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Sent on Saturday, 2010 Oct 16Search kinetoplastids OR kinetoplastid OR Kinetoplastida OR "trypanosoma brucei" OR leishmania OR brucei OR leishmaniasis OR "African trypanosomiasis"
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| PubMed Results |
| 1. | Med Mal Infect. 2010 Oct 12. [Epub ahead of print][Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco, evidence of the parasite's ecological evolution?][Article in French] Iguermia S, Harmouche T, Mikou O, Amarti A, Mernissi FZ.Service de dermatologie et de vénéréologie, CHU Hassan II, Fès, Maroc. |
| PMID: 20947275 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] | |
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| 2. | Trop Med Int Health. 2010 Oct 13. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02635.x. [Epub ahead of print]Insecticide-treated bed nets in rural Bangladesh: their potential role in the visceral leishmaniasis elimination programme.Mondal D, Chowdhury R, Huda MM, Maheswary NP, Akther S, Petzold M, Kumar V, Das ML, Gurung CK, Ghosh D, Kroeger A.International Centre For Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh National Institution of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dhaka, Bangladesh Regional Office for South-East Asia, World Health Organization, New Delhi, India Nordic School of Public Health, Göteborg, Sweden RMRIMS, Patna, India BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK. AbstractObjective To analyse the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets with slow-release insecticides (KO Tab 123) as an option for kala-azar vector management in Bangladesh. Methods Intervention study involving an insecticide dipping programme through village health workers supervised by public health officers covering 6967 households in Mymensingh and 8287 in Rajshahi district. In a subsample of households, sandfly densities at baseline, 1, 12 and 18 months were measured with CDC light traps both in intervention and control areas. Bioassays were performed for determining the bioavailability of the insecticide and tests of chemical residues in the treated bed nets were undertaken. Satisfaction surveys and direct observation of use of treated bed net use were conducted. Results The dipping programme was feasible with the help of communities and public health staff, was well accepted, reached a coverage of 98.2% and 96.2% in the two study sites within 4 weeks and was effective in terms of a significant reduction in sandfly densities (approximately 60%) for a period of 18 months. Bioassay results were satisfactory (>80% sandfly mortality) and the average chemical content of the treated bed nets was sufficient for killing sand flies at the end of the observation period. Conclusion Bed nets treated with slow-release insecticides can be an important complementary measure for sandfly control in the visceral leishmaniasis elimination programme. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
| PMID: 20946233 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] | |
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| 3. | Planta Med. 2010 Oct 13. [Epub ahead of print]Sleeping Sickness Pathogen (Trypanosoma brucei) and Natural Products: Therapeutic Targets and Screening Systems.Hannaert V.Research Unit for Tropical Diseases, de Duve Institute and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. AbstractTRYPANOSOMA BRUCEI is the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) which is fatal if left untreated. This disease occurs in 36 African countries, south of the Sahara, where 60 million people are at risk of acquiring infection. The current chemotherapy relies on only four drugs, three of which were developed more than 60 years ago. These drugs have many limitations, ranging from oral inabsorption, acute toxicities, short duration of action and the emergence of trypanosomal resistance. Despite decades of use of most of the current trypanocides, little is known about their mode of action. That being said, African trypanosomes continue to be among the most extensively studied parasitic protists to date. Many of their intriguing biological features have been well documented and can be viewed as attractive targets for antitrypanosomal chemotherapy. A considerable number of natural products with diverse molecular structures have revealed antiparasitic potency in the laboratory and represent interesting lead compounds for the development of new and urgently needed antiparasitics. The major validated drug targets in T. BRUCEI are discussed with particular emphasis on those known to be attacked by natural compounds. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York. |
| PMID: 20945274 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] | |
