Antileishmanial activity and immunomodulatory effect of secosubamolide, a butanolide isolated from Nectandra oppositifolia (Lauraceae)

Visceral leishmaniasis is a complex neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania donovani complex. Its current treatment reveals strong limitations, especially high toxicity. In this context, natural products are important sources of new drug alternatives for VL therapy. Therefore, the antileishmanial and immunomodulatory activity of compounds isolated from Nectandra oppositifolia (Lauraceae) was investigated herein. Methods: The n-hexane extract from twigs of N. oppositifolia were subjected to HPLC/HRESIMS and bioactivity-guided fractionation to afford compounds 1 and 2 which were evaluated in vitro against Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi and NCTC cells. Results: The n-hexane extract displayed activity against L. (L.) infantum chagasi and afforded isolinderanolide E (1) and secosubamolide A (2), which were effective against L. (L.) infantum chagasi promastigotes, with IC50 values of 57.9 and 24.9 µM, respectively. Compound 2 was effective against amastigotes (IC50 = 10.5 µM) and displayed moderate mammalian cytotoxicity (CC50 = 42 µM). The immunomodulatory studies of compound 2 suggested an anti-inflammatory activity, with suppression of IL-6, IL-10, TNF with lack of nitric oxide. Conclusion: This study showed the antileishmanial activity of compounds 1 and 2 isolated from N. oppositifolia. Furthermore, compound 2 demonstrated an antileishmanial activity towards amastigotes associated to an immunomodulatory effect.(AU)

Leishmania donovani infection activates Toll-like receptor 2, 4 expressions and Transforming growth factor-beta mediated apoptosis in renal tissues

Abstract The present study was aimed to identify the underlying mechanisms of improper renal function in Leishmania donovani infection that causes VL. Mice (BALB/c) were infected with L. donovani and different parameters for proteinuria were assessed. The levels of superoxide anion (O2 -), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation (MDA), inflammatory cytokines, and toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 expression were found significantly elevated at 60th day in these animals and declined at 90th day post infection. However, TGF-β and caspase 3 activities were higher at 90th day in comparison to 60th day post infection. These findings suggested that exacerbated inflammatory conditions correlate with abnormal renal functions in L. donovani infection, which is further augmented by activated TLRs expressions by circulating leishmanial antigens. Further, the increased levels of TGF-β and caspase 3 at 90th day suggested TGF-β mediated apoptotic cell death of renal and other cells during later stages of disease that may eventually result in release of host and parasitic factors in urine during visceral leishmaniasis.

Avaliação de desempenho e custos diretos de kits comercialmente disponíveis no Brasil e do protótipo DAT-LPC para o diagnóstico da leishmaniose visceral humana

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) humana é uma doença potencialmente fatal se não diagnosticada e tratada precocemente. Assim, a disponibilização de testes diagnósticos com elevado desempenho, simplicidade de uso e baixo custo, são de extrema importância para o controle da LV. Uma das dificuldades para o diagnóstico da LV no Brasil é a atual comercialização de testes diagnósticos não validados no país. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho e estimar os custos diretos dos kits diagnósticos para LV humana registrados na Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária e comercialmente disponíveis no Brasil. Para avaliação de desempenho dos testes, foram incluídos no estudo amostras de soro de 237 pacientes residentes em área endêmica para LV, que apresentavam clínica sugestiva da doença e exame parasitológico de aspirado de medula óssea realizado, sendo 160 pacientes não portadores do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e 77 portadores de HIV. Os custos diretos foram estimados através da técnica de microcusteio sob a perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde. Os seguintes testes foram incluídos nas análises: IFI Leishmaniose Humana (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz); IT LEISH® (BIO-RAD Laboratories, Inc.); Kalazar Detect™ (Inbios International, Inc.); Leishmania ELISA IgG +IgM (Vircell S. L.); Ridascreen Leishmania Ab (R-Biopharm AG); Leishmania IFA IgG (Vircell S. L.) e DAT-LPC protótipo

