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kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitors in the midgut of phlebotomus papatasi.sandflies (diptera: psychodidae) are important disease vectors of parasites of the genus leishmania, as well as bacteria and viruses. following studies of the midgut transcriptome of phlebotomus papatasi, the principal vector of leishmania major, two non-classical kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitors were identified (ppkzl1 and ppkzl2). analyses of expression profiles indicated that ppkzl1 and ppkzl2 transcripts are both regulated by blood-feeding in the midgut of p. papatasi and are also exp ...024037187
epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in a reemerging focus of intense transmission in minas gerais state, brazil.this study was developed in the urban area of governador valadares, a reemerging focus of intense transmission of visceral leishmaniasis (vl) in brazil, presenting 86 human cases of vl from 2008 to 2011. the disease prevailed in males (73.2%) with most patients between 0 and 9 years (44.1%) and a lethality rate of 16.2%. a canine survey was carried out on 16,529 domestic dogs in 35 districts in the area and it showed that 30.2% of them (4,992 dogs) were positive for vl by serum assays. prevalenc ...201324000322
risk factors for seroconversion by leishmania infantum in a cohort of dogs from an endemic area of brazil.visceral leishmaniasis (vl) has recently emerged in various urban and peri-urban areas of brazil and other countries. understanding the urbanization of vl requires identification of risk factors associated with human and canine infection. to determine the predictors of risk for canine vl, a survey was conducted of 1,443 dogs, from which a cohort was selected (n = 455) and evaluated for approximately 26 months. serology was conducted with two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (elisa): one conduc ...201323990996
estimating the optimal control of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis by the use of a mathematical model.we argue that the strategy of culling infected dogs is not the most efficient way to control zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (zvl) and that, in the presence of alternative control strategies with better potential results, official programs of compulsory culling adopted by some countries are inefficient and unethical. we base our arguments on a mathematical model for the study of control strategies against zvl, which allows the comparison of the efficacies of 5, alternative strategies. we demonst ...201323990761
predicted altitudinal shifts and reduced spatial distribution of leishmania infantum vector species under climate change scenarios in colombia.visceral leishmaniasis (vl) is caused by the trypanosomatid parasite leishmania infantum (=leishmania chagasi), and is epidemiologically relevant due to its wide geographic distribution, the number of annual cases reported and the increase in its co-infection with hiv. two vector species have been incriminated in the americas: lutzomyia longipalpis and lutzomyia evansi. in colombia, l. longipalpis is distributed along the magdalena river valley while l. evansi is only found in the northern part ...201423988300
transmission of pathogens by stomoxys flies (diptera, muscidae): a review.stomoxys flies are mechanical vectors of pathogens present in the blood and skin of their animal hosts, especially livestock, but occasionally humans. in livestock, their direct effects are disturbance, skin lesions, reduction of food intake, stress, blood loss, and a global immunosuppressive effect. they also induce the gathering of animals for mutual protection; meanwhile they favor development of pathogens in the hosts and their transmission. their indirect effect is the mechanical transmissi ...201323985165
the effect of bacterial challenge on ferritin regulation in the yellow fever mosquito, aedes aegypti.secreted ferritin is the major iron storage and transport protein in insects. here, we characterize the message and protein expression profiles of yellow fever mosquito (aedes aegypti) ferritin heavy chain homologue (hch) and light chain homologue (lch) subunits in response to iron and bacterial challenge. in vivo experiments demonstrated tissue-specific regulation of hch and lch expression over time post-blood meal (pbm). transcriptional regulation of hch and lch was treatment specific, with di ...201223956079
culling dogs in scenarios of imperfect control: realistic impact on the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis.visceral leishmaniasis belongs to the list of neglected tropical diseases and is considered a public health problem worldwide. spatial correlation between the occurrence of the disease in humans and high rates of canine infection suggests that in the presence of the vector, canine visceral leishmaniasis is the key factor for triggering transmission to humans. despite the control strategies implemented, such as the sacrifice of infected dogs being put down, the incidence of american visceral leis ...201323951375
anaerobic respiration and antioxidant responses of corythucha ciliata (say) adults to heat-induced oxidative stress under laboratory and field conditions.high temperature often induces oxidative stress and antioxidant response in insects. this phenomenon has been well documented under controlled laboratory conditions, but whether it happens under fluctuating field conditions is largely unknown. in this study, we used an invasive lace bug (corythucha ciliata) as a model species to compare the effects of controlled thermal treatments (2 h at 33-43 °c with 2 °c intervals in the laboratory) and naturally fluctuating thermal conditions (08:00-14:00 at ...201323943359
the mating competence of geographically diverse leishmania major strains in their natural and unnatural sand fly vectors.invertebrate stages of leishmania are capable of genetic exchange during their extracellular growth and development in the sand fly vector. here we explore two variables: the ability of diverse l. major strains from across its natural range to undergo mating in pairwise tests; and the timing of the appearance of hybrids and their developmental stage associations within both natural (phlebotomus duboscqi) and unnatural (lutzomyia longipalpis) sand fly vectors. following co-infection of flies with ...201323935521
validity and reliability of enzyme immunoassays using leishmania major or l. infantum antigens for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in brazil.american visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan leishmania infantum. dogs are the main reservoirs in the domestic transmission cycle. the limited accuracy of diagnostic tests for canine leishmaniasis may contribute to the lack of impact of control measures recommended by the brazilian ministry of health. the objective of this study was to estimate the accuracy of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays employing l. major or l. infantum antigens and their reliability between three labor ...201323922884
seroconversion of sentinel chickens as a biomarker for monitoring exposure to visceral leishmaniasis.leishmania infantum chagasi causes visceral leishmaniasis (vl); it is transmitted by the sand fly lutzomyia longipalpis that injects saliva and parasites into the host's skin during a blood meal. chickens represent an important blood source for sand flies and their presence in the endemic area is often cited as a risk factor for vl transmission. however, the role of chickens in vl epidemiology has not been well defined. here, we tested if chicken antibodies against lu. longipalpis salivary gland ...201323912591
the phlebotomine fauna (diptera: psychodidae) of guaraí, state of tocantins, with an emphasis on the putative vectors of american cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural settlement and periurban areas.phlebotomine sandflies were captured in rural settlement and periurban areas of the municipality of guaraí in the state of tocantins (to), an endemic area of american cutaneous leishmaniasis (acl). forty-three phlebotomine species were identified, nine of which have already been recognised as acl vectors. eleven species were recorded for the first time in to. nyssomyia whitmani was the most abundant species, followed by evandromyia bourrouli, nyssomyia antunesi and psychodopygus complexus. the s ...023903972
the dispersion of lutzomyia longipalpis in urban areas. 201323856862
sandflies (diptera, psychodidae) from forest areas in botucatu municipality, central western são paulo state, brazil.the study of the distribution and ecology of sandfly species is essential for epidemiological surveillance and estimation of the transmission risk of leishmania spp. infection.201323849624
age-dependent female responses to a male ejaculate signal alter demographic opportunities for selection.a central tenet of evolutionary explanations for ageing is that the strength of selection wanes with age. however, data on age-specific expression and benefits of sexually selected traits are lacking-particularly for traits subject to sexual conflict. we addressed this by using as a model the responses of drosophila melanogaster females of different ages to receipt of sex peptide (sp), a seminal fluid protein transferred with sperm during mating. sp can mediate sexual conflict, benefitting males ...201323843383
advances in methods for colour marking of mosquitoes.different techniques are available for colour marking insects and each technique may be suitable for different insect species. mosquitoes can be marked to determine population size, distribution and flight distance or distinguish closely related species. in this study, two methods of colour marking mosquitoes were described in detail and the impact of both methods on the survival and host-seeking behaviour of the malaria mosquito anopheles gambiae sensu stricto was investigated.201323835091
epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus-visceral leishmaniasis-co-infection.in brazil, the rates of mother-to-child-transmission (mtct) of human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) decreased from 20% to 1-2% in some regions. however, the country contains 90% of individuals infected with visceral leishmaniasis (vl) in latin america, and the west region of são paulo state faces an alarming expansion of the disease. we describe the epidemiological aspects of the expanding infection of vl and a case report of an hiv-vl-co-infected child from the west region of são paulo state. the ...201623834783
sergentomyia schwetzi is not a competent vector for leishmania donovani and other leishmania species pathogenic to humans.sand fly species of the genus sergentomyia are proven vectors of reptilian leishmania that are non-pathogenic to humans. however, a consideration of the role of sergentomyia spp. in the circulation of mammalian leishmaniasis appears repeatedly in the literature and the possibility of leishmania transmission to humans remains unclear. here we studied the susceptibility of colonized sergentomyia schwetzi to leishmania donovani and two other leishmania species pathogenic to humans: l. infantum and ...201323786805
functional transcriptomics of wild-caught lutzomyia intermedia salivary glands: identification of a protective salivary protein against leishmania braziliensis infection.leishmania parasites are transmitted in the presence of sand fly saliva. together with the parasite, the sand fly injects salivary components that change the environment at the feeding site. mice immunized with phlebotomus papatasi salivary gland (sg) homogenate are protected against leishmania major infection, while immunity to lutzomyia intermedia sg homogenate exacerbated experimental leishmania braziliensis infection. in humans, antibodies to lu. intermedia saliva are associated with risk of ...201323717705
anomalies in the sand fly lutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae) in brazil.lutzomyia longipalpis is the main species involved in the epidemiological cycle of visceral leishmaniasis in brazil. this species shows a wide geographic distribution and belongs to a group that has 2 setae in the paramere with the curved tips towards the apex of this structure among other characteristics. morphological characters in the genitalia of phlebotomines are essential for correct identification of species. the aim of this study was to report the finding of unilateral and bilateral anom ...201323687856
expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 9 in cells of dog jejunum and colon naturally infected with leishmania infantum.infection with parasite protozoa is a long-term health issue in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. the toll-like receptor (tlr) signaling pathway is one of the first-responding defense systems against leishmania. the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of tlr2 and tlr9 in jejunum and colon and its correlation with cd11c, cd11b, and cd14 receptors used as markers for dendritic cells and macrophages.201323668673
dual effect of lutzomyia longipalpis saliva on leishmania braziliensis infection is mediated by distinct saliva-induced cellular recruitment into balb/c mice ear.leishmania parasites are transmitted to their vertebrate hosts by infected phlebotomine sand flies during the blood meal of the flies. sand fly saliva is known to enhance leishmania spp. infection, while pre-exposure to saliva protects mice against parasitic infections. in this study, we investigated the initial inflammatory leucocyte composition induced by one or three inocula of salivary gland extract (sge) from lutzomyia longipalpis in the presence or absence of leishmania braziliensis.201323656976
insecticide-impregnated netting as a potential tool for long-lasting control of the leishmaniasis vector lutzomyia longipalpis in animal shelters.leishmaniasis remains a serious neglected disease, with more than 350 million people potentially at risk worldwide. control strategies often rely on spraying residual insecticides to target populations of the sand fly vectors that transmit leishmania parasites when blood-feeding. these programmes are often difficult to sustain effectively, as sand fly resting sites must be resprayed on a regular basis. here, we investigate whether application of insecticide-impregnated netting to a surface could ...201323642213
the role of surface glycoconjugates in leishmania midgut attachment examined by competitive binding assays and experimental development in sand flies.binding of promastigotes to the sand fly midgut epithelium is regarded as an essential part of the leishmania life cycle in the vector. among leishmania surface molecules putatively involved in attachment to the sand fly midgut, two gpi-anchored molecules are the most prominent: lipophosphoglycan (lpg) and promastigote surface protease gp63. in this work, we examined midgut attachment of leishmania lines mutated in gpi-anchored molecules and compared results from 2 different techniques: in vivo ...201323611086
experimental infection of dogs with leishmania and saliva as a model to study canine visceral leishmaniasis.canine visceral leishmaniasis (cvl) is a zoonotic disease caused by leishmania infantum, transmitted by the bite of lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies. dogs are the main domestic reservoir of the parasite. the establishment of an experimental model that partially reproduces natural infection in dogs is very important to test vaccine candidates, mainly regarding those that use salivary proteins from the vector and new therapeutical approaches.201323577121
[visceral leishmaniasis in argentina. cases notification and distribution of vectors (2006-2012)].visceral leishmaniasis (vl) is a notifiable disease in argentina. every new case diagnosed must be reported to the national health surveillance system. in the period 2006-2012, a total of 103 cases have been notified in four provinces: entre rios, santa fe, misiones and santiago del estero. misiones has the largest amount of cases: a total of 80, detected in 15 towns from may 2006 to july 2012. the highest incidence is observed in children (less than 15 years of age). in 2004 the vector lutzomyi ...201323570757
salivary antigen-5/cap family members are cu2+-dependent antioxidant enzymes that scavenge o₂₋. and inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation and neutrophil oxidative burst.the function of the antigen-5/cap family of proteins found in the salivary gland of bloodsucking animals has remained elusive for decades. antigen-5 members from the hematophagous insects dipetalogaster maxima (dmav) and triatoma infestans (tiav) were expressed and discovered to attenuate platelet aggregation, atp secretion, and thromboxane a2 generation by low doses of collagen (<1 μg/ml) but no other agonists. dmav did not interact with collagen, glycoprotein vi, or integrin α2β1. this inhibit ...201323564450
epidemiological aspects of american cutaneous leishmaniasis and phlebotomine sandfly population, in the municipality of monte negro, state of rondônia, brazil.this work was carried out on the purpose of identifying the species of phlebotomine sandflies in the municipality of monte negro, state of rondonia, brazil, that may have been transmitting the american cutaneous leishmaniasis (acl), and concisely describe epidemiological aspects of disease.201323563827
survey of sandfly fauna (diptera: psychodidae) in uberlândia, minas gerais state, brazil, 2003-2004.we analyzed the sandflies around houses and domestic animal shelters located in residences close to forests in localities on the banks of the araguari river, uberlândia, mg, from february 2003 to november 2004. the phlebotomines were captured in the peridomiciliary area, where shannon traps were utilized in the peridomicile and cdc traps in animal shelters. 2,783 specimens of sandflies were captured, 2,140 females (76.9%) and 643 males (23.1%), distributed between 17 species. the most abundant s ...201323563760
asymptomatic dogs are highly competent to transmit leishmania (leishmania) infantum chagasi to the natural vector.we evaluated the ability of dogs naturally infected with leishmania (leishmania) infantum chagasi to transfer the parasite to the vector and the factors associated with transmission. thirty-eight infected dogs were confirmed to be infected by direct observation of leishmania in lymph node smears. dogs were grouped according to external clinical signs and laboratory data into symptomatic (n=24) and asymptomatic (n=14) animals. all dogs were sedated and submitted to xenodiagnosis with f1-laborator ...201323562649
rnai-mediated knockdown of catalase causes cell cycle arrest in sl-1 cells and results in low survival rate of spodoptera litura (fabricius).deregulated reactive oxygen species (ros) production can lead to the disruption of structural and functional integrity of cells as a consequence of reactive interaction between ros and various biological components. catalase (cat) is a common enzyme existing in nearly all organisms exposed to oxygen, which decomposes harmful hydrogen peroxide, into water and oxygen. in this study, the full length sequence that encodes cat-like protein from spodoptera litura named siltcat (genbank accession numbe ...201323555693
first comparative transcriptomic analysis of wild adult male and female lutzomyia longipalpis, vector of visceral leishmaniasis.leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease with a complex epidemiology and ecology. visceral leishmaniasis (vl) is its most severe clinical form as it results in death if not treated. in latin america vl is caused by the protist parasite leishmania infantum (syn. chagasi) and transmitted by lutzomyia longipalpis. this phlebotomine sand fly is only found in the new world, from mexico to argentina. however, due to deforestation, migration and urbanisation, among others, vl in latin america is undergo ...201323554910
sensitive and specific serodiagnosis of leishmania infantum infection in dogs by using peptides selected from hypothetical proteins identified by an immunoproteomic approach.in brazil, the percentage of infected dogs living in areas where canine visceral leishmaniasis (cvl) is endemic ranges from 10 to 62%; however, the prevalence of infection in dogs is probably higher than figures reported from serological studies. in addition, problems with the occurrence of false-positive or false-negative results in the serodiagnosis of cvl have been reported. the present work analyzed the potential of synthetic peptides mapped from hypothetical proteins for improvement of the ...201323554466
behavioral aspects of lutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae) in urban area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis.the study of some of the behavioral aspects of the main vector of leishmania infantum chagasi cunha & chagas in the americas, lutzomyia longipalpis (lutz & neiva), such as dispersion, population size, and vector survival rates, is important for the elucidation of the mechanisms of visceral leishmaniasis transmission. these parameters were studied by means of capture-mark-release-recapture experiments in an urban area of campo grande municipality, an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis, situat ...201323540114
evaluation of pcr procedures for detecting and quantifying leishmania donovani dna in large numbers of dried human blood samples from a visceral leishmaniasis focus in northern ethiopia.visceral leishmaniasis (vl) is a disseminated protozoan infection caused by leishmania donovani parasites which affects almost half a million persons annually. most of these are from the indian sub-continent, east africa and brazil. our study was designed to elucidate the role of symptomatic and asymptomatic leishmania donovani infected persons in the epidemiology of vl in northern ethiopia.201323530965
characterization of phlebotomus papatasi peritrophins, and the role of ppper1 in leishmania major survival in its natural vector.the peritrophic matrix (pm) plays a key role in compartmentalization of the blood meal and as barrier to pathogens in many disease vectors. to establish an infection in sand flies, leishmania must escape from the endoperitrophic space to prevent excretion with remnants of the blood meal digestion. in spite of the role played regarding leishmania survival, little is known about sand fly pm molecular components and structural organization. we characterized three peritrophins (ppper1, ppper2, and p ...201323516661
