[leish-l] Fwd: Articles found by RefScout 2005/09/21 2005/38
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This is RefScout-Newsletter 38/2005.
REQUEST: [ leishmaniasis ]
(61 articles match this request. 2 articles matching other requests removed)
PMID: 16023642
TITLE: Leishmania donovani: Effect of therapy on expression of CD2 antigen and
secretion of macrophage migration inhibition factor by T-cells in patients with
visceral leishmaniasis.
AUTHORS: S Bimal, S K Singh, V N R Das, P K Sinha, A K Gupta, S K Bhattacharya,
P Das
AFFILIATION: Division of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of
Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna, India.
REFERENCE: Exp Parasitol 2005 Oct 111(2):130-2
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) commonly known as Kala-azar in India is one
of the several clinically important infections, where Th1 sub-population
of CD4(+) T-cells, despite a pre-requisite, fails to express macrophage
migration inhibition factor (MIF) and interferon-gamma which both
activate the macrophage and coordinate the immune response to intra-
cellular Leishmania sp. Expression of CD2 receptors before and after
antileishmanial therapy on CD4(+) T-cells of VL patients and their
corresponding effect on MIF were examined. Before treatment the number
of T-cells expressing CD2 was low which incorporated insignificant MIF
response. The immunological reconstitution was, however, observed after
treatment as manifested through upregulation of CD2(+) T-cells with
pronounced MIF generation response. The study, therefore, identifies a
possible role of CD2 antigen in immunity to VL.
PMID: 15885803
TITLE: Antibodies against a Leishmania infantum peroxiredoxin as a possible
marker for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis and for monitoring the efficacy
of treatment.
AUTHORS: Nuno Santarém, Ana Tomás, Ali Ouaissi, Joana Tavares, Nilza Ferreira,
Arêlo Manso, Lenea Campino, José Manuel Correia, Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
AFFILIATION: Laboratório de BioquÃmica, Faculdade de Farmácia da,
Universidade do Porto, Rua Anibal Cunha, 164, 4050-047 Porto, Portugal;
Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto,
Portugal.
REFERENCE: Immunol Lett 2005 Oct 101(1):18-23
Diagnosis of leishmaniasis is frequently based on serological methods,
such as direct agglutination, immunofluorescence tests and ELISA assays
with Leishmania total extracts, as antigen, however due to highly
inconclusive results, more reliable tests are needed. In the present
study, the prevalence of antibodies to a number of recombinant proteins
(LmSIR2, LmS3a, LimTXNPx, LicTXNPx and LiTXN1) highly conserved among
Leishmania species, were evaluated by ELISA in Leishmania infantum
infected children from an endemic area of Portugal. We found that sera
from children patients had antibodies against the different recombinant
proteins, LicTXNPx presented the highest immuno-reactivity compared to
the other and the most often recognized in the case of acute visceral
leishmaniasis (VL). Moreover, in children treated with meglumine
antimoniate or amphotericin B, antibodies against some of the
recombinant proteins declined, whereas conventional serology using crude
extracts showed little or no difference between the pre- and post-
treatment values. The highest reduction was observed in the case of
antibodies against the LicTXNPx protein. These results suggest that the
antibodies against LicTXNPx might be a useful constituent of a defined
serological test for the diagnosis and the monitoring of the therapeutic
response in VL. The monitoring and follow-up in a large-scale field
trials of such marker in areas where leishmaniasis is endemic will lend
support to this.
PMID: 16156969
TITLE: Efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome((R))) in the treatment of
persistent post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL).
AUTHORS: A M Musa, E A G Khalil, F A Mahgoub, S Hamad, A M Y Elkadaru, A M El
Hassan
AFFILIATION: Department of Clinical Pathology and Immunology, Institute of
Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, P.O. Box 102, Sudan.
REFERENCE: Ann Trop Med Parasitol 2005 Sep 99(6):563-9
A dermatosis commonly known as post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL
) may develop following the treatment of human visceral leishmaniasis (
VL). In about 15% of PKDL cases the disfiguring lesions persist,
sometimes for many years. Such persistent lesions currently require
daily injections of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) for 2-4 months and even
then treatment may not be successful. Alternative, quicker and cheaper
treatment options that cause less toxicity are being explored. Immuno-
chemotherapeutic regimens (based on leishmaniasis candidate vaccines/BCG
with SSG) are still experimental but treatment with liposomal
amphotericin B (AmBisome((R))) has already been found effective, albeit
in a small number of patients. AmBisome is considered less nephrotoxic
than non-liposomal amphotericin B because it specifically targets the
macrophages in which the Leishmania parasites develop. The aim of the
present study was to evaluate further the usefulness of AmBisome in the
treatment of persistent PKDL, in Sudan. The 12 subjects, all of whom
gave their informed consent, had each had PKDL lesions for >6 months and
shown no improvement after repeated injections of SSG. During the study
period, they were hospitalized and regularly screened, haematologically
and biochemically, for adverse effects. The AmBisome, given
intravenously at 2.5 mg/kg.day for 20 days, completely cleared the skin
rash of 10 (83%) of the patients and caused no detectable adverse
effects. In the 10 patients who responded well to the treatment, the
papular lesions regressed and became flat while the hypopigmented
lesions darkened (continuing to do so even after the last AmBisome
injections). Treatment outcome appeared to be unaffected by the age or
gender of the patient (P= 0.7 for each) but the time taken for the PKDL
lesions to heal was correlated with the age of the lesions (P= 0.009).