Na análise global dos testes, apenas o teste não comercial DAT-LPC e o IT LEISH® apresentaram acurácia diagnóstica acima de 90%, sendo 93,7% e 91,1%, respectivamente. Para os pacientes não portadores de HIV, os testes com melhor desempenho foram IT LEISH®, DAT-LPC e Kalazar Detect™, apresentando sensibilidade e especificidade de 96,3% e 96,3%; 93,8% e 97,5%; 92,5 e 95,0%, respectivamente. Já para os pacientes portadores de HIV, o DAT-LPC foi o único teste que apresentou desempenho satisfatório, com sensibilidade de 89,5% e especificidade de 89,7%. Os testes Leishmania ELISA IgG +IgM, Ridascreen Leishmania Ab e Leishmania IFA IgG, apresentaram acurácia inferior a 88%, tanto na análise global como nas estratificada. Em termos de custo, o DAT-LPC foi o teste que apresentou menor custo direto, estimado em R$ 15,47, seguido do Kalazar Detect™ e do IT LEISH® realizado em sangue capilar digital, estimado em R$ 22,34 e R$ 26,82, respectivamente. Para os testes Leishmania IFA IgG, Leishmania ELISA IgG+IgM e Ridascreen® Leishmania Ab, o elevado custo não foi compensado pelo desempenho obtido no presente estudo. Os dados alcançados permitem recomendar o estabelecimento de critérios rigorosos para registro de testes para o diagnóstico da LV no país. O erro diagnóstico é agravado pela toxicidade dos medicamentos atualmente disponíveis para o tratamento da doença, em caso de resultados falso-positivos e pelo atraso do início do tratamento e manutenção da elevada letalidade, em caso de resultados falso-negativos

Buparvaquone nanostructured lipid carrier development: physicochemical and in vitro leishmanicidal performances / Desenvolvimento de carreadores lipídicos nanoestruturados contendo buparvaquona: caracterização físico-química e avaliação da atividade leishmanicida in vitro

Leishmaniases is a group of diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. The estimated number of deaths from visceral leishmaniases ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 annually. The most common treatment over the past 60 years has been pentavalent antimonials. Besides the doubtful effectiveness, they present several disadvantages such as the need for parenteral administration, large doses, long treatment, severe toxicity and parasite resistance. Buparvaquone (BPQ), a drug used for veterinary treatment of theileriosis, showed promising activity against Leishmania spp. However, due to its low aqueous solubility and bioavailability, it has failed in in vivo tests. The use of nanotechnologies has the potential to overcome these drawbacks due to the following advantages: increase in drug water-solubility, increase in therapeutic efficacy and treatment toxicity reduction. Therefore, the present work aimed the development, optimization, physical-chemical evaluation and in vitro performances of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for BPQ encapsulation. The NLC preparation was performed by high pressure homogenization, and surface response and factorial design were applied to formulation optimization. In vitro dissolution profiles were evaluated in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 with tween 80 0.07% w/v or sodium dodecyl sulfate 1% w/v and simulated body fluid pH 7.4. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in mouse peritoneal macrophages and leishmanicidal activity in L. infantum amastigotes. Six optimized NCL were prepared and they showed solubility improvement from 1.5- fold to 611-fold when compared with free BPQ, depending on the formulation and medium. Dissolution profiles showed the NLC formulation suitability for BPQ regarding oral administration, the release could reach 83.29% of a 4mg dose in 30 minutes for formulation of 175.1 nm, while the free drug could be dissolved only 2.89% of the same dose after 4 hours. Moreover, formulation of 230.7 nm showed 81.42% of drug release in in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 with dodecyl sulfate 1.0% w/v after 30 minutes, while BPQ did not dissolved. Cytotoxicity assay showed the safety of all formulations. The iv CC50 values were close to 500 µM, while the IC50 against amastigotes was only 456.5 nM for free BPQ. Developed NLCs showed an increase in IC50 from 2.0 to 3.1-fold when compared to free drug in the in vitro leishmanicidal evaluation. Therefore, the NLC containing BPQ are a promising alternative for the treatment of leishmaniases as oral and parenteral drug dosage forms. Additionally, they have a potential use for lymphatic targeted drug delivery, which can be an innovative approach for this neglected disease.

