[Leish-l] Fwd: Articles found by RefScout 7/2007

[Jeffrey Shaw]

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Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:02:16
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  REQUEST: [ leishmania ]
(19 articles match this request. 1 article matching other requests removed)

PMID: 17083934<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17083934>
TITLE: *Leishmania* (Kinetoplastida): Species typing with isoenzyme and
PCR-RFLP from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients in
Ethiopia.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17083934>
AUTHORS: E Gadisa, A Genetu, T Kuru, D Jirata, K Dagne, A Aseffa, L Gedamu
AFFILIATION: Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), PO Box 1005, Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia.
REFERENCE: Exp Parasitol 2007 Apr 115(4):339-43
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an increasing public health problem in
Ethiopia. There is a concern that it is spreading with increased incidence.
In this study, we used isoenzyme electrophoresis and internal transcribed
spacer one (ITS1) PCR-RFLP techniques to identify *Leishmania* species from
CL patients in Ethiopia. We obtained isolates from 55 localized cutaneous
leishmaniasis (LCL), 3 diffused cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) and 36 biopsy
samples from 34 LCL and 2 DCL cases from All Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis
Rehabilitation and Training Center (ALERT) and clinically diagnosed CL cases
from Ochollo village. Both isoenzyme and ITS1 PCR-RFLP techniques showed
that *Leishmania* aethiopica (L. aethiopica) was the aetiologic agent in all
cases. Our study also showed that ITS1 PCR-RFLP could identify
*Leishmania*species from biopsy samples and suggests the method could
be used for
epidemiological surveillance of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia and for
species-specific diagnosis.


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PMID: 17196769<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17196769>
TITLE: Analysis of genetic elements regulating the methionine
adenosyltransferase gene in *Leishmania*
infantum.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17196769>
AUTHORS: Carlos García-Estrada, Yolanda PÃ(c)rez-Pertejo, David Ordóñez,
Rafael Balaña-Fouce, Rosa M Reguera
AFFILIATION: Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología (INTOXCAL),
Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n; 24071 León, Spain.
REFERENCE: Gene 2007 Mar 389(2):163-73
Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) is an important enzyme for metabolic
processes, inasmuch as its product, S-adenosylmethionine ( AdoMet), plays a
key role in trans-methylation, trans-sulphuration and polyamine synthesis.
Our prior studies have shown that the *Leishmania* infantum genome contains
two identical copies of the gene encoding MAT ( MAT2 gene), arranged in
head-to-tail configuration and alternating with another gene, called LORIEN
that contains a zinc-finger motif. Both genes are constitutively expressed
throughout the promastigote stage of the parasite cell cycle, and their
flanking regions were detected by RT- PCR. Luciferase (luc) reporter assays
indicated the presence of regulatory elements within the MAT2 3'UTR and
intergenic region, and fragments responsible for such regulation were
identified by deletional analysis. By site-directed mutagenesis of the
wild-type -42 AG recognized in the trans-splicing of the MAT2 gene, the AG
slightly downstream (position -36) was observed to be able to generate the
same levels of luc expression, thus suggesting that potentially this gene
has alternative spliced leader acceptor sites. The stability of MAT2 and
LORIEN transcripts was very similar in both logarithmic and stationary
phases. However, cycloheximide (CHX) inhibition of protein synthesis
increased MAT2 and LORIEN mRNA levels in the logarithmic phase only, an
indication that these genes are regulated in promastigotes at the post-
transcriptional level by protein factors that targets both transcripts for
degradation. However, during the stationary phase, another CHX- independent
factor also led to MAT2 and LORIEN mRNAs degradation, indicating the
existence of different mechanisms operating on the post- transcriptional
regulation of these two genes.


