scholarly journals Antibody Responses to Phlebotomus papatasi Saliva in American Soldiers With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Versus Controls

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi E. Aronson ◽  
Fabiano Oliveira ◽  
Regis Gomes ◽  
William D. Porter ◽  
Robin S. Howard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
The Us ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Serial Samples ◽  
Control Study

Leishmania major, transmitted in Iraq by the bite of a sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi, causes cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). The sand fly saliva is immunogenic, with both systemic humoral and cellular human immune responses resulting from natural exposure. 248 Americans who developed L. major infection in Iraq were sex, race/ethnicity, year of Iraq deployment-matched to controls without CL. Using a case-control study design, we compared sand fly saliva-specific human IgG levels and recognized antigens between the two groups. Serologic responses to Ph. papatasi salivary gland homogenate were studied with ELISA and Western blot, using serial samples obtained from before travel, during CL treatment (CL) or at time of return to US (controls), as well as (for CL cases) six to 24 months after return to non-endemic US. The mean change in optical density (MCOD), reflecting the change in sand fly saliva-specific IgG before and after exposure in Iraq, was 0.296 (range -0.138 to 2.057) in cases and 0.151 (range -0.454 to1.085) in controls, p<0.001. Low levels of sand fly saliva specific antibody were noted in CL cases by 7-8 months after return to the US. The most frequently recognized Ph. papatasi salivary antigens were MW30 (PpSP32) and MW64, although other salivary proteins recognized were MW12/14, 15, 18, 28, 32, 36, 42, 44, 46, 52. Logistic regression suggested that MW15, 28 and 42 were associated with the largest effect on the MCOD. MW30 was the most frequently recognized antigen suggesting a role as biomarker for sand fly exposure and CL risk. Anti-Ph. papatasi saliva IgG waned within months of return to the US. We also discuss vector antigenic saliva proteins in the context of CL presentation and identify some salivary antigens that may correlate with less lesion area, ulcer versus papule/plaque, race among those with CL.

A novel role for the peritrophic matrix in protecting Leishmania from the hydrolytic activities of the sand fly midgut

Parasitology ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. P. PIMENTA ◽  
G. B. MODI ◽  
S. T. PEREIRA ◽  
M. SHAHABUDDIN ◽  
D. L. SACKS
Keyword(s):  
Digestive Enzymes ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Peritrophic Matrix ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Hydrolytic Activities ◽  
Natural Vector ◽  
Parasite Survival

The role of the peritrophic matrix (PM) in the development of Leishmania major infections in a natural vector, Phlebotomus papatasi, was investigated by addition of exogenous chitinase to the bloodmeal, which completely blocked PM formation. Surprisingly, the absence of the PM was associated with the loss of midgut infections. The chitinase was not directly toxic to the parasite, nor were midgut infections lost due to premature expulsion of the bloodmeal. Most parasites were killed in chitinase-treated flies within the first 4 h after feeding. Substantial early killing was also observed in control flies, suggesting that the lack of PM exacerbates lethal conditions which normally exist in the blood-fed midgut. Early parasite mortality was reversed by soybean trypsin inhibitor. Allosamadin, a specific inhibitor of chitinase, led to a thickening of the PM, and also prevented the early parasite mortality seen in infected flies. Susceptibility to gut proteases was extremely high in transitional-stage parasites, while amastigotes and fully transformed promastigotes were relatively resistant. A novel role for the PM in promoting parasite survival is suggested, in which the PM creates a barrier to the rapid diffusion of digestive enzymes, and limits the exposure of parasites to these enzymes during the time when they are especially vulnerable to proteolytic damage.

scholarly journals Phlebotomus papatasi Antimicrobial Peptides in Larvae and Females and a Gut-Specific Defensin Upregulated by Leishmania major Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2307
Author(s):  
Barbora Kykalová ◽  
Lucie Tichá ◽  
Petr Volf ◽  
Erich Loza Telleria
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Larval Instar ◽  
Gut Bacteria ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Major Infection ◽  
Defensin Gene

Phlebotomus papatasi is the vector of Leishmania major, causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. We investigated whether P. papatasi immunity genes were expressed toward L. major, commensal gut microbes, or a combination of both. We focused on sand fly transcription factors dorsal and relish and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) attacin and defensin and assessed their relative gene expression by qPCR. Sand fly larvae were fed food with different bacterial loads. Relish and AMPs gene expressions were higher in L3 and early L4 larval instars, while bacteria 16S rRNA increased in late L4 larval instar, all fed rich-microbe food compared to the control group fed autoclaved food. Sand fly females were treated with an antibiotic cocktail to deplete gut bacteria and were experimentally infected by Leishmania. Compared to non-infected females, dorsal and defensin were upregulated at early and late infection stages, respectively. An earlier increase of defensin was observed in infected females when bacteria recolonized the gut after the removal of antibiotics. Interestingly, this defensin gene expression occurred specifically in midguts but not in other tissues of females and larvae. A gut-specific defensin gene upregulated by L. major infection, in combination with gut-bacteria, is a promising molecular target for parasite control strategies.

