Article
Infectious Diseases
Rezika Mohammed, Roma L. Melkamu, Myrthe Pareyn, Said L. Abdellati, Tadfe Bogale, Asinakew L. Engidaw, Abiy Kinfu, Tibebu L. Girma, Johan van Griensven
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Leishmania infection in blood donors in two regions of Ethiopia. The results showed that the infection rate was higher in Metema (15%) compared to Gondar (4.2%). The study also found that the infection was more common in young men living in urban areas. These findings are important for better assessing the risk of Leishmania transmission through blood transfusion.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fernanda Fortes de Araujo, Ines Lakhal-Naouar, Nancy Koles, Sorana Raiciulescu, Rupal Mody, Naomi Aronson
Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic infection caused by Leishmania parasites. Most individuals are asymptomatic, but some progress to symptomatic VL. The host immune response plays a major role in determining the progression and severity of VL. New biomarkers are needed to identify asymptomatic individuals at risk of developing VL. In this study, chemokine/cytokine levels were measured in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) from AVL(+) individuals, and high levels of certain chemokines were detected compared to controls. Measurement of chemokine/cytokine levels can help identify cellular immune responses in asymptomatic VL individuals.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Diego Lins Guedes, Alda Maria Justo, Walter Lins Barbosa Junior, Elis Dionisio da Silva, Samuel Ricarte de Aquino, Manoel Sebastiao da Costa Lima Junior, Ulisses Montarroyos, Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra, Amanda Virginia Batista Vieira, Valeria Rego Alves Pereira, Zulma Maria de Medeiros
Summary: A study conducted in a VL-endemic area in Brazil found a prevalence of 9.11% of asymptomatic HIV-Leishmania coinfection among HIV-positive patients. Factors such as race, marital status, and HIV viral load were significantly different between HIV mono-infected and HIV-Leishmania coinfected groups.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Andrea Poloni, Andrea Giacomelli, Mario Corbellino, Romualdo Grande, Manuela Nebuloni, Giuliano Rizzardini, Anna Lisa Ridolfo, Spinello Antinori
Summary: The study aimed to estimate the diagnostic latency of patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). It was found that diagnostic delay was significant in patients under immune suppressive treatment.
INTERNAL AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Caitlin M. Jones, Susan C. Welburn
Summary: Climate change has a significant impact on our environment and ecosystems, affecting public health, migration, food security, and land conflict. Activities such as forest clearance for land repurposing and urbanization are linked to the increase in emerging vector borne parasitic diseases. In East Africa, leishmaniasis remains a major health concern, with a lack of reporting and control interventions hindering progress toward elimination.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Ahmet Ozbilgin, Varol Tunali, Sebnem Senol Akar, Ahmet Yildirim, Semra Sen, Ibrahim Cavus, Orcun Zorbozan, Cumhur Gunduz, Nevin Turgay, Isil Inanir
Summary: This study reports autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis in a region close to Europe. The detection of all four species of Leishmania parasites in this region, including L. major and L. donovani, poses an important public health threat for Europe.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Carla Maia, Claudia Conceicao, Andre Pereira, Rafael Rocha, Maria Ortuno, Clara Munoz, Zarima Jumakanova, Pedro Perez-Cutillas, Yusuf Ozbel, Seray Toz, Gad Baneth, Begona Monge-Maillo, Elkhan Gasimov, Yves van der Stede, Gregorio Torres, Celine M. Gossner, Eduardo Berriatua
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and incidence of human and animal leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum in European countries from 2005 to 2020. The findings show inconsistent reporting of autochthonous cases among countries, with Albania having the highest incidence followed by other high-risk countries. Underreporting of animal and cutaneous human leishmaniasis was identified. The study highlights the need for integrated surveillance and accurate reporting following the One Health approach for effective disease control.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laura Botana, Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses, Carmen Sanchez, Belen Matia, Juan Victor San Martin, Javier Moreno, Eugenia Carrillo
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of cytokine release assays to confirm the cure of visceral leishmaniasis in patients with autoimmune disease and determine the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection in similar patients. The results showed that 21.27% of those without a clinical history of leishmaniasis had been in contact with the parasite.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Haile Ketema, Fitsum Weldegebreal, Abdella Gemechu, Tesfaye Gobena
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and associated factors among the asymptomatic pastoral community in Dire District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The results showed that high family size, sleeping or staying under acacia tree, presence of cracked house walls, presence of termite hills, availability of water points, and presence of domestic animals were significantly associated with VL infection.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shyla Faria, Sarder Mahmud Hossain, Md. Sahidul Islam, Vashkar Chowdhury, Rajib Chowdhury
Summary: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to kala-azar in Bangladesh, in order to provide recommendations for the national elimination program. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two endemic subdistricts, and data were collected through interviews and questionnaires. The findings showed that while most participants had heard of kala-azar, there were gaps in their understanding of its transmission and prevention methods. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of strengthening community engagement and healthcare facilities in the national program.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helen Ashwin, Jovana Sadlova, Barbora Vojtkova, Tomas Becvar, Patrick Lypaczewski, Eli Schwartz, Elizabeth Greensted, Katrien Van Bocxlaer, Marion Pasin, Kai S. Lipinski, Vivak Parkash, Greg Matlashewski, Alison M. Layton, Charles J. Lacey, Charles L. Jaffe, Petr Volf, Paul M. Kaye
Summary: Leishmaniasis is considered a vaccine-preventable disease, but costs and uncertainty hinder progress in vaccine development. Controlled human infection models offer a way to speed up vaccine development and gain better understanding of disease pathogenesis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kristien Cloots, Pia Marino, Sakib Burza, Naresh Gill, Marleen Boelaert, Epco Hasker
Summary: The study found that VL-HIV+ and PKDL cases were both associated with a more than twofold increase in VL incidence at the village level in Bihar, India, indicating the importance of VL-HIV+ patients as infectious reservoirs for Leishmania.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Eszter Alexandra Farkas, Gizella Jahnke, Barna Szoke, Tamas Deak, Robert Olah, Krisztina Olah, Gyongyi Knolmajerne Szigeti, Csaba Nemeth, Diana Agnes Nyitraine Sardy
Summary: This study discusses the importance of clonal selection for grapevine varieties in the face of climate change, highlighting the dual purpose of addressing cultivation issues and preserving varietal character. Significant differences were found in yield and acidity among different clones, indicating potential implications for future grape cultivation.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bruna Eduarda Freitas Monteiro, Elis Dionisio da Silva, Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra, Marton Kaique de Andrade Cavalcante, Valeria Rego Alves Pereira, Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz Castro, Luiz Gustavo Mendes, Diego Lins Guedes, Walter Lins Barbosa Junior, Zulma Maria de Medeiros
Summary: Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum infection can be severe and potentially fatal when associated with HIV. Host immunological factors are crucial in determining susceptibility. Chemokines play a vital role in influencing disease outcome by affecting cellular composition at affected sites. This study aimed to evaluate proinflammatory chemokines in HIV patients with asymptomatic L. infantum infection. The elevated levels of CCL2, CCL5, MIG, and IP-10 in HIV patients suggest their importance in identifying proinflammatory immune responses associated with the asymptomatic condition. Additionally, a weak negative correlation was observed between higher levels of CXCL8 and lower viral loads in co-infected patients.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Debashis Ghosh, Md Utba Rashid, Soumik Kha Sagar, Md Rasel Uddin, Shomik Maruf, Prakash Ghosh, Rajashree Chowdhury, Md Abu Rahat, Md Nazmul Islam, M. M. Aktaruzzaman, Abu Nayeem Mohammad Sohel, Megha Raj Banjara, Axel Kroeger, Abraham Aseffa, Dinesh Mondal
Summary: The study aimed to explore the epidemiological, serological, and entomological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in suspected new VL foci and assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the community living in the alleged new VL foci. The study found some areas with VL infection but no new active cases in the suspected new foci, highlighting the need for early detection and community awareness to control the spread of the disease.