The macular lesions healed more slowly than the papular (P= 0.02). In
conclusion, Ambisome appears suitable for the treatment of persistent
PKDL lesions in Sudan. Once certain favourable clinical signs (the
regression and/or darkening of the PKDL lesions) have been noted, the
lesions will probably continue to clear without the need for more
injections.
PMID: 16156979
TITLE: Zinc and infection: a review.
AUTHORS: Luis E Cuevas, Ai Koyanagi
AFFILIATION: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
REFERENCE: Ann Trop Paediatr 2005 Sep 25(3):149-60
Dietary zinc deficiency is widespread in developing countries and is
often aggravated by intercurrent acute and chronic infections. Recent
studies have demonstrated that zinc supplementation can significantly
reduce the morbidity and mortality of apparently well-nourished children
and shorten the time to recovery from acute infectious diseases. This
review summarises current knowledge of the role of zinc in childhood
diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections and malaria, and its potential
role in diseases associated with impaired cellular immunity, namely
tuberculosis, lepromatous leprosy and leishmaniasis, and explores
avenues for future research.
PMID: 15922459
TITLE: Comparison of three assays for the evaluation of specific cellular
immunity to Leishmania infantum in dogs.
AUTHORS: Hugo Fernández-Bellon, Laia Solano-Gallego, Alhelà RodrÃguez, Victor
P M G Rutten, Aad Hoek, Antonio Ramis, Jordi Alberola, LluÃs Ferrer
AFFILIATION: Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Spain.
REFERENCE: Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2005 Aug 107(1-2):163-9
Cellular immune response to Leishmania plays a key role in canine
leishmaniosis. However, there are few assays to evaluate this response
in the dog. Here, we evaluated and compared three assays of specific
cellular immune response to Leishmania infantum in dogs: the leishmanin
skin test (LST), lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA) and IFN-gamma
cytopathic effect inhibition bioassay (IFNB). Fifty-six healthy dogs
from an endemic area for leishmaniosis on the island of Mallorca were
studied. In all, 37 dogs showed a positive LST and 32 a positive IFNB,
24 were positive for both assays. The 17 dogs positive for LPA also gave
positive results for either LST or IFNB, or both. These findings
indicate that although LST is the method of choice, IFNB is a
complementary test. Therefore, both assays should be performed and
analyzed jointly. In comparison with LST and IFNB, LPA is much less
sensitive, and yields many false negative results.
PMID: 16048936
TITLE: Production and characterization of stable amphotericin-resistant
amastigotes and promastigotes of Leishmania mexicana.
AUTHORS: Hamdan I Al-Mohammed, Michael L Chance, Paul A Bates
AFFILIATION: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3
5QA, United Kingdom.
REFERENCE: Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005 Aug 49(8):3274-80
The sensitivities of Leishmania mexicana amastigote and promastigote
forms to amphotericin B were investigated in vitro and found to be
strongly influenced by the culture media used. When differences in
culture media were minimized, there was no significant difference in the
50% inhibitory concentration values between the two life cycle stages.
Stable amphotericin B-resistant amastigote and promastigote lines were
produced by the application of increasing drug pressure to long-term
cultures. Lines capable of growth in concentrations of amphotericin B
lethal to normal parasites were produced. Compared to normal parasites,
these amphotericin-resistant lines showed marked differences in membrane
sterol compositions, with very high levels of 4,14,dimethyl-cholesta-8,
24-dienol and other methyl sterols. They also showed a consistent
morphological feature, the presence of multilamellar membrane-like
material in the flagellar pocket, revealed by transmission electron
microscopy. Amphotericin-resistant parasites were capable of infecting
BALB/c mice, but the resulting lesion growth was slower than that after
infection with normal parasites. However, unlike normal parasites, the
amphotericin-resistant parasites were unaffected by experimental
chemotherapy with amphotericin B. These results show that amphotericin B
resistance could arise as a result of increased clinical use of
amphotericin B therapy.
PMID: 16014837
TITLE: Risk factors for Indian kala-azar.
AUTHORS: Alok Ranjan, Dipika Sur, Vijay P Singh, Niyamat A Siddique, Byomkesh
Manna, Chandra S Lal, Prabhat K Sinha, Kamal Kishore, Sujit K Bhattacharya
AFFILIATION: Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian
Council of Medical Research, Agamkuan, Patna, India.
REFERENCE: Am J Trop Med Hyg 2005 Jul 73(1):74-8
A case-control study was conducted to understand the risk factors
associated with kala-azar in disease-endemic areas of Bihar, India. A
total of 134 kala-azar cases treated at the Rajendra Memorial Research
Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna and 406 healthy controls selected
randomly from the neighborhoods of cases in their native villages were
included in the study. Univariate analysis showed that education, a
history of other diseases in the previous year, a history of kala-azar
in the family, type of walls in houses, presence of a granary inside
houses, presence of vegetation around houses, bamboo trees near houses,
and irregular spraying around houses with DDT were risk factors.
Multivariate analysis showed that a history of other diseases in the
previous year (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6, P = 0.002), a history of kala-azar
in the family (OR = 1.8, P = 0.03), mud-plastered walls in houses, (OR
= 2.4, P = 0.0001], a granary inside houses (OR = 4.3, P = 0.0001),
presence of bamboo trees around houses (OR = 2.3, P = 0.001), and houses
not sprayed with DDT in the past six months (OR = 3.4, P = 0.0001) were
significant risk factors for kala-azar. These results will be useful in
developing kala-azar control programs for identifying intervention
strategies such as better housing, regular and proper insecticide
spraying, and promoting health awareness to the community residing in
disease-endemic areas for reducing transmission and incidence of this
disease.
