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Subject: Articles found by RefScout for your requests<br><br></span>
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This is <span id="st" name="st" class="st">RefScout</span>-Newsletter 14/2007.<br><br>
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REQUEST: [ leishmania ]<br>
(19 articles match this request)<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17376453" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17376453</a>
<input name="id_17376453" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17376453" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Increased transmission potential of
<b>Leishmania</b> major/<b>Leishmania</b> infantum hybrids.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Petr Volf, Ivana Benkova, Jitka Myskova, Jovana Sadlova, Lenea Campino, Christophe Ravel<br>
AFFILIATION: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague 2, 128 44, Czech Republic.<br>
REFERENCE: Int J Parasitol 2007 May 37(6):589-93<br>
Development of <b>Leishmania</b> infantum/<b>Leishmania</b> major hybrids was studied
in two sand fly species. In Phlebotomus papatasi, which supported
development of L. major but not L. infantum, the hybrids produced heavy
late-stage infections with high numbers of metacyclic promastigotes. In
the permissive vector Lutzomyia longipalpis, all <b>Leishmania</b> strains
included in this study developed well. Hybrids were found to express L.
major lipophosphoglycan, apparently enabling them to survive in P.
papatasi midgut. The genetic exchange of the hybrids thus appeared to
have enhanced their transmission potential and fitness. A potentially
serious consequence is the future spread of the hybrids using this
peridomestic and antropophilic vector.<br>
<br><br>
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PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17239885" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17239885</a>
<input name="id_17239885" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17239885" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">A long term experimental study of canine visceral leishmaniasis.
</a><br>
AUTHORS: Alhelà RodrÃguez-Cortés, Ana Ojeda, Laura López-Fuertes, Marcos Timón, Laura Altet, Laia Solano-Gallego, Elisenda Sánchez-Robert, Olga Francino, Jordi Alberola<br>
AFFILIATION: Departament de Farmacologia, Terapeutica i Toxicologia Veterinaria, Facultat de Veterinà ria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.<br>
REFERENCE: Int J Parasitol 2007 May 37(6):683-93<br>
Previous studies on <b>Leishmania</b> infantum and the canine immune response
are derived mainly from short-term studies. To date, there have been no
longitudinal studies that perform a serial analysis of the intensity of
infection in conjunction with immunological parameters and clinical
signs in <b>Leishmania</b>-infected dogs. For this purpose, six dogs were
infected experimentally by the i.v. route and were monitored for 1 year
. Clinical, immunological (humoral and cellular response) and
parasitological (parasitaemia) parameters were evaluated monthly. Four
dogs developed clinico-pathological signs compatible with leishmaniasis
, whereas two dogs showed few abnormalities during the study. Evaluation
of clinical, immunological and parasitological parameters showed that
the intensity of <b>Leishmania</b> infection in blood samples, as indicated by
the amount of <b>Leishmania</b> DNA, was correlated significantly with IgG,
IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM concentrations and with clinical signs.
Parasitaemia and <b>Leishmania</b>-specific cell-mediated immunity were
inversely correlated. Moreover, higher quantities of <b>Leishmania</b> DNA were
detected in the liver, spleen, lymph node, skin and bone marrow of dogs
exhibiting clinical signs than those exhibiting few such signs. These
findings suggest that progressive disease in experimental canine
leishmaniasis is associated with specific T-cell unresponsiveness and
unprotective humoral responses which allow the dissemination and
multiplication of L. infantum in different tissues.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17242145" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17242145</a>
<input name="id_17242145" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17242145" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Miltefosine Affects Lipid Metabolism in
<b>Leishmania</b> donovani Promastigotes.</a><br>
AUTHORS: M Rakotomanga, S Blanc, K Gaudin, P Chaminade, P M Loiseau<br>
AFFILIATION: Chimiothérapie Antiparasitaire, UMR 8076 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Sud XI, F-92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France. <a href="mailto:philippe.loiseau@u-psud.fr" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
philippe.loiseau@u-psud.fr</a>.<br>
REFERENCE: Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007 Apr 51(4):1425-30<br>
Miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine [HePC]) is the first orally active
antileishmanial drug. Transient HePC treatment of <b>Leishmania</b> donovani
promastigotes at 10 muM significantly reduced the phosphatidylcholine
