Can Sergentomyia (Diptera, Psychodidae) play a role in the transmission of mammal-infecting Leishmania?

© C. Maia and J. Depaquit, published by EDP Sciences, 2016.Leishmaniases are parasitic diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The parasites, which infect various wild and domestic mammals, including humans, are transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies belonging to the Phlebotomus genus in the Old World and to several genera (including Lutzomyia, Psychodopygus and Nyssomyia) in the New World. In this paper, we consider the genus Sergentomyia as divided into seven subgenera, mainly based on spermathecal morphology: Sergentomyia, Sintonius, Parrotomyia, Rondanomyia, Capensomyia, Vattieromyia and Trouilletomyia. We also include the groups Grassomyia and Demeillonius but exclude the genera Spelaeomyia and Parvidens. The possible role of Sergentomyia in the circulation of mammalian leishmaniases in the Old World has been considered as Leishmania DNA and/or parasites have been identified in several species. However, several criteria must be fulfilled to incriminate an arthropod as a biological vector of leishmaniasis, namely: it must be attracted to and willing to feed on humans and any reservoir host, and be present in the same environment; several unambiguously identified wild female flies not containing blood meals have to be found infected (through isolation and/or typing of parasites) with the same strain of Leishmania as occurs in humans or any reservoir host; the presence of infective forms of Leishmania on naturally infected females and/or on colonized sand flies infected experimentally should be observed; and finally, the vector has to be able to transmit parasites as a result of blood-feeding on a susceptible mammal.publishersversionpublishe

Resposta imune na infecção por Leishmania infantum em modelo murino

As leishmanioses são doenças causadas por protozoários do género Leishmania que são parasitas intracelulares obrigatórios das células fagocíticas. O objectivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a infecção por Leishmania infantum em murganhos BALB/c inoculados por via intradérmica, analisando a evolução do parasitismo e as respostas imunitárias desenvolvidas. A carga parasitária foi determinada por PCR em tempo real. Foram detectados parasitas desde o 7º dia pós-infecção, verificando-se a disseminação visceral do parasita ao 56º dia pós-infecção. Os linfócitos dos animais do grupo infectado proliferaram em resposta à estimulação antigénica, enquanto que os macrófagos peritoneais produziram nitritos na presença do antigénio. Estes resultados demonstraram que os murganhos BALB/c inoculados por via intradérmica constituem um bom modelo experimental de leishmaniose visceral

The first detection of Leishmania major in naturally infected Sergentomyia minuta in Portugal

Phlebotomine sandflies of the genus Sergentomyia are widely distributed throughout the Old World. It has been suggested that Sergentomyia spp are involved in the transmission of Leishmania in India and Africa, whereas Phlebotomus spp are thought to be the sole vectors of Leishmania in the Old World. In this study, Leishmania major DNA was detected in one Sergentomyia minuta specimen that was collected in the southern region of Portugal. This study challenges the dogma that Leishmania is exclusively transmitted by species of the genus Phlebotomus in the Old World.EU/FEDER [PTDC/CVT/112371/2009]; EU [FP7-261504 EDENext]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Leishmania infection and host-blood feeding preferences of phlebotomine sandflies and canine leishmaniasis in an endemic European area, the Algarve Region in Portugal

The Algarve Region (AR) in southern Portugal, which is an international tourist destination, has been considered an endemic region of zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum since the 1980s. In the present study, phlebotomine and canine surveys were conducted to identify sandfly blood meal sources and to update the occurrence of Leishmania infection in vectors and dogs. Four sandfly species were captured: Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus ariasi, Phlebotomus sergenti and Sergentomyia minuta. In one P. perniciosus female, L. infantum DNA was detected. Blood meal tests showed that this species had no host preferences and was an opportunistic feeder. An overall canine leishmaniasis (CanL) seroprevalence of 16.06% was found; the seroprevalence was 3.88% in dogs housed in kennels and 40.63% in dogs that attended veterinary clinics. The simultaneous occurrence of dogs and P. perniciosus infected with L. infantum in the AR indicates that the region continues to be an endemic area for CanL. Our results reinforce the need for the systematic spatial distribution of phlebotomine populations and their Leishmania infection rates and the need to simultaneously perform pathogen monitoring in both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts to investigate the transmission, distribution and spreading of Leishmania infection.EU/FEDER/FCT [POCI/CVT/56357/2004]; EU [FP7-261504 EDENext (091)]; FCT fellowship [SFRH/BPD/44082/2008]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A global perspective on non-autochthonous canine and feline Leishmania infection and leishmaniosis in the 21st century

Leishmaniosis is a high-burden vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania parasites that affect humans and other animals, including dogs and cats. Globalization is one of the main factors that largely contributes to the spread of leishmaniosis to non-endemic areas. A comprehensive review of scientific literature published between 2000 and 2021 was conducted to identify the epidemiological situation and clinical management of imported animal Leishmania infection and leishmaniosis as a fundamental step to better manage individual cases and traveler animal health from a global and One Health perspective. A total of 31 articles were selected, representing 1403 canine, and 25 feline imported cases. Canine and feline leishmanioses in non-endemic areas remain a challenge for veterinarians. Thus, diagnostic and management algorithms for veterinary clinical decision support are proposed. Increased surveillance of non-autochthonous cases, including relocated companion animals, could improve individual health, and mitigate the public and animal health risk of introducing Leishmania species into new areas.publishersversionpublishe

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Wireless Strain Sensing as NDT Method for Plastic Composites

The rapid increase in the use of plastics composites mainly in primary structures has brought with it the challenge of ensuring the damage inspection in a fast and precise way. Traditional NDT methods are not adequate for the complexity and anisotropy of composite materials. New and improved NDT methods are a necessity. A strain sensing technique to be applied on the non-destructive evaluation of fiber reinforced plastic composites have been designed and developed. The system is based on a combination involving WSN technology and the conventional resistance strain gauges sensors, which detect surface strains on the components. The experimental results demonstrated that this technique is capable of collecting strain information of the composites under service and conditions where the components are subjected to bending strains and under harsh environments, such as during contact with seawater. The setup is an inexpensive technology that is easy and practical to install even in the most difficult production sites since it is a wireless based system. The long duration tests showed that this battery powered based system has the ability to collect strain data for a long period of time allowing saving energy. The strain sensing system developed here has several practical applications in strain and stress measurements in the structural monitoring and quality assurance of virtually every sector of industry in which plastic composites are related. Due to the positive results obtained in this study, further research on this field should be encouraged. Additional research on the reliability of this wireless strain sensing system in different environments (e.g temperature, humidity) and loading conditions are crucial for the deployment of this technology into different applications and composite industries

Cytokine and Phenotypic Cell Profiles of Leishmania infantum Infection in the Dog.

Leishmaniasis has reemerged in recent years showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global incidence of human and canine disease than previously known. Dogs are the main domestic/peridomestic reservoir hosts of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum. Since the evolution of leishmaniasis and clinical appearance is a consequence of complex interactions between the parasite and host immune response, a profound knowledge about the immune profile developed in dog's infection is crucial for vaccine and immunomodulatory therapy design. The main goal of this paper is to compile the recent advances made on cytokine and phenotypic cell profiles in different tissues and organs of dogs infected with L. infantum. This paper also stressed that the knowledge of the immune responses developed, namely, in liver, lymph node, and spleen is very limited. All data emphasizes that more research on canine leishmaniasis is necessary for the development of new and efficacious tools to control zoonotic leishmaniasis.publishersversionpublishe

Dipylidium caninum in the twenty-first century: epidemiological studies and reported cases in companion animals and humans

Background: Dipilidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. Fleas and, less frequently, lice act as an intermediate host, and their ingestion is required for infection to occur. While the disease mainly afects domestic and wild carnivores, it is also considered a zoonotic disease, with most human cases reported in children. Dipylidium caninum is considered to be the most common tapeworm infesting companion animals, but dipilidosis in humans is rare. The aims of this review were to improve current understanding of the epidemiology of this parasitosis and its management by the medical and veterinary community. Methods: A comprehensive review of the published literature during the last 21 years (2000–2021) on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention measures of D. caninum infection and dipilidiosis in companion animals and humans was conducted. Results: Using predefned eligibility criteria for a search of the published literature, we retrieved and screened 280 publications. Of these, 161 (141 epidemiological studies, 20 case reports [16 human cases]) were considered for inclusion in this review. This parasitosis is present worldwide; however, despite being the most frequent cestode infection in animals, it is often underdiagnosed using common coprological techniques. Its diagnosis in humans has also proved challenging, being frequently confused with pinworm infection, leading to inappropriate treatment and to the persistence of the disease over time. Prevention measures include control of ectoparasites in animals and the environment, as well as regular deworming of animals, most commonly with praziquantel. Conclusions: The diagnosis of dipilidiosis remains challenging in both animals and humans, primarily due to the low sensitivity of the diagnostic methods currently available and a lack of knowledge of the morphological characteristics of the parasite. Although treatment with the appropriate anti-cestode compounds is well tolerated and results in resolution of the infection, indiscriminate use of these compounds may predispose to an increase in resistance. Given the worldwide distribution of this parasite, it is essential to act on several fronts, with a focus on health education for children and animal owners and the control of intermediate hosts, both in animals and in the surrounding environment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio