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Nemati S, Hajjaran H, Khamesipour A, Falahati Anbaran M, Mirjalali H, Fazaeli A. Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Study of Leishmania Species in Iran by Multilocus Sequence Typing. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2024; 19:171-182. [PMID: 39011539 PMCID: PMC11246199 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v19i2.15853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis is an important public health parasitic infection, which is endemic in many parts of the world, including Iran. We aimed to investigate genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship among different Leishmania isolates using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Methods Totally, 41 isolates collected either from patients referred to Leishmaniasis Diagnostics and Treatment Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran or from animals during 2019-2021, were subjected to the study. They included L. major and L. tropica from human, L. infantum from canine, and L. turanica from rodents from different endemic foci of Iran analyzed using MLST including gp63, g6pdh, lack, nagt, and hsp70 genes. Results A total of 5010 bps was analyzed from each isolate. The three targets, nagt, lack, and g6pdh, generated better topology comparing to the other genes. In the 44 isolates, 22 haplotypes (STs) were identified. Leishmania tropica contained the highest number of haplotypes (n=12) comparing to L. major (n=8), L. infantum (n=1) and L. turanica (n=1). All five genomic loci caused separation of Iranian Leishmania species at the species level, indicating conservation of these genes in the Leishmania parasite. Conclusion The highest number of haplotypes belonged to L. tropica, indicating that the genetic diversity of this species is higher than that of L. major. It was further confirmed that the MLST is a suitable method to examine genetic variation of Leishmania parasites with respect to evolutionary and epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nemati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Hajjaran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asghar Fazaeli
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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He J, Zhang J, Liao X, Xiao Y, Li J, Zheng Z, Chen D, Chen J. Upregulation of PD-1/PD-L1 and downregulation of immune signaling pathways lead to more severe visceral leishmaniasis in undernutrition mice. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:8. [PMID: 38185681 PMCID: PMC10773036 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06018-2] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is mainly prevalent in tropical and subtropical developing countries, where chronic undernutrition often co-exists. Undernutrition is reported to promote the progression of leishmaniasis, but its immune mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. METHODS To simulate chronic undernutrition of patients in epidemic areas and explore the immune mechanism of undernutrition promoting leishmaniasis, BALB/c mouse models with different nutritional imbalances were established, including undernutrition 75%, undernutrition 65% and obesity mouse models. After infection with Leishmania donovani in these model mice, we focused on evaluating the progress of leishmaniasis in the spleen and liver, the expression of important immunosuppressive and immunoactivation molecules, and changes of spleen transcriptome. The immune signaling pathways enriched by differentially expressed genes and hub genes were analyzed. RESULTS The results showed that among the mouse infection models, undernutrition 75% + infection group had the highest parasite load in the spleen and liver at the 8th week post-infection, possibly due to the continuous increase of PD-1, PD-L1 and TCR. Spleen RNA-seq results suggested that some immune signaling pathways were downregulated in undernutrition 75% + infection group, including neutrophil extracellular trap formation, IL-17 signaling pathway, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, etc. Among them, neutrophil extracellular trap formation pathway had the largest number of downregulated genes. This also explained why undernutrition 75% + infection group had the highest parasite load. Through PPI network analysis, hub genes such as Lcn2, Ltf, Mpo, Dnaja1, Hspa1a, Hspa1b and Hsph1 were screened out and might play important roles in the process of undernutrition promoting leishmaniasis. CONCLUSIONS Undernutrition upregulated PD-1 and PD-L1 expression and downregulated immune signaling pathways in mice with visceral leishmaniasis. The signaling pathways and hub genes may serve as drug targets or intervention targets for the treatment of leishmaniasis patients with undernutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlei He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuechun Liao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuying Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiwan Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dali Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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He J, Huang F, Liao X, Zhang J, Wei S, Xiao Y, Zheng X, Zhu Z, Chen D, Chen J. TLR9 agonist CpG ODN 2395 promotes the immune response against Leishmania donovani in obesity and undernutrition mice. Acta Trop 2023; 242:106921. [PMID: 37030488 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106921] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
As important immunomodulators, CpG ODNs have broad application prospects in the treatment and prevention of leishmaniasis. In order to explore the immunomodulatory effect of CpG ODNs on mice infected with Leishmania parasites in different nutritional status, TLR9 agonist CpG ODN 2395 or TLR9 antagonist CpG ODN 2088 was injected into normal, obesity and undernutrition BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania donovani, respectively. Subsequently, spleen and liver parasite loads, spleen and liver immune gene expression, spleen T cell subsets proportion and PD-1 expression, serum lipids, serum cytokines, and anti-Leishmania antibodies were measured to assess the immune response of mice with different nutritional status. The results displayed that at the 8th week after infection, the spleen parasite load of obesity and undernutrition mice was significantly higher than that of normal mice, but the liver parasite load showed no statistical difference among the three groups. The treatment of CpG ODN 2395 or CpG ODN 2088 significantly reduced the spleen parasite load of obesity and undernutrition infected mice, but did not reduce that of normal infected mice. In obesity infected mice, CpG ODN 2395 promoted the up-regulation of TCR, ICOS and TLR4 in spleen, promoted the secretion of IFN-γ and anti-Leishmania total IgG and IgG1 antibodies, and increased the content of serum HDL-C. In undernutrition infected mice, CpG ODN 2395 promoted the up-regulation of spleen CD28 and TLR9, increased the proportion of spleen CD3+ T cells, and decreased the content of serum IL-10. Our results demonstrated that CpG ODN 2395 enhanced the immune response and clearance of Leishmania parasites in obesity and undernutrition mice, which might be used as a therapeutic agent for obesity and undernutrition leishmaniasis patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlei He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fan Huang
- First Surgical Department, Chengdu Shuangliu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuechun Liao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shulan Wei
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuying Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zheying Zhu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dali Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: An effective method for identification and phylogenetic analysis of Leishmania species. Exp Parasitol 2022; 240:108278. [PMID: 35764122 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid and reproducible method that has been widely applied for the identification of bacteria and fungi. However, this technique has not yet been applied in clinical laboratories for parasitology, such as for the study of the protozoan Leishmania. METHODOLOGY By using MALDI-TOF MS, mass spectra database entries (MSPs) were created with 7 World Health Organization reference strains in order to establish a rapid method for Leishmania species identification. Furthermore, cluster analysis was performed with 18 Chinese Leishmania isolates. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The MSPs of Leishmania corresponded well with our past identification results, and the dendrogram analysis result was more or less similar to that of the phylogenetic analysis performed by multi-locus sequence typing. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE MALDI-TOF MS is a promising method that offers both rapidity and efficiency for the identification and dendrogram analysis of Leishmania species.
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Mutation Characteristics and Phylogenetic Analysis of Five Leishmania Clinical Isolates. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030321. [PMID: 35158645 PMCID: PMC8833617 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030321] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, is caused by infection with the Leishmania species, threatening millions of people in approximately 100 endemic countries. The emergence of antimony-resistant Leishmania strains have brought difficulties to the treatment and elimination of leishmaniasis. This study performed genome-wide resequencing and phylogenetic analysis of five isolates from the Leishmania donovani complex, focusing on finding mutations related to antimony resistance and virulence of the newly isolated Leishmania strain L_HCZ in 2016. By combining whole-genome sequencing and whole-genome phylogenetic analysis, Leishmania isolates L_801, L_9044 and L_Liu were identified as Leishmania donovani, and L_HCZ as Leishmania infantum. By discovering genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms and structural variations, we identified mutations of drug resistance-related genes in the antimony-resistant Leishmania isolate L_HCZ. The new Leishmania isolate L_HCZ has strong virulence and strong drug resistance, which should be taken seriously by the relevant health departments and scientific researchers. Abstract Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease threatening millions of people worldwide. The emergence of antimony-resistant Leishmania strains have brought difficulties to the treatment and elimination of leishmaniasis. This study performed genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and mutation analysis of five Leishmania clinical isolates, especially the Leishmania strain L_HCZ isolated in 2016, which shows strong virulence and antimony resistance. By phylogenetic analysis, four isolates (L_DD8, L_801, L_Liu and L_9044) were identified as Leishmania donovani, the isolate L_HCZ was identified as Leishmania infantum and the isolate L_DD8 as a standard strain of L.donovani. Genome-wide mutation analysis was applied to identify mutations related to the drug resistance and virulence of the newly isolated L_HCZ. Compared with the other four Leishmania isolates, L_HCZ had the most mutations in genes associated with antimony resistance, including the ABC transporter, ascorbate-dependent peroxidase, gamma–glutamylcysteine synthetase, glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase, ATP-binding cassette protein subfamily A and multi-drug resistance protein-like genes. Among the genes associated with virulence, L_HCZ had the most mutations in cysteine peptidase A, cysteine peptidase B, cysteine peptidase C, heat-shock protein 70, gp63, acid phosphatase, kinesin k39, kinesin, phosphoglycan beta 1, amastin-like surface protein and amastin-like proteins. The mutations in L_HCZ might possibly contribute to its antimony resistance and strong virulence in clinical patients. Whole-genome resequencing has exhibited broad application prospects and may be put into clinical use in the future for parasite identifying and epidemiological investigations.
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Chen YF, Liao LF, Wu N, Gao JM, Zhang P, Wen YZ, Hide G, Lai DH, Lun ZR. Species identification and phylogenetic analysis of Leishmania isolated from patients, vectors and hares in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, The People's Republic of China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0010055. [PMID: 34919567 PMCID: PMC8752017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been declared as one of the six major tropical diseases by the World Health Organization. This disease has been successfully controlled in China, except for some areas in the western region, such as the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, where both anthroponotic VL (AVL) and desert type zoonotic VL (DT-ZVL) remain endemic with sporadic epidemics. Methodology/Principal findings Here, an eleven-year survey (2004–2014) of Leishmania species, encompassing both VL types isolated from patients, sand-fly vectors and Tarim hares (Lepus yarkandensis) from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region was conducted, with a special emphasis on the hares as a potential reservoir animal for DT-ZVL. Key diagnostic genes, ITS1, hsp70 and nagt (encoding N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase) were used for phylogenetic analyses, placing all Xinjiang isolates into one clade of the L. donovani complex. Unexpectedly, AVL isolates were found to be closely related to L. infantum, while DT-ZVL isolates were closer to L. donovani. Unrooted parsimony networks of haplotypes for these isolates also revealed their relationship. Conclusions/Significance The above analyses of the DT-ZVL isolates suggested their geographic isolation and independent evolution. The sequence identity of isolates from patients, vectors and the Tarim hares in a single DT-ZVL site provides strong evidence in support of this species as an animal reservoir. Black faver, also known as visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is caused by pathogens of Leishmania species, spread by the bites of infected sand flies. This disease has been successfully controlled in China, except for some areas in the western region, such as Xinjiang. However, the knowledge on Leishmania in these areas remains a few important gaps. Particularly, what is the animal reservoir for desert type zoonotic VL (DT-ZVL), as sand flies get infected in areas free of patients or infected dogs? To address this question, an eleven-year survey (2004–2014) in Xinjiang for Leishmania species was carried out. We found that VLs in Xinjiang are contributed to Leishmania donovani complex, and Tarim hares is likely the reservoir animal for DT-ZVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Fu Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Li-Fu Liao
- Center for Laboratory Animal Research, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Urumqi, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Mei Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Institute of zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Zi Wen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Geoff Hide
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre and Biomedical Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - De-Hua Lai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (D-HL); (Z-RL)
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, The People’s Republic of China
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre and Biomedical Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (D-HL); (Z-RL)
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Bel Hadj Ali I, Chouaieb H, Saadi Ben Aoun Y, Harigua-Souiai E, Souguir H, Yaacoub A, El Dbouni O, Harrat Z, Mukhtar MM, Ben Said M, Haddad N, Fathallah-Mili A, Guizani I. Dipeptidyl peptidase III as a DNA marker to investigate epidemiology and taxonomy of Old World Leishmania species. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009530. [PMID: 34310607 PMCID: PMC8341715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPPIII) member of M49 peptidase family is a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase that cleaves dipeptides sequentially from the N-terminus of its substrates. In Leishmania, DPPIII, was reported with other peptidases to play a significant role in parasites' growth and survival. In a previous study, we used a coding sequence annotated as DPPIII to develop and evaluate a PCR assay that is specific to dermotropic Old World (OW) Leishmania species. Thus, our objective was to further assess use of this gene for Leishmania species identification and for phylogeny, and thus for diagnostic and molecular epidemiology studies of Old World Leishmania species. METHODOLOGY Orthologous DDPIII genes were searched in all Leishmania genomes and aligned to design PCR primers and identify relevant restriction enzymes. A PCR assays was developed and seventy-two Leishmania fragment sequences were analyzed using MEGA X genetics software to infer evolution and phylogenetic relationships of studied species and strains. A PCR-RFLP scheme was also designed and tested on 58 OW Leishmania strains belonging to 8 Leishmania species and evaluated on 75 human clinical skin samples. FINDINGS Sequence analysis showed 478 variable sites (302 being parsimony informative). Test of natural selection (dN-dS) (-0.164, SE = 0.013) inferred a negative selection, characteristic of essential genes, corroborating the DPPIII importance for parasite survival. Inter- and intra-specific genetic diversity was used to develop universal amplification of a 662bp fragment. Sequence analyses and phylogenies confirmed occurrence of 6 clusters congruent to L. major, L. tropica, L. aethiopica, L. arabica, L. turanica, L. tarentolae species, and one to the L. infantum and L. donovani species complex. A PCR-RFLP algorithm for Leishmania species identification was designed using double digestions with HaeIII and KpnI and with SacI and PvuII endonucleases. Overall, this PCR-RFLP yielded distinct profiles for each of the species L. major, L. tropica, L. aethiopica, L. arabica and L. turanica and the L. (Sauroleishmania) L. tarentolae. The species L. donovani, and L. infantum shared the same profile except for strains of Indian origin. When tested on clinical samples, the DPPIII PCR showed sensitivities of 82.22% when compared to direct examination and was able to identify 84.78% of the positive samples. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that DPPIII gene is suitable to detect and identify Leishmania species and to complement other molecular methods for leishmaniases diagnosis and epidemiology. Thus, it can contribute to evidence-based disease control and surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf Bel Hadj Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Hamed Chouaieb
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Yusr Saadi Ben Aoun
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Emna Harigua-Souiai
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Hejer Souguir
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Alia Yaacoub
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Oussaïma El Dbouni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Rafik Hariri Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratoire d’Eco-épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Algiers, Algeria
| | | | - Moncef Ben Said
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Haddad
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Public Health Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Akila Fathallah-Mili
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
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Bamorovat M, Sharifi I, Tavakoli Oliaee R, Jafarzadeh A, Khosravi A. Determinants of Unresponsiveness to Treatment in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Focus on Anthroponotic Form Due to Leishmania tropica. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:638957. [PMID: 34140933 PMCID: PMC8203913 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.638957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a curable disease; however, due to various risk factors, unresponsiveness to CL treatments is inevitable. The treatment of CL has been firmly correlated with multiple determinants, such as demographical, clinical, and environmental factors, the host’s immune response, poor treatment adherence, the parasite’s genetic make-up, and Leishmania RNA virus. This study primarily focuses on the risk factors associated with different therapeutic outcomes following meglumine antimoniate (MA; Glucantime®) treatment and policy approaches to prevent unresponsiveness in CL patients with a focus on anthroponotic form (ACL). Findings suggest that effective preventive and therapeutic measures should be more vigorously implemented, particularly in endemic areas. Accordingly, extensive training is essential to monitor drug unresponsiveness regularly, especially in tropical regions where the disease is prevalent. Since humans are the fundamental reservoir host of ACL due to L. tropica, prompt detection, early diagnosis, and timely and effective treatment could help control this disease. Furthermore, major challenges and gaps remain: efficacious vaccine, new tools, and expert staff are crucial before CL can be definitively controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Abdollah Jafarzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Salloum T, Moussa R, Rahy R, Al Deek J, Khalifeh I, El Hajj R, Hall N, Hirt RP, Tokajian S. Expanded genome-wide comparisons give novel insights into population structure and genetic heterogeneity of Leishmania tropica complex. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008684. [PMID: 32946436 PMCID: PMC7526921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania tropica is one of the main causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Population structures of L. tropica appear to be genetically highly diverse. However, the relationship between L. tropica strains genomic diversity, protein coding gene evolution and biogeography are still poorly understood. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of three new clinical L. tropica isolates, two derived from a recent outbreak of CL in camps hosting Syrian refugees in Lebanon and one historical isolate from Azerbaijan to further refine comparative genome analyses. In silico multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) was performed to integrate the current diversity of genome sequence data in the wider available MLMT genetic population framework. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), gene copy number variations (CNVs) and chromosome ploidy were investigated across the available 18 L. tropica genomes with a main focus on protein coding genes. MLMT divided the strains in three populations that broadly correlated with their geographical distribution but not populations defined by SNPs. Unique SNPs profiles divided the 18 strains into five populations based on principal component analysis. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of the protein coding genes with population specific SNPs profiles revealed various biological processes, including iron acquisition, sterols synthesis and drug resistance. This study further highlights the complex links between L. tropica important genomic heterogeneity and the parasite broad geographic distribution. Unique sequence features in protein coding genes identified in distinct populations reveal potential novel markers that could be exploited for the development of more accurate typing schemes to further improve our knowledge of the evolution and epidemiology of the parasite as well as highlighting protein variants of potential functional importance underlying L. tropica specific biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Salloum
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Rim Moussa
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Ryan Rahy
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Jospin Al Deek
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Ibrahim Khalifeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rana El Hajj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Neil Hall
- Earlham Institute, Norwich research Park, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Robert P. Hirt
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (RPH); (ST)
| | - Sima Tokajian
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- * E-mail: (RPH); (ST)
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10
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Hosseini M, Nateghi Rostami M, Hosseini Doust R, Khamesipour A. Multilocus sequence typing analysis of Leishmania clinical isolates from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients of Iran. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 85:104533. [PMID: 32919066 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is mainly caused by L. major and L. tropica in Old World and might be represented as typical skin lesion(s) or sometimes as a spectrum of atypical manifestations. We applied multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to explore genetic variations of Leishmania strains isolated from atypical vs. typical CL patients from Iran. A PCR-sequencing was performed for seven housekeeping genes (g6pd, mpi, asat, icd, 6pgd, fh, and trys) and genetic diversity indices and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. A total of 41 isolates of L. major (28/41) and L. tropica (13/41) from 21 (51.2%) atypical CL and 20 (48.8%) typical CL cases were included. A set of additional sequences of 41 strains of 17 species of Leishmania were retrieved from databases. Different SNP variations were detected and the highest rate of heterozygous sites was found in g6pd and 6pgd genes (6 sites) for L. tropica and in asat and 6pgd genes (7 sites) for L. major strains. All strains were clustered into 58 unique sequence types (STs) including 17 STs related to 41 strains of Leishmania of this study. Concatenated tree clustered all strains in 6 main clades (A to F) including L. major (clade D) and L. tropica (clade B) strains. Two strains of L. major (codes 28 and 42) with highest nucleotide variations were more close to L. tropica and were grouped in Clade B. All of the STs were related in clonal complexes by using eBURST with the prediction of founder genotypes. A high rate of genetic variations and heterozygocity was evident in L. tropica and L. major strains; nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the diversity of Leishmania strains between typical CL and atypical CL groups. This study represents the first successful application of MLST approach to L. tropica and L. major strains in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoure Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Reza Hosseini Doust
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Franssen SU, Durrant C, Stark O, Moser B, Downing T, Imamura H, Dujardin JC, Sanders MJ, Mauricio I, Miles MA, Schnur LF, Jaffe CL, Nasereddin A, Schallig H, Yeo M, Bhattacharyya T, Alam MZ, Berriman M, Wirth T, Schönian G, Cotton JA. Global genome diversity of the Leishmania donovani complex. eLife 2020; 9:e51243. [PMID: 32209228 PMCID: PMC7105377 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex - L. donovani and L. infantum - cause the fatal disease visceral leishmaniasis. We present the first comprehensive genome-wide global study, with 151 cultured field isolates representing most of the geographical distribution. L. donovani isolates separated into five groups that largely coincide with geographical origin but vary greatly in diversity. In contrast, the majority of L. infantum samples fell into one globally-distributed group with little diversity. This picture is complicated by several hybrid lineages. Identified genetic groups vary in heterozygosity and levels of linkage, suggesting different recombination histories. We characterise chromosome-specific patterns of aneuploidy and identified extensive structural variation, including known and suspected drug resistance loci. This study reveals greater genetic diversity than suggested by geographically-focused studies, provides a resource of genomic variation for future work and sets the scene for a new understanding of the evolution and genetics of the Leishmania donovani complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Durrant
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Tim Downing
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
- Dublin City UniversityDublinIreland
| | | | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Institute of Tropical MedicineAntwerpBelgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Mandy J Sanders
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | - Isabel Mauricio
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Higiene e MedicinaLisboaPortugal
| | - Michael A Miles
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lionel F Schnur
- Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Charles L Jaffe
- Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Abdelmajeed Nasereddin
- Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Henk Schallig
- Amsterdam University Medical Centres – Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology – Experimental ParasitologyAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Matthew Yeo
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Mohammad Z Alam
- Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural UniversityMymensinghBangladesh
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | - Thierry Wirth
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
- École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE)Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL)ParisFrance
| | | | - James A Cotton
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
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12
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Lauthier JJ, Ruybal P, Barroso PA, Hashiguchi Y, Marco JD, Korenaga M. Development of a Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for Pan-Leishmania. Acta Trop 2020; 201:105189. [PMID: 31580847 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Since the description of the Leishmania genus, its identification and organization have been a challenge. A high number of molecular markers have been developed to resolve phylogenetic differences at the species level and for addressing key epidemiological and population genetics questions. Based on Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) schemes have been developed using different gene candidates. From 38 original gene targets proposed by other authors, 27 of them were chosen. In silico selection was made by analyzing free access genomic sequence data of 33 Leishmania species, one Paraleishmania representative, and one outgroup, in order to select the best 15 loci. De novo amplifications and primers redesign of these 15 genes were analyzed over a panel of 20 reference strains and isolates. Phylogenetic analysis was made at every step. Two MLST schemes were selected. The first one was based on the analysis of three-gene fragments, and it is suitable for species assignment as well as basic phylogenetic studies. By the addition of seven-genes, an approach based on the analysis of ten-gene fragments was also proposed. This is the first work that two optimized MLST schemes have been suggested, validated against a phylogenetically diverse panel of Leishmania isolates. MLST is potentially a powerful phylogenetic approach, and most probably the new gold standard for Leishmania spp. characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jose Lauthier
- Parasitology Department, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Okocho Kohasu, Nankoku, Kochi Prefecture 783-8505, Japan.
| | - Paula Ruybal
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM). Facultad de Medicina. Paraguay 2155 Piso: 12, CABA (1121). Argentina
| | - Paola Andrea Barroso
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta / CONICET, Salta, Argentina
| | - Yoshihisa Hashiguchi
- Parasitology Department, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Okocho Kohasu, Nankoku, Kochi Prefecture 783-8505, Japan; Departamento de Parasitología y Medicina Tropical, Carrera de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Jorge Diego Marco
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta / CONICET, Salta, Argentina
| | - Masataka Korenaga
- Parasitology Department, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Okocho Kohasu, Nankoku, Kochi Prefecture 783-8505, Japan.
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13
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Abstract
Phylogenetics is an important component of the systems biology approach. Knowledge about evolution of the genus Leishmania is essential to understand various aspects of basic biology of these parasites, such as parasite-host or parasite-vector relationships, biogeography, or epidemiology. Here, we present a comprehensive guideline for performing phylogenetic studies based on DNA sequence data, but with principles that can be adapted to protein sequences or other molecular markers. It is presented as a compilation of the most commonly used genetic targets for phylogenetic studies of Leishmania, including their respective primers for amplification and references, as well as details of PCR assays. Guidelines are, then, presented to choose the best targets in relation to the types of samples under study. Finally, and importantly, instructions are given to obtain optimal sequences, alignments, and datasets for the subsequent data analysis and phylogenetic inference. Different bioinformatics methods and software for phylogenetic inference are presented and explained. This chapter aims to provide a compilation of methods and generic guidelines to conduct phylogenetics of Leishmania for nonspecialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Kuhls
- Molekulare Biotechnologie und Funktionelle Genomik, Technische Hochschule Wildau, Wildau, Germany.
| | - Isabel Mauricio
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
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14
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Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a deadly parasitic disease, is a major public health concern globally. Countries affected by VL have signed the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases and committed to eliminate VL as a public health problem by 2020. To achieve and sustain VL elimination, it will become progressively important not to miss any remaining cases in the community who can maintain transmission. This requires accurate identification of symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers using highly sensitive diagnostic tools at the primary health service setting. The rK39 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) is the most widely used tool and with its good sensitivity and specificity is the first choice for decentralized diagnosis of VL in endemic areas. However, this test cannot discriminate between current, subclinical, or past infections and is useless for diagnosis of relapses and as a prognostic (cure) test. Importantly, as the goal of elimination of VL as a public health problem is approaching, the number of people susceptible to infection will increase. Therefore, correct diagnosis using a highly sensitive diagnostic test is crucial for applying appropriate treatment and management of cases. Recent advances in molecular techniques have improved Leishmania detection and quantification, and therefore this technology has become increasingly relevant due to its possible application in a variety of clinical sample types. Most importantly, given current problems in identifying asymptomatic individuals because of poor correlation between the main methods of detection, molecular tests are valuable for VL elimination programs, especially to monitor changes in burden of infection in specific communities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available VL diagnostics and discusses the usefulness of molecular methods in the diagnosis, quantification, and species differentiation as well as their clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Sundar
- Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221 005, India
| | - Om Prakash Singh
- Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221 005, India.
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15
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Genetic polymorphism in Leishmania infantum isolates from human and animals determined by nagt PCR-RFLP. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:54. [PMID: 29898776 PMCID: PMC6001066 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0439-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and sporadic human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Mediterranean region. The genetic variation of the Leishmania parasites may result in different phenotypes that can be associated with the geographical distribution and diversity of the clinical manifestations. The main objective of this study was to explore the genetic polymorphism in L. infantum isolates from human and animal hosts in different regions of Morocco. METHODS The intraspecific genetic variability of 40 Moroccan L. infantum MON-1 strains isolated from patients with VL (n = 31) and CL (n = 2) and from dogs (n = 7) was evaluated by PCR-RFLP of nagt, a single-copy gene encoding N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase. For a more complete analysis of L. infantum polymorphism, we included the restriction patterns of nagt from 17 strains available in the literature and patterns determined by in-silico digestion of three sequences from the GenBank database. RESULTS Moroccan L. infantum strains presented a certain level of genetic diversity and six distinct nagt-RFLP genotypes were identified. Three of the six genotypes were exclusively identified in the Moroccan population of L. infantum: variant M1 (15%), variant M2 (7.5%), and variant M3 (2.5%). The most common genotype (65%), variant 2 (2.5%), and variant 4 (7.5%), were previously described in several countries with endemic leishmaniasis. Phylogenetic analysis segregated our L. infantum population into two distinct clusters, whereas variant M2 was clearly distinguished from both cluster I and cluster II. This distribution highlights the degree of genetic variability among the Moroccan L. infantum population. CONCLUSION The nagt PCR-RFLP method presented here showed an important genetic heterogeneity among Moroccan L. infantum strains isolated from human and canine reservoirs with 6 genotypes identified. Three of the six Moroccan nagt genotypes, have not been previously described and support the particular genetic diversity of the Moroccan L. infantum population reported in other studies.
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16
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Evaluation of LACK Gene Diversity in Leishmania major Using PCR and Sequencing Methods. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2017. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.14606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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17
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Van der Auwera G, Bart A, Chicharro C, Cortes S, Davidsson L, Di Muccio T, Dujardin JC, Felger I, Paglia MG, Grimm F, Harms G, Jaffe CL, Manser M, Ravel C, Robert-Gangneux F, Roelfsema J, Töz S, Verweij JJ, Chiodini PL. Comparison of Leishmania typing results obtained from 16 European clinical laboratories in 2014. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 21:30418. [PMID: 27983510 PMCID: PMC5291127 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.49.30418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is endemic in southern Europe, and in other European countries cases are diagnosed in travellers who have visited affected areas both within the continent and beyond. Prompt and accurate diagnosis poses a challenge in clinical practice in Europe. Different methods exist for identification of the infecting Leishmania species. Sixteen clinical laboratories in 10 European countries, plus Israel and Turkey, conducted a study to assess their genotyping performance. DNA from 21 promastigote cultures of 13 species was analysed blindly by the routinely used typing method. Five different molecular targets were used, which were analysed with PCR-based methods. Different levels of identification were achieved, and either the Leishmania subgenus, species complex, or actual species were reported. The overall error rate of strains placed in the wrong complex or species was 8.5%. Various reasons for incorrect typing were identified. The study shows there is considerable room for improvement and standardisation of Leishmania typing. The use of well validated standard operating procedures is recommended, covering testing, interpretation, and reporting guidelines. Application of the internal transcribed spacer 1 of the rDNA array should be restricted to Old World samples, while the heat-shock protein 70 gene and the mini-exon can be applied globally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aldert Bart
- Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sofia Cortes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Felger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Grazia Paglia
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - Felix Grimm
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gundel Harms
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles L Jaffe
- Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Centre, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Monika Manser
- United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jeroen Roelfsema
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Seray Töz
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Peter L Chiodini
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, United Kingdom.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Li J, Zheng ZW, Natarajan G, Chen QW, Chen DL, Chen JP. The first successful report of the in vitro life cycle of Chinese Leishmania: the in vitro conversion of Leishmania amastigotes has been raised to 94% by testing 216 culture medium compound. Acta Parasitol 2017; 62:154-163. [PMID: 28030353 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2017-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Chinese Leishmania isolate MHOM/CN/90/SC10H2 (L. H2), which was obtained from the spinal cords of patients from the Sichuan province of China, is an uncharacterized, pathogenic species closely related to Leishmania tarentolae. The in vitro transformation rate of L. H2 promastigotes into amastigotes has not been studied. This study is the first to successfully define the in vitro life cycle of L. H2 by investigating the percent conversion of L.H2 promastigotes to amastigotes in vitro under 216 different culture conditions. The highest proportion of L. H2 amastigotes observed (94%) was significantly higher than that previously reported. After conversion, the axenic amastigotes remained viable as verified by the levels of stage-specific genes (Gp46, A2 and β-tubulin) detected by RT-PCR. Meanwhile, morphological and protein characterizations of these axenic amastigotes were carried out in order to confirm the successful conversion. Specific antibodies were only able to detect 46 kDa, 52 kDa and 75 kDa proteins in samples isolated from axenic amastigotes. Afterward, these converted axenic amastigotes were transformed into the promastigote form by altering the culture condition. These converted axenic promastigotes still have the ability to infect macrophages, and their morphology changed back to the amastigote form following infection. These findings will assist further investigations into the biological characteristics of the host-parasite relationship and the process of pathogenesis.
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Yuan D, Qin H, Zhang J, Liao L, Chen Q, Chen D, Chen J. Phylogenetic analysis of HSP70 and cyt b gene sequences for Chinese Leishmania isolates and ultrastructural characteristics of Chinese Leishmania sp. Parasitol Res 2016; 116:693-702. [PMID: 27942942 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a worldwide epidemic disease caused by the genus Leishmania, which is still endemic in the west and northwest areas of China. Some viewpoints of the traditional taxonomy of Chinese Leishmania have been challenged by recent phylogenetic researches based on different molecular markers. However, the taxonomic positions and phylogenetic relationships of Chinese Leishmania isolates remain controversial, which need for more data and further analysis. In this study, the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene and cytochrome b (cyt b) gene were used for phylogenetic analysis of Chinese Leishmania isolates from patients, dogs, gerbils, and sand flies in different geographic origins. Besides, for the interesting Leishmania sp. in China, the ultrastructure of three Chinese Leishmania sp. strains (MHOM/CN/90/SC10H2, SD, GL) were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Bayesian trees from HSP70 and cyt b congruently indicated that the 14 Chinese Leishmania isolates belong to three Leishmania species including L. donovani complex, L. gerbilli, and L. (Sauroleishmania) sp. Their identity further confirmed that the undescribed Leishmania species causing visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in China is closely related to L. tarentolae. The phylogenetic results from HSP70 also suggested the classification of subspecies within L. donovani complex: KXG-918, KXG-927, KXG-Liu, KXG-Xu, 9044, SC6, and KXG-65 belong to L. donovani; Cy, WenChuan, and 801 were proposed to be L. infantum. Through transmission electron microscopy, unexpectedly, the Golgi apparatus were not observed in SC10H2, SD, and GL, which was similar to previous reports of reptilian Leishmania. The statistical analysis of microtubule counts separated SC10H2, SD, and GL as one group from any other reference strain (L. donovani MHOM/IN/80/DD8; L. tropica MHOM/SU/74/K27; L. gerbilli MRHO/CN/60/GERBILLI). The ultrastructural characteristics of Leishmania sp. partly lend support to the phylogenetic inference that Chinese Leishmania sp. is in close relationship with reptilian Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Yuan
- Department of Parasitology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanxiao Qin
- Department of Parasitology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Liao
- Department of Parasitology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiwei Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Dali Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, People's Republic of China. .,Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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20
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Salloum T, Khalifeh I, Tokajian S. Detection, molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis of Leishmania isolated from cases of leishmaniasis among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2016; 1:159-168. [PMID: 29988171 PMCID: PMC5991828 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania is a parasitic protozoan with more than two-dozen species causing the disease leishmaniasis. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sand-fly vector. In the past two years the incidence of leishmaniasis has been drastically increasing in Lebanon. This was in parallel with the deterioration of the security in Syria forcing thousands to flee and seek shelter in poorly maintained refugee camps and collective shelters. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is now considered a public health problem, but its epidemiology has not been fully elucidated. To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing two different molecular methods for the detection and identification of Leishmania tropica in Lebanon. Two molecular typing methods of 39 FFPE Leishmania isolates were used: the ITS1-PCR RFLP and the nested ITS1-5.8S rDNA gene amplification followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The efficiency of these two techniques in Leishmania identification was compared and the phylogenetic relationships among these isolates were illustrated based on the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. The results were statistically correlated with the parasitic index (PI). The DNA storage in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues was assessed as well. The parasites identified were all L. tropica as determined by both techniques. ITS1-5.8S rDNA gene based typing proved to be more sensitive in the detection of parasites (positive in 69.2% of the isolates) as opposed to the ITS1-PCR RFLP method that was successful in identifying L. tropica in only 43.6% of the isolates. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed high levels of heterogeneity. A statistically significant correlation was observed between PI and the results of the nested ITS1-5.8S rDNA gene PCR. Genotyping at the species level is essential for monitoring the relative frequency of CL in the Mediterranean area that is correlated to three different Leishmania species (Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major and L. tropica), each characterized by distinct epidemiological features. The obtained results highlight the need to find a universally accepted diagnostic tool for Leishmania typing.
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Key Words
- 5.8S rDNA gene
- Bp, base pair
- CL, cutaneous leishmaniasis
- FFPE, formalin-fixed paraffin embedded
- ITS, internal transcribed spacer
- ITS1
- L. tropica, Leishmania tropica
- Leishmania
- MLST, multilocus sequence typing
- NJ, neighbor-joining
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- PI, parasitic index
- RFLP
- RFLP, restriction fragment length polymorphism
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Salloum
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Ibrahim Khalifeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sima Tokajian
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
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21
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Cassan C, Dione MM, Dereure J, Diedhiou S, Bucheton B, Hide M, Kako C, Gaye O, Senghor M, Niang AA, Bañuls AL, Faye B. First insights into the genetic diversity and origin of Leishmania infantum in Mont Rolland (Thiès region, Senegal). Microbes Infect 2016; 18:412-420. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Mirzaei M, Mirzaei H, Sahebkar A, Bagherian A, Masoud Khoi MJ, Reza Mirzaei H, Salehi R, Reza Jaafari M, Kazemi Oskuee R. Phylogenetic Analysis of Selected Menthol-Producing Species Belonging to the Lamiaceae Family. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 34:650-7. [PMID: 26252633 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2015.1047030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Menthol is an organic compound with diverse medicinal and commercial applications, and is made either synthetically or through extraction from mint oils. The aim of the present study was to investigate menthol levels in selected menthol-producing species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, and to determine phylogenetic relationships of menthol dehydrogenase gene sequence among these species. Three genus of Lamiaceae, namely Mentha, Salvia, and Micromeria, were selected for phytochemical and phylogenetic analyses. After identification of each species based on menthol dehydrogenase gene in NCBI, BLAST software was used for the sequence alignment. MEGA4 software was used to draw phylogenetic tree for various species. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the highest and lowest amounts of both essential oil and menthol belonged to Mentha spicata and Micromeria hyssopifolia, respectively. The species Mentha spicata and Mentha piperita, which were assigned to one cluster in the dendrogram, contained the highest amounts of essential oil and menthol while Micromeria species, which was in the distinct cluster and placed in the farther evolutionary distance, contained the lowest amount of essential oil and menthol. Phylogenetic and phytochemistry analyses showed that essential oil and menthol contents of menthol-producing species are associated with menthol dehydrogenase gene sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motahareh Mirzaei
- a Department of Biology , Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Golestan , Gorgan , Iran
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Chen H, Li K, Shi H, Zhang Y, Ha Y, Wang Y, Jiang J, Wang Y, Yang Z, Xu J, Ma Y. Ecological niches and blood sources of sand fly in an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, China. Infect Dis Poverty 2016; 5:33. [PMID: 27075573 PMCID: PMC4831150 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sand fly Phlebotomus chinensis is a principle vector for the visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in China with a wide geographic distribution. Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan is a mountain type endemic area of VL in China. Long term effective control efforts in the region have successfully reduced VL transmission. To assess the current status of the sand flies and their ecological aspects in the region, a survey was conducted in the summer of 2014 and 2015. Methods Sand fly specimens were collected by light traps in a village and blood sources were identified by PCR and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Results In a rock cave, 65.2 %–79.8 % of collected sand flies were male. On a rabbit farm, 92.9 %–98.8 % of specimens were female. In pig pens, 61.1 % of specimens were female. Some females had visible blood residues. The feeding rate was 49.4 % from the pig pens, 12.3 % from the cave, and only 1.7 % from the rabbit farm. Pig, rabbit, chicken, dog, and human blood were detected in the fed specimens. Swine blood, present in all tested samples, was a preferred blood source, while chicken and dog blood were present in a third of the samples. Conclusions In Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province of China, the considerable sandfly density and the peridomestic feeding behavior all increases the risk of VL transmission, and insecticide spraying in animal sheds could be exploited to reduce sand fly populations in human surroundings. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0126-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Chen
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Kaili Li
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hua Shi
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Jiuzhaigou Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, 623400, China
| | - Yu Ha
- Jiuzhaigou Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, 623400, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jinjin Jiang
- Biology Department, Molecular Biology Program, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | - Yubin Wang
- Center of Disease Control and Prevention, General Equipment Department of PLA, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhenzhou Yang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jiannong Xu
- Biology Department, Molecular Biology Program, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA.
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Lun ZR, Wu MS, Chen YF, Wang JY, Zhou XN, Liao LF, Chen JP, Chow LMC, Chang KP. Visceral Leishmaniasis in China: an Endemic Disease under Control. Clin Microbiol Rev 2015; 28:987-1004. [PMID: 26354822 PMCID: PMC4575399 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00080-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania spp. is an important vector-borne and largely zoonotic disease. In China, three epidemiological types of VL have been described: anthroponotic VL (AVL), mountain-type zoonotic VL (MT-ZVL), and desert-type ZVL (DT-ZVL). These are transmitted by four different sand fly species: Phlebotomus chinensis, P. longiductus, P. wui, and P. alexandri. In 1951, a detailed survey of VL showed that it was rampant in the vast rural areas west, northwest, and north of the Yangtze River. Control programs were designed and implemented stringently by the government at all administrative levels, resulting in elimination of the disease from most areas of endemicity, except the western and northwestern regions. The control programs consisted of (i) diagnosis and chemotherapy of patients, (ii) identification, isolation, and disposal of infected dogs, and (iii) residual insecticide indoor spraying for vector control. The success of the control programs is attributable to massive and effective mobilization of the general public and health workers to the cause. Nationally, the annual incidence is now very low, i.e., only 0.03/100,000 according to the available 2011 official record. The overwhelming majority of cases are reported from sites of endemicity in the western and northwestern regions. Here, we describe in some depth and breadth the current status of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease, with particular reference to the control programs. Pertinent information has been assembled from scattered literature of the past decades in different languages that are not readily accessible to the scientific community. The information provided constitutes an integral part of our knowledge on leishmaniasis in the global context and will be of special value to those interested in control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Rong Lun
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of the Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Shui Wu
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of the Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Fu Chen
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of the Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Yun Wang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Fu Liao
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang and Research Center for Laboratory Animals of Xinjiang, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ping Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Larry M C Chow
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory for Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kwang Poo Chang
- Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Chicago Medical School/Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Abstract
Leishmania is an infectious protozoan parasite related to African and American trypanosomes. All Leishmania species that are pathogenic to humans can cause dermal disease. When one is confronted with cutaneous leishmaniasis, identification of the causative species is relevant in both clinical and epidemiological studies, case management, and control. This review gives an overview of the currently existing and most used assays for species discrimination, with a critical appraisal of the limitations of each technique. The consensus taxonomy for the genus is outlined, including debatable species designations. Finally, a numerical literature analysis is presented that describes which methods are most used in various countries and regions in the world, and for which purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gert Van der Auwera
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium Antwerp University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
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26
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Chaara D, Ravel C, Bañuls AL, Haouas N, Lami P, Talignani L, El Baidouri F, Jaouadi K, Harrat Z, Dedet JP, Babba H, Pratlong F. Evolutionary history of Leishmania killicki (synonymous Leishmania tropica) and taxonomic implications. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:198. [PMID: 25889939 PMCID: PMC4387592 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0821-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The taxonomic status of Leishmania (L.) killicki, a parasite that causes chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis, is not well defined yet. Indeed, some researchers suggested that this taxon could be included in the L. tropica complex, whereas others considered it as a distinct phylogenetic complex. To try to solve this taxonomic issue we carried out a detailed study on the evolutionary history of L. killicki relative to L. tropica. Methods Thirty-five L. killicki and 25 L. tropica strains isolated from humans and originating from several countries were characterized using the MultiLocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (MLEE) and the MultiLocus Sequence Typing (MLST) approaches. Results The results of the genetic and phylogenetic analyses strongly support the hypothesis that L. killicki belongs to the L. tropica complex. Our data suggest that L. killicki emerged from a single founder event and that it evolved independently from L. tropica. However, they do not validate the hypothesis that L. killicki is a distinct complex. Therefore, we suggest naming this taxon L. killicki (synonymous L. tropica) until further epidemiological and phylogenetic studies justify the L. killicki denomination. Conclusions This study provides taxonomic and phylogenetic information on L. killicki and improves our knowledge on the evolutionary history of this taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhekra Chaara
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia. .,Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Christophe Ravel
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Anne- Laure Bañuls
- UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Najoua Haouas
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Patrick Lami
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Loïc Talignani
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Fouad El Baidouri
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France. .,School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK.
