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Roberts AJ, Ong HB, Clare S, Brandt C, Harcourt K, Takele Y, Ghosh P, Toepp A, Waugh M, Matano D, Färnert A, Adams E, Moreno J, Mbuchi M, Petersen C, Mondal D, Kropf P, Wright GJ. A panel of recombinant Leishmania donovani cell surface and secreted proteins identifies LdBPK_323600.1 as a serological marker of symptomatic infection. mBio 2024; 15:e0085924. [PMID: 38639536 PMCID: PMC11077996 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00859-24] [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: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a deadly infectious disease and is one of the world's major neglected health problems. Because the symptoms of infection are similar to other endemic diseases, accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment. Definitive diagnosis using splenic or bone marrow aspirates is highly invasive, and so, serological assays are preferred, including the direct agglutination test (DAT) or rK39 strip test. These tests, however, are either difficult to perform in the field (DAT) or lack specificity in some endemic regions (rK39), making the development of new tests a research priority. The availability of Leishmania spp. genomes presents an opportunity to identify new diagnostic targets. Here, we use genome data and a mammalian protein expression system to create a panel of 93 proteins consisting of the extracellular ectodomains of the Leishmania donovani cell surface and secreted proteins. We use these panel and sera from murine experimental infection models and natural human and canine infections to identify new candidates for serological diagnosis. We observed a concordance between the most immunoreactive antigens in different host species and transmission settings. The antigen encoded by the LdBPK_323600.1 gene can diagnose Leishmania infections with high sensitivity and specificity in patient cohorts from different endemic regions including Bangladesh and Ethiopia. In longitudinal sampling of treated patients, we observed reductions in immunoreactivity to LdBPK_323600.1 suggesting it could be used to diagnose treatment success. In summary, we have identified new antigens that could contribute to improved serological diagnostic tests to help control the impact of this deadly tropical infectious disease. IMPORTANCE Visceral leishmaniasis is fatal if left untreated with patients often displaying mild and non-specific symptoms during the early stages of infection making accurate diagnosis important. Current methods for diagnosis require highly trained medical staff to perform highly invasive biopsies of the liver or bone marrow which pose risks to the patient. Less invasive molecular tests are available but can suffer from regional variations in their ability to accurately diagnose an infection. To identify new diagnostic markers of visceral leishmaniasis, we produced and tested a panel of 93 proteins identified from the genome of the parasite responsible for this disease. We found that the pattern of host antibody reactivity to these proteins was broadly consistent across naturally acquired infections in both human patients and dogs, as well as experimental rodent infections. We identified a new protein called LdBPK_323600.1 that could accurately diagnose visceral leishmaniasis infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Roberts
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Han Boon Ong
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Clare
- Pathogen Laboratory Support, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Cordelia Brandt
- Pathogen Laboratory Support, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Harcourt
- Pathogen Laboratory Support, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Yegnasew Takele
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Prakash Ghosh
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Angela Toepp
- College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Max Waugh
- College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Daniel Matano
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna Färnert
- Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emily Adams
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas—CIBERINFEC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margaret Mbuchi
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Dinesh Mondal
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Pascale Kropf
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin J. Wright
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology and York, Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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2
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Ivănescu L, Andronic BL, Grigore-Hristodorescu S, Martinescu GV, Mîndru R, Miron L. The immune response in canine and human leishmaniasis and how this influences the diagnosis- a review and assessment of recent research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1326521. [PMID: 38149009 PMCID: PMC10749942 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1326521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a widespread but still underdiagnosed parasitic disease that affects both humans and animals. There are at least 20 pathogenic species of Leishmania, most of them being zoonotic. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis remains a major challenge, with an important role being played by the species of parasites involved, the genetic background, the immunocompetence of the host. This paper brings to the fore the sensitivity of the balance in canine and human leishmaniasis and addresses the importance of the host's immune response in establishing a correct diagnosis, especially in certain cases of asymptomatic leishmaniasis, or in the situation the host is immunosuppressed or acquired leishmaniasis through vertical transmission. The methods considered as a reference in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis no longer present certainty, the diagnosis being influenced mostly by the immune response of the host, which differs according to the presence of other associated diseases or even according to the breed in dogs. Consequently, the diagnosis and surveillance of leishmaniasis cases remains an open topic, requiring new diagnostic methods adapted to the immunological state of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Ivănescu
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
| | - Bianca Lavinia Andronic
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
| | | | | | - Raluca Mîndru
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
| | - Liviu Miron
- Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, Iaşi, Romania