Leishmanioses são um grupo de doenças causadas por parasitas do gênero Leishmania. O número estimado de óbitos por leishmaniose visceral varia entre 20.000 e 50.000 por ano. O tratamento mais comum nos últimos 60 anos tem sido os antimônios pentavalentes. Além da eficácia duvidosa, eles apresentam várias desvantagens, como a necessidade de administração parenteral, altas doses, tratamento prolongado, toxicidade severa e resistência parasitária. Buparvaquona (BPQ), um fármaco usado para tratamento veterinário da teileriose, mostrou atividade promissora contra Leishmania donovani. No entanto, devido à sua baixa solubilidade e biodisponibilidade aquosa, falhou em testes in vivo. O uso das nanotecnologias tem o potencial de superar esses obstáculos devido às seguintes vantagens: aumento da solubilidade em água, aumento da eficácia terapêutica e redução da toxicidade do tratamento. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento, otimização, avaliação físico-química e avaliação do desempenho in vitro de carreadores lipídicos nanoestruturados (NLC) para o encapsulação da BPQ. A preparação do NLC foi realizada por homogeneização de alta pressão e superfície de resposta e planejamento fatorial foram aplicados à otimização das formulações. Os perfis de dissolução in vitro foram avaliados em tampão fosfato pH 7.4 com tween 80 a 0.07% p/v ou dodecilsulfato de sódio 1.0% p/v e fluido corporal simulado pH 7.4. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada em macrófagos peritoneais de camundongos e atividade leishmanicida em amastigotas de L. infantum. Foram preparados quatro NCL otimizados e mostraram melhora da solubilidade de 1,5 a 611 vezes quando comparado com a BPQ livre, dependendo da formulação e do meio. Os perfis de dissolução mostraram a adequação da formulação NLC para BPQ em relação à administração oral. A dissolução pode atingir 83,29% de uma dose de 4.0 mg em 30 minutos para a formulação de 175,1 nm, enquanto o fármaco livre dissolveu apenas vi 2,89% da mesma dose após 4 horas. Além disso, a formulação de 230,7 nm mostrou 81,42% de liberação do fármaco em tampão fosfato pH 7.4 com dodecil sulfato de sódio 1.0% p/v após 30 minutos, enquanto o BPQ não se dissolveu. O teste de citotoxicidade mostrou a segurança de todas as formulações. Os valores CC50 foram próximos de 500 µM, enquanto o IC50 em amastigotas foi de apenas 456,5 nM para BPQ livre. Os NLC desenvolvidos mostraram um aumento no IC50 de 2,0 a 3,1 vezes quando comparado ao;fármaco livre na avaliação leishmanicida in vitro. Logo, as NLC contendo BPQ são uma alternativa promissora para o tratamento de leishmanioses como formas farmacêuticas oral e parenteral. Além disso, eles têm um uso potencial para a sítio-específico ao sistema linfático, o que pode ser uma abordagem inovadora para esta doença negligenciada.

Clinico-Epidemiological Patterns of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients Attending the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an endemic vector-borne disease in Sri Lanka. Over 2,500 cases have been reported since 2000 and the number of CL cases has dramatically increased annually. Total 57 clinically suspected CL patients attending the dermatology clinic in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital were recruited from January to June 2015. Slit skin smears and skin biopsies were taken from each of the subjects. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained using interviewer administered questionnaire. Forty-three (75.4%) patients among 57 were confirmed positive for L. donovani. The majority of infected patients was males (P=0.005), and the most affected age group was 21–40 years. Soldiers in security forces, farmers, and housewives were identified as high risk groups. The presence of scrub jungles around the residence or places of occupation (P=0.003), the presence of sandflies (P=0.021), and working outsides more than 6 hr per day (P=0.001) were significantly associated with CL. The number of lesions ranged from 1–3, and the majority (76%) of the patients had a single lesion. Upper and lower extremities were the prominent places of lesions, while the wet type of lesions were more prevalent in females (P=0.022). A nodular-ulcerative type lesion was common in both sexes. The presence of sandflies, scrub jungles, and outdoor activities contributed to spread of Leishmania parasites in an endemic pattern. Implementation of vector control programs together with health education with regard to transmission and prevention of CL are necessary to control the spread of this infection.

Increasing potential risk for American visceral leishmaniasis in Amapá, Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The present note discusses some evidence on the increasing potential risk for American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) transmission in the Northern Brazilian State of Amapá, the Guianan-Amazon biome. METHODS Early and present data about AVL were collected, including our recent entomological findings. RESULTS: The spread of the sand fly vector Lutzomyia longipalpis, and a sylvatic reservoir host, the crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous in that region represents important findings related to the epidemiology of AVL in the Guianan-Amazon biome. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that Brazilian authorities need to develop surveillance strategies in these risk areas.

Induction of apoptosis by zerumbone isolated from Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith in protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani due to oxidative stress

Abstract In the present context of emergence of resistance aligned with the conventional anti-leishmanial drugs and occasional treatment failure compelled us to continue the search for replaceable therapeutic leads against Leishmaniainfection. Various ginger spices of the Zingiberaceae family are widely used as spices, flavouring agents, and medicines in Southeast Asia because of their unique flavour as well as due to their medicinal properties. Zerumbone, a natural component of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, has been studied for its pharmacological potential as antiulcer, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial. In this study, we have shown that zerumbone could induce ROS mediated apoptosis in Leishmania donovani promastigotes and also found effective in reducing intracellular amastigotes in infected-macrophages. We emphasized the potential of zerumbone to be employed in the development of new therapeutic drugs against L. donovaniinfection and provided the basis for future research on the application of transitional medicinal plants.

