In vitro effects of lapachol and β-lapachone against Leishmania amazonensis

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and special attention should be given to treatment because the available drugs have limitations, which can lead to low therapeutic adherence and parasitic resistance. This study evaluated the activity of the bioactive naphthoquinones, lapachol and β-lapachone, against Leishmania amazonensis. The cell alterations were evaluated in vitro on promastigote and amastigote forms. The lethal dose (LD50) at 24, 48, and 72 h on the promastigote's forms using lapachol was 75.60, 72.82, and 58.85 μg/mL and for β-lapachone was 0.65, 1.24, and 0.71 μg/mL, respectively. The naphthoquinones significantly inhibited the survival rate of L. amazonensis amastigotes at 83.11, 57.59, and 34.95% for lapachol (82.28, 41.14, and 20.57 µg/mL), and 78.49, 83.25, and 80.22% for β-lapachone (3.26, 1.63, and 0.815 µg/mL). The compounds on the promastigote's forms led to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, induced changes in the integrity of the membrane, caused damage to cells suggestive of the apoptotic process, and showed inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 production. The results showed that these naphthoquinones are promising candidates for research on new drugs with anti-Leishmania activity derived from natural products

Ocorrência de leishmaniose tegumentar em cães de área endêmica no Estado do Paraná Occurrence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in dogs of endemic area, Paraná State

Investigou-se a infecção por parasitas do complexo Leishmania braziliensis em 50 cães da cidade de Maringá, PR, onde ocorreram casos humanos de leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA), entre agosto e dezembro de 2006. Os casos humanos de LTA ocorreram nos anos de 2003 a 2004. Nenhum animal apresentou lesão, mas 12 (24,0%) tinham sorologia e/ou PCR positivas, e a positividade tanto da IFI como da PCR foi de 14,0%. Trinta e cinco animais eram de residências, e oito deles (22,8%) tiveram testes laboratoriais para LTA positivos. Os outros 15 eram cães errantes, sendo que quatro deles (26,7%) apresentaram PCR positiva. A presença de animais com infecção assintomática por Leishmania em área onde a LTA é endêmica pode ser um indicador do potencial de sua transmissão para o homem e uma referência para a implantação de medidas de controle e prevenção da doença.<br>The infection by Leishmania braziliensis complex was studied in 50 dogs from Maringá, PR, where American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in humans have been detected. Data were collected from August to December 2006 in an area in which ACL cases in humans were reported from 2003 to 2004. Indirect immunofluorescent test (IIF) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were applied. No lesions were found in the animals, although 12 (24.0%) had positive IIF and/or PCR. Positiveness was 14.0% for IIF and PCR. Lab tests showed that eight (22.8%) out of the 35 home animals were ACL positive. The other 15 animals were stray dogs, out of which four (26.7%) were PCR positive. The appearance of asymptomatic Leishmania-infected dogs in an ACL endemic area may be an indicator of ACL transmission potential for humans and a reference for the establishment of control measures and disease prevention

Controle de flebotomíneos com DDT, em àrea endêmica de leishmaniose tegumentar no estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil

<abstract language="eng">Evaluation of DDT insecticide used to sand flies control in domiciles and domestic animal shelters in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Collections of sand flies were made with Falcão traps in houses, in one pigsty and in one tree in Jussara Farm, municipality of Jussara, State of Paraná, Brazil, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. during 7 days from March 24 to April 1, 1992. In May, 1992 DDT insecticide (Dicloro Difenil Tricloro Etano) (1 g/square meter of area) was applied internally and externally on houses and in pigsty. After this, new collections of sand flies were made from July 1992 to February 1993, once a month, with Falcão traps installed in the same hour and conditions mentioned above. Before DDT insecticide application 12,960 sand flies were collected (Hourly Average=463) and it was observed the prevalence (61,8%). of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939) After the DDT application only 589 sand flies were collected (Hourly Average=18,4) and also L. whitmani predominated again (90,8%). The decrease of sand flies number after the DDT insecticide application in domiciles and in pigsty prove that this measure can help cutaneous leishmaniasis control in Northern Paraná

Busca ativa de casos de leishmaniose cutânea em humanos e cães em área periférica do município de Campo Mourão - PR, Brasil Active search of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and canines in the peripherical area of Campo Mourão - PR - Brazil

Foi realizada uma busca ativa de casos de leishmaniose cutânea em humanos e cães, em área periférica da cidade de Campo Mourão - PR. No período de 01 a 30 de junho de 2004, uma equipe multidisciplinar visitou todas as residências e estabelecimentos comerciais situadas até 150m da margem superior e inferior do rio 119, que delimita o município. Todos os casos humanos suspeitos de Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) foram encaminhados para o Posto de Saúde de referência para receberem os devidos tratamentos e orientação profilática. Foram encontrados 6 (seis) casos de pessoas suspeitas de LTA, sendo que 04 (quatro) resultaram em diagnóstico negativo e 02 (dois) em diagnóstico positivo. Nenhum cão apresentou lesão suspeita de LTA.<br>An active search was done to identify cases of leishmaniasis in humans and dogs in a peripherical area of Campo Mourão, PR, Brazil. From the first to thirtieth June of 2004, a multidisciplinary professional team visited all residences located within 150 meters from the superior and inferior margins of the river 119, which delimits the city. All human cases of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) were directed to reference health care center for the appropriated treatment and prophylactic orientation. Six cases of persons suspected of ATL were found; four patients resulted in a negative diagnosis while two cases were positive. No dogs demonstrated lesions that were suggestive of ATL