PMID: 16164025
TITLE: Role of the C-type lectins DC-SIGN and L-SIGN in Leishmania interaction
with host phagocytes.
AUTHORS: Esther Caparrós, Diego Serrano, Amaya Puig-Kröger, Lorena Riol,
Fátima Lasala, Iñigo Martinez, Fernando Vidal-Vanaclocha, Rafael Delgado,
José Luis RodrÃguez-Fernández, Luis Rivas, Angel L CorbÃ, MarÃa
Colmenares
AFFILIATION: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Calle Ramiro de
Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
REFERENCE: Immunobiology 2005 210(2-4):185-93
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that courses with cutaneous or
visceral clinical manifestations. The amastigote stage of the parasite
infects phagocytes and modulates the effector function of the host cells
. Our group has described that the interaction between Leishmania and
immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) takes place through
dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), a C-type
lectin that specifically recognizes fungal, viral and bacterial
pathogens. The DC-SIGN-mediated recognition of Leishmania amastigotes
does not induce DC maturation, and the DC-SIGN ligand/s on Leishmania
parasites is/are still unknown. We have also found that the DC-SIGN-
related molecule L-SIGN, specifically expressed in lymph node and liver
sinusoidal endothelial cells, acts as a receptor for L. infantum, the
parasite responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, but does not recognize
L. pifanoi, which causes the cutaneous form of the disease. Therefore,
DC-SIGN and L-SIGN differ in their ability to interact with Leishmania
species responsible for either visceral or cutaneous leishmaniasis. A
deeper knowledge of the parasite-C-type lectin interaction may be
helpful for the design of new DC-based therapeutic vaccines against
Leishmania infections.
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The following references are revised files and are brought to you in accordance
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PMID: 14582297
TITLE: [Liposomal amphotericin B treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis contracted
in Djibouti and resistant to meglumine antimoniate]
AUTHORS: C Rapp, P Imbert, H Darie, F Simon, P Gros, T Debord, R Roué
AFFILIATION: Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Hôpital militaire
Bégin, 69 avenue de Paris, 94163 Saint-Mandé, France.
hiabegin.mit at worldonline.fr
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2003 Aug 96(3):209-11
Pentavalent antimony (PA) compounds remain the main therapeutic agents
of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). CL infection resistant to PA is
difficult to cure, limited by severe side effects and requiring a long
course treatment of parenteral administration of recommended second line
drugs. We report a case of CL unresponsive to meglumine antimoniate
contracted in Djibouti, successfully treated with a short course
treatment of AmBisome. In this case the subject had a recurrent thick
crusted erythematous lesion on his left elbow associated with spreading
micropapula on arms and thorax. The diagnosis of CL was confirmed by
direct examination and genomic amplification by PCR of skin samples,
cultures were negative. A short course treatment of parenteral AmBisome
(18 mg/kg) has lead to clinical cure with no side effects and no
relapse. In our hospital, the high cost of medication was
counterbalanced by easiest administration, reduction of hospitalization
duration, absence of adverse events and a gain of comfort. For this
patient, a short course treatment of AmBisome proved to be a suitable
alternative to traditional drugs used in CL resistant to PA.
PMID: 14582298
TITLE: [Leishmaniasis in Algiers: epidemiologic data]
AUTHORS: Z Harrat, M Belkaid
AFFILIATION: Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Service de parasitologie-mycologie, 2
rue du Dr Laveran, 16000 El Hamma, Alger. zharrat at caramail.com
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2003 Aug 96(3):212-4
The authors review the situation on human and canine leishmaniasis
observed in Algiers during the period 1990-1997. 1800 sera have been
tested by IFAT. The frequency of canine leishmaniasis rises to 37%. 25%
of the positive dogs are asymptomatic. The canine leishmaniasis annual
fluctuations seem to vary from one year to another, with an increase of
number of cases comparing with the last period. Human leishmaniasis is
also increasing in Algiers, where 22 cases of HVL and 40 cases CL have
been notified. Nine strains of Leishmania (5 from dogs and 4 from human
) were isolated and identified by isoenzymes eletrophoresis technique.
All stocks were belonging to Leishmania infantum complex. To complete
the study, the seasonal dynamic of phlebotomine sandflies was carried
out in the same area where 2959 specimens have been captured. The
results showed the predominance of P. perniciosus and P. longicuspis,
the main vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Algeria.
PMID: 12836518
TITLE: [Leishmania infantum MON-1: the only zymodeme isolated in canine
leishmaniasis in Tunisia]
AUTHORS: K Aoun, M F Diouani, R Benikhlef, A Bouratbine, S Ben Haj Ali, Z
Harrat, M Belkaïd, M Kilani, R Ben Ismaïl
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie clinique, Institut Pasteur de Tunis,
13 Pl. Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisie. Karim.Aoun at fmt.rnu.tn
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2003 May 96(2):77-9
Iso-enzymatic characterization of 19 Leishmania strains isolated from
Tunisian dogs revealed that all correspond to Leishmania infantum MON-1
. This confirms the role of dog as a reservoir of the commonest zymodeme
responsible for human visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin
. However, and in spite of the high number of identifications, many
zymodemes, mainly the dermotropic ones as Leishmania infantum MON-24,
frequently reported in humans, had never been isolated from dogs. The
study of their cultural characteristics may contribute to explain the
particular iso-enzymatic profile of dogs strains.
PMID: 15015844
TITLE: [Cutaneous leishmaniasis in France: towards the end of injectable
therapy?]
AUTHORS: P A Buffet, G Morizot
AFFILIATION: Centre médical de l'Institut Pasteur, 211 rue de Vaugirard, 75724
Paris Cedex 15, France. pabuffet at pasteur.fr
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2003 Jan 96(5):383-8
Today no drug likely to be efficient on the majority of human-infecting
species, well tolerated, and easy to administer is available for the
treatment of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. But recent progress has been
made. Efficient against visceral leishmaniasis, orally administered
miltefosine may supplant pentavalent antimonials for the treatment of
cutaneous leishmaniasis acquired in the New World. Right now, the
reference treatment is still parenteral pentavalent antimonials 20 mg
Sbv/kg/d for a duration that may probably be reduced from 20 to 10 days
. The benefit/risk ratio of pentamidine still compares well with that of
pentavalent antimonials for the treatment of lesions due to species
belonging to the L. panamensis/L. guyanensis/L. shawi group. Pentamidine
, which is easier to handle than antimonials, remains the reference
treatment for cases from areas where these species predominate. Oral
fluconazole is an improvement, readily available for cases from L. major
foci. If its efficacy is confirmed in other foci and against other
species, mechanisms will have to be implemented to make this therapeutic
improvement affordable to poor patients in endemic countries. The
development of an efficient and well tolerated topical treatment is
still warranted. A new formulation of aminosidine is currently under
evaluation. One can hope that the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis
will soon become simpler, both for patients and doctors. For the
benefits of this simplification to be rapidly affordable to all patients
, the pharmaceutical and clinical research outlay must be maintained.
PMID: 11889946
TITLE: [Visceral leishmaniasis in Cameroon. Seroepidemiologic survey in the
Kousseri region, north Cameroon]
AUTHORS: B Dondji, J Dereure, B Poste, A Same-Ekobo, J P Dedet
AFFILIATION: Département des sciences biologiques, Faculté des sciences,
Université de Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroun.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Dec 94(5):418-20
A sero-epidemiological survey of school children was carried out in
Kousseri, a focus for visceral leishmaniasis. Sero-immunological assays
for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies were based on the
indirect immunofluorescence assay test and counter-immunoelectrophoresis
. 9 out of 223 school children tested positive for visceral
leishmaniasis (seroprevalence rate of 4%). These 9 cases had no history
of the disease. The data obtained confirm the endemicity of visceral
leishmaniasis in this focus and call for extensive studies in order to
determine the prevalence of the disease in the entire population as well
as the main components of the transmission cycle.
PMID: 11889934
TITLE: [Particular profile of the zymodemes of Leishmania infantum causing
visceral leishmaniasis in Tunisia]
AUTHORS: K Aoun, A Bouratbine, Z Harrat, M Belkaïd, S Bel Hadj Ali
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13 place
Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisie. Karim.Aoun at fmt.mu.tn
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Dec 94(5):375-7
The isoenzymatic typing of 16 stocks of Leishmania, isolated from
Tunisian visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases, revealed that all strains
belonged to Leishmania (L.) infantum species. Although zymodeme MON-1
was predictably the most frequent (9 cases), it came as a surprise that
L. infantum MON-24 was responsible of about third of cases. This latter
zymodeme, while previously reported in Tunisia, Algeria and Spain, was
assumed to be a dermotropic and the few cases of VL that it caused
occurred always in HIV infected patients. L. infantum MON-80,
occasionally reported during both cutaneous and VL of immunocompetent
infants was identified in 2 patients. This report confirms that in
addition to the more common L. infantum MON-1, zymodeme MON-24 has a
substantial role in generating VL in immunocompetent infants in Tunisia.
PMID: 11845536
TITLE: [Award of the Brumpt Prize 2000 to Jean-Antoine Rioux, February 14 2001
by the Society for Exotic Pathology]
AUTHORS: J Euzéby
AFFILIATION: Universités de Turin.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Nov 94(4):360-3
PMID: 11681227
TITLE: [Leishmaniasis and phlebotomus of Cameroon: review of current data]
AUTHORS: B Dondji
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences
biomédicales, Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun.
bdondji at uycdc.uinet.cm
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Aug 94(3):277-9
The author updates available data on leishmaniasis and phlebotomine
sandflies in Cameroon. After describing the natural environment, we
present all the cases of the cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases
recorded so far in this country. He refers also to the first biochemical
characterisation of Leishmania major MON-26 in Cameroon. The data of a
leishmanin skin test survey conducted in the Mokolo cutaneous
leishmaniasis focus are presented as well as a repertoire of the
phlebotomine sandfly species identified in the country. The implications
and shortcomings of these available data are discussed and
recommendations are drawn for further research.
PMID: 11346974
TITLE: [Confirmation of Leishmania infantum MON-24, agent of cutaneous
leishmaniasis in southern France]
AUTHORS: P Del Giudice, P Marty, C Boissy, A Haik, F Pratlong, F
Delaunay-Kaidomar, E Rosenthal, E Counillon, Y Le Fichoux
AFFILIATION: Unité de maladies infectieuses et tropicales et de dermatologie,
Hôpital Bonnet, Avenue André Léotard, 83700 Fréjus, France.
