Article
Microbiology
Wittawat Wechtaisong, Sarah I. Bonnet, Bruno B. Chomel, Yi-Yang Lien, Shih-Te Chuang, Yi-Lun Tsai
Summary: The study found that Bartonella henselae can be detected in the midguts, salivary glands, and carcasses of semi-engorged adults, as well as in pooled tick feces, but not in eggs or larvae derived from infected females. While B. henselae DNA was detected in the blood sample during larval feeding, no viable bacteria were isolated through culture. This suggests the possibility of transovarial transmission of B. henselae in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks.
Article
Microbiology
Mayra M. Reimann, Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos, Celeste S. F. de Souza, Valter V. Andrade-Neto, Ana Maria Jansen, Reginaldo P. Brazil, Andre Luiz R. Roque
Summary: This study demonstrates that Leishmania parasites can infect hosts through oral and intragastric routes, which is crucial for understanding their transmission dynamics in nature.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lina C. Binder, Alejandro Ramirez-Hernandez, Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa, Jonas Moraes-Filho, Adriano Pinter, Claudia A. Scinachi, Marcelo B. Labruna
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of domestic dogs as amplifying hosts for R. rickettsii in A. aureolatum ticks in BSF-endemic areas. The results indicate that domestic dogs can act as amplifying hosts for R. rickettsii in A. aureolatum ticks.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sofia de la Fourniere, Eliana Carolina Guillemi, Martina Soledad Paoletta, Agustina Perez, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Nestor Fabian Sarmiento, Marisa Diana Farber
Summary: This study evaluated the vertical transmission capability of Anaplasma marginale by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks and found that the ticks can transmit the pathogen and that there is a reduction in strain diversity during the transmission process.
Article
Immunology
Marcos de Almeida, Yueli Zheng, Fernanda S. Nascimento, Henry Bishop, Vitaliano A. Cama, Dhwani Batra, Yvette Unoarumhi, Abaseen K. Afghan, Vivian Y. Shi, Philip E. LeBoit, Eugene W. Liu, Fariba M. Donovan
Summary: An autochthonous case of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by a genetically different Leishmania sp. was investigated in a patient in Arizona, USA. This parasite was classified as belonging to the subgenus Leishmania based on multilocus DNA sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the rRNA locus and 11 reference genes.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nina Krol, Nina Militzer, Elisa Stobe, Ard M. Nijhof, Martin Pfeffer, Volkhard A. J. Kempf, Anna Obiegala
Summary: The study experimentally examined the vector competence of Ixodes ricinus for three Bartonella species, finding that the ticks showed varying levels of competence for different Bartonella species. The results suggest that I. ricinus could potentially be a vector for these bacteria, with higher transmission rates observed for B. henselae and B. schoenbuchensis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Breanna M. Scorza, Kurayi G. Mahachi, Arin C. Cox, Angela J. Toepp, Adam Leal-Lima, Anurag Kumar Kushwaha, Patrick Kelly, Claudio Meneses, Geneva Wilson, Katherine N. Gibson-Corley, Lyric Bartholomay, Shaden Kamhawi, Christine A. Petersen
Summary: Vertically infected dogs are capable of transmitting parasites to sand flies, with dogs having mild to moderate clinical disease showing higher transmission rates. The skin parasite burden has a significant correlation with sand fly parasite uptake.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Michal Solomon, Nadav Astman, Karin Warshavsky, Aviv Barzilai, Tal Meningher, Dror Avni, Eli Schwartz
Summary: This article reports 8 cases of Leishmania infantum cutaneous leishmaniasis in Israel, with 7 cases occurring during 2020-2021, suggesting that L. infantum may be an emerging infection in Israel.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
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
Chemistry, Medicinal
Thibault Joseph William Jacques Dit Lapierre, Mariza Gabriela Faleiro de Moura Lodi Cruz, Nicolas Peterson Ferreira Brito, Daniela de Melo Resende, Felipe de Oliveira Souza, Eduardo Jorge Pilau, Meryck Felipe Brito da Silva, Bruno Junior Neves, Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta, Celso de Oliveira Rezende Junior
Summary: An early hit-to-lead optimization study was performed on a novel pyrazinylpiperazine series against L. infantum and L. braziliensis. The study focused on the benzoyl fragment of a hit compound (4), and deletion of the meta-Cl led to the synthesis of a para-hydroxyl derivative (12). Further optimization involving disubstituted benzoyl fragments and the hydroxyl substituent of (12) resulted in the identification of an ortho, meta-dihydroxyl derivative (46) as an early lead compound with increased anti-leishmanial potency. In silico ADMET predictions revealed satisfactory profiles for these compounds, indicating potential for further lead optimization.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Anna Michalik, Diego Castillo Franco, Michal Kobialka, Teresa Szklarzewicz, Adam Stroinski, Piotr Lukasik
Summary: This study reveals that complementing symbionts in a single family of planthoppers use different transmission strategies, one of them novel.
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)
Article
Parasitology
Gad Baneth, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Offir Adamsky, Idit Gunther
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Leishmania infection in dogs and cats in a focus of human L. tropica infection in Israel. The results showed a high rate of Leishmania infection in pets, with L. tropica infection reported in cats for the first time in Israel. Clinical manifestations in cats infected with L. tropica included weight loss, azotemia, gingivostomatitis, and skin lesions.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Patricia de A. Machado, Pollyanna S. Gomes, Monique P. D. Carneiro, Victor Midlej, Elaine S. Coimbra, Herbert L. de Matos Guedes
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of serine proteases in Leishmania and evaluates the antileishmanial effects of a serine protease inhibitor, TPCK. TPCK shows selectivity for the parasite and has significant activity against both promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. The treated parasites exhibit various alterations, suggesting potential mechanisms contributing to their death. In vivo studies show that TPCK reduces lesion size and parasite loads, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for leishmaniasis.
Article
Immunology
Hugo O. Valdivia, Bruno M. Roatt, Rodrigo de Paula Baptista, Jennifer Ottino, Anderson Coqueiro-dos-Santos, Mandy J. Sanders, Alexandre B. Reis, James A. Cotton, Daniella C. Bartholomeu
Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis, an important global health problem, is particularly prevalent in Brazil. This study reveals a turnover of parasite populations in a re-emergent focus in Brazil, which presents new challenges for disease control efforts.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Entomology
L. C. de Sousa-Paula, F. A. C. Pessoa, D. Otranto, F. Dantas-Torres
Summary: A species complex is a group of closely related species that are morphologically and phylogenetically related, sometimes indistinguishable at certain stages. Research has shown that different species within these complexes may have varying vector competence and efficiency. Detecting and studying species complexes is crucial for understanding pathogen transmission patterns.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Viet-Linh Nguyen, Roberta Iatta, Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj, Maria Stefania Latrofa, Adnan Hodzic, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Domenico Otranto
Summary: Ehrlichia canis, vectored primarily by brown dog ticks, is a prevalent tick-borne pathogen in dogs worldwide. Analysis of the TRP36 gene in naturally infected canids and ticks from different countries in Asia and Europe revealed genetic variations within the strains, suggesting regional differentiation. The study confirmed the United States genogroup as the most common, with the Taiwan genogroup present in lower frequencies, and identified the US genogroup in red foxes for the first time, indicating shared strains with domestic dogs and ticks.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj, Maria Stefania Latrofa, Roberta Iatta, Giada Annoscia, Piero Lovreglio, Angela Stufano, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Bernard Davoust, Younes Laidoudi, Oleg Mediannikov, Domenico Otranto
Summary: The study indicates that reptiles play an epidemiological role in the transmission of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae and lizards could be involved in the sylvatic cycle of Rickettsia monacensis in southern Europe. In the investigated nature preserve park in southern Italy, people living or working there are exposed to SFG rickettsiae, Coxiella burnetii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes, Democrito de Barros Miranda-Filho, Ulisses Ramos Montarroyos, Celina Maria Turchi Martelli, Thalia Velho Barreto de Araujo, Elizabeth Brickley, Maria de Fatima Pessoa Militao de Albuquerque, Wayner Vieira Souza, Liana O. Ventura, Camila V. Ventura, Adriana L. Gois, Mariana C. Leal, Danielle Maria da Silva Oliveira, Sophie Helena Eickmann, Maria Durce C. G. Carvalho, Paula F. S. da Silva, Maria Angela Wanderley Rocha, Regina Coeli Ferreira Ramos, Sinval Pinto Brandao-Filho, Marli Tenorio Cordeiro, Luciana Caroline Albuquerque Bezerra, George Dimech, Sandra Valongueiro, Pedro Pires, Priscila Mayrelle da Silva Castanha, Rafael Dhalia, Ernesto Torres Azevedo Marques-Junior, Laura C. Rodrigues
Summary: This study delves into the risks and outcomes of Zika virus infection during pregnancy, using a variety of diagnostic methods to identify cases and finding that the infection can lead to various abnormalities in children.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula, Lidiane Gomes da Silva, Wilson Jose da Silva Junior, Carlos Alberto Santiago Figueiredo Junior, Carlos Henrique Nery Costa, Felipe Arley Costa Pessoa, Filipe Dantas-Torres
Summary: Lutzomyia longipalpis sensu lato is a complex group of phlebotomine sand fly species with morphological variations, serving as vectors of visceral leishmaniasis. Studies have revealed the presence of an uncertain number of cryptic species within this group in Brazil.