scholarly journals Intestinal helminthiasis as a relevant factor on immunological markers status of cutaneous leishmaniasis patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEIDA VERDUGUEZ-ORELLANA ◽  
Ernesto Rojas Cabrera ◽  
Mery Arteaga Terrazas ◽  
Fidelia Barrientos Laura ◽  
Miguel Guzman-Rivero
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Intestinal Helminths ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Immunological Markers ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Status ◽  
Basic Sanitation

Abstract Background: The intestinal helminths and the tegumentary leishmaniasis are frequent in rain forest area of Bolivia by absence of basic sanitation services and the natural presence of sand fly, vector of Leishmania parasites. Each one of these infections triggers a specific immune response by the host, nevertheless there is scant information regarding the behaviour of immune response during simultaneous Leishmania and intestinal helminths infections. The purpose of this study was contributing to the knowledge on this matter. Results: Forty-four cutaneous leishmaniasis patients and thirty controls entered in the study. The percentage of eosinophils from peripheral blood and plasma concentration of IgE and TNF-α were increased at after antimony treatment, respect the values presented before treatment in Albendazole and Non Albendazole groups, those increases were not statically significant. A decrease between before and after antimony treatment was observed in the ratio CD4/CD8 in both groups, but only in the receiving Albendazole group it was presented differences statistically significant.Conclusions: Several changes in the status of immunological markers including the number of eosinophils were found after the antimony treatment of patients. No additional clinical, neither immunological benefit of Albendazole treatment could be documented probably because the contact of individuals with helminths is long-standing.

scholarly journals Some Epidemiological Aspects of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a New Focus, Central Iran

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Yaghoobi-Ershadi ◽  
N. Marvi-Moghadam ◽  
R. Jafari ◽  
A. A. Akhavan ◽  
H. Solimani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Native People ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Animal Reservoir ◽  
Rural Districts ◽  
Tatera Indica

Following the epidemic of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Khatam County, Yazd Province, this study was carried out to determine vector, and animal reservoir host(s) and investigate the human infection during 2005-2006. Four rural districts where the disease had higher prevalence were selected. Sticky paper traps were used to collect sand flies during April to November, biweekly. Meanwhile rodents were captured using Sherman traps from August to November. Households and primary schools were visited and examined for human infection in February 2006. The parasite was detected by RAPD-PCR method. The rate of ulcers and scars among the inhabitants was 4.8% and 9.8%, respectively. Three rodent species were captured during the study:Meriones libycus, Rhombomys opimus, andTatera indica. Six sand fly species were also collected and identified; among themPhlebotomus papatasihad the highest frequency.Leishmania majorwas detected as the agent of the disease in the area. It was detected fromR. opimusand native people.

scholarly journals Transgenic Expression of CXCR3 on T Cells Enhances Susceptibility to Cutaneous Leishmania major Infection by Inhibiting Monocyte Maturation and Promoting a Th2 Response

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Oghumu ◽  
James C. Stock ◽  
Sanjay Varikuti ◽  
Ran Dong ◽  
Cesar Terrazas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Th2 Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transgenic Expression ◽  
Inflammatory Monocytes

Cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused mainly byLeishmania major, an obligate intracellular parasite, is a disfiguring disease characterized by large skin lesions and is transmitted by a sand fly vector. We previously showed that the chemokine receptor CXCR3 plays a critical role in mediating resistance to cutaneous leishmaniasis caused byLeishmania major. Furthermore, T cells fromL. major-susceptible BALB/c but notL. major-resistant C57BL/6 mice fail to efficiently upregulate CXCR3 upon activation. We therefore examined whether transgenic expression of CXCR3 on T cells would enhance resistance toL. majorinfection in susceptible BALB/c mice. We generated BALB/c and C57BL/6 transgenic mice, which constitutively overexpressed CXCR3 under a CD2 promoter, and then examined the outcomes withL. majorinfection. Contrary to our hypothesis, transgenic expression of CXCR3 (CXCR3Tg) on T cells of BALB/c mice resulted in increased lesion sizes and parasite burdens compared to wild-type (WT) littermates afterL. majorinfection. Restimulated lymph node cells fromL. major-infected BALB/c-CXCR3Tgmice produced more interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 and less gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Cells in draining lymph nodes from BALB/c-CXCR3Tgmice showed enhanced Th2 and reduced Th1 cell accumulation associated with increased neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes. However, monocytes displayed an immature phenotype which correlated with increased parasite burdens. Interestingly, transgenic expression of CXCR3 on T cells did not impact the outcome ofL. majorinfection in C57BL/6 mice, which mounted a predominantly Th1 response and spontaneously resolved their infection similar to WT littermates. Our findings demonstrate that transgenic expression of CXCR3 on T cells increases susceptibility of BALB/c mice toL. major.