transcriptome exploration of the sex pheromone gland of lutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae: phlebotominae).molecules involved in pheromone biosynthesis may represent alternative targets for insect population control. this may be particularly useful in managing the reproduction of lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of the protozoan parasite leishmania infantum in latin america. besides the chemical identity of the major components of the l. longipalpis sex pheromone, there is no information regarding the molecular biology behind its production. to understand this process, obtaining information on ...201323497448
the 'ubiquitous' reality of vector immunology.ubiquitination (ubiquitylation) is a common protein modification that regulates a multitude of processes within the cell. this modification is typically accomplished through the covalent binding of ubiquitin to a lysine residue onto a target protein and is catalysed by the presence of three enzymes: an activating enzyme (e1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (e2) and ubiquitin-protein ligase (e3). in recent years, ubiquitination has risen as a major signalling regulator of immunity and microbial pat ...201323433059
canine visceral leishmaniasis as a systemic fibrotic disease.we propose that canine visceral leishmaniasis (cvl) is a systemic fibrotic disease, as evidenced by the wide distribution of fibrosis that we have found in the dogs suffering from chronic condition. the inflammatory cells apparently direct fibrosis formation. twenty-four cases (symptomatic dogs) were identified from a total of one hundred and five cases that had been naturally infected with leishmania chagasi and had been documented during an epidemiological survey of cvl carried out by the metr ...201323419132
the characterization of the phlebotomus papatasi transcriptome.as important vectors of human disease, phlebotomine sand flies are of global significance to human health, transmitting several emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. the most devastating of the sand fly transmitted infections are the leishmaniases, causing significant mortality and morbidity in both the old and new world. here we present the first global transcriptome analysis of the old world vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, phlebotomus papatasi (scopoli) and compare this transcriptom ...201323398403
cautioning the use of degree-day models for climate change projections in the presence of parametric uncertainty.developmental models, such as degree-day models, are commonly used to predict the impact of future climate change on the intensity, distribution, and timing of the transmission of infectious diseases, particularly those caused by pathogens carried by vectors or intermediate hosts. resulting projections can be useful in policy discussions concerning regional or national responses to future distributions of important infectious diseases. although the simplicity of degree-day models is appealing, l ...201223387122
acetylcholinesterase of the sand fly, phlebotomus papatasi (scopoli): cdna sequence, baculovirus expression, and biochemical properties.millions of people and domestic animals around the world are affected by leishmaniasis, a disease caused by various species of flagellated protozoans in the genus leishmania that are transmitted by several sand fly species. insecticides are widely used for sand fly population control to try to reduce or interrupt leishmania transmission. zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by l. major is vectored mainly by phlebotomus papatasi (scopoli) in asia and africa. organophosphates comprise a class o ...201323379291
experimental models in vaccine research: malaria and leishmaniasis.animal models have a long history of being useful tools, not only to test and select vaccines, but also to help understand the elaborate details of the immune response that follows infection. different models have been extensively used to investigate putative immunological correlates of protection against parasitic diseases that are important to reach a successful vaccine. the greatest challenge has been the improvement and adaptation of these models to reflect the reality of human disease and t ...201323369975
ecology of lutzomyia longipalpis in an area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in north-eastern brazil.visceral leishmaniasis is a major public health issue in south america, where the disease is rapidly spreading. changes in ecology and distribution of the principal vector, lutzomyia longipalpis are among the factors accounting for the increasing incidence of the disease in this region. however, information about the ecology of l. longipalpis is still incipient, which may directly impair the implementation of effective control programs. herein, the ecology of l. longipalpis was studied in a focu ...201323369878
evaluation of rk39 rapid diagnostic tests for canine visceral leishmaniasis: longitudinal study and meta-analysis.there is a need for sensitive and specific rapid diagnostic tests (rdt) for canine visceral leishmaniasis. the aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic performance of immunochromatographic dipstick rdts using rk39 antigen for canine visceral leishmaniasis by (i) investigating the sensitivity of rdts to detect infection, disease and infectiousness in a longitudinal cohort study of natural infection in brazil, and (ii) using meta-analysis to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of rd ...201323326615
the efficacy of l. (l.) chagasi excreted-secreted antigens (esas) for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis is due to low levels of cross-reactivity.the analysis of promastigote excreted-secreted antigen (esa) reactivity with 53 visceral leishmaniasis (vl) cases showed that each sample reacted regardless of the antigen or the leishmania species used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) displayed 100% positivity with the l. (l.) chagasi esa-blot recognizing bands of molecular weight ranging from 26.5 to 31.5 kda. the analysis of 160 non-visceral cases showed that 5% of the samples cross-reacted with the l. (l.) chagasi esa-elisa and 9 ...201323324219
bacterial feeding, leishmania infection and distinct infection routes induce differential defensin expression in lutzomyia longipalpis.phlebotomine insects harbor bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens that can cause diseases of public health importance. lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the new world. insects can mount a powerful innate immune response to pathogens. defensin peptides take part in this response and are known to be active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and some parasites. we studied the expression of a defensin gene from lutzomyia longipalpis to understand ...201323311993
determinants for the development of visceral leishmaniasis disease.leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease associated with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral infections. among the most important questions in leishmania research is why some species like l. donovani infect visceral organs, whereas other species like l. major remain in the skin. the determinants of visceral leishmaniasis are still poorly understood, although genomic, immunologic, and animal models are beginning to ...201323300451