Del-giudice-p at chi-frejus-saint-raphael.fr
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Mar 94(1):17-8
Leishmania infantum MON-24, an agent causing cutaneous leishmaniasis,
has only been reported once in Southern France. The authors report an
additional case which confirms the presence of this zymodeme as agent of
cutaneous leishmaniasis in this area. Treatment with a single course of
liposomal amphotericine B did not show convincing efficacy.
PMID: 11346975
TITLE: [Infiltrated cutaneous leishmaniasis and sporotrichosis caused by
Leishmania major. First Senegalese case]
AUTHORS: D M Thierno, M Develoux, B Ndiaye, M Huerre
AFFILIATION: Unité d'histopathologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Mar 94(1):19-20
We report in Senegal a case of infiltrated cutaneous leishmaniasis and
sporothricoid due to Leishmania major MON-74. The diagnosis of our case
was based on the cytologic, histologic and immunoparasitological
examination. The patient was completely cured by 3 courses of 15 days of
glucan-time. Our case completes the spectrum of the clinical
presentation of tegumentary leishmaniasis.
PMID: 11346985
TITLE: [Preliminary study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the town of Ouagadougou
from 1996 to 1998]
AUTHORS: K S Traoré, N O Sawadogo, A Traoré, J B Ouedraogo, K L Traoré, T R
Guiguemdé
AFFILIATION: Centre Muraz, 01 BP 153, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Mar 94(1):52-5
Since 1996, there have been reports of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis
in the town of Ouagadougou. The incidence has been on the rise but
precise figures are not known. The object of the present study has been
, first, to record cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis having occurred in
private and public health centres in Ouagadougou from 1996 to 1998 and,
second, to determine the progression of the disease in space and time.
We wished also to confirm clinical cases in 1998 by parasitological
examination, identify different clinical forms of the disease and map
out cases in the town. We carried out a retrospective study from 1996 to
1998 and a prospective study in 1998. All cases recorded in this period
in visited health centres were included. A total of 1845 cases of
cutaneous leishmaniasis was identified, 50.3% of whom concerned women.
The age of patients varied between 1 and 79 years for 356 patients, with
a mean age of 26.7 years. Cases increased between 1996 and 1998 (1996
= 61 cases, 1997 = 552 cases, 1998 = 1218 cases). The months of highest
incidence were August (13%), September (15%) and October (17%).
Peripheral districts (28, 30, 29, 16, 15) in south-eastern areas of the
town were the worst touched with 87% of cases. On average, patients seek
care after 2 months of progression of the disease. The ulcero-crusted
form (68.2%) was the most frequent clinical form observed for 327
patients, but almost half of the cases had more than one site of
infection, (43.5%). Over half of the patients presented fewer than 10
lesions with an average of 6. The most common locations were on
uncovered parts of the body, notably the superior (53%) and inferior
limbs (49%). The parasite could be tested for by smear on 52 patients
only in 1998 and 53.8% of cases tested were positive. Leishmania major,
which is very prevalent in West Africa was identified in one patient.
The vectors and main reservoirs of the parasite were not studied. Case
management was generally incomplete; the most commonly prescribed drugs
were antibiotics (70% of patients), but self-medication was frequent.
Our recommendations after this preliminary study are: undertake
multidisciplinary studies on cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ouagadougou in
order to understand the local aetiology (vectors responsible for
transmission, rodent and domestic animals involved in the
epidemiological chain, parasite species); identify all other areas in
the country where the disease is highly prevalent provide health care
staff with a decisional algorithm and protocol therapy carry out and
active control programme for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Burkina Faso.
PMID: 11346972
TITLE: [Ocular parasitoses and mycoses: cases diagnosed in the Central
University Hospital of Sfax between 1996 and 1999]
AUTHORS: F Cheikh-Rouhou, F Makni, A Ayadi, R Ghorbel, Z Ben Zina
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, CHU H. Bourguiba, Sfax,
Tunisie.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Mar 94(1):11-3
Parasitical and fungal ophthalmic infections are polymorphic and
variably severe. They are rarely reported in publications. The aim of
our study has been to specify the parasitic and fungal agents isolated
from the ocular samples in our district (Sfax-Tunisia). We surveyed
retrospectively the different ocular parasitosis and mycosis diagnosed
in our laboratory (Sfax hospital) over a 4 year-period (1996-1999).
Fungal ophthalmic infections were dominated by corneal localisations: 20
cases of keratomycosis secondary to: Fusarium solani (8 cases),
Aspergillus fumigatus (3 cases); Aspergillus flavus (2 cases);
Alternaria sp (2 cases), Candida albicans (2 cases); Fusarium dimerium (
1 case); Fusarium oxysporum (1 case) and Scedosporium sp (1 case). A
prolonged treatment by ketoconazole had a successful resolution in 70%
of cases; 1 case of ciliar tinea caused by Trichophyton violaceum.
Parasitic agents were dominated by Demodex folliculorum (32 cases),
Phthirius inguinalis (6 cases) and Oestrus ovis (2 cases). Two cases of
orbital hydatidosis and 2 cases of palpebral cutaneous leishmania were
noted; 21 cases of ocular toxoplasmosis were treated by clindamycine.
Our survey concerned not only cosmopolite parasitosis and fungi, but
also some affections endemic to our district (hydatidosis and
leishmaniasis) with manifestations in isolated ophthalmic localisation.
Our research has underscored the need to specify types of infection by
way of adequate sampling so as to treat early and then improve prognosis.
