee
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Excellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Pathamet Khositharattanakool
- School of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; Biomedical Technology Research Group for Vulnerable Populations, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Sakone Sunantaraporn
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Jérôme Depaquit
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE-USC ANSES VECPAR, Reims, France
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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15
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Yadav P, Azam M, Ramesh V, Singh R. Unusual Observations in Leishmaniasis-An Overview. Pathogens 2023; 12:297. [PMID: 36839569 PMCID: PMC9964612 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis significantly affects the population of the tropics and subtropics. Clinical features and infective species of Leishmania are the primary factors driving the direction of diagnosis. The rise in incidences of atypical presentations present a challenge in patient treatment. Knowledge of unusual/rare presentations can aid in having a broader perspective for including the different aspects during the examination and thus avoid misdiagnosis. A comprehensive literature survey was performed to present the array of atypical presentations confounding clinicians which have been seen in leishmaniasis. Case reports of unusual findings based on the localizations and morphology of lesions and infective species and the predominant geographical sites over almost five decades highlight such presentations in the population. Information regarding the clinical features recorded in the patient and the chosen treatment was extracted to put forward the preferred drug regimen in such cases. This comprehensive review presents various unusual observations seen in visceral leishmaniasis, post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. It highlights the need to consider such features in association with differential diagnosis to facilitate proper treatment of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Yadav
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi 110029, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Mudsser Azam
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - V Ramesh
- Department of Dermatology, ESIC Hospital, Faridabad 1210026, India
| | - Ruchi Singh
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi 110029, India
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16
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Anugulruengkitt S, Songtaweesin WN, Thepnarong N, Tangthanapalakul A, Sitthisan M, Chatproedprai S, Wititsuwannakul J, Likitnukul S, Jariyapan N, Weedall GD, Siriyasatien P, Preativatanyou K. Case Report: Simple Nodular Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Autochthonous Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis in an 18-Month-Old Girl: The First Pediatric Case in Thailand and Literature Review. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:44-50. [PMID: 36410322 PMCID: PMC9833080 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We report an autochthonous case of simple, localized cutaneous leishmaniasis in a healthy 18-month-old girl from southern Thailand. The patient presented with a solitary chronic cutaneous nodular lesion on her left cheek for approximately 1 year. Histopathological dissection of the cheek skin biopsy demonstrated remarkably nodular and interstitial infiltrates of lymphocytes and histiocytes full of intracellular oval-shaped amastigotes, consistent with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The Leishmania promastigotes were also cultured successfully from the lesion biopsy and were designated with the WHO code MHOM/TH/2021/CULE5. Using internal transcribed spacer 1-specific polymerase chain reaction, the parasite DNA was demonstrated in both saliva and lesion biopsy. Based on the BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis, the parasite was identified as Leishmania orientalis, clustered in the Mundinia subgenus. The patient responded well to a 6-week course of oral itraconazole, without recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the fourth case of autochthonous leishmaniasis resulting from L. orientalis and the youngest patient of leishmaniasis ever reported in Thailand. More importantly, we also demonstrate the clinical course of the lesion according to the timeline before and after treatment, which can help physicians better understand and provide an accurate diagnosis with appropriate treatment of this emerging parasitic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvaporn Anugulruengkitt
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wipaporn Natalie Songtaweesin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Amatanun Tangthanapalakul
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Manassaya Sitthisan
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Susheera Chatproedprai
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jade Wititsuwannakul
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sasithorn Likitnukul
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narissara Jariyapan
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Gareth D. Weedall
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanok Preativatanyou
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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17
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Mendes Junior AAV, Filgueira CPB, Miranda LDFC, de Almeida AB, Cantanhêde LM, Fagundes A, Pereira SA, Menezes RC, Cupolillo E. First report of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in South American territory and confirmation of Leishbunyavirus infecting this parasite in a mare. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 118:e220220. [PMID: 37194810 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological data related to leishmaniases or Leishmania infection in horses are scarce. However, studies carried out in different regions in the world showed equids parasitised by Leishmania braziliensis, L. infantum and L. martiniquensis. OBJECTIVES Identify the Leishmania species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in a mare, living in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil), and search the presence of Leishmania viruses in the isolated parasite. METHODS Isoenzymes and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting ITSrDNA region followed by sequencing were conducted for typing the isolated parasite. A search for Leishmania virus infection was also performed. FINDINGS The mare presented skin nodules and ulcers in the left pinna caused by Leishmania spp. that was detected by culture and PCR. The parasite was identified as Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis, infected by Leishbunyavirus (LBV), representing the first description of this species in South America. The animal travelled to different Brazilian regions, but not to outside the country. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The worldwide distribution of L. martiniquensis and its infection by LBV were confirmed in this study, indicating the autochthonous transmission cycle in Brazil. The clinical profile of the disease in the mare, showing fast spontaneous healing of cutaneous lesions, may indicate that skin lesions related to L. martiniquensis infection in horses might be underdiagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Augusto Velho Mendes Junior
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Luciana de Freitas Campos Miranda
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica e Vigilância em Leishmanioses, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Adilson Benedito de Almeida
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Lilian Motta Cantanhêde
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Aline Fagundes
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica e Vigilância em Leishmanioses, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Sandro Antônio Pereira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Caldas Menezes
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Elisa Cupolillo
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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18
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Mano C, Kongkaew A, Tippawangkosol P, Somboon P, Roytrakul S, Pescher P, Späth GF, Uthaipibull C, Tantiworawit A, Siriyasatien P, Jariyapan N. Amphotericin B resistance correlates with increased fitness in vitro and in vivo in Leishmania ( Mundinia) martiniquensis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1156061. [PMID: 37089544 PMCID: PMC10116047 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1156061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmpB) deoxycholate is the available first-line drug used to treat visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis, however, some cases of AmpB treatment failure have been reported in Thailand. Resistance to drugs is known to affect parasite fitness with a potential impact on parasite transmission but still little is known about the effect of resistance to drugs on L. martiniquensis. Here we aimed to gain insight into the fitness changes occurring after treatment failure or in vitro-induced resistance to AmpB. L. martiniquensis parasites isolated from a patient before (LSCM1) and after relapse (LSCM1-6) were compared for in vitro and in vivo fitness changes together with an in vitro induced AmpB-resistant parasite generated from LSCM1 parasites (AmpBRP2i). Results revealed increased metacyclogenesis of the AmpBPR2i and LSCM1-6 strains (AmpB-resistant strains) compared to the LSCM1 strain and increased fitness with respect to growth and infectivity. The LSCM1-6 and AmpBRP2i strains were present in mice for longer periods compared to the LSCM1 strain, but no clinical signs of the disease were observed. These results suggest that the AmpB-resistant parasites could be more efficiently transmitted to humans and maintained in asymptomatic hosts longer than the susceptible strain. The asymptomatic hosts therefore may represent "reservoirs" for the resistant parasites enhancing transmission. The results in this study advocate an urgent need to search and monitor for AmpB-resistant L. martiniquensis in patients with relapsing leishmaniasis and in asymptomatic patients, especially, in HIV/Leishmania coinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonlada Mano