transmission and epidemiology of zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals.over 77 million dogs and 93 million cats share our households in the united states. multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of pets in their owners' physical and mental health. given the large number of companion animals in the united states and the proximity and bond of these animals with their owners, understanding and preventing the diseases that these companions bring with them are of paramount importance. zoonotic protozoal parasites, including toxoplasmosis, chagas' disease, babe ...201323297259
ecology of phlebotomines (diptera, psychodidae) in rural foci of leishmaniasis in tropical brazil.this work aimed to study the community structure of sandflies, with regard to the richness, constancy, abundance, and monthly frequency of the species with a focus on the transmission of leishmaniasis.201223295871
sandflies (diptera: psychodidae) from caves of the quartzite espinhaço range, minas gerais, brazil.this study investigated the sandfly fauna of two quartzite caves in the espinhaço mountain range, located in the municipality of diamantina, state minas gerais. from august 2010-july 2011, entomological sampling was performed in the caves of salitre and monte cristo with two hp light traps exposed in the photic and aphotic zones of each cave. the sandfly fauna consisted of 17 species, among which lutzomyia cipoensis was predominant (54.76%). the male/female ratio in the total captures was 1:2.5. ...201223295752
a new model of progressive visceral leishmaniasis in hamsters by natural transmission via bites of vector sand flies.visceral leishmaniasis (vl) is transmitted by sand flies. protection of needle-challenged vaccinated mice was abrogated in vector-initiated cutaneous leishmaniasis, highlighting the importance of developing natural transmission models for vl.201323288926
molecular detection of acinetobacter species in lice and keds of domestic animals in oromia regional state, ethiopia.this study was conducted to determine the presence of acinetobacter and rickettsia species dna in lice and melophagus ovinus (sheep ked) of animals from oromia regional state in ethiopia. from september through november 2011, a total of 207 cattle, 85 sheep, 47 dogs and 16 cats were examined for ectoparasites. results of morphological identification revealed several species of ectoparasites: linognathus vituli (l. vituli), bovicola bovis (b. bovis) and solenopotes capillatus (s. capillatus) on c ...201223285015
hourly activity and natural infection of sandflies (diptera: psychodidae) captured from the aphotic zone of a cave, minas gerais state, brazil.sandflies are holometabolous insects that are of great epidemiological importance in the neotropical region as vectors of leishmaniases. caves are ecotopes that significantly differ from external environments and, among the insects that live or visit their internal area and adjacent environment, sandflies are commonly found. based on this context, the objective of this work was to examine the period of activity of sandflies in the cave environment in the aphotic zone. thus, four sandfly captures ...201223284957
diversity of the bacterial and fungal microflora from the midgut and cuticle of phlebotomine sand flies collected in north-western iran.phlebotomine sand flies are the vectors of the leishmaniases, parasitic diseases caused by leishmania spp. little is known about the prevalence and diversity of sand fly microflora colonizing the midgut or the cuticle. particularly, there is little information on the fungal diversity. this information is important for development of vector control strategies.201223226255
leishmania development in sand flies: parasite-vector interactions overview.leishmaniases are vector-borne parasitic diseases with 0.9 - 1.4 million new human cases each year worldwide. in the vectorial part of the life-cycle, leishmania development is confined to the digestive tract. during the first few days after blood feeding, natural barriers to leishmania development include secreted proteolytic enzymes, the peritrophic matrix surrounding the ingested blood meal and sand fly immune reactions. as the blood digestion proceeds, parasites need to bind to the midgut ep ...201223206339
performance of lbsap vaccine after intradermal challenge with l. infantum and saliva of lu. longipalpis: immunogenicity and parasitological evaluation.in the last decade, the search for new vaccines against canine visceral leishmaniasis has intensified. however, the pattern related to immune protection during long periods after experimental infection in vaccine trials is still not fully understood. herein, we investigated the immunogenicity and parasitological levels after intradermal challenge with leishmania infantum plus salivary gland extract in dogs immunized with a vaccine composed of l. braziliensis antigens plus saponin as an adjuvant ...201223189161
study of sand flies (diptera: psychodidae) in visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis areas in the central-western state of minas gerais, brazil.the transmission of leishmania involves several species of sand flies that are closely associated with various parasites and reservoirs, with differing transmission cycles in brazil. a study on the phlebotomine species composition has been conducted in the municipality of divinópolis, minas gerais, brazil, an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis (cl), which has intense occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis (vl) cases. in order to study the sand flies populations and their seasonality, cdc lig ...201323178219
the first record of lutzomyia longipalpis (lutz & neiva, 1912) (diptera: psychodidae: phlebotominae) in the state of paraná, brazil.we report the first find of lutzomyia longipalpis in the state of paraná, brazil.201223152351
profile and geographic distribution of reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis in campo grande, state of mato grosso do sul, brazil, from 2002 to 2009.this study sought to describe the profile and geographic distribution of reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis (vl) in the city of campo grande, state of mato grosso do sul (ms), brazil, from 2002 to 2009.201223152344
species diversity of sandflies (diptera: psychodidae) during different seasons and in different environments in the district of taquaruçú, state of tocantins, brazil.phlebotomine sandflies are the vectors for the protozoan parasites that cause leishmaniasis. the present study investigated the species composition of sandfly fauna in the rural district of taquaruçú, municipality of palmas, state of tocantins, brazil and compared the diversity of species among intradomicile, peridomicile and forest environments during the dry and rainy seasons. sandflies were collected using cdc light traps over the course of three months during the dry and rainy seasons. a tot ...201223147157
updating the salivary gland transcriptome of phlebotomus papatasi (tunisian strain): the search for sand fly-secreted immunogenic proteins for humans.sand fly saliva plays an important role in both blood feeding and outcome of leishmania infection. a cellular immune response against a phlebotomus papatasi salivary protein was shown to protect rodents against leishmania major infection. in humans, p. papatasi salivary proteins induce a systemic cellular immune response as well as a specific antisaliva humoral immune response, making these salivary proteins attractive targets as markers of exposure for this leishmania vector. surprisingly, the ...201223139741