content and enhanced the phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) content in
parasite membranes, suggesting a partial inactivation of PE-N-
methyltransferase. Phospholipase D activity did not seem to be affected
by HePC. In addition, the enhancement of the lysophosphatidylcholine
content could be ascribed to phospholipase A2 activation. Moreover,
transient HePC treatment had no effect on the fatty acid alkyl chain
length or the fatty acid unsaturation rate. Concerning sterols, we found
a strong reduction of the C(24) alkylated sterol content, and the
enhancement of the cholesterol content could be the result of the HePC
condensation effect with sterols. Because some of the effects observed
after transient HePC treatment were different from those previously
observed in HePC-resistant parasites, it could be hypothesized that
continuous in vitro drug pressure induces the mechanisms of regulation
in <b>Leishmania</b> lipid metabolism.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17283192" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17283192</a>
<input name="id_17283192" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17283192" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Miltefosine (Hexadecylphosphocholine) Inhibits Cytochrome c Oxidase in
<b>Leishmania</b> donovani Promastigotes.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Juan Román Luque-Ortega, Luis Rivas<br>
AFFILIATION: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (C.S.I.C.), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040 Madrid, Spain. <a href="mailto:luis.rivas@cib.csic.es" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">luis.rivas@cib.csic.es
</a>.<br>
REFERENCE: Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007 Apr 51(4):1327-32<br>
Miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine [HePC]) is currently on trial as a
first-choice, orally active drug for the treatment of visceral
leishmaniasis when resistance to organic pentavalent antimonials becomes
epidemic. However, data on the targets involved in its leishmanicidal
mechanism have, until now, been only fragmentary. We have carried out a
systematic study of the alterations induced on the bioenergetic
metabolism of <b>Leishmania</b> donovani promastigotes by HePC. Overnight
incubation with HePC caused a significant decline in the intracellular
ATP levels of the parasites, together with a reduction in the oxygen
consumption rate and mitochondrial depolarization, while the integrity
of the plasma membrane remained undamaged. In a further step, the
effects of HePC on the respiratory chain were addressed in digitonized
parasites. The inhibition of the oxygen consumption rate caused by HePC
was not reverted either with the uncoupling agent carbonyl cyanide p-
trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone or with tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine
plus ascorbate, which feeds the electron transport chain at the level of
cytochrome c. These results suggest that cytochrome c oxidase is a
likely target in the complex leishmanicidal mechanism of HePC. This was
further confirmed from the finding that this enzyme was specifically
inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by HePC, but not the cytochrome c
reductase, ruling out an unspecific effect of HePC on the respiratory
chain.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17200144" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17200144</a>
<input name="id_17200144" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17200144" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">IL-4 induces a wide-spectrum intracellular signaling cascade in CD8+ T cells.
</a><br>
AUTHORS: Ana Acacia de Sa Pinheiro, Alexandre Morrot, Sumana Chakravarty, Michael Overstreet, Jay H Bream, Pablo M Irusta, Fidel Zavala<br>
AFFILIATION: Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. <a href="mailto:fzavala@jhsph.edu" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
fzavala@jhsph.edu</a>.<br>
REFERENCE: J Leukoc Biol 2007 Apr 81(4):1102-10<br>
IL-4 has distinct effects on the differentiation and functional
properties of CD8(+) T cells. In vivo studies have shown that it is
critical for the development of protective memory responses against
tumors and infections by <b>Leishmania</b> and Plasmodium parasites. The
intracellular signaling events mediated by IL-4/IL-4 receptor (IL-4R)
interactions on CD4(+) T cells have been studied extensively; however,
the nature of IL-4-induced signaling on CD8(+) T cells has not been
characterized. Using naïve, activated, as well as differentiated CD8
(+) T cells, we show that IL-4 has a strong in vivo and in vitro
antiapoptotic effect on activated and resting CD8(+) T cells. We
demonstrate that IL-4 induces the phosphorylation of the IL-4R, which is
followed by the activation of at least two distinct intracellular
signaling cascades: the Jak1/STAT6 and the insulin receptor substrate/PI
-3K/protein kinase B pathways. We also found that IL-4 induces the Jak3-
mediated phosphorylation and nuclear migration of STAT1, STAT3, and
STAT5 in naïve, activated, as well as differentiated, IFN-gamma-
producing CD8(+) T cells. The induction of this broad signaling activity
