Saturday, April 11, 2009

What's new for 'Trypanosomatids' in PubMed

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Search kinetoplastids OR kinetoplastid OR Kinetoplastida OR "trypanosoma brucei" OR leishmania OR brucei OR leishmaniasis OR "African trypanosomiasis"
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PubMed Results
Items 1 -10 of 20

1: Rev Salud Publica (Bogota). 2008 Aug-Oct;10(4):625-32.Click here to read

[Lutzomyia antunesi as suspected vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Orinoquian region of Colombia.]

[Article in Spanish]

Vásquez-Trujillo A, Santamaría-Herreño E, González-Reina AE, Buitrago-Alvarez LS, Góngora-Orjuela A, Cabrera-Quintero OL.

Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Colombia.

Objective Identifying probable cutaneous leishmaniasis vectors in a rural area a few kilometres from the city of Villavicencio, taking the relative abundance of sand-flies and their natural infection with Leishmania spphaving into account. Materials and Methods A CDC trap was used for sampling sand-flies in and around 15 dwellings. Pools of three females from the most abundant Lutzomyia species were used for identifying Leishmania spp. by PCR, with OL1 and OL2 primers. Results 1 304 sand-flies from nine species were captured, of which L. antunesi (75,6 %) and L. walkeri (19,2 %) were the most abundant. These was a low abundance of L. panamensis and L. gomezi anthropophilic species (<2,4 %). PCR detected Leishmania spp. infection in two L. antunesi groups (total=123 processed females). Conclusions Due to the fact that L. antunesi was the most abundant species and was found to have Leishmania infection, it may be considered to be the main suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis vector in the rural area being studied. It is recommended that detailed studies of this species' biology (including biting and resting behaviour) should be carried out, aimed at furthering vector control measures.

PMID: 19360212 [PubMed - in process]

2: Infez Med. 2009 Mar 1;17(1):46-63.

[Contribution of palaeopathology to defining the pathocoenosis of infectious diseases (Part two).]

[Article in Italian]

Sabbatani S, Fiorino S.

Unita Operativa di Malattie Infettive, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi; Unita Operativa di Medicina Interna, Ospedale Civile di Budrio, Bologna, Italy.

In the second part of their review the authors focus on palaeopathological studies, performed in mummified tissues, with reference to infectious diseases. The analysis of samples obtained from both natural and artificial mummies may provide, in some favourable events, a more complete knowledge of these findings in comparison to information obtained from only comprehensive examination of the skeleton. The acquired data enable us to understand not only the diseases which afflicted mankind, but also dietary and hygiene conditions of ancient populations. We report knowledge acquired regarding some palaeopathological conditions, including schistosomiasis, smallpox, cisticercosis, trichinosis, ascaridiasis, echinococcosis, filariasis, hepatitis E virus, condylomatosis, pulmonary tubercolosis, pediculosis, visceral leishmaniasis as well as Diphyllobotrium sp., Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Fasciola hepatica infestations. In addition some interesting findings concerning the relationship between dietary and food intake colonized by streptomyces are described. This review reports the discovery of human remains from different geographic areas: while most of these studies describe findings in two Mediterranean countries (Italy and Egypt), some refer to Britain and German-speaking countries (Austria and Germany) as well as the area in Africa known as Nubia, along the Nile. Both histological and biomolecular diagnosis are useful not only to identify a specific disease in a subject from the remote past, but also to achieve information concerning its frequency and evolution. Such knowledge may thus allow us to understand the intensity of cultural exchanges and links among different populations and the role of these relationships in transmitting and spreading infectious diseases in a certain geographic area.

PMID: 19359827 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

3: Science. 2009 Apr 10;324(5924):265-8.Click here to read
Comment in:
Science. 2009 Apr 10;324(5924):187-9.

Demonstration of genetic exchange during cyclical development of Leishmania in the sand fly vector.

Akopyants NS, Kimblin N, Secundino N, Patrick R, Peters N, Lawyer P, Dobson DE, Beverley SM, Sacks DL.

Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Genetic exchange has not been shown to be a mechanism underlying the extensive diversity of Leishmania parasites. We report here evidence that the invertebrate stages of Leishmania are capable of having a sexual cycle consistent with a meiotic process like that described for African trypanosomes. Hybrid progeny were generated that bore full genomic complements from both parents, but kinetoplast DNA maxicircles from one parent. Mating occurred only in the sand fly vector, and hybrids were transmitted to the mammalian host by sand fly bite. Genetic exchange likely contributes to phenotypic diversity in natural populations, and analysis of hybrid progeny will be useful for positional cloning of the genes controlling traits such as virulence, tissue tropism, and drug resistance.

PMID: 19359589 [PubMed - in process]

4: Science. 2009 Apr 10;324(5924):187-9.Click here to read
Comment on:
Science. 2009 Apr 10;324(5924):265-8.

Genetics. Leishmania exploit sex.

Miles MA, Yeo M, Mauricio IL.

