Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum DNA detection in Nyssomyia neivai in Vale do Ribeira, Paraná, Brazil.

Background: The incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has increased in the Southern region of Brazil in recent years, especially in the State of Paraná. New species have been suggested with potential to act as vector in VL endemic areas.

Objectives: Identify the Leishmania species in sand fly specimens collected from 2016 to 2018 in the municipality of Itaperuçu, Vale do Ribeira, Paraná, Brazil.

Association between the potential distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani and leishmaniasis incidence in Piauí State, Brazil.

Background: Leishmaniases are vector borne diseases caused by Leishmania spp. parasites transmitted by female sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) whose geographic distribution is influenced by environmental factors. Among the main tools for studying the distribution of vector species, modeling techniques are used to analyze the influence of climatic and environmental factors on the distribution of these insects and their association with human cases of the disease.

DNA barcoding of sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) from the western Brazilian Amazon.

The subfamily Phlebotominae comprises important insects for public health. The use of complementary tools such as molecular taxonomy is necessary for interspecific delimitation and/or discovery of cryptic species. Here, we evaluated the DNA barcoding tool to identify different species in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon.

An overview of the sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) followed by the detection of Leishmania DNA and blood meal identification in the state of Acre, Amazonian Brazil.

Background: In Acre state, Brazil, the dissemination of cutaneous leishmaniasis has increased in recent years, with limited knowledge of the potential Leishmania spp. vectors involved.

Objectives: Here, data concerning the sandfly fauna of Brasiléia municipality, Leishmania DNA-detection rates and the identification of blood meal sources of insects captured in 2013-2015 are presented.

Insights into the proteomic profile and gene expression of Lutzomyia longipalpis-derived Lulo cell line.

Background: Lutzomyia longipalpis-derived cell line (Lulo) has been suggested as a model for studies of interaction between sandflies and Leishmania.

Objectives: Here, we present data of proteomic and gene expression analyses of Lulo cell related to interactions with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.

Methods: Lulo cell protein extracts were analysed through a combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry and resulting spots were further investigated in silico to identify proteins using Mascot search and, afterwards, resulting sequences were applied for analysis with VectorBase.

Leishmania DNA detection and species characterization within phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) from a peridomicile-forest gradient in an Amazonian/Guianan bordering area.

In the border region between Brazil and French Guiana, American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a worrisome public health issue, and entomological studies are required there to better identify classical and putative emerging transmission patterns. The present study aimed to detect and characterize Leishmania DNA in the phlebotomine population of Oiapoque (Amapá State, Brazil). Phlebotomines were captured in anthropized and wild environments in the outskirts of Oiapoque municipality, using CDC light traps installed in vertical (ground/canopy level) and horizontal (peridomicile/extradomicile/forest-edge/forest) strata.

Molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Acre State in the Amazonian Region of Brazil.

Introduction: This study proposes to identify the Leishmania species found in the skin lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients from Brasiléia municipality (Acre).

Methods: Skin biopsy imprints or biopsy fragments were assayed via kDNA-PCR/RFLP and FRET-real-time PCR.

Results: Of individuals with suspected CL, 18 were positive for Leishmania kDNA.

Leishmaniasis transmission in an ecotourism area: potential vectors in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

Background: The south coast of Rio de Janeiro State, in Brazil, is endemic for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases and is frequently visited by tourists from different parts of the world. Since the complex epidemiology of leishmaniases demands local studies, the goal of this study was to investigate the phlebotomine sand fly fauna and leishmaniases transmission in Ilha Grande, an ecotourism area of Angra dos Reis municipality.

Methods: Sand fly fauna was sampled in three monitoring stations using HP light traps in domiciles, peridomiciles and forests.

The phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Guaraí, state of Tocantins, with an emphasis on the putative vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural settlement and periurban areas.

Phlebotomine sandflies were captured in rural settlement and periurban areas of the municipality of Guaraí in the state of Tocantins (TO), an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Forty-three phlebotomine species were identified, nine of which have already been recognised as ACL vectors. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in TO.

Natural infection of Didelphis aurita (Mammalia: Marsupialia) with Leishmania infantum in Brazil.

Background: The opossum Didelphis have been considered as natural hosts of Leishmania parasites in the New World, suggesting an important role in the epidemiology of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). Among six extant species that belong to the genus Didelphis, only two (D. marsupialis and D.

Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), a probable vector of American cutaneous leishmaniasis: detection of natural infection by Leishmania (Viannia) DNA in specimens from the municipality of Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil, using multiplex PCR assay.

In order to determine natural Leishmania (Viannia) infection in Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri, a multiplex PCR methodology coupled to non-isotopic hybridization was adopted for the analysis of sand fly samples collected by CDC light traps in an endemic area of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in the periurban region of the municipality of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. We analyzed by PCR methodology 560 specimens of Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri (520 females and 40 males). The wild sand flies were grouped into 56 pools (52 females and 4 males) of 10 each, and positive results were detected in 2 of the 52 female pools, representing a minimum infection rate of 0.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis: influence of successive in vitro cultivation on the expression of promastigote proteinases.

Cysteine proteinases are an important virulence factor in Leishmania parasites. In this study we analyzed the cysteine proteinase expression of infective Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes, examining the expression induced by successive in vitro passages in culture. We observed that this parasite presents a decrease in its virulence over BALB/c macrophages, after successive passages in culture, but still they present proteinase activity, being capable of hydrolyzing the substrate pGlu-Phe-Leu-p Nitroanilide at pH 7.

Canine leishmaniasis in Brazil: serological follow-up of a dog population in an endemic area of american visceral leishmaniasis.

We performed a serological, clinical, and parasitological follow-up of a dog population in an endemic area of American Visceral Leishmaniasis estimated by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and western blot (WB). After twelve months, the results obtained from IFA demonstrated that 50% were seropositive and two serological profiles were observed: the first one ranging from 1/40 to 1/80 and the second >/=1/160. By WB, it was observed that the same percentage and sera from positive dogs presented the recognition of the peptides of 29 and 32 kDa up to 8 months before IFA serum conversion.

Detection of natural infection in Lutzomyia cruzi and Lutzomyia forattinii (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) by Leishmania infantum chagasi in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil using a PCR multiplex assay.

In order to identify Lutzomyia spp. naturally infected by Leishmania parasites a PCR multiplex assay coupled to non-isotopic hybridization was used for the analysis of insect samples collected by CDC light traps in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the municipality of Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil in May/June 2006. Wild sand flies were identified and grouped into pools of 10 female specimens and 27 groups in total were collected.

The first record of American visceral leishmaniasis in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This paper is the first to report visceral leishmaniasis in domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from an endemic area in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. A relatively high seroprevalence of 25% was observed although none of them have presented any symptom. Our results support the observation of previous authors, suggesting that cats may be considered as alternative domestic hosts of visceral leishmaniasis and should be included in serological investigations performed in endemic areas.

Identification of naturally infected Lutzomyia intermedia and Lutzomyia migonei with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) revealed by a PCR multiplex non-isotopic hybridisation assay.

To identify naturally infected Lutzomyia spp. by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, a PCR multiplex non-isotopic hybridisation assay was developed for the analysis of insect samples collected in distinct areas of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), from March to December 2003. Data from experimental infection indicate that the method can detect one individual infected insect out of ten.