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The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2017
Topics: Child; Cyprus; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral
PubMed: 28471742
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0831b -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jan 2019
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Fatigue; Fever; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography, Abdominal; Spleen; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Weight Loss
PubMed: 30673546
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1803648 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jul 2018
Topics: Aged; Cheek; Denmark; Female; Humans; Leishmania donovani; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous; Spain; Travel-Related Illness
PubMed: 29984701
DOI: No ID Found -
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering May 2021Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a deadly, vector-borne, neglected tropical disease endemic to arid parts of the world and is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus .... (Review)
Review
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a deadly, vector-borne, neglected tropical disease endemic to arid parts of the world and is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus . Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for this systemic disease, and multiple potent therapies exist against this intracellular parasite. However, several factors, such as systemic toxicity, high costs, arduous treatment regimen, and rising drug resistance, are barriers for effective therapy against VL. Material-based platforms have the potential to revolutionize chemotherapy for leishmaniasis by imparting a better pharmacokinetic profile and creating patient-friendly routes of administration, while also lowering the risk for drug resistance. This review highlights promising drug delivery strategies and novel therapies that have been evaluated in preclinical models, demonstrating the potential to advance chemotherapy for VL.
Topics: Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Leishmania donovani; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral
PubMed: 33966377
DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01132 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases May 2018Immunosuppression contributes significantly to the caseload of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). HIV coinfection, solid organ transplantation, malnutrition, and helminth... (Review)
Review
Immunosuppression contributes significantly to the caseload of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). HIV coinfection, solid organ transplantation, malnutrition, and helminth infections are the most important immunosuppression-related factors. This review briefly describes the challenges of these associations. East Africa and the Indian subcontinent are the places where HIV imposes the highest burden in VL. In the highlands of Northern Ethiopia, migrant rural workers are at a greater risk of coinfection and malnutrition, while in India, HIV reduces the sustainability of a successful elimination programme. As shown from a longitudinal cohort in Madrid, VL is an additional threat to solid organ transplantation. The association with malnutrition is more complex since it can be both a cause and a consequence of VL. Different regimes for therapy and secondary prevention are discussed as well as the role of nutrients on the prophylaxis of VL in poverty-stricken endemic areas.
Topics: Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Leishmania donovani; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral
PubMed: 29746470
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006375 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Jun 2021This study aimed to determine the differences between the gene expression profiles of and promastigotes through comparative analysis of gene expressions. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the differences between the gene expression profiles of and promastigotes through comparative analysis of gene expressions.
METHODS
Cell culture of (MHOM/IL/80) and (MHOM/MA/67/ITMAP/263) cell lines was performed. Afterwards, total RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis were performed and fold changes in the expression levels of 30 genes that play a role in metabolic pathways and nucleic acid synthesis and co-expressed in two species were evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Functions of genes were determined using LeishDB and KEGG databases.
RESULTS
In this study, profiles of protein-coding 30 genes expressed in and promastigotes were evaluated and significant differences were found between the two species (p<0.001). There was a significant fold change in the expression levels of 29% of genes common in the two species. The expression levels of nine genes in were found to be markedly higher than those of (fold change >1). These genes include phosphoglycan beta 1.3 galactosyltransferase-like, lathosterol oxidase-like, fatty acid elongase, 3-oxo-5 alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase, calpain-like cysteine peptidase, acetyl-coA synthetase, 3'-nucleotidase/nuclease, 3'-nucleotidase/nuclease precursor and 3-ketoacyl-coA thiolase-like. When the functions of the proteins that correspond to the genes common in the two species were examined in detail using the databases, it was determined that these genes play role in lipid, protein, carbohydrate and nucleic acid metabolic functions of the parasite.
CONCLUSION
Alterations in the expression profiles of genes common to and species may cause differences in the virulence, pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment modality between these parasite species. In addition, evaluation of gene profiles is important in the selection of species-specific or common targets for vaccine and drug studies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmania major; Life Cycle Stages; Protozoan Proteins; Species Specificity; Transcriptome
PubMed: 34103283
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.66375 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2018Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan () species [syn. . (.) species in the Americas] which is transmitted by the bite of a... (Review)
Review
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan () species [syn. . (.) species in the Americas] which is transmitted by the bite of a female phlebotomine sand fly. This parasitosis is endemic and affect millions of dogs in Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean basin. Domestic dogs are the main hosts and the main reservoir hosts for human zoonotic leishmaniosis. The outcome of infection is a consequence of intricate interactions between the protozoan and the immunological and genetic background of the host. Clinical manifestations can range from subclinical infection to very severe disease. Early detection of infected dogs, their close surveillance and treatment are essential to control the dissemination of the parasite among other dogs, being also a pivotal element for the control of human zoonotic leishmaniosis. Hence, the identification of biomarkers for the confirmation of infection, disease and determination of an appropriate treatment would represent an important tool to assist clinicians in diagnosis, monitoring and in giving a realistic prognosis to subclinical infected and sick dogs. Here, we review the recent advances in the identification of biomarkers, focusing on those related to parasite exposure, susceptibility to infection and disease development. Markers related to the pathogenesis of the disease and to monitoring the evolution of leishmaniosis and treatment outcome are also summarized. Data emphasizes the complexity of parasite-host interactions and that a single biomarker cannot be used alone for CanL diagnosis or prognosis. Nevertheless, results are encouraging and future research to explore the potential clinical application of biomarkers is warranted.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drug Monitoring; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral
PubMed: 30237985
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00302 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2019The epidemiology of feline vector-borne pathogens (FeVBPs) has been less investigated in cats than in dogs. The present study assessed the prevalence of Rickettsia spp.,...
BACKGROUND
The epidemiology of feline vector-borne pathogens (FeVBPs) has been less investigated in cats than in dogs. The present study assessed the prevalence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp. and Leishmania infantum infections in cat populations living in central Italy, by molecular and serological tools.
RESULTS
A total of 286 healthy cats were randomly selected from catteries and colonies in central Italy. Peripheral blood and conjunctival swab (CS) samples were collected during surgical procedures for regional neutering projects. Sera were analysed by IFAT to detect anti-Rickettsia felis, R. conorii, Babesia microti and Leishmania IgG antibodies using commercial and home-made antigens. DNA extracted from buffy coats (BCs) was tested for Rickettsia spp., and Piroplasmida species, including Cytauxzoon spp. and Babesia spp. by PCR. Buffy coats and CS samples were assayed by a nested (n)-PCR for Leishmania spp. Sixty-two cats (21.67%) were seropositive to at least one of the tested pathogens. The serological assay revealed 23 (8.04%) and 18 (6.29%) positive cats for R. felis and R. conorii, respectively, with low titers (1/64-1/128). No antibodies against B. microti were detected. Neither Rickettsia nor Piroplasmida DNA were amplified using the specific PCR assays. Thirty-one cats (10.83%) tested positive to anti-Leishmania IgG, with titers ranging from 1:40 to 1:160 and 45 animals (15.73%) tested positive to Leishmania CS n-PCR, whereas none of the animals tested positive to BC n-PCR. Considering the results obtained by IFAT and CS n-PCR, a moderate agreement between the two tests was detected (κ = 0.27).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the serological and molecular surveys showed a moderate exposure to Leishmania in the investigated cats and highlighted the limited molecular diagnostic value of BC versus CS samples for this pathogen. Conversely no evidence supported the circulation of Cytauxzoon spp. in domestic cats, in contrast with previous detections in European wild cats in the same areas monitored. The low positive titres for R. felis in association with no DNA BC amplification prevent speculation on the exposure of feline populations to this FeVBP due to the cross-reactivity existing within spotted fever group rickettsiosis (SFGR).
Topics: Animals; Apicomplexa; Babesia; Cat Diseases; Cats; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Italy; Leishmania infantum; Male; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Rickettsia; Rickettsia Infections
PubMed: 31046822
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3409-8 -
Veterinary Parasitology Feb 2018Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and dogs are considered the main reservoir of the parasite. Feline... (Review)
Review
Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and dogs are considered the main reservoir of the parasite. Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) caused by L. infantum is an emergent feline disease more and more frequently reported in endemic areas. This review summarizes current knowledge focusing similarities and differences with canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Cats are infected by the same Leishmania species than dogs but prevalence of the infection is lower and cases of disease are less frequently reported. Scarce information is available on adaptive immune response of cats naturally exposed to L. infantum infection and mechanisms responsible for susceptibility or resistance of feline hosts. However, about half of clinical cases of FeL are reported in cats with possible impaired immunocompetence. Coinfections or comorbidities are frequently detected in sick cats and they can contribute to a misrepresentation of clinical FeL albeit lesions associated with the presence of the parasite have been detected in skin, lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, liver, oral mucosa, stomach, large bowel, kidney, nasal exudate, lung, eye. As for dogs, skin or mucocutaneous lesions are the most common reason for veterinary consultation and finding on physical examination in cats with leishmaniosis. Molecular investigations of Leishmania DNA and anti- Leishmania antibody detection are largely used with the same methodologies for both CanL and FeL, however few information is available about their diagnostic performance in feline hosts. Treatment of cats with clinical FeL is still empirically based and off label by using the most common drugs prescribed to dogs. Life expectancy of cats with clinical FeL is usually good unless concurrent conditions or complications occur and prognosis does not seem significantly influenced by therapy or retroviral coinfection. According to current knowledge, cats can play a role as additional reservoir host of L. infantum and, in a « One Health » perspective, preventative measures should be taken. In conclusion, albeit feline infection and the associated cat disease caused by L. infantum is increasingly reported in endemic areas and have many similarities with CanL, consolidated evidence-based knowledge is not available and we cannot exclude that important differences between dogs and cats exist about transmission, immunopathogenesis and best practice for management and prevention.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Cat Diseases; Cats; Disease Reservoirs; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral
PubMed: 29426470
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.01.012 -
Trends in Parasitology Oct 2018Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening outcome of Leishmania infantum or Leishmania donovani infection. Dogs are the primary domestic reservoir of L. infantum... (Review)
Review
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening outcome of Leishmania infantum or Leishmania donovani infection. Dogs are the primary domestic reservoir of L. infantum parasites, and ownership of infected dogs increases the risk of human VL. Controlling infection within dog populations is regarded as critical to VL management in endemic countries, both preventing progression of canine disease and limiting parasite transmission to humans and dogs. Here we discuss various strategies that are used to diagnose canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) and the possibilities of adapting these for use within population screening and control programs. In addition, given the variable transmissibility of L. infantum to the sand fly vector, we outline some possibilities for the preferential identification of 'super-spreader' dogs among the overall infected population.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Psychodidae; Zoonoses
PubMed: 30131210
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.07.012