Pathogen Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK. michael.miles@lshtm.ac.uk

PMID: 19359570 [PubMed - in process]

5: Sante. 2008 Jul 1;18(3):141-147.Click here to read

Knowledge, behaviours, practices and beliefs regarding Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) among inhabitants of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Tshimungu K, Kalambayi BB, Kiyombo M, Okenge LN, Mol PD.

Laboratory of Medical Microbiology Faculty of Medicine University Hospital University of Liège, Kingdom of Belgium, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Faculty of Medicine University Notre-Dame of Kasaï Kananga Democratic Republic of Congo, School of Public Health Faculty of Medicine University of Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo, Demography Faculty of Economic Sciences University of Kinshasa Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo, Laboratory of Medical Microbiology Faculty of Medicine University Hospital University of Liège Kingdom of Belgium.

Background: In Kinshasa, an average of less than 50 new cases of Human African Trypanosomiasis was notified, per year, between 1969 and 1995. The situation of endemic sleeping sickness suddenly worsened in 1996 with 254 new cases identified thanks to passive detection. No study dealing with conceptions relative to sleeping sickness was ever listed to date. The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, behaviours, practices and local beliefs about sleeping sickness among residents of the endemic zone of Kinshasa. Methods: The investigation relied on a case/control study. We used a quantitative and qualitative methodology (structured questionnaire and focus on discussion groups). Case-patients were people affected by trypanosomiasis between the 1st of January 2004 and the 31st of December 2005 and who registered to the National Human African Trypanosomiasis Program (PNLTHA-RDC). Controls were seronegative residents. The case/control ratio was of 1/2. Results: A total of 437 case-patients and 874 controls were included in the study. Level of knowledge of elementary concepts about trypanosomiasis was low among case-patients (44%). The proportion of participants with a low level of education was more important in the group of case-patients (40%) than in the control group (25.6%). The supernatural origin of trypanosomiasis was evoked such as divine, sorcery and transgression of rules. Many respondents (31.4%) call on churches for help when they are not satisfied with the health centre where first therapeutic aid is provided. An important proportion of people who participated to the study (87%) were in favour of a passive detection. After testing the degree of statistical significance, several variables appeared to be determining factors for the acquisition of knowledge of Human African Trypanosomiasis in the city of Kinshasa: education level (elevated: 81%, low: 19%; p < 0.0001), age (>/=20 years old: 89.9%, < 20 years old: 10.1%; p < 0.0001), sex (57.2% of patients were male and 42.8% were female; p < 0.001), birth place (51.4% were not native of Kinshasa and 48.6% were indigenous or born in Kinshasa; p < 0.05) and travel/stay in endemic areas (yes: 56.3%, no: 43.7%; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The very restrained knowledge of people involves a generalized lack of interest. Their behaviour illustrates their lack of concern by the fight against trypanosomiasis. Beliefs and practices of Kinshasa's inhabitants (coming from their conceptions) also stand in the way of plans meant to fight the disease. It is necessary to improve the knowledge of preventive strategies and to fight social prejudice and false beliefs by informing and educating populations.

PMID: 19359235 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

6: Phytochemistry. 2009 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read

Leishmanicidal effect of LLD-3 (1), a nor-triterpene isolated from Lophanthera lactescens.

Danelli MG, Soares DC, Abreu HS, Peçanha LM, Saraiva EM.

Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, RJ 23890-000, Brazil.

Leishmanicidal activity of 6alpha, 7alpha, 15beta, 16beta, 24-pentacetoxy-22alpha-carbometoxy-21beta,22beta-epoxy-18beta-hydroxy-27,30-bisnor-3,4-secofriedela-1,20 (29)-dien-3,4 R-olide (LLD-3 (1)) isolated from Lophanthera lactescens Ducke, a member of the Malpighiaceae, was demonstrated against intramacrophage amastigote forms (IC(50) of 0.41mug/mL). The in vitro leishmanicidal effect of Glucantime, the first choice drug for leishmaniasis treatment, was increased by LLD-3 (1) association. The leishmanicidal effect of LLD-3 (1) was not due to stimulation of nitric oxide production by macrophages. LLD-3 (1) was also not cytotoxic for mouse peritoneal macrophages or B cells as assessed by the XTT and Trypan blue exclusion assays. LLD-3 (1) was unable to affect proliferation of naïve or activated B and T cells, as well as the B cells immunoglobulin synthesis. Cellularity of different tissues, liver and kidney functions were not altered in mice treated with LLD-3 (1), as well as the histology pattern of different organs. Our results add LLD-3 (1) as a potential drug candidate for treatment of leishmaniasis.

PMID: 19359020 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

7: Med Clin (Barc). 2009 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read

[Visceral leishmaniasis in a patient with autoimmune hepatitis on combined immunosuppressant therapy.]

[Article in Spanish]

Serra I, Marín I, Morillas RM, Domènech E.

Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD, Badalona, Barcelona, España.

PMID: 19359011 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

8: PLoS ONE. 2009;4(4):e5162. Epub 2009 Apr 9.Click here to read LinkOut

Distribution and phylogeny of EFL and EF-1alpha in Euglenozoa suggest ancestral co-occurrence followed by differential loss.

Gile GH, Faktorová D, Castlejohn CA, Burger G, Lang BF, Farmer MA, Lukes J, Keeling PJ.

Department of Botany, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ggile@interchange.ubc.ca

BACKGROUND: The eukaryotic elongation factor EF-1alpha (also known as EF1A) catalyzes aminoacyl-tRNA binding by the ribosome during translation. Homologs of this essential protein occur in all domains of life, and it was previously thought to be ubiquitous in eukaryotes. Recently, however, a number of eukaryotes were found to lack EF-1alpha and instead encode a related protein called EFL (for EF-Like). EFL-encoding organisms are scattered widely across the tree of eukaryotes, and all have close relatives that encode EF-1alpha. This intriguingly complex distribution has been attributed to multiple lateral transfers because EFL's near mutual exclusivity with EF-1alpha makes an extended period of co-occurrence seem unlikely. However, differential loss may play a role in EFL evolution, and this possibility has been less widely discussed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have undertaken an EST- and PCR-based survey to determine the distribution of these two proteins in a previously under-sampled group, the Euglenozoa. EF-1alpha was found to be widespread and monophyletic, suggesting it is ancestral in this group. EFL was found in some species belonging to each of the three euglenozoan lineages, diplonemids, kinetoplastids, and euglenids. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Interestingly, the kinetoplastid EFL sequences are specifically related despite the fact that the lineages in which they are found are not sisters to one another, suggesting that EFL and EF-1alpha co-occurred in an early ancestor of kinetoplastids. This represents the strongest phylogenetic evidence to date that differential loss has contributed to the complex distribution of EFL and EF-1alpha.

PMID: 19357788 [PubMed - in process]

9: J Biol Chem. 2009 Apr 8. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read LinkOut

Antimicrobial peptide-induced apoptotic death of Leishmania results from calcium-dependent, caspase-independent mitochondrial toxicity.

Kulkarni MM, McMaster WR, Kamysz W, McGwire BS.

Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.

Alpha- and theta-defensin-, magainin- and cathelicidin-type antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can kill the pathogenic protozoan Leishmania. Comparative studies of a panel of AMPs have defined two distinct groups: those that induce non-apoptotic (class-I) and apoptotic (class-II) parasite killing based on their differential ability to induce: phosphatidyl serine exposure, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased ATP production, induction of caspase-3/7 and -12 activity and DNA degradation. Class-II AMPs cause rapid influx of the vital stain SYTOX and an increase in intracellular Ca2+ while class-I AMPs cause a slow accumulation of SYTOX and do not affect intracellular Ca2+ levels. Inhibitors of cysteine or caspase proteases diminished fast influx of SYTOX through the surface-membrane and DNA degradation but do not ablate the annexin-V staining or the induction of apoptosis by class-II AMPs. This suggests that the changes in surface permeability in AMP-mediated apoptosis are related to the downstream events of intracellular cysteine/caspase activation or loss of ATP. The activation of caspase 12-like activity was Ca2+ dependent and inhibitors of voltage-gated and nonspecific Ca2+ channels diminished this activity. Flufenamic acid, a nonspecific Ca2+ inhibitor, completely ablated AMP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death indicating the importance of dysregulation of Ca2+ in antimicrobial peptide-induced apoptosis.

PMID: 19357081 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

10: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Apr 6. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read LinkOut

Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Tigray, northern Ethiopia: clinical aspects and therapeutic concerns.

Padovese V, Terranova M, Toma L, Barnabas GA, Morrone A.

International Institute for Social, Medical and Anthropological Sciences (IISMAS), Rome, Italy.

Leishmaniasis is a worldwide disease, but due to the absence of surveillance systems is under-reported from low- and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, the disease is found in the rural highlands and the incidence of Leishmania/HIV co-infection is increasing. Although some studies have been carried out in areas of the country with a similar disease/ecological profile this report is, to our knowledge, the first aimed at elucidating the clinical-epidemiological features of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. This study enrolled 167 patients presenting different forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis over an 18 month period, of which 5.6% tested HIV positive. Patients were initially treated with meglumine antimonate and resistant cases with pentamidine isethionate. There was a high rate of resistance to meglumine antimonate (28%) and a less than optimal response to prolonged systemic treatment in relapsed cases. Eight patients affected by severe and resistant forms were treated with pentamidine isethionate, with a cure rate of 87.5% after 6 months. Many atypical and severe presentations were seen, and a poor response to first-line antileishmanial drugs was observed. Resistance to antimonials is of concern and cost-effective therapeutic schemes need to be developed. The cost-effectiveness of pentamidine isethionate has to be determined in a larger population.

PMID: 19356780 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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