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Ribeiro VM, Júnior DMG, Ottino J, Valle GR, de Miranda Estevam LGT, de Carvalho OV, Paz GF. Report of the presence of Leishmania infantum in the milk of a naturally infected female dog in Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 36:100795. [PMID: 36436888 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100795] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Dogs are the most important reservoir of Leishmania infantum, the causal agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. Although lymphoid tissue is the most important biological tissue where amastigotes can be found, this paper describes the presence of L. infantum DNA in the milk of a lactating naturally infected female dog. This finding suggests the need for further studies to elucidate whether breastfeeding can be a route of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jennifer Ottino
- Santo Agostinho Hospital Veterinário, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Sandy J, Matthews A, Nachum-Biala Y, Baneth G. First Report of Autochthonous Canine Leishmaniasis in Hong Kong. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091873. [PMID: 36144475 PMCID: PMC9503302 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum; transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. Leishmania infantum amastigotes were identified by cytology from a locally born Hong Kong dog exhibiting nasal, cutaneous, and systemic disease who was part of a kennel of eight dogs. All eight kennel dogs were subsequently tested serologically by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing for L. infantum infection. The local dog was seropositive and blood and splenic tissue were PCR positive for L. infantum whilst the other kennel dogs were negative on serology and PCR. Autochthonous transmission was suspected for the local dog as Hong Kong lacks known vectors of L. infantum. Either vertical transmission from the deceased dam who had previously died with disease suspicious for leishmaniasis or horizontal transmission from a second non-locally born kennel dog who had been diagnosed previously with leishmaniasis was possible. This is the first recorded autochthonous case of canine leishmaniasis in Hong Kong. Leishmaniasis should be considered as a differential for cutaneous or systemic illness in local untraveled dogs in Hong Kong. In addition, as dogs serve as L. infantum reservoirs for human infection attention should be paid to the possibility of leishmaniasis emerging in Hong Kong.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine Sandy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Correspondence:
| | - Anthony Matthews
- Acorn Veterinary Hospital, G/F 68-80 Second St., Sai Yung Pun, Hong Kong
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 91905, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 91905, Israel
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Franssen SU, Sanders MJ, Berriman M, Petersen CA, Cotton JA. Geographic Origin and Vertical Transmission of Leishmania infantum Parasites in Hunting Hounds, United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1211-1223. [PMID: 35608628 PMCID: PMC9155895 DOI: 10.3201/eid2806.211746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertical transmission of leishmaniasis is common but is difficult to study against the background of pervasive vector transmission. We present genomic data from dogs in the United States infected with Leishmania infantum parasites; these infections have persisted in the apparent absence of vector transmission. We demonstrate that these parasites were introduced from the Old World separately and more recently than L. infantum from South America. The parasite population shows unusual genetics consistent with a lack of meiosis: a high level of heterozygous sites shared across all isolates and no decrease in linkage with genomic distance between variants. Our data confirm that this parasite population has been evolving with little or no sexual reproduction. This demonstration of vertical transmission has profound implications for the population genetics of Leishmania parasites. When investigating transmission in complex natural settings, considering vertical transmission alongside vector transmission is vital.
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Beasley EA, Mahachi KG, Petersen CA. Possibility of Leishmania Transmission via Lutzomyia spp. Sand Flies Within the USA and Implications for Human and Canine Autochthonous Infection. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2022; 9:160-168. [PMID: 36159745 PMCID: PMC9490703 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-022-00267-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Leishmaniasis is a leading cause of parasitic death, with incidence rising from decreased resources to administer insecticide and anti-leishmanial treatments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leishmaniasis is nonendemic in the United States (U.S.), but enzootic canine populations and potentially competent vectors warrant monitoring of autochthonous disease as a fluctuating climate facilitates vector expansion. Recent studies concerning sand fly distribution and vector capacity were assessed for implications of autochthonous transmission within the U.S. Recent Findings Climate change and insecticide resistance provide challenges in sand fly control. While most Leishmania-infected dogs in the U.S. were infected via vertical transmission or were imported, autochthonous vector-borne cases were reported. Autochthonous vector-borne human cases have been reported in four states. Further vaccine research could contribute to infection control. Summary Both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis cases in the U.S. are increasingly reported. Prevention measures including vector control and responsible animal breeding are critical to halt this zoonotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. Beasley
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, CPHB S429, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Kurayi G. Mahachi
