Entomological and ecological studies in a new potential zoonotic leishmaniasis focus in Torres Novas municipality,Central Region,Portugal

In Portugal human and canine leishmaniasis are caused by Leishmania infantum, and Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. ariasi are the proven vectors. Three main foci were identified in eighty's decade: Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region, Lisbon region and Algarve region, but according to OnLeish observatory data, canine leishmaniasis cases have been reported from several other regions, for which sand fly species and their infection rates are unknown. This study is the first phlebotomine survey in Torres Novas municipality, Santarém District, Portugal. The main objectives were to identify the phlebotomine species, their bioecological aspects, Leishmania infection rate and the risk factors for the presence of phlebotomine species in the municipality. From June to November, 2010, 275 biotopes were surveyed with CDC light-traps. Captures covered the 17 parishes of the municipality and included domestic, peridomestic and sylvatic biotopes. Specimens were identified morphologically and females were used for molecular detection of Leishmania and bloodmeal identification. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors for phlebotomine presence. Nonparametric tests were used to compare densities of independent groups. A total of 1262 sand flies were captured and identified, and four species detected: P. perniciosus (73.69%), P. ariasi (8.16%), P. sergenti (6.58%) and Sergentomyia minuta (11.57%). In 71.4% localities at least one L. infantum proven vector species was present. Risk factors were identified as: high average temperatures and low relative humidities, sheltered locations and absence of strong wind, presence of pine trees as dominant vegetation, peridomestic biotopes, particularly sheep pens or proximity of sheep, poultry and house martin nests. L. infantum infection rate was 4% for P. ariasi and 0.48% for the total of Larroussius females. P. perniciosus females exhibited an opportunistic behavior, feeding in a wide variety of vertebrate hosts. The high abundance and distribution of proven vector species, together with a canine leishmaniasis seroprevalence of 7.93% in the District, and the capture of a gravid infective sand fly female, suggests that Torres Novas municipality is a potential zoonotic leishmaniasis focus in the country.     

Glucantime efficacy in the treatment of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Pentavalent antimony (SbV) compounds are still considered the first line of treatment for all forms of leishmaniasis. There have been reports of drug resistance and unresponsiveness to treatment with these drugs. We investigated the clinical response to treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with glucantime, the drug of choice for all forms of leishmaniasis in Iran. All individuals suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis from October 2007 to March 2008 were included in the study if met specific criteria. After laboratory diagnosis and parasite identification by PCR, 43 patients agreed to participate and complete the protocol for treatment. Meglumine antimoniate (glucantime) was given at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 20 days (two 10-day periods) according to a World Health Organization (WHO) recommended protocol. Response to treatment was evaluated 6 weeks after initiation of treatment. Fifteen patients (34.9%) were clinically unresponsive to glucantime treatment while the remaining 28 patients (65.1%) responded to treatment. There were no statistically significant differences by occupation, gender, chronicity of the disease before starting treatment, number of lesions, or age between the glucantime sensitive and resistant patients. Our study showed a significant level of unresponsiveness to glucantime among patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in Iran. These findings highlight the need for new treatment regimens.     

Current epidemiology of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Republic of Uzbekistan

It has been established that the Republic of Uzbekistan is divided into two strata by the epidemic risk for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). The distribution of ZCL endemicity in Urbekistan coincides with that of great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus), the main natural reservoir of leishmaniasis pathogens. In the past 34 years, there have been 8 epidemiological rises in the incidence of ZCL, which are associated with a large number of great gerbils and Ph. papatasis mosquitoes providing the epidemiological process.     

Immunoenzyme analysis with corpuscular antigen in the study of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Comparative study of sera from patients suffering from zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) gave 72.4 and 89.6% positive results, correspondingly, with homologous antigen L. major. Good correlation of these methods was revealed--coincidence in 83% cases. Authors used ELISA with corpuscular Leishmania antigen. The test was superior to IIF in sensitivity and specificity. Creation of type-specific Leishmania test systems for ELISA opens new vistas in studies of the population immune structure in combined zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis foci.     

Prevalence and zoonotic potential of Ancylostoma ceylanicum in cats in Thailand.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Ancylostoma caninum were found in cats from Prachin Buri, Thailand, with infection rates of 92% and 23%, respectively. In this survey, 75% of cats were infected with A. ceylanicum alone, the rest had mixed infections of A. ceylanicum and A. caninum. The worm burden range in 26 cats for A. ceylanicum and A. caninum were 1 to 83 and 1 to 10, respectively. For A. ceylanicum, both males and females were found in the gut from the first part of duodenum to rectum. In the case of A. caninum the distribution was not constant. The sex ratio between male and female A. ceylanicum was 1:1.4. The egg count for A. ceylanicum was in the range 31-150 per gram of faeces (mean 70). The zoonotic potential of these parasites was discussed.