Tuesday, October 27, 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 14

1: Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi. 2009 Apr;27(2):180-1.

[Routine blood test and bone marrow examination in visceral leishmaniasis patients in Kashi Prefecture]

[Article in Chinese]

Zhang HQ, Yu HB, Wang H.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Hospital of Kashi Prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Kashi 844000, China.

The examinations of blood and bone marrow in 125 patients with visceral leishmaniasis revealed that seven routine parameters of the blood samples were below the lower limit of normal in most cases and 64.8% of the cases showed complications with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and cell maturation disorders. Therefore, iron deficiency anemia and significant reduction of blood components can be used as indicators on the severity of Leishmania infection.

PMID: 19856514 [PubMed - in process]

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2: Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi. 2009 Apr;27(2):140-3.

[Preliminary application of PCR-based assay for the detection of Neospora caninum in bovine aborted fetus]

[Article in Chinese]

Wang CR, Zhai YQ, Zhao XC, Tan QJ, Chen J, Chen AH, Wang Y.

College of Animal Science and Technology, Heilongjiang August-First Land Reclamation University, Daqing 163319, China. chunrenwang@yahoo.com.cn

OBJECTIVE: To establish a PCR diagnostic method based on Nc-5 gene of Neospora caninum, for being used to detect Neospora in brain tissues of bovine aborted fetus. METHODS: Specific primers were designed and synthesized based on the reported Nc-5 gene of N. caninum (GenBank Accession No. AY459289). Using genomic DNA from N.caninum as templates, Nc-5 gene was amplified by PCR. The PCR product was cloned into pMD18-T vector, transformed into Escherichia coli JM109 and then sequenced. To evaluate the specificity of the PCR, genomic DNA of Theileria annulata, Babesia bovis, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania donovani and standard strain of N. caninum were used as a template in the PCR. For determining the detection limit of amplification procedure, PCR was run on a dilution series of genomic DNA from N. caninum (1.562 5-200 ng/ml). Brain tissue samples of 32 aborted fetuses were detected by PCR-based assay, and 23 blood samples from mothers were tested by ELISA. RESULTS: The amplified DNA fragment (350 bp) had a high identity of 98% with the Nc-5 gene sequence of N. caninum (GenBank Accession No. AY459289). The PCR was specific for N. caninum and allowed the detection of 3.125 pg DNA of the parasite, while no amplification occurred with the other four species of protozoa. PCR-based assay and ELISA showed a positive rate of 18.8% (6/32) and 17.4% (4/23) of the samples tested, respectively. Moreover, all the 4 antibody positive samples showed PCR positive. There is no significant difference between the two assays (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PCR diagnostic method is promising in detecting Neospora infection in brain tissues of aborted bovine.

PMID: 19856504 [PubMed - in process]

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3: Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi. 2009 Apr;27(2):102-6.

[Comparative proteomic analysis of the promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania donovani]

[Article in Chinese]

Jing BQ, Deng SS, Zhang RG, Zhang J.

Institute of Immunology and Molecular Biology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China. bqjing@yahoo.com.cn

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protein profile and identify developmentally regulated proteins of the promastigotes and axenic amastigotes with comparative proteomics technique. METHODS: The total proteins of promastigotes and axenic amastigotes of Leishmania donovani SC6 strain were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in a broad pH range (3-10), and the gel was stained with Coomassie blue. The images were analyzed by PDQuest 1.0 software, and the major developmentally regulated proteins were identified by electrospray mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Approximately 700 protein spots were revealed in equivalent proteins of the promastigotes and axenic amastigotes separated by 2-DE, among which more than 90% protein spots showed equivalent quantity and distribution, with 6 proteins up-regulated and 3 proteins down-regulated in axenic amastigotes compared with promastigotes. Five of the 6 up-regulated proteins were with known function, respectively ascribed as Reiske iron-sulfur protein precursor, alpha-tubulin, peroxidoxin 1, dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase precursor, and mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase. Two of the 3 down-regulated proteins were identified as heat shock protein 70 and beta-tubulin. The functions of the developmentally regulated proteins were related to the carbohydrate/energy metabolism, stress response, or formation of cell membrane/cytoskeleton. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the differences in protein expression profiles between promastigotes and amastigotes.

PMID: 19856494 [PubMed - in process]

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4: PLoS One. 2009 Oct 26;4(10):e7532.

Blocking Variant Surface Glycoprotein Synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei Triggers a General Arrest in Translation Initiation.

Smith TK, Vasileva N, Gluenz E, Terry S, Portman N, Kramer S, Carrington M, Michaeli S, Gull K, Rudenko G.

Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: The African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei is covered with a dense layer of Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG), which protects it from lysis by host complement via the alternative pathway in the mammalian bloodstream. Blocking VSG synthesis by the induction of VSG RNAi triggers an unusually precise precytokinesis cell-cycle arrest. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we characterise the cells arrested after the induction of VSG RNAi. We were able to rescue the VSG221 RNAi induced cell-cycle arrest through expression of a second different VSG (VSG117 which is not recognised by the VSG221 RNAi) from the VSG221 expression site. Metabolic labeling of the arrested cells showed that blocking VSG synthesis triggered a global translation arrest, with total protein synthesis reduced to less than 1-4% normal levels within 24 hours of induction of VSG RNAi. Analysis by electron microscopy showed that the translation arrest was coupled with rapid disassociation of ribosomes from the endoplasmic reticulum. Polysome analysis showed a drastic decrease in polysomes in the arrested cells. No major changes were found in levels of transcription, total RNA transcript levels or global amino acid concentrations in the arrested cells. CONCLUSIONS: The cell-cycle arrest phenotype triggered by the induction of VSG221 RNAi is not caused by siRNA toxicity, as this arrest can be alleviated if a second different VSG is inserted downstream of the active VSG221 expression site promoter. Analysis of polysomes in the stalled cells showed that the translation arrest is mediated at the level of translation initiation rather than elongation. The cell-cycle arrest induced in the presence of a VSG synthesis block is reversible, suggesting that VSG synthesis and/or trafficking to the cell surface could be monitored during the cell-cycle as part of a specific cell-cycle checkpoint.

PMID: 19855834 [PubMed - in process]

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5: Pathol Biol (Paris). 2009 Oct 23. [Epub ahead of print]

[Human African Trypanosomiasis in mangrove epidemiologic area. Presentation, diagnosis and treatment in Guinea, 2005-2007.]

[Article in French]

Vanhecke C, Guevart E, Ezzedine K, Receveur MC, Jamonneau V, Bucheton B, Camara M, Vincendeau P, Malvy D.

Centre médicosocial, ambassade de France, BP 351, Conakry, Guinée.

Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis is still assumed to be endemic in many part of West Africa, particularly in Guinea coastal area with mangrove swamp. Diagnosis is usually made during active medical screening or by passive initiative. OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis in the coastal area of Guinea. METHODS: Exhaustive and retrospective analysis of all patients attending the trypanosomiasis center in the coastal area of Guinea between January 2005 and December 2007 with a diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis. RESULTS: A total of 196 patients were recruited for the study. Out of them, 55 % of the 73 patients diagnosed during active screening were classified stage 1 (haemolymphatic stage) or early stage 2 (meningoencephalitic stage). Contrarily, 115 of the 120 diagnosed by passive procedure were classified late stage 2, which features more specific signs and neurological symptoms, and leads to coma and death. More than 90 % of all cases presented cervical lymph nodes with identification of trypanosome on direct examination of fluid puncture. Less than one third of the patients were reexamined three months later. DISCUSSION: In the coastal area of Guinea with mangrove swamp, direct examination of lymph node fluid puncture seems to be the most contributive test for the diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis. Hence, associating clinical examination of cervical lymph nodes area and direct examination of fluid puncture may allow an early diagnosis of Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis and favor the implementation of efficient therapeutic strategies.

PMID: 19854583 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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6: Exp Parasitol. 2009 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum/chagasi: histopathological aspects of the skin in naturally infected dogs in two endemic areas.

Calabrese KS, Cortada VM, Dorval ME, Lima MA, Oshiro ET, Souza CS, Silva-Almeida M, Carvalho LO, da Costa SC, Abreu-Silva AL.

Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ.

In the New World, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which is a progressive disease and frequently fatal, is caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum/chagasi. It is endemic in many regions of Brazil and occasionally occurs in non-endemic regions when dogs from an endemic area are introduced. The aim of the present study is to compare different skin infection patterns of dogs from two leishmaniasis endemic areas. A histological analysis of dogs from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul state, a region where epidemic episodes are currently taking place, showed dermic inflammatory infiltrates, composed of numerous vacuolated parasitized macrophages, few lymphocytes, plasma cells and many degranulated mast cells. In the other region of the study, São Luís, Maranhão state, the skin of dogs presented a remarkable inflammatory reaction composed mainly of plasma cells, lymphocytes and very few parasites. We concluded that there is a difference in the skin lesion patterns of dogs with leishmaniasis that is directly related to the endemic area where the animals live.

PMID: 19854175 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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7: Exp Parasitol. 2009 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Changes in macrophage membrane properties during early Leishmania amazonensis infection differ from those observed during established infection and are partially explained by phagocytosis.

Quintana E, Torres Y, Alvarez C, Rojas A, Forero ME, Camacho M.

Laboratorio de Biofísica, Centro Internacional de Física, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.