Article
Agronomy
Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula, Isis Indaiara Goncalves Granjeiro Taques, Vanessa Carvalho Miranda, Ana Laura Goncalves Barreto, Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula, Danieli Brolo Martins, Adilson Donizeti Damasceno, Sebastian Munoz-Leal, Anaia da Paixao Seva, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Daniel Moura de Aguiar, Felipe da Silva Krawczak
Summary: A study conducted in a veterinary teaching hospital in Central-western Brazil found that dogs are highly exposed to Ehrlichia canis, with positive dogs more likely to have hematological abnormalities such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. This study highlights the importance of increasing awareness among dog owners regarding tick control measures in Central-western Brazil.
Article
Entomology
Filipe Dantas-Torres, Amanda Maria Picelli, Kamila Gaudencio da Silva Sales, Lucas Christian De Sousa-Paula, Paulo Mejia, Igor Luis Kaefer, Lucio Andre Viana, Felipe Arley Costa Pessoa
Summary: Reptiles and amphibians in Central Amazonia were found to be significantly impacted by tick infestations, with varying relationships between hosts and tick species such as Amblyomma humerale and Amblyomma nodosum. The study also revealed the presence of Rickettsia amblyommatis in collected ticks, indicating a potential common relationship between A. humerale and R. amblyommatis.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Suenia da C. Goncalves-de-Albuquerque, Lidiane Gomes da Silva, Lucas Christian De Sousa-Paula, Kamila Gaudencio da Silva Sales, Annette Boegel, Filipe Dantas-Torres
Summary: In this study, the correlation between canine IL-17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and clinical manifestations, parasite load, and antibody levels in dogs exposed to L. infantum in Brazil was investigated. The results suggest a potential association between IL-17 SNPs and disease expression in CanL, highlighting the importance of genetic factors in the immunopathology of leishmaniasis.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Filipe Dantas-Torres, Domenico Otranto
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula, Lucianne Cardoso Neves, Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula, Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa, Fabricio Peixoto de Oliveira, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Sebastian Munoz-Leal, Marcelo Bahia Labruna, Felipe da Silva Krawczak
Summary: In this study, the first molecular detection of B. theileri subclinical infection in a cow in Brazil is described. The detection was confirmed using PCR, and the implications of this finding for cattle health management in the region are discussed.
VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Domenico Otranto
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose Ferreira Marinho-Junior, Juliana F. C. L. S. Monteiro, Ana Waleria Sales G. de Carvalho, Francisco Gomes de Carvalho, Milena de Paiva G. Cavalcanti, Jeffrey Shaw, Orin G. Courtenay, Sinval Pinto Brandao-Filho
Summary: This study quantified the infection status, contact potential, and infectiousness of naturally infected rodent populations in an endemic region of tegumentary leishmaniasis in northeast Brazil. The results showed that a collective assemblage of wild and synanthropic rodent species is an important wild reservoir of L. braziliensis, with N. squamipes and R. rattus probably playing a key role in transmission within and between habitat types and rodent species. The greatest risk of infection to rodents and humans is in peri domestic plantations.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, R. C. Andrew Thompson, David Modry, Domenico Otranto
Summary: Invasive wild mammals pose a major threat to native ecosystems and can act as spreaders of zoonotic parasites. Europe has the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Samuel Ricarte de Aquino, Lucyo Flavio Bezerra Diniz, Savio Luiz Pereira Nunes, Roberta Lane de Oliveira Silva, Gisele Veneroni Gouveia, Joao Jose Simoni Gouveia, Kamila Gaudencio da Silva Sales, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Rodrigo Feliciano do Carmo
Summary: This study investigated the use of kDNA-based qPCR for monitoring parasite load in VL patients after treatment. The results showed a significant reduction in parasite load after treatment, although one patient experienced an increase in parasite load and relapse. These findings demonstrate the utility of kDNA-based qPCR for post-treatment follow-up in VL cases.
REVISTA DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE MEDICINA TROPICAL
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Claudio Julio da Silva, Karina Patricia Baracho Lima, Juliana Figueiredo da Costa Lima Suassuna Monteiro, Andrea Karla Sales Ferreira da Silva, Fernando Jose da Silva, Allana Maria de Souza Pereira, Valeria Pereira Hernandes, Elis Dionisio da Silva, Claudia Sofia de Assuncao Goncalves E Silva, Sinval Pinto Brandao Filho, Maria Edileuza Felinto de Brito
Summary: This study evaluated the potential L. braziliensis infections in asymptomatic domestic animals in endemic areas in Northeast Brazil using molecular and serological testing. The results showed the presence of L. braziliensis in various animal species, providing valuable information on the role of asymptomatic animals in the life cycle of L. braziliensis and American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the region.
REVISTA DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE MEDICINA TROPICAL
(2022)
