Wolbachia bacteria in Mansonella perstans isolates from patients infected in different geographical areas: a pilot study from the ESCMID Study Group for Clinical Parasitology.
Elena Pomari, Denis Voronin, Miriam J Alvarez-Martinez, Marta Arsuaga, Emmanuel Bottieau, María Pilar Luzón-García, Beatrice Nickel, Jose Miguel Rubio, Joaquín Salas-Coronas, Fernando Salvador, Manuel Jesús Soriano-Pérez, Elena Sulleiro, Lidia Goterris, Marjan Van Esbroeck, Jaap J van Hellemond, Linda J Wammes, Lorenzo Zammarchi, Denise Lavezzari, Monica Degani, Stefano Tais, Jana Held, Federico Gobbi, Francesca Tamarozzi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Mansonella perstans is a vector-borne filarial parasite widely endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with sporadic cases in Latin America. Infection is often overlooked; treatment is not standardized, and effectiveness of common regimes is difficult to ascertain. Anti-Wolbachia macrofilaricidal treatment with doxycycline has been applied, but there are scant and contrasting reports about the presence of Wolbachia in M. perstans isolates from different geographical locations. Taking advantage of a network of European centres expert in traveller and migrant health, we aimed to expand the knowledge concerning the distribution of Wolbachia in M. perstans to contribute to the design of optimal treatment approaches.
Methods: We analysed 19 samples of concentrated microfilariae or whole blood from M. perstans-infected patients who reported having resided or travelled in one or more of 10 West African countries. Wolbachia was detected by PCR targeting 16S and ftsZ genes and phylogenetic analysis of M. perstans was performed based on COX1 gene sequencing.
Results: Wolbachia was identified in 14/19 (74%) samples. With the possible inaccuracy deriving from potential origin of infection being identified retrospectively from routine clinical visit's documents, this study identified Wolbachia in M. perstans from Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Guinea and Senegal for the first time to our knowledge. Furthermore, Wolbachia might also be present in M. perstans from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
Conclusions: The retrieval of Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative M. perstans samples can either be explained by technical limitations or reflect the real existence of Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative M. perstans populations. However, this latter hypothesis was not supported by our phylogenetic analysis. Our results suggest that doxycycline could be used for the treatment of M. perstans infection upfront or, if possible, after ascertaining the presence of Wolbachia by PCR performed on concentrated microfilariae using two targets to avoid false-negative results.
期刊介绍：
Parasites & Vectors is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal dealing with the biology of parasites, parasitic diseases, intermediate hosts, vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Manuscripts published in this journal will be available to all worldwide, with no barriers to access, immediately following acceptance. However, authors retain the copyright of their material and may use it, or distribute it, as they wish.
Manuscripts on all aspects of the basic and applied biology of parasites, intermediate hosts, vectors and vector-borne pathogens will be considered. In addition to the traditional and well-established areas of science in these fields, we also aim to provide a vehicle for publication of the rapidly developing resources and technology in parasite, intermediate host and vector genomics and their impacts on biological research. We are able to publish large datasets and extensive results, frequently associated with genomic and post-genomic technologies, which are not readily accommodated in traditional journals. Manuscripts addressing broader issues, for example economics, social sciences and global climate change in relation to parasites, vectors and disease control, are also welcomed.
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