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, CPHB S429, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Christine A. Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, CPHB S429, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Interdepartmental Immunology Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Beasley EA, Pessôa-Pereira D, Scorza BM, Petersen CA. Epidemiologic, Clinical and Immunological Consequences of Co-Infections during Canine Leishmaniosis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113206. [PMID: 34827938 PMCID: PMC8614518 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Canine leishmaniosis (CanL), the most severe, visceralizing form of disease caused by Leishmania infantum transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. CanL is frequently diagnosed in the Mediterranean basin and South America, although it is also found in other regions, including the United States (U.S.). Dogs in these regions are at risk for co-infections, prominently tick-borne diseases. Our review examines epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic mechanisms found during the most common eight CanL co-infections reported in published literature. Co-infections alter immunologic processes and disease progression impacting CanL diagnosis, therapeutic responses, and prognosis. Abstract Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne, parasitic disease. CanL is endemic in the Mediterranean basin and South America but also found in Northern Africa, Asia, and the U.S. Regions with both competent sand fly vectors and L. infantum parasites are also endemic for additional infectious diseases that could cause co-infections in dogs. Growing evidence indicates that co-infections can impact immunologic responses and thus the clinical course of both CanL and the comorbid disease(s). The aim for this review is to summarize epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic factors contributing to eight primary co-infections reported with CanL: Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis, Paracoccidioides braziliensis. Co-infection causes mechanistic differences in immunity which can alter diagnostics, therapeutic management, and prognosis of dogs with CanL. More research is needed to further explore immunomodulation during CanL co-infection(s) and their clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. Beasley
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (E.A.B.); (D.P.-P.); (B.M.S.)
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Danielle Pessôa-Pereira
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (E.A.B.); (D.P.-P.); (B.M.S.)
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Breanna M. Scorza
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (E.A.B.); (D.P.-P.); (B.M.S.)
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Christine A. Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (E.A.B.); (D.P.-P.); (B.M.S.)
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Correspondence:
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8
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Scorza BM, Mahachi KG, Cox AC, Toepp AJ, Leal-Lima A, Kumar Kushwaha A, Kelly P, Meneses C, Wilson G, Gibson-Corley KN, Bartholomay L, Kamhawi S, Petersen CA. Leishmania infantum xenodiagnosis from vertically infected dogs reveals significant skin tropism. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009366. [PMID: 34613967 PMCID: PMC8523039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dogs are the primary reservoir for human visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum. Phlebotomine sand flies maintain zoonotic transmission of parasites between dogs and humans. A subset of dogs is infected transplacentally during gestation, but at what stage of the clinical spectrum vertically infected dogs contribute to the infected sand fly pool is unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We examined infectiousness of dogs vertically infected with L. infantum from multiple clinical states to the vector Lutzomyia longipalpis using xenodiagnosis and found that vertically infected dogs were infectious to sand flies at differing rates. Dogs with mild to moderate disease showed significantly higher transmission to the vector than dogs with subclinical or severe disease. We documented a substantial parasite burden in the skin of vertically infected dogs by RT-qPCR, despite these dogs not having received intradermal parasites via sand flies. There was a highly significant correlation between skin parasite burden at the feeding site and sand fly parasite uptake. This suggests dogs with high skin parasite burden contribute the most to the infected sand fly pool. Although skin parasite load and parasitemia correlated with one another, the average parasite number detected in skin was significantly higher compared to blood in matched subjects. Thus, dermal resident parasites were infectious to sand flies from dogs without detectable parasitemia. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Together, our data implicate skin parasite burden and earlier clinical status as stronger indicators of outward transmission potential than blood parasite burden. Our studies of a population of dogs without vector transmission highlights the need to consider canine vertical transmission in surveillance and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna M. Scorza
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Kurayi G. Mahachi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Arin C. Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Angela J. Toepp
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Adam Leal-Lima
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | | | - Patrick Kelly
- Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Claudio Meneses
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Geneva Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | | | - Lyric Bartholomay
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christine A. Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Arginase/nitric oxide modifications using live non-pathogenic Leishmania tarentolae as an effective delivery system inside the mammalian macrophages. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:65-71. [PMID: 33746388 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01279-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant live delivery system based on chemokine IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 kDa (CXCL 10 or IP-10), as a suitable immunotherapy tool, have been used for the treatment of Leishmania infections. This chemokine can defeat Leishmania spp. infection via producing nitric oxide (NO) for parasite killing. This study was performed to investigate the effects of IP-10 on the infected human macrophages by L. tarentolae expressing IP-10. We also quantified the arginase activity and NO production in the co-cultured human macrophages with L. tarentolae expressing IP-10 as compared with wild L. tarentolae. The results elucidate that in the infected cells with L. tarentolae expression of IP-10 the arginase activity decreased, and inversely, NO production intensely increased. Altogether, L. tarentolae expressing IP-10 shows a favorable therapeutic tool to improve the treatment of Leishmania infection. This work suggests that L. tarentolae expressing IP-10 cause specific effects on the metabolic pathways of the macrophage host, which might enable the host cells in killing of parasites and decreasing the survival of them against Leishmania infection.
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Boechat VC, Pereira SA, Júnior AAVM, dos Santos SA, Miranda LDFC, Figueiredo FB, Ferreira LC, de Carvalho Rodrigues FDC, de Oliveira RDVC, -de-Freitas RT, Bruno RV, Morgado FN, Menezes RC. Frequency, active infection and load of Leishmania infantum and associated histological alterations in the genital tract of male and female dogs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238188. [PMID: 32870947 PMCID: PMC7462300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum is a zoonosis. The domestic dog is the primary reservoir in urban areas. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, active infection and load of L. infantum in the genital tract of male and female dogs seropositive for this parasite, as well as to identify histological genital alterations associated with this protozoan. We studied 45 male and 25 female L. infantum-seropositive noncastrated dogs from the same endemic area in Brazil. Tissue samples from the testis, epididymis, prostate, vulva, vagina, and uterus were examined by singleplex qPCR and parasitological tests (histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and parasitological culture). The latter were performed for the detection of active infection (parasites able to multiply and to induce lesions). Forty-four (98%) males and 25 (100%) females were positive for L. infantum in the genital tract (epididymis: 98%; vulva: 92%; vagina: 92%; testis: 91%; uterus: 84%; prostate: 66%). Active infection in the genital tract was confirmed in 69% of males and 64% of females (32% in the uterus). Parasite loads were similar in the testis, vulva, epididymis and vagina and lower in the prostate. Only the parasite load in the vagina was significantly associated with the number of clinical signs. Granulomatous inflammation predominated in all organs, except for the prostate. Only in the testis and epididymis was the inflammatory infiltrate significantly more intense among dogs with a higher parasite load in these organs. The high frequency, detection of active infection and similarity of L. infantum loads in the genital tract of infected males and females suggest the potential of venereal transmission of this parasite by both sexes and of vertical transmission by females in the area studied. Additionally, vertical transmission may be frequent since active L. infantum infection was a common observation in the uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Cardoso Boechat
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sandro Antonio Pereira
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Artur Augusto Velho Mendes Júnior
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Shanna Araujo dos Santos
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana de Freitas Campos Miranda
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica e Vigilância em Leishmanioses, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Claudio Ferreira
- Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rayane Teles -de-Freitas
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Vieira Bruno
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Nazaré Morgado
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Caldas Menezes
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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11
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Duthie MS, Petersen C. Could canine visceral leishmaniosis take hold in the UK? Vet Rec 2020; 184:438-440. [PMID: 30948663 DOI: 10.1136/vr.l985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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12
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Toepp AJ, Petersen CA. The balancing act: Immunology of leishmaniosis. Res Vet Sci 2020; 130:19-25. [PMID: 32109759 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune control of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of most canine leishmaniosis (CanL), requires a balancing act between inflammatory and regulatory responses. This balance is specifically between the proinflammatory T helper 1 type (Th1) CD4+ T cells that are responsible for controlling parasite replication and T regulatory 1 cells which mediate an immunosuppressive, regulatory, response needed to dampen overabundant inflammation but if predominant, result in CanL progression. How this delicate immune cell interaction occurs in the dog will be highlighted in this review, focusing on the progressive changes observed within myeloid lineage cells (predominantly macrophages), B cells and T cells. After exposure to parasites, macrophages should become activated, eliminating L. infantum through release of reactive oxygen species. Unfortunately, multiple parasite and host factors can prevent macrophage activation allowing parasites to persist within them. T cells balance between a productive TH1 type CD4+ response capable of producing IFN-γ which aids macrophage activation versus T cell exhaustion which reduces T cell proliferation, IFN-γ production and allows parasite expansion within macrophages. Neutrophils and Th17 cells add to the inflammatory state, aiding in parasite removal, but also leading to pathology. A regulatory B cell population increases IL-10 production and down regulates the TH1 response allowing parasite growth. All of these immune challenges affect the balance between progression to clinical disease and maintaining sub-clinical disease. Vaccines and immunotherapies targeted at recovering or maintaining T and B cell function can be important factors in mending the immune balance required to survive CanL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela J Toepp
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa Research Park, Coralville, IA 52241, USA
| | - Christine A Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa Research Park, Coralville, IA 52241, USA.
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