What's new for 'Trypanosomatids' in PubMed

This message contains My NCBI what's new results from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Do not reply directly to this message.

Sender's message:

Sent on Tuesday, 2010 Jul 20
Search kinetoplastids OR kinetoplastid OR Kinetoplastida OR "trypanosoma brucei" OR leishmania OR brucei OR leishmaniasis OR "African trypanosomiasis"
Click here to view complete results in PubMed. (Results may change over time.)
To unsubscribe from these e-mail updates click here.

PubMed Results

Items 1 - 10 of 15

1.	Vet Parasitol. 2010 Jun 30. [Epub ahead of print] Comparative haematological study of single and mixed infections of mongrel dogs with Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Ezeokonkwo RC, Ezeh IO, Onunkwo JI, Obi PO, Onyenwe IW, Agu WE. Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Abstract The haematological effects of single and mixed infections of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei brucei were compared in experimentally infected mongrel dogs. Twenty mongrel dogs of both sexes aged between 3 and 6 months, and weighing between 2.5 and 5.9kg were used for the study. The dogs were kept in clean metal cages in a fly-proof house and were adequately fed and given water ad libitum. The twenty dogs were divided into four groups of five dogs each. Group I dogs were uninfected control, group II dogs were infected with T. congolense, group III dogs were infected with T. brucei brucei and group IV dogs were infected with both T. congolense and T. brucei brucei. Parasitaemia occurred in the infected dogs in groups II, III, and IV; 10-13 days post-infection (PI) with the mean pre-patent period (PPP) of 12, 10, and 11 days respectively. Mixed infection persisted throughout the duration of the experiment. T. brucei predominated T. congolense in the mixed infection constituting about 70% of the trypanosomes. The significant (P<0.05) decrease in the mean haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) caused by the infection did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between the infected groups. Also the significant (P<0.05) reduction in the total white blood cell count (TWBC) caused by the infection did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between the infected groups. The decline in the total WBC count was due primarily to significant (P<0.05) reduction in the lymphocyte counts of the infected dogs. It was thus concluded that single or mixed infection of mongrel dogs with T. congolense and T. brucei brucei resulted in anaemia and leucopenia which did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the infected groups. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
	PMID: 20638796 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

2.	Vet Parasitol. 2010 Jul 1. [Epub ahead of print] Humoral immunological profile and parasitological statuses of Leishmune((R)) vaccinated and visceral leishmaniasis infected dogs from an endemic area. de Amorim IF, Freitas E, Alves CF, Tafuri WL, Melo MN, Michalick MS, da Costa-Val AP. Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Campus Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Abstract Dogs represent the major reservoir of Leishmaniao chagasi and vaccination against the canine disease is a potential control strategy. However, seroconversion occurs post-vaccine and hence, there is need to discriminate between the former group and naturally infected dogs. The present study represents a comparison of the humoral immunological profiles of both groups using Leishmania soluble antigen (LSA) and fucose-mannose ligand (FML). For both categories, ear skin samples were evaluated immunohistochemically and through PCR, that was also performed in blood specimens, as well as their ability to infect Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis. All these tests showed negative results for the vaccinated dogs. Differences between groups were observed regarding IgG, IgG2 and IgE absorbances as determined by FML-ELISA, and for IgG1 and IgE absorbances as measured by LSA-ELISA, showing that Leishmune((R))-immunised animals and VL naturally infected dogs present different immunological profiles, even though these differences cannot be used to distinguish between these two groups of dogs. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
	PMID: 20638182 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

3.	Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2010 Jul 14. [Epub ahead of print] A fluorescence-based assay for the uptake of CPD0801 (DB829) by African trypanosomes. Ward CP, Burgess KE, Burchmore RJ, Barrett MP, de Koning HP. Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom. Abstract Drug therapies currently used for second stage Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) exhibit problems with toxicity, difficulty of administration, and resistance linked to the loss of transporter function. Key to the development of new drugs for HAT is a better understanding of the transport properties of candidate compounds. Standard methods for studying transport utilize radio-labelled permeant or HPLC-MS, however the natural fluorescence of many trypanocidal compounds can be exploited. Here we present a fluorescence-based assay for measuring uptake, by trypanosomes, of CPD0801, a drug candidate for second stage HAT. Sample fluorescence is measured in a 96-well format using a benchtop fluorimeter. Our method is directly applicable to the study of other diamidines with similar fluorescent properties and readily adapted for use with other cell types or fluorescent molecules as we demonstrate for the veterinary trypanocide ethidium. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.
	PMID: 20637807 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

