Detection of serum antibodies against Leishmania 94 kDa antigen in visceral and cutaneous leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum.

Leishmania promastigotes polypeptides are analyzed by immunoblotting with sera from patients infected with different Leishmania species and presenting visceral or cutaneous infections. These sera recognize Leishmania polypeptides in several molecular masses. The major findings of this study are as follow. 1) The Leishmania 94 kDa antigen, which is specifically recognized by all sera from L. infantum-infected patients with visceral infection, is recognized by some sera from L. infantum-infected patients presenting cutaneous infection. 2) All patients with cutaneous infections due to L. tropica, L. amazonensis, or L. guyanensis do not develop anti-94 kDa antibodies, whatever the Leishmania species used as antigens. 3) Difference in electrophoretic mobilities is seen between the 94 kDa antigen identified by sera from Leishmania infantum-infected patients, and the antigen both recognized by the Concavalin A lectin and a rabbit antiserum raised against deglycosylated Promastigote Surface Protease.

Comparison of parasitological, immunological and molecular methods for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis in dogs with different clinical signs

Aiming to improve the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in an endemic area of the Northwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil, the efficacy of parasitological, immunological and molecular diagnostic methods were studied. Dogs with and without clinical sips of the disease and positive for Leishmania, by direct parasite identification on lymph node smears and/or specific antibody detection by ELISA, were selected for the study. According to the clinical signs, 89 dogs attending the Veterinary Hospital of UNESP in Aracatuba (SP, Brazil) were divided into three groups: symptomatic (36%), oligosymptomatic (22%) and asymptomatic (22%). Twenty-six dogs from an area non-endemic for CanL were used as negative controls (20%). Fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNA) of popliteal lymph nodes were collected and Diff-Quick (R)-stained for optical microscopy. Direct immumofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and parasite DNA amplification by PCR were also performed. After euthanasia, fragments of popliteal lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and liver were collected and processed for HE and immunohistochemistry. Parasite detection by both HE and immunohistochemistry was specifically more effective in lymph nodes, when compared with the other organs. Immunolabeling provided higher sensitivity for parasite detection in the tissues. In the symptomatic group, assay sensitivity was 75.61% for direct parasite search on Diff-Quick (R)-stained FNAs, 92.68% for direct immunofluorescence, 92.68% for immunocytochemistry and 100% for PCR; the corresponding values in the other clinical groups were: 32, 60, 76 and 96% (oligosymptomatic), and 39.13, 73.91, 100 and 95.65% (asymptomatic). Results of the control animals from the CanL non-endemic area were all negative, indicating that the methods used were 100% specific. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Novos registros de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912)(Diptera: Psychodidae) na região Centro-Leste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

A incidência das leishmanioses tegumentar (LTA) e visceral (LVA) americanas, especialmente essa última, em hospedeiros caninos e humanos, encontra-se em expansão no Estado de São Paulo. Na vigilância epidemiológica dessas endemias, torna-se fundamental o conhecimento da distribuição e ecologia das diferentes espécies de flebotomíneos. Assim, a divulgação de novos registros de seus vetores é fundamental para apontar novas áreas de risco para a transmissão dessas doenças. Neste estudo, realizaram-se capturas de flebotomíneos em ambiente de mata, em diferentes localidades dos municípios de Ipeúna, Itirapina e Analândia, entre agosto e setembro de 2007. Foram capturados 248 flebotomíneos de nove espécies diferentes, em Ipeúna, seis e sete espécimes de duas espécies distintas coletados respectivamente em Itirapina e Analândia. A espécie mais abundante em Ipeúna foi Pintomyia pessoai (37,5%), seguida de P. fischeri (33,06%) e Migonemyia migonei (16,53%). Essas três espécies são consideradas importantes vetores de LTA no território paulista. O registro de Lutzomyia longipalpis pela primeira vez em Ipeúna e Analândia e a confirmação de sua presença em Itirapina indicam risco de essabelecimento da LVA na área e a necessidade de mais estudos locais sobre sua ecologia, sobretudo em relação à ocupação de ambientes antrópicos.

Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera, Psychodidae) em Cuesta Basáltica, na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Corumbataí, Região Centro-leste do Estado de São Paulo

A incidência das leishmanioses tegumentar e visceral americanas, em especial esta última (LVA), em hospedeiros caninos e humanos, encontra-se em crescente processo de expansão no Estado de São Paulo. Para a vigilância epidemiológica dessas endemias, torna-se fundamental o conhecimento da distribuição e da ecologia das diferentes espécies da fauna flebotomínea vetoras. Assim, a divulgação de novos encontros de seus vetores, sobretudo da Lutzomyia longipalpis, o principal vetor da LVA, é fundamental para apontar novas áreas de risco para a transmissão dessas doenças. Neste estudo, capturas de flebotomíneos foram realizadas em ambiente domiciliar, peridomiciliar e de mata, em diferentes localidades rurais dos municípios de Ipeúna e Itirapina, entre outubro de 2001 e fevereiro de 2004. Foram utilizadas armadilhas luminosas automáticas do tipo CDC, das 18h às 8h, em 14 noites, resultando 420 horas de exposição. Foram capturados 177 flebotomíneos pertencentes a doze espécies. A espécie mais abundante, Nyssomyia neivai, apontada como a principal vetora de LTA no Estado, contribuiu com 85,4% dos espécimes capturados em Ipeúna. O encontro de Lutzomyia longipalpis em uma caverna em Itirapina, aponta para o risco de estabelecimento da LVA na área e a necessidade de mais estudos locais sobre sua ecologia, sobretudo em relação à ocupação de ambientes antrópicos.

Caso alóctone de leishmaniose visceral canina, no município de Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brasil

This report aims to describe the first case allochthonous of visceral leishmanisasis (VL) in the municipality of Campo Mourao, Parana, Brazil, in a canine, Boxer breed, with eye and skin lesions, lymphadenomegaly and splenomegaly, attended at Veterinary Hospital at the Faculdade Integrado de Campo Mourao, after residing in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. The diagnosis of the disease was based on direct observation of amastigotes of Leishmania spp., in popliteal lymph nodes, suggesting that a case of VL, since the animal came from an endemic area for the disease. The migration of infected dogs from endemic regions to areas unaffected becomes a problem for public health, since it may allow the installation of new outbreaks by encouraging the spread of disease throughout the country.

Visceral mast cell tumor and mastocythemia in a dog

Mast cell tumor manifests as a localized proliferation of mast cells in the skin, or less frequently as a systemic disorder, which may be accompanied by the presence of neoplastic mast cells in the peripheral blood (mastocythemia). In some cases, the neoplastic circulating mast cells originate in the bone marrow, designated as mast cell leukemia, rarely observed in dogs, or the cells may arise from visceral mast cell tumors, characterizing systemic mastocytosis. The aim of this report was to describe a case of a six-year-old female German shepherd dog presenting with history of anorexia, hematemesis and diarrhea. The blood work revealed intense mastocythemia (43%), with degranulated mast cells, and anisocytosis. At necropsy, white nodular lesions in the thymic region and an infiltrative mass in mesenteric and abdominal lymph nodes were observed. Those lymph nodes were enlarged and off-white. Histopathological examination revealed neoplastic mast cells in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidneys, lungs, gastric and enteric mucosae, and adrenal glands. The clinical, hematological and histopathological findings were compatible with mastocythemia, associated with a moderately differentiated visceral mast cell tumor.

Estudo soroepidemiológico de leishmaniose em equinos na região de Araçatuba-SP, Brasil, área endêmica para leishmaniose visceral

The aim of the present study was to perform a leishmaniasis survey in horses from Araçatuba, São Paulo, an endemic area of Brazil. Of the 466 horses tested for the presence of anti-Leishmania chagasi titers by ELISA, 68 (14.59%) were seropositive, with titers varying between 0.324 and 0.813. ELISA positive samples were also tested by immunocromatography and 19/466 (4.08%) were positive. The results of the present study indicated that equines are in contact and can attract phlebotomines, and highlight the necessity of a more accurate investigation on the role played by the horses living in endemic areas, in order to help to control the spread of the illness.

Avaliação dos padrões histopatológicos da pele e imunomarcação de células CD3+ e CD79a+ em cães infectados naturalmente por Leishmania spp

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo clínico-laboratorial das articulações de cães naturalmente infectados com leishmaniose visceral e experimentalmente inoculados com Leishmania chagasi por via intra-articular

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos imunomodulatórios do P-MAPA em cães naturalmente infectados com leishmaniose visceral

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

Estresse oxidativo na leishmaniose visceral canina

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

Molecular detection of the blood meal source of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a transmission area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, Parana State, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Consolidation of international guidelines for the management of canine populations in urban areas and proposal of performance indicators

Consolidation of international guidelines for the management of canine populations in urban areas and proposal of performance indicators The objective of this study is to propose a generic program for the management of urban canine populations with suggestion of performance indicators. The following international guidelines on canine population management were revised and consolidated: World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, World Society for the Protection of Animals, International Companion Animal Management Coalition, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Management programs should cover: situation diagnosis, including estimates of population size; social participation with involvement of various sectors in the planning and execution of strategies; educational actions to promote humane values, animal welfare, community health, and responsible ownership (through purchase or adoption); environmental and waste management to eliminate sources of food and shelter; registration and identification of animals; animal health care, reproductive control; prevention and control of zoonoses; control of animal commerce; management of animal behavior and adequate solutions for abandoned animals; and laws regulating responsible ownership, prevention of abandonment and zoonoses. To monitor these actions, four groups of indicators are suggested: animal population indicators, human/animal interaction indicators, public service indicators, and zoonosis indicators. The management of stray canine populations requires political, sanitary, ethologic, ecologic, and humanitarian strategies that are socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable. Such measures must also include the control of zoonoses such as rabies and leishmaniasis, considering the concept of "one health," which benefits both the animals and people in the community.

Presenza e diffusione della Leishmaniosi e dei suoi vettori in provincia di Rieti

Nel presente studio ci si è proposti di valutare la presenza e diffusione della leishmaniosi in una provincia dell’Italia centrale (Rieti) che, per caratteristiche ambientali (prevalentemente montuosa, clima freddo-secco) poco sembra prestarsi al ciclo della malattia. A questo scopo sono stati calcolati: i) sieroprevalenza grezza nella popolazione canina (2006-2013) e prevalenza media annuale ii) casi di leishmaniosi viscerale (LV) e cutanea (LC) (2000-2013). Catture di flebotomi sono state effettuate per due stagioni consecutive (2011-2012) per ogni sito sono stati registrati i dati climatici (temperatura, umidità etc.) ed altitudine. I flebotomi sono stati sottoposti a ricerca di Leishmania mediante PCR. La sieroprevalenza grezza per leishmania varia da 0 a 76,9% e la prevalenza media annuale non presenta un trend lineare. Sono stati registrati 6 casi di LV tutti in pazienti italiani tutti residenti in provincia di Rieti. I flebotomi sono stati rilevati in 5 dei 6 siti monitorati fino agli 800 m s.l.m., seppur con basse densità. Sono state identificate le seguenti specie: P. perniciosus (6,4 %), P. perfiliewi (1,8%), P. mascittii (0,1%) e S. minuta (91,7 %). E’ stata rilevata una correlazione statisticamente significativa (r=0,69, p<0,001) tra numero di flebotomi e temperatura giornaliera (Tmed°C) ed una correlazione negativa significativa (r= -0,51, p<0,05) con l’umidità relativa (Umed%). La ricerca di leishmania ha dato esito negativo in tutti i flebotomi analizzati. Questi rilievi suggeriscono l’endemia della leishmaniosi nella provincia di Rieti.

[A descriptive epidemiological study on canine babesiosis in the Lake Geneva region]

A descriptive study was carried out in the district of the Lake Geneva between March 1, 2005 and August 31,2006 to assess the incidence and prevalence of canine babesiosis, to genotype the Babesia species occurring, to assess the most frequently clinical signs found and to address the potential of autochthonous transmission. This included a data assessment on the different tick-populations occurring in the area and on the prevalence of Babesia-DNA in these ticks. A total of 56 veterinary practices participated in the study. By blood smear and PCR, Babesia canis canis was found in 12 out of 21 cases with suspected babesiosis. In an additional 13th case, the parasite could only be detected by PCR. All autochthonous cases originated from the Western part of the Lake Geneva region. Clinical signs in affected dogs included inappetence, apathy, anemia, fever, hemoglobinuria and thrombocytopenia. There were no risk factors with regard to age, sex and breed. Most cases were diagnosed during the spring periods of 2005 and 2006 (11 cases) and two cases in autumn 2005, coinciding with the main activity period of Dermacentor reticulatus, the main vector of B. canis canis. A total of 495 ticks were collected on patients by the veterinarians, 473 were identified as Ixodes sp., 7 as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 15 as Dermacentor reticulatus. While Ixodes sp. was found in the whole study area, D. reticulatus and R. sanguineus occurred only in the Western part till Lausanne. PCR and sequencing yielded B. canis canis positivity in 3 D. reticulatus specimen, these three ticks were collected from two different dogs both suffering from babesiosis. All R. sanguineus were negative by Babesia-PCR. Global warming, ecological changes in the potential habitat of ticks, increasing host- and vector-populations and increasing mobility of dog owners may be responsible for an emergence situation of infection risk for Babesia spp. by time. E.g., Dermacentor reticulatus has become autochtonously prevalent already till Lausanne in the Lake Geneva region, and further surveillance is suggested to tackle this problem.