scholarly journals Molecular characterization of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major from stray dogs and patients in Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah D Alanazi ◽  
Abdulazi S Alouffi S Alouffi ◽  
Mohamed S Alyousif S Alyousif ◽  
Abdulsadah A Rahi ◽  
Magda A Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Leishmania Tropica ◽  
Stray Dogs ◽  
Wild Canids ◽  
Control And Prevention

Abstract Background: Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and dogs in several parts of the world, with a large number of cases recorded in the Middle East. However, when occurring in sympatry, the role of each species of Leishmania in the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is not clear. Methods: To determine the prevalence and to identify the species of Leishmania that infects humans and stray dogs in Riyadh and Al-Qassim (Saudi Arabia), 311 stray dogs and 27 human patients, suspected for Leishmania, were examined for CL by a nested PCR (nPCR).Results: Nested PCR (nPCR) detected seven patients (25.9%) positive for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Five patients from Riyadh were infected by L. major and two from Al-Qassim by L. tropica. In addition, five dogs (1.6%) were infected by L. tropica. Conclusions: This is one of the first molecular studies of leishmaniasis from Saudi Arabia. The relationship between the sand fly vectors and the reservoirs of both Leishmania spp. is still scarcely known in this region, and further epidemiological investigations of domestic and wild canids infected with L. major and L. tropica are needed towards a control and prevention of the infection in canine and human populations.

scholarly journals Epidemiological study in a new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Islamic Republic of Iran

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-826
Author(s):  
M. R. Yaghoobi Ershadi ◽  
A. A. Akhavan ◽  
A. V. Zahraei Ramazani ◽  
M. R. Abai ◽  
B. Ebrahimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Epidemiological Study ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
Rhombomys Opimus

An outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] in Sabzevar county prompted this study of the epidemiology and the ecology of vectors and reservoirs. Examination of 541 schoolchildren showed rates of 9.4% for scars and 5.9% for ulcers. Among 807 inhabitants of 4 villages, 10.4% had scars and 3.0% had active lesions. The most highly infected age group was 0-4 years with a rate of 5.9%. A total of 12 849 sandflies representing 7 species were collected in the study area. Leptomonad infection was found in Phlebotomus papatasi, P. caucasicus and Sergentomyia sintoni. Parasites from man, P. papatasi and Rhombomys opimus, were isolated and characterized as Leishmania major. Based on this survey, this is an epidemic of zoonotic CL, with R. opimus the main reservoir host, and P. papatasi the main vector

scholarly journals Effect of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on different stages of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (4 - Ahead of print) ◽  
pp. 175-193
Author(s):  
Maha Moustafa Ahmed ◽  
Heba Yehia Mady ◽  
Amira Hassan El Namaky
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscope ◽  
Beauveria Bassiana ◽  
Metarhizium Anisopliae ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Scanning Electron

The sand fly, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) (Diptera: Psychodidae), is the main vector of Leishmania major Yakimoff and Schokhor, 1914, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis North Africa, the Middle East, and North Sinai. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fungi on P. papatasi larvae, pupae, and adults using light microscopic analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and histopathological studies. Specifically, larvae, pupae, and adult P. papatasi were infected with the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Scanning electron microscope and histopathological methods were used to investigate the destructive impact of the fungi on the external and internal structures of P. papatasi. The results revealed propagation of the conidia on the cuticles of all P. papatasi life stages, including on the compound eyes, leg setae, thorax, wings, and abdomen of the adults. Histological sections of the control and treated larvae, pupae, and adults showed many alterations and malformations in the body and tissues of all life stages after 72 h. These results demonstrated that B. bassiana was more effective than M. anisopliae as a biological control of phlebotomine sand flies. Further studies to determine the best methods for delivery and application in the diverse ecological settings of the various leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.

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