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Aphisek Kongkaew
- Animal House Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Pongsri Tippawangkosol
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Pradya Somboon
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Pascale Pescher
- Institut Pasteur, INSERM U1201, Université Paris Cité, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
| | - Gerald F. Späth
- Institut Pasteur, INSERM U1201, Université Paris Cité, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
| | | | - Adisak Tantiworawit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narissara Jariyapan
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Narissara Jariyapan,
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Kmetiuk LB, Tirado TC, Biondo LM, Biondo AW, Figueiredo FB. Leishmania spp. in indigenous populations: A mini-review. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1033803. [PMID: 36620288 PMCID: PMC9815601 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1033803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, considered a neglected vector-borne disease complex of global concern, has a significant impact on indigenous communities due to daily human and animal exposure in periurban, rural, and naturally preserved areas. This mini-review aims to assess and discuss studies of leishmaniasis in these communities of the New World and Old World, particularly those in the Americas and Asia. Such indigenous communities have been mostly built in poor traditional households with no mosquito-net protection, mostly located in environmentally protected areas, favoring vectors and reservoirs. The presence of leishmaniasis cases surrounding such indigenous areas indicated a high risk of infection, which may have been historically underestimated due to a lack of surveillance, even at present. The absence of studies of indigenous populations in recognized endemic areas may reflect insufficient health services. In conclusion, the persistence of this neglectful scenario may impact tragic outcomes and potential outbreaks in indigenous peoples and surroundings populations worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Graduate Program in Biosciences and Biotechnology, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil,Louise Bach Kmetiuk ✉
| | - Thais Cristina Tirado
- Graduate Program in Biosciences and Biotechnology, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil,Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Leandro Meneguelli Biondo
- National Institute of the Atlantic Forest (INMA), Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fabiano Borges Figueiredo
- Graduate Program in Biosciences and Biotechnology, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil,Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil,*Correspondence: Fabiano Borges Figueiredo ✉
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20
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Anuntasomboon P, Siripattanapipong S, Unajak S, Choowongkomon K, Burchmore R, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, E-kobon T. Identification of a conserved maxicircle and unique minicircles as part of the mitochondrial genome of Leishmania martiniquensis strain PCM3 in Thailand. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:459. [PMID: 36510327 PMCID: PMC9743726 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05592-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomatids, including Leishmania, is known as kinetoplast DNAs (kDNAs). The kDNAs form networks of hundreds of DNA circles that are evidently interlocked and require complex RNA editing. Previous studies showed that kDNA played a role in drug resistance, adaptation, and survival of Leishmania. Leishmania martiniquensis is one of the most frequently observed species in Thailand, and its kDNAs have not been illustrated. METHODS This study aimed to extract the kDNA sequences from Illumina short-read and PacBio long-read whole-genome sequence data of L. martiniquensis strain PCM3 priorly isolated from the southern province of Thailand. A circular maxicircle DNA was reconstructed by de novo assembly using the SPAdes program, while the minicircle sequences were retrieved and assembled by the rKOMIC tool. The kDNA contigs were confirmed by blasting to the NCBI database, followed by comparative genomic and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS We successfully constructed the complete circular sequence of the maxicircle (19,008 bp) and 214 classes of the minicircles from L. martiniquensis strain PCM3. The genome comparison and annotation showed that the maxicircle structure of L. martiniquensis strain PCM3 was similar to those of L. enriettii strain LEM3045 (84.29%), L. arabica strain LEM1108 (82.79%), and L. tarentolae (79.2%). Phylogenetic analysis also showed unique evolution of the minicircles of L. martiniquensis strain PCM3 from other examined Leishmania species. CONCLUSIONS This was the first report of the complete maxicircle and 214 minicircles of L. martiniquensis strain PCM3 using integrated whole-genome sequencing data. The information will be helpful for further improvement of diagnosis methods and monitoring genetic diversity changes of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornchai Anuntasomboon
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand ,grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XOmics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food, and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suradej Siripattanapipong
- grid.10223.320000 0004 1937 0490Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sasimanas Unajak
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Richard Burchmore
- grid.8756.c0000 0001 2193 314XGlasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- grid.10223.320000 0004 1937 0490Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- grid.10223.320000 0004 1937 0490Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Teerasak E-kobon
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand ,grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XOmics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food, and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok, Thailand
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21
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Sunantaraporn S, Hortiwakul T, Kraivichian K, Siriyasatien P, Brownell N. Molecular Identification of Host Blood Meals and Detection of Blood Parasites in Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Collected from Phatthalung Province, Southern Thailand. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13100912. [PMID: 36292860 PMCID: PMC9604321 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Five hundred and fifty-nine female biting midges were collected, and seventeen species in six subgenera (Avaritia, Haemophoructus, Hoffmania, Meijerehelea, Remmia, and Trithecoides) and two groups (Clavipalpis and Shortti) were identified. The dominant Culicoides species was C. peregrinus (30.94%), followed by C. subgenus Trithecoides. From blood meal analysis of engorged biting midges, they were found to feed on cows, dogs, pigs, and avians. The majority of blood preferences of biting midges (68%; 49/72) displayed a mixed pattern of host blood DNA (cow and avian). The overall non-engorged biting midge field infectivity rate was 1.44 % (7/487). We detected Leucocytozoon sp. in three Culicoides specimens, one from each species: C. fulvus, C. oxystoma, and C. subgenus Trithecoides. Crithidia sp. was found in two C. peregrinus specimens, and Trypanosoma sp. and P. juxtanucleare were separately found in two C. guttifer. More consideration should be paid to the capacity of biting midges to transmit pathogens such as avian haemosporidian and trypanosomatid parasites. To demonstrate that these biting midges are natural vectors of trypanosomatid parasites, additional research must be conducted with a greater number of biting midges in other endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakone Sunantaraporn
- Medical Science Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thanaporn Hortiwakul
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Kanyarat Kraivichian
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Narisa Brownell
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence:
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22
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Design of a Chimeric Multi-Epitope Vaccine (CMEV) against Both Leishmania martiniquensis and Leishmania orientalis Parasites Using Immunoinformatic Approaches. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101460. [PMID: 36290364 PMCID: PMC9598663 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan flagellates of the genus Leishmania. Recently, Leishmania martiniquensis and Leishmania orientalis, emerging species of Leishmania, were isolated from patients in Thailand. Development of the vaccine is demanded; however, genetic differences between the two species make it difficult to design a vaccine that is effective for both species. In this study, we applied immuno-informatic approaches to design a chimeric multi-epitope vaccine (CMEV) against both L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis. We identified seven helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, sixteen cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, and eleven B-cell epitopes from sixteen conserved antigenic proteins found in both species. All these epitopes were joined together, and to further enhance immunogenicity, protein and peptides adjuvant were also added at the N-terminal of the molecule by using specific linkers. The candidate CMEV was subsequently analyzed from the perspectives of the antigenicity, allergenicity, and physiochemical properties. The interaction of the designed multi-epitope vaccine and immune receptor (TLR4) of the host were evaluated based on molecular dockings of the predicted 3D structures. Finally, in silico cloning was performed to construct the expression vaccine vector. Docking analysis showed that the vaccine/TLR4 complex took a stable form. Based on the predicted immunogenicity, physicochemical, and structural properties in silico, the vaccine candidate was expected to be appropriately expressed in bacterial expression systems and show the potential to induce a host immune response. This study proposes the experimental validation of the efficacy of the candidate vaccine construct against the two Leishmania.
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23
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Hustedt J, Prasetyo DB, Fiorenzano JM, von Fricken ME, Hertz JC. Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and sand fly-borne pathogens in the Greater Mekong Subregion: a systematic review. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:355. [PMID: 36199150 PMCID: PMC9533508 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05464-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies are proven or suspected vectors of several pathogens of importance, including leishmaniasis, bartonellosis and sand fly fevers. Although sand flies have a worldwide distribution, there has been limited research published on sand flies and sand fly-borne pathogens throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to determine the biodiversity and presence of phlebotomine sand flies and their associated pathogens in the GMS, specifically Cambodia, Thailand, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos), Malaysia and Vietnam. A total of 1472 records were identified by searching electronic databases, scanning reference lists of articles and consulting experts in the field. After screening of title and abstracts, 178 records remained and were further screened for original data (n = 34), not having regional data (n = 14), duplication of data (n = 4), records not available (n = 4) and no language translation available (n = 2). A total of 120 studies were then included for full review, with 41 studies on sand fly-related disease in humans, 33 studies on sand fly-related disease in animals and 54 entomological studies focused on sand flies (5 papers contained data on > 1 category), with a majority of the overall data from Thailand. There were relatively few studies on each country, with the exception of Thailand, and the studies applied different methods to investigate sand flies and sand fly-borne diseases, impacting the ability to conduct meaningful meta-analysis. The findings suggest that leishmaniasis in humans and the presence of sand fly vectors have been reported across several GMS countries over the past 100 years, with local transmission in humans confirmed in Thailand and Vietnam. Additionally, local Mundinia species are likely transmitted by biting midges. Findings from this study provide a framework for future investigations to determine the geographic distribution and risk profiles of leishmaniasis and other associated sand fly-borne disease throughout the GMS. It is recommended that researchers expand surveillance efforts across the GMS, with an emphasis placed on entomological surveys, syndromic and asymptomatic monitoring in both humans and animals and molecular characterization of sand flies and sand fly-borne pathogens, particularly in the understudied countries of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hustedt
- Vysnova Partners, AXA Tower, 8 Shenton Way, Level 34-01, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Didot Budi Prasetyo
- Entomology Division, Emerging Infections Department, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit Two, Sembawang, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jodi M Fiorenzano
- Entomology Division, Emerging Infections Department, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit Two, Sembawang, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael E von Fricken
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Hertz
- Entomology Division, Emerging Infections Department, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit Two, Sembawang, Singapore, Singapore
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Chanmol W, Jariyapan N, Preativatanyou K, Mano C, Tippawangkosol P, Somboon P, Bates PA. Stimulation of metacyclogenesis in Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis for mass production of metacyclic promastigotes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:992741. [PMID: 36132986 PMCID: PMC9483143 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.992741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis is a human pathogen causing leishmaniasis and studies on the properties of metacyclic promastigotes, the parasite’s infective stage, are required for a better understanding of its transmission and infection. However, information on cultivation for mass production of L. orientalis metacyclic promastigotes and factors that stimulate their metacyclogenesis is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a suitable methodology for generating promastigote cultures containing a high proportion and number of L. orientalis metacyclic promastigotes. Various media, i.e., Schneider’s insect medium, Medium 199 and Grace’s insect medium, supplemented with various quantities of dithiothreitol, Basal Medium Eagle vitamins, pooled human urine, and fetal bovine serum, were optimized for metacyclogenesis. The results revealed that the optimum culture medium and conditions of those tested were Schneider’s insect medium supplemented with 100 μM dithiothreitol, 1% (v/v) Basal Medium Eagle vitamins, 2% (v/v) pooled human urine, and 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum, pH 5.0 at 26°C. We also demonstrated that L. orientalis metacyclic promastigotes could be purified and enriched by negative selection using peanut lectin. Under these culture conditions, the highest yield of metacyclic promastigotes was obtained with a significantly higher percentage of parasite survival, resistance to complement-mediated lysis, and infection index in THP-1 macrophage cells compared to parasites cultured without media supplements at neutral pH. This is the first report providing a reliable method for mass production of L. orientalis metacyclic promastigotes for in vivo infections and other experimental studies of this emerging parasite in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wetpisit Chanmol
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat, Thailand
| | - Narissara Jariyapan
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Narissara Jariyapan, ; Pradya Somboon,
| | - Kanok Preativatanyou
- Center of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chonlada Mano
- Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Pongsri Tippawangkosol
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Pradya Somboon
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Narissara Jariyapan, ; Pradya Somboon,
| | - Paul A. Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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25
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Distance-based paper device using combined SYBR safe and gold nanoparticle probe LAMP assay to detect Leishmania among patients with HIV. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14558. [PMID: 36028548 PMCID: PMC9418321 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18765-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis cases increase continuously, particularly among patients with HIV who are at risk to develop further symptoms of leishmaniasis. A simple, sensitive and reliable diagnosis is crucially needed due to risk populations mostly residing in rural communities with limited resources of laboratory equipment. In this study, a highly sensitive and selective determination of Leishmania among asymptomatic patients with Leishmania/HIV co-infection was achieved to simultaneously interpret and semi-quantify using colorimetric precipitates (gold-nanoparticle probe; AuNP-probe) and fluorescence (SYBR safe dye and distance-based paper device; dPAD) in one-step loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. The sensitivities and specificities of 3 detection methods were equivalent and had reliable performances achieving as high as 95.5%. Detection limits were 102 parasites/mL (0.0147 ng/µL) which were 10 times more sensitive than other related studies. To empower leishmaniasis surveillance as well as prevention and control, this dPAD combined with SYBR safe and gold nanoparticle probe LAMP assay is reliably fast, simple, inexpensive and practical for field diagnostics to point-of-care settings in resource-limited areas which can be set up in all levels of healthcare facilities, especially in low to middle income countries.