PMID: 17046162<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17046162>
TITLE: Evaluation of an ELISA rapid device for the serological diagnosis of
*Leishmania* infantum infection in dog as compared with immunofluorescence
assay and Western
blot.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17046162>
AUTHORS: E Ferroglio, E Centaro, W Mignone, A Trisciuoglio
AFFILIATION: Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia ed Ecologia,
Università di Torino, Italy.
REFERENCE: Vet Parasitol 2007 Mar 144(1-2):162-6
In this study we compared a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) rapid test (Snap((R)) CLATK Canine *Leishmania* Antibody Test Kit ,
IDEXX-Snap((R))) with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western
blot (WB) for the detection of *Leishmania* infantum antibodies in dogs. In
total sera from 234 dogs were collected: 59 positives and 51 doubtful sera
(IFA 1:40-1:80) from an L. infantum endemic area and 124 negative sera from
a non-endemic area were tested. To evaluate the Snap ((R)) CLATK's
performances on whole blood, blood in EDTA and sera from 37 dogs were tested
in parallel with Snap((R)) CLATK. Snap((R)) CLATK sensitivity and
specificity compared to IFA were 91.1% and 99.2%, while compared to WB were
93.4% and 98.3%, respectively. When IFA doubtful sera (titers of 1:40 or
1:80) were tested Snap((R)) CLATK, using WB as reference, sensitivity and
specificity were 90.9% and 100%, respectively . Moreover, a complete
concordance was observed when Snap((R)) CLATK rapid assay was carried out on
whole blood or sera from 37 dogs. The Snap((R)) CLATK has demonstrated
simplicity and performance and can be considered a quick and reliable
alternative for the diagnosis of L. infantum infection in dogs.


PMID: 17010679<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17010679>
TITLE: Epidemiological dynamics of antimonial resistance in
*Leishmania*donovani: Genotyping reveals a polyclonal population
structure among
naturally-resistant clinical isolates from
Nepal.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17010679>
AUTHORS: Thierry Laurent, Suman Rijal, Vanessa Yardley, Simon Croft, Simonne
De Doncker, Saskia Decuypere, Basudha Khanal, Rupa Singh, Gabriele
Schönian, Katrin Kuhls, François Chappuis, Jean-Claude Dujardin
AFFILIATION: Department of Parasitology, Unit of Molecular Parasitology,
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
REFERENCE: Infect Genet Evol 2007 Mar 7(2):206-12
Pentavalent antimonials (SbV) are the first line drug against leishmaniasis
worldwide, but drug resistance is increasingly reported, particularly in the
Indian sub-continent, where it represents a major threat for the control of
anthroponotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In order to understand the
epidemiological dynamics of antimonial resistance in anthroponotic VL, we
analysed here the population structure of 24 *Leishmania* donovani stocks
isolated from anthroponotic VL-patients from Eastern Nepal: 13 SbV-naturally
resistant and 11 SbV- sensitive, as demonstrated by in vitro drug
susceptibility assays. The parasites were genotyped by PCR-RFLP analysis of
kDNA minicircles and by microsatellite analysis and the encountered
polymorphism revealed a polyclonal structure among resistant isolates.
Furthermore, analysis of paired samples obtained from the same patients
before treatment and after failure revealed primary as well as acquired
resistance. The hypothesis of independent events of drug resistance
emergence is proposed and confronted to alternative explanations. Our
results show the dynamics of drug resistance epidemiology and highlight the
importance of surveillance networks.


PMID: 17027344<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17027344>
TITLE: Genetic heterogeneity among visceral and post-Kala-Azar dermal
leishmaniasis strains from eastern
India.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17027344>
AUTHORS: Ayan Dey, Sarman Singh
AFFILIATION: Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory
Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
REFERENCE: Infect Genet Evol 2007 Mar 7(2):219-22
In India and Sudan, some patients of visceral leishmaniasis develop post
-Kala-Azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) while majority will not. Similarly,
the clinical manifestations and treatment outcome are reported to vary from
district to district and state to state in India. Present study is focused
on to find out the genetic variations between VL & PKDL causing strains.
Nuclear DNA from 24 strains of *Leishmania* donovani, isolated from patients
of visceral leishmaniasis (18) and PKDL (6) was extracted and digested with
PstI restriction enzyme followed by southern hybridization using Dig labeled
beta-tubulin as probe. The results showed three different banding patterns
among 18 VL strains. However, all PKDL isolates showed a genetic homogeneity
within themselves but heterogeneity from VL isolates. Interestingly maximum
heterogenic groups were found in Bihar but all isolates from West Bengal
showed a single genotype origin. This study shows that genetic mutations
might be responsible for such variation and development of PKDL in visceral
strains of Indian L. donovani.


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PMID: 17142569<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17142569>
TITLE: Transmembrane molecules for phylogenetic analyses of pathogenic
protists: *leishmania*-specific informative sites in hydrophilic loops of
trans- endoplasmic reticulum N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate
transferase.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17142569>
AUTHORS: Kayoko Waki, Sujoy Dutta, Debalina Ray, Bala Krishna Kolli, Leyla
Akman, Shin-Ichiro Kawazu, Chung-Ping Lin, Kwang-Poo Chang
AFFILIATION: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Chicago Medical School,
3333 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago, IL 60064.
kwang-poo.chang at rosalindfranklin.edu.
REFERENCE: Eukaryot Cell 2007 Feb 6(2):198-210
A sequence database was created for the *Leishmania* N-acetylglucosamine-1
-phosphate transferase (nagt) gene from 193 independent isolates. PCR
products of this single-copy gene were analyzed for restriction fragment
length polymorphism based on seven nagt sequences initially available. We
subsequently sequenced 77 samples and found 19 new variants ( genotypes).
Alignment of all 26 nagt sequences is gap free, except for a single codon
addition or deletion. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences allow grouping
the isolates into three subgenera, each consisting of recognized species
complexes, i.e., subgenus *Leishmania* (L . amazonensis-L. mexicana, L.
donovani-L. infantum, L. tropica, L. major , and L. turanica-L. gerbilli),
subgenus Viannia (L. braziliensis, L. panamensis), and one unclassified (L.
enriettii) species. This hierarchy of grouping is also supported by sequence
analyses of selected samples for additional single-copy genes present on
different chromosomes. Intraspecies divergence of nagt varies considerably
with different species complexes. Interestingly, species complexes with less
subspecies divergence are more widely distributed than those that are more
divergent. The relevance of this to *Leishmania* evolutionary adaptation is
discussed. Heterozygosity of subspecies variants contributes to intraspecies
diversity, which is prominent in L. tropica but not in L. donovani-L.
infantum. This disparity is thought to result from the genetic recombination
of the respective species at different times as a rare event during their
predominantly clonal evolution. Phylogenetically useful sites of nagt are
restricted largely to several extended hydrophilic loops predicted from
hypothetical models of *Leishmania* NAGT as an endoplasmic reticulum
transmembrane protein. In silico analyses of nagt from fungi and other
protozoa further illustrate the potential value of this and, perhaps, other
similar transmembrane molecules for phylogenetic analyses of single-cell
eukaryotes.


PMID: 17277440<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17277440>
TITLE: Structure of cyclophilin from *Leishmania* donovani at 1.97 A
resolution.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17277440>
AUTHORS: V Venugopal, Banibrata Sen, Alok K Datta, Rahul Banerjee
AFFILIATION: Crystallography and Molecular Biology Division, Saha Institute
of Nuclear Physics, Sector 1, Block AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700 064,
India.
REFERENCE: Acta Crystallograph Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2007 Feb
63(Pt 2):60-4
The crystal structure of cyclophilin from *Leishmania* donovani (LdCyp) has
been determined and refined at 1.97 A resolution to a crystallographic R
factor of 0.178 (R(free) = 0.197). The structure was solved by molecular
replacement using cyclophilin from Trypanosoma cruzi as the search model.
LdCyp exhibits complete structural conservation of the cyclosporin-binding
site with respect to the homologous human protein, as anticipated from
LdCyp-cyclosporin binding studies. Comparisons with other cyclophilins show
deviations primarily in the loop regions. The solvent structure encompassing
the molecule has also been analyzed in some detail.


PMID: 17274779<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17274779>
TITLE: Photodynamic treatment of cutaneous
leishmaniasis.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17274779>
AUTHORS: Sirius Sohl, Friederike Kauer, Uwe Paasch, Jan C Simon
AFFILIATION: Tino Wetzig Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology, Venerology,
and Allergology, University Clinic, Leipzig University, Germany.
sirius.sohl at medizin.uni-leipzig.de
REFERENCE: J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2007 Feb 5(2):128-30
Leishmaniasis is a widespread arthropod-borne protozoan zoonosis caused by
more than 21 *Leishmania* species. Vectors are sandflies of different
genera. The disease is classified into "Old World" versus & quot;New World"
leishmaniasis and further subclassified in cutaneous, mucocutaneous and
visceral forms. Most therapeutic approaches are not evidence-based. We
report a patient with facial cutaneous *Leishmania* tropica infection which
proved to be resistant to various therapeutic regimes. Excellent results
were achieved with photodynamic therapy.


PMID: 17185038<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17185038>
TITLE: Cholesterol: a potential therapeutic target in
*Leishmania*infection?<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17185038>
AUTHORS: Thomas J Pucadyil, Amitabha Chattopadhyay
AFFILIATION: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road,
Hyderabad 500 007, India; Present address: Department of Cell Biology, The
Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
REFERENCE: Trends Parasitol 2007 Feb 23(2):49-53
*Leishmania* are obligate intracellular parasites that invade and survive
within host macrophages and can result in visceral leishmaniasis, a major
public health problem worldwide. The entry of intracellular parasites, in
general, involves interaction with the plasma membrane of host cells.
Cholesterol in host cell membranes was recently shown to be necessary for
binding and internalization of *Leishmania* and for the efficient
presentation of leishmanial antigens in infected macrophages. This article
describes the need to explore cyclodextrin-based compounds , which modulate
host membrane cholesterol levels, as a possible therapeutic strategy against
leishmaniasis in addition to other intracellular parasites.


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PMID: 17196626<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17196626>
TITLE: Sesquiterpene coumarins from Ferula szowitsiana and in vitro
antileishmanial activity of 7-prenyloxycoumarins against
promastigotes.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17196626>
AUTHORS: Mehrdad Iranshahi, Peyman Arfa, Mohammad Ramezani, Mahmoud Reza
Jaafari, Hamid Sadeghian, Carla Bassarello, Sonia Piacente, Cosimo Pizza
AFFILIATION: Department of Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology, Faculty of
Pharmacy, Mashhad, Iran.
REFERENCE: Phytochemistry 2007 Feb 68(4):554-61
Two new sesquiterpene coumarins, named szowitsiacoumarin A (1) and
szowitsiacoumarin B (2), and a phenylpropanoid derivative, 2-
epihelmanticine (3), together with nine known compounds, auraptene (4),
umbelliprenin (5), galbanic acid (6), methyl galbanate (7), farnesiferol B
(8), farnesiferol C (9), persicasulfide A (10), beta-sitosterol and
stigmasterol were isolated from the roots of Ferula szowitsiana. The
structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic
methods including 1D-((1)H and (13)C) and 2D-NMR experiments (DQF-COSY ,
HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY) as well as HR-MALDI-MS analysis. Since the
configuration of 2-epihelmanticine was previously only partly determined , a
relative configurational analysis of its four stereocenters was carried out
on the basis of the recently reported J-based method. The inhibiting
activity of prenylated coumarins, auraptene (4) and umbelliprenin (5), in
addition to galbanic acid (6), as major component , and of the Me(2)CO
extract of Ferula szowitsiana (Apiaceae) roots has been evaluated against
promastigotes of *Leishmania* major. Umbelliprenin and auraptene showed
significant activity with IC(50) values of 4.9mug/ ml (13.3muM) and 5.1mug/ml
(17.1muM) after 48h incubation, respectively.


PMID: 17010481<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17010481>
TITLE: High selective leishmanicidal activity of
3-hydroxy-2-methylene-3-(4-bromophenyl)propanenitrile and analogous
compounds.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17010481>
AUTHORS: R O M A de Souza, V L P Pereira, M F Muzitano, C A B Falcão, B
Rossi-Bergmann, E B A Filho, M L A A Vasconcellos
AFFILIATION: Núcleo de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Universidade Federal
do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco H, CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
21941-590, Brazil.
REFERENCE: Eur J Med Chem 2007 Jan 42(1):99-102
Sixteen not new aromatic compounds were prepared by one-pot reaction i.e .
through Baylis-Hillman reaction and were the first time evaluated against
promastigote *Leishmania* amazonensis and infected mammalian cells . Most of
the compounds were selectively more active against amastigotes than the
reference drug sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam, IC(50)=44. 7muM). We found
that 3-hydroxy-2-methylene-3-(4-bromophenyl) propanenitrile (13) was the
most active (IC(50)=12.5muM) and safer compound (0.0 (0.9); % macrophage LDH
release), being the lead compound.