PMID: 11346973
TITLE: [Infantile visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum zymodeme
MON-24 in Algeria]
AUTHORS: R Benikhlef, F Pratlong, Z Harrat, N Seridi, S Bendali-Braham, M
Belkaid, J P Dedet
AFFILIATION: Institut Pasteur d'Alger, Algérie. rbenikhlef at yahoo.fr
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2001 Mar 94(1):14-6
In Algeria, visceral leishmaniasis is caused principally by Leishmania
infantum MON-1, a common agent of the disease on the edges of the
mediterranean basin. Other zymodemes (MON-34 and MON-80) of the same
complex have also been isolated from immunologically competent patients
. In the present study, the authors report the presence of Leishmania
infantum MON-24, the main agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northern
Algeria, in five children with visceral leishmaniasis.
PMID: 10863611
TITLE: [Epidemiologic and parasitologic data concerning sporadic cutaneous
leishmaniasis in northern Tunisia]
AUTHORS: K Aoun, A Bouratbine, Z Harrat, I Guizani, M Mokni, S Bel Hadj Ali, A
Ben Osman, M Belkaïd, K Dellagi, R Ben Ismaïl
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie clinique, Institut Pasteur de Tunis,
Tunisie.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2000 Apr 93(2):101-3
This study refers to 23 patients presenting with the sporadic forms of
cutaneous leishmaniasis encountered in northern most humid parts of
Tunisia. Culture inoculation for parasitic isolation was processed using
two media: the classical NNN and a rabbit serum based medium (SLC).
Cultures were positive in 17 cases with SLC medium and 13 cases with NNN
medium. Eight isolates were typed using 15 isoenzymes systems. Six
isolates were identified as Leishmania infantum MON-24 which confirms
the crucial role of this zymodeme in causing this form of cutaneous
leishmaniasis. The other two isolates were identified as Leishmania
infantum MON-1, which is the principal agent of visceral leishmaniasis
in the Mediterranean area.
PMID: 10774485
TITLE: [Infantile visceral leishmaniasis from Leishmania infantum MON-24: a
reality in Tunisia]
AUTHORS: S Belhadj, F Pratlong, H Mahjoub, N H Toumi, R Azaiez, J P Dedet, E
Chaker
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, Hôpital La Rabta, Tunis,
Tunisie.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2000 Feb 93(1):12-3
The authors report the first documented observation of infantile
visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum MON-24 zymodeme in
Tunisia. This zymodeme was isolated from a non-immunodepressed two-year-
old child, with visceral leishmaniasis, originating from Zaghouan, in
northern Tunisia. This case shows that beside L. infantum MON-1 and MON-
80, L. infantum MON-24, the usual parasite of cutaneous leishmaniasis,
there exists also a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in our
country.
PMID: 11775326
TITLE: [Edmond Sergent (1876-1969) and the Pasteur Institute of Algeria]
AUTHORS: X de la Tribonnière
AFFILIATION: Service régional universitaire des maladies infectieuses et du
voyageur, Centre hospitalier de Tourcoing, 59208, Institut Pasteur de Lille,
rue A. Calmette, 59000 Lille, France.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2000 Jan 93(5):365-71
Edmond Sergent, supported by a distinguished team of colleagues,
directed the Pasteur Institute of Algeria for over 60 years, from 1900
to 1963. As a student of Emile Roux, Sergent had received a Pasteurian
training. His institute devoted extensive study to malaria. Sergent
defined the concept of prevention and extended it to other pathologies.
For many years, the Institute persevered in carrying out successful
antimalarial campaigns such that Algeria was freed of the disease. In
1916-1917, Sergent and his brother were called upon to organise anti-
malarial efforts for the Armée d'Orient. By way of systematic and
energetic curative and prophylactic measures, they were able to
eradicate the disease. In 1908, the Sergent brothers were the first to
discover the role of the louse in the transmission of another disease,
relapsing fever. The Pasteur Institute team also discovered the sand fly
vector which transmits the parasite causing leishmaniasis. The Sergents
found a new form of oculonasal myiasis, called "Thimni". In
addition, they led effective campaigns against tuberculosis based on BCG
vaccination administered throughout Algeria. The Pasteur Institute of
Algeria conducted important research in plant and animal diseases. For
example, they detected a trypanosome agent causing dromedary "debab
", as well as its vector, the horsefly. They also studied in depth
bovine piroplasmosis, which causes widespread and destructive disease,
and demonstrated the role of the tick in promoting transmission
generally. Their work in botany included the discovery that a Fusarium-
type fungus was the causal agent for "baïoudh", the main
disease of date palms. They also demonstrated the basic role of the
fruit fly in alcoholic grape fermentation.
PMID: 10399605
TITLE: [Phlebotomus of Senegal: survey of the fauna in the region of Kedougou.
Isolation of arbovirus]
AUTHORS: Y Ba, J Trouillet, J Thonnon, D Fontenille
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire ORSTOM de zoologie médicale à l'Institut Pasteur de
Dakar, Sénégal. OCEAC at camnet.cm
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1999 May 92(2):131-5
Phlebotomine sand-flies were captured on a bimonthly basis from April
1995 to March 1996 in the Kedougou district of south-east Senegal. In
all, 6,642 specimens were identified belonging to 25 species. Eleven
species were captured in tree holes, 17 in termites hills, 19 in rodent
burrows and 23 on grass. Sergentomyia buxtoni, S. clydei, S. dubia, S.
squamipleuris et S. schwetzi were the most abundant. Species from the
genus Sergentomyia accounted for 99.3% versus 0.7% for the genus
Phlebotomus, Phlebotomus duboscqi, the leishmaniasis vector in Senegal,
was very rare. The male of S. edentula and S. herollandi were recorded
for the first time. The sand-fly population was observed to peak in
April. The most populated resting sites were, in decreasing order,
termite-hills, burrows and tree-holes. Thirty virus strains from 5
different viruses (Saboya, Chandipura, Tete, ArD 95737, ArD 111740) were
isolated from 30,482 specimens tested.
