Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hasara Nuwangi, Thilini Chanchala Agampodi, Helen Philippa Price, Thomas Shepherd, Kosala Gayan Weerakoon, Suneth Buddhika Agampodi
Summary: Leishmaniasis has three main types: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). CL and MCL can cause disfiguring skin pathology and are highly stigmatizing. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize evidence on the stigma associated with CL and MCL, as well as any preventive strategies/interventions adopted to address this condition. The review will help fill the knowledge gap in CL-associated stigma and inform future interventions.
Article
Immunology
Daniel Holanda Barroso, Otavio de Toledo Nobrega, Carla Nunes de Araujo, Gustavo Subtil Magalhaes Freire, Sofia Sales Martins, Bruna Cortes Rodrigues, Ciro Martins Gomes, Raimunda Nonata Ribeiro Sampaio
Summary: Leishmania braziliensis DNA was detected in the nasal mucosa of 30% of CL patients, and its presence was associated with reduced IL-12 levels, increased IL-6 levels, and a higher number of affected body segments. Early dissemination to the nasal mucosa was observed at a higher rate than previously described. Enhanced Th1 profile characterized by higher IL-12 levels may be important for preventing dissemination of L. braziliensis to the mucosa.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Menberework Chanyalew, Markos Abebe, Birtukan Endale, Selfu Girma, Geremew Tasew, Ger van Zandbergen, Uwe Ritter, Endalamaw Gadisa, Abraham Aseffa, Tamas Laskay
Summary: The study found that patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) had a stronger immune response to L. aethiopica compared to healthy controls, with increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines. This suggests that the enhanced immune response observed in LCL patients is specific to the infection caused by L. aethiopica, rather than a general immune enhancement against microbial constituents.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Michal Solomon, Inbal Fuchs, Yael Glazer, Eli Schwartz
Summary: Leishmaniasis is more common in males in Israel. There may be no real gender difference in leishmanial infection, but rather a result of reporting bias or differences in risk-taking behaviors and adherence to preventive measures by men.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nidhi Yadav, Bhushan Madke
Summary: Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is a rare parasitic infection caused by the Leishmania species. It commonly presents as non-ulcerating papules and nodules over the face, neck, and arms. A middle-aged female presented with multiple nodular lesions on her face, neck, and chest region, and was successfully treated with a combination course of rifampicin and fluconazole. This is the first case of DCL reported in north India, a non-endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ilka Grewe, Thomas Theo Brehm, Benno Kreuels, Oliver M. Steinmetz, Bernhard Dumoulin, Anne Marie Asemissen, Dennis Tappe, Michael Ramharter, Stefan Schmiedel
Summary: We report a case of Leishmania infantum reactivation in an immunocompetent patient who developed visceral leishmaniasis with secondary IgA nephropathy nine years after an initial episode of mucosal leishmaniasis, which had been treated with liposomal amphotericin B.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Katharina S. Shaw, Stephanie Sanchez-Melendez, Ruth Ann Vleugels
Summary: A man presented with a pruritic cutaneous eruption that began on his scalp and face and over 2 months spread across most of his body. Physical examination revealed confluent salmon-colored plaques with areas of unaffected skin; waxy, exfoliative scale on the volar aspect of the hands and feet; and ectropion. He had no history of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or other skin disorder, and no recent viral or bacterial infection. What is the diagnosis and what would you do next?
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mauricio T. Nascimento, Debora L. Viana, Fabio C. Peixoto, Sergio M. Arruda, Edgar M. Carvalho, Lucas P. Carvalho
Summary: The increased levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can weaken the microbicidal function of macrophages against Leishmania braziliensis, leading to disease severity and therapeutic failure in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients. Inhibiting the activity of COX-2 with the selective NSAID NS398 can enhance macrophage killing of L. braziliensis and protect against pathological inflammatory response.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Menberework Chanyalew, Markos Abebe, Birtukan Endale, Selfu Girma, Geremew Tasew, Kidist Bobosha, Martha Zewide, Rawleigh Howe, Ger van Zandbergen, Uwe Ritter, Endalamaw Gadisa, Abraham Aseffa, Tamas Laskay
Summary: Recent studies have shown the important role of neutrophils and monocytes in early Leishmania infection, but no dysfunction was observed in these cells in localized cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. On the contrary, patients showed stronger responses to Leishmania compared to healthy controls, suggesting the potential for developing diagnostic techniques using this differential response.
Article
Parasitology
Mariana Cordeiro Almeida, Juliana de Souza Felix, Maria Fernanda da Silva Lopes, Flavia Regina Florencio de Athayde, Jessica Antonini Troiano, Natalia Francisco Scaramele, Amanda de Oliveira Furlan, Flavia Lombardi Lopes
Summary: In the American continent, American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL), primarily caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, can progress to mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). This study explores the co-expression of lncRNAs and their target mRNAs in primary cutaneous lesions of ATL patients and their potential role in disease progression to ML.
Review
Microbiology
Priya Yadav, Mudsser Azam, V Ramesh, Ruchi Singh
Summary: The diagnosis of leishmaniasis is influenced by the clinical features and infective species, but the rise in atypical presentations poses challenges in patient treatment. Understanding these unusual presentations can help broaden the perspective and prevent misdiagnosis.
Article
Parasitology
Aline Avila Brustolin, Aquila Carolina Fernandes Herculano Ramos-Milar, Karin Reinhold de Castro, Camila Alves Mota, Sandra Marisa Pelloso, Thais Gomes Verzignassi Silveira
Summary: This report describes a case of mucosal leishmaniasis in an elderly female patient who developed the condition after inadequately treated cutaneous lesion in childhood. The patient tested positive for Leishmania (Viannia) parasite through immunofluorescence and PCR, and was successfully treated with combined small doses of GlucantimeTM and pentoxifylline.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Atousa Hakamifard, Reza Radmehr, Fatemeh Sokhanvari, Fatemeh Sherkat, Amirali Hariri, Jaleh Varshosaz, Zabihollah Shahmoradi, Awat Feizi, Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini, Mahsa Pourmahdi-Boroujeni
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of topical liposomal clarithromycin in combination with meglumine antimoniate on cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions. The results showed that the combination treatment significantly reduced the size of the lesions and had no significant adverse effects.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suman Lata, Sandhya Kumari, Ram Das, Shweta Pasi, Ramesh C. Dhiman
Summary: The study revealed the existence of both typical and atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis in Himachal Pradesh, indicating that cases of CL in HP and elsewhere should not be ignored. Further research is needed to confirm the presence of other parasite species and strains causing leishmaniasis in the region.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jacob M. Bezemer, Kevin Meesters, Cristhian L. Naveda, Paulo R. L. Machado, Manuel Calvopina, Mariska M. G. Leeflang, Henk D. F. H. Schallig, Henry J. C. de Vries
Summary: Mucosal Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by Leishmania parasites that severely affects the quality of life of under-resourced populations in South America. The low sensitivity of microscopy results and the unavailability of accurate diagnostic tests hinder the diagnosis, making it necessary to find effective clinical criteria.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)