A spotlight on the diagnostic methods of a fatal disease Visceral Leishmaniasis

Visceral Leishmaniasis and HIV-AIDS coinfection (VL/HIV) is considered a life-threatening pathology when undiagnosed and untreated, due to the immunosuppression caused by both diseases. Serological tests largely used for the VL diagnosis include the direct agglutination test (DAT), ELISA and immunochromatographic (ICT) assays. For VL diagnosis in HIV infections, different studies have shown that the use of the DAT assay facilitates the VL diagnosis in co-infected patients, since the performance of the most widely used ELISA and ICT tests, based on the recombinant protein rK39, are much less efficient in HIV co-infections. In this scenario, alternative recombinant antigens may help the development of new serological diagnostic methods which may improve the VL diagnosis for the co-infection cases. This work aimed to evaluate the use of the recombinant Lci2 antigen, related to, but antigenically more diverse than rK39, for VL diagnosis in co-infected sera through ELISA assays. A direct comparison between recombinant Lci2 and rK39 was thus carried out. The two proteins were first tested using indirect ELISA with sera from VL afflicted individuals and healthy controls, with similar performances. They were then tested with two different sets of VL/HIV co-infected cases and a significant drop in performance, for one of these groups, was observed for rK39 (32% sensitivity), but not for Lci2 (98% sensitivity). In fact, an almost perfect agreement (Kappa: 0.93) between the Lci2 ELISA and DAT was observed for the coinfected VL/HIV patients. Lci2 then has the potential to be used as a new tool for the VL diagnosis of VL/HIV co-infections.

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Acute visceral leishmaniasis in a domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) from the state of Tocantins, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n4p1723 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 1723

Author(s):

Sebastiana Adriana Pereira Sousa ◽

Helcileia Dias Santos ◽

Cristiane América de Carvalho ◽

Aline Marinho Machado ◽

Letícia Espindola de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Leukemia Virus ◽

Antibody Test ◽

The State ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Feline Leukemia Virus ◽

Mesenteric Lymph Nodes ◽

First Case ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is expanding in the Brazilian territory. Dogs are considered an important urban reservoir; however, studies have demonstrated the presence of infected cats in some Brazilian states. This report aimed to describe a case of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum infection in a two-month-old domestic feline from a Brazilian region with a high incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis. The analyzed samples were the cat’s blood, conjunctiva, spleen, liver, popliteal, submandibular and mesenteric lymph nodes, skin, lung and kidney. The diagnostic methods were: parasitological examination, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and an immunoflurescence antibody test (IFAT). All tissues were positive. The title obtained using the IFAT was 1:160. The animal was negative for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). This work addresses the first case of feline leishmaniasis in the state of Tocantins, and reveals data that may contribute to the knowledge of the disease, since it has been shown to be able to develop rapidly and fatally in kittens, with the ability to infect several tissues.

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HoBi-Like Pestivirus and Reproductive Disorders

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2020.622447 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Nicola Decaro

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Tract ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Fatal Disease ◽

Viral Diarrhea ◽

Asymptomatic Infections ◽

Cattle Reproduction ◽

The Impact

HoBi-like pestivirus (HoBiPeV) is an emerging group of pestiviruses that has been detected in cattle and other ruminants in South America, Europe, and Asia. Analogous to other bovine pestiviruses, namely bovine viral diarrhea (BVDV) 1 and 2, HoBiPeV is able to cause a variety of clinical forms that range from asymptomatic infections to fatal disease, having a great impact on cattle productions and causing substantial economic losses, mainly as a consequence of the occurrence of reproductive failures. The manuscript aims to provide an updated review of the currently available literature about the impact of HoBiPeV infection on cattle reproduction. The reproductive disorders observed in cattle due to natural and experimental infections caused by this virus are reported along with the few available in-vitro studies involving the reproductive tract. HoBiPeV should be considered among the bovine pathogens that impact on reproduction, but there is a need for more specific and sensitive diagnostic methods, while the cross-protection elicited by commercially available BVDV vaccines should be better investigated.

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Fever of unknown origin − diagnostic methods in a European developing country

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp140827050b ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 73 (6) ◽

pp. 553-558 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mile Bosilkovski ◽

Marija Dimzova ◽

Milena Stevanovic ◽

Vesna Semenakova-Cvetkovska ◽

Maja Vasileva-Duganovska

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Therapy Response ◽

Unknown Origin ◽

Final Diagnosis ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

University Hospital ◽

Republic Of Macedonia ◽

The Republic ◽

Tract Infections

Background/Aim. Fewer of unknown origin (FUO) remains amongst the most difficult diagnostic dilemmas in contemporary medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of FUO and to identify the methods of diagnosis in patients with FUO in a tertiary care setting in the Republic of Macedonia. Methods. Retrospectively histories of 123 immunocompetent patients older than 14 years with classical FUO that had been examined at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions in the city of Skopje, during the period 2006?2012 were evaluated. FUO was defined as axillary fever of ? 37.5?C on several occasions, fever duration of more than 21 days and failure to reach the diagnosis after the initial diagnostic workup comprised of several defined basic investigations. Results. Infections were the cause of FUO in 51 (41.5%) of the patients, followed by non-infective inflammatory disorders (NIID) in 28 (22.8%), miscellaneous in 12 (9.7%) and neoplasm in 11 (8.9%) of the patients. Twenty one of the patients (17.1%) remained undiagnosed. The most common causes for FUO were visceral leishmaniasis, abscesses, urinary tract infections, subacute endocarditis, polymyalgia rheumatica and adult onset of Still disease. The final diagnosis was reached with histology in 24 (23.5%), imaging and endoscopic procedures in 21 (20.6%), clinical course and empiric therapy response in 20 (19.6%), serology in 18 (17.6%) and cultures in 16 (15.7%) of the cases. Conclusion. In the Republic of Macedonia infections are the leading cause of FUO, predominately visceral leishmaniasis. In the future in patients with prolonged fever, physicians should think more often of this disease, as well as of the possibility of atypical presentation of the common classical causes of FUO.

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Early detection and persistent positivity of anti-Leishmania antibodies using a recombinant protein-based ELISA in naturally infected dogs in Brazil

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04895-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matheus Silva de Jesus ◽

João Victor Andrade Cruz ◽

Lívia Brito Coelho ◽

Lairton Souza Borja ◽

Edmilson Domingos da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Recombinant Protein ◽

Diagnostic Test ◽

Diagnostic Tests ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Test Results ◽

Time Points ◽

Positive Results

Abstract Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, for which dogs constitute the main urban parasite reservoir. Control measures and the treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) are essential to reduce VL cases. Early and accurate detection of L. infantum-infected dogs is crucial to the success of VL control. To improve the serological detection of L. infantum-exposed dogs, we evaluated the early diagnosis capacity of a recombinant protein (rLci5) in an immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect naturally infected dogs. Additionally, we evaluated the persistence of the positive results obtained by rLci5 ELISA in comparison to other conventional diagnostic test methods. Methods Serum samples obtained from 48 L. infantum-infected dogs involved in a cohort study were evaluated using different diagnostic methods (qPCR, EIE-LVC, DPP-LVC and splenic culture). The results were compared to rLci5 ELISA to determine its capacity to diagnose L. infantum infection at earlier infection time points. The persistence of positive diagnostic test results was also compared for each dog evaluated. Results rLci5 ELISA presented higher rates of positive results at early time points compared to the other diagnostic tests employed in the cohort study, as early as 24 months prior to detection by other tests. rLci5 ELISA positivity was 52.1% (25/48) at baseline, while qPCR was 35.4% (17/48), DPP-LVC 27.1% (13/48), EIE-LVC 22.9% (11/48) and culture only 4.2% (2/48). In at least one of the time points of the 24-month cohort study, rLci5 ELISA was positive in 100% (48/48) of the dogs, versus 83% (40/48) for qPCR, 75% (36/48) for DPP-LVC, 65% (31/48) for EIE-LVC and 31% (15/48) for culture. Investigating clinical signs in association with diagnostic test positivity, rLci5 ELISA successfully detected CVL in 62.9% (95/151) of the clinical evaluations with a score of 0–3, 64.3% (45/70) with scores between 4 and 7, and 73.7% (14/19) with scores > 7, providing higher rates of positivity than all other methods evaluated. Moreover, rLci5 ELISA presented the greatest persistence with respect to test positivity: 45.8% of the dogs evaluated. Conclusion Four diagnostic tests were compared to rLci5 ELISA, which presented earlier infection diagnosis and a greater persistence of positive test results. Accordingly, the use of the rLci5 ELISA can improve CVL diagnostic performance by detecting infected dogs sooner than other testing methods, with enhanced persistence of positive results over the course of the infection. Graphic abstract

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Kala-Azar Imported into the USA

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.50.3.471 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 471-475

Author(s):

James H. Zavoral ◽

James T. Paloucek ◽

Robert C. Yaeger

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

World War Ii ◽

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Donovani ◽

The United States ◽

World War ◽

Fatal Disease ◽

Kala Azar ◽

The Usa

Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is not an indigenous disease in the United States. Prior to 1945, only nine cases had been reported in this country. Several reports following World War II, estimated that 50 to 75 cases had occurred in American servicemen who had been stationed overseas. Since World War II only three cases have been reported in the United States. Two cases of Kala-azar which were diagnosed in the United States are presented. Leishmania donovani is discussed to alert physicians to the presence of this parasite as a cause of a potentially fatal disease. The children were probably infected with the organism in Spain.

