scholarly journals First Report of Equine Leishmaniosis in the State of Sergipe, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saulo Romero Felix Gonçalves ◽  
Mateus De Melo Lima Waterloo ◽  
Mariana Lumack de Monte Barretto ◽  
João Paulo Gonçalves Moura ◽  
Andrea Alice da Fonseca Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The State ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
First Report ◽  
Granulomatous Dermatitis

Background: Leishmaniasis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania. In Brazil, the species Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is reported as an etiological agent of leishmaniasis. Transmission of the disease occurs through bite of the sand fly mosquitoes Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia cruzi, present in several regions of Brazil, including the state of Sergipe, where they are considered endemic. Although few cases have been reported in other states of Brazil, no case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in horses has been reported in Sergipe. The objective of this study was to report a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a horse in the municipality of Itaporanga d'Ajuda, Sergipe, Brazil.Case: A 2-year-old female quarter-horse was examined by a private veterinarian due to the presence of a nodular lesion on the mucocutaneous region of the lips. Macroscopically, the nodule was alopecic with depigmented areas, measuring approximately 1.0 cm in diameter, and there was a focal ulcer in the region of the labial commissure. Excisional biopsy was performed as follows; the material obtained was fixed in 10% buffered formalin and sent for histopathological examination. Further, it was subjected to routine histological processing by embedment in paraffin and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Microscopically, there were intense multifocal to coalescent lymphohistioplasmocytic infiltrates with epithelioid macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, both containing amastigote forms comparable with Leishmania spp. Morphological diagnosis was defined as extensive multifocal to coalescent chronic granulomatous dermatitis with intracytoplasmic amastigote forms. Furthermore, for positive controls, immunohistochemical examination was performed using serum from dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) infantum, which resulted in a strongly positive immunostaining of innumerable intracytoplasmic amastigote structures, confirming infection by Leishmania infantum.Discussion: Leishmaniasis is a public health problem and is frequently studied. In the biological cycle of the parasite, canids are considered as reservoirs, and humans are considered as accidental hosts. However, in endemic rural areas, several species of mammals can be infected. Microscopic lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis are compatible with granulomatous dermatitis, characterized by lymphohistioplasmocytic inflammatory infiltrates with epithelioid macrophages containing amastigote forms. Age, breed, and sex are not considered predisposing factors for this disease and their transmission depends on the existence of the vector in the environment. The diagnosis is based on serological, molecular, and immunohistochemical techniques; in the present study, immunohistochemistry was performed for diagnostic confirmation using serum from dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) infantum. It was found that this antibody can be successfully applied in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of leishmaniasis in tissues of horses. Histopathological examination including immunohistochemical analysis was essential to confirm the diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Leishmania infantum infection in a horse in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. It is essential to carry out epidemiological studies to define control measures to be implemented in the state since it is important for public health. 

scholarly journals Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the region of Saquarema: potential area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginaldo Peçanha Brazil ◽  
Michelle Cristina de Queiroz Pontes ◽  
Wagner Lança Passos ◽  
Andressa Alencaste Fuzari ◽  
Beatriz Gomes Brazil
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Coastal Area ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
The State ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Potential Area

INTRODUCTION: Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi in the Americas. METHODS: Phlebotomine captures were conducted during 2008 and 2009 in a rural area endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis located in the municipality of Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: Among other species captured, we observed the presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the occurrence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in this region, demonstrating the potential risk of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the coastal area of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, active vigilance by all municipalities in the area is necessary.

Leishmanicidal Activity of Plant Extracts from Sefrou, a Moroccan Focus of Leishmaniasis, against Various Leishmania Parasites in the Promastigote Stage

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Zeouk ◽  
A. Et-Touys ◽  
M. Balouiri ◽  
H. Fellah ◽  
A. El Ouali Lalami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
World Health ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Leishmania Tropica ◽  
Cistus Salviifolius

According to the World Health Organization, leishmaniasis remains a major worldwide public health problem. The province of Sefrou located in the center of Morocco is a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The present study aims at evaluating the antileishmanial potential of Berberis sp.,Crataegus oxyacantha, Cistus salviifolius, Ephedra altissima and Lavandula dentatafrequently used by the local population. Methanolic extracts were tested against the promastigote form ofLeishmania tropica, Leishmania majorandLeishmania infantumusing tetrazolium-based colorimetric (MTT) assay. The total phenol and flavonoids content of all extracts were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, aluminum chloride, and potassium acetate solutions respectively. The plant extracts exhibited antileishmanial activity with variability depending on the tested strain and the plant species compared to Glucantime® used as control (IC50 (the half maximal inhibitory concentration) > 1,000 μg/mL). The best inhibition was observed with Berberis sp., againstLeishmania major(IC50 = 394.40 ± 3.02 μg/ml), andEphedra altissima(reported for the first time) againstLeishmania infantum(IC50 = 490.84 ± 3.15 μg/mL).Leishmania tropicahas shown the same sensitivity behavior toward the five extracts (in average IC50 = 540 ± 11.20 μg/mL). The total phenolic content was higher forCrataegus oxyacanthaandCistus salviifolius(140.67 ± 3.17 μg eq Gallic Acid (GA)/ mg of Extract (E) and 133.83 ± 9.03 μg eq GA/mg of E respectively), while flavonoid was higher forCistus salviifoliusandLavandula dentata(57.92 ± 2.46 μg eq Quercetin (Que)/ mg of Extract (E) and 41.53 ± 1.74 μg eq Que/mg of E). All the tested extracts present some promising aspects that may cure cutaneous leishmaniasis in the center of Morocco; further bioguided assays are needed to isolate the fractions and the bioactive molecule.

scholarly journals Leishmania infantum AS A CAUSATIVE AGENT OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN THE STATE OF MATO GROSSO DO SUL, BRAZIL

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludiele Souza CASTRO ◽  
Adriana de Oliveira FRANÇA ◽  
Eduardo de Castro FERREIRA ◽  
Günther HANS FILHO ◽  
Minoru German HIGA JÚNIOR ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
The State ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul

scholarly journals Odour of domestic dogs infected with Leishmania infantum is attractive to female but not male sand flies: Evidence for parasite manipulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. e1009354
Author(s):  
Monica E. Staniek ◽  
James G. C. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
T Test ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Control Female ◽  
Behavioural Experiments ◽  
Paired T Test

Globally visceral leishmaniasis (VL) causes thousands of human deaths every year. In South America, the etiologic agent, Leishmania infantum, is transmitted from an infected canine reservoir to human hosts by the bite of the sand fly vector; predominantly Lutzomyia longipalpis. Previous evidence from model rodent systems have suggested that the odour of infected hosts is altered by the parasite making them more attractive to the vector leading to an increased biting rate and improved transmission prospects for the pathogen. However, there has been no assessment of the effect of Le infantum infection on the attractiveness of dogs, which are the natural reservoirs for human infection. Hair collected from infected and uninfected dogs residing in a VL endemic city in Brazil was entrained to collect the volatile chemical odours present in the headspace. Female and male Lu. longipalpis sand flies were offered a choice of odour entrained from infected and uninfected dogs in a series of behavioural experiments. Odour of uninfected dogs was equally attractive to male or female Lu. longipalpis when compared to a solvent control. Female Lu. longipalpis were significantly more attracted to infected dog odour than uninfected dog odour in all 15 experimental replicates (average 45.7±0.87 females attracted to infected odour; 23.9±0.82 to uninfected odour; paired T-test, P = 0.000). Male Lu. longipalpis did not significantly prefer either infected or uninfected odour (average 36.1±0.4 males to infected odour; 35.7±0.6 to uninfected odour; paired T-test, P = 0.722). A significantly greater proportion of females chose the infected dog odour compared to the males (paired T-test, P = 0.000). The results showed that the odour of dogs infected with Le. infantum was significantly more attractive to blood-seeking female sand flies than it was to male sand flies. This is strong evidence for parasite manipulation of the host odour in a natural transmission system and indicates that infected dogs may have a disproportionate significance in maintaining infection in the canine and human population.

scholarly journals Leishmania infantum Infection Modulates the Jak-STAT Pathway in Lutzomyia longipalpis LL5 Embryonic Cells and Adult Females, and Affects Parasite Growth in the Sand Fly

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Loza Telleria ◽  
Daisy Aline Azevedo-Brito ◽  
Barbora Kykalová ◽  
Bruno Tinoco-Nunes ◽  
André Nóbrega Pitaluga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Infection ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Parasite Survival ◽  
Stat Pathway

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) belonging to the Lutzomyia genus transmit zoonoses in the New World. Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, which is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. To identify key molecular aspects involved in the interaction between vector and pathogens and contribute to developing disease transmission controls, we investigated the sand fly innate immunity mediated by the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak-STAT) pathway in response to L. infantum infection. We used two study models: L. longipalpis LL5 embryonic cells co-cultured with L. infantum and sand fly females artificially infected with the parasite. We used qPCR to follow the L. longipalpis gene expression of molecules involved in the Jak-STAT pathway. Also, we modulated the Jak-STAT mediated immune response to understand its role in Leishmania parasite infection. For that, we used RNAi to silence the pathway regulators, protein inhibitor of activated STATs (PIAS) in LL5 cells, and STAT in adult females. In addition, the pathway suppression effect on parasite development within the vector was assessed by light microscopy in late-phase infection. The silencing of the repressor PIAS in LL5 cells led to a moderate increase in a protein tyrosine phosphatase 61F (PTP61F) expression. It suggests a compensatory regulation between these two repressors. L. infantum co-culture with LL5 cells upregulated repressors PIAS, suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS), and PTP61F. It also downmodulated virus-induced RNA-1 (VIR-1), a pathway effector, indicating that the parasite could repress the Jak-STAT pathway in LL5 cells. In Leishmania-infected L. longipalpis females, STAT and the antimicrobial peptide attacin were downregulated on the third day post-infection, suggesting a correlation that favors the parasite survival at the end of blood digestion in the sand fly. The antibiotic treatment of infected females showed that the reduction of gut bacteria had little effect on the Jak-STAT pathway regulation. STAT gene silencing mediated by RNAi reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and favored Leishmania growth in sand flies on the first day post-infection. These results indicate that STAT participated in the iNOS regulation with subsequent effect on parasite survival.

scholarly journals NEW WORLD LEISHMANIOSIS IN RUSSIAN TOURISTS WHO VISITED SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES AND THE FIRST EXPERIENCE OF THE TREATMENT WITH PERU BALSAM

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-112
Author(s):  
A. M Bronshteyn ◽  
N. G Kochergin ◽  
N. A Malyshev ◽  
V. Ya Lashin ◽  
S. V Burova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
New World ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
South American ◽  
Parasite Resistance ◽  
Local Species

Two cases of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis acquired by Russian tourists in Peru and possibly in Bolivia are presented. L. viannia ( L.braziliensis complex) was identified in Liverpool School of Tropical medicine in the patient travelled to Bolivia. The present study aimed to investigate Balsamum peruvianum one of the product of folk medicine of Indians of Amazon region against local species of Leishmania resulted in healing the ulcers. Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem, and the alarming spread of parasite resistance has increased the importance of discovering new therapeutic products.

scholarly journals Epidemiological statistics of adolescent suicide during confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Ecuador

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-803
Author(s):  
Andres Joaquin Guarnizo Chávez ◽  
Nathaly Alejandra Romero Heredia
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Adolescent Suicide ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The State ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Method ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Psychological Suffering