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26
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Anuntasomboon P, Siripattanapipong S, Unajak S, Choowongkomon K, Burchmore R, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, E-kobon T. Making the Most of Its Short Reads: A Bioinformatics Workflow for Analysing the Short-Read-Only Data of Leishmania orientalis (Formerly Named Leishmania siamensis) Isolate PCM2 in Thailand. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091272. [PMID: 36138751 PMCID: PMC9495971 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by flagellated protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Multiple genome sequencing platforms have been employed to complete Leishmania genomes at the expense of high cost. This study proposes an integrative bioinformatic workflow for assembling only the short-read data of Leishmania orientalis isolate PCM2 from Thailand and produce an acceptable-quality genome for further genomic analysis. This workflow gives extensive information required for identifying strain-specific markers and virulence-associated genes useful for drug and vaccine development before a more exhaustive and expensive investigation. Abstract Background: Leishmania orientalis (formerly named Leishmania siamensis) has been neglected for years in Thailand. The genomic study of L. orientalis has gained much attention recently after the release of the first high-quality reference genome of the isolate LSCM4. The integrative approach of multiple sequencing platforms for whole-genome sequencing has proven effective at the expense of considerably expensive costs. This study presents a preliminary bioinformatic workflow including the use of multi-step de novo assembly coupled with the reference-based assembly method to produce high-quality genomic drafts from the short-read Illumina sequence data of L. orientalis isolate PCM2. Results: The integrating multi-step de novo assembly by MEGAHIT and SPAdes with the reference-based method using the L. enriettii genome and salvaging the unmapped reads resulted in the 30.27 Mb genomic draft of L. orientalis isolate PCM2 with 3367 contigs and 8887 predicted genes. The results from the integrated approach showed the best integrity, coverage, and contig alignment when compared to the genome of L. orientalis isolate LSCM4 collected from the northern province of Thailand. Similar patterns of gene ratios and frequency were observed from the GO biological process annotation. Fifty GO terms were assigned to the assembled genomes, and 23 of these (accounting for 61.6% of the annotated genes) showed higher gene counts and ratios when results from our workflow were compared to those of the LSCM4 isolate. Conclusions: These results indicated that our proposed bioinformatic workflow produced an acceptable-quality genome of L. orientalis strain PCM2 for functional genomic analysis, maximising the usage of the short-read data. This workflow would give extensive information required for identifying strain-specific markers and virulence-associated genes useful for drug and vaccine development before a more exhaustive and expensive investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornchai Anuntasomboon
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Omics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food, and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | | | - Sasimanas Unajak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Richard Burchmore
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Teerasak E-kobon
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Omics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food, and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-812-85-4672
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27
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Alves-Sobrinho EV, Pinheiro LDJ, Paranaíba LF, Fontes IC, Parreiras PM, Gontijo NF, Tafuri WL, Laurenti MD, Soares RP. Leishmania enriettii visceralises in the trachea, lungs, and spleen of Cavia porcellus. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220065. [PMID: 35920504 PMCID: PMC9343011 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220065] [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] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania (Mundinia) enriettii is a species commonly found in the guinea pig, Cavia porcellus. Although it is a dermotropic species, there is still an uncertainty regarding its ability to visceralise during Leishmania life cycle. OBJECTIVE Here, we investigated the ability of L. enriettii (strain L88) to visceralise in lungs, trachea, spleen, and liver of C. porcellus, its natural vertebrate host. METHODS Animals were infected sub-cutaneously in the nose and followed for 12 weeks using histological (hematoxilin-eosin) and molecular tools (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism - PCR-RFLP). To isolate parasite from C. porcellus, animals were experimentally infected for viscera removal and PCR typing targeting hsp70 gene. FINDINGS Histological analysis revealed intense and diffuse inflammation with the presence of amastigotes in the trachea, lung, and spleen up to 12 weeks post-infection (PI). Molecular analysis of paraffin-embedded tissues detected parasite DNA in the trachea and spleen between the 4th and 8th weeks PI. At the 12th PI, no parasite DNA was detected in any of the organs. To confirm that the spleen could serve as a temporary site for L. enriettii, we performed additional in vivo experiments. During 6th week PI, the parasite was isolated from the spleen confirming previous histopathological and PCR observations. MAIN CONCLUSION Leishmania enriettii (strain L88) was able to visceralise in the trachea, lung, and spleen of C. porcellus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ednéia Venâncio Alves-Sobrinho
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Lucélia de Jesus Pinheiro
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Patologia Geral, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Larissa Ferreira Paranaíba
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Igor Campos Fontes
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Patologia Geral, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | - Nelder Figueiredo Gontijo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Wagner Luiz Tafuri
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Patologia Geral, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Márcia Dalastra Laurenti
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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Cecílio P, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Oliveira F. Sand flies: Basic information on the vectors of leishmaniasis and their interactions with Leishmania parasites. Commun Biol 2022; 5:305. [PMID: 35379881 PMCID: PMC8979968 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-sucking arthropods transmit a variety of human pathogens acting as disseminators of the so-called vector-borne diseases. Leishmaniasis is a spectrum of diseases caused by different Leishmania species, transmitted quasi worldwide by sand flies. However, whereas many laboratories focus on the disease(s) and etiological agents, considerably less study the respective vectors. In fact, information on sand flies is neither abundant nor easy to find; aspects including basic biology, ecology, and sand-fly-Leishmania interactions are usually reported separately. Here, we compile elemental information on sand flies, in the context of leishmaniasis. We discuss the biology, distribution, and life cycle, the blood-feeding process, and the Leishmania-sand fly interactions that govern parasite transmission. Additionally, we highlight some outstanding questions that need to be answered for the complete understanding of parasite–vector–host interactions in leishmaniasis. In this review, numerous aspects of sand flies as vectors of Leishmania parasites—from biology to the vector parasite interactions—are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Cecílio
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA. .,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
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Genome Assembly and Genome Annotation of Leishmania martiniquensis Isolated from a Leishmaniasis Patient in Thailand. J Parasitol Res 2022; 2022:8768574. [PMID: 35371566 PMCID: PMC8965598 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8768574] [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] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp. with worldwide distribution. Autochthonous leishmaniasis has been reported to result from the infection by Leishmania martiniquensis in Thailand. This species was isolated in culture and subjected to high-throughput whole-genome sequencing. A total of 30.8 Mb in 36 chromosomes of the whole genome was assembled, annotated, and characterized. The L. martiniquensis under study was shown to segregate into the same clade and thus closely related to the previously identified L. martiniquensis (LU_Lmar_1.0), as determined by phylogenetic analysis of their genomic sequences along with those of representative kinetoplastid species. The total number of open reading frames genomewide predicts 8,209 protein-coding genes, of which 359 are putative virulence factors, including two previously known, e.g., cysteine proteinase C and superoxide dismutase B1. The results obtained from this study will be useful for further annotation and comparison with other Leishmania martiniquensis in the future.
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Toontong P, Sunantaraporn S, Tiawsirisup S, Pengsakul T, Boonserm R, Phumee A, Siriyasatien P, Preativatanyou K. First Report of Anuran Trypanosoma DNA in Flat-Tailed House Geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) Collected from Southern Thailand: No Evidence as a Reservoir for Human Trypanosomatids. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020247. [PMID: 35215190 PMCID: PMC8877104 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, cases of autochthonous leishmaniasis have been dramatically increasing in Thailand. Recently, several publications have claimed certain species of the phlebotomine sand flies and biting midges potentially serve as natural vectors of Leishmania and Trypanosoma species in this country. However, more information regarding the vector–parasite relationships, as well as their natural reservoirs in the country, still needs to be explored. Herein, we hypothesized that synanthropic reptiles in the leishmaniasis-affected area might be a natural reservoir for these parasites. In this present study, a total of nineteen flat-tailed house geckos were collected from the house of a leishmaniasis patient in Songkhla province, southern Thailand, and then dissected for their visceral organs for parasite detection. Small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1)-specific amplifications were conducted to verify the presence of Trypanosoma and Leishmania parasites, respectively. Only Trypanosoma DNA was screened positive in eight gecko individuals by SSU rRNA-PCR in at least one visceral organ (4, 4, and 6 of the heart, liver, and spleen, respectively) and phylogenetically related to the anuran Trypanosoma spp. (An04/Frog1 clade) previously detected in three Asian sand fly species (Phlebotomus kazeruni, Sergentomyia indica, and Se. khawi). Hence, our data indicate the first detection of anuran Trypanosoma sp. in the flat-tailed house geckos from southern Thailand. Essentially, it can be inferred that there is no evidence for the flat-tailed house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus) as a natural reservoir of human pathogenic trypanosomatids in the leishmaniasis-affected area of southern Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prapimporn Toontong
- Medical Parasitology Program, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Sakone Sunantaraporn
- Medical Science Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Sonthaya Tiawsirisup
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Theerakamol Pengsakul
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand;
| | - Rungfar Boonserm
- Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Atchara Phumee
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80610, Thailand;
- Excellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80610, Thailand
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Kanok Preativatanyou
- Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (R.B.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +662-256-4387
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Buatong J, Dvorak V, Thepparat A, Thongkhao K, Koyadun S, Siriyasatien P, Pengsakul T. Phlebotomine Sand Flies in Southern Thailand: Entomological Survey, Identification of Blood Meals and Molecular Detection of Trypanosoma spp. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020197. [PMID: 35206770 PMCID: PMC8879718 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are hematophagous insects, and many species serve as vectors of various human and animal pathogens, including Leishmania and Trypanosoma protozoa. In Thailand, the first case of autochthonous leishmaniasis was reported 62 years ago. At present, the number of human cases is increasing in different regions of the country, but most cases are reported from southern Thailand. Therefore, we studied the potential transmission of Leishmania and Trypanosoma by sand flies in three provinces of southern Thailand, and analyzed blood sources of engorged sand fly females. We detected Trypanosoma sp. DNA in Sergentomyia barraudi, S. indica, S. khawi and Idiophlebotomus asperulus but no Leishmania spp. DNA. Moreover, bloodmeal analysis revealed that Trypanopsoma-positive females of S. barraudi and Sergentomyia sp. fed on dogs and humans, respectively. The results of this study contribute to the knowledge of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis presence and sand fly feeding behavior in southern Thailand. Abstract An entomological survey at rural and cavernicolous localities in four provinces in southern Thailand provided 155 blood-fed females of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) that were identified based on morphological characters as Idiophlebotomus asperulus (n = 19), Phlebotomus stantoni (n = 4), P. argentipes (n = 3), Sergentomyia anodontis (n = 20), S. barraudi (n = 9), S. hamidi (n = 23), S. hodgsoni (n = 4), S. hodgsoni hodgsoni (n = 32), S. indica (n = 5), S. iyengari (n = 2), S. khawi (n = 17), S. silvatica (n = 11) and Sergentomyia sp. (n = 6). The dominant species in this study was S. hodgsoni hodgsoni, which was collected specifically in a Buddha cave. Screening for DNA of parasitic protozoans revealed eight specimens (5.16%) of four species (S. barraudi, S. indica, S. khawi and Id. asperulus) positive for Trypanosoma sp., while no Leishmania spp. DNA was detected. Blood meals of engorged females were identified by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay on a fragment of cytochrome b (cyt b) gene with a success rate 36%, humans, dogs, and rats being determined as sources of blood. Bloodmeal analysis of two Trypanopsoma-positive females (S. barraudi and Sergentomyia sp.) identified blood from dogs and humans, respectively. Our findings indicate that S. barraudi, S. indica, S. khawi and Id. asperulus may be incriminated in circulation of detected Trypanosoma spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirayu Buatong
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand;
| | - Vit Dvorak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Arunrat Thepparat
- Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi, Bangkok 10240, Thailand;
| | - Kanaphot Thongkhao
- Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 11, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80000, Thailand; (K.T.); (S.K.)
| | - Surachart Koyadun
- Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 11, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80000, Thailand; (K.T.); (S.K.)
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Vector Biology and Vector Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Theerakamol Pengsakul
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-7428-9124
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Intakhan N, Siriyasatien P, Chanmol W. Anti-Leishmania activity of artesunate and combination effects with amphotericin B against Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in vitro. Acta Trop 2022; 226:106260. [PMID: 34848183 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an emerging disease in several countries over the world, especially in tropical regions. In Thailand, Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis is the most frequent cause of visceral leishmaniasis and disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis among HIV/AIDs patients. Amphotericin B (AmB) is the only drug currently available for the treatment of leishmaniasis in Thailand, but has some limitations like high renal toxicity and the prolonged hospitalization required for the treatment. Moreover, recurrence of the disease has been reported in several cases, indicating that new drugs or treatment strategies should be improved. In this study, Artesunate (ARS) was determined for anti-Leishmania activity against L. martiniquensis in promastigotes and amastigotes. In addition, the combination effects of ARS and AmB against intracellular amastigotes on THP-1 derived macrophages were also investigated for the first time. The result showed that L. martiniquensis was susceptible to ARS in both stages of the parasite. ARS was effective against intracellular amastigotes and safe to macrophage host cells, showing a SI value of 1,065. Furthermore, combination effects of ARS and AmB showed five synergistic combinations with a combination index (CI) value less than 1.0 (0.28-0.92) for intracellular amastigotes ranging from slight synergism to strong synergism. The strong synergistic combination had the highest dose reduction index (DRI), approximately a 9.7-fold reduction in AmB used. None of the treatments in combination had noticeable toxicity to THP-1 derived macrophages in the concentration range examined. The data provided in this study lead to further study in vivo and to develop a novel formulation of drug combinations to improve the outcome of leishmaniasis treatment.
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Sukhumavasi W, Kaewamatawong T, Somboonpoonpol N, Jiratanh M, Wattanamethanont J, Kaewthamasorn M, Leelayoova S, Tiwananthagorn S. Liver- and Spleen-Specific Immune Responses in Experimental Leishmania martiniquensis Infection in BALB/c Mice. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:794024. [PMID: 34977224 PMCID: PMC8718515 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.794024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania martiniquensis is a neglected cause of an emerging leishmaniasis in many countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland, the United States of America, Myanmar, and Thailand, with different clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic, cutaneous (CL), visceral (VL), and atypically disseminated CL and VL. The persistence of parasites and the recurrence of the disease after treatment are challenges in controlling the disease. To explore efficient prophylaxis and therapy, this study aimed to investigate infection outcome and organ-specific immune responses after inoculation with L. martiniquensis (MHOM/TH/2011/PG; 5 x 106 promastigotes) in BALB/c mice via intravenous and intraperitoneal routes. A quantitative PCR technique, targeting L. martiniquensis ITS1, was primarily established to estimate the parasite burden. We found that the infection in the liver resolved; however, persistent infection was observed in the spleen. Histopathology with Leishmania-specific immunostaining revealed efficient hepatic granuloma formation, while splenic disorganization with parasitized macrophages at different locations was demonstrated. The mRNA expression of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12p40) and iNOS in the liver and spleen was upregulated. In addition, high expression of IL-10 was observed in the spleen in the chronic phase, revealing a significant moderate correlation with the parasite persistence [r(12) = 0.72, P = 0.009]. Further clarification of the mechanisms of persistent infection and experimental infection in immunosuppressed murine models are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woraporn Sukhumavasi
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Feline Infectious Disease and Health for Excellence Research Unit, Microbial Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance Research Unit, Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Theerayuth Kaewamatawong
- Veterinary Pathology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nawaphat Somboonpoonpol
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Montakan Jiratanh
- Parasitology Section, National Institute of Animal Health, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Juntra Wattanamethanont
- Parasitology Section, National Institute of Animal Health, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Saruda Tiwananthagorn
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Research Center of Producing and Development of Products and Innovations for Animal Health and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as potential vectors for Leishmania martiniquensis and Trypanosoma sp. in northern Thailand. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0010014. [PMID: 34910720 PMCID: PMC8673663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Biting midges of genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the vectors of several pathogenic arboviruses and parasites of humans and animals. Several reports have suggested that biting midges might be a potential vector of Leishmania parasites. In this study, we screened for Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA in biting midges collected from near the home of a leishmaniasis patient in Lamphun province, northern Thailand by using UV-CDC light traps. The identification of biting midge species was based on morphological characters and confirmed using the Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The detection of Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA was performed by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes, respectively. All the amplified PCR amplicons were cloned and sequenced. The collected 223 biting midges belonged to seven species (Culicoides mahasarakhamense, C. guttifer, C. innoxius, C. sumatrae, C. huffi, C. oxystoma, and C. palpifer). The dominant species found in this study was C. mahasarakhamense (47.53%). Leishmania martiniquensis DNA was detected in three samples of 106 specimens of C. mahasarakhamense tested indicating a field infection rate of 2.83%, which is comparable to reported rates in local phlebotomines. Moreover, we also detected Trypanosoma sp. DNA in one sample of C. huffi. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of L. martiniquensis in C. mahasarakhamense as well as the first detection of avian Trypanosoma in C. huffi. Blood meal analysis of engorged specimens of C. mahasarakhamense, C. guttifer, and C. huffi revealed that all specimens had fed on avian, however, further studies of the host ranges of Culicoides are needed to gain a better insight of potential vectors of emerging leishmaniasis. Clarification of the vectors of these parasites is also important to provide tools to establish effective disease prevention and control programs in Thailand. Culicoides are known to be vectors of several pathogens, including arboviruses and parasites. However, other investigations have demonstrated that Culicoides could be involved in the transmission of Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites. Our studies demonstrated the first detection of L. martiniquensis in Culicoides mahasarakhamense and Trypanosoma sp., which is closely related to avian Trypanosome in C. huffi from an endemic area of leishmaniasis in northern Thailand. The finding of this work suggested that Culicoides biting midges are suspected to be the potential vector of L. martiniquensis and Trypanosoma parasites in Thailand.
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Jariyapan N, Bates MD, Bates PA. Molecular identification of two newly identified human pathogens causing leishmaniasis using PCR-based methods on the 3' untranslated region of the heat shock protein 70 (type I) gene. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009982. [PMID: 34847144 PMCID: PMC8631652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PCR-based methods to amplify the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the heat shock protein 70 (type I) gene (HSP70-I) have previously been used for typing of Leishmania but not with Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis and L. (Mundinia) orientalis, newly identified human pathogens. Here, the 3′-UTRs of HSP70-I of L. martiniquensis, L. orientalis, and 10 other species were sequenced and analyzed. PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis targeting the 3′-UTR of HSP70-I was developed. Also, the detection limit of HSP70-I-3′-UTR PCR methods was compared with two other commonly used targets: the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) gene and the internal transcribed spacer 1 region of the rRNA (ITS1-rRNA) gene. Results showed that HSP70-I-3′-UTR PCR methods could be used to identify and differentiate between L. martiniquensis (480–2 bp) and L. orientalis (674 bp) and distinguished them from parasites of the subgenus Viannia and of the subgenus Leishmania. PCR-RFLP patterns of the 3′-UTR of HSP70-I fragments digested with BsuRI restriction enzyme successfully differentiated L. martiniquensis, L. orientalis, L. braziliensis, L. guyanensis = L. panamensis, L. mexicana = L. aethiopica = L. tropica, L. amazonensis, L. major, and L. donovani = L. infantum. For the detection limit, the HSP70-I-3′-UTR PCR method could detect the DNA of L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis at the same concentration, 1 pg/μL, at a similar level to the SSU-rRNA PCR. The PCR that amplified ITS1-rRNA was more sensitive (0.01 pg/μL) than that of the HSP70-I-3′-UTR PCR. However, the sizes of both SSU-rRNA and ITS1-rRNA PCR amplicons could not differentiate between L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis. This is the first report of using HSP70-I-3′-UTR PCR based methods to identify the parasites causing leishmaniasis in Thailand. Also, the BsuRI-PCR-RFLP method can be used for differentiating some species within other subgenera. L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis, newly identified human pathogens, cause visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis in HIV-negative patients, respectively. However, both parasite species cause disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis accompanying visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-positive patients. Species typing in leishmaniasis is important in diagnostics, epidemiology, and clinical studies. We show here that the 3′-UTR of HSP70-I region is a suitable target for PCR-based identification and discrimination between L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis. The technique is simple to perform and can be implemented in all settings where PCR is available. In species with similar PCR product size, the BsuRI-PCR-RFLP patterns of the 3′-UTR of HSP70-I fragments can be used for differentiating some species within other subgenera. However, where identification of species is essential or there is a travel history outside Thailand, sequencing of the HSP70-I-3′-UTR product or a similar discriminating target sequence is recommended. The PCR-based methods used in this study can also be applicable to the identification of Leishmania species obtained from vectors and reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narissara Jariyapan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail:
| | - Michelle D. Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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Mathison BA, Sapp SGH. An annotated checklist of the eukaryotic parasites of humans, exclusive of fungi and algae. Zookeys 2021; 1069:1-313. [PMID: 34819766 PMCID: PMC8595220 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1069.67403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The classification of "parasites" in the medical field is a challenging notion, a group which historically has included all eukaryotes exclusive of fungi that invade and derive resources from the human host. Since antiquity, humans have been identifying and documenting parasitic infections, and this collective catalog of parasitic agents has expanded considerably with technology. As our understanding of species boundaries and the use of molecular tools has evolved, so has our concept of the taxonomy of human parasites. Consequently, new species have been recognized while others have been relegated to synonyms. On the other hand, the decline of expertise in classical parasitology and limited curricula have led to a loss of awareness of many rarely encountered species. Here, we provide a comprehensive checklist of all reported eukaryotic organisms (excluding fungi and allied taxa) parasitizing humans resulting in 274 genus-group taxa and 848 species-group taxa. For each species, or genus where indicated, a concise summary of geographic distribution, natural hosts, route of transmission and site within human host, and vectored pathogens are presented. Ubiquitous, human-adapted species as well as very rare, incidental zoonotic organisms are discussed in this annotated checklist. We also provide a list of 79 excluded genera and species that have been previously reported as human parasites but are not believed to be true human parasites or represent misidentifications or taxonomic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A. Mathison
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USAInstitute for Clinical and Experimental PathologySalt Lake CityUnited States of America
| | - Sarah G. H. Sapp
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USACenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaUnited States of America
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Chromosome-Scale Assembly of the Complete Genome Sequence of Leishmania ( Mundinia) sp. Ghana, Isolate GH5, Strain LV757. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:e0059121. [PMID: 34591664 PMCID: PMC8483695 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00591-21] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania (Mundinia) sp. Ghana is a kinetoplastid parasite isolated in 2015 in Ghana. We report the complete genome sequence of L. (M.) sp. Ghana, sequenced using combined short-read and long-read technologies. This will facilitate greater understanding of this novel pathogen and its relationships within the subgenus Mundinia.
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Chromosome-Scale Assembly of the Complete Genome Sequence of Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis, Isolate LSCM4, Strain LV768. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:e0057421. [PMID: 34498920 PMCID: PMC8428255 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00574-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis is a kinetoplastid parasite first isolated in 2014 in Thailand. We report the complete genome sequence of L. (M.) orientalis, sequenced using combined short-read and long-read technologies. This will facilitate greater understanding of this novel pathogen and its relationship to other members of the subgenus Mundinia.
