scholarly journals Emerging and Re-Emerging Leishmaniases in the Mediterranean Area: What Can Be Learned from a Retrospective Review Analysis of the Situation in Morocco during 1990 to 2010?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kahime Kholoud ◽  
Lahouari Bounoua ◽  
Denis Sereno ◽  
MoulayAbdelomain El Hidan ◽  
Mohamed Messouli
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Review Analysis ◽  
Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Drastic Increase ◽  
Northern Territories ◽  
Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis

In Morocco, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases represent a public health concern. In this opinion paper, we propose to highlight chosen elements that have governed the drastic increase in the incidence of leishmaniases recorded in Morocco during the period between 1990 to 2010 in order to guide the prediction of the expansion of diseases and epidemic events. We highlight that the dispersion of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) form, caused by the Leishmania major parasite, appears to be closely related to that of its arthropod vector density, which is sensitive to changes in climate. The dissemination of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) was related to an increase in human travel and local tourism during the studied decades. These are linked to economic expansion and infrastructure development. Interestingly, the main ACL foci are spatially aligned with the highways, and their occurrence was synchronized with the building of transportation infrastructure. During the above-mentioned decades, the zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum has expanded from its historical northern territories, dispersing outwards in all directions. This spread follows the emergence of hamlets and villages connecting with major cities.

scholarly journals Performance of an ELISA and Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay in Serological Diagnosis of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Iran

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahador Sarkari ◽  
Marzieh Ashrafmansouri ◽  
GholamReza Hatam ◽  
Parvaneh Habibi ◽  
Samaneh Abdolahi Khabisi
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Serological Test ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Proper Diagnosis ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescent

Serological assays have been extensively evaluated for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and considered as a routine method for diagnosis of VL while these methods are not properly evaluated for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study aimed to assess the performance of indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serodiagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Sixty-one sera samples from parasitologically confirmed CL patients and 50 sera from healthy controls along with 50 sera from non-CL patients were collected. Antigen was prepared from promastigotes and amastigotes ofLeishmania major. IFA was used to detect anti-LeishmaniaIgG while ELISA was used to detect anti-LeishmaniaIgM, total IgG, or IgG subclasses (IgG1 and 4). ELISA, for detection of total IgG and IgM, showed sensitivity of 83.6% and 84.7% and specificity of 62.7% and 54.6%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ELISA for detecting IgG1 and IgG4 were 64%, 75% and 85%, 49%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of IFA were 91.6% and 81%.Conclusion. Findings of this study demonstrated that serological test, especially IFA, can be used for proper diagnosis of CL.

scholarly journals Histological and immunological differences between zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major and sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum

Parasite ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thouraya Boussoffara ◽  
Mohamed Samir Boubaker ◽  
Melika Ben Ahmed ◽  
Mourad Mokni ◽  
Ikram Guizani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Chemotactic Protein ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Lesion features in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) depend on the infecting Leishmania species as well as on host immune reponse. In this study, we evaluated the histological and immunological differences between two forms of CL described in Tunisia: zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by L. major and sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis (SCL) caused by L. infantum. Histological analysis showed a mild to moderate infiltrate within ZCL lesions. In contrast, massive infiltration of the dermis was observed within SCL lesions. Contrary to ZCL, infiltrates within SCL lesions were organized and showed granuloma composed of macrophages and lymphocytes. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis showed a predominance of CD4+ T cells within both CL forms. Furthermore, expression of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-8, IL-13 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 was evaluated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). MCP-1 and IL-10 were expressed at comparable levels in ZCL and SCL lesions. Interestingly, IL-8 mRNA levels were significantly higher in ZCL lesions compared to SCL lesions, but interferon-γ was significantly higher in SCL lesions than in ZCL lesions.

First report of natural infection in hedgehogs with Leishmania major, a possible reservoir of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Algeria

Acta Tropica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Míriam Tomás-Pérez ◽  
Mourad Khaldi ◽  
Cristina Riera ◽  
Denis Mozo-León ◽  
Alexis Ribas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
First Report ◽  
Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Leishmania major in Hemiechinus auritus, A Potential Reservoir of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Damghan, Iran

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behrad Pourmohammadi ◽  
Sadegh Mohammadi-Azni
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
First Time ◽  
Leishmania Parasites

