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Bruno F, Castelli G, Li B, Reale S, Carra E, Vitale F, Scibetta S, Calzolari M, Varani S, Ortalli M, Franceschini E, Gennari W, Rugna G, Späth GF. Genomic and epidemiological evidence for the emergence of a L. infantum/L. donovani hybrid with unusual epidemiology in northern Italy. mBio 2024; 15:e0099524. [PMID: 38832792 PMCID: PMC11253594 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00995-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania (L.) infantum is one of the main causative agents of animal and human leishmaniasis across many endemic areas in South America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Despite its clinical significance, little is known about the genetic diversity of L. infantum circulating in a given endemic area. Here, we investigate this important open question by applying a comparative genomics approach to seven L. infantum isolates from different hosts and Italian regions, including the northern part of the country (Emilia-Romagna, RER), Sicily, and Sardinia, as an initial attempt to explore the breadth of parasite genetic heterogeneity in Italy. Additionally, microsatellite analysis was carried out to compare the isolates from RER with other 70 L. infantum strains from the same region as well as 65 strains belonging to the L. donovani complex from other countries. We revealed important karyotypic instability and identified strain-specific changes in gene dosage, which affected important virulence factors such as amastins and surface antigen-like proteins. Single nucleotide polymorphism-based clustering analysis of these genomes together with over 80 publicly available L. infantum and L. donovani genomes placed the Italian isolates into three geographically distinct clusters within the Mediterranean basin and uncovered three isolates clustering with putative L. infantum/L. donovani hybrids isolated in Cyprus. As judged by microsatellite profiling, these hybrid isolates are representative of a sub-population of parasites circulating in northern Italy that preferentially infect humans but not dogs. Our results place Italy at the crossroads of L. infantum infection in the Mediterranean and call attention to the public health risk represented by the introduction of non-European Leishmania species.IMPORTANCEThis study closes important knowledge gaps with respect to Leishmania (L.) infantum genetic heterogeneity in a given endemic country, as exemplified here for Italy, and reveals genetic hybridization as a main cause for re-emerging human leishmaniasis in northern Italy. The observed high diversity of Leishmania parasites on the Italian peninsula suggests different geographical origins, with genomic adaptation to various ecologies affecting both pathogenicity and transmission potential. This is documented by the discovery of a putative L. infantum/L. donovani hybrid strain, which has been shown to preferentially infect humans but not dogs. Our results provide important information to health authorities, which need to consider the public health risk represented by the introduction of new Leishmania species into EU countries due to population displacement or travel from countries where exotic/allochthonous parasite species are endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Bruno
- WOAH Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Palermo, Italy
| | - G. Castelli
- WOAH Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Palermo, Italy
| | - B. Li
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - S. Reale
- WOAH Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Palermo, Italy
| | - E. Carra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "B. Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - F. Vitale
- WOAH Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Palermo, Italy
| | - S. Scibetta
- WOAH Leishmania Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L.), Palermo, Italy
| | - M. Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "B. Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - S. Varani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Ortalli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - E. Franceschini
- Infectious Disease Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - W. Gennari
- Virology and Molecular Microbiology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - G. Rugna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "B. Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - G. F. Späth
- Unité de Parasitologie moléculaire et Signalisation, INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Casulli A, Antinori S, Bartoloni A, D'Amelio S, Gabrielli AF, Gazzoli G, Rinaldi L, Bruschi F. Neglected Tropical Diseases in Italy: introducing IN-NTD, the Italian network for NTDs. Parasitology 2023; 150:1082-1088. [PMID: 37264942 PMCID: PMC10801374 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000422] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a diverse group of primarily infectious diseases, which disproportionately affect poor and marginalized populations worldwide. In this context, NTDs are responsible for important morbidity and mortality and justify a global response. Moreover, NTDs are relatively neglected by research and development as well as by funding, if compared with the magnitude of the public health problem they represent. This happens even though, unlike other infectious diseases, they can be prevented, controlled and eliminated by targeted public health interventions. NTDs are mainly prevalent in communities from low-income countries in tropical and sub-tropical areas but are also present in upper–middle-income countries, including several in Europe. Here, we provide an update on the most relevant parasitic endemic or imported NTDs in Italy and illustrate the rationale for the establishment of the Italian network on NTDs, an alliance of scientific societies, institutes, foundations, universities and non-profit organizations united to fight NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Casulli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Spinello Antinori
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Italian Society for Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT), Prato, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Albis Francesco Gabrielli
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Gazzoli
- Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO), Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bruschi
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., School of Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Italian Society of Parasitology (SoIPa), c/o Department of Public Health, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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First Record of Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perfiliewi (Diptera: Psychodidae), Vector of Leishmania infantum and Phleboviruses, in Spain. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of several diseases of importance for public health, including leishmaniosis, bartonellosis, and sand fly fevers. An entomological survey on blood-feeding Diptera was conducted in June–November 2020–2021 to know the diversity of insect vectors in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Among the vectors collected, Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perfiliewi Parrot, 1930 was found being the first record of this species in Spain. Phlebotomus perfiliewi s.l. is one of the main vectors of Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean Basin and Central Asia. The identification of this species was confirmed by both morphological features and DNA barcoding. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the specimens captured were Ph. perfiliewi s.s. (99.85–100% homologues from Italy and Algeria specimens), with a sequence divergence of 0.17%. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene clearly separates the three species that make up the Ph. perfiliewi species complex. In addition, we also provide a brief discussion about their identification remarks, phylogenetic relationships, and vector status.
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Balaska S, Calzolari M, Grisendi A, Scremin M, Dottori M, Mavridis K, Bellini R, Vontas J. Monitoring of Insecticide Resistance Mutations and Pathogen Circulation in Sand Flies from Emilia-Romagna, a Leishmaniasis Endemic Region of Northern Italy. Viruses 2023; 15:148. [PMID: 36680189 PMCID: PMC9862798 DOI: 10.3390/v15010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuously expanding distribution of sand flies, proven vectors of Leishmania and of several phleboviruses, is a growing public health issue in Europe. Especially in Italy, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is occurring with increasing incidence northward, in previously non-endemic provinces. Around the globe, disease elimination efforts largely focus on sand fly vector insecticidal control, often leading to the development of resistance. In Emilia-Romagna (ER), northern Italy, insecticides are heavily applied for agricultural and mosquito control, but not specifically against sand flies. Here, we investigated the sand fly species composition in certain environmental settings in ER provinces and monitored the presence of pyrethroid resistance mutations and pathogen circulation. Phlebotomus perfiliewi, a dominant vector of Leishmania infantum, was detected almost exclusively in the region. No mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene, e.g., knock-down resistance mutations I1011M, L1014F/S, V1016G, or F1020S, were recorded. Pathogen monitoring revealed that almost 40% of the tested sand fly pools were positive for Leishmania, while the presence of Toscana and Fermo phleboviruses was also observed in much lower frequencies (≤3% positive pools). Regular epidemiological and entomological monitoring, alongside resistance surveillance, is highly recommended to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of vector control interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Balaska
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) “B. Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Grisendi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) “B. Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Mara Scremin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) “B. Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Michele Dottori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) “B. Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Mavridis
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente (CAA) “Giorgio Nicoli”, Via Sant’Agata 835, Crevalcore, 40014 Bologna, Italy
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Pesticide Science Lab, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
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Magri A, Galuppi R, Fioravanti M, Caffara M. Survey on the presence of Leishmania sp. in peridomestic rodents from the Emilia-Romagna Region (North-Eastern Italy). Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:291-296. [PMID: 35412180 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-09925-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected vector-borne parasitic disease caused in Italy only by the species Leishmania infantum of the Leishmania donovani complex, which is the causative agent of the zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and the sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in humans, and of the canine leishmaniasis (CanL). The disease is considered endemic in southern, central, and insular Italian regions and recognizes phlebotomine sand flies as vector and dogs as main reservoir. Among northern Italian region, Emilia-Romagna shows peculiar epidemiological situation and recent studies are questioning the role of dog as main reservoir of L. infantum. Due to their synanthropic relationship with humans, rodents have been tested for Leishmania spp. in several European countries. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of Leishmania spp. in peridomestic rodents in the Emilia-Romagna. The study was carried out on 136 peridomestic rodents collected by professional pest control services: 47 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), 39 black rats (Rattus rattus) and 50 mice (Mus musculus). Specimens of earlobe skin, spleen, liver and prescapular lymph nodes were tested with a real-time PCR. Fifteen (11%) rodents, tested positive for Leishmania spp. in particular five brown rats (10.6%), five black rats (12.8%) and five mice (10%). Positivity was obtained from different target organs. These findings revealed the presence of Leishmania spp. in peridomestic rodents of Emilia-Romagna Region, also in two species never tested before in Italy, namely R. norvegicus and M. musculus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Magri
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Roberta Galuppi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Fioravanti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Caffara
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Gaspari V, Gritti T, Ortalli M, Santi A, Galletti G, Rossi A, Rugna G, Mattivi A, Matteo G, Belloli GL, Mattei G, Varani S. Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Italy from 2017 to 2020: A Neglected Public Health Issue. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16047. [PMID: 36498130 PMCID: PMC9740434 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) includes cutaneous (CL) and mucosal (ML) leishmaniasis; despite being endemic in southern Europe, it is often underdiagnosed and underreported. This study aimed to retrospectively examine data collected from patients with TL in a selected area of northeastern Italy (Emilia-Romagna region, RER). A network of 10 diagnostic units within RER was established, and TL cases diagnosed in RER from 2017 to 2020 were evaluated. A total of 135 TL cases were collected (62% male, 38% female); patients ranged from 1 to 84 years, with a median age of 57. Among these cases, 113 (84%) were notified to the public health authorities. The average annual incidence of TL was 0.76 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Infections were acquired within the RER in 84% of cases; the 113 autochthonous cases were distributed in the foothills areas of the region. We provide evidence of a defined spatial distribution of TL cases in a selected area of northeastern Italy, as well as a relevant number of ML cases. Our observations suggest the need to raise awareness about TL among clinicians and pathologists, promote the molecular confirmation of cases by reference laboratories, and encourage the establishment of surveillance networks for this neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Gaspari
- Unit of Dermatology, Head and Neck Department, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Tommaso Gritti
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Ortalli
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Santi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rugna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mattivi
- Regional Health Authority, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulio Matteo
- Regional Health Authority, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gian L. Belloli
- Regional Health Authority, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Mattei
- Regional Health Authority, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Varani
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Microbiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Taddei R, Bregoli A, Galletti G, Carra E, Fiorentini L, Fontana MC, Frasnelli M, Musto C, Pupillo G, Reggiani A, Santi A, Rossi A, Tamba M, Calzolari M, Rugna G. Wildlife Hosts of Leishmania infantum in a Re-Emerging Focus of Human Leishmaniasis, in Emilia-Romagna, Northeast Italy. Pathogens 2022; 11:1308. [PMID: 36365059 PMCID: PMC9697138 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, an upsurge of human leishmaniasis has been reported in the Emilia-Romagna region, Northeast Italy. Epidemiologic data have raised doubts about the role of dogs as the main reservoirs for Leishmania infantum. In the present study, a total of 1,077 wild animals were screened for L. infantum DNA in earlobe and spleen samples from 2019 to 2022. The lymph nodes were tested only in 23 animals already positive in the earlobe and/or spleen. A total of 71 (6.6%) animals resulted positive in at least one of the sampled tissues, including 3/18 (16.7%) wolves, 6/39 (15.4%) European hares, 38/309 (12.3%) roe deer, 1/11 (9.1%) red deer, 8/146 (4.9%) wild boars, 13/319 (4.1%) red foxes, 1/54 (1.9%) porcupine, and 1/59 (1.7%) European badger. Most of the infected animals (62/71) tested positive only in the earlobe tissue, only four animals (two roe deer and two wild boars) tested positive only in the spleen, and five animals (three roe deer and two red foxes) resulted positive for both tissues. L. infantum DNA was detected in the lymph nodes of 6/23 animals. L. infantum detection occurred in all seasons associated with low real-time PCR Ct values. Further research is needed in order to clarify the role of wildlife in the re-emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Northeast Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Taddei
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Bregoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Carra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Fiorentini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Fontana
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Frasnelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Carmela Musto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pupillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Reggiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Santi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Tamba
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rugna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Calzolari M, Romeo G, Bergamini F, Dottori M, Rugna G, Carra E. Host preference and Leishmania infantum natural infection of the sand fly Phlebotomus perfiliewi in northern Italy. Acta Trop 2022; 226:106246. [PMID: 34843690 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The host preference of hematophagous insects is important in determining the cycle of pathogens that they potentially transmit; for example, sand flies are competent vectors of Leishmania parasites. In this work, we evaluated the host preference of sand flies collected in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy in 2018 and 2019 in an area in which Leishmania infantum circulates actively. Out of about 30,000 sampled sand flies, we obtained 252 engorged females, which were processed to identify the sources of blood meals. Sampling data collected confirmed a positive phototropism of Phlebotomus (Ph.) perfiliewi respect to Ph. perniciosus and the enhanced efficiency of light traps in collecting engorged females compared with traps baited with carbon dioxide. We identified blood source in 185 females (183 Ph. perfiliewi, two Ph. pernicious). The most bitten animal was the roe deer (49.5%), followed by humans (29.2%), hare (7.1%) and cow (4.7%). Other animals, including wild boar, horse, donkey, porcupine, chicken and red fox, were less represented (<2%), while the blood of dogs and rodents were not detected. In addition, we singly screened engorged females for Leishmania founding 5 positive specimens, fed on roe deer (4) and man (1), providing evidence of parasite circulation in a sylvatic environment, where presence of dogs was not common. These findings suggest the existence of an uncharacterized Leishmania reservoir in the surveyed area.
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9
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Gradoni L, Ferroglio E, Zanet S, Mignone W, Venco L, Bongiorno G, Fiorentino E, Cassini R, Grillini M, Simonato G, Michelutti A, Montarsi F, Natale A, Gizzarelli M, Foglia Manzillo V, Solari Basano F, Nazzari R, Melideo O, Gatti D, Oliva G. Monitoring and detection of new endemic foci of canine leishmaniosis in northern continental Italy: An update from a study involving five regions (2018-2019). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 27:100676. [PMID: 35012715 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is an emerging zoonosis caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted in southern Europe by phlebotomine sand flies of the subgenus Phlebotomus (Larroussius). Endemic foci of CanL have been recorded in northern continental Italy since early 1990s and attributed to the northward expansion of vector populations due to climatic changes in association with travelling/relocated infected dogs from the southern Mediterranean littoral. In this study, further spread of endemic Leishmania foci was monitored during 2018-2019 in five regions (Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia), with focus to territories where investigations were not performed, or they have been inconclusive. Clinical cases of CanL identified by local veterinary practitioners and confirmed by reference diagnosis centers were regarded as autochthonous if their origin from, or travel to, areas endemic for CanL were excluded in the previous ≥2 years. Around these index cases, i) serosurveys for L infantum were carried out where indicated, ii) sampling from potential autochthonous cases in healthy or clinically-suspected resident dogs was intensified by collaborating veterinary practitioners, and iii) suitable sites were investigated for the presence of competent phlebotomine vectors. Fifty-seven municipalities whose enzootic status of CanL was unreported before 2018, were identified as endemic. The stability of 27 foci recorded over the past decade, was also confirmed. Competent phlebotomine vectors, mainly Phlebotomus perniciosus, were collected for the first time in 23 municipalities. The newly recorded endemic municipalities appear to be distributed over a west-to-east decreasing gradient: 30 in Piedmont, 21 in Lombardy, 4 in Veneto and 2 in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. As regards Veneto, it should be noted that a relatively restricted territory was investigated as several municipalities of the region had already been surveyed and detected as endemic for CanL in the past. Cold climate conditions of the easternmost region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia bordering non-endemic territories of Slovenia, are probably less favorable to L infantum transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Gradoni
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases, Istituto superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
| | - Ezio Ferroglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie dell'Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Stefania Zanet
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie dell'Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Walter Mignone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Sezione di Imperia, Italy
| | - Luigi Venco
- Veterinary practitioner, Santa Giuletta, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gioia Bongiorno
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases, Istituto superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Rudi Cassini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, Università degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Marika Grillini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, Università degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, Università degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Michelutti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Montarsi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alda Natale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Manuela Gizzarelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Valentina Foglia Manzillo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Diego Gatti
- Elanco Italia S.p.A., Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
| | - Gaetano Oliva
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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Co-Circulation of Phleboviruses and Leishmania Parasites in Sand Flies from a Single Site in Italy Monitored between 2017 and 2020. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081660. [PMID: 34452524 PMCID: PMC8402820 DOI: 10.3390/v13081660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sand flies transmit Leishmania infantum, which is responsible for causing leishmaniasis, as well as many phleboviruses, including the human pathogenic Toscana virus. We screened sand flies collected from a single site between 2017 and 2020 for the presence of both phleboviruses and Leishmania. The sand flies were sampled with attractive carbon dioxide traps and CDC light traps between May and October. We collected more than 50,000 sand flies; 2826 were identified at the species level as Phlebotomus perfiliewi (98%) or Phlebotomus perniciosus (2%). A total of 16,789 sand flies were tested in 355 pools, and phleboviruses were found in 61 pools (6 Toscana virus positive pools, 2 Corfou virus positive pools, 42 Fermo virus positive pools, and 7 Ponticelli virus positive pools, and 4 unidentified phlebovirus positive pools). Leishmania was found in 75 pools and both microorganisms were detected in 16 pools. We isolated nine phleboviruses from another 2960 sand flies (five Ponticelli viruses and for Fermo viruses), not tested for Leishmania; the complete genome of a Fermo virus isolate was sequenced. The simultaneous detection in space and time of the Fermo virus and L. infantum is evidence that supports the co-circulation of both microorganisms in the same location and partial overlap of their cycles. A detailed characterization of the epidemiology of these microorganisms will support measures to limit their transmission.
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11
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Michelutti A, Toniolo F, Bertola M, Grillini M, Simonato G, Ravagnan S, Montarsi F. Occurrence of Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the northeastern plain of Italy. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:164. [PMID: 33761950 PMCID: PMC7992963 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent climate and environmental changes have resulted in the geographical expansion of Mediterranean Leishmania infantum vectors towards northern latitudes and higher altitudes in different European countries, including Italy, where new foci of canine leishmaniasis have been observed in the northern part of the country. Northern Italy is also an endemic area for mosquito-borne diseases. During entomological surveillance for West Nile virus, mosquitoes and other hematophagous insects were collected, including Phlebotomine sand flies. In this study, we report the results of Phlebotomine sand fly identification during the entomological surveillance conducted from 2017 to 2019. METHODS The northeastern plain of Italy was divided by a grid with a length of 15 km, and a CO2-CDC trap was placed in each geographical unit. The traps were placed ~ 15 km apart. For each sampling site, geographical coordinates were recorded. The traps were operated every two weeks, from May to November. Sand flies collected by CO2-CDC traps were identified by morphological and molecular analysis. RESULTS From 2017 to 2019, a total of 303 sand flies belonging to the species Phlebotomus perniciosus (n = 273), Sergentomyia minuta (n = 5), P. mascittii (n = 2) and P. perfiliewi (n = 2) were collected, along with 21 unidentified specimens. The trend for P. perniciosus collected during the entomological surveillance showed two peaks, one in July and a smaller one in September. Sand flies were collected at different altitudes, from -2 m above sea level (a.s.l.) to 145 m a.s.l. No correlation was observed between altitude and sand fly abundance. CONCLUSIONS Four Phlebotomine sand fly species are reported for the first time from the northeastern plain of Italy. Except for S. minuta, the sand fly species are competent vectors of Leishmania parasites and other arboviruses in the Mediterranean Basin. These findings demonstrate the ability of sand flies to colonize new environments previously considered unsuitable for these insects. Even though the density of the Phlebotomine sand fly population in the plain areas is consistently lower than that observed in hilly and low mountainous areas, the presence of these vectors could herald the onset of epidemic outbreaks of leishmaniasis and other arthropod-borne diseases in areas previously considered non-endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Michelutti
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Federica Toniolo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Michela Bertola
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Marika Grillini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Silvia Ravagnan
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Montarsi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Micology and Medical Entomology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy
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