Experimental parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Ritonavir enhances the efficacy of amprenavir: A promising combination therapy by targeting Leishmania DNA topoisomerase I for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis","authors":"Priyanka H. Mazire,&nbsp;Snehal Shingade,&nbsp;Amit Roy","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108898","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108898","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an opportunistic infection in HIV patients with higher relapse and mortality rate. The number of HIV-VL patients is comparatively higher in areas where both infections are endemic. However, the conventional chemotherapeutic agents have limited success due to drug toxicity, efficacy variance and overall cost of treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to discover and develop newer potent antileishmanial agents for successful eradication of the disease. Our previous report, for the first time showed the leishminicidal effect of amprenavir (APV) mediated by inhibition of <em>L.donovani</em> Topoisomerase I (LdTopILS). So, we intended to demonstrate the effect of APV in combination with ritonavir (RTV). The present study revealed that the complete catalytic inhibition of LdTopILS by APV (10 μM) in combination with RTV (5 μM), compare to APV (20 μM) as previously reported (Roy et al., 2021). Moreover, APV (5 μM) in combination with RTV (4 μM) exhibited promastigote inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 2.4 ± 0.6 μM at 12 h and 1.6 ± 0.7 μM at 24 h, respectively. The study was extended in animal model where the <em>in vivo</em> antileishmanial efficacy of APV-RTV in BALB/c mice demonstrated that treatment of APV in combination with RTV led to significant splenic and hepatic protection as compared to single dose of APV. Moreover, the antileishmanial activity of APV in combination with RTV was exerted via inhibition of LdTopILS at much lower concentration of APV and this inhibition of the enzyme induced programmed cell death in <em>Leishmania</em> parasites by generating oxidative stress within the cells. From the <em>in vitro, ex vivo</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies, it was indicated that lower dose of APV in combination with RTV elevated the effective killing of the parasites as compared to the single higher dose of APV. Thus, the current study highlights repurposing of available protease inhibitors in combination, which might be exploited further for the therapeutic development against VL as well as HIV-VL co-infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108898"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142970292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Galactokinase and galactose metabolism in Leishmania spp.","authors":"Ángel E. Lobo-Rojas ,&nbsp;María A. Delgado-Chacón ,&nbsp;Edward A. Valera-Vera ,&nbsp;Marirene Chacón-Arnaude ,&nbsp;Mary Carmen Pérez-Aguilar ,&nbsp;Rocío Rondón-Mercado ,&nbsp;Ender Quintero-Troconis ,&nbsp;Wilfredo Quiñones ,&nbsp;Juan L. Concepción ,&nbsp;Ana J. Cáceres","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108888","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108888","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In <em>Leishmania</em>, the nucleotide-sugar UDP-galactose can be synthesized by a salvage pathway, the Isselbacher route, involving phosphorylation of galactose and the action of UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase. The first enzyme of the pathway, galactokinase, has yet to be studied in this parasite. Here, we report a molecular and biochemical characterization of this enzyme in <em>Leishmania mexicana</em>. We showed that recombinant galactokinase (<em>Lmx</em>GALK) phosphorylates galactose in the presence of ATP with <em>K</em>_m values of 0.077 mM for galactose and 0.017 mM for ATP. We proved by immunodetection that GALK is expressed in promastigotes and amastigotes of <em>L</em>. <em>mexicana</em>, <em>L</em>. <em>braziliensis</em> and <em>L. infantum</em>. In agreement with the presence of a type 1 peroxisome-targeting signal sequence present at the C-terminus of <em>Lmx</em>GALK, the protein is localized mostly within glycosomes as shown by selective membrane permeabilization with digitonin, differential centrifugation, and immunofluorescence. Indeed, <em>Lmx</em>GALK enzymatic activity was measured in the fractions corresponding to the homogenate and glycosomes, proving that it is active in promastigotes. In addition, it was shown that galactose cannot serve as an important carbon source for sustaining parasite growth, as cultures of promastigotes from three <em>Leishmania</em> species in LIT medium containing either no sugar or supplemented with D-galactose (20 mM) grew to lower density compared to these cultured with D-glucose (20 mM). These results suggest that D-galactose is mainly used for UDP-galactose synthesis by the salvage route, functioning when glucose is depleted from the medium, similar to the conditions promastigotes experience in the gut of the insect vector during its life cycle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108888"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142913889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interaction of Meloidogyne incognita and Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata in different types of soil on plant growth, photosynthetic pigments and proline contents of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)","authors":"Aqib,&nbsp;Zaki Anwar Siddiqui","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108882","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108882","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Effect