parasite burden in hamsters infected with two different strains of leishmania (leishmania) infantum: "leishman donovan units" versus real-time pcr.to develop and test new therapeutics and immune prophylaxis strategies for visceral leishmaniasis (vl), understanding tissue parasitism evolution after experimental infection with leishmania infantum is important. experimental infection in a hamster model (mesocricetus auratus) reproduces several typical aspects of canine and human vl that are closely related to the inoculum's route. we quantified the parasitism in the liver and spleen of hamsters experimentally infected by various routes (intra ...201223112869
tsetse salivary gland proteins 1 and 2 are high affinity nucleic acid binding proteins with residual nuclease activity.analysis of the tsetse fly salivary gland est database revealed the presence of a highly enriched cluster of putative endonuclease genes, including tsal1 and tsal2. tsal proteins are the major components of tsetse fly (g. morsitans morsitans) saliva where they are present as monomers as well as high molecular weight complexes with other saliva proteins. we demonstrate that the recombinant tsetse salivary gland proteins 1&2 (tsal1&2) display dna/rna non-specific, high affinity nucleic acid bindin ...201223110062
peridomiciliary breeding sites of phlebotomine sand flies (diptera: psychodidae) in an endemic area of american cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeastern brazil.the occurrence of american cutaneous leishmaniasis (acl) in areas modified by humans indicates that phlebotomine sand fly vectors breed close to human habitations. potential peridomiciliary breeding sites of phlebotomines were sampled in an area of transmission of leishmania (viannia) braziliensis in southeastern brazil. three concentric circles rounding houses and domestic animal shelters, with radii of 20, 40, and 60 m, defined the area to be monitored using adult emergence traps. of the 67 ph ...201223091196
transcriptional profiles of mating-responsive genes from testes and male accessory glands of the mediterranean fruit fly, ceratitis capitata.insect seminal fluid is a complex mixture of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, produced in the male reproductive tract. this seminal fluid is transferred together with the spermatozoa during mating and induces post-mating changes in the female. molecular characterization of seminal fluid proteins in the mediterranean fruit fly, ceratitis capitata, is limited, although studies suggest that some of these proteins are biologically active.201223071645
leishmania metacyclogenesis is promoted in the absence of purines.leishmania parasites, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, are transmitted through the bite of an infected sand fly. leishmania parasites present two basic forms known as promastigote and amastigote which, respectively, parasitizes the vector and the mammalian hosts. infection of the vertebrate host is dependent on the development, in the vector, of metacyclic promastigotes, however, little is known about the factors that trigger metacyclogenesis in leishmania parasites. it has been generally s ...201223050028
attraction of the cutaneous leishmaniasis vector nyssomyia neivai (diptera: psychodidae) to host odour components in a wind tunnel.laboratory studies of host-seeking olfactory behaviour in sandflies have largely been restricted to the american visceral leishmaniasis vector lutzomyia longipalpis. in comparison, almost nothing is known about the chemical ecology of related species, which transmit american cutaneous leishmaniasis (acl), due in part to difficulties in raising these insects in the laboratory. understanding how acl vectors locate their hosts will be essential to developing new vector control strategies to combat ...201223009099
analysis of salivary gland transcripts of the sand fly lutzomyia ayacuchensis, a vector of andean-type cutaneous leishmaniasis.the saliva of blood sucking insects contains potent pharmacologically active components that assist them in counteracting the host hemostatic and inflammatory systems during blood feeding. in addition, sand fly salivary proteins affect host immunity and have the potential to be a vaccine against leishmania infection. in the present study, the salivary gland transcripts of lutzomyia ayacuchensis, a vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in ecuadorian and peruvian andes, were analyzed by sequencing ran ...201223000112
delayed-type hypersensitivity to sand fly saliva in humans from a leishmaniasis-endemic area of mali is th1-mediated and persists to midlife.immunity to sand fly saliva in rodents induces a t(h)1 delayed-type hypersensitivity (dth) response conferring protection against leishmaniasis. the relevance of dth to sand fly bites in humans living in a leishmaniasis-endemic area remains unknown. here, we describe the duration and nature of dth to sand fly saliva in humans from an endemic area of mali. dth was assessed at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post bite in volunteers exposed to colony-bred sand flies. dermal biopsies were obtained 48 hours ...201222992802
lutzomyia longipalpis abundance in the city of posadas, northeastern argentina: variations at different spatial scales.the distribution of lutzomyia longipalpis is heterogeneous with a pattern of high abundance areas (haas) embedded in a matrix of low abundance areas (laas). the objective of this study was to describe the variability in the abundance of lu. longipalpis at two different spatial levels and to analyse the relationship between the abundance and multiple environmental variables. of the environmental variables analysed in each household, the condition that best explained the differences in vector abun ...201222990967
preventing zoonotic canine leishmaniasis in northeastern brazil: pet attachment and adoption of community leishmania prevention.visceral leishmaniasis (vl), caused by leishmania infantum chagasi (l.i. chagasi syn. infantum) in northeastern brazil, was responsible for 51,000 new vl cases from 1980 to 2003. household presence of l. infantum-infected dogs is a major risk factor for human infection. despite culling of dogs based on seropositivity, canine l. infantum seroprevalence remains near 20%, suggesting that dog culling is ineffective for preventing vl spread. we administered a cross-sectional survey to 224 households ...201222987654
fixed differences in the paralytic gene define two lineages within the lutzomyia longipalpis complex producing different types of courtship songs.the sand fly lutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae: phlebotominae), the most important vector of american visceral leishmaniasis, is widely distributed in latin america. there is currently a consensus that it represents a species complex, however, the number and distribution of the different siblings is still uncertain. previous analyses have indicated that brazilian populations of this vector can be divided into two main groups according to the type of courtship song (burst vs. pulse) mal ...201222970200
courtship behaviour of phlebotomus papatasi the sand fly vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis.the sand fly phlebotomus papatasi is an old world vector of leishmania major, the etiologic agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. this study describes the courtship behaviour of p. papatasi and compares it with that of lutzomyia longipalpis, the new world vector of visceral leishmaniasis. understanding the details of courtship behaviour in p. papatasi may help us to understand the role of sex pheromones in this important vector.201222935092
leishmania spp. epidemiology of canine leishmaniasis in the yucatan peninsula.canine leishmaniasis is widespread in various mexican states, where different species of leishmania have been isolated from dogs. in the present study, we describe the detection of l. braziliensis, l. infantum, and l. mexicana in serum of dogs from the states of yucatan and quintana roo in the yucatan peninsula (mexico). a total of 412 sera were analyzed by elisa using the total extract of the parasite and the iron superoxide dismutase excreted by different trypanosomatids as antigens. we found ...201222927792
the influence of early neutrophil-leishmania interactions on the host immune response to infection.neutrophils are the first cells recruited to the dermal site of leishmania infection following injection by needle or sand fly bite. the role of neutrophils in either promoting or suppressing host immunity remains controversial. we discuss the events driving neutrophil recruitment, their interaction with the parasite and apoptotic fate, and the nature of their encounters with other innate cells. we suggest that the influence of the neutrophil response on infection outcome critically depends on t ...201222919650
kdna genetic signatures obtained by lssp-pcr analysis of leishmania (leishmania) infantum isolated from the new and the old world.visceral leishmaniasis (vl) caused by species from the leishmania donovani complex is the most severe form of the disease, lethal if untreated. vl caused by leishmania infantum is a zoonosis with an increasing number of human cases and millions of dogs infected in the old and the new world. in this study, l. infantum (syn. l.chagasi) strains were isolated from human and canine vl cases. the strains were obtained from endemic areas from brazil and portugal and their genetic polymorphism was ascer ...201222912862
proteolytic profiling and comparative analyses of active trypsin-like serine peptidases in preimaginal stages of culex quinquefasciatus.the mosquito culex quinquefasciatu s, a widespread insect in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, is a vector of multiple arboviruses and parasites, and is considered an important risk to human and veterinary health. proteolytic enzymes play crucial roles in the insect physiology including the modulation of embryonic development and food digestion. therefore, these enzymes represent important targets for the development of new control strategies. this study presents zymographic charac ...201222892097
investigation of the bacterial communities associated with females of lutzomyia sand fly species from south america.phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of leishmania that are acquired by the female sand fly during blood feeding on an infected mammal. leishmania parasites develop exclusively in the gut lumen during their residence in the insect before transmission to a suitable host during the next blood feed. female phlebotomine sand flies are blood feeding insects but their life style of visiting plants as well as animals, and the propensity for larvae to feed on detritus including animal faeces means that t ...201222880020
carbohydrate digestion in lutzomyia longipalpis' larvae (diptera - psychodidae).lutzomyia longipalpis is the principal species of phlebotomine incriminated as vector of leishmania infantum, the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the americas. despite its importance as vector, almost nothing related to the larval biology, especially about its digestive system has been published. the objective of the present study was to obtain an overview of carbohydrate digestion by the larvae. taking in account that phlebotomine larvae live in the soil rich in decaying material ...201222841889
phlebotomine sandflies fauna (diptera: psychodidae) at rural settlements in the municipality of cáceres, state of mato grosso, brazil.leishmaniasis is expanding across brazil, including the state of mato grosso (mt). the aim of this study was to characterize the phlebotomine sandfly fauna at threerural settlements located in the municipality of cáceres, mt, from august 2010 to july 2011.201222836661
significance of bacteria in oviposition and larval development of the sand fly lutzomyia longipalpis.microbial ecology of phlebotomine sand flies is not well understood although bacteria likely play an important role in the sand fly biology and vector capacity for leishmania parasites. in this study, we assessed the significance of the microbial community of rabbit feces in oviposition and larval development of lutzomyia longipalpis as well as bacterial colonization of the gut of freshly emerged flies.201222827861
utility of filter paper for preserving insects, bacteria, and host reservoir dna for molecular testing.appropriate methodology for storage biological materials, extraction of dna, and proper dna preservation is vital for studies involving genetic analysis of insects, bacteria, and reservoir hosts as well as for molecular diagnostics of pathogens carried by vectors and reservoirs. here we tried to evaluate the utility of a simple filter paper-based for storage of insects, bacteria, rodent, and human dnas using pcr assays.201122808417
participation of heparin binding proteins from the surface of leishmania (viannia) braziliensis promastigotes in the adhesion of parasites to lutzomyia longipalpis cells (lulo) in vitro.leishmania (v.) braziliensis is a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in brazil. during the parasite life cycle, the promastigotes adhere to the gut of sandflies, to avoid being eliminated with the dejection. the lulo cell line, derived from lutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae), is a suitable in vitro study model to understand the features of parasite adhesion. here, we analyze the role of glycosaminoglycans (gags) from lulo cells and proteins from the parasites in this event.201222805335
kinetics of antibody response in balb/c and c57bl/6 mice bitten by phlebotomus papatasi.phlebotomine sand flies are blood-sucking insects transmitting leishmania parasites. in bitten hosts, sand fly saliva elicits specific immune response and the humoral immunity was shown to reflect the intensity of sand fly exposure. thus, anti-saliva antibodies were suggested as the potential risk marker of leishmania transmission. in this study, we examined the long-term kinetics and persistence of anti-phlebotomus papatasi saliva antibody response in balb/c and c57bl/6 mice. we also tested the ...201222802977
leishmania chagasi in opossums (didelphis albiventris) in an urban area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis, campo grande, mato grosso do sul, brazil.we investigated the occurrence of leishmania infantum chagasi in didelphis albiventris opossums at a wild animal rehabilitation center in the city of campo grande, brazil. a total of 54 opossums were tested for l. i. chagasi infection in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples. the samples were analyzed by direct examination, culturing in a specific medium, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. leishmania i. chagasi dna was detected by polymerase chain reaction ...201222802435
cutting edge: brazilian pemphigus foliaceus anti-desmoglein 1 autoantibodies cross-react with sand fly salivary ljm11 antigen.the environmental factors that contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases are largely unknown. endemic pemphigus foliaceus in humans, known as fogo selvagem (fs) in brazil, is mediated by pathogenic igg4 autoantibodies against desmoglein 1 (dsg1). clusters of fs overlap with those of leishmaniasis, a disease transmitted by sand fly (lutzomyia longipalpis) bites. in this study, we show that salivary ags from the sand fly, and specifically the ljm11 salivary protein, are recognized by fs ...201222798673
