Characterization of the Antibody Response to the Saliva of Phlebotomus papatasi in People Living in Endemic Areas of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania major Yakimoff & Shokhor and transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) is a public health concern in Morocco. The disease is endemic mainly in pre-Saharan regions on the southern slope of the High Atlas Mountains. The northern slope of the High Atlas Mountains and the arid plains of central Morocco remain non-endemic and are currently considered high risk for ZCL. Here we investigate and compare the population genetic structure of P. papatasi populations sampled in various habitats in historical foci and non-endemic ZCL areas. A fragment of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified and sequenced in 59 individuals from 10 P. papatasi populations. Haplotype diversity was probed, a median-joining network was generated (FST) and molecular variance (AMOVA) were analyzed. Overall, we identified 28 haplotypes with 32 distinct segregating sites, of which seven are parsimony informative. The rate of private haplotypes was high; 20 haplotypes (71.4%) are private ones and exclusive to a single population. The phylogenetic tree and the network reconstructed highlight a genetic structuration of these populations in two well defined groups: Ouarzazate (or endemic areas) and Non-Ouarzazate (or nonendemic areas). These groups are separated by the High Atlas Mountains. Overall, our study highlights differences in terms of population genetics between ZCL endemic and non-endemic areas. To what extent such differences would impact the transmission of L. major by natural P. papatasi population remains to be investigated.

Download Full-text

Characterization of Leishmania infection in rodents from endemic areas of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal ◽

10.26719/2004.10.4-5.591 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 10 (4-5) ◽

pp. 591-599 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Mohebali ◽

E. Javadian ◽

M. R. Yaghoobi Ershadi ◽

A. A. Akhavan ◽

H. Hajjaran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Species ◽

Leishmania Infection ◽

Islamic Republic ◽

Tatera Indica ◽

Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽

Endemic Areas ◽

First Time

Between 1991-2000, Leishmania species were isolated and characterized by isoenzyme and molecular analysis from rodents caught in various parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In areas endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis, parasites were observed by direct microscopy in smears from 18.6% of 566 specimens. L. major was isolated from 4 species:Rhombomys opimus, Meriones libycus, Tatera indica and Mer. hurrianae. L. turanica was isolated from R. opimus for the first time in this country. In endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis, parasites were observed in liver and spleen from 13.7% of 504 rodents. Two species were positive on culture; promastigotes isolated from Mer. persicus were characterized as L. donovani zymodeme LON50 and from Mesocricetus auratus as L. infantum LON49

Download Full-text

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Algeria; Highlight on the Focus of M’Sila

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9050962 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 962

Author(s):

Razika Beniklef ◽

Karim Aoun ◽

Karim Boudrissa ◽

Meriem Ben Abid ◽

Kamel Cherif ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Psammomys Obesus ◽

Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽

Wild Rodents ◽

High Incidence ◽

Medical Importance ◽

Underlying Risk

Algeria ranks second after Afghanistan for the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) worldwide. Here, we report a 34-years retrospective analysis of CL in Algeria and focused on the most affected region, the M’Sila province. All 66 cutaneous isolates corresponded to Leishmania (L.) major. Our study of the sandfly and rodent fauna further highlighted the high density of Phlebotomus papatasi and additional phlebotomine species of medical importance, not previously identified in M’Sila. Wild rodents belonging to nine species were trapped in M’Sila, and Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi were found infected by L. major. In addition, Leishmania infantum was isolated from two visceral leishmaniasis cases, one dog and its proven vectors (P. perniciosus, P. longicuspis, and P. perfiliewi) inventoried during the survey. The high incidence of CL in the M’Sila province is likely a consequence of the increase in minimum temperatures recorded that constitutes suitable conditions for establishing a high endemicity and leads to an explosive rise in leishmaniases cases in this region. A thorough investigation of the underlying risk factors is urgently needed to detect new cases earlier. All these would improve the preparedness to fight the disease.

Download Full-text

Characterization of Pre-F-GCN4t, a Modified Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Protein Stabilized in a Noncleaved Prefusion Conformation

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.02437-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 91 (13) ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Normand Blais ◽

Martin Gagné ◽

Yoshitomo Hamuro ◽

Patrick Rheault ◽

Martine Boyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Antibody Response ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Vaccine Antigen ◽

Significant Advance ◽

F Protein ◽

Syncytial Virus

ABSTRACT The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) fusion (F) protein is considered a major target of the neutralizing antibody response to hRSV. This glycoprotein undergoes a major structural shift from the prefusion (pre-F) to the postfusion (post-F) state at the time of virus-host cell membrane fusion. Recent evidences suggest that the pre-F state is a superior target for neutralizing antibodies compared to the post-F state. Therefore, for vaccine purposes, we have designed and characterized a recombinant hRSV F protein, called Pre-F-GCN4t, stabilized in a pre-F conformation. To show that Pre-F-GCN4t does not switch to a post-F conformation, it was compared with a recombinant post-F molecule, called Post-F-XC. Pre-F-GCN4t was glycosylated and trimeric and displayed a conformational stability different from that of Post-F-XC, as shown by chemical denaturation. Electron microscopy analysis suggested that Pre-F-GCN4t adopts a lollipop-like structure. In contrast, Post-F-XC had a typical elongated conical shape. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry demonstrated that the two molecules had common rigid folding core and dynamic regions and provided structural insight for their biophysical and biochemical properties and reactivity. Pre-F-GCN4t was shown to deplete hRSV-neutralizing antibodies from human serum more efficiently than Post-F-XC. Importantly, Pre-F-GCN4t was also shown to bind D25, a highly potent monoclonal antibody specific for the pre-F conformation. In conclusion, this construct presents several pre-F characteristics, does not switch to the post-F conformation, and presents antigenic features required for a protective neutralizing antibody response. Therefore, Pre-F-GCN4t can be considered a promising candidate vaccine antigen. IMPORTANCE Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a global leading cause of infant mortality and adult morbidity. The development of a safe and efficacious RSV vaccine remains an important goal. The RSV class I fusion (F) glycoprotein is considered one of the most promising vaccine candidates, and recent evidences suggest that the prefusion (pre-F) state is a superior target for neutralizing antibodies. Our study presents the physicochemical characterization of Pre-F-GCN4t, a molecule designed to be stabilized in the pre-F conformation. To confirm its pre-F conformation, Pre-F-GCN4t was analyzed in parallel with Post-F-XC, a molecule in the post-F conformation. Our results show that Pre-F-GCN4t presents characteristics of a stabilized pre-F conformation and support its use as an RSV vaccine antigen. Such an antigen may represent a significant advance in the development of an RSV vaccine.

Download Full-text

The Antibody Response to Plasmodium falciparum: Cues for Vaccine Design and the Discovery of Receptor-Based Antibodies

Annual Review of Immunology ◽

10.1146/annurev-immunol-042617-053301 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 225-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Joshua Tan ◽

Luca Piccoli ◽

Antonio Lanzavecchia

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Immune System ◽

Antibody Response ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Vaccine Design ◽

Immunoglobulin Genes ◽

And Control ◽

Sterilizing Immunity

Plasmodium falciparum remains a serious public health problem and a continuous challenge for the immune system due to the complexity and diversity of the pathogen. Recent advances from several laboratories in the characterization of the antibody response to the parasite have led to the identification of critical targets for protection and revealed a new mechanism of diversification based on the insertion of host receptors into immunoglobulin genes, leading to the production of receptor-based antibodies. These advances have opened new possibilities for vaccine design and passive antibody therapies to provide sterilizing immunity and control blood-stage parasites.

Download Full-text