of <em>Meloidogyne incognita</em> and <em>Pseudomonas syringae</em> pv. <em>aptata</em> (<em>Psa</em>) was observed singly, together and pre and post inoculations in 4 soil types on plant growth parameters, chlorophyll, carotenoid and proline contents of beetroot (<em>Beta vulgaris</em> L.). Plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were greater in loam soil followed by 20% fly ash soil, 10% fly ash plus 10% sand amended soil and least in 20 % sand mix soil. However, proline contents were high in 20% sand mix soil and least in loam soil. Plant growth (root dry weight), chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were reduced in plants inoculated with any test pathogen while proline contents were increased in plants inoculated with pathogens under study. Inoculation of both pathogens together caused a greater reduction of plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents than their individual inoculation. Inoculation of <em>M. incognita</em> 20 days prior to <em>Psa</em> resulted in greatest reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid and maximum proline contents<em>.</em> Inoculation of <em>Psa</em> with <em>M. incognita</em> reduced galling and nematode multiplication while prior inoculation of <em>Psa</em> caused maximum reduction in galling and nematode multiplication. Galling and nematode multiplication was high in 20% sand mix soil followed by loam soil and least in 20% fly ash amended soil. Bacterial leaf spot indices by <em>Psa</em> was 3 when alone. Disease indices were 5 when <em>Psa</em> was inoculated with <em>M. incognita</em>. Prior inoculation of <em>M. incognita</em> predisposed beetroots to <em>Psa</em> and aggravates the disease. Influence of <em>M. incognita</em>, <em>Psa</em> and their interactions in different soil types on various studied parameters in diseased plants was demonstrated by Principal component analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108882"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142871890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protection induced by recombinant vaccinia virus targeting the ROP4 of Toxoplasma gondii in mice","authors":"Keon-Woong Yoon ,&nbsp;Gi-Deok Eom ,&nbsp;Jie Mao ,&nbsp;Min-Ju Kim ,&nbsp;Su In Heo ,&nbsp;Hae-Ji Kang ,&nbsp;Ki Back Chu ,&nbsp;Eun-Kyung Moon ,&nbsp;Fu-Shi Quan","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease affecting a significant portion of the global population, whose etiology can be attributed to the protozoan organism <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>. Despite its public health importance, an efficacious vaccine to prevent human toxoplasmosis remains unavailable. To this end, we designed an experimental toxoplasmosis vaccine using recombinant vaccinia virus vectors (rVacv) expressing the <em>T. gondii</em> rhoptry protein 4 (ROP4) antigen and evaluated its efficacy in a murine model. Intranasal vaccination with ROP4-rVacvs induced parasite-specific serum antibody responses as early as 3 weeks post-immunization, with subsequent immunizations elevating antibody responses to a greater extent. When challenged with <em>T. gondii</em> ME49 strain, significantly enhanced levels of mucosal IgA antibodies were detected in the intestines of immunized mice. Additionally, ROP4-rVacv immunization ensured that T cells and germinal center B cell populations were retained at high levels. These immune responses mitigated the severity of neuroinflammation, reduced tissue cyst formation, and ensured the survival of immunized mice. Our findings indicate that ROP4-rVacv could be a promising toxoplasmosis vaccine candidate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108900"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142970291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vivo efficacy of uvangoletin from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) against Schistosoma mansoni and in silico studies targeting SmNTPDases","authors":"Everton Allan Ferreira ,&nbsp;Igor Moreira Campos ,&nbsp;Rayssa A. Cajas ,&nbsp;Danilo de Souza Costa ,&nbsp;Lara Soares Aleixo de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Paula Fernandes da Costa Franklin ,&nbsp;Nathália de Paula D. de Nigro ,&nbsp;Priscila de Faria Pinto ,&nbsp;PriscilaV.S.Z. Capriles ,&nbsp;Josué de Moraes ,&nbsp;Ademar A. da Silva Filho","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Schistosomiasis stands as one of the most significant parasitic diseases on a global scale, with approximately 250 million infections worldwide. It is imperative to address this pressing issue by developing new antischistosomal drugs. Chalcones have emerged as a promising class of natural compounds, demonstrating noteworthy effects observed in <em>vitro</em> experiments with <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em>, and demonstrating the ability to inhibit SmNTPDases and apyrase from potatoes. In this study, we focused on uvangoletin, a naturally occurring dihydrochalcone from <em>Piper aduncum</em>. We isolated uvangoletin from <em>P. aduncum</em> fruits and conducted <em>in vivo</em> experiments to evaluate the efficacy of uvangoletin against adult <em>Schistosoma</em> parasites. Furthermore, we explored the inhibitory effects of uvangoletin on potato apyrase and employed molecular docking analyses to investigate its interactions with apyrase from potato and the two isoforms SmNTPDase 1 and 2 through <em>in silico</em> studies. Uvangoletin (400 mg/kg, p. o.), exhibited significant <em>in vivo</em> antiparasitic effects against adult <em>S. mansoni</em>, leading to a decrease of 53.7% in worm burden and 54.3% in egg production. The treatment also reduced hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. <em>In silico</em> investigations and ADMET studies indicated that uvangoletin possesses favorable drug-like properties and may interact with key residues involved in apyrase and SmNTPDases activities. Furthermore, uvangoletin demonstrated a substantial reduction in potato apyrase activity. These results suggest the potential for exploring other dihydrochalcones as promising candidates for antischistosomal agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108897"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142970247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioactive-based spray and spot-on formulations: Development, characterization and in vitro efficacy against fleas and ticks","authors":"Ingrid Lins Raquel de Jesus ,&nbsp;Fernando Rocha Miranda ,&nbsp;Thais Paes Ferreira ,&nbsp;Alice Ortega do Nascimento ,&nbsp;Karen Kuhfuss da Silva de Lima ,&nbsp;Bárbara Rauta de Avelar ,&nbsp;Diefrey Ribeiro Campos ,&nbsp;Yara Peluso Cid","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108881","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108881","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The flea <em>Ctenocephalides felis felis</em> and the tick <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> are ectoparasites of great importance in veterinary medicine that can affect pets, also impacting the lives of owners due to the possible transmission of zoonoses. Due to the negative impact on animals, owners and the environment, synthetic chemicals are being replaced by natural alternatives. Eugenol and carvacrol stand out as bioactive substances with potential antiparasitic activity. The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize physicochemically spray and spot-on formulations containing bioactives alone and in combination and to evaluate their ectoparasiticidal activity through <em>in vitro</em> bioassays of the knockdown effect and residual efficacy against adult fleas and ticks. Regarding flea knockdown, spot-on formulations achieved maximum mortality in a shorter period than spray formulations, 2 h for carvacrol plus eugenol (SCE) and 4 h for carvacrol (SC) and eugenol (SE) alone, compared to 15, 30 and 45 min for the spot-on formulations of carvacrol (PC), both substances together (PCE) and eugenol alone (PE), respectively. For tick control, the formulations required longer exposure times than for fleas, so that 100% control took 6 h for PCE, followed by 12 h for SCE and PE, and 24 h for PC, SC and PE. Regarding residual efficacy against fleas, the spray and spot-on formulations remained active for approximately 90 and 45 days, respectively. In general, formulations containing associated bioactives had a faster knockdown effect than formulations with only one in their composition, indicating a synergistic effect of the two bioactive substances against fleas and ticks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108881"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142871766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ultrastructural characteristics of leishmania (L.)tropica (Wright, 1903) and cell-parasite relationships in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Light and electron microscopic study","authors":"Gulnara N. Karimbayova ,&nbsp;Eldar K. Gasimov ,&nbsp;Farid R. Mahmudov ,&nbsp;Fuad H. Rzayev ,&nbsp;Rovshan Khalilov ,&nbsp;Aziz Eftekhari ,&nbsp;Ayşe Baran","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A light and electron microscopic study of skin biopsies taken from 9 patients with ulcerative leishmaniasis of both sexes aged from 14 to 26 years in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan was carried out. Based on clinical, morphological and electron microscopic parameters, all patients were diagnosed with ulcerative cutaneous anthroponotic leishmaniasis (<em>Leishmania</em> (<em>L.</em>) <em>tropica</em>). Stained and unstained ultrathin (50–70 nm) sections were viewed and photographed using a JEM-1400 transmission electron microscope at an accelerating voltage of 80–120 kV. Analysis of data from light and electron microscopic studies at the ultrastructural level made it possible to describe the structure and identify the morphometric parameters of the amastigote form of the intracellular parasite. Besides, it was found that the distance between the plasmalemmas of the parasitophorous vacuoles and the parasite <em>L. (L.) tropica</em> is only 1 nm. This facilitates the passage of the necessary nutrients for the survival of this parasite. One of the important factors in the chronic course and relapse of leishmaniasis caused by <em>L.(L.) tropica</em> is the penetration of the amastigote stage into the cytoplasm along with macrophages, and also into fibroblasts with low phagocytic activity. Pathological changes (deformed nucleus, damage to plasmalemma, focal destruction of the cytoplasm structures, vacuolization, etc.) in the parasite <em>L. (L.) tropica,</em> localized in macrophages, were identified and described.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108887"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142913894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of lotilaner for treating rabbits naturally infested by Psoroptes ovis and Leporacarus gibbus, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil","authors":"Marília A. Machado ,&nbsp;Debora A. Borges ,&nbsp;Diefrey R. Campos ,&nbsp;Natália L. Lopes ,&nbsp;Fabio B. Scott ,&nbsp;Julio I. Fernandes","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108896","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108896","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single 20 mg/kg dose of lotilaner for treating rabbits with concomitant infection by <em>P. ovis</em> and <em>L. gibbus</em>. Fourteen rabbits with diagnoses of otitis and fur infection, caused respectively by <em>P. ovis</em> and <em>L. gibbus</em>, were included. Samples of otic crust were collected with tweezers, weighed and examined microscopically to identify ectoparasites, which were counted to determine the number of mites per gram of crust. Hair samples were collected from three areas of 1 cm² in different regions of the body, for examination under a stereomicroscope to determine occurrences of the mite <em>L. gibbus</em>. The animals in the treated group received a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg of lotilaner and were evaluated on days 0, +3, +7, +14, +21, +28 and + 35. Parasitological efficacy of 100% for controlling <em>P. ovis</em> was observed after seven days. Total clinical remission was reached 14 days after treatment. For L. <em>gibbus</em>, parasitological cure was obtained seven days after treatment. We concluded that a single dose of lotilaner was effective for controlling <em>P. ovis</em> and <em>L. gibbus,</em> leading to parasitological control and clinical improvement of the animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108896"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142947102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Culture media design and scaling-up of submerged fermentation for the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans","authors":"Anny Martínez-Mira ,&nbsp;Carlos Castillo-Saldarriaga ,&nbsp;Liz Uribe-Gutiérrez ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Céspedes-Gutíerrez ,&nbsp;Diego Cortés-Rojas ,&nbsp;Martha Gómez-Álvarez ,&nbsp;Mauricio Cruz-Barrera","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biological control, which utilizes nematophagous fungi to reduce gastrointestinal nematode populations, may effectively diminish the need for chemical anthelmintic treatments. However, the limited knowledge surrounding the mass production of chlamydospores hinders the widespread use of biological products as alternatives to traditional anthelmintics. This study aimed to evaluate the development of liquid culture media for the large-scale production of the nematophagous fungi <em>Duddingtonia flagrans</em> using a systematic procedure, progressing from microplates to bioreactor. The liquid culture media were successfully validated in a 13 L bioreactor, achieving a yield of 2.18x10⁷ chlam/g per day, which is comparable to the standard process of solid-state fermentation (SSF). Moreover, the nematode predatory ability remained unaffected by the changes in scales and exhibited a superior efficacy of over 90%. Consequently, this study demonstrates that the submerged fermentation approach serves as a viable alternative for the mass production of nematophagous fungi like <em>D. flagrans</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108901"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142978097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the binomial BALB/c-Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis model to assess the in vivo performance of Thor strain subpopulations","authors":"Geovane Dias-Lopes ,&nbsp;Maria Eduarda Pinto Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Barara Cristina de Albuquerque-Melo ,&nbsp;Juliana Figueiredo Peixoto ,&nbsp;Luzia Monteiro de Castro Côrtes ,&nbsp;Franklin Souza-Silva ,&nbsp;Léa Cysne-Finkelstein ,&nbsp;Bernardo Acácio Santini Pereira ,&nbsp;Carlos Roberto Alves","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis</em> is associated with distinct clinical manifestations such as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and disseminated leishmaniasis. One factor related to this clinical spectrum is the structure of parasite populations. This study investigates <em>in vivo</em> binomial BALB/c-<em>L. (V.) braziliensis</em> exploring the phenotypic variability of subpopulations (Thor03, Thor10 and Thor22) of Thor strain, which have previously been described as causing distinct pattern infection <em>in vitro</em>. In the third week after infection, differences were observed in the development curves of the lesions, with larger lesions in the Thor03 and Thor10. At this point, lymph nodes of mice infected with the Thor03 and Thor10 exhibited lower IL-12 and TNF values compared to infection with the Thor strain and Thor22. The infection with the Thor10 showed highest values of the cytokine IL-10 compared to those infected with the Thor strain, Thor03 and Thor22. In addition, no statistical differences in parasite load wer observed in the footpad in seventh week post inoculation. In contrast, the higher parasite load values were observed in the lymph nodes for Thor03, Thor10 and Thor22 subpopulations. The data obtained here show these subpopulations cause transient and non-severe footpad lesions with parasite persistence in draining lymph nodes, although some mice developed non-healing lesions. Parasites isolated from the paws and lymph nodes of these animals were unable to establish persistent lesions in subsequent experimental infection assays. Collectively, these findings highlight consistent differences of infectionevolution and host immune response modulation, during infection among the Thor03, Thor10 and Thor22 subpopulations , all derived from a single strain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 108886"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142913658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}