Polymerase chain reaction detection of LeishmaniaDNA in skin biopsy samples in Sri Lanka where the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis is Leishmania donovani

Leishmania donovani is the known causative agent of both cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. CL is considered to be under-reported partly due to relatively poor sensitivity and specificity of microscopic diagnosis. We compared robustness of three previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods to detectLeishmania DNA in 38 punch biopsy samples from patients presented with suspected lesions in 2010. Both, Leishmaniagenus-specific JW11/JW12 KDNA and LITSR/L5.8S internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 PCR assays detected 92% (35/38) of the samples whereas a KDNA assay specific forL. donovani (LdF/LdR) detected only 71% (27/38) of samples. All positive samples showed a L. donovani banding pattern upon HaeIII ITS1 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. PCR assay specificity was evaluated in samples containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, and human DNA, and there was no cross-amplification in JW11/JW12 and LITSR/L5.8S PCR assays. The LdF/LdR PCR assay did not amplify M. leprae or human DNA although 500 bp and 700 bp bands were observed in M. tuberculosis samples. In conclusion, it was successfully shown in this study that it is possible to diagnose Sri Lankan CL with high accuracy, to genus and species identification, using Leishmania DNA PCR assays.

Identification and glycobiological characterization of circulating immune complexes in patients with visceral leishmaniasis and post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis.

Here, we investigated the quantitative and qualitative differences in antibody classes and subclasses in serum immune complexes (ICs) of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) and different cross reactive diseases like Malaria, Leprosy, Vitiligo as compared to control subjects. IC levels were measured through a newly developed PEG ELISA, using L. donovani promastigote membrane antigen coated plate. Antibody classes and subclasses were identified using polyspecific sera and monoclonal antibodies, respectively. ICs were purified using polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. Conditional logistic regression showed an association between IgG1-containing ICs and increased risk of PKDL (OR=75, P <0.05) and an association of IgG-containing ICs with VL (OR=621, P=0.001). PEG ELISA demonstrated almost 13-15 fold higher IgG containing ICs titers in VL as compared to control (P <0.001). The assay further established a significant (P <0.05) difference in the IgG containing ICs titers between VL and PKDL. The isolated ICs were further analyzed by subjecting them to one-dimensional PAGE and subsequently stained with combination of periodic acid schiff (PAS) with silver. A differential banding pattern between VL and PKDL was obtained. Four distinct bands with carbohydrate rich glycoconjugates were identified in PKDL ICs, which were absent in VL and control group. It suggests the scope for developing a novel differential diagnostic assay.

Effect of different serine protease inhibitors in validating the 115 kDa Leishmania donovani secretory serine protease as chemotherapeutic target.

Proteases have been considered as an important group of targets for development of antiprotozoal drugs due to their essential roles in host-parasite interactions, parasite immune evasion, life cycle transition and pathogenesis of parasitic diseases. The development of potent and selective serine protease inhibitors targeting L. donovani secretory serine protease (pSP) could pave the way to the discovery of potential antileishmanial drugs. Here, we employed different classical serine protease inhibitors (SPIs), such as aprotinin, N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), N-tosyl-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), benzamidine (Bza) and pSP-antibody to determine the role of the protease in parasitic survival, growth and infectivity. Among the different classical SPIs, aprotinin appeared to be more potent in arresting L. donovani promastigotes growth with significant morphological alterations. Furthermore, aprotinin and anti-pSP treated parasites significantly decreased the intracellular parasites and percentage of infected macrophages. These results suggest that SPIs may reduce the infectivity by targeting the serine protease activity and may prove useful to elucidate defined molecular mechanisms of pSP, as well as for the development of novel antileishmanial drugs in future.

Histopathological characteristics of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis: A series of 88 patients.

Background: Post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a sequel to visceral leishmaniasis or kala azar seen predominantly in the Indian subcontinent and Africa. Histopathological descriptions of the condition are limited. Methods: Biopsies of 88 skin and 16 mucosal lesions were evaluated for histopathological findings on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Results: There were 71 (80.7%) males and 17 (19.3%) females with a mean age of 24.8 and 28.5 years, respectively. A past history of kala azar was present in 64 (72.7%) patients and post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis developed a mean of 6.2 years after visceral leishmaniasis. Of the biopsies studied, the clinical lesions were macular in 14 (15.9%), papulo-nodular in 32 (36.3%) and showed both macules and papulo-nodules in 42 (47.8%). Follicular plugging was a common epidermal finding. A clear Grenz zone was frequently noted. The dermal infiltrates were arranged mainly in three patterns: superficial perivascular infiltrates in 16 (18.1%), perivascular and perifollicular infiltrates in 24 (27.3%) and diffuse infiltrates in 41 (46.6%) biopsies. Leishman-Donovan (LD) bodies were noted in 13 (44.9%) of 69 cases on slit-skin smear and in 25 (28.4%) of 88 biopsies. In 16 patients, where both skin and mucosal biopsies were available, LD bodies were identified in 10 (62.5%) mucosal biopsies as compared to 3 (18.7%) skin biopsies. Limitations: The retrospective nature of the study and the lack of controls were limitations. Conclusion: The various histomorphological patterns of post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis are a useful clue to the diagnosis even when LD bodies have not been detected. This study also suggests that LD bodies are more frequently seen in mucosal biopsies in comparison to cutaneous biopsies.