Background: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major is endemic in 17 of 31 Iranian provinces. Various species of rodents have been introduced as the main reservoirs of the disease. This study was conducted to de­termine the natural infection of hedgehogs with Leishmania spp. in an endemic area of the disease, northern Iran. Methods: Fifteen long-eared hedgehogs were captured alive during 18 months study period, from Apr 2015 to Sep 2016, in Damghan City, Semnan Province, Iran. The animals were identified using apparent characteristics and to de­termine the Leishmania infection, impression smears were prepared from their ear lobes, hind feet, livers, and spleens. Micro­scopic examination and semi-nested PCR were applied to determine the infection and to identify the parasites species respectively. Results: All examined animals were identified as Hemiechinus auritus (Family: Erinaceidae). In microscopic examina­tion, 8 (53.3%) samples were shown to be infected with Leishmania parasites. The higher and lower rate of the infection was observed in the ears as well as the feet and in the liver specimens, 53.3%, and 33.3% respectively. Forty percent (6/ 15) of the samples were molecularly positive and all were identified as L. major parasites. All the examined animals in au­tumn and 50% of them in summer were shown to be infected with Leishmania parasites. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the natural infection of H. auritus with L. major for the first time in Damghan City and introduced these mammals as new potential reservoirs of ZCL in the study area.

Intra-Species Diversity of Leishmania major and L. tropica from Clinical Isolates of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southwest Iran Inferred by ITS1-rDNA

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliyar MIRZAPOUR ◽  
Adel SPOTIN ◽  
Hamed BEHNIAFAR ◽  
Hakim AZIZI ◽  
Bahman MALEKI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Treatment Failure ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Southwest Iran

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) as a public health concern is increasingly circulating by causative agents of Leishmania tropica and L. major in Iran. As regard to recent treatment failure and controlling problems, the accurate elucidation of heterogeneity traits and taxonomic status of Leishmania spp. should be broadly addressed by policymakers. This study was designed to determine the genetic variability and molecular characterization of L. major and L. tropica from Iranian CL patients. Methods: One hundred positive Giemsa-stained slides were taken from clinical isolates of CL at Pol-e-Dokhtar County, Southwest Iran, from May 2014 to Sep 2016. DNAs were directly extracted and amplified by targeting ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene following microscopic observation. To identify Leishmania spp. amplicons were digested by restriction enzyme HaeIII subsequent PCR-RFLP technique. To reconfirm, the isolates were directly sequenced to conduct diversity indices and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Based upon the RFLP patterns, 84 and 16 isolates were explicitly identified to L. tropica and L. major respectively. No co-infection was found in clinical isolates. The high genetic diversity of L. tropica (Haplotype diversity 0.9) was characterized compared to L. major isolates (Hd 0.476). The intra-species diversity for L. tropica and L. major isolates corresponded to 3%-3.9% and 0%-0.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Findings indicate the L. tropica isolates with remarkable heterogeneity than L. major are predominantly circulating at Pol-e-Dokhtar County. Occurrence of high genetic variability of L. tropica may be noticed in probable treatment failure and/or emerging of new haplotypes; however, more studies are warranted from various geographic regions of Southwest Iran, using large sample size.

scholarly journals Population Genetics of Phlebotomus papatasi from Endemic and Nonendemic Areas for Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Morocco, as Revealed by Cytochrome Oxidase Gene Subunit I Sequencing

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souad Guernaoui ◽  
Omar Hamarsheh ◽  
Deborah Garcia ◽  
Didier Fontenille ◽  
Denis Sereno
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Cytochrome Oxidase ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
High Atlas ◽  
Atlas Mountains ◽  
Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
High Atlas Mountains ◽  
Endemic Areas

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania major Yakimoff & Shokhor and transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) is a public health concern in Morocco. The disease is endemic mainly in pre-Saharan regions on the southern slope of the High Atlas Mountains. The northern slope of the High Atlas Mountains and the arid plains of central Morocco remain non-endemic and are currently considered high risk for ZCL. Here we investigate and compare the population genetic structure of P. papatasi populations sampled in various habitats in historical foci and non-endemic ZCL areas. A fragment of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified and sequenced in 59 individuals from 10 P. papatasi populations. Haplotype diversity was probed, a median-joining network was generated (FST) and molecular variance (AMOVA) were analyzed. Overall, we identified 28 haplotypes with 32 distinct segregating sites, of which seven are parsimony informative. The rate of private haplotypes was high; 20 haplotypes (71.4%) are private ones and exclusive to a single population. The phylogenetic tree and the network reconstructed highlight a genetic structuration of these populations in two well defined groups: Ouarzazate (or endemic areas) and Non-Ouarzazate (or nonendemic areas). These groups are separated by the High Atlas Mountains. Overall, our study highlights differences in terms of population genetics between ZCL endemic and non-endemic areas. To what extent such differences would impact the transmission of L. major by natural P. papatasi population remains to be investigated.

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