| | - Kaouther Jaouadi
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratoire d'éco-épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Dely Ibrahim, Algeria.
| | - Jean-Pierre Dedet
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Département de Biologie Clinique B, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Francine Pratlong
- Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence des Leishmanioses, CHRU de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, France, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. .,UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-Université de Montpellier), Montpellier, 34394, France.
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27
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Kumar NP, Srinivasan R, Anish TS, Nandakumar G, Jambulingam P. Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in the tribal population of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve forest, Western Ghats, Kerala, India. J Med Microbiol 2015; 64:157-163. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.076695-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N. Pradeep Kumar
- Vector Control Research Centre Field Station (ICMR), Kottayam, Kerala 686002, India
| | - R. Srinivasan
- Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR), Indira Nagar, Puducherry 605006, India
| | - T. S. Anish
- Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011, India
| | - G. Nandakumar
- Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011, India
| | - P. Jambulingam
- Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR), Indira Nagar, Puducherry 605006, India
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28
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Diosque P, Tomasini N, Lauthier JJ, Messenger LA, Monje Rumi MM, Ragone PG, Alberti-D'Amato AM, Pérez Brandán C, Barnabé C, Tibayrenc M, Lewis MD, Llewellyn MS, Miles MA, Yeo M. Optimized multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3117. [PMID: 25167160 PMCID: PMC4148231 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease possess extensive genetic diversity. This has led to the development of a plethora of molecular typing methods for the identification of both the known major genetic lineages and for more fine scale characterization of different multilocus genotypes within these major lineages. Whole genome sequencing applied to large sample sizes is not currently viable and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, the previous gold standard for T. cruzi typing, is laborious and time consuming. In the present work, we present an optimized Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme, based on the combined analysis of two recently proposed MLST approaches. Here, thirteen concatenated gene fragments were applied to a panel of T. cruzi reference strains encompassing all known genetic lineages. Concatenation of 13 fragments allowed assignment of all strains to the predicted Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), or near-clades, with the exception of one strain that was an outlier for TcV, due to apparent loss of heterozygosity in one fragment. Monophyly for all DTUs, along with robust bootstrap support, was restored when this fragment was subsequently excluded from the analysis. All possible combinations of loci were assessed against predefined criteria with the objective of selecting the most appropriate combination of between two and twelve fragments, for an optimized MLST scheme. The optimum combination consisted of 7 loci and discriminated between all reference strains in the panel, with the majority supported by robust bootstrap values. Additionally, a reduced panel of just 4 gene fragments displayed high bootstrap values for DTU assignment and discriminated 21 out of 25 genotypes. We propose that the seven-fragment MLST scheme could be used as a gold standard for T. cruzi typing, against which other typing approaches, particularly single locus approaches or systematic PCR assays based on amplicon size, could be compared. The single-celled parasite Trypanosoma cruzi occurs in mammals and insect vectors in the Americas. When transmitted to humans it causes Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) a major public health problem. T. cruzi is genetically diverse and currently split into six groups, known as TcI to TcVI. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is a method used for studying the population structure and diversity of pathogens and involves sequencing DNA of several different genes and comparing the sequences between isolates. Here, we assess 13 T. cruzi genes and select the best combination for diversity studies. Outputs reveal that a combination of 7 genes can be used for both lineage assignment and high resolution studies of genetic diversity, and a reduced combination of four loci for lineage assignment. Application of MLST for assigning field isolates of T. cruzi to genetic groups and for detailed investigation of diversity provides a valuable approach to understanding the taxonomy, population structure, genetics, ecology and epidemiology of this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricio Diosque
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicolás Tomasini
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Juan José Lauthier
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Louisa Alexandra Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - María Mercedes Monje Rumi
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Paula Gabriela Ragone
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Anahí Maitén Alberti-D'Amato
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Pérez Brandán
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Christian Barnabé
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), IRD Center, Montpellier, France
| | - Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), IRD Center, Montpellier, France
| | - Michael David Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Stephen Llewellyn
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Alexander Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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29
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Van der Auwera G, Maes I, De Doncker S, Ravel C, Cnops L, Van Esbroeck M, Van Gompel A, Clerinx J, Dujardin JC. Heat-shock protein 70 gene sequencing for Leishmania species typing in European tropical infectious disease clinics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 18:20543. [PMID: 23929181 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.30.20543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We describe Leishmania species determination on clinical samples on the basis of partial sequencing of the heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70), without the need for parasite isolation. The method is especially suited for use in non-endemic infectious disease clinics dealing with relatively few cases on an annual basis, for which no fast high throughput diagnostic tests are needed. We show that the results obtained from this gene are in nearly perfect agreement with those from multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, which is still considered by many clinicians and the World Health Organization (WHO) as the gold standard in Leishmania species typing. Currently, 203 sequences are available that cover the entire hsp70 gene region analysed here, originating from a total of 41 leishmaniasis endemic countries, and representing 15 species and sub-species causing human disease. We also provide a detailed laboratory protocol that includes a step-by-step procedure of the typing methodology, to facilitate implementation in diagnostic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Van der Auwera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
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