Avaliação da infecciosidade em cães vacinados com Leish-Tec® (Hertape Saúde Animal S/A) para Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)

O presente trabalho avaliou a transmissibilidade de Leishmania spp. para Lutzomyialongipalpis em 136 cães nativos e beagles-sentinelas, vacinados ou não (placebo) com Leish-Tec® (vacina anti-leishmaniose visceral canina), domiciliados em Porteirinha, município endêmico para leishmaniose visceral, em Minas Gerais. Esses animais foram selecionados a partir da amostra total de cães que compõem o ensaio clínico de fase III que determinou a eficácia da vacina Leish-Tec®, conforme diretrizes estabelecidas pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. Além da técnica de xenodiagnóstico, esses cães também foram submetidos aos testes diagnósticos ELISA, RIFI, teste rápido Kalazar DetectTM e exames de detecção do parasito. Uma tendência de redução da infectividade (p-valor 0,052) foi observada no grupo de cães vacinados com Leish-Tec®que apresentaram resposta sorológica positiva ao antígeno vacinal A2. Os testes RIFI, Kalazar DetectTM e xenodiagnóstico apresentaram maior percentual de positividade entre os cães sintomáticos da amostra (p<0,05), quando comparados aos cães assintomáticos, na análise global.

Na análise estratificada e, para o grupo de cães que recebeu vacina, as diferenças se mantiveram para a RIFI e o teste rápido, mas não para o xenodiagnóstico; já para os cães que receberam placebo, as diferenças entre grupos clínicos se mantiveram para o xenodiagnóstico e teste rápido, mas não para a RIFI. Nossos resultados sugerem que a Leish-Tec® possui potencial de redução da infectividade em cães vacinados e desafiados em área endêmica e que a vacinação com Leish-Tec® pode contribuir para a redução da transmissão da leishmaniose visceral canina, desde que utilizada como medida protetiva individual e em conjunto com as demais estratégias, individuais e coletivas, de prevenção e controle da doença. Com relação à diferença de desempenho dos testes diagnósticos entre grupos clínicos, nossos resultados apontam para a necessidade de desenvolvimento de testes mais eficazes no diagnóstico da infecção assintomática por Leishmania e demonstra que essas diferenças interferem nos resultados e devem ser consideradas na avaliação de ensaios clínicos.

Lys-413 of S-phase mRNA cycling sequence binding protein from Leishmania donovani (LdCSBP) is modified through monoubiquitination that is responsible for inhibition of its riboendonuclease activity.

In addition to well-known process of proteasome-mediated degradation of polyubiquitinated proteins, monoubiquitination of proteins is also an important post-translational modification that regulates various non-degradative cellular processes like protein trafficking, cellular signalling, DNA replication and DNA repair. We have previously characterized a multi-domain cycling sequence binding protein LdCSBP from Leishmania donovani, which binds specifically to a conserved CAUAGAAG octamer containing RNAs via its uniquely arranged CCCH type Zn-fingers and degrades them using its Smr endonuclease domain, indicative of its potential role in the turnover of the S-phase mRNAs. Remarkably, its riboendonuclease activity is inhibited due to the incorporation of a monoubiquitin residue in the ZnF domain, though the target Lys residue remains unknown. Here, we report through systematic mutation of Lys residue to Ala that Lys-413 in LdCSBP is the site of monoubiquitination. However, the amino acid motif around the target Lys in LdCSBP is not consensus with any previously known monoubiquitination site, though partial homology is observed with a subset of recently identified mammalian ubiquitination target sites. Interestingly, Lys-413 of LdCSBP is conserved in the homologous annotated proteins from the related kinetoplastida parasites, suggesting similar monoubiquitination-mediated regulation of RNA endonuclease activity in the organisms.

Leishmania donovani secretory serine protease alters macrophage inflammatory response via COX-2 mediated PGE-2 production.

Leishmania parasites determine the outcome of the infection by inducing inflammatory response that suppresses macrophage’s activation. Defense against Leishmania is dependent on Th1 inflammatory response by turning off macrophages’ microbicidal property by upregulation of COX-2, as well as immunosuppressive PGE-2 production. To understand the role of L. donovani secretory serine protease (pSP) in these phenomena, pSP was inhibited by its antibody and serine protease inhibitor, aprotinin. Western blot and TAME assay demonstrated that pSP antibody and aprotinin significantly inhibited protease activity in the live Leishmania cells and reduced infection index of L. donovani-infected macrophages. Additionally, ELISA and RT-PCR analysis showed that treatment with pSP antibody or aprotinin hold back COX-2-mediated immunosuppressive PGE-2 secretion with enhancement of Th1 cytokine like IL-12 expression. This was also supported in Griess test and NBT assay, where inhibition of pSP with its inhibitors elevated ROS and NO production. Overall, our study implies the pSP is involved in down-regulation of macrophage microbicidal activity by inducing host inflammatory responses in terms of COX-2-mediated PGE-2 release with diminished reactive oxygen species generation and thus suggests its importance as a novel drug target of visceral leishmaniasis.