Understanding the impact of intracellular pathogens on the behavior of their host cells is key to designing new interventions. We are interested in how Leishmania alters the electrical function of the plasma membrane of the macrophage it infects. The specific question addressed here is the impact of Leishmania infection on macrophage membrane properties during the first 12 hours post-infection. A decrease of 29% in macrophage membrane capacitance at 3 hours post-infection indicates that the phagolysosome membrane is donated on entry by the macrophage plasma membrane. Macrophage membrane potential depolarized during the first 12 hours post-infection, which associated with a decreased inward potassium current density, changed in inward rectifier conductance and increased outward potassium current density. Decreased membrane capacitance and membrane potential, with no changes in ion current density, were found in macrophages after phagocytosis of latex beads. Therefore we suggest that the macrophage membrane changes observed during early Leishmania infection appear to be associated with the phagocytic and activation processes.

PMID: 19854174 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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8: Exp Parasitol. 2009 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Detection, identification and molecular typing of Leishmania major in Phlebotomus papatasi from a focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in central of Iran.

Parvizi P, Baghban N, Novin EA, Absavaran A.

Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave. Tehran, Iran.

Leishmania major is the causative agent and Phlebotomus papatasi is the main vector of rural zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Iran and elsewhere. Nested PCR protocols were used to amplify a region of the ribosomal RNA amplicon of Leishmania (ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene) in female P. papatasi. In the current investigation, L. major was found in Natanz, Isfahan province in centre of Iran, in a focus of rural ZCL. Ten (1.8%) out of 549 female P. papatasi was found to be infected with L. major based on the PCR detection and sequencing of parasite ITSrDNA. Nine (1.8%) out of 498 female P. papatasi infected with L. major came from animal shelters, inside houses and yards. And one (1.9%) out of 51 female P. papatasi infected with L. major came from gerbil borrows. Infection rates were higher for females containing red blood meals, large eggs (semi-mature and mature) than for those without either blood meals or eggs. From the 10 infections detected three different haplotypes of L. major were identified. Two haplotypes were found to be novel. The other haplotypes of L. major was found to be identical to that of isolates of L. major from Iran and in elsewhere using GenBank data. Comparisons of infection rates between habitats will be inaccurate when the proportions of blood-fed and gravid flies differ among sandfly samples.

PMID: 19854172 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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9: Acta Trop. 2009 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis is useful for distinguishing Leishmania species of visceral and cutaneous forms.

Kumar A, Boggula VR, Misra P, Sundar S, Shasany AK, Dube A.

Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.

The Leishmania strains belonging to cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been reported to possess close homology in genome profiles. To confirm this on genetic basis an attempt was made to differentiate L. major; L. tropica and L. donovani genetically for the first time using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) - a high throughput DNA fingerprinting technique. The objective of this research work was to identify DNA markers of CL and VL. Ten combinations of selective primers detect a total of 1487 informative AFLP marker. Percentage of polymorphism was 45.12%. 337 unique AFLP markers were also identified in three species of Leishmania. A clear distinction was revealed between L. major and L. donovani. It was inferred by AFLP analysis that a higher rate of polymorphisms occurred among Leishmania species which indicate the distinguished pattern of the disease cause by Leishmania i.e. VL and CL. Analysis based on polymorphic AFLP markers revealed considerably high genetic variation among the genome of these species which was sufficient to distinguish between CL and VL.

PMID: 19854144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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10: Acta Trop. 2009 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Laboratory and field evaluation of neem (Azadrichta indica A. Juss) and Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.) oils as repellents against Phlebotomus orientalis and P. bergeroti (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Ethiopia.

Kebede Y, Gebre-Michael T, Balkew M.

Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia.

The study evaluated the efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.) seed oils as repellents against laboratory and field populations of some sandflies in Ethiopia. In the laboratory, concentrations of 2% and 5% neem oil in coconut oil tested against Phlebotomus orientalis (vector of visceral leishmaniasis) provided 96.28 % (95% CI=95.60- 96.97) protection up to a mean time of 7h and 20minutes and 98.26% (95% CI=93.46 - 104. 07) protection up to 9hours, respectively. Similarly, M. azedarach oil at 2% concentration, produced 95.13% (95% CI=90.74- 99.52) protection for the same duration (7h and 20min), while the 5% oil gave 96.20 (95% CI=86.98-105.41) protection for 8h and 20min against the same species with no significant difference in percentage protection between the two oils at 2% and 5% concentrations. In the field tests with only neem oil (A. indica) against field populations of P. orientalis and P. bergeroti, similar high level of repellencies were recorded with about the same duration of protection. Application of both neem and Chinaberry oils can be safe and low-cost means of personnal protection against sandfly bites in endemic areas of Ethiopia, if the community is advised and encouraged to grow the plants abundantly.

PMID: 19854142 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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