PMID: 10214517
TITLE: [Confirmation of the presence of Leishmania infantum MON-80 in Tunisia]
AUTHORS: K Aoun, A Bouratbine, Z Harrat, A Maherzi, M Belkaid, S Bousnina, R Ben
Ismail
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie, Institut Pasteur de Tunisie, Tunis,
Tunisie.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1999 Feb 92(1):29-30
A definitive confirmation of the presence in Tunisia of the rare zymodem
MON-80 of Leishmania infantum, as a causative agent of infantile
visceral leishmaniasis, is reported.
PMID: 9846221
TITLE: [Canine leishmaniasis from Leishmania infantum: value and production of
the latex test. Ecoepidemiologic applications]
AUTHORS: J Dereure, G Lanotte, F Pratlong, J Gouvernet, J Majhour, S Belazzoug,
A Khiami, H A Rageh, D Jarry, J Périères, J A Rioux
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire d'écologie médicale et de pathologie parasitaire,
Faculté de médecine, Montpellier, France.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1998 91(4):300-5
The authors relate the realization, evaluation and eco-epidemiological
applications of a "field-test": the agglutination of latex
particles coated with a soluble antigen of Leishmania infantum in the
presence of homologous antibodies. Evaluated on 1,035 canine sera, the
sensitivity of the latex agglutination test (LAT) was 93.4% compared to
the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). 90 node cultures were
carried out on dogs with positive or negative LAT and/or positive or
negative IFAT. The frequency of positive node cultures (70%) as versus
positive LAT came between the results obtained for an IFAT > 1/40 (64%)
and IFAT > 1/80 (73%). 32/33 (97%) dogs had positive node culture, LAT
and IFIAT(> 1/80). 6 dogs had negative LAT but positive node culture: 5
of these had also an IFAT < 1/160. This test was used in the field on
several eco-epidemiological surveys in leishmanian enzootic areas. Node
cultures were made on the dogs with positive TL. 39 strains were
isolated: 18 in Algeria, 15 in Morocco, 2 in Syria and 4 in Yemen. 13/39
strains were obtained from dogs with IFI < 1/160: 2 at 1/20, 8 at 1/
40 and 3 at 1/80. In Algeria this test was also used for the diagnosis
of human visceral leishmaniasis in a child. This quick, simple,
sensitive and specific test could be usefully carried out on "field
" surveys for the diagnosis of visceral-leishmaniasis in animals
and human beings.
PMID: 10078389
TITLE: [The principal arthropod vectors of disease. What are the risks of
travellers' to be bitten? To be infected?]
AUTHORS: M Coosemans, A Van Gompel
AFFILIATION: Institut de médecine tropicale Prince Léopold, Anvers, Belgique.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1998 91(5 Pt 1-2):467-73
Many blood-sucking arthropods are potential vectors of disease. To
become a vector, the arthropod must be susceptible to the infective
agent and must survive the incubation period so as to transmit the
pathogens to a host. While some arthropod associated diseases affect
only man (e.g. malaria) most of these diseases are (anthropo-) zoonoses
with man often an accidental host. The risk of contamination depends on
the one hand on the biting behaviour of the vector, its biology and
distribution, and on the other hand on the sites visited by the
traveller, the length of his stay, his activities, the conditions of
sleeping accommodation. The risk of contracting malaria is very high in
tropical Africa, in the forest area of South America and South East Asia
, in Papua New Guinea. Malaria can be prevented if measures (e.g.
pyrethroid impregnated bed nets, repellents) are taken to avoid bites of
Anopheline mosquitoes between sunset and sunrise, but appropriate
chemoprophylaxis must not be neglected. Lethal cases of yellow fever
among unvaccinated travellers still occur despite a strict international
regulation on vaccination requirements. Dengue is a major health
problem in intertropical areas. As no vaccine is available, personal
protection measures are recommended against daytime-biting mosquitoes,
including the use of protective clothing, repellents. Other arthropod
borne diseases among travellers are less common but the risks increase
during adventure trips (e.g. zoonotic leishmaniasis, tick-borne
relapsing fever) and humanitarian actions (e.g. risk of louse-borne
typhus during visits of overcrowded prisons). Tick-borne diseases
receive nowadays more attention. These diseases are not only restricted
to some occupations (farmers, veterinarians) but also ramblers and
campers are at risk. Attached ticks should be removed rapidly and
carefully, since several hours of attachment are needed for transmission
of spirochetes of LYME disease.
PMID: 9846231
TITLE: [Phlebotomus of Constantine: species captured in an urban apartment]
AUTHORS: T Moulahem, A H Fendri, Z Harrat, A Benmezdad, K Aissaoui, S Ahraou, K
Addadi
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie, CHU Ben Badis, Constantine,
Algérie.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1998 91(4):344-5
The authors report the results of the capture of sandflies, carried out
in a ground-floor apartment of a suburb of Constantine (east Algeria),
an urban focus of human leishmaniasis. Phlebotomus perfiliewi is the
most abundant species observed.