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| 4. | Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2010 Sep;105(6):818-22.Antigenic extracts of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania amazonensis associated with saponin partially protects BALB/c mice against Leishmania chagasi infection by suppressing IL-10 and IL-4 production.Grenfell RF, Marques-da-Silva EA, Souza-Testasicca MC, Coelho EA, Fernandes AP, Afonso LC, Rezende SA.Laboratório de Esquistossomose, Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil, 30.190-002. AbstractThis study evaluated two vaccine candidates for their effectiveness in protecting BALB/c mice against Leishmania chagasiinfection. These immunogenic preparations were composed of Leishmania amazonensisor Leishmania braziliensisantigenic extracts in association with saponin adjuvant. Mice were given three subcutaneous doses of one of these vaccine candidates weekly for three weeks and four weeks later challenged with promastigotes of L. chagasiby intravenous injection. We observed that both vaccine candidates induced a significant reduction in the parasite load of the liver, while the L. amazonensisantigenic extract also stimulated a reduction in spleen parasite load. This protection was associated with a suppression of both interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-4 cytokines by spleen cells in response to L. chagasiantigen. No change was detected in the production of IFN-γ. Our data show that these immunogenic preparations reduce the type 2 immune response leading to the control of parasite replication. |
| PMID: 20944999 [PubMed - in process] | |
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| 5. | Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2010 Sep;105(6):811-7.Immune response to Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection is reduced in malnourished BALB/c mice.Serafim TD, Malafaia G, Silva ME, Pedrosa ML, Rezende SA.Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia, Urutaí, GO, Brasil. AbstractProtein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies may down-regulate immune response and increase morbidity and mortality due to infection. In this study, a murine model was used to study the effects of protein, iron and zinc deficiencies on the immune response to Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection. Mice were initially fed a standard diet or with a diet containing 3% casein but deficient in zinc and iron. After malnutrition was established, mice were inoculated with L. chagasiand sacrificed four weeks later in order to evaluate liver and spleen parasite loads and serum biochemical parameters. Significant decreases in liver and spleen weight, an increase in the parasite loads in these organs and decreases in serum protein and glucose concentrations in malnourished animals were observed. Furthermore, the production of interferon-gamma by spleen cells from infected malnourished mice stimulated by Leishmaniaantigen was significantly lower compared with that in control diet mice. These data suggest that malnutrition alters the immune response to L. chagasiinfection in the BALB/c model and, in association with the effects on biochemical and anatomical parameters of the host, favored increases in the parasite loads in the spleens and livers of these animals. |
| PMID: 20944998 [PubMed - in process] | |
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| 6. | Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2010 Sep;105(6):796-9.Detection of Leishmania infantum in naturally infected Lutzom yia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) and Canis familiaris in Misiones, Argentina: the first report of a PCR-RFLP and sequencing-based confirmation assay.Acardi SA, Liotta DJ, Santini MS, Romagosa CM, Salomón OD.Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina. AbstractIn this study, a genotypification of Leishmaniawas performed using polimerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorfism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing techniques to identify species of Leishmaniaparasites in phlebotomine sand flies and dogs naturally infected. Between January-February of 2009, CDC light traps were used to collect insect samples from 13 capture sites in the municipality of Posadas, which is located in the province of Misiones of Argentina. Sand flies identified as Lutzomyia longipalpiswere grouped into 28 separate pools for molecular biological analysis. Canine samples were taken from lymph node aspirates of two symptomatic stray animals that had been positively diagnosed with canine visceral leishmaniasis. One vector pool of 10 sand flies (1 out of the 28 pools tested) and both of the canine samples tested positively for Leishmania infantumby PCR and RFLP analysis. PCR products were confirmed by sequencing and showed a maximum identity with L. infantum. Given that infection was detected in one out of the 28 pools and that at least one infected insect was infected, it was possible to infer an infection rate at least of 0.47% for Lu. longipalpisamong the analyzed samples. These results contribute to incriminate Lu. longipalpis as the vector of L. infantumin the municipality of Posadas, where cases of the disease in humans and dogs have been reported since 2005. |
| PMID: 20944995 [PubMed - in process] | |
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| 7. | Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2010 Sep;105(6):736-45.Low and high-dose intradermal infection with Leishmania majo rand Leishmania amazonensis in C57BL/6 mice.Côrtes DF, Carneiro MB, Santos LM, Souza TC, Maioli TU, Duz AL, Ramos-Jorge ML, Afonso LC, Carneiro C, Vieira LQ.Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. AbstractA model of skin infection with Leishmania amazonensiswith low doses of parasites is compared to infection with high doses of L. amazonensis and low and high doses of Leishmania major. C57BL/6 mice were infected with 10³ or 10(6) parasites in the ear and the outcome of infection was assessed. The appearance of lesions in mice infected with 10³ parasites was delayed compared to mice infected with 10(6) Leishmania and parasites were detectable at the infection site before lesions became apparent. Mice infected with L. amazonensisdisplayed persistent lesions, whereas infection with L. major spontaneously healed in all groups, although lymphocytes persisted at the site of infection after healing. Macrophages persisted only in L. amazonensis-infected mice. High-dose L. amazonensis-infected mice produced lower levels of IFN-γ and TNF than mice infected with L. major. No correlation between the persistence of parasites and IL-10 levels and the production of nitric oxide or urea by macrophages was found. We conclude that infection with low doses of L. amazonensisin the dermis changes the course of infection by delaying the appearance of lesions. However, low-dose infection does not change the outcomes of susceptibility and cytokine production described for subcutaneous infection with high numbers of parasites. |
| PMID: 20944986 [PubMed - in process] | |
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| 8. | BMC Microbiol. 2010 Oct 13;10(1):259. [Epub ahead of print]A high-throughput cloning system for reverse ge netics in Trypanosoma cruzi.Batista M, Marchini FK, Celedon PA, Fragoso SP, Probst CM, Preti H, Ozaki LS, Buck GA, Goldenberg S, Krieger MA.AbstractABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The three trypanosomatids pathogenic to men, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major, are etiological agents of Chagas disease, African sleeping sickness and cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. The complete sequencing of these trypanosomatid genomes represented a breakthrough in the understanding of these organisms. Genome sequencing is a step towards solving the parasite biology puzzle, as there are a high percentage of genes encoding proteins without functional annotation. Also, technical limitations in protein expression in heterologous systems reinforce the evident need for the development of a high-throughput reverse genetics platform. Ideally, such platform would lead to efficient cloning and compatibility with various approaches. Thus, we aimed to construct a highly efficient cloning platform compatible with plasmid vectors that are suitable for various approaches. RESULTS: We constructed a platform with a flexible structure allowing the exchange of various elements, such as promoters, fusion tags, intergenic regions or resistance markers. This platform is based on Gateway technology, to ensure a fast and efficient cloning system. We obtained plasmid vectors carrying genes for fluorescent proteins (green, cyan or yellow), and sequences for the c-myc epitope, and tandem affinity purification or polyhistidine tags. The vectors were verified by successful subcellular localization of two previously characterized proteins (TcRab7 and PAR 2) and a putative centrin. For the tandem affinity purification tag, the purification of two protein complexes (ribosome and proteasome) was performed. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed plasmids with an efficient cloning system and suitable for use across various applications, such as protein localization and co-localization, protein partner identification and protein expression. This platform also allows vector customization, as the vectors were constructed to enable easy exchange of its elements. The development of this high-throughput platform is a step closer towards large-scale trypanosome applications and initiatives. |
| PMID: 20942965 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] | |
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| 9. | J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Oct 13. [Epub ahead of print]Yield, Content, and Composition of Peppermint and Spearmints as a Function of Harvesting Time and Drying.Zheljazkov VD, Cantrell CL, Astatkie T, Hristov A.North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, 5421 Highway 145 South, Verona, Mississippi 38879, United States. AbstractPeppermint ( Mentha × piperita L.) and spearmints ('Scotch' spearmint, M. × gracilis Sole, and 'Native' spearmint, Mentha spicata L.) are widely grown essential oil crops in more northern latitudes; however, there is limited information on how harvest time and drying influence peppermint and spearmint yield, oil composition, and bioactivity, when grown south of the 41st parallel. In this 2-year study, the effects of harvest time and drying on the yield, oil composition, and bioactivity of peppermint ('Black Mitcham' and 'B90-9'), 'Scotch' spearmint, and 'Native' spearmint were evaluated. Peppermint oil from the dried material had higher menthol and eucalyptol concentrations. Menthone in both peppermint cultivars decreased from harvest 1 (late June) to harvest 5 (late August) or 6 (early September), whereas menthol increased. (-)-Carvone in spearmints accumulated early, before flowering, allowing for early harvest. Oil yields from the dried spearmint biomass reached the maximum at harvest 3 (mid-July). The essential oil compositions of the four mint genotypes were similar to that of 11 commercially available oils, suggesting that these genotypes can be grown in the hot, humid environment of the southeastern United States. The antioxidant activities (ORAC(oil) values) of the essential oils were 4372, 1713, 1107, and 471 μmol of TE L(-1) for 'Scotch' spearmint, 'Native' spearmint, peppermint, and Japanese cornmint ( Mentha canadensis ), respectively. The oils of the four mint genotypes did not affect ruminal fermentation in vivo, and did not exhibit antimicrobial, antileishmanial, or antimalarial activity at levels that would warrant bioassay-directed fractionation in a drug-discovery screening program. Specifically, the oils did not show greater than 50% growth inhibition against Leishmania donovani , Plasmodium falciparum clones D6 and W2, Candida albicans , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Cryptococcus neoformans , Mycobacterium intracellulare , or Aspergillus fumigates at 50 μg mL(-1). |
| PMID: 20942459 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] | |
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| 10. | PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2010 Jul 27;4(7):e764.A curative immune profile one week after treatment of Indian kala-azar patients predicts success with a short-course liposomal amphotericin B th erapy.Mondal S, Bhattacharya P, Rahaman M, Ali N, Goswami RP.Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India. AbstractBACKGROUND: The present pilot study investigating the minimum dose for short-course single and double-dose treatment of kala-azar with an apparently new liposomal formulation of amphotericin B, Fungisome, led to identification of immunological components for early detection of success and/or failure to cure. METHODS: Patients were treated with 5, 7.5 (single-dose) and 10 mg/kg body weight (5 mg/kg double-dose) of Fungisome. Immunological investigations involving plasma cytokines and antigen-specific lymphoproliferation and cytokine responses from PBMCs were carried out before, 1 week after Fungisome treatment, at the time of relapse, and again after conventional amphotericin B treatment. RESULTS: At 1-month follow-up all the patients showed 100% initial cure. However, total doses of 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg Fungisome showed 60%, 50% and 90% cure, respectively, at 6-months posttreatment. Patients successfully cured demonstrated downregulation of IL-12 and IL-10 in plasma, and two-fold or more elevation of IFN-gamma, IL-12 and TNF, and significant down-regulation of IL-10 and TGF-beta in culture supernatants 1-week posttreatment irrespective of drug-dose. A differential immune profile, involving insignificant decline in IL-10 and IL-12 in plasma and negligible elevation of IFN-gamma, IL-12 and TNF, and persistence of IL-10, despite decline in TGF-beta in culture supernatants, in apparently cured individuals, corresponded with relapse within 6-months of treatment. CONCLUSION: Immunological investigations revealed significant curative and non-curative immunomodulation 1-week posttreatment, correlating with successful cure and relapse, respectively. Although immune-correlation was dose-independent, almost consistent curative response in patients treated with the highest dose 10 mg/kg reflected a definitive impact of the higher-dose on the immune response. TRIAL REGISTRATION NAME AND NUMBER: Clinical Trials Registry--India (CTRI) CTRI/2009/091/000764. |
| PMID: 20668544 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] | |
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