PMID: 17250794<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17250794>
TITLE: Effect of l-leucine methyl ester on growth and ultrastructure of
Trypanosoma cruzi.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17250794>
AUTHORS: Camila M Adade, Regina C B Q Figueiredo, Solange L De Castro,
Maurilio J Soares
AFFILIATION: Departamento de Ultra-estrutura e Biologia Celular, Instituto
Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ,
Brazil.
REFERENCE: Acta Trop 2007 Jan 101(1):69-79
l-Amino acid methyl esters, such as l-leucine methyl ester (Leu-OMe), have
been identified as agents targeting the lysosomal system of
*Leishmania*amazonensis amastigotes, by a mechanism that involves
ester hydrolysis by
parasite enzymes located inside megasomes. We have here analyzed the effect
of Leu-OMe on all three evolutive forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, in a search
for potential targets of the compound in this protozoan. Treatment of
epimastigote forms resulted in dose- dependent growth inhibition, with
IC(50)/1 day=0.55+/-0.21mM. Incubation with 4-8mM/1 day led to 100% cell
death. Treatment of bloodstream trypomastigotes resulted in cell lysis, with
an IC(50)/1 day=1.46+/-0. 16mM. Furthermore, infected macrophages treated
with 0.125-1mM Leu-OMe showed a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the
percent of amastigote infection. Morphological changes in macrophages were
observed only at concentrations above 8mM, at the third day of treatment.
Analysis of treated parasites by transmission electron microscopy
demonstrated severe morphological alterations in cell shape, mitochondrion
and nucleus, while kinetoplast and reservosomes (pre-lysosomal compartments
) appeared to be not affected. Lysis of bloodstream trypomastigotes and
intracellular amastigotes indicated that lysosomes of T. cruzi are the main
target for the drug, since reservosomes occur only in epimastigote forms.
The presence of lysosomes in T. cruzi epimastigotes was demonstrated by
using ultrastructural cytochemistry.


PMID: 17207761<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17207761>
TITLE: The Calcineurin A homologue from Trypanosoma cruzi lacks two
important regulatory
domains.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17207761>
AUTHORS: Valeria Ruiz Moreno, Fernán Agüero, Valeria Tekiel, Daniel O
Sánchez
AFFILIATION: Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad
Nacional de General San Martín, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
REFERENCE: Acta Trop 2007 Jan 101(1):80-9
A novel protein from the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi homologous to
calcineurin (serine-threonine phosphatase 2B) was identified and
characterized. The Calcineurin A gene is present as a single copy gene per
haploid genome and encodes a protein of 43kDa that is expressed in all major
developmental stages of T. cruzi. Surprisingly, it is mainly localized in
the cell nucleus, in sharp contrast with its mammalian counterpart. The T.
cruzi calcineurin A protein presents the three invariants motifs
characteristic of the PPP serine-threonine phosphatase superfamily. However,
out of the four domains typically present in all calcineurin described to
date, the T. cruzi calcineurin A possess only two domains: the catalytic and
the calcineurin B binding domain. Sequence similarity searches in the T.
cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and *Leishmania* major genomes revealed that only
L. major presents a gene encoding a putative protein containing the four
domains. On the other hand, the T. cruzi Calcineurin B subunit showed a
conserved structure, and a reasonable level of similarity over the entire
length with calcineurin B proteins from other organisms. Interaction between
Calcineurin A and Calcineurin B was analyzed by yeast Two-Hybrid and GST
pull-down assays.


PMID: 17075340<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17075340>
TITLE: 8-Aminoquinolines: future role as antiprotozoal
drugs.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17075340>
AUTHORS: Babu L Tekwani, Larry A Walker
AFFILIATION: National Center for Natural Products Research and Department of
Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA.
btekwani at olemiss.edu
REFERENCE: Curr Opin Infect Dis 2006 Dec 19(6):623-31
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on recent developments on evaluation
of 8-aminoquinoline analogs with broader efficacy and reduced toxicity,
which would provide better drugs for treatment of protozoal infections.
RECENT FINDINGS: The earlier efforts towards development of 8-aminoquinoline
analogs have been directed to extensive derivatization programs. This has
led to discovery of tafenoquine for prophylaxis against malaria infections
and sitamaquine with utility for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.
Bulaquine, a primaquine pro-drug, has shown reduced methemoglobin toxicity
and better malaria-transmission-blocking activity than primaquine.
Stereoselective pharmacologic and toxicologic characteristics of chiral
8-aminoquinolines provided the lead for enantiomeric separation of an
8-aminoquinoline analog NPC1161B, with greatly reduced toxicity and potent
antimalarial action against blood as well as tissue stages of the parasite.
NPC1161B has also shown promising use as an antileishmanial agent. Better
understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity and efficacy may help in
development of 8- aminoquinoline analogs with superior therapeutic actions,
reduced toxicity and broader utility. SUMMARY: Extensive derivatization
approaches followed by better understanding of structure-activity
relationships and biotransformation mechanisms of toxicity have provided
8-aminoquinoline analogs with better pharmacologic and reduced toxicologic
profiles. The novel 8-aminoquinoline analogs may have broader utility in
public health as future antiprotozoals.


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PMID: 17141723<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17141723>
TITLE: Species-specific PCR assay for L. infantum/L. donovani
discrimination.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17141723>
AUTHORS: Mallorie Hide, Anne-Laure Bañuls
AFFILIATION: IRD de Montpellier, Laboratory GEMI, UMR CNRS/IRD 2724, 911,
avenue Agropolis BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
REFERENCE: Acta Trop 2006 Dec 100(3):241-5
*Leishmania* infantum and *Leishmania* donovani both pertain to the L. (L.)
donovani complex. The status of certain strains is questioned in the
literature and there are no reliable discriminative markers to identify
them. Molecular tools are needed to (i) identify diagnostic markers and (ii)
to allow a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships. We have
developed a PCR based on cysteine protease B (cpb). This PCR discriminates
between L. infantum and L. donovani with 50-100pg of DNA. These two species
are differentiated by their fragment length. Indeed, L . donovani strains
were characterized by a 741-bp product and L. infantum strains by a 702-bp
product, except for one strain, which revealed a heterozygous profile with
the two products. This PCR does not generate amplification for other *
Leishmania* or kinetoplastids and could contribute to clarify the
phylogenetic status of several taxa that are also being debated, such as L.
archibaldi.


PMID: 17274851<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17274851>
TITLE: *Leishmania* vaccines: progress and
problems.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17274851>
AUTHORS: L Kedzierski, Y Zhu, E Handman
AFFILIATION: Infection and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall
Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3050, Melbourne, Australia.
REFERENCE: Parasitology 2006 Oct 133 Suppl():S87-S112
*Leishmania* are protozoan parasites spread by a sandfly insect vector and
causing a spectrum of diseases collectively known as leishmaniasis. The
disease is a significant health problem in many parts of the world resulting
in an estimated 12 million new cases each year. Current treatment is based
on chemotherapy, which is difficult to administer, expensive and becoming
ineffective due to the emergence of drug resistance. Leishmaniasis is
considered one of a few parasitic diseases likely to be controllable by
vaccination. The relatively uncomplicated leishmanial life cycle and the
fact that recovery from infection renders the host resistant to subsequent
infection indicate that a successful vaccine is feasible. Extensive evidence
from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be
achieved by immunisation with protein or DNA vaccines. However, to date no
such vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many laboratories.
Advances in our understanding of *Leishmania* pathogenesis and generation of
host protective immunity, together with the completed *Leishmania* genome
sequence open new avenues for vaccine research. The major remaining
challenges are the translation of data from animal models to human disease
and the transition from the laboratory to the field. This review focuses on
advances in anti-*leishmania* vaccine development over the recent years and
examines current problems hampering vaccine development and implementation.


PMID: 17278657<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17278657>
TITLE: Epidemiology of a new focus of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis in
Himachal Pradesh.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17278657>
AUTHORS: N L Sharma, V K Mahajan, A K Negi
AFFILIATION: Dept. of Dermatology, IG Medical College, Shimla, H.P., PIN:
171001.
REFERENCE: J Commun Dis 2005 Dec 37(4):275-9
A new focus of localised cutaneous leishmaniasis has emerged along the
Satluj River valley in the mountainous region of north west Himachal
Pradesh. The main endemic region extends from Pooh subdivision of Kinnaur
district to Kumarsain subdivision of Shimla district with adjoining Nirmand
subdivision of Kullu District comprising 86 villages. The climate of the
affected areas varies from temperate to subtropical. A total of 285 cases
were recorded from 1988 to January, 2005. The age of these patients varied
from 10 months to 75 years, with 63 children (& lt;12Years), and a male to
female ratio of 1: 0.9. The duration of disease was 15 days to 48 months
with majority (85%) presenting between 1-6 months. The number of lesions
varied from 1-8, and were mostly seen on exposed parts of the body.
Morphologically, lesions were asymptomatic , dry, nodular or crusted
nodulo-ulcerative plaques. Tissue smear positivity for amastigotes was 43%.
The characterization of 14 strains of these *Leishmania* revealed presence
of both *Leishmania* tropica (n=3) and *Leishmania* donovani (n=11).
Identification of the 42 sandflies collected from the peridomestic
environment of the patients, revealed Phlebotomus longiductus - 29, P. major
8, P. kandelaki 2, while 2 remained unidentified. The patients were treated
with intralesional sodium stibogluconate and majority showed excellent
response.


********************************************************************************************************************
The following references are revised files and are brought to you in
accordance to license agreement with the NLM.
********************************************************************************************************************

PMID: 10446010<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=10446010>
TITLE: Sensitivity of a vacuum aspiratory culture technique for diagnosis of
localized cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area of
*Leishmania*(Viannia) braziliensis
transmission.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10446010>
AUTHORS: G A Romero, R N Sampaio, V de O Macedo, P D Marsden
AFFILIATION: Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de Brasília,
Brasília, DF, 70919-970, Brasil. gromero at unb.br
REFERENCE: Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1999 Jul-Aug 94(4):505-8
Sixty eight patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis from an area
with *Leishmania* (Viannia) braziliensis transmission had cultures performed
with a modified Marzochís vacuum aspiratory puncture technique to establish
sensitivity and contamination rate with this new method. Overall sensitivity
of three aspirates was 47.1%; (CI95% 39.4; 59.4) significantly greater than
the sensitivity of a single one aspirate. Fungal contamination was observed
in 6/204 (2.9%) inoculated culture tubes. We recommend that this useful
technique should be adopted as routine for primary isolation of L. (V.)
braziliensis from localized cutaneous ulcers.


REQUEST: [ sand fly NOT culicoides ]
(0 articles match this request)

REQUEST: [ sandfly NOT culicoides ]
(2 articles match this request. 1 article matching other requests removed)

PMID: 17277492<http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-07.xml&id=17277492>
TITLE: Deltamethrin-impregnated bed nets and curtains in an anthroponotic
cutaneous leishmaniasis control program in northeastern
Iran.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17277492>
AUTHORS: Seyed-Hassan Moosa-Kazemi, Mohammad-Reza Yaghoobi-Ershadir,
Amir-Ahmad Akhavan, Hamid Abdoli, Ali-Reza Zahraei-Ramazani, Reza Jafari,
Badakhshan Houshmand, Abolhassan Nadim, Mostafa Hosseini
AFFILIATION: Ershadi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical
Sciences, Tehran, Iran. yaghoobia at sina.tums.ac.ir.
REFERENCE: Ann Saudi Med 2007 Jan-Feb 27(1):6-12
BACKGROUND: Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) has long been a
significant public health prob- lem in northeastern Iran. The objective of
this study was to determine the efficacy of deltamethrin-impregnated vs.
nonimpregnated bed nets (NIBs) and curtains (NICs) in ACL control. PATIENTS:
Deltamethrin-impregnated bed nets (IBs) and curtains (ICs) with 25 mg ai/m2
were distributed among 160 households in one district and NIBs and NICs were
distributed among the same number of households in another district. A third
district with a similar numbers of households served as a control. Health
education mes- sages were disseminated to ensure the populationâs
complicance with the proper use of bed nets and curtains. Sticky paper traps
were used to assess the effect of insecticide-impregnated bed nets and
curtains on the density of Phlebotomus sergenti. Deltamethrin susceptibility
and also bioassay tests were carried out on the species by WHO standard
method. Case findings were done by house-to-house visits once a season and
all the inhabitants of the selected households in each district were
examined. RESULTS: IBs and ICs provided good protection against
*sandfly*bites and reduced the transmission of ACL in the intervention
district,
while NIBs and NICs provided no protection. There was no significant
difference in monthly density of P. sergenti indoors and outdoors among the
districts (P>0.05). This species was susceptible to delta- methrin in the
field population in the area. Bioassays confirmed that the nets treated with
deltamethrin remained effective for more than 3 months. CONCLUSION: Personal
protection is an effective and sustainable means of preventing and
controlling ACL and can reduce dependence on insecticides. We encourage the
use of IBs and ICs to control ACL in other high-risk areas of Iran and
Afghanistan during the active season of sandflies.


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