in CD8(+) T cells coincides with a transcriptional activity of
suppressors of cytokine signaling genes, which are decreased
significantly in comparison with CD4(+) T cells. To our knowledge, this
report constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of the signaling
events that shape CD8(+) T cell responses to IL-4.<br>
<br><br>
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PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17276541" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17276541</a>
<input name="id_17276541" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17276541" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Liposomal amphotericin B in comparison to sodium stibogluconate for cutaneous infection due to
<b>Leishmania</b> braziliensis.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Michal Solomon, Sharon Baum, Aviv Barzilai, Alon Scope, Henry Trau, Eli Schwartz<br>
AFFILIATION: Department of Dermatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.<br>
REFERENCE: J Am Acad Dermatol 2007 Apr 56(4):612-6<br>
BACKGROUND: New World cutaneous leishmaniasis among Israeli travelers is
mostly acquired in the Amazon Basin of Bolivia where <b>Leishmania</b> viannia
(V.) braziliensis is endemic. Treatment with systemic pentavalent
antimonial compounds is effective in achieving clinical cure in only 75
% of cases. In this study, we assessed liposomal amphotericin B (
AmBisome) as an alternative treatment for cutaneous L (V.) braziliensis
infection. METHODS: A prospective evaluation was performed for cutaneous
leishmaniasis due to L (V.) braziliensis, proven by polymerase chain
reaction. A 3-mg/kg AmBisome dose was given for 5 consecutive days, and
a sixth dose on day 10, all in an outpatient setting. This therapy was
compared with a series of historical patients who were treated with
sodium stibogluconate (SSG). RESULTS: Seven consecutive patients, 5
males and 2 females, received AmBisome treatment. All were returned
travelers infected in Bolivia; their mean age was 23.1 years; 5 had
failed to respond to a full course of SSG; two had a primary lesion;
none had mucosal lesions. All achieved complete clinical cure within
less than 1 month. Mean follow-up of 12 months revealed no relapses.
Side effects were mild, and none had to terminate treatment prematurely
. Comparison of AmBisome to SSG treatment shows that the former is safer
, with fewer recurrence rates. Additionally, the expense of the total
care with AmBisome is less than with SSG: 45% less if SSG was given in
an inpatient setting; 15% less when SSG was given in an outpatient
setting. LIMITATIONS: This was a nonrandomized study, with relatively
few patients. CONCLUSION: AmBisome treatment for L (V.) braziliensis
appears to be effective, better tolerated, and to have more cost benefit
in countries where hospital-care costs are significant.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17350306" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17350306</a>
<input name="id_17350306" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17350306" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Antimonial treatment of visceral leishmaniasis: are current in vitro susceptibility assays adequate for prognosis of in vivo therapy outcome?
</a><br>
AUTHORS: Suman Rijal, Vanessa Yardley, François Chappuis, Saskia Decuypere, Basudha Khanal, Rupa Singh, Marleen Boelaert, Simonne De Doncker, Simon Croft, Jean-Claude Dujardin<br>
AFFILIATION: B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Ghopa, Dharan, Nepal.<br>
REFERENCE: Microbes Infect 2007 Apr 9(4):529-35<br>
In most of the Indian subcontinent, the first line treatment for
visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is sodium stibogluconate (SSG), an
antimonial drug, but the efficacy of the drug varies according to region
. We aimed to characterize the in vitro antimony susceptibility of
clinical isolates of Nepalese VL patients, and to correlate this in
vitro parasite phenotype to clinical therapy outcome. Thirty-three
clinical isolates of L. donovani were taken from patients with known
disease history. These isolates were typed and the susceptibility of
intracellular amastigotes to pentavalent (SbV) and trivalent (SbIII)
antimonials was determined. We observed (i) 22 SbV-resistant isolates
out of 33 tested and (ii) 3 SbIII-resistant isolates out of 12 tested.
Amongst the latter, there were three combinations of in vitro phenotypes
: (i) parasites sensitive (n=4) or (ii) resistant to both drugs (n=3)
and (iii) resistant to SbV only (n=5). There was no geographical
clustering in terms of in vitro susceptibility. The relation between the
in vitro susceptibility to antimonials and the corresponding in vivo
treatment outcome was ambiguous. Our results highlight the need to
adjust the currently used <b>Leishmania</b> drug susceptibility assays if they
are to be used for prognosis of in vivo SSG treatment outcome.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17384865" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17384865</a>
<input name="id_17384865" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17384865" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">The hunt for an elusive source of pyrexia in a foreign worker.