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Almutairi H, Urbaniak MD, Bates MD, Jariyapan N, Kwakye-Nuako G, Thomaz Soccol V, Al-Salem WS, Dillon RJ, Bates PA, Gatherer D. Chromosome-scale genome sequencing, assembly and annotation of six genomes from subfamily Leishmaniinae. Sci Data 2021; 8:234. [PMID: 34489462 PMCID: PMC8421402 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-01017-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We provide the raw and processed data produced during the genome sequencing of isolates from six species of parasites from the sub-family Leishmaniinae: Leishmania martiniquensis (Thailand), Leishmania orientalis (Thailand), Leishmania enriettii (Brazil), Leishmania sp. Ghana, Leishmania sp. Namibia and Porcisia hertigi (Panama). De novo assembly was performed using Nanopore long reads to construct chromosome backbone scaffolds. We then corrected erroneous base calling by mapping short Illumina paired-end reads onto the initial assembly. Data has been deposited at NCBI as follows: raw sequencing output in the Sequence Read Archive, finished genomes in GenBank, and ancillary data in BioSample and BioProject. Derived data such as quality scoring, SAM files, genome annotations and repeat sequence lists have been deposited in Lancaster University's electronic data archive with DOIs provided for each item. Our coding workflow has been deposited in GitHub and Zenodo repositories. This data constitutes a resource for the comparative genomics of parasites and for further applications in general and clinical parasitology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatim Almutairi
- Division of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
- Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael D Urbaniak
- Division of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| | - Michelle D Bates
- Division of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| | - Narissara Jariyapan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Godwin Kwakye-Nuako
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health & Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Vanete Thomaz Soccol
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | - Rod J Dillon
- Division of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| | - Paul A Bates
- Division of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| | - Derek Gatherer
- Division of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK.
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Sriwongpan P, Nedsuwan S, Manomat J, Charoensakulchai S, Lacharojana K, Sankwan J, Kobpungton N, Sriwongpun T, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, Siripattanapipong S, Ruang-areerate T, Naaglor T, Eamchotchawalit T, Piyaraj P. Prevalence and associated risk factors of Leishmania infection among immunocompetent hosts, a community-based study in Chiang Rai, Thailand. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009545. [PMID: 34252099 PMCID: PMC8297947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis is an emerging infectious disease reported in the north and south of Thailand of which patients with HIV/AIDS are a high risk group for acquiring the infection. A lack of information regarding prevalence, and the risk association of Leishmania infection among asymptomatic immunocompetent hosts needs further investigation. Information on potential vectors and animal reservoirs in the affected areas is also important to control disease transmission. Methods An outbreak investigation and a cross-sectional study were conducted following one index case of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. martiniquensis in an immunocompetent male patient reported in August 2015, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. From September to November 2015, a total of 392 participants at two study areas who were related to the index case, 130 students at a semi-boarding vocational school and 262 hill tribe villagers in the patient’s hometown, were recruited in this study. The nested internal transcribed spacer 1-PCR (ITS1-PCR) was performed to detect Leishmania DNA in buffy coat, and nucleotide sequencing was used to identify species. Antibody screening in plasma was performed using the Direct Agglutination Test (DAT), and associated risk factors were analyzed using a standardized questionnaire. Captured sandflies within the study areas were identified and detected for Leishmania DNA using nested ITS1-PCR. Moreover, the animal reservoirs in the study areas were also explored for Leishmania infection. Results Of 392 participants, 28 (7.1%) were positive for Leishmania infection of which 1 (4.8%) was L. martiniquensis, 12 (57.1%) were L. orientalis and 8 (38.1%) were Leishmania spp. Of 28, 15 (53.6%) were DAT positive. None showed any symptoms of CL or visceral leishmaniasis. Risk factors were associated with being female (adjusted odds ratio, AOR 2.52, 95%CI 1.01–6.26), increasing age (AOR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02–1.08), having an animal enclosure in a housing area (AOR 3.04, 95%CI 1.13–8.22), being exposed to termite mounds (AOR 3.74, 95%CI 1.11–12.58) and having domestic animals in a housing area (AOR 7.11, 95%CI 2.08–24.37). At the semi-boarding vocational school, six Sergentomyia gemmea samples were PCR positive for DNA of L. orientalis and one S. gemmea was PCR positive for DNA of L. donovani/L. infantum. Additionally, one Phlebotomus stantoni was PCR positive for DNA of L. martiniquensis, and one black rat (Rattus rattus) was PCR positive for DNA of L. martiniquensis. Conclusion This information could be useful for monitoring Leishmania infection among immunocompetent hosts in affected areas and also setting up strategies for prevention and control. A follow-up study of asymptomatic individuals with seropositive results as well as those with positive PCR results is recommended. This is the first community-based study investigating the prevalence and associated risk factors of Leishmania infection among immunocompetent individuals, demonstrating the situation of Leishmania infection in endemic areas of Thailand. An outbreak investigation and a cross-sectional study were conducted following one index case of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. martiniquensis in an immunocompetent male patient reported in August 2015, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Of 392 participants, 28 (7.1%) were positive for Leishmania infection of which 1 (4.8%) was L. martiniquensis, 12 (57.1%) were L. orientalis and 8 (38.1%) were Leishmania spp. The factors associated with Leishmania infection included being female, increasing age, having an animal enclosure in a housing area, being exposed to termite mounds and having domestic animals in a housing area. This information revealed the first burden and risk factors of Leishmania infection among immunocompetent individuals in Thailand and highlighted the urgent need for effective interventions to prevent and control the disease in high risk populations in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamornsri Sriwongpan
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Supalert Nedsuwan
- Social and Preventive Medicine Department, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Jidapa Manomat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - Jamnong Sankwan
- Chiangrai Provincial Livestock Office, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Natheeporn Kobpungton
- Anatomical Pathology Department, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | | | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Toon Ruang-areerate
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tawee Naaglor
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Phunlerd Piyaraj
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail:
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Phuphisut O, Nitatsukprasert C, Pathawong N, Jaichapor B, Pongsiri A, Adisakwattana P, Ponlawat A. Sand fly identification and screening for Leishmania spp. in six provinces of Thailand. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:352. [PMID: 34217359 PMCID: PMC8254935 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04856-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of Leishmania spp. At least 27 species of sand flies have been recorded in Thailand. Although human leishmaniasis cases in Thailand are mainly imported, autochthonous leishmaniasis has been increasingly reported in several regions of the country since 1999. Few studies have detected Leishmania infection in wild-caught sand flies, although these studies were carried out only in those areas reporting human leishmaniasis cases. The aim of this study was therefore to identity sand fly species and to investigate Leishmania infection across six provinces of Thailand. Methods Species of wild-caught sand flies were initially identified based on morphological characters. However, problems identifying cryptic species complexes necessitated molecular identification using DNA barcoding in parallel with identification based on morphological characters. The wild-caught sand flies were pooled and the DNA isolated prior to the detection of Leishmania infection by a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Results A total of 4498 sand flies (1158 males and 3340 females) were caught by trapping in six provinces in four regions of Thailand. The sand flies were morphologically classified into eight species belonging to three genera (Sergentomyia, Phlebotomus and Idiophlebotomus). Sergentomyia iyengari was found at all collection sites and was the dominant species at most of these, followed in frequency by Sergentomyia barraudi and Phlebotomus stantoni, respectively. DNA barcodes generated from 68 sand flies allowed sorting into 14 distinct species with 25 operational taxonomic units, indicating a higher diversity (by 75%) than that based on morphological identification. Twelve barcoding sequences could not be assigned to any species for which cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences are available. All tested sand flies were negative for Leishmania DNA. Conclusions Our results confirm the presence of several sand fly species in different provinces of Thailand, highlighting the importance of using DNA barcoding as a tool to study sand fly species diversity. While all female sand flies tested in this study were negative for Leishmania, the circulation of Leishmania spp. in the investigated areas cannot be ruled out. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04856-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orawan Phuphisut
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Chanyapat Nitatsukprasert
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Nattaphol Pathawong
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Boonsong Jaichapor
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Arissara Pongsiri
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
| | - Alongkot Ponlawat
- Vector Biology and Control Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Chromosome-Scale Assembly of the Complete Genome Sequence of Leishmania ( Mundinia) martiniquensis, Isolate LSCM1, Strain LV760. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:e0005821. [PMID: 34137631 PMCID: PMC8210701 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00058-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis is a kinetoplastid parasite that was first isolated in 1995 on Martinique. We report the first complete genome for Leishmania martiniquensis from Asia, isolate LSCM1, strain LV760, which was sequenced using combined short-read and long-read technologies. This will facilitate greater understanding of the evolution of the geographically dispersed subgenus Mundinia.
