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 Dec 07
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 10

1.	Eur J Immunol. 2010 Oct 27. [Epub ahead of print] Cystatin cures visceral leishmaniasis by NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory response through co-ordination of TLR/MyD88 signaling with p105-Tpl2-ERK pathway. Kar S, Ukil A, Das PK. Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India. Abstract Cystatin could completely cure experimental visceral leishmaniasis by switching the differentiation of Th2 cells to Th1 type, as well as upregulating NO, and activation of NF-κB played a major role in these processes. Analysis of upstream signaling events revealed that TLR 2/4-mediated MyD88-dependent participation of IL-1R-activated kinase (IRAK)1, TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF)6 and TGFβ-activated kinase (TAK)1 is essential to induce cystatin-mediated IκB kinase (IKK)/NF-κB activation in macrophages. Cystatin plus IFN-γ activated the IKK complex to induce phosphorylation-mediated degradation of p105, the physiological partner and inhibitor of the MEK kinase, tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl-2). Consequently, Tpl-2 was liberated from p105, thereby stimulating activation of the MEK/ERK MAPK cascade. Cystatin plus IFN-γ-induced IKK-β post-transcriptionally modified p65/RelA subunit of NF-κB by dual phosphorylation in infected phagocytic cells. IKK induced the phosphorylation of p65 directly on Ser-536 residue whereas phosphorylation on Ser 276 residue was by sequential activation of Tpl-2/MEK/ERK/MSK1. Collectively, the present study indicates that cystatin plus IFN-γ-induced MyD88 signaling may bifurcate at the level of IKK, leading to a divergent pathway regulating NF-κB activation by IκBα phosphorylation and by p65 transactivation through Tpl-2/MEK/ERK/MSK1.
	PMID: 21132711 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

2.	Parasitol Res. 2010 Dec 4. [Epub ahead of print] Evidence of RNA editing in Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes. Ramírez C, Puerta C, Requena JM. Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. Abstract RNA editing in trypanosomatids is an elaborate form of post-transcriptional processing that inserts and deletes uridines in many mitochondrial pre-mRNAs, providing the genetic information needed to create functional transcripts. The process has been extensively analyzed in Trypanosoma brucei, Crithidia fasciculata, and Leishmania tarentolae. However, few data exist on this mechanism in pathogenic Leishmania species. Here, we show evidence that this process also operates in Leishmania braziliensis, being the first time that RNA editing has been described in a species of the Viannia subgenus. A partially edited transcript corresponding to the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 8 (ND8) gene was identified in L. braziliensis promastigotes. Sequence analysis allowed the identification of the maxicircle-encoded cryptogene, which shows a high degree of sequence conservation with the corresponding cryptogenes in other Leishmania species. Although an edition pattern could be postulated for the ND8 transcripts in L. braziliensis, attempts to isolate completely edited transcripts by RT-PCR were not fruitful; instead, many transcripts with partial and unexpected editing patterns were isolated. This data, together with our inability to detect full-size transcripts by Northern blotting in promastigotes of L. braziliensis, led us to the suggestion that the strain used in this study (M2904) lacks of critical RNA guides for a complete edition of ND8 transcripts.
	PMID: 21132328 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

