Avaliação das lesões encefálicas e fenotipagem de linfócitos T e células dentríticas em linfócitos de cães com leishmaniose visceral

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The involvement of TLR2 and TLR4 in cytokine and nitric oxide production in visceral leishmaniasis patients before and after treatment with anti-leishmanial drugs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Nitric oxide and brazilian propolis combined accelerates tissue repair by modulating cell migration, cytokine production and collagen deposition in experimental leishmaniasis

The fact that drugs currently used in the treatment of Leishmania are highly toxic and associated with acquired resistance has promoted the search for new therapies for treating American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). In this study, BALB/c mice were injected in the hind paw with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and subsequently treated with a combination of nitric oxide (NO) donor (cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)imN(NO)](PF6)(3)) (Ru-NO), given by intraperitoneal injection, and oral Brazilian propolis for 30 days. Ru-NO reached the center of the lesion and increased the NO level in the injured hind paw without lesion exacerbation. Histological and immunological parameters of chronic inflammation showed that this combined treatment increased the efficacy of macrophages, determined by the decrease in the number of parasitized cells, leading to reduced expression of proinflammatory and tissue damage markers. In addition, these drugs in combination fostered wound healing, enhanced the number of fibroblasts, pro-healing cytokines and induced collagen synthesis at the lesion site. Overall, our findings suggest that the combination of the NO donor Ru-NO and Brazilian propolis alleviates experimental ATL lesions, highlighting a new therapeutic option that can be considered for further in vivo investigations as a candidate for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

How pH Modulates the Dimer-Decamer Interconversion of 2-Cys Peroxiredoxins from the Prx1 Subfamily

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Development, characterization, and in vitro biological performance of fluconazole-loaded microemulsions for the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Spatial epidemiology of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in a municipality of west Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biological characterization of the Amazon coral Micrurus spixii snake venom: isolation of a new neurotoxic phospholipase A2

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genome-wide scan for visceral leishmaniasis in mixed-breed dogs identifies candidate genes involved in T helper cells and macrophage signaling

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluating the microbicidal, antiparasitic and antitumor effects of CR-LAAO from Calloselasma rhodostoma venom

CR-LAAO is an l-amino acid oxidase from Calloselasma rhodostoma snake venom that has been broadly studied regarding its structural and biochemical characteristics, however, few studies have investigated its pharmacological effects. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the biotechnological potential of CR-LAAO by determining its bactericidal, antifungal, leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity, as well as its cytotoxicity on human tumor and non-tumor cell lines. After 24h of preincubation, CR-LAAO showed bactericidal effects against both Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.78μg/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC 31.25μg/mL) strains, inducing dismantle of bacterial cell walls. After 6h of preincubation with Candida albicans, CR-LAAO was able to inhibit 80% of the yeast growth, and it also showed cytotoxic activity on Leishmania species and Trypanosoma cruzi. Additionally, CR-LAAO showed high cytotoxicity on HepG2 and HL-60 tumor cells (IC50 10.78 and 1.7μg/mL), with lower effects on human mononuclear cells (PBMC). The cytotoxic effects of CR-LAAO were significantly inhibited in the presence of catalase, which suggests the involvement of hydrogen peroxide in its mechanisms of toxicity. Therefore, CR-LAAO showed promising pharmacological effects, and these results provide important information for the development of therapeutic strategies with directed action, such as more effective antimicrobial agents.

Antimicrobial and antileishmanial activities of diterpenoids isolated from the roots of salvia deserta

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação hepática de cães naturalmente infectados por leishmaniose visceral canina: aspectos ultrassonográficos modo B e Doppler

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparison of diferent diagnostic tests in dogs uninfected and naturally infected with visceral leishmaniasis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Orientação sobre posse responsável em uma área endêmica para leishmaniose visceral canina

The purpose of this work was to provide guidance to householders in the responsible care of their pets, in a region where canine visceral leishmaniasis is endemic. Questionnaires on responsible ownership and the control of this disease were completed by owners of dogs and cats in the city of Araçatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil, in order to evaluate their level of knowledge. Based on the identified deficiencies, the project team provided the owners of the pets with individual guidance at home, focusing on the most critical issues. Concerning nutrition, 70.45% (62/88) of owners provided pet food only, 27.28% (24/88) administered a mixed diet, and 2.27% (2/88) provided homemade food. Additionally, 78.41% (69/88) did not permit the consumption of raw meat, rare meat, or bones. 9.09% (8/88) of owners allowed their pets to wander the neighborhood alone. Among dogs, 14.77% (13/88) had never been clinically tested by a qualified professional, and 6.82% (6/88) and 15.91% (14/88) had never received any kind of vaccine or vermifuge, respectively. In relation to population control, only 20.45% (18/88) of the dogs had been sterilized. It was also observed that 25% (22/88) of owners had already had canine visceral leishmaniasis seropositive dogs in their homes. 54.55% (12/22) of these owners had referred their pets to veterinary clinics for euthanasia, 22.73% (5/22) had used the services of the city’s animal disease control center, and 18.18% (4/22) had paid for private treatment. Nevertheless, 35.23% (31/88) of the dogs had never been submitted to tests for infection diagnosis. From the results obtained, it could be inferred that the individuals who participated in this study were poorly informed concerning basic pet care, demonstrating a need to implement community awareness campaigns for the responsible ownership of pets.

Avaliação do grau de conhecimento sobre Leishmaniose e Toxoplasmose em moradores do município de Araçatuba, SP

Considering the importance of zoonotic infections by Leishmania spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in Araçatuba region, São Paulo, this study determined the degree of knowledge of residents of Araçatuba about these two diseases. Questionnaires about these diseases were applied to 123 people. Regarding schooling, all the respondents were literate, and 69.9% (86/123) did not attend higher education and 30.8% (37/123) completed an undergraduate degree. Of these, 91.9% (34/37) knew the meaning of the term zoonosis, with significant difference compared to those who were not trained. This word was unknown by 57% (29/123) of total respondents. Most non-graduates, 59.3% (51/86) did not know what is toxoplasmosis and among graduates, 35.1% (13/37) ignored the subject.There were significant difference between these groups. Regarding the prevention of Leishmania infection, a greater proportion of the residents advocated environmental cleanup, the collar repellent and use of citronella. In relation to toxoplasmosis, 54.5% did not know the ways of transmission of this disease and among those with graduate degree, 13 ignoring any transmission medium. When it comes to prevention of this disease, 55.3% (68/123) did not know any prophylactic. In the group of higher education, 14 did not know how to prevent toxoplasmosis. The results of this study show that the majority of respondents are not aware about the mode of transmission of these diseases, especially in relation to toxoplasmosis.

Morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular study of renal lesions in canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL)

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is an anthropozoonosis characterized by a clinically chronic progressive disease. Non lymphoid organs are also affected, especially the kidneys. Dogs with leishmaniasis usually die with renal failure despite treatment. Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in kidney tissue sections has low sensitivity for parasite identification. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are efficient methods for Leishmania sp. antigen and DNA detection in cases of low parasite burden. The present study aims to identify renal lesions of CVL and correlate them with microscopic findings determined by histochemistry, IHC and PCR. Both IHC and PCR provided similar positivity for amastigote identification, 3/20 animals (15%), thus increasing detection of the parasite in renal tissues when compared with histopathologic examination. The lesion most commonly observed with visceral leishmaniasis-positive canine kidney tissue was membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, followed by interstitial nephritis without correlation to the number of amastigotes.