lufaxin, a novel factor xa inhibitor from the salivary gland of the sand fly lutzomyia longipalpis blocks protease-activated receptor 2 activation and inhibits inflammation and thrombosis in vivo.blood-sucking arthropods' salivary glands contain a remarkable diversity of antihemostatics. the aim of the present study was to identify the unique salivary anticoagulant of the sand fly lutzomyia longipalpis, which remained elusive for decades.201222796577
sandfly fauna in an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in aracaju, state of sergipe, northeast brazil.in recent years, visceral leishmaniasis, a major public health problem, has been spreading from the rural to urban areas in many areas of brazil, including aracaju, the capital of the state of sergipe. however, there are no studies of the sandfly fauna in this municipality or its variation over the year.201222760129
analysis of sandflies (diptera: psychodidae) in barra do garças, state of mato grosso, brazil, and the influence of environmental variables on the vector density of lutzomyia longipalpis (lutz & neiva, 1912).leishmaniasis is an infectious and parasitic zoonotic, non-contagious, vector-borne disease caused by protozoa of the genus leishmania. in brazil, the major vector of leishmania (leishmania) infantum chagasi (cunha & chagas, 1934) is lutzomyia longipalpis. barra do garças, state of mato grosso, was designated as a priority area by the brazilian ministry of health for american visceral leishmaniasis, and it is important to identify the vector species present in this municipality. our objective wa ...201222760128
the role of leishmania proteophosphoglycans in sand fly transmission and infection of the mammalian host.leishmania are transmitted by the bite of their sand fly vector and this has a significant influence on the virulence of the resulting infection. from our studies into the interaction between parasite, vector, and host we have uncovered an important missing ingredient during leishmania transmission. leishmania actively adapt their sand fly hosts into efficient vectors by secreting promastigote secretory gel (psg), a proteophosphoglycan (ppg)-rich, mucin-like gel which accumulates in sand fly gut ...201222754550
immunity to sand fly salivary protein ljm11 modulates host response to vector-transmitted leishmania conferring ulcer-free protection.leishmania vaccines that protect against needle challenge fail against the potency of a leishmania-infected sand fly transmission. here, we demonstrate that intradermal immunization of mice with 500 ng of the sand fly salivary recombinant protein ljm11 (rljm11) from lutzomyia longipalpis, in the absence of adjuvant, induces long-lasting immunity that results in ulcer-free protection against leishmania major delivered by vector bites. this protection is antibody independent and abrogated by deple ...201222739793
leishmaniasis and climate change-case study: argentina.vector-borne diseases closely associated with the environment, such as leishmaniases, have been a usual argument about the deleterious impact of climate change on public health. from the biological point of view interaction of different variables has different and even conflicting effects on the survival of vectors and the probability transmission of pathogens. the results on ecoepidemiology of leishmaniasis in argentina related to climate variables at different scales of space and time are pres ...201222685477
relationship between digestive enzymes and food habit of lutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae) larvae: characterization of carbohydrases and digestion of microorganisms.the sandfly lutzomyia longipalpis (lutz and neiva, 1912) is the main vector of american visceral leishmaniasis. in spite of its medical importance and several studies concerning adult digestive physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, very few studies have been carried out to elucidate the digestion in sandfly larvae. even the breeding sites and food sources of these animals in the field are largely uncharacterized. in this paper, we describe and characterize several carbohydrases from th ...201222684112
natural infection of didelphis aurita (mammalia: marsupialia) with leishmania infantum in brazil.the opossum didelphis have been considered as natural hosts of leishmania parasites in the new world, suggesting an important role in the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis (vl). among six extant species that belong to the genus didelphis, only two (d. marsupialis and d. albiventris), have been mentioned as natural hosts of leishmania infantum in brazil and colombia. in the present paper, it is reported for the first time, the observation of intracellular parasites (amastigotes) in tissues o ...201222676324
disruption of the peritrophic matrix by exogenous chitinase feeding reduces fecundity in lutzomyia longipalpis females.lutzomyia longipalpis is the most important vector of visceral leishmaniasis in brazil. when female sandflies feed on blood, a peritrophic matrix (pm) is formed around the blood bolus. the pm is secreted by midgut cells and composed of proteins, glycoproteins and chitin microfibrils. the pm functions as both a physical barrier against pathogens present in the food bolus and blood meal digestion regulator. previous studies of mosquitoes and sandflies have shown that the absence of a pm, resulting ...201222666867
the effect of removing potentially infectious dogs on the numbers of canine leishmania infantum infections in an endemic area with high transmission rates.to assess the effect of the rapid removal of potentially infectious dogs on the prevalence and incidence of canine infections, a prospective study was undertaken in an area endemic for leishmania infantum. we used serological testing based on the rapid dpp rk28 fusion protein chromatographic immunoassay for this dog screening-and-culling intervention trial. the outcome was evaluated by measuring seropositivity and sero-conversion/-reversion rates for canine infection. our estimates indicated tha ...022665602
lutzomyia umbratilis, the main vector of leishmania guyanensis, represents a novel species complex?lutzomyia umbratilis is an important leishmania guyanensis vector in south america. previous studies have suggested differences in the vector competence between l. umbratilis populations situated on opposite banks of the amazonas and negro rivers in the central amazonian brazil region, likely indicating a species complex. however, few studies have been performed on these populations and the taxonomic status of l. umbratilis remains unclear.201222662146
biomarkers for exposure to sand flies bites as tools to aid control of leishmaniasis.intense research efforts so far have not been sufficient to reduce leishmaniasis burden worldwide. this disease is transmitted by bites of infected sand flies, which inject saliva in the host skin in an attempt to obtain a blood meal. sand fly saliva has an array of proteins with diverse pharmacological properties that modulates the host homeostatic and immune responses. some of these proteins are also immunogenic and can induce both cellular and humoral immune responses. recently, the use of sa ...201222661974
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