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Cutaneous and mucosal melanoma

Wiedza Medyczna ◽

10.36553/wm.12 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Piotr Sobolewski ◽

Klaudia Dopytalska ◽

Marek Roszkiewicz ◽

Agata Mikucka-Wituszyńska ◽

Elżbieta Szymańska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surgical Treatment ◽

Malignant Melanoma ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

Metastatic Disease ◽

Systemic Therapy ◽

Mucosal Melanoma ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Rare Form ◽

Fatal Disease

Malignant melanoma (MM) still remains a potentially fatal disease despite the fact that advanced diagnostic methods and modern therapeutic options are available. Melanoma is a cancer deriving from neuroectodermal melanocytic cells. The standardized incidence rate of melanoma in Poland is 4,9 per 100 000. The mucosal melanoma is a rare form of this cancer accounting for only 2% of the diagnosed cases. The fast diagnosis and surgical treatment are the keys to decreased mortality. In metastatic disease systemic therapy is needed but no highly efficient drug has been identified yet. This paper concentrates on introduction of elemental knowledge about melanoma to raise awareness among medical professionals of different specialities in order not to overlook any case of melanoma.

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The Inflammatory Effects of Dietary Lipids Regulate Growth of Parasites during Visceral Leishmaniasis

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.00423-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ellen T. Kiser ◽

Mark A. Wacker ◽

Upasna Gaur Dixit ◽

Hemali Batra-Sharma ◽

Yani Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Dietary Lipids ◽

Fatal Disease ◽

Warm Climates

Leishmaniasis is a spectrum of diseases caused by Leishmania species protozoa that is most common in warm climates, coinciding with impoverished regions. Visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially fatal disease in which parasites infect reticuloendothelial organs and cause progressive wasting and immunocompromise.

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Impact of sequelae of visceral leishmaniasis and their contribution to ongoing transmission of Leishmania donovani

Pathogens and Disease ◽

10.1093/femspd/ftz057 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 77 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Malcolm S Duthie ◽

Yasuyuki Goto ◽

Prakash Ghosh ◽

Dinesh Mondal

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Donovani ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Indian Subcontinent ◽

Intervention Strategies ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Control Programs ◽

Kala Azar ◽

New Treatments

ABSTRACT Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Old World is caused by infection with Leishmania donovani. Although the numbers of new reported cases of VL in Africa have been relatively stable for several years, the low numbers currently reported on the Indian subcontinent suggest a positive impact of new treatments and intervention strategies. In both regions, however, VL relapse and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) maintain infectious reservoirs and therefore present a threat to control programs. In this review, we outline the evolving appreciation of PKDL as an impactful disease in its own right and discuss the various diagnostic methods that can be applied for the detection and characterization of PKDL cases. We also highlight the data that indicate the potential, and likely contribution, of PKDL cases to ongoing transmission of L. donovani.

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Aspiration cytology of popliteal lymph nodes as a diagnostic method of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in areas of socioeconomic vulnerability

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i5.14457 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. e2310514457

Author(s):

Antônio Carlos Severino Neto ◽

Gabriel Lopes Germano ◽

Thâmara Rossi Martins da Silva ◽

Luiz Antônio de Jesus Sousa ◽

Priscila Gomes de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymph Node ◽

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Low Income ◽

Diagnostic Method ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Easy Access ◽

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Aspiration Cytology ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Molecular Tests

Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in Goiás and has high lethality owing to its high zoonotic potential. In dogs, the disease manifests based on the parasitic load, with clinical presentation as the starting for diagnosis. Diagnostic methods are used to confirm the disease, with emphasis on lymph node aspiration cytology, which is a high-standard technique owing to its low cost, ease of performance, and high specificity. The aim of this study was to demonstrate aspiration lymph node cytology as a diagnostic method for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in areas containing low-income populations with poor access to molecular tests. Three dogs with suspected CVL were studied at Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Jataí, in which popliteal lymph node cytology was performed, owing to easy access, and screening and confirmatory examinations were undertaken by the Central Public Health Laboratory. The results showed three positive animals in the cytology and only one positive in the other tests; therefore, there was the possibility of the occurrence of false negatives in serological tests given the time required for seroconversion. Thus, cytology is an important diagnostic technique in areas where molecular tests are not available.

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