4.	Vet Parasitol. 2010 Jun 22. [Epub ahead of print] Serodiagnosis of bovine trypanosomosis based on HSP70/BiP inhibition ELISA. Bossard G, Boulange A, Holzmuller P, Thévenon S, Patrel D, Authie E. UMR17 Trypanosomes, IRD-CIRAD, Campus International de Baillarguet, F-34398 Montpellier, France. Abstract Animal trypanosomosis is a serious constraint to livestock productivity in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The pathogenic trypanosomes in bovidae are Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei and T. evansi. Current serological tests to detect trypanosome infections are based on the use of whole trypanosome lysates; their potential is limited by antigen instability, lack of reproducibility and lack of test specificity due to the antibody's long persistence after treatment. The development of new tests based on recombinant technology that could be standardized and applied on a large scale at low cost would be very helpful. The major invariant antigen recognized by T. congolense infected cattle belongs to the heat shock protein (HSP) 70 family and is closely related to mammalian Immunoglobulin Binding Protein (BiP). To improve the initial ELISA based on a recombinant fragment of HSP70/BiP, we developed an inhibition ELISA using an anti-BiP monoclonal antibody and a full-length fusion protein expressed in E. coli. Here we report on the development of the test and provide an initial assessment of its performance using sets of sera from experimental infections and from naturally infected cattle maintained in tsetse infested areas of Africa. The HSP70/BIP-based inhibition ELISA shows a good sensitivity in cattle experimentally infected with T. congolense, with an improved sensitivity in secondary infections. One major advantage, particularly for its further application in national laboratories, is that one single set of reagents and one single procedure are sufficient to apply on different mammalian host species infected with different trypanosome species. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
	PMID: 20637547 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

5.	J Travel Med. 2010 Jul;17(4):278-80. Two cases of old world cutaneous leishmaniasis in Australian travelers visiting morocco. Stewardson AJ, Leder K, Torresi J, Johnson DF. Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. Abstract Two cases of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (OWCL) acquired by travelers to Morocco are described. In Australia, OWCL is more frequently seen in migrants rather than returned travelers. The patients were treated with sodium stibogluconate and fluconazole. Optimal treatment is not established, particularly in returned travelers, but identification of Leishmania species can help with the selection of appropriate therapy.
	PMID: 20636604 [PubMed - in process]

6.	Cell Microbiol. 2010 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print] The stage-regulated HASPB and SHERP proteins are essential for differentiation of the protozoan parasite Leishmania major in its sand fly vector, Phlebotomus papatasi. Sádlová J, Price HP, Smith BA, Votýpka J, Volf P, Smith DF. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague CZ 128 44, Czech Republic. Abstract Summary The stage-regulated HASPB and SHERP proteins of Leishmania major are predominantly-expressed in cultured metacyclic parasites that are competent for macrophage uptake and survival. The role of these proteins in parasite development in the sand fly vector has not been explored, however. Here, we confirm that expression of HASPB is detected only in vector metacyclic stages, correlating with the expression of metacyclic-specific lipophosphoglycan and providing the first definitive protein marker for this infective sand fly stage. Similarly, SHERP is expressed in vector metacyclics but is also detected at low levels in the preceding short promastigote stage. Using genetically-modified parasites lacking or complemented for the LmcDNA16 locus on chromosome 23 that contains the HASP and SHERP genes, we further show that the presence of this locus is essential for parasite differentiation to the metacyclic stage in Phlebotomus papatasi. While wild type and complemented parasites transform normally in late stage infections, generating metacyclic promastigotes and colonising the sand fly stomodeal valve, null parasites accumulate at the earlier elongated nectomonad stage of development within the abdominal and thoracic midgut of the sand fly. Complementation with HASPB or SHERP alone suggests that HASPB is the dominant effector molecule in this process.
	PMID: 20636473 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

7.	Biochemistry (Mosc). 2010 Jun;75(6):686-94. Structure, Functions, and Biosynthesis of Glycoconjugates of Leishmania spp. Cell Surface. Novozhilova NM, Bovin NV. Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia. bovin@carb.ibch.ru. Abstract Cell surface of leishmaniasis causal agent, a parasitic member of Protozoa of Leishmania genus, is covered by thick glycocalix consisting of various phosphatidylinositol-anchored molecules. This review deals with the structure and biosynthesis of the main phosphoglycans and glycoproteins of Leishmania cell surface, many of which incorporate the rare natural D-arabinopyranose, and the problem concerning the involvement of these molecules in support of Leishmania survival during their intricate life cycle is discussed.
	PMID: 20636259 [PubMed - in process]

8.	Immunotherapy. 2009 Sep;1(5):765-76. Immunotherapy as a strategy for treatment of leishmaniasis: a review of the literature. Okwor I, Uzonna JE. Parasite Vaccines Development Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W3, Canada. uzonna@cc.umanitoba.ca. Abstract Leishmaniasis occurs as a spectrum of clinical syndromes divided into cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral forms. The epidemiology and clinical features are highly variable owing to the interplay of many factors ranging from parasite species and strains, vectors, host genetics and environment. Currently, there is no effective licensed vaccine for use in humans against leishmaniasis. Most traditional and low-cost treatment options, particularly in poor and endemic areas, are toxic with many adverse reactions and they require a long course of administration. The use of more effective, less toxic drugs is limited because total treatment cost is very high (expensive) and there are fears of development of drug resistance. Recent studies indicate that certain strategies aimed at modulating the host immune response (collectively called immunotherapy) could result in prophylactic and/or therapeutic cure of leishmaniasis under both laboratory and field conditions. In this review, we focus on treatment of leishmaniasis with a particular emphasis on immunotherapy/immunochemotherapy as an alternative to conventional drug treatment.
	PMID: 20636022 [PubMed - in process]

9.	J Health Popul Nutr. 2010 Jun;28(3):281-5. In search of an ideal test for diagnosis and prognosis of kala-azar. Singh DP, Goyal RK, Singh RK, Sundar S, Mohapatra TM. Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi 221005, India. Abstract The latex agglutination test (KAtex), direct agglutination test (DAT), and the rK39 immuno-chromatographic strip test (dipstick test) were evaluated for their role in the diagnosis and prognosis of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in India. Sera and urine samples from 455 subjects--150 confirmed visceral leishmaniasis cases, 160 endemic controls, 100 non-endemic controls, and 45 other febrile diseases--were included in the study. The sensitivity of the KAtex, DAT, and rK39 strip test was 87% [95% confidence interval (CI) 80-96], 93.3% (95% CI 88-100), and 98% (95% CI 93-100) respectively. The specificity of these tests was 98% (95% CI 93-100), 93% (95% CI 87-100), and 89% (95% CI 82-97) for the KAtex, DAT, and rK39 strip test respectively. Fifty cases were followed up and subjected to the KAtex, DAT, and rK39 strip test after 30 days of successful treatment. The DAT and rK39 strip test showed positive results in all the 50 cases whereas the KAtex showed no positive reaction in any case. Based on the results, it is concluded that the sensitivity and specificity of the DAT and rK39 strip test are comparable but the greater convenience of use of the strip test makes it a better tool for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in the peripheral areas of endemic regions whereas the sensitivity of the KAtex needs to be improved to promote its use as a first-line diagnostic test in the field-setting. It may be used for the prognosis of the disease as antigen becomes undetectable in urine after 30 days of the completion of the treatment. Alternatively, it can be used as an adjunct with rK39 for sero-epidemiological surveys.
	PMID: 20635639 [PubMed - in process]

10.	Parasitol Res. 2010 May;106(6):1327-37. Epub 2010 Mar 18. Specific antibodies induce apoptosis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Fernández-Presas AM, Tato P, Becker I, Solano S, Kopitin N, Berzunza M, Willms K, Hernández J, Molinari JL. Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av Universidad 3000, Col Copilco Universidad, 04510 Mexico Distrito Federal, Mexico. presas@servidor.unam.mx Abstract The susceptibility of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes to lysis by normal or immune sera in a complement-dependent reaction has been reported. Mouse immune sera depleted complement-induced damage in epimastigotes characterized by morphological changes and death. The purpose of this work was to study the mechanism of death in epimastigotes exposed to decomplemented mouse immune serum. Epimastigotes were maintained in RPMI medium. Immune sera were prepared in mice by immunization with whole crude epimastigote extracts. Viable epimastigotes were incubated with decomplemented normal or immune sera at 37 degrees C. By electron microscopy, agglutinated parasites showed characteristic patterns of membrane fusion between two or more parasites; this fusion also produced interdigitation of the subpellicular microtubules. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and annexin V assays. Nuclear features were examined by 4'-,6-diamidino-2'-phenylindole diHCI cytochemistry that demonstrated apoptotic nuclear condensation. Caspase activity was also measured. TUNEL results showed that parasites incubated with decomplemented immune sera took up 26% of specific fluorescence as compared to 1.3% in parasites incubated with decomplemented normal sera. The Annexin-V-Fluos staining kit revealed that epimastigotes incubated with decomplemented immune sera exposed phosphatidylserine on the external leaflet of the plasma membrane. The incubation of parasites with immune sera showed caspase 3 activity. We conclude that specific antibodies are able to induce agglutination and apoptosis in epimastigotes, although the pathway is not elucidated.
	PMID: 20237802 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
	Related citations