scholarly journals Concomitant infection with Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium berghei alters clinical and immune responses in BALB/c mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebeccah Moraa Ayako ◽  
Joshua Muli Mutiso ◽  
John Chege Macharia ◽  
David Langoi ◽  
Lucy Ochola
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Plasmodium Berghei ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Ifn Γ

Malaria and visceral leishmaniasis coexist in the same geographical regions. However, dual co-infection with parasites causing these diseases and their impact on public health is poorly documented. Interactions between these parasites may play a role in disease outcome. The present study set out to evaluate the clinical and immunological parameters following Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium berghei co-infection in BALB/c mice. Mice were divided into four groups; L. donovani- only, L. donovani- P. berghei , P. berghei- only and naïve. Body weight, parasite burden, total IgG, IFN-γ and IL-4 responses were determined. To determine the survival rate, four mice were used from each group. Tissues for histological analysis were taken from spleen, liver and brain. Results indicated significant differences in body weight (P<0.0001), L. donovani parasite load (P< 0.0001 ), L. donovani IgG (P< 0.0001), P. berghei parasitemia (P= 0.0222), P. berghei IgG (P= 0.002), IFN-γ (P<0.0001) and IL-4 (P<0.0001) in dual-infected mice. There was no correlation between L. donovani parasite load and IgG responses in single or dual infections, while there was a positive relationship of P. berghei parasitemia and IgG responses in the dual infection group only. Plasmodium berghei had the highest mortality rate compared to L. donovani - only and L. donovani- P. berghei infected mice groups. Histological analyses showed enlarged red and white pulps and pathological changes in the spleen, liver and brain tissues which were less pronounced in co-infected group. We conclude that L. donovani and P. berghei co-infection reduces disease severity and these changes seem to correlate with variation in serum IgG and cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-4). Therefore, the study recommends the importance of inclusion of early screening of malaria in Visceral Leishmaniasis patients in regions where malaria is co- endemic.

scholarly journals A clioquinol-containing Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelle system is effective in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in a murine model

Parasite ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grasiele S.V. Tavares ◽  
Débora V.C. Mendonça ◽  
Isabela A.G. Pereira ◽  
João A. Oliveira-da-Silva ◽  
Fernanda F. Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Polymeric Micelle ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Gm Csf ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Micelle System

A clioquinol (ICHQ)-containing Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelle system (ICHQ/Mic) was recently shown to be effective against Leishmania amazonensis infection in a murine model. In the present study, ICHQ/Mic was tested against L. infantum infection. BALB/c mice (n = 12 per group) were infected with L. infantum stationary promastigotes through subcutaneous injection and, 45 days after challenge, received saline or were treated via the subcutaneous route with empty micelles, ICHQ or ICHQ/Mic. In addition, animals were treated with miltefosine by the oral route, as a drug control. Half of the animals were euthanized 1 and 15 days after treatment, aiming to evaluate two endpoints after therapy, when parasitological and immunological parameters were investigated. Results showed that the treatment using miltefosine, ICHQ or ICHQ/Mic induced significantly higher anti-parasite IFN-γ, IL-12, GM-CSF, nitrite and IgG2a isotype antibody levels, which were associated with low IL-4 and IL-10 production. In addition, a higher frequency of IFN-γ and TNF-α-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells was found in these animals. The parasite load was evaluated in distinct organs, and results showed that the treatment using miltefosine, ICHQ or ICHQ/Mic induced significant reductions in organic parasitism in the treated and infected mice. A comparison between the treatments suggested that ICHQ/Mic was the most effective in inducing a highly polarized Th1-type response, as well as reducing the parasite load in significant levels in the treated and infected animals. Data obtained 15 days after treatment suggested maintenance of the immunological and parasitological responses. In conclusion, ICHQ/Mic could be considered in future studies for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Increased levels of cortisol are associated with the severity of experimental visceral leishmaniasis in a Leishmania (L.) infantum-hamster model

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0009987
Author(s):  
Tayany de D. Barros-Gonçalves ◽  
Andrea F. Saavedra ◽  
Luzinei da Silva-Couto ◽  
Raquel P. Ribeiro-Romão ◽  
Milla Bezerra-Paiva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Hamster Model ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation

Background Several infectious diseases are associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disorders by elevating circulating glucocorticoids (GCs), which are known to have an immunosuppressive potential. We conducted this study in golden hamsters, a suitable model human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), to investigate the relationship of Leishmania (L.) infantum infection on cortisol production and VL severity. Methods L. infantum-infected (n = 42) and uninfected hamsters (n = 30) were followed-up at 30, 120, and 180 days post-infection (dpi). Plasma cortisol was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase by RT-qPCR. Results All hamsters showed splenomegaly at 180 dpi. Increased parasite burden was associated with higher arginase expression and lower iNOS induction. Cortisol levels were elevated in infected animals in all-time points evaluated. Except for monocytes, all other leucocytes showed a strong negative correlation with cortisol, while transaminases were positively correlated. Immunological markers as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth-factor-β (TGF-β) were positively correlated to cortisol production, while interferon-γ (IFN-γ) presented a negative correlation. A network analysis showed cortisol as an important knot linking clinical status and immunological parameters. Conclusions These results suggest that L. infantum increases the systemic levels of cortisol, which showed to be associated with hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters associated to VL severity.

scholarly journals gp63 in Stable Cationic Liposomes Confers Sustained Vaccine Immunity to Susceptible BALB/c Mice Infected with Leishmania donovani

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 1003-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Bhowmick ◽  
Rajesh Ravindran ◽  
Nahid Ali
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Cationic Liposomes ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Th2 Response ◽  
Parasitic Burden ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Dose Dependent

ABSTRACT Visceral leishmaniasis is deadly if not treated, and development of a vaccine with long-term immunity remains a challenge. In this study, we showed that cationic distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) liposomes, when used as vaccine adjuvant with the immunodominant 63-kDa glycoprotein (gp63) of Leishmania donovani promastigotes, induced significant protection against progressive visceral leishmaniasis in susceptible BALB/c mice. gp63 used without adjuvant elicited partial protection but in association with liposomes exhibited marked resistance in both the livers and spleens of the mice challenged 10 days after the last vaccination. The protective efficacy of liposomal gp63 vaccination was dose dependent, with 2.5 μg of protein showing optimal protection. The immunity conferred by this vaccine formulation was durable, as mice challenged 12 weeks after immunization were still protected, and the infection was controlled for at least 3 months postchallenge. Production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) by splenic T cells, and of serum immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2a following immunization, suggested that a mixed Th1/Th2 response had been induced following immunization. However, control of disease progression and parasitic burden in mice vaccinated with gp63 in cationic DSPC liposomes was associated with enhancement of antigen-specific IFN-γ and downregulation of IL-4, demonstrating a Th1 bias. Long-term immunity elicited by this vaccine corresponded to, in addition to the presence of antigen-specific Th1, CD8+ T-cell responses. Our results demonstrated that stable cationic liposomes containing gp63 acted as a potent adjuvant for protein antigen to induce long-term protection against L. donovani that represents an alternative to DNA vaccination.

scholarly journals Intracellular Antimicrobial Activity in the Absence of Interferon-γ: Effect of Interleukin-12 in Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in Interferon-γ Gene-disrupted Mice

1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (7) ◽  
pp. 1231-1240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice P. Taylor ◽  
Henry W. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Gene Knockout ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
Factor Α

Despite permitting uncontrolled intracellular visceral infection for 8 wk, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) gene knockout (GKO) mice infected with Leishmania donovani proceeded to reduce liver parasite burdens by 50% by week 12. This late-developing IFN-γ–independent antileishmanial mechanism appeared to be dependent largely on endogenous tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α): L. donovani infection induced TNF-α mRNA expression in parasitized GKO livers and neutralization of TNF-α reversed control at week 12. 7 d of treatment of infected GKO mice with interleukin-12 (IL-12) readily induced leishmanicidal activity and also partially restored the near-absent tissue granulomatous response, observations that for the first time expand the antimicrobial repertoire of IL-12 to include IFN-γ–independent effects. The action of IL-12 against L. donovani was TNF-α dependent and required the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase. These results point to the presence of an IFN-γ–independent antimicrobial mechanism, mediated by TNF-α, which remains quiescent until activated late in the course of experimental visceral leishmaniasis. However, as judged by the effect of exogenous IL-12 this quiescent mechanism can readily be induced to rapidly yield enhanced intracellular antimicrobial activity.

scholarly journals Immunoenhancement Combined with Amphotericin B as Treatment for Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 2513-2517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry W. Murray ◽  
Elaine B. Brooks ◽  
Jennifer L. DeVecchio ◽  
Frederick P. Heinzel
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Total Dose ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Th1 Cell ◽  
Killing Effect ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Visceral Infection