Introduction: Adolescent suicide is a public health problem that has been neglected due to the pandemic and confinement. Objective: To describe the characteristics of adolescent suicide, during the period of confinement due to pandemic in the year 2020 in Ecuador. Method: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out, with the information from the database of violent deaths of the Ministry of Government, from March 17 to September 13, which lasted through the state of emergency. The analysis was carried out by province, sex, age, suicide method and frequency in days after the event occurred. The suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) was estimated for each province. Results: During confinement due to a state of emergency in 2020 in Ecuador, 97 suicides were registered among adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age. The highest number was estimated in males between 15 and 19 years of age, with the most frequent age being 19. The most frequent day of removal of corpses was on Mondays, and the preferred mode of suicide was by hanging with 81 reported cases. followed by intoxication and poisoning. Conclusions: No increases were found in the suicide mortality rate during the state of emergency in 2020. However, it must be considered that the context of COVID-19 has increased the burden of psychological suffering, which may lead adolescents to think about suicide.

scholarly journals Distinct gene expression patterns in vector-residing Leishmania infantum identify parasite stage-enriched markers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iliano V. Coutinho-Abreu ◽  
Tiago D. Serafim ◽  
Claudio Meneses ◽  
Shaden Kamhawi ◽  
Fabiano Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Natural Sand

AbstractPromastigotes of Leishmania infantum undergo a series of extracellular developmental stages inside the natural sand fly vector Lutzomyia longipalpis to reach the infectious stage, the metacyclic promastigote. There is limited information regarding the expression profile of L. infantum developmental stages inside the sand fly vector, and molecular markers that can distinguish the different parasite stages are lacking. We performed RNAseq on unaltered midguts of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis after infection with L. infantum parasites. RNAseq was carried out at various time points throughout parasite development. Principal component analysis mapped the sequences corresponding to the procyclic, nectomonad, leptomonad or metacyclic promastigote stage into distinct positions, with the procyclic stage being the most divergent population. Transcriptional levels across genes varied on average between 10- to 100-fold. Comparison between procyclic and nectomonad promastigotes resulted in 836 differentially expressed (DE) genes; between nectomonad and leptomonad promastigotes in 113 DE genes; and between leptomonad and metacyclic promastigotes in 302 DE genes. Most of the DE genes do not overlap across stages, highlighting the uniqueness of each stage. Furthermore, the different stages of Leishmania parasites exhibited specific transcriptional enrichment across chromosomes. Using the transcriptional signatures exhibited by distinct Leishmania stages during their development in the sand fly midgut, we determined the genes predominantly enriched in each stage, identifying multiple stage-specific markers for L. Infantum. Leading stage-specific marker candidates include genes encoding a zinc transporter in procyclics, a beta-fructofuranidase in nectomonads, a surface antigen-like protein in leptomonads, and an amastin-like surface protein in metacyclics. Overall, these findings demonstrate the transcriptional plasticity of the Leishmania parasite inside the sand fly vector and provide a repertoire of stage-specific markers for further development as molecular tools for epidemiological studies.

scholarly journals Sickle Cell Anaemia Prevalence among Newborns in the Brazilian Amazon-Savanna Transition Region

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1638
Author(s):  
Rayane Cristina Souza ◽  
Pedro Agnel Dias Miranda Neto ◽  
Jessflan Rafael Nascimento Santos ◽  
Sílvio Gomes Monteiro ◽  
Maria Cláudia Gonçalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Transition Region ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anaemia ◽  
Sickle Cell Trait ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The State ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Important Public Health Problem

Sickle cell anaemia is one of the most common hemoglobinopathies worldwide and an important public health problem in Brazil. This study evaluated the prevalence of sickle cell anaemia and its traits in newborns from the Amazon-Savanna Transition Region in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out, based on data from neonatal screening tests performed in 2013–2015 in Maranhão. The Hardy-Weinberg theorem was applied to analyse the frequency of expected homozygotes based on HbSS phenotype. A spatial-temporal distribution analysis was performed to delimit the regions with the greatest number of newborn cases with sickle cell anaemia. Of 283,003 newborns, 162 were found to have sickle cell anaemia, while 10,794 had a sickle cell trait, with a prevalence of 0.05% and 3.8%, respectively. The prevalence of expected homozygotes was higher in the North Region and in the state capital of Maranhão. This study may contribute to existing social and public health actions or the creation of new strategies for sickle cell disease in endemic areas in Brazil to improve the quality of life.

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