TLR4-mediated activation of MyD88 signaling induces protective immune response and IL-10 down-regulation in Leishmania donovani infection.

In visceral leishmaniasis, a fragmentary IL-12 driven type 1 immune response along with the expansion of IL-10 producing T-cells correlates with parasite burden and pathogenesis. Successful immunotherapy involves both suppression of IL-10 production and enhancement of IL-12 and nitric oxide (NO) production. As custodians of the innate immunity, the toll-like receptors (TLRs) constitute the first line of defense against invading pathogens. The TLR-signaling cascade initiated following innate recognition of microbes shapes the adaptive immune response. Whereas numerous studies have correlated parasite control to the adaptive response in Leishmania infection, growing body of evidence suggests that the activation of the innate immune response also plays a pivotal role in disease pathogenicity. In this study, using a TLR4 agonist, a Leishmania donovani (LD) derived 29 kDa β 1,4 galactose terminal glycoprotein (GP29), we demonstrated that the TLR adaptor myeloid differentiation primary response protein-88 (MyD88) was essential for optimal immunity following LD infection. Treatment of LD-infected cells with GP29 stimulated the production of IL-12 and NO while suppressing IL-10 production. Treatment of LD-infected cells with GP29 also induced the degradation of IKB and the nuclear translocation of NF-kB, as well as rapid phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p54/56 JNK. Knockdown of TLR4 or MYD88 using siRNA showed reduced inflammatory response to GP29 in LD-infected cells. Biochemical inhibition of p38 MAPK, JNK or NF-kB, but not p42/44 ERK, reduced GP29-induced IL-12 and NO production in LD-infected cells. These results suggested a potential role for the TLR4-MyD88–IL-12 pathway to induce adaptive immune responses to LD infection that culminated in an effective control of intracellular parasite replication.

Evaluation of parasitological examination, kDNA polymerase chain reaction and rK39-based immunochromatography for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in seropositive dogs from the screening-culling program in Brazil

Introduction Dogs play a primary role in the zoonotic cycle of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Therefore, the accurate diagnosis of infected dogs, primarily asymptomatic dogs, is crucial to the efficiency of VL control programs. Methods We investigated the agreement of four diagnostic tests for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL): parasite detection, either after myeloculture or by direct microscopic examination of tissue imprints; kinetoplast-deoxyribonucleic acid-polymerase chain reaction (kDNA-PCR); and an immunochromatographic test (ICT). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT), both of which were adopted as part of the screening-culling program in Brazil, were used as reference tests. Our sample set consisted of 44 seropositive dogs, 25 of which were clinically asymptomatic and 19 were symptomatic for CVL according to ELISA-IFAT. Results The highest and lowest test co-positivities were observed for ICT (77.3%) and myeloculture (58.1%), respectively. When analyzed together, the overall percentage of co-positive tests was significantly higher for the symptomatic group compared to the asymptomatic group. However, only ICT was significantly different based on the results of a separate analysis per test for each group of dogs. The majority (93.8%) of animals exhibited at least one positive test result, with an average of 2.66 positive tests per dog. Half of the symptomatic dogs tested positive for all four tests administered. Conclusions The variability between test results reinforces the need for more efficient and reliable methods to accurately diagnose canine VL, particularly in asymptomatic animals. .

Estandarización de la técnica de aglutinación directa para el inmunodiagnóstico de la enfermedad de Chagas / Standardization of a direct agglutination test for the immunodiagnosis of Chagas disease

Introducción. La enfermedad de Chagas es causada por el parásito Trypanosoma cruzi y su diagnóstico inmunológico se basa principalmente en la detección de anticuerpos contra T. cruzi mediante pruebas tales como ELISA, inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) y hemaglutinación indirecta (HAI). Esta última tiene el inconveniente de requerir la preparación de eritrocitos de carnero, difíciles de obtener y de poca duración. Sin embargo, existen pruebas alternativas, como la técnica de aglutinación directa. Objetivo. Estandarizar la técnica de aglutinación directa para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Chagas. Materiales y métodos. Se prepararon parásitos epimastigotes de T. cruzi mediante dos protocolos, con tratamiento con tripsina y sin él. Los parásitos se colorearon, y se determinaron las condiciones óptimas de concentración parasitaria y diluciones de suero. Se utilizaron sueros de pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas, de individuos sanos y con otras parasitosis. Resultados. La concentración parasitaria óptima fue de 500 x10 6 parásitos/ml, utilizando parásitos coloreados y sin tratamiento con tripsina. Las diluciones de suero óptimas fueron de 1/25, 1/50 y1/100, y el punto de corte, la dilución de 1/50. La técnica estandarizada mostró índices diagnósticos de sensibilidad de 94,3 % (IC 95% 79,5-99,0) y de especificidad de 96,3 % (IC 95% 88,8-99,0); se encontró reacción cruzada en tres sueros de individuos con leishmaniasis visceral, con valores pronósticos positivo y negativo de 91,7 % (IC 95% 76,4-97,8) y de 97,5 % (IC 95% 90,4-99,6), respectivamente. Se compararon los resultados con los obtenidos por HAI, ELISA e IFI y la concordancia fue de 96 % con un índice kappa de 0,90 (IC 95% 0,81-0,99). Conclusión. La técnica de aglutinación directa estandarizada podría ser útil para el inmunodiagnóstico de la enfermedad de Chagas.

Introduction: Chagas´ disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and its immunological diagnosis is mainly based on the detection of antibodies against T. cruzi using tests such as the ELISA, the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and the indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). The main disadvantage of the IHAT is the need to prepare sheep erythrocytes, whose availability is limited and they have a short duration once prepared. However, there are alternative tests, such as the direct agglutination test (DAT). Objective: To standardize the direct agglutination test for the diagnosis of Chagas disease. Materials and methods: Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes were prepared using two protocols, with and without trypsin treatment. The parasites were stained and optimal conditions for parasitic concentration and serum dilutions were determined. We evaluated the technique using sera from patients with Chagas disease, from healthy individuals and from individuals with other parasitic diseases. Results: The optimal parasitic concentration was 500 x 10 6 parasites/ml using stained parasites without trypsin treatment. The optimal serum dilutions were 1/25, 1/50 y 1/100 and the cut-off point was the 1/50 dilution. The diagnostic indices for the standardized technique were as follows: Sensitivity, 94.3% (95% CI: 79.5-99.0) and specificity, 96.3% (95% CI: 88.8-99.0), with positive and negative predictive values ?? of 91.7% (95% CI: 76.4-97.8) and 97.5% (95% CI: 90.4-99.6), respectively. Cross-reaction was observed only in three sera from individuals with visceral leishmaniasis. The results were compared with those obtained by IHA, ELISA, and IFA, and the concordance rate was 96% and the kappa index, 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81-0.99). Conclusion: The standardized direct agglutination test could be useful for immunodiagnosis of Chagas disease.

Toll like receptor 2 and CC chemokine receptor 5 cluster in the lipid raft enhances the susceptibility of Leishmania donovani infection in macrophages.

In experimental visceral leishmaniasis the causative obligate protozoan parasite, L. donovani invades and multiplies inside of macrophages, one of the sentries of the mammalian immune system. The initial host-parasite interaction between the Leishmania promastigote and the macrophage takes place at the plasma membrane interface. To trace any possible interaction between Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) during early Leishmania-macrophage interactions, it was observed that the expression of both TLR2 and CCR5 were significantly increased, along with their recruitment to the lipid raft. TLR2 silencing attenuates CCR5 expression and restricts L. donovani infection, indicating a regulatory role of TLR2 and CCR5 during infection. Silencing of CCR5 and TLR2 markedly reduced the number of intracellular parasites in macrophages by host protective cytokine responses, while raft disruption using β-MCD affected TLR2/CCR5 cross-talk and resulted in a significant reduction in parasite invasion. In vivo RNA interference of TLR2 and CCR5 using shRNA plasmids rendered protection in Leishmania donovani-infected mice. Thus, this study for the first time demonstrates the importance of TLR2/CCR5 crosstalk as a significant determinant of Leishmania donovani entry in host macrophages.

Epidemiologia da leishmaniose visceral no município de Sabará, Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

A proposta deste trabalho foi estudar algumas das variáveis envolvidas na transmissão da leishmaniose visceral (LV) em oito bairros do município de Sabará(MG). Para o levantamento da fauna de flebotomíneos, influência dos fatores climáticos, identificação de repasto sanguíneo e infecção natural por Leishmania,para isso foram realizadas capturas utilizando armadilhas luminosas do tipo HP,tanto no peri como no intradomicílio, nos seguintes bairros: Alvorada, Novo Alvorada, Alvorada Velho, Bom Retiro, Nova Vista, Casa Branca, Rio Negro e Ana Lúcia, no período de janeiro de 2011 a dezembro 2012. Além desses estudos, foram realizados dois inquéritos caninos censitários nos mesmos bairros, nos anos de 2011 e 2012, para o cálculo da taxa de positividade. Para análises parasitológicas e moleculares, foram selecionados aleatoriamente 50 cães soropositivos para os testes de RIFI e ELISA, que foram eutanasiados e necropsiados para obtenção de amostras de pele, linfonodo mesentérico e baço, além de aspirado de medula óssea.Com essas amostras, foram realizados os testes: exame direto (parasitológico), PCRe mielocultura visando confirmar a infecção e identificar a espécie de Leishmania circulante.