ABSTRACT To determine if stimulation of Th1-cell-associated immune responses, mediated by interleukin 12 (IL-12) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), enhance the antileishmanial effect of amphotericin B (AMB), Leishmania donovani-infected BALB/c mice were first treated with (i) exogenous IL-12 to induce IFN-γ, (ii) agonist anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (MAb) to maintain IL-12 and induce IFN-γ, or (iii) anti-IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) MAb to blockade suppression of IL-12 and IFN-γ. In animals with established visceral infection, low-dose AMB alone (two injections of 1 mg/kg of body weight; total dose, 2 mg/kg) killed 15 to 29% of liver parasites; by themselves, the immunointerventions induced 16 to 33% killing. When the interventions were combined, the leishmanicidal activities increased 3.4-fold (anti-CD40), 6.3-fold (anti-IL-10R), and 9-fold (IL-12) compared with the activities of AMB plus the control preparations; and overall killing (76 to 84%) approximated the 84 to 92% killing effect of 7.5-fold more AMB alone (three injections of 5 mg/kg; total dose, 15 mg/kg). These results suggest that strengthening the host Th1-cell response may be a strategy for the development of AMB-sparing regimens in visceral leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Antibody and cytokine levels in visceral leishmaniasis patients with varied parasitemia before, during, and after treatment in patients admitted to Arba Minch General Hospital, southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. e0009632
Author(s):  
Dagimawie Tadesse ◽  
Alemseged Abdissa ◽  
Mekidim Mekonnen ◽  
Tariku Belay ◽  
Asrat Hailu
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Tgf Β1

Background Visceral leishmaniasis is a disease caused by disseminated Leishmania donovani infection which affects almost half a million people annually. Most of the patients are reported from the Indian sub-continent, Eastern Africa and Brazil. In this study, we aimed to determine the levels of antibodies and cytokines in visceral leishmaniasis patients and to examine associations of parasitemia with the clinical states of patients. A prospective study was carried out, enrolling a total of 48 active VL patients who were evaluated before, during different time points and, three months after treatment. Serum cytokine concentrations, antibody levels, parasitemia, laboratory (hematologic and biochemical) measurements, and clinical parameters were assessed. Results Counts of WBC and platelets, and measurements of hemoglobin (Hb) increased during treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Elevated levels of circulating IL-10, IFN-γ, and TGF-β1 were measured before treatment. The observed increase in serum IL-10 remarkably declined within 7 days after the start of treatment. Anti-leishmanial antibody index (AI) was high in all VL patients irrespective of spleen aspirate parasite grade before treatment and at different times during treatment. However, a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease of AI was observed 120 days post-treatment. IL-2 serum levels were below the detection limit at all sampling points. Conclusions The present results suggest that IL-10, IFN-γ, and TGF-β1 can be used as markers of active visceral leishmaniasis. In addition, measuring circulating cytokines concentrations, particularly IL-10, in combination with other clinical evaluations, could be used as criteria for the cure. The observation that a high serum concentration of IFN-gamma at baseline was associated with low parasitemia deserves further investigations.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Spironolactone Treatment in Murine Models of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valter Viana Andrade-Neto ◽  
Juliana da Silva Pacheco ◽  
Job Domingos Inácio ◽  
Elmo Eduardo Almeida-Amaral ◽  
Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Cutaneous Lesion ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Drug Candidate ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Meglumine Antimoniate ◽  
Future Possibility

Translational studies involving the reuse and association of drugs are approaches that can result in higher success rates in the discovery and development of drugs for serious public health problems, including leishmaniasis. If we consider the number of pathogenic species in relation to therapeutic options, this arsenal is still small, and each drug possesses a disadvantage in terms of toxicity, efficacy, price, or treatment regimen. In the search for new drugs, we performed a drug screening of L. amazonensis promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of fifty available drugs belonging to several classes according to their pharmacophoric group. Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, proved to be the most promising drug candidate. After demonstrating the in vitro antileishmanial activity, we evaluated the efficacy on a murine experimental model with L. amazonensis and L. infantum. The treatment controlled the cutaneous lesion and reduced the parasite burden of L. amazonensis significantly, as effectively as meglumine antimoniate. The treatment of experimental visceral leishmaniasis was effective in reducing the parasite load on the main affected organs (spleen and liver) via high doses of spironolactone. The association between spironolactone and meglumine antimoniate promoted better control of the parasite load in the spleen and liver compared to the group treated with meglumine antimoniate alone. These results reveal a possible benefit of the concomitant use of spironolactone and meglumine antimoniate that should be studied more in depth for the future possibility of repositioning for leishmaniasis co-therapy.