3.	J Antimicrob Chemother. 2010 Dec 3. [Epub ahead of print] In vitro and in vivo prophylactic and curative activity of the triterpene saponin PX-6518 against cutaneous Leishmania species. Inocêncio da Luz RA, Vermeersch M, Deschacht M, Hendrickx S, Van Assche T, Cos P, Maes L. Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp University, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium. Abstract Objectives The oleanane triterpene saponin PX-6518, with known potent in vitro and in vivo activity against Leishmania donovani, was investigated for its spectrum against the cutaneous species Leishmania mexicana, Leishmania panamensis and Leishmania major. Methods In vitro activity was based on the reduction of amastigotes in primary peritoneal mouse macrophages. BALB/c mice were injected with 2 × 10(6) amastigotes in the base of the tail (L. panamensis and L. major) or the foot (L. mexicana) and subcutaneously treated with PX-6518 [1-10 mg/kg body weight (BW)] or Pentostam(®) (250 mg/kg BW Sb(V) eq). Evolution of skin lesions was monitored in a prophylactic dose-finding study, and early curative [6 weeks post-infection (pi)] and late curative (>8-10 weeks pi) studies. Results While moderate susceptibility to PX-6518 was obtained in vitro (IC(50): 1-4 µg/mL), excellent in vivo activity was demonstrated. In the prophylactic study (six administrations on alternate days, starting at 1day pi), PX-6518 was 100% effective at 1 mg/kg BW against L. mexicana and L. panamensis, whereas L. major lesions could be prevented at 2 mg/kg BW. In the early curative (1 mg/kg BW once a week for 4 weeks) and late curative (1 mg/kg BW twice a week for 4 weeks) studies, PX-6518 completely healed L. mexicana and L. panamensis lesions, whereas L. major lesions were reduced by ∼50%. Conclusions This study demonstrates that PX-6518 possesses potent and broad-spectrum prophylactic and curative efficacy against cutaneous leishmaniasis in the BALB/c mouse model. L. major was the least susceptible species tested and parasitological cure could not be obtained.
	PMID: 21131319 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

4.	Biotechnol Adv. 2010 Dec 2. [Epub ahead of print] Unexpected applications of secondary metabolites. Vaishnav P, Demain AL. 206 Akshardeepp Apts., Near New Jain Temple, GIDC, Ankleshwar 393002, Gujarat, India. Abstract Secondary metabolites have been found to have interesting applications over and above their well-known medical uses, e.g., as antimicrobials, etc. These alternative applications include antitumor, cholesterol-lowering, immunosuppressant, anti-protozoal, anti-helminth, anti-viral and anti-ageing activities. Polyene antibiotics, such as amphotericin B, are of use as anti-prion agents, antitumor drugs and against leishmaniasis. Other microbial natural products that show antibiotic activity are used against cancer e.g., doxorubicin, neomycin, β-lactams, bleomycin and rapamycin. Macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin, improve pulmonary function in patients suffering from panbion cholitis. Pigments like prodigiosin and shikonin have antitumor activity, while violacein has anti-ulcer and antitumor activity and also acts as an antiprotozoal agent. Statins, in addition to lowering cholesterol and LDL levels, also decrease elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels independent of their cholesterol effects. Immunosppressants have many alternative effects: (i) Cyclosporin is proving useful in treatment of inflammatory disease such as asthma and muscular dystrophy. (ii) Rapamycin is extremely useful in preventing restenosis of stents grafted in balloon angioplasty. (iii) Tacrolimus and ascomycin help in treating inflammatory skin disease such as allergic contact dermatitis and psoriasis. Artemisinin, an antimalarial agent, is also showing antitumor activity. Other natural products, including those from plants (betulinic acid, shikonin), animals (bryostatins) and microbes (squalestatin, sophorolipids) have a multiplicity of potentially useful actions. Unexpected functions of known secondary metabolites are continuously being unraveled, and are fulfilling some of the needs of present day medicine and show great promise for the future. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.
	PMID: 21130862 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

5.	Vet Parasitol. 2010 Nov 3. [Epub ahead of print] Molecular detection of Leishmania sp. in cats (Felis catus) from Andradina Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. Coelho WM, Richini-Pereira VB, Langoni H, Bresciani KD. Departamento de Apoio, Produção e Saúde Animal, FOA, UNESP, Rua Clóvis Pestana, 793 CEP: 16050-680, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Abstract The aim of this work was to molecularly detect Leishmania species in 52 cats from Andradina Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. The direct parasitological test was performed by using imprints of poplited lymph node, bone marrow and spleen to verify amastigote forms of Leishmania spp. The samples that were positive parasitological tests were subjected to molecular analysis (PCR) and sequencing. Infection was detected for 5.76% (3/52) of the examined cats and two had presence of amastigote forms of Leishmania spp. in lymph nodes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of kinetoplast minicircle DNA, indicated positive amplification for samples of spleen and lymph nodes and the sequencing resulted in 97% similarity with Leishmania (L.) chagasi. This study proved the occurrence of infection with Leishmania (L.) chagasi in felines from Andradina municipality, São Paulo State. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
	PMID: 21130575 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

6.	Chem Phys Lipids. 2010 Nov 30. [Epub ahead of print] First total synthesis and antileishmanial activity of (Z)-16-methyl-11-heptadecenoic acid; a new marine fatty acid from the sponge Dragmaxia undata. Carballeira NM, Montano N, Cintrón GA, Márquez C, Rubio CF, Prada CF, Balaña-Fouce R. Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, USA. Abstract The first total synthesis for the (Z)-16-methyl-11-heptadecenoic acid, a novel fatty acid from the sponge Dragmaxia undata, was accomplished in seven steps and in a 44% overall yield. The use of (trimethylsilyl)acetylene was key in the synthesis. Based on a previous developed strategy in our laboratory the best synthetic route towards the title compound was first acetylide coupling of (trimethylsilyl)acetylene to the long-chain protected 10-bromo-1-decanol followed by a second acetylide coupling to the short-chain 1-bromo-4-methylpentane, which resulted in higher yields. Complete spectral data is also presented for the first time for this recently discovered fatty acid and the cis double bond stereochemistry of the natural acid was established. The title compound displayed antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania donovani (IC(50)=165.5±23.4μM) and inhibited the leishmania DNA topoisomerase IB enzyme (LdTopIB) with an IC(50)=62.3±0.7μM. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
	PMID: 21129369 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

7.	Clin Microbiol Infect. 2010 Dec 4. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2010.03442.x. [Epub ahead of print] Parasitic, fungal and prion zoonoses: An expanding universe of candidates for human disease. Akritidis N. Head, Internal Medicine Department, General Hospital "G. Hatzikosta" of Ioannina, Greece. Abstract Zoonotic infections have emerged as a burden for millions of people in recent years, due to re-emerging or novel pathogens often causing outbreaks in the developing world in the presence of inadequate public health infrastructure. Among zoonotic infections, parasitic pathogens are the ones that affect millions of humans worldwide, while furthermore are at risk of developing disease which is often chronic. The present review discusses the global effect of protozoan pathogens as Leishmania sp., Trypanosoma sp., and Toxoplasma sp., as well as helminthic pathogens as Echinococcus sp., Fasciola sp., and Trichinella sp. The zoonotic aspects of agents that are not essentially zoonotic are also discussed. The review further focuses on the zoonotic dynamics of fungal pathogens and prion diseases as observed in recent years, in an evolving environment that has developed novel patient target groups for agents that were previously considered obscure or of minimal significance. Copyright © 2010 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
	PMID: 21129103 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

8.	J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2010 Dec 3. doi: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2010.00515.x. [Epub ahead of print] Highlights and Summaries of the 11th International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists. Kaneshiro ES, Cushion MT, Marciano-Cabral F, Weiss LM, Xiao L. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center of Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia. Abstract ABSTRACT. The 11th in the series of International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists (IWOP-11) was held in August 2010 on the Big Island of Hawaii. These meetings are devoted to agents of infections that cause serious problems in AIDS patients and other individuals with defective immune systems. International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists serves as a forum for exchange of current research information on Pneumocystis, Cryptosporidium and the Microsporidia, Toxoplasma, free-living amoebae, kinetoplastid flagellates and other pathogens that are particularly pathogenic in immunodeficient hosts. Studies on interactions between host and pathogen, especially host responses, were highlighted in this year's symposium. The lack of in vitro cultivation methods for luxuriant growth of Pneumocystis, Cryptosporidium and the Enterocytozoon bieneusi remains a major hindrance to understanding the basic biology of these organisms and precludes genetic manipulations. However, slow but steady progress is being achieved by hard work including data mining of some completed or partially completed genome sequencing of several IWOP organisms. Of great concern is evidence for dramatic decline in research funding for these pathogens and the lack of appreciation by the larger scientific community concerning the state of art and challenges faced by researchers working on these organisms that can provide critical insight into emerging and reemerging pathogens. © 2010 The Author(s). Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology © 2010 International Society of Protistologists.
	PMID: 21129083 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

9.	J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010 Dec 5. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03908.x. [Epub ahead of print] Liposomal amphotericin B treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica. Solomon M, Pavlotsky F, Leshem E, Ephros M, Trau H, Schwartz E. Department of Dermatology Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Carmel Medical Center Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel. Abstract Background  Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Israel, and in the past, has been attributed almost exclusively to Leishmania major. Over the last decade or so, an increase in Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) infections has occurred in several regions of Israel. Topical treatment of Old World CL is usually the rule, however, in some cases systemic treatment is indicated. Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) is efficacious and safe for treating visceral leishmaniasis but its role in treating various forms of CL is yet to be defined. In this study, we summarize the efficacy and safety of L-AmB treatment in a series of Israeli patients with L. tropica infection. Methods  Cases of PCR-proven CL caused by L. tropica were treated in an outpatient setting. Treatment schedule consisted of five consecutive days of 3 mg/kg L-AmB, followed by a sixth dose on day 10. Results  Thirteen consecutive patients (11 men, two women), received L-AmB. Mean age was 15.3 years; of the 13 patients, 85% had facial lesions. Six had previously failed intralesional sodium stibogluconate treatment and four had failed topical paromomycin treatment. Eleven of 13 patients (84%) achieved complete clinical cure within 2 months. Mean follow-up of 11 months revealed no relapses. Side effects were mild and none terminated treatment prematurely. Limitations  A non-randomized study, with a small number of patients. Conclusion  Liposomal amphotericin B treatment for L. tropica is effective, well tolerated and cost beneficial in countries where cost of hospital-care is significant. © 2010 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2010 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
	PMID: 21129042 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
	Related citations

10.	Int J Dermatol. 2010 Aug;49(8):921-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04558.x. Post-kala-azar der mal leishmaniasis - an overview. Ganguly S, Das NK, Barbhuiya JN, Chatterjee M. Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Room 284, Bunting and Blaustein Research Building, 1650, Orleans Baltimore, MD 21205, USA Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research Department of Dermatology, Medical College Calcutta Department of Dermatology, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Abstract Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermal sequela of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), reported mainly from two regions - Sudan in eastern Africa and the Indian subcontinent, with incidences of 50-60% and 5-10%, respectively. Importantly, patients with PKDL are considered as reservoirs of VL, linking its eradication to effective control of PKDL. The etiopathogenesis of PKDL is presumably due to an immunological assault on latent dermal parasites. Immunological markers include IL-10, whose expression in skin and plasma of Sudanese patients with VL predicted onset of PKDL. Cell-mediated immune responses, notably restoration of IFN-γ production by antigen-stimulated lymphocytes are well documented in Sudanese PKDL, but remain ambiguous in the Indian form; recently, antigen-specific IL-10-producing CD8+ lymphocytes have been implicated in pathogenesis. In Indian PKDL, upregulation of intralesional IFN-γ and TNF-α is counterbalanced by IL-10 and TGF-β together with downregulated IFN-γ R1. Although IL-10 curtails excessive IFN-γ-mediated reactivity and ensures parasite survival, its cellular source remains to be confirmed, with infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) being a likely candidate. Future functional investigations on Tregs and their interaction with lesional effector lymphocytes would be indispensable for development of immunomodulatory therapies against Leishmania infection. © 2010 The International Society of Dermatology.
	PMID: 21128917 [PubMed - in process]
	Related citations