A fauna flebotomínica foi constituída de quatro espécies, sendo Lutzomyia longipalpis a mais abundante, totalizando 95,0% dos exemplares capturados. Destes, 23,0% foi capturado no intradomicílio. Verificou-se uma tendência no aumento do número de espécimens após o período chuvoso. Das 28 fêmeas ingurgitadas, 67,9% se alimentaram no homem (Homo sapiens) e 25,0%tiveram como fonte alimentar a ave (Gallus gallus). Nove pools foram utilizados para verificar a infecção natural, destes três se apresentaram positivos e, após sequenciamento de DNA, foi observado que a espécie circulante nos vetores foi Leishmania infantum. A taxa média de infecção canina foi de 4,25% em 2011 e 3,34% em 2012. A positividade das amostras (pele, baço, medula e linfonodo)obtidas dos cães soropositivos foi de 100,0% pela PCR, 76,0% pela mielocultura e 66,0% pelo exame parasitológico direto. Entre os quatro tipos de amostras estudadas, o linfonodo foi o tecido que apresentou maior positividade (98,0%). O sequenciamento de DNA das amostras positivas de linfonodo indicou Le. infantum como sendo a espécie circulante nos cães do município. Após se correlacionarem os casos humanos, caninos e a presença da espécie Lu. longipalpis, encontrada positiva para Le. infantum, pode-se sugerir que os bairros Alvorada e Nova Vista merecem atenção especial como importantes áreas de risco para LV no município.

Epidemiologia da leishmaniose visceral no município de Sabará, Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in the municipality of Sabara metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A proposta deste trabalho foi estudar algumas das variáveis envolvidas na transmissão da leishmaniose visceral (LV) em oito bairros do município de Sabará(MG). Para o levantamento da fauna de flebotomíneos, influência dos fatores climáticos, identificação de repasto sanguíneo e infecção natural por Leishmania,para isso foram realizadas capturas utilizando armadilhas luminosas do tipo HP,tanto no peri como no intradomicílio, nos seguintes bairros: Alvorada, Novo Alvorada, Alvorada Velho, Bom Retiro, Nova Vista, Casa Branca, Rio Negro e Ana Lúcia, no período de janeiro de 2011 a dezembro 2012. Além desses estudos, foram realizados dois inquéritos caninos censitários nos mesmos bairros, nos anos de 2011 e 2012, para o cálculo da taxa de positividade. Para análises parasitológicas e moleculares, foram selecionados aleatoriamente 50 cães soropositivos para os testes de RIFI e ELISA, que foram eutanasiados e necropsiados para obtenção de amostras de pele, linfonodo mesentérico e baço, além de aspirado de medula óssea.Com essas amostras, foram realizados os testes: exame direto (parasitológico), PCRe mielocultura visando confirmar a infecção e identificar a espécie de Leishmania circulante...

A fauna flebotomínica foi constituída de quatro espécies, sendo Lutzomyia longipalpis a mais abundante, totalizando 95,0% dos exemplares capturados. Destes, 23,0% foi capturado no intradomicílio. Verificou-se uma tendência no aumento do número de espécimens após o período chuvoso. Das 28 fêmeas ingurgitadas, 67,9% se alimentaram no homem (Homo sapiens) e 25,0%tiveram como fonte alimentar a ave (Gallus gallus). Nove pools foram utilizados para verificar a infecção natural, destes três se apresentaram positivos e, após sequenciamento de DNA, foi observado que a espécie circulante nos vetores foi Leishmania infantum. A taxa média de infecção canina foi de 4,25% em 2011 e 3,34% em 2012. A positividade das amostras (pele, baço, medula e linfonodo)obtidas dos cães soropositivos foi de 100,0% pela PCR, 76,0% pela mielocultura e 66,0% pelo exame parasitológico direto. Entre os quatro tipos de amostras estudadas, o linfonodo foi o tecido que apresentou maior positividade (98,0%). O sequenciamento de DNA das amostras positivas de linfonodo indicou Le. infantum como sendo a espécie circulante nos cães do município. Após se correlacionarem os casos humanos, caninos e a presença da espécie Lu. longipalpis, encontrada positiva para Le. infantum, pode-se sugerir que os bairros Alvorada e Nova Vista merecem atenção especial como importantes áreas de risco para LV no município...