ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Leishmaniasis is a group of parasitic zoonotic diseases caused by intracellular protozoans belonging to the genusLeishmania. Little is known about the effects that this parasitosis may have on the reproductive parameters and pregnancy of infected humans and pets. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused byLeishmania (Leishmania) amazonensison reproductive and fetal parameters using a female murine model. A control group of female BALB/c mice and a group infected withL. (L.) amazonensiswere mated with healthy males. Clinical parameters were monitored during the pre-mating and gestational periods. Female mice were euthanized on day 19 of gestation, when the fetuses were weighed and their length measured and embryonic resorptions and fetal death were recorded. We observed five fetal deaths and three embryonic resorptions in the infected group. Furthermore, there was a decrease in fertility in the infected group (26.32%). The weight of the offspring from infected mothers was lower than that in the control group (1.019±0.035g and 1.163±0.032g,p<0.01). Fetal length was reduced in the infected group (3.71±0.05cm in the control group and 3.40±0.06cm in the infected groupp<0.001). This study shows that cutaneous leishmaniasis caused byL. (L.) amazonensisimpairs reproductive and fetal parameters in mice.
RESUMEN La leishmaniasis comprende un grupo de enfermedades zoonóticas parasitarias causadas por protozoos intracelulares pertenecientes al géneroLeishmania. Poco se conoce sobre los efectos que esta parasitosis puede tener sobre los parámetros reproductivos y la gestación en humanos y en otras especies infectadas. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la influencia de la leishmaniasis cutánea crónica, causada porLeishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, en parámetros reproductivos y fetales. Se apareó un grupo control y un grupo infectado de ratones hembra BALB/c (previamente inoculado conL. (L.) amazonensis) con machos sanos. Se analizaron parámetros clínicos durante los períodos pregestacional y gestacional. Las hembras fueron eutanasiadas en el día 19 de gestación, momento en el cual se pesaron y midieron los fetos y se registraron las reabsorciones embrionarias y las muertes fetales. Se observaron 5 muertes fetales y 3 reabsorciones embrionarias en el grupo infectado. Además, hubo una disminución en la fertilidad de este último grupo (26,32%). Por otra parte, el peso de la descendencia de madres infectadas fue menor que el del grupo control (1,019±0,035g y 1,163±0,032g, respectivamente,p<0,01). Por último, la longitud fetal se redujo en el grupo infectado (3,71±0,05cm en el grupo control y 3,40±0,06cm en el grupo infectado,p<0,001). Este estudio muestra que la leishmaniasis cutánea causada porL. (L.) amazonensisafecta los parámetros reproductivos y fetales en ratones.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Pregnancy , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous , Leishmania , Fetus , Mice, Inbred BALB CABSTRACT
BACKGROUND Unfortunately, no any vaccine against leishmaniasis has been developed for human use. Therefore, a vaccine based on total Leishmania antigens could be a good and economic approach; and there are different methodologies to obtain these antigens. However, it is unknown whether the method to obtain the antigens affects the integrity and immune response caused by them. OBJECTIVES to compare the protein profile and immune response generated by total L. amazonensis antigens (TLA) produced by different methods, as well as to analyse the immune response and protection by a first-generation vaccine formulated with sonicated TLA (sTLA) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)]. METHODS TLA were obtained by four different methodologies and their integrity and immune response were evaluated. Finally, sTLA was formulated with Poly (I:C) and their protective immune response was measured. FINDINGS sTLA presented a conserved protein profile and induced a strong immune response. In addition, Poly (I:C) improved the immune response generated by sTLA. Finally, sTLA + Poly (I:C) formulation provided partial protection against L. amazonensis infection. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The protein profile and immune response depend on the methodology used to obtain the antigens. Also, the formulation sTLA + Poly (I:C) provides partial protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Mice , Protozoan Vaccines/immunology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/prevention & control , Toll-Like Receptor 3/immunology , Leishmaniasis Vaccines , Leishmania , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Antigens, Protozoan/immunologyABSTRACT
La difilobotriosis es una parasitosis intestinal causada por la infección de cestodos del genero Diphyllobothrium. En la Argentina, la Patagonia Andina es considerada una zona endémica para esta parasitosis. La infección por Diphyllobothrium latum no ha sido previamente notificada en la provincia de Mendoza; en este trabajo comunicamos un caso de esta parasitosis que fue confirmada por el análisis de las características morfológicas de los huevos eliminados con la materia fecal de un paciente infectado. Se destaca la necesidad de información y capacitación de los profesionales de la salud en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de parasitosis no endémicas.
Diphyllobothriosis is an intestinal parasitosis caused by cestodes infection of the genus Diphyllobothrium. In Argentina, the Andean Patagonia is considered an endemic area for this parasitosis. Diphyllobothrium latum infection has not been previously reported in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. We are now reporting then the first case. Diphyllobothriosis was confirmed by examination of morphologic characteristics of the eggs eliminated in the patients' feces. These results suggest the requirement of a more specific training of health workers in the diagnosis and treatment of non endemic parasitosis. We want to emphasize the need of health workers' education on diagnosis and treatment of endemic and non-endemic parasitosis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Diphyllobothriasis/diagnosis , Diphyllobothrium/isolation & purification , Food Parasitology , Oncorhynchus kisutch/parasitology , Argentina/epidemiology , Parasite Egg CountABSTRACT
La tricomoniasis es una infección de transmisión sexual (ITS) que se asocia a vaginitis, uretritis, cervicitis y enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica pudiendo producir infertilidad tubárica. El objetivo de este trabajo, de tipo retrospectivo longitudinal, fue determinar la prevalencia de Trichomonas vaginalis en una población de trabajadores sexuales en Mendoza, Argentina. Se estudió en forma retrospectiva una población de 720 personas asistidas por el Programa Provincial de ITS de Mendoza. Entre febrero de 2007 y junio de 2009 se procesaron 1692 muestras con un muestreo por reposición. La distribución por sexo fue de 687 mujeres y 33 varones con edades comprendidas entre 15 y 65 años. La prevalencia de tricomoniasis determinada en esta población en riesgo fue de 7.6% para las mujeres, sin encontrarse infecciones en el grupo de los hombres. La prevalencia hallada en este grupo en riesgo muestra una población con alta vulnerabilidad para contraer otras ITS de mayor gravedad. En otro sentido, sugiere una importante falta de adhesión al uso de barreras mecánicas para prevenir infecciones de transmisión sexual. Este trabajo justifica la elaboración de una guía de procedimientos para el manejo de la infección por tricomonas en el marco del Programa de Salud Reproductiva (PROSAR).
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) usually associated to vaginitis, urethritis, cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility. The aim of this retrospective longitudinal study was to determine Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence in a population of male and female sex workers in Mendoza, Argentina. A cohort of 720 people who attended the STI Program in this province was retrospectively analyzed. From February 2007 up to June 2009, 1692 samples were processed using a reposition sampling method. The age and sex distribution of the population was: 687 women/33 men, from 15 to 65 years old. Trichomoniasis prevalence determined for this population at risk was 7.6% in women only, men did not present infection. The high prevalence shown for this risk group suggests a great vulnerability of this population to contract other more serious STIs. In another sense, it also shows a remarkable lack in the use of mechanical barriers to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The present research justifies the elaboration of standardized procedures guide to diagnose T. vaginalis within the framework of the Reproductive Health Program (PROSAR).