Wild rabbits are Leishmania infantum reservoirs in southeastern Spain.

Objective: We contribute to the understanding of the transmission dynamics of Leishmania infantum suggesting the involvement of rabbits as wild reservoirs.

Results: The prevalence of infection was 86.0% (270/314 wild rabbits) ranging from 18.

Morphology does not allow differentiating the species of the Phlebotomus perniciosus complex: Molecular characterization and investigation of their natural infection by Leishmania infantum in Morocco.

Morphological and DNA-based complemented approaches were applied for characