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Mejía-Chimá WA, Hernández-Vera SD, Pérez-Vargas OY, Rivero Rodriguez ME, Paternina Luis E, Bejarano Eduar E. Comparison of conjunctival swabs and blood samples in dogs for molecular and serological detection of Leishmania infantum infection in Colombia. J Vector Borne Dis 2024; 61:400-405. [PMID: 38381044 DOI: 10.4103/jvbd.jvbd_182_23] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES Surveillance of canine leishmaniasis in Colombia is restricted to the appearance of visceral leishmaniasis cases in humans, and is mainly performed by serological tests. This requires blood sampling by veterinarians or technicians according to Colombian laws. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of conjunctival swabs in the molecular detection of Leishmania in dogs from the municipality of Ovejas, Sucre. METHODS The present study was cross-sectional and descriptive. The collection source of samples and information was primary. Blood samples and conjunctival swabs from 121 dogs were analysed by PCR-ITS1 to detect Leishmania spp. Positive samples were used to amplify a conserved region of the Leishmania infantum kinetoplast minicircle. Performance of both sample types was calculated by proportion of positive samples of each type and the degree of agreement between them was determined by Cohen's kappa (κ) agreement index. RESULTS Leishmania infection was detected in 17.4% (21/121) of blood samples and in 16.5% (20/121) of conjunctival swabs. In total, 28.1% (34/121) of the canines were infected, of which 11.8% (4/34) were infected with L. infantum in the conjunctival swabs and 5.9 % (2/34) in the blood samples. The agreement between blood and conjunctiva was medium (κ = 0.207) by PCR-ITS1 amplification. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION The use of conjunctival swab as a non-invasive sample could be used as an alternative method for surveillance of canine leishmaniasis.
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Monteiro BEF, da Silva ED, Bezerra GSN, Cavalcante MKDA, Pereira VRA, Castro MCAB, Mendes LG, Guedes DL, Barbosa Júnior WL, de Medeiros ZM. Evaluation of Proinflammatory Chemokines in HIV Patients with Asymptomatic Leishmania Infantum Infection. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:495. [PMID: 37999614 PMCID: PMC10675805 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum, when associated with HIV, can become severe and potentially fatal. In this co-infection, the worst prognosis may be influenced by the host's immunological aspects, which are crucial in determining susceptibility. Chemokines play an important role in this process by influencing the cellular composition at affected sites and impacting the disease's outcome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate proinflammatory chemokines in HIV patients with the asymptomatic L. infantum infection. In this cross-sectional study, the levels of CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, MIG, and IP-10 were measured in 160 serum samples from co-infected patients (n = 53), patients with HIV (n = 90), and negative controls (n = 17). Quantification was determined by flow cytometry. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dunn's post-test and the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The chemokines CCL2, CCL5, MIG, and IP-10 exhibited higher levels in the HIV group compared to co-infection. However, the elevated levels of all these chemokines and their increased connectivity in co-infected patients appear to be important in identifying proinflammatory immune responses associated with the asymptomatic condition. Furthermore, a weak negative correlation was observed between higher levels of CXCL8 and lower viral loads in co-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Eduarda Freitas Monteiro
- Graduate Program in Health Biosciences and Biotechnology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
| | - Elis Dionísio da Silva
- Health and Biotechnology Institute, Federal University of Amazonas, Coari 69460-000, AM, Brazil;
| | - Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra
- Department of Nursing & Healthcare, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland;
| | - Marton Kaique de Andrade Cavalcante
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.K.d.A.C.); (M.C.A.B.C.)
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Graduate Program in Health Biosciences and Biotechnology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.K.d.A.C.); (M.C.A.B.C.)
| | - Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz Castro
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.K.d.A.C.); (M.C.A.B.C.)