</a><br>
AUTHORS: J W Lew, C K Koh, V S Selvan, E Shen<br>
AFFILIATION: Department of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, 378 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159964. <a href="mailto:selvan_senthamil@alexhosp.com.sg" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">selvan_senthamil@alexhosp.com.sg
</a>.<br>
REFERENCE: Singapore Med J 2007 Apr 48(4):e111-3<br>
We report a 23-year-old Bangladeshi man who presented with fever and
hepatosplenomegaly. The initial laboratory findings were bicytopenia
with elevated serum globulins. The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (
Kala Azar) was suspected. The parasite <b>Leishmania</b> donovani was found on
bone marrow aspiration. He was treated with liposomal amphotericin B and
had a good response to treatment. The case highlights the need to be
aware of this disease occurring in a foreign national from an endemic
region when he presents with fever and hepatosplenomegaly.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17320480" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17320480</a>
<input name="id_17320480" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17320480" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Metabolism of <b>
Leishmania</b>: proven and predicted.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Fred R Opperdoes, Graham H Coombs<br>
AFFILIATION: Research Unit for Tropical Diseases and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Christian de Duve Institute of Cellular Pathology and Catholic University of Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 74-75, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.<br>
REFERENCE: Trends Parasitol 2007 Apr 23(4):149-58<br>
The complete analysis of the genomes of three major trypanosomatid
parasites has facilitated comparison of the metabolic capabilities of
each, as predicted from gene sequences. Not surprisingly, there are
differences but is it possible to correlate these with the lives of the
parasites themselves and make further predictions of the meaning and
physiological importance of the apparently parasite-specific metabolism
? In this article, we relate gene predictions with the results from
experimental studies. We also speculate on the key metabolic adaptations
of <b>Leishmania</b> and reasons why it differs from Trypanosoma brucei and
Trypanosoma cruzi.<br>
<br><br>
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PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17157440" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17157440</a>
<input name="id_17157440" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17157440" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Infection by <b>
Leishmania</b> infantum in cats: Epidemiological study in Spain.</a><br>
AUTHORS: J MartÃn-Sánchez, C Acedo, M Muñoz-Pérez, B Pesson, O Marchal, F Morillas-Márquez<br>
AFFILIATION: Dep. ParasitologÃa, Fac. Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, 18.011 Granada, Spain.<br>
REFERENCE: Vet Parasitol 2007 Apr 145(3-4):267-73<br>
More than 40 cases of feline leishmaniasis have been reported in the
scientific literature. The influence of some immunodepressive conditions
of viral origin, such as leukemia and feline immunodeficiency, are
still unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of
<b>Leishmania</b> infection in cats and possible relations with these viral
infections. Markers of <b>Leishmania</b> infection were searched in 183 cats
from Southern Spain by IFAT, PCR, Giemsa stain and culture, with a
follow-up of positive cats. Seropositivity was 60.0% (Ab titer >/=10)
and 28.3% of animals presented Ab titers >/=40. Around 25.7% of the cats
studied were parasitemic and some of them remained positive for months
. Combining both data, 70.6% of the feline population was, or could be,
infected. We observed a negative association between seropositivity to
<b>Leishmania</b> and infection by FeLV. Hence, production of antibodies
against the parasite appears to be compromised in cats with leukemia,
which have a prevalence of 36% in our study. In contrast, we found no
association with feline immunodeficiency. The results makes us doubt the
value of conventional serological methods to detect active <b>Leishmania</b>
infection in cats.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17174035" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17174035</a>
<input name="id_17174035" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17174035" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Infection of sandflies by a cat naturally infected with
<b>Leishmania</b> infantum.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Michele Maroli, Maria Grazia Pennisi, Trentina Di Muccio, Cristina Khoury, Luigi Gradoni, Marina Gramiccia<br>
AFFILIATION: Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, MIPI Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome, Italy.<br>
REFERENCE: Vet Parasitol 2007 Apr 145(3-4):357-60<br>
Despite the recent reports of feline leishmaniosis from Southern Europe
, cats are still regarded as unusual <b>Leishmania</b> hosts. A cat found
chronically infected with <b>Leishmania</b> was submitted to xenodiagnosis.
After being sedated, the animal was exposed to the bite of 100
laboratory-reared Phlebotomus perniciosus in a fine net cage for 90min.
Four out of 19 blood-fed sandflies (21%) showed motile promastigotes at
the dissection. Parasites cultured from cat's lymph node and an infected
fly were identical at PCR-RFLP genotyping and identified as <b>Leishmania</b>
infantum MON-1, the main zymodeme responsible for human and canine
leishmaniosis in Southern Europe. This is the first evidence of
transmissibility of feline parasites to a proven vector, suggesting that
cats may represent an additional domestic reservoir for L. infantum.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17257762" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17257762</a>
<input name="id_17257762" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17257762" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Risk factors for canine neosporosis in farm and kennel dogs in southern Italy.
</a><br>
AUTHORS: Paola Paradies, Gioia Capelli, Gabriella Testini, Cinzia Cantacessi, Alexander J Trees, Domenico Otranto<br>
AFFILIATION: Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km3, 70010 Valenzano (Bari), Italy.<br>
REFERENCE: Vet Parasitol 2007 Apr 145(3-4):240-4<br>
Neosporosis by Neospora caninum causes losses to livestock production
through abortion in cattle while, in dogs, it induces neuromuscolar
disease. This study investigated neosporosis seroprevalence associated
risk factors (including the seropositivity to leishmaniosis) in dogs of
southern Italy, determined the prevalence of N. caninum oocyst shedding
and examined the relationship between seroprevalence of neosporosis in
farm dogs and cattle. Using an inhibition ELISA, 20.9% of 306 dogs had
percent inhibition values >10 (indicative of exposure) and farm dogs had
a significantly (p<0.001) higher seroprevalence than dogs in a
rescue kennel. Whilst N. caninum seroprevalence was associated with
increasing age in dogs (p</=0.01) there was no association between
seropositivity for N. caninum and for <b>Leishmania</b> infantum. Oocysts of N
. caninum were not detected in faecal samples from 230 dogs including
160 farm dogs. The results indicated that neosporosis infection is
common in southern Italy both in dogs and in cattle and that dogs at
higher risk of exposure are free-ranging ones living in farms. The lack
of correlation between canine seroprevalence for N. caninum and L.
infantum assumes a particular significance in an endemic area for
leishmaniosis.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17292553" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17292553</a>
<input name="id_17292553" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17292553" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Heparin binding proteins from
<b>Leishmania</b> (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes.</a><br>
AUTHORS: R L Azevedo-Pereira, M C S Pereira, F O R Oliveria-Junior, R P Brazil, L M C Côrtes, M F Madeira, A L S Santos, L Toma, C R Alves<br>
AFFILIATION: Departamento de BioquÃmica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, CEP 21.045-900, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.<br>
REFERENCE: Vet Parasitol 2007 Apr 145(3-4):234-9<br>
We have examined the heparin binding proteins from <b>Leishmania</b> (Viannia)
braziliensis promastigotes (HBP-Lb) by chromatography assays. The
proposed strategy to isolate an enriched fraction of the HBP-Lb
consisted of an association of the Triton X-114 method with affinity
chromatography in heparin-Sepharose 4B column. SDS-PAGE analysis of the
eluted proteins showed two main protein bands (65.0 and 54.5kDa), while
a single protein band was observed in native electrophoresis gel. The
hemagglutination property of HBP-Lb over rabbit erythrocytes was
confirmed up to 6.3+/-0.5mug of protein mL(-1). Additionally, we have
assayed the potential of HBP-Lb labeled with sulfo-NHS-LC-biotin in
binding to nitrocellulose-immobilized gut proteins extracted of
Lutzomyia intermedia and Lutzomyia whitmani. The results indicated a
similar profile of five ligands (67.0, 62.1, 59.5, 56.0 and 47.5kDa) in
both studied Lutzomyia species. This is the first direct description of
this class of protein in L. (V.) braziliensis with a suggestion of its
biological activity in the interaction of <b>Leishmania</b> with Lutzomyia gut
cells, which maybe a crucial step during this parasite's life cycle.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17298866" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17298866</a>
<input name="id_17298866" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17298866" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">In vitro activity of dicationic compounds against a North American foxhound isolate of
<b>Leishmania</b> infantum.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Alexa C Rosypal, James E Hall, Svetlana Bakunova, Donald A Patrick, Stanislav Bakunov, Chad E Stephens, Arvind Kumar, David W Boykin, Richard R Tidwell<br>
AFFILIATION: School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.<br>
REFERENCE: Vet Parasitol 2007 Apr 145(3-4):207-16<br>
Canine leishmaniasis caused by <b>Leishmania</b> infantum is enzootic in the
North American foxhound population. Currently available chemotherapy for
canine leishmaniasis is not completely effective and relapses are
common in treated dogs. Pentamidine and related aromatic diamidines
possess broad spectrum antiprotozoal activity. The in vitro
antileishmanial activities of 35 aromatic cationic molecules were
determined, using pentamidine as the reference drug. The compounds were
examined for activity against promastigotes of L. infantum isolated from
a foxhound from Virginia. The compounds most active against <b>Leishmania</b>
parasites were reversed amidines. Compound 9, a reversed amidine,
exhibited the highest activity against L. infantum, with a 50%
inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 0.0042muM compared with 14.2muM for
pentamidine. Antileishmanial activities of nine compounds were at least
1000-fold higher relative to the reference drug. Results from this
study indicate that several pentamidine-related compounds warrant
further investigation as possible new agents for the treatment of canine
leishmaniasis.<br>
<br><br>
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PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17276983" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17276983</a>
<input name="id_17276983" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17276983" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Molecular and Functional Analyses of a Novel Class I Secretory Nuclease from the Human Pathogen,
<b>Leishmania</b> donovani.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Manju B Joshi, Dennis M Dwyer<br>
AFFILIATION: Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0425.<br>
REFERENCE: J Biol Chem 2007 Mar 282(13):10079-95<br>
The primitive protozoan pathogen of humans, <b>Leishmania</b> donovani, resides
and multiplies in highly restricted micro-environments within their
hosts (i.e. as promastigotes in the gut lumen of their sandfly vectors
and as amastigotes in the phagolysosomal compartments of infected
mammalian macrophages). Like other trypanosomatid parasites, they are
purine auxotrophs (i.e. lack the ability to synthesize purines de novo)
and therefore are totally dependent upon salvaging these essential
nutrients from their hosts. In that context, in this study we identified
a unique 35-kDa, dithiothreitol-sensitive nuclease and showed that it
was constitutively released/secreted by both promastigote and amastigote
developmental forms of this parasite. By using several different
molecular approaches, we identified and characterized the structure of
LdNuc(s), a gene that encodes this new 35-kDa class I nuclease family
member in these organisms. Homologous episomal expression of an epitope-
tagged LdNuc(s) chimeric construct was used in conjunction with an anti-
LdNuc(s) peptide antibody to delineate the functional and biochemical
properties of this unique 35-kDa parasite released/secreted enzyme.
Results of coupled immunoprecipitation-enzyme activity analyses
demonstrated that this "secretory" enzyme could hydrolyze a
variety of synthetic polynucleotides as well as several natural nucleic
acid substrates, including RNA and single- and double-stranded DNA.
Based on these cumulative observations, we hypothesize that within the
micro-environments of its host, this leishmanial "secretory"
nuclease could function at a distance away from the parasite to harness
(i.e. hydrolyze/access) host-derived nucleic acids to satisfy the
essential purine requirements of these organisms. Thus, this enzyme
might play an important role(s) in facilitating the survival, growth,
and development of this important human pathogen.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17396274" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17396274</a>
<input name="id_17396274" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17396274" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Leishmaniasis.</a>
<br>
AUTHORS: Tonio V Piscopo, Charles Mallia Azzopardi<br>
AFFILIATION: St Luke's Hospital, Guardamangia Hill, Guardamangia, MSD 09, Malta. <a href="mailto:tonio.piscopo@gov.mt" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">tonio.piscopo@gov.mt</a><br>
REFERENCE: Postgrad Med J 2007 Feb 83(976):649-57<br>
Epidemiology, disease patterns, immunology, diagnosis, treatment and
control measures of leishmaniasis are described. Various issues relating
to leishmaniasis are highlighted: the relative lack of importance given
to this disease compared with other infections, climate change and its
possible impact on extension of endemicity of this infection, and new
diagnostic tests which are improving diagnosis, especially in resource
poor areas. Other important aspects discussed include the potential for
newer oral therapy to change the way this disease is managed; <b>Leishmania</b>
-HIV coinfection and groups at risk; and development of an effective
vaccine.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17316586" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17316586</a>
<input name="id_17316586" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17316586" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">H-2 complex influences cytokine gene expression in
<b>Leishmania</b> infantum-infected macrophages.</a><br>
AUTHORS: Olivia Roos Rodrigues, Rita Aguiar Moura, Sandra Gomes-Pereira, Gabriela Maria Santos-Gomes<br>
AFFILIATION: UEI Leishmanioses, Centro de Malária e Outras Doenças Tropicais, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 96, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal.<br>
REFERENCE: Cell Immunol 2006 Oct 243(2):118-26<br>
This work aims to study the influence of H-2 locus in the control of
<b>Leishmania</b> infantum infection by evaluating whether cytokine responses
by host macrophages of different H-2 haplotype are differentially
regulated, either induced or actively impaired during parasite growth
and replication. This study shows that macrophages of "non-cure&
quot; phenotype (H-2(d)) are more susceptible to infection with virulent
L. infantum promastigotes. Virulent parasites lead to impaired IL-12
and inhibited TNF-alpha expression. The degree of parasite virulence is
an important contributing factor to differences detected in cytokine
expression. Virulent parasites also induced TGF-beta, a deactivating
cytokine that is known to suppress Th-1 type responses, thus allowing
the parasite to subvert antimicrobial activity and increase its chances
of survival. Depending on specific host haplotype, cells differentially
respond to infection since TNF-alpha expression is inhibited and TGF-
beta is enhanced by macrophages of "non-cure" phenotype, thus
perhaps determining their degree of susceptibility in this strain of
mice.<br>
<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17290905" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17290905</a>
<input name="id_17290905" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17290905" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">[Visceral leishmaniasis in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): results and basic lines of further study]
</a><br>
AUTHORS: E N PonirovskiÄ, M V Strelkova, D B Goncharov, E N Zhirenkina, Iu A Chernikova<br>
REFERENCE: Med Parazitol (Mosk) 2006 Oct-Dec (4):25-31<br>
The results of studies of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) made in the 20th
century in the Commonwealth of Independent States that are VL-endemic,
such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan,
Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are summed up. The magnitude
of studies of VL in different regions is different. The authors analyze
the epidemiological and epizootological situation and define the basic
lines of further studies of VL, which include the present view of the
prevalence of VL in Central Asia and Transcaucasia; identification of
strains of the pathogen by molecular genetic methods; study of its
vectors; detection of natural reservoirs of the pathogen, improvement of
methods for VL diagnosis; and their introduction into laboratories'
work.<br>
<br><br>
********************************************************************************************************************<br>
The following references are revised files and are brought to you in accordance to license agreement with the NLM.<br>
********************************************************************************************************************<br><br>
PMID: <a href="http://refscout.com/cgi-bin/exportAbstract.pl?base=medline-2007-14.xml&id=17068275" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">17068275</a>
<input name="id_17068275" value="Y" type="checkbox"><br>
TITLE: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17068275" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Leishmaniasis.</a>
<br>
AUTHORS: T V Piscopo, A C Mallia<br>
AFFILIATION: Sir Temi Zammit Infectious Disease Unit, St Luke's Hospital, Guardamangia Hill, Guardamangia, MSD 09, Malta. <a href="mailto:tonio.piscopo@gov.mt" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
tonio.piscopo@gov.mt</a><br>
REFERENCE: Postgrad Med J 2006 Oct 82(972):649-57<br>
Epidemiology, disease patterns, immunology, diagnosis, treatment and
control measures of leishmaniasis are described. Various issues relating
to leishmaniasis are highlighted: the relative lack of importance given
to this disease is compared with other infections, climate change and
its possible effect on extension of endemicity of this infection, and
new diagnostic tests that are helping better diagnosis, especially in
resource-poor areas. Other important aspects discussed include the
potential for newer oral treatment to change the way this disease is
managed; <b>leishmania</b>-HIV coinfection and groups at risk; and the
development of an effective vaccine.<br>
<br><br>
REQUEST: [ sand fly NOT culicoides ]<br>
(1 article matches this request. 1 article matching other requests removed)<br><br>
REQUEST: [ sandfly NOT culicoides ]<br>
(1 article matches this request. 1 article matching other requests removed)<br><br>
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