PMID: 9773193
TITLE: [Human parasitoses in Burkina Faso. Histopathologic approach]
AUTHORS: B Sakandé, S S Traoré, J Kaboré, T Ouattara, R B Soudré
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire d'anatomie et de cytologie pathologiques, Centre
hospitalier national Yalgado Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1998 91(3):217-20
The aim of this first study was to assess parasitic diseases encountered
in histological practice in Burkina Faso. An examination of 3410
pathological specimens showed 138 cases of parasitic diseases which
represented 4% of the results observed for 5 years in the laboratory of
YALGADO OUEDRAOGO National Hospital. The parasitic diseases diagnosed
were in decreasing order Schistosomiasis 53.6%, Cysticercosis 13.1%,
Mycetoma 12.3%, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis 8%, Amebiasis 6.6%, Filariasis 4
.3%, and Histoplasmosis 2.1%. We recommend better data collection for
integration of these diseases into the health policy of Burkina.
PMID: 9642468
TITLE: [Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum MON-1
contracted in northern Algeria]
AUTHORS: P Marty, J P Lacour, F Pratlong, C Perrin, P del Giudice, Y Le Fichoux
AFFILIATION: Groupe de recherche en immunopathologie de la leishmaniose,
Faculté de médecine, Nice, France.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1998 91(2):146-7
Classically, the agent of the sporadic skin leishmaniasis in Northern
Algeria is Leishmania infantum MON-24. This paper reports the first
documented observation of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis due to
Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1 in Northern Algeria. The interest of
using the Western blot serological analysis to guide the diagnosis and
the usefulness of the hamster inoculation to isolate Leishmania from
pauciparasitized lesion is demonstrated.
PMID: 9642482
TITLE: [Anthropologic research and understanding pediatric visceral
leishmaniasis in Tunisia]
AUTHORS: A Bouratbine, H Moussa, K Aoun, R Ben Ismaïl
AFFILIATION: Laboratoire de parasitologie clinique, Institut Pasteur de Tunis,
Tunisie.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1998 91(2):183-7
In order to determine the social and cultural factors which delay
hospitalization of children suffering from visceral leishmaniasis (VL),
a study was carried out in the rural area of Kairouan (Tunisia).
Qualitative techniques were used to investigate beliefs and behaviours
associated with the symptoms of VL. The study has demonstrated that the
folk interpretation of the disease interferes largely with the choice of
the therapy. Regarding VL, the subdivision of the disease into two
groups of symptoms, fever and splenomegaly, incites parents to consult
doctors in the presence of fever and use traditional healers when
splenomegaly appears. This is responsible for long delays before the
patients can have access to official health care. This investigation
clearly demonstrated that a health education programme is needed in VL
endemic areas in Tunisia in order to shorten delays between the
appearance of symptoms and their diagnosis. For this objective to be
achieved, it would also seem necessary to implement simple
serodiagnostic techniques at the periphery level.
PMID: 9410253
TITLE: [Historical note on the discovery of cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission
by Phlebotomus]
AUTHORS: J Théodoridès
AFFILIATION: CNRS, Paris.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1997 90(3):177-8
In the last edition of Morton's medical Bibliography (1991) the
discovery of the transmission of old world cutaneous leishmaniasis by
phlebotomes is attributed to english-speaking authors having published
between 1924 and 1942. In fact this discovery resulting from researches
undertaken since 1904 is due to the team of the Institut Pasteur d'
Algerie (E. & E. SERGENT and collaborators) and was published in
1921. We further recall the two meetings of the Société de pathologie
exotique held in Paris on february 8 & 9 1933 during which were
exposed the results obtained in Palestine & Syria by ADLER &
THEODOR (1925-1929) who implicitly recognized the priority of the French
workers of the Institut Pasteur d'Algérie.
PMID: 9479458
TITLE: [Vaccines in the year 2000]
AUTHORS: P H Lambert
AFFILIATION: Programme mondial des vaccins et vaccinations, OMS, Paris.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1997 90(4):238
Vaccinology nowadays is going through an explosive "evolution"
;. This development, which is due to progress in molecular biology and
immunology, is accompanied by a world-wide change of how we view
vaccination strategies. Thus, the vaccination of travellers and migrants
should be increasingly included in the global control of the infectious
diseases. The risks linked to travelling, which thanks to extensive
vaccination are now better controlled globally, should decrease as the
success of these programs grows. However, risks connected to those
diseases, which do not yet lend themselves to preventive mass
vaccination carried out systematically, will no doubt prevail for a long
time. This is the case, for example, for diarrhetic diseases, typhoid
fever, malaria, severe respiratory diseases, AIDS, tuberculosis or more
regional diseases such as dengue or leishmaniasis. As far as vaccination
is concerned, the best approach must take into account industrial
feasibility and immunological considerations, as to the nature of the &
quot;target" of these new vaccines and the desired time of
protection. It is also necessary to simplify immunization protocols in
order to improve conditions for those who are vaccinated. Priority is
given to the search for new vaccinal formulas compatible with these
objectives. Significant changes in the domain of vaccination should
therefore be expected in a future near enough to have an impact on our
upcoming preventive programs ... from the year 2000 onwards.
PMID: 9264745
TITLE: [Visceral leishmaniasis in Niger: six new parasitologically confirmed
cases]
AUTHORS: D Djidingar, J P Chippaux, G Gragnic, O Tchani, D Meynard, J Julvez
AFFILIATION: Service de Santé des Forces armées nigériennes, Hôpital
national, Coopération française, Niamey, Niger.
REFERENCE: Bull Soc Pathol Exot 1997 90(1):27-9
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