- Parasitology Laboratory, Academic Center of Vitória (CAV), Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão 55608-680, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Diego Lins Guedes
- Medical School, Life Sciences Center, Academic Center of Agreste, Federal University of Pernambuco, Caruaru 55014-900, PE, Brazil;
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife 50100-130, PE, Brazil
| | - Walter Lins Barbosa Júnior
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
| | - Zulma Maria de Medeiros
- Graduate Program in Health Biosciences and Biotechnology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife 50100-130, PE, Brazil
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de Araújo HK, de Oliveira Castro S, da Silva Valejo MJA, da Costa Lima Junior MS, Neitzke-Abreu HC. LIMITATION OF PRIMERS USED IN PCR FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF LEISHMANIA INFANTUM. J Parasitol 2023; 109:445-449. [PMID: 37668295 DOI: 10.1645/21-130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional PCR provides Leishmania species characterization with even a small amount of biological material. Species-specific primers have been a widely used alternative; however, nonspecific amplifications are a reality, interfering with PCR efficiency. In endemic areas with multiple etiological agents for leishmaniasis, there is a requirement for higher specificity of primers. This study evaluates 3 pairs of primers described for the identification and characterization of Leishmania infantum. Primers RV1/RV2, LEISH1/LEISH2, and FLC2/RLC2 were used with the DNA of L. infantum, Leishmania amazonensis, and Leishmania braziliensis. An initial temperature curve was performed (52-62 C) to determine the optimal annealing temperature, followed by a dilution curve of Leishmania DNA (500 pg/μl, 50 pg/μl, 5 pg/μl, 500 fg/μl, 50 fg/μl, 5 fg/μl, and 0.5 fg/μl) to be used for analytical sensitivity. RV1/RV2 PCR amplified L. infantum and L. amazonensis at all analyzed temperatures; LEISH1/LEISH2 PCR amplified all 3 species of Leishmania, although at some temperatures L. infantum was specifically amplified, and, finally, FLC2/RLC2 PCR amplified only L. infantum at all temperatures analyzed. In terms of sensitivity, RV1/RV2 PCR detected 1 fg of L. infantum DNA and 100 pg of L. amazonensis DNA; LEISH1/LEISH2 PCR detected 1 fg of L. infantum DNA, 100 fg of L. amazonensis DNA, and 10 fg of L. braziliensis DNA; and FLC2/RLC2 PCR detected 10 fg of L. infantum DNA. Thus, PCR with FLC2/RLC2 primers is best suited for the molecular characterization of L. infantum, especially in areas where there is an incidence of more than 1 Leishmania species, such as South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helton Krisman de Araújo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 79804-070, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
| | - Silvana de Oliveira Castro
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 79804-070, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
| | - Maria Joelma Alves da Silva Valejo
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 79804-070, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
| | | | - Herintha Coeto Neitzke-Abreu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 79804-070, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 79804-070, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
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[Circulación de Leishmania infantum y Trypanosoma cruzi en perros domésticos de áreas urbanas de Sincelejo, región Caribe de Colombia]. BIOMEDICA : REVISTA DEL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SALUD 2022; 42:633-649. [PMID: 36511676 PMCID: PMC9814371 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.6369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. La enfermedad de Chagas y la leishmaniasis tradicionalmente se han considerado zoonosis endémicas de áreas rurales del país. Sin embargo, la aparición de casos de estas enfermedades en áreas urbanas sugiere nuevos ciclos de circulación de estos parásitos. Por esta razón, se ha propuesto a los perros como centinelas de estos agentes zoonóticos, dado su rol como huéspedes accidentales o reservorios. Objetivo. Evaluar la circulación silenciosa de Leishmania spp. y Trypanosoma cruzi en perros de zonas urbanas de la ciudad de Sincelejo, Sucre. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron 100 muestras de sangre de perros para amplificar la región ITS1 de Leishmania spp. Las muestras positivas se utilizaron para amplificar la región conservada del minicírculo del ADN del cinetoplasto de Leishmania infantum y para el análisis de polimorfismos de longitud de fragmentos de restricción con la endonucleasa HaeIII. Por otra parte, se amplificó un fragmento del ADN satelital de T. cruzi. Además, se evaluó la presencia de infecciones por Ehrlichia canis y Anaplasma platys, como potencialmente modificadoras de las manifestaciones clínicas. Resultados. De los 100 perros estudiados, se detectó: Leishmania spp. en 32, T. cruzi en 12, ambos parásitos en 7 y L. infantum en 18. Se encontraron infecciones por anaplasmatáceos en 18, y coinfecciones por bacterias y parásitos en 8 de los perros. En general, 47 de los animales estaban infectados por, al menos, un agente etiológico. Conclusión. Se demuestra la circulación de L. infantum y T. cruzi en zonas urbanas de Sincelejo, así como coinfecciones de estos parásitos junto con parásitos de la familia Anaplasmataceae. El presente estudio demuestra la conveniencia del uso de perros en la vigilancia epidemiológica de estos agentes zoonóticos.
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Guedes DL, da Silva ED, Castro MCAB, Júnior WLB, Ibarra-Meneses AV, Tsoumanis A, Adriaensen W, van Griensven J, Pereira VRA, de Medeiros ZM. Comparison of serum cytokine levels in symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-Leishmania coinfected individuals from a Brazilian visceral leishmaniasis endemic area. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010542. [PMID: 35714136 PMCID: PMC9246190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains an important infectious disease worldwide. VL-HIV coinfected individuals can present with atypical clinical forms of VL and have a high risk of VL relapse. Some cytokines have been described as potential markers to diagnose active VL and to predict the severity of the cases. However, few studies have included VL-HIV coinfected patients. We aimed to characterize the levels of several cytokines among VL-HIV coinfected individuals living in a VL-endemic area in Northeast Brazil. Methods This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, aiming to estimate the levels of various cytokines in symptomatic and asymptomatic VL-HIV coinfected individuals. There were 134 study participants (35 symptomatic VL-HIV, 75 asymptomatic VL-HIV, and 24 healthy controls), all ≥ 18 years-old. Serum cytokine levels (interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukins 2, 4, 6, 10, and 17A) were quantified using the Becton Dickinson-BD’s Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) system. Results The population mainly consisted of men (64.9%), with a median age of 35 (27–41) years. Asymptomatic individuals were younger (p = 0.013), with more years of education (p < 0.001), and were more often on antiretroviral therapy (p < 0.001) than those in the symptomatic group. Hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001), lymphocytes (p < 0.001) and CD4 count (p < 0.001) were lower in symptomatic individuals, while HIV viral loads were higher (p < 0.001). In the symptomatic VL-HIV coinfected group, we observed increased serum levels of IL-17A, IL-6, and IL-10 compared to asymptomatic patients and the healthy controls. There were no differences in the levels of all cytokines between asymptomatic VL-HIV coinfected individuals and the healthy controls. Conclusions Higher serum levels of IL-17A, IL-6, and IL-10 cytokines were observed in symptomatic coinfected individuals but not in asymptomatically infected individuals. More studies among HIV-positive persons are needed to better understand the role of serum cytokines for prognosis, to define cure and predict VL relapses in VL-HIV coinfected individuals. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease, classified as a neglected disease by the World Health Organization. It is present in more than 60 countries in four continents, with most tropical and subtropical countries affected. Without treatment, the disease is fatal. HIV-positive persons are especially affected by VL, with a worst prognosis. One of the main complications is the frequent reactivation of the disease even after successful treatment (VL relapse). Up to now, it is not clear why and when these reactivations occur, and many researches are trying to find some biological markers to answer this. Cytokines are one of these markers that may explain the progression of the disease. In this study, we compared the level of several key cytokines in symptomatic VL-HIV coinfected patients, asymptomatic VL-HIV coinfected individuals, and healthy controls living in a VL-endemic region in Northeastern Brazil. The serum cytokine levels were higher in symptomatic patients when compared with asymptomatic and healthy controls. More studies following VL-HIV patients are necessary to understand how these cytokines and the other biomarkers vary over time and whether they can predict VL relapse, and also the progression and the prognosis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Lins Guedes
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute–Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Curso de medicina, Núcleo de Ciências da Vida, Centro Acadêmico do Agreste, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Elis Dionísio da Silva
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute–Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz Castro
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute–Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Parasitology Laboratory, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitoria de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Walter Lins Barbosa Júnior
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute–Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie. Faculté de médecine vétérinaire. Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Achilleas Tsoumanis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Adriaensen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan van Griensven
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute–Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Zulma Maria de Medeiros
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute–Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Virginia Batista Vieira A, Farias PCS, Silva Nunes Bezerra G, Xavier AT, Sebastião Da Costa Lima Júnior M, Silva EDD, Barbosa Júnior WL, Medeiros ZM. Evaluation of molecular techniques to visceral leishmaniasis detection in asymptomatic patients: a systematic review. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 21:493-504. [PMID: 33719847 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2021.1900736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a systemic and neglected parasitic disease. Its main symptoms are fever, splenomegaly with or without hepatomegaly, and anemia, however, most individuals remain asymptomatic. Due to the lack of a gold standard and the limitations of current diagnostic techniques, where parasitology is ethically unfeasible for individuals without symptoms and serological tests do not differentiate between past and present disease, molecular methodologies are the most suitable. AREAS COVERED We performed a systematic review analyzing the molecular techniques based on PCR used, so far, to detect asymptomatic cases of VL in humans. Structured searches were carried out on PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science databases without time and language restrictions. Two reviewers evaluated the studies, performed data extraction, and quality assessment by assigning scores. EXPERT OPINION qPCR using RNA targets can be used in the diagnosis of asymptomatic cases of human VL, due to its characteristics. We recommend further studies to analyze the methodology, mainly observing the use of different rRNA targets. Therefore, we hope that this technique contributed to the construction of public policies that address the diagnosis and handling of asymptomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Virginia Batista Vieira
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Brasil.,Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Brasil
| | | | - Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Brasil.,Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Brasil
| | - Amanda Tavares Xavier
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Brasil.,Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Brasil
| | | | - Elis Dionísio Da Silva
- Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Brasil
| | - Walter Lins Barbosa Júnior
- Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Brasil
| | - Zulma Maria Medeiros
- Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Da Saúde, Universidade De Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, Brasil.,Departamento De Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Brasil
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Guedes DL, Justo AM, Barbosa Júnior WL, Silva EDD, Aquino SRD, Lima Junior MSDC, Montarroyos U, Bezerra GSN, Vieira AVB, Pereira VRA, Medeiros ZMD. Asymptomatic Leishmania infection in HIV-positive outpatients on antiretroviral therapy in Pernambuco, Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009067. [PMID: 33476331 PMCID: PMC7853496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in HIV-positive individuals is a global health problem. HIV-Leishmania coinfection worsens prognosis and mortality risk, and HIV-Leishmania coinfected individuals are more susceptible to VL relapses. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy can protect against Leishmania infection in individuals living in VL-endemic areas, and regular use of antiretrovirals might prevent VL relapses in these individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Petrolina, Brazil, an VL-endemic area, to estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania cases among HIV-positive outpatients. Methods We invited any HIV-positive patients, aged ≥ 18-years-old, under antiretroviral therapy, and who were asymptomatic for VL. Patients were tested for Leishmania with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)-rK39, immunochromatographic test (ICT)-rK39, direct agglutination test (DAT), latex agglutination test (KAtex), and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HIV-Leishmania coinfection was diagnosed when at least one VL test was positive. Results A total of 483 patients were included. The sample was predominantly composed of single, < 48-years-old, black/pardo, heterosexual males, with fewer than 8 years of schooling. The prevalence of asymptomatic HIV-Leishmania coinfection was 9.11% (44/483). HIV mono-infected and HIV-Leishmania coinfected groups differed statistically significantly in terms of race (p = 0.045), marital status (p = 0.030), and HIV viral load (p = 0.046). Black/pardo patients, married patients, and those with an HIV viral load up to 100,000 copies/ml presented higher odds for HIV-Leishmania coinfection. Conclusions A considerable number of asymptomatic Leishmania cases were observed among HIV-positive individuals in a VL-endemic area. Given the potential impact on transmission and health costs, as well as the impact on these coinfected individuals, studies of asymptomatic Leishmania carriers can be useful for guiding public health policies in VL-endemic areas aiming to control and eliminate the disease. Every year up to 90,000 new cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) occurs globally. One of the most neglected diseases, VL is endemic in 60 countries in four continents. Brazil is one of seven countries in which 90% of all cases in the world occur. When co-occurring with HIV, VL tends to be more severe than in HIV-negative persons, leading to worse prognosis and frequent relapses. In this study HIV-positive outpatients, aged 18 years or older, under antiretroviral therapy, who were asymptomatic for VL, were tested for Leishmania. We observed a prevalence of 9.11% (44/483) of HIV-Leishmania coinfection. For those HIV-positive/Leishmania-negative individuals who live in VL-endemic areas, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy can be a protective factor against Leishmania infection. On the other hand, for HIV-Leishmania coinfected individuals who regularly use antiretrovirals might prevent VL relapses. Studies centering on asymptomatic Leishmania carriers can be useful for guiding public health measures in VL-endemic areas seeking to control and eliminate the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Lins Guedes
- Curso de Medicina, Núcleo de Ciências da Vida, Centro Acadêmico do Agreste, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Caruaru, Brasil.,Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Brasil
| | - Alda Maria Justo
- Núcleo de Pós-Graduação, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil
| | | | - Elis Dionísio da Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Brasil
| | | | | | - Ulisses Montarroyos
- Núcleo de Pós-Graduação, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Zulma Maria de Medeiros
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Brasil.,Núcleo de Pós-Graduação, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil
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Silva LP, Montenegro S, Werkauser R, Sales KGDS, Soares FCS, Costa VMA, Bezerra AC, Pinto MBDA, Ferreira SM, Neitzke-Abreu HC, Dantas-Torres F, Lima Junior MSDC. Asymptomatic Leishmania infection in blood donors from a major blood bank in Northeastern Brazil: a cross-sectional study. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2020; 62:e92. [PMID: 33263698 PMCID: PMC7694538 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202062092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study has estimated the risk of Leishmania transmission via
blood transfusion in one of the largest blood banks in Northeastern Brazil,
where visceral leishmaniasis is endemic. Five hundred blood samples from donors
were tested for circulating Leishmania spp. DNA by real-time
PCR. Positive samples were tested by a species-specific conventional PCR
targeting Leishmania infantum . Overall, 6.2% (95% CI:
4.1–8.3%) of the samples carried Leishmania DNA and in one
sample the species was confirmed as L. infantum . No
statistically significant differences were found in relation to gender, sex,
education level, incomeas well as the place of residence between positive and
negative blood donors. Our results confirm the presence of asymptomatic
Leishmania carriers among blood donors in a large blood
bank in Northeastern Brazil. Considering the studied population, we estimate
that for every 1,000 blood donors screened, 41 to 83 will be positive for
Leishmania DNA. This finding reinforces the urgent need for
elaborating specific Blood bank guidelines to allow the early detection of
asymptomatic Leishmania carriers among blood donors before
their blood products are transfused to uninfected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Montenegro
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Roberto Werkauser
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Fábia Carla Silva Soares
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Canine Leishmaniosis Control through the Promotion of Preventive Measures Appropriately Adopted by Citizens. J Parasitol Res 2020; 2020:8837367. [PMID: 32685202 PMCID: PMC7336234 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8837367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a disease caused by the protist Leishmania infantum and transmitted to dogs by sand fly (Diptera: Phlebotominae) bites. In 2005, a new autochthonous focus of CanL was recognised in the southern part of Euganei hills (northeastern Italy). In subsequent years, this outbreak was monitored, testing dogs and evaluating sand fly population. Moreover, dog owners were sensitized on the adoption of preventive measures, thanks to the collaboration of local administration, health authorities, and private veterinarians. This study includes serological tests on dogs, questionnaires submitted to dog owners regarding the use of preventive measures on their animals, and the evaluation of sand fly abundance. Data collected were statistically compared with those of previous years. The canine seroprevalence was significantly lower than that recorded at the beginning of the outbreak, despite the fact that sand fly abundance did not significantly decrease. In addition, most of the dog owners declared using regularly the topical insecticides on their dogs during the sand fly season. This experience demonstrated that a collaborative approach among scientific researchers, local authorities, and private veterinarians can achieve excellent results in the management of a leishmaniosis outbreak.
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SILVA NUNES BEZERRA G, BARBOSA JÚNIOR WL, CINTRA LEAL N, DE MEDEIROS ZM. Application of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Detection of Leishmania infantum Strain from Brazil. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2020; 15:155-157. [PMID: 32489390 PMCID: PMC7244829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto SILVA NUNES BEZERRA
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade de Pernambuco (UPE), 50100-130 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, Department of Parasitology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil,Correspondence
| | - Walter Lins BARBOSA JÚNIOR
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Nilma CINTRA LEAL
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Zulma Maria DE MEDEIROS
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade de Pernambuco (UPE), 50100-130 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, Department of Parasitology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães (IAM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Diotallevi A, Buffi G, Ceccarelli M, Neitzke-Abreu HC, Gnutzmann LV, da Costa Lima MS, Di Domenico A, De Santi M, Magnani M, Galluzzi L. Real-time PCR to differentiate among Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus, Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis: Application on Brazilian clinical samples. Acta Trop 2020; 201:105178. [PMID: 31606374 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a complex disease caused by Leishmania species belonging to subgenera Leishmania and Viannia. In South America, L. (L.) infantum is considered the most important causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, while L. (L.) amazonensis and Viannia subgenus species are responsible for the different cutaneous or mucocutaneous forms. In our previous work, we developed a diagnostic approach for Leishmania species discrimination based on two qPCRs (qPCR-ML and qPCR-ama) targeting the minicircle kDNA followed by melting analysis. This approach allowed to (i) differentiate the subgenera Leishmania and Viannia, and (ii) distinguish between L. (L.) infantum and L. (L.) amazonensis. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the applicability of the approach previously described, using human and canine clinical samples and strains from a Brazilian region, where L. (L.) infantum, L. (L.) amazonensis and Viannia subgenus species coexist. After validation on New World strains, the diagnostic approach was applied blindly to 36 canine clinical samples (peripheral blood and bone marrow) and 11 human clinical samples (peripheral blood and bone marrow). The sensitivity was 95.6% (95% confidence interval 77.3-100%) and 100% (95% confidence interval 76.9-100%) in the canine bone marrow samples and human (peripheral blood and bone marrow) samples, respectively, compared to conventional PCR assays. Concerning the Leishmania species identification, the conventional and qPCR-based methods showed kappa value of 0.876 (95% confidence interval 0.638-1.000), indicating good agreement. Therefore, this approach proved to be useful in both veterinary and human clinical context in regions co-endemic for L. (L.) infantum, L. (L.) amazonensis, and Viannia subgenus, helping to provide rapid diagnosis and to allow studies of species distribution.
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Gow I, Millar D, Ellis J, Melki J, Stark D. Semi-Quantitative, Duplexed qPCR Assay for the Detection of Leishmania spp. Using Bisulphite Conversion Technology. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:E135. [PMID: 31683788 PMCID: PMC6958480 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4040135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is caused by the flagellated protozoan Leishmania, and is a neglected tropical disease (NTD), as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Bisulphite conversion technology converts all genomic material to a simplified form during the lysis step of the nucleic acid extraction process, and increases the efficiency of multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) reactions. Through utilization of qPCR real-time probes, in conjunction with bisulphite conversion, a new duplex assay targeting the 18S rDNA gene region was designed to detect all Leishmania species. The assay was validated against previously extracted DNA, from seven quantitated DNA and cell standards for pan-Leishmania analytical sensitivity data, and 67 cutaneous clinical samples for cutaneous clinical sensitivity data. Specificity was evaluated by testing 76 negative clinical samples and 43 bacterial, viral, protozoan and fungal species. The assay was also trialed in a side-by-side experiment against a conventional PCR (cPCR), based on the Internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1 region). Ninety-seven percent of specimens from patients that previously tested positive for Leishmania were positive for Leishmania spp. with the bisulphite conversion assay, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 copies per PCR was achieved, while the LOD of the ITS1 methodology was 10 cells/1000 genomic copies per PCR. This method of rapid, accurate and simple detection of Leishmania can lead to improved diagnosis, treatment and public health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ineka Gow
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
- Genetic Signatures Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia.
| | | | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - John Melki
- Genetic Signatures Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia.
| | - Damien Stark
- Microbiology Department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
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Conter CC, Mota CA, Dos Santos BA, de Souza Braga L, de Souza Terron M, Navasconi TR, Fernandes ACBS, Demarchi IG, de Castro KRR, Aristides SMA, Lonardoni MVC, Teixeira JJV, Silveira TGV. PCR primers designed for new world Leishmania: A systematic review. Exp Parasitol 2019; 207:107773. [PMID: 31605671 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.107773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the primers that were designed to detect New World Leishmania were systematically reviewed to report the characteristics of each target, detection limit, specificity of the primers designed and diagnostic sensibility. The papers identified in the databases PubMed and Web of Science involved 50 studies. Minicircle is the most applied target in molecular research for diagnosis, due to its high sensitivity in detecting Leishmania in different clinical samples, a characteristic that can be partially attributed to the higher number of copies of the minicircle per cell. The other molecular targets shown in this review were less sensitive to diagnostic use because of the lower number of copies of the target gene per cell, but more specific for identification of the subgenus and/or species. The choice of the best target is an important step towards the result of the research. The target allows the design of primers that are specific to the genus, subgenus or a particular species and also imparts sensitivity to the method for diagnosis. The findings of this systematic review provide the advantages and disadvantages of the main molecular targets and primers designed for New World Leishmania, offering information so that the researcher can choose the PCR system best suited to their research need. This is a timely and extremely thorough review of the primers designed for New World Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Cella Conter
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Camila Alves Mota
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Laís de Souza Braga
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Taísa Rocha Navasconi
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Izabel Galhardo Demarchi
- Department of Clinical Analyses and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
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León CM, Muñoz M, Hernández C, Ayala MS, Flórez C, Teherán A, Cubides JR, Ramírez JD. Analytical Performance of Four Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Real Time PCR (qPCR) Assays for the Detection of Six Leishmania Species DNA in Colombia. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1907. [PMID: 29046670 PMCID: PMC5632848 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis comprises a spectrum of parasitic diseases caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania. Molecular tools have been widely employed for the detection of Leishmania due to its high sensitivity and specificity. However, the analytical performance of molecular platforms as PCR and real time PCR (qPCR) including a wide variety of molecular markers has never been evaluated. Herein, the aim was to evaluate the analytical performance of 4 PCR-based assays (designed on four different targets) and applied on conventional and real-time PCR platforms. We evaluated the analytical performance of conventional PCR and real time PCR, determining exclusivity and inclusivity, Anticipated Reportable Range (ARR), limit of detection (LoD) and accuracy using primers directed to kDNA, HSP70, 18S and ITS-1 targets. We observed that the kDNA was the most sensitive but does not meet the criterion of exclusivity. The HSP70 presented a higher LoD in conventional PCR and qPCR in comparison with the other markers (1 × 101 and 1 × 10-1 equivalent parasites/mL respectively) and had a higher coefficient of variation in qPCR. No statistically significant differences were found between the days of the test with the four molecular markers. The present study revealed that the 18S marker presented the best performance in terms of analytical sensitivity and specificity for the qPCR in the species tested (species circulating in Colombia). Therefore, we recommend to explore the analytical and diagnostic performance in future studies using a broader number of species across America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cielo M León
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia.,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Hernández
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia.,Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas y Biológicas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martha S Ayala
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Flórez
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Aníbal Teherán
- Residente de Medicina de Emergencias, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Investigación COMPLEXUS, Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan R Cubides
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas y Biológicas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.,Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan D Ramírez
- Universidad del Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Programa de Biología, Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Bogotá, Colombia
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