Article
Immunology
Mahmud Usman, Audu Joseph Natala, Isa Danladi Jatau, Ndudim Isaac Ogo, Ghulam Jeelani, Yasuyuki Goto, Tomoyoshi Nozaki, James H. Mckerrow, Emmanuel Oluwadare Balogun
Summary: This study investigated the species of sand flies and the Leishmania species they transmit in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The findings revealed that P. papatasi and sand flies belonging to the genus Sergentomyia are the most prevalent sand flies in the area, and they solely harbor and transmit L. infantum. This sheds light on the predominance of visceral leishmaniasis in the region.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fabia Tomie Tano, Erich Loza Telleria, Felipe Dutra Rego, Felipe Soares Coelho, Eloiza de Rezende, Rodrigo Pedro Soares, Yara Maria Traub-Cseko, Beatriz Simonsen Stolf
Summary: We found that L. amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes of the PH8 strain were more virulent and showed different proteomes compared to LV79. PH8 promastigotes were more phagocytized by macrophages, and their membrane-enriched proteomes and LPG characteristics differed from LV79. PH8 promastigotes exhibited higher infectivity, complement resistance, and efficiency in infecting the permissive vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. These findings suggest that PH8 is better adapted to the sand fly and more likely to survive in the vertebrate host.
Article
Parasitology
Adriele Nunes Rodrigues Silva, Antonio Marques Pereira Junior, Paula Frassinetti Medeiros de Paulo, Michelli Santos da Silva, Thais Santos Castro, Glaucilene da Silva Costa, Moises Thiago de Souza Freitas, Moreno Magalhaes de Souza Rodrigues, Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
Summary: The study investigated the species composition of sand flies and the prevalence of Leishmania infection in different habitats in Rondonia State, Brazil. The findings showed a high diversity of sand fly fauna and suggested that some sand fly species may be involved in the transmission of Leishmania to humans.
Article
Entomology
Francesco Defilippo, Maya Carrera, Davide Lelli, Sabrina Canziani, Ana Moreno, Enrica Sozzi, Giovanni Manarolla, Mario Chiari, Farioli Marco, Monica Pierangela Cerioli, Antonio Lavazza
Summary: This study investigated the species composition and density of sand flies in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. Seven species were identified, with Phlebotomus perniciosus being the most abundant. Five of the identified species are vectors of Leishmania, suggesting a high risk of leishmaniasis transmission in this region.
Article
Parasitology
Laura Posada-Lopez, Bruno Leite Rodrigues, Ivan Dario Velez, Sandra Uribe
Summary: This study assesses the usefulness of COI DNA barcoding for sand fly species identification, correct assignment of isomorphic females, and detection of cryptic diversity. By sequencing the COI gene of sand flies from different countries, cryptic diversity within species was detected, and isomorphic females were correctly associated with males identified by morphology. Nine sand fly species were DNA barcoded for the first time.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Victoriano Diaz-Saez, Victoriano Corpas-Lopez, Gemma Merino-Espinosa, Maria Jesus Morillas-Mancilla, Naima Abattouy, Joaquina Martin-Sanchez
Summary: The study investigates the connection between sand fly populations in high-altitude ecosystems and the transmission of leishmaniasis. It reveals the presence of sand fly populations in Sierra Nevada, Spain, capable of supporting autochthonous transmission, while also indicating that an increase in altitude has a negative impact on sand fly diversity and activity period.
Article
Parasitology
Alice Michelutti, Federica Toniolo, Michela Bertola, Marika Grillini, Giulia Simonato, Silvia Ravagnan, Fabrizio Montarsi
Summary: The northeastern plain of Italy is a potential risk area for sand fly-borne diseases, with the monitoring of insects revealing a variety of sand fly species capable of transmitting pathogens such as Leishmania parasites. Although the density of sand flies in the plain areas is lower, the presence of these potential vectors could lead to epidemic outbreaks of diseases.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Marie-Michele Guay-Vincent, Christine Matte, Anne-Marie Berthiaume, Martin Olivier, Maritza Jaramillo, Albert Descoteaux
Summary: In this study, we found that inhibiting the activity of GP63 during the processing of macrophages prevented the degradation of previously identified GP63 substrates. This highlights the importance of efficiently inhibiting GP63 activity during the preparation of Leishmania-infected host cell lysates.
Article
Parasitology
Kanok Preativatanyou, Komson Chinwirunsirisup, Atchara Phumee, Pathamet Khositharattanakool, Sakone Sunantaraporn, Padet Siriyasatien, Jerome Depaquit
Summary: Autochthonous leishmaniasis in Thailand has become a public health concern, with an increasing number of new clinical cases. A study in southern Thailand found Asian new leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis transmitted by sand flies, as well as a suspected novel trypanosoma species. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the transmission of leishmaniasis and the establishment of effective prevention and control measures.
Review
Parasitology
John Hustedt, Didot Budi Prasetyo, Jodi M. Fiorenzano, Michael E. von Fricken, Jeffrey C. Hertz
Summary: This study reviewed the biodiversity and presence of phlebotomine sand flies and their associated pathogens in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The findings suggest that leishmaniasis in humans and sand fly vectors have been reported in several countries of the region, with confirmed local transmission in Thailand and Vietnam. The study recommends expanding surveillance efforts, particularly in understudied countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, to better understand the geographic distribution and risk profiles of sand fly-borne diseases.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yokomi N. Lozano-Sardaneta, Jesus A. Diaz-Cruz, Vicente Viveros-Santos, Sergio Ibanez-Bernal, Heron Huerta, Carlos F. Marina, Pedro C. Mis-Avila, Maribel Martinez-Burgos, Jorge A. Torres-Monzon, Victor Sanchez-Cordero, Ingeborg Becker
Summary: In this study, new molecular information on 15 species of phlebotomine sand flies from endemic areas of leishmaniasis in Mexico was generated using mitochondrial and ribosomal genes, along with morphological information. The study established their phylogenetic relationships and estimated their divergence time, suggesting a possible origin in the Cretaceous period.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rosa Galvez, Marcos Lopez de Felipe, Felipe Yebes
Summary: This article describes a method to study phlebotomine sand flies using DIY light traps. These light traps, made from recycled materials, have lower costs and are suitable for citizen science and education projects, as well as research groups with limited budgets.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Lucie Ticha, Jovana Sadlova, Paul Bates, Petr Volf
Summary: The development of Sauroleishmania parasites in sand flies varies depending on the sand fly species infected. P. orientalis and P. argentipes were found to be highly susceptible to Sauroleishmania, with the parasites developing mature infections including colonization of the sand fly stomodeal valve.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alonso da Silva Lira Filho, Emanuella Francisco Fajardo, Kwang Poo Chang, Pauline Clement, Martin Olivier
Summary: This study focuses on the role of GP63 in Leishmania spp.-derived exosomes/extracellular vesicles (EVs/LeishEXO) in modulating immune responses and exacerbating cutaneous leishmaniasis. The researchers confirmed the specificity of a novel model by analyzing the protein composition of the extracted EVs and found that GP63 was the primary virulence factor altered in the composition. They also demonstrated that EVs with different levels of GP63 cargo had distinct immunomodulatory capabilities and impact on the cutaneous pathology of Leishmania spp. infection. These findings provide new insights into the immune response and host-pathogen interaction in cutaneous leishmaniasis and have implications for the development of new treatments and vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Benay Perk, Yudum Tepeli Buyuksunetci, Sana Bachraoui Bouzaien, Mohamed F. Diouani, Ulku Anik