The Effect of Iodium 30c on Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis

Homeopathy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 109 (04) ◽  
pp. 213-223
Author(s):  
Jyoti Joshi ◽  
Chetna Bandral ◽  
Raj Kumar Manchanda ◽  
Anil Khurana ◽  
Debadatta Nayak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Efficacy ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Poor People

Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is one of several neglected tropical diseases that warrant serious attention. A disease of socio-economically poor people, it demands safer and cheaper drugs that help to overcome the limitations faced by the existing anti-leishmanials. Complementary or traditional medicines might be a good option, with an added advantage that resistance may not develop against these drugs. Thus, the present investigation was performed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial efficacy of an ultra-diluted homeopathic medicine (Iodium 30c) in experimental visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Methods Compliant with strict ethical standards in animal experimentation, the study was performed in-vivo in inbred BALB/c mice which were injected intravenously with 1 × 107 promastigotes of Leishmania donovani before (therapeutic) or after (prophylactic) treatment with Iodium 30c for 30 days. In other groups of mice (n = 6 per group), amphotericin B served as positive control, infected animals as the disease control, while the naïve controls included normal animals; animals receiving only Iodium 30c or Alcohol 30c served as sham controls. The anti-leishmanial efficacy was assessed by determining the hepatic parasite load and analysing percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Biochemical analysis and histological studies were performed to check any toxicities. Results Iodium-treated animals showed a significantly reduced parasite load (to 1503 ± 39 Leishman Donovan Units, LDU) as compared with the infected controls (4489 ± 256 LDU) (p < 0.05): thus, the mean therapeutic efficacy of Iodium 30c was 66.5%. In addition, the population of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after treatment. No toxicity was observed, as evidenced from biochemical and histopathological studies of the liver and kidneys. Efficacy of Iodium 30c prophylaxis was 58.3%, while the therapeutic efficacy of amphotericin B was 85.9%. Conclusion This original study has shown that Iodium 30c had significant impact in controlling parasite replication in experimental VL, though the effect was less than that using standard pharmaceutical treatment.

scholarly journals Experimental visceral leishmaniasis in high and low antibody - producer mice (selection IV-A)

1999 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiane Jellmayer Fechio ◽  
Angela Maria Victoriano de Campos Soares ◽  
Silvio Luís de Oliveira ◽  
Alexandrina Sartori
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Macrophage Activation ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Parasite Infection ◽  
High Antibody ◽  
Splenic Cells ◽  
Splenic Index ◽  
Direct Counts

Leishmaniasis is a typical parasite infection whose protective immunity depends on macrophage activation. Susceptibility to Leishmania donovani infection was compared in H (high antibody responder) and L (low antibody responder) mice from selection IV-A. H mice infected intravenously with 10(7) amastigotes of L. donovani were more susceptible to infection than their L counterparts. This higher susceptibility was characterized by a higher splenic and hepatic parasite burden. An increased splenic index was observed in both lines after sixty days of infection. This splenomegaly was caused, at least partially, by an increase in the number of splenic cells as determined by direct counts of cells from spleen. The results show that selection IV-A is susceptible to visceral leishmaniasis, with the H line being more susceptible than the L line.

Anti-Leishmania activity of mucosal-associated invariant T-cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Peruhype-Magalhaes ◽  
Marcela Moreira ◽  
Marcelo Antônio Pascoal-Xavier ◽  
Ágata Lopes-Ribeiro ◽  
Luana Borges Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Human Peripheral Blood ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Mait Cells ◽  
Cell Immunity ◽  
Mait Cell

Abstract Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT)-cells are restricted by MR1 and are known to contribute to protection from bacterial and viral infections. Here we show that MAIT-cells also play an important role in protection from visceral leishmaniasis-VL, caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex. In response to L. infantum, human peripheral blood MAIT-cells produced TNF and IFN-γ and this was MR1-dependent. Since Leishmania spp. lack riboflavin biosynthesis, this suggests that novel MAIT-cell antigen(s) exist in the context of Leishmania-infection. In asymptomatic individuals, MAIT-cells also produced IL-17A, dependent on MR1, a cytokine signature associated with resistance to visceral Leishmaniasis. In mice, MAIT-cells reduced parasite burden during peak infection and decreased pathology. In summary, these results broaden our understanding of MAIT-cell immunity to include protection from parasitic infections with implications for MAIT-cell based therapeutics and vaccines. Leishmania is an ancient and clinically important pathogen such that it may have contributed to shaping MAIT-cell biology.

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