Multilocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT) of Strains from Turkey and Cyprus Reveals a Novel Monophyletic L. donovani Sensu Lato Group

In eastern Mediterranean, leishmaniasis represents a major public health problem with considerable impact on morbidity and potential to spread. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. major or L. tropica accounts for most cases in this region although visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by L. infantum is also common. New foci of human CL caused by L. donovani complex strains were recently described in Cyprus and Turkey. Herein we analyzed Turkish strains from human CL foci in Çukurova region (north of Cyprus) and a human VL case in Kuşadasi. These were compared to Cypriot strains that were previously typed by Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (MLEE) as L. donovani MON-37. Nevertheless, they were found genetically distinct from MON-37 strains of other regions and therefore their origin remained enigmatic. A population study was performed by Multilocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT) and the profile of the Turkish strains was compared to previously analyzed L. donovani complex strains. Our results revealed close genetic relationship between Turkish and Cypriot strains, which form a genetically distinct L. infantum monophyletic group, suggesting that Cypriot strains may originate from Turkey. Our analysis indicates that the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in this region is more complicated than originally thought

Seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis around the Aegean cost of Turkey [Ki{dotless}yi{dotless} ege bölgesindeki köpeklerde visseral leishmaniasis'in seroprevalansi{dotless}]

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious and zoonotic disease of people, wild and domestic mammals residing in tropical and subtropical climate zone. VL is a potential risk for human health and regarding the economical loss as a result of the disease, endemic areas should be recognized the effective implementation of control measures, and detailed epidemiological surveys should be performed in an attempt to obtain information about the incidence and prevalence of the disease in locations where the disease is diagnosed. Besides, in our country, most of the traveling has been drifted to areas dominating Mediterranean climate increasing the importance of investigations on visceral leishmaniais in Aegean region. In this study, it was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of the infection from Selçuk/İzmir, Turgutlu/Manisa, Aydi{dotless}n city province, Kuşadasi{dotless}/Aydi{dotless}n, Marmaris/Mugla, Bodrum/Mugla in stray dogs that are regarded as the main reservoirs for Visceral Leishmaniasis. For this purpose, anti-leishmania antibodies were determined with immunofluorence antibody diagnostic prosedure in serum samples obtained from untreated and unprotected 300 stray dogs located in these settlements. According to the results of the study 27 (9%) out of a total 300 dogs were infected with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanL). It was considered that the result of this study may be used as a reference for further studies regarding human and dogs residing in Turkey

Evaluation of serum cystatin-C in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis

WOS: 000267828200005PubMed ID: 19140021Serum Cystatin C (sCys-C) is one of the most important serum markers of renal function assessment in dogs. The purpose of this study was to determine the sCys-C concentration in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In the study, 16 dogs with VL and 10 clinical healty dogs (control) were used. Mean sCys-C concentration of the infected dogs was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Mean serum creatinine concentration was lower and mean blood urea nitrogen, albumin and globulin concentrations were higher in dogs with VL; however, these changes were not statistically significant. Mean total protein and phosphorus concentrations were found to be higher in dogs with VL than healthy dogs (p < 0.05). No significant correlation had been determined between sCys-C and other variables. Visceral leishmaniasis in dogs has increased sCys-C concentration indicating a possible renal impairment; however, further studies are needed to be performed together with renal biopsies in the investigation sCys-C in dogs with VL

Possible antileishmanial effect of recombinant human erythropoietin

WOS: 00026926400051