Summary: An electro-chemical immunosensor was developed to detect Leishmania major surface protease (Gp63) antibody, using a modified gold screen printed electrode (AuSPE) with copper metal organic framework (Cu-(NH2-BDC)-MOF). The recombinant L.donovani antigen was immobilized on the electrode surface and the change in electrochemical signal was monitored with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. Through comprehensive optimization studies, the analytical characteristics of the Leishmania immunosensor were determined. The developed sensor was able to detect anti-gp63 solution diluted up to the ratio of 1:1500, with a relative standard deviation of 4.67% for anti-gp63 diluted in the ratio of 1:80 (n = 3). Real sample analysis using Leishmania parasite crude antigen and rabbit serum showed the potential for early diagnosis of leishmaniasis with the developed immunosensor.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Correction
Entomology
Ana Cristina Bahia, Ana Beatriz F. Barletta, Luciana Conceicao Pinto, Alessandra S. Orfano, Rafael Nacif-Pimenta, Vera Volfova, Petr Volf, Nagila Francinete Costa Secundino, Fernando de Freitas Fernandes, Paulo Filemon P. Pimenta
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laura Willen, Philip Milton, Jonathan I. D. Hamley, Martin Walker, Mike Osei-Atweneboana, Petr Volf, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Orin Courtenay
Summary: In onchocerciasis endemic areas, the heterogeneity of blackfly biting rates on humans may partially explain the age- and sex-dependent infection patterns. By evaluating the antibody responses to blackfly saliva antigens, we can gain insights into blackfly exposure and improve onchocerciasis transmission models for control and surveillance.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Debora Elienai de Oliveira Miranda, Kamila Gaudencio da Silva Sales, Luciana Aguiar Figueredo, Sheilla Andrade de Oliveira, Amanda Vasconcelos do Nascimento, Diego Jose Lira Torres, Petra Sumova, Petr Volf, Sinval Pinto Brandao-Filho, Suenia da Cunha Goncalves de Albuquerque, Virginia Maria Barros de Lorena, Filipe Dantas-Torres
Summary: Our study found that Migonemyia migonei salivary gland homogenates may modulate the immune response of BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, leading to reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and potentially smaller skin lesions. However, further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Ortuno, Clara Munoz, Tatiana Spitzova, Petra Sumova, Maria Asuncion Iborra, Pedro Perez-Cutillas, Nazli Ayhan, Remi N. Charrel, Petr Volf, Eduardo Berriatua
Summary: In a study conducted in Murcia Region, southeast Spain, the prevalence of antibodies against Phlebotomus perniciosus sandfly salivary gland homogenate (SGH) and recombinant protein rSP03B was found to be 69% and 88%, respectively. The prevalence of Toscana virus (TOSV), Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), and Leishmania infections were 26%, 0%, and 1%, respectively. The study also questioned the diagnostic value of rSP03B as a marker for these infections in humans.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Laura Piel, K. Shanmugha Rajan, Giovanni Bussotti, Hugo Varet, Rachel Legendre, Caroline Proux, Thibaut Douche, Quentin Giai-Gianetto, Thibault Chaze, Thomas Cokelaer, Barbora Vojtkova, Nadav Gordon-Bar, Tirza Doniger, Smadar Cohen-Chalamish, Praveenkumar Rengaraj, Celine Besse, Anne Boland, Jovana Sadlova, Jean-Francois Deleuze, Mariette Matondo, Ron Unger, Petr Volf, Shulamit Michaeli, Pascale Pescher, Gerald Spath
Summary: Genome instability plays a crucial role in the adaptation and regulation of the protozoan parasite Leishmania, utilizing post-transcriptional and epitranscriptomic regulation to adapt to its host environment.
Article
Parasitology
Nacer Eddine Messahel, Kamel Eddine Benallal, Petr Halada, Ismail Lafri, Hemza Manseur, Ahcene Hakem, Karim Houali, Zoubir Harrat, Petr Volf, Vit Dvorak
Summary: Leishmaniases are neglected vector-borne diseases. This study in Algeria revealed the feeding preference of sand flies for cattle and the presence of cattle and dog blood in sand flies, which could play an important role in parasite transmission.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Dominik Arbon, Katerina Zeniskova, Karolina Subrtova, Jan Mach, Jan Stursa, Marta Machado, Farnaz Zahedifard, Tereza Lestinova, Carolina Hierro-Yap, Jiri Neuzil, Petr Volf, Markus Ganter, Martin Zoltner, Alena Zikova, Lukas Werner, Robert Sutak
Summary: Many existing anti-parasitic and anti-fungal drugs have limitations, so repurposing drugs with established clinical applications is an attractive approach. The study found that the anti-cancer drug candidate MitoTam efficiently eliminates a wide range of pathogens in vitro and in animal infection models. MitoTam disrupts mitochondrial functions and shows potential as a candidate drug.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Lucie Ticha, Jovana Sadlova, Paul Bates, Petr Volf
Summary: The development of Sauroleishmania parasites in sand flies varies depending on the sand fly species infected. P. orientalis and P. argentipes were found to be highly susceptible to Sauroleishmania, with the parasites developing mature infections including colonization of the sand fly stomodeal valve.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Jan Votypka, Claudio Bandi, Sara Epis, David Modry, Lucie Ticha, Petr Volf, Domenico Otranto
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies. L. tarentolae, previously considered non-pathogenic to mammals, has shown transient infectivity to them. Recent molecular diagnostics and serological positivity to L. tarentolae in humans and dogs have sparked interest in the interactions between mammals, reptiles, and Leishmania infantum, the main cause of leishmaniasis.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alexandra Zakharova, Amanda T. S. Albanaz, Fred R. Opperdoes, Ingrid Skodova-Sverakova, Diana Zagirova, Andreu Saura, Lubomira Chmelova, Evgeny S. Gerasimov, Tereza Lestinova, Tomas Becvar, Jovana Sadlova, Petr Volf, Julius Lukes, Anton Horvath, Anzhelika Butenko, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania, and L. guyanensis strains carrying the Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) cause a more severe form of the disease in a mouse model. This study reports the genome assembly of LRV1-positive L. guyanensis M4147 and shows that the ablation of the gene encoding phosphatidate phosphatase 2-like (PAP2L) protein leads to an increase in cell number, accumulation of phosphatidic acid, and increased virulence.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Andrea Zatelli, Maria Stefania Latrofa, Roberta Iatta, Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Giada Annoscia, Floriana Gernone, Jan Votypka, David Modry, Lucie Ticha, Petr Volf, Domenico Otranto
Summary: This study confirms the circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in sand flies, reptiles, and dogs. It also suggests that geckoes may be infected with L. infantum.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emilie Pondeville, Anna-Bella Failloux, Frederic Simard, Petr Volf, Andrea Crisanti, Roya Elaine Haghighat-Khah, Nuria Busquets, Francesc Xavier Abad, Anthony J. Wilson, Romeo Bellini, Sarah Marsh Arnaud, Alain Kohl, Eva Veronesi
Summary: This article provides expert advice on safely handling mosquitoes and the pathogens they transmit, based on the experience of the Infravec2 consortium. It can also be used as a basis for research with other arthropods.
PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Magdalena Jancarova, Nikola Polanska, Petr Volf, Vit Dvorak
Summary: Sand flies are vectors of various pathogens and can transmit parasitic protists and arboviruses, posing a threat to human and animal health. This review summarizes the published information on viruses detected in or isolated from sand flies, excluding Phenuiviridae with the genus Phlebovirus which have been well investigated.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ryuji Yanase, Flavia Moreira-Leite, Edward Rea, Lauren Wilburn, Jovana Sadlova, Barbora Vojtkova, Katerina Pruzinova, Atsushi Taniguchi, Shigenori Nonaka, Petr Volf, Jack D. Sunter
Summary: Attachment to a substrate is a common strategy among eukaryotic parasites for maintaining position in a specific ecological niche. In this study, the researchers used advanced electron microscopy techniques to investigate the adhesion of Leishmania parasites to the stomodeal valve in the sand fly vector. They found distinct structural elements in the attachment plaque and identified five stages of haptomonad-like cell differentiation. The study also demonstrated the importance of calcium for Leishmania adhesion in vitro. These findings provide important insights into the structural and regulatory aspects of Leishmania adhesion and contribute to a better understanding of its life cycle.
Article
Parasitology
Donnamae Klocek, Danyil Grybchuk, Lucie Ticha, Jan Votypka, Petr Volf, Alexei Yu. Kostygov, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Summary: This work analyzed RNA viruses in Sauroleishmania spp. and found RNA viruses in three out of seven isolates, belonging to the families Narnaviridae and Totiviridae. Phylogenetic inferences showed that totiviruses from L. adleri and L. tarentolae clustered with LRV2s, while a narnavirus from L. gymnodactyli was related to narnaviruses of Blechomonas spp. This study expanded the understanding of RNA virus-host interactions in trypanosomatids and provided insights into their evolution and potential routes of viral transmission.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