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Becvar T, Vojtkova B, Siriyasatien P, Votypka J, Modry D, Jahn P, Bates P, Carpenter S, Volf P, Sadlova J. Experimental transmission of Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites by biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009654. [PMID: 34115806 PMCID: PMC8221790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites, causative agents of leishmaniasis, are currently divided into four subgenera: Leishmania, Viannia, Sauroleishmania and Mundinia. The recently established subgenus Mundinia has a wide geographical distribution and contains five species, three of which have the potential to infect and cause disease in humans. While the other Leishmania subgenera are transmitted exclusively by phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), natural vectors of Mundinia remain uncertain. This study investigates the potential of sand flies and biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to transmit Leishmania parasites of the subgenus Mundinia. Sand flies (Phlebotomus argentipes, P. duboscqi and Lutzomyia migonei) and Culicoides biting midges (Culicoides sonorensis) were exposed to five Mundinia species through a chicken skin membrane and dissected at specific time intervals post bloodmeal. Potentially infected insects were also allowed to feed on ear pinnae of anaesthetized BALB/c mice and the presence of Leishmania DNA was subsequently confirmed in the mice using polymerase chain reaction analyses. In C. sonorensis, all Mundinia species tested were able to establish infection at a high rate, successfully colonize the stomodeal valve and produce a higher proportion of metacyclic forms than in sand flies. Subsequently, three parasite species, L. martiniquensis, L. orientalis and L. sp. from Ghana, were transmitted to the host mouse ear by C. sonorensis bite. In contrast, transmission experiments entirely failed with P. argentipes, although colonisation of the stomodeal valve was observed for L. orientalis and L. martiniquensis and metacyclic forms of L. orientalis were recorded. This laboratory-based transmission of Mundinia species highlights that Culicoides are potential vectors of members of this ancestral subgenus of Leishmania and we suggest further studies in endemic areas to confirm their role in the lifecycles of neglected pathogens. Leishmania parasites are causative agents of leishmaniasis, a disease affecting millions of humans worldwide. It is widely accepted that these flagellates are transmitted exclusively by phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae). Reservoir hosts and insect vectors for the newly established Leishmania subgenus Mundinia, however, remain poorly understood. Preliminary evidence from field-based studies discovered biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that were naturally infected by L. (Mundinia) macropodum in Australia. This surprising finding led us to carry out a detailed laboratory study aimed at comparison of the development of all currently known species of the subgenus Mundinia in both putative vector families. We found that all five Mundinia species developed successfully in C. sonorensis and the successful transmission of three Mundinia species from infected insects to mice was demonstrated for the first time. This is the first detailed in vivo evidence that biting midges can act as competent vectors of Leishmania parasites of the subgenus Mundinia and has considerable epidemiological implications for control of these neglected pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Vector Biology and Vector Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Modry
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Jahn
- Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Carpenter
- Entomology Group, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Genetic diversity of Leishmania tropica: Unexpectedly complex distribution pattern. Acta Trop 2021; 218:105888. [PMID: 33713626 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we characterized a collection of clinical samples obtained from Syrian and Turkish patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis using internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences. All obtained sequences belonged to Leishmania tropica. Combining them with those available from GenBank allowed us performing a broad-scale analysis of genetic diversity for this species. We demonstrated that L. tropica has a complex phylogeographic pattern with some haplotypes being widespread across endemic countries and others restricted to particular regions. We hypothesize that at least some of them may be associated with alternative vectors or animal reservoirs.
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Correction for Mathison et al., "Medical Parasitology Taxonomy Update, January 2018 to May 2020". J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:59/5/e00525-21. [PMID: 33879563 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00525-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Reply to Mungthin et al., "Taxonomy Revision of Leishmania spp. in Thailand". J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:JCM.00357-21. [PMID: 33692141 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00357-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Kostygov AY, Karnkowska A, Votýpka J, Tashyreva D, Maciszewski K, Yurchenko V, Lukeš J. Euglenozoa: taxonomy, diversity and ecology, symbioses and viruses. Open Biol 2021; 11:200407. [PMID: 33715388 PMCID: PMC8061765 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Euglenozoa is a species-rich group of protists, which have extremely diverse lifestyles and a range of features that distinguish them from other eukaryotes. They are composed of free-living and parasitic kinetoplastids, mostly free-living diplonemids, heterotrophic and photosynthetic euglenids, as well as deep-sea symbiontids. Although they form a well-supported monophyletic group, these morphologically rather distinct groups are almost never treated together in a comparative manner, as attempted here. We present an updated taxonomy, complemented by photos of representative species, with notes on diversity, distribution and biology of euglenozoans. For kinetoplastids, we propose a significantly modified taxonomy that reflects the latest findings. Finally, we summarize what is known about viruses infecting euglenozoans, as well as their relationships with ecto- and endosymbiotic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Y. Kostygov
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Karnkowska
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daria Tashyreva
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Kacper Maciszewski
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
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Abstract
The taxonomy of parasites of medical and public health importance is rapidly evolving. This minireview provides an update of taxonomic revisions and additions in the field of medical parasitology from January 2018 to May 2020. Several established human parasites have been reassigned to different genera over the past 2 years, while a number of novel parasites of humans have been identified. A comprehensive summary of these changes is provided here, and Taenia suihominis is proposed as a replacement name for Taenia asiaticus Eom et al., which is a homonym of Taenia asiatica von Linstow.
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50
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Baneth G, Bates PA, Olivieri A. Host-parasite interactions in vector-borne protozoan infections. Eur J Protistol 2020; 76:125741. [PMID: 33147559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2020.125741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Protists embrace many species, some of which may be either occasional or permanent parasites of vertebrate animals. Between the parasite species, several of medical and veterinary importance are vector-transmitted. The ecology and epidemiology of vector-borne parasitoses, including babesiosis, leishmaniasis and malaria, are particularly complex, as they are influenced by many factors, such as vector reproductive efficiency and geographical spread, vectorial capacity, host immunity, travel and human behaviour and climatic factors. Transmission dynamics are determined by the interactions between pathogen, vector, host and environmental factors and, given their complexity, many different types of mathematical models have been developed to understand them. A good basic knowledge of vector-pathogen relationships and transmission dynamics is thus essential for disease surveillance and control interventions and may help in understanding the spread of epidemics and be useful for public health planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Paul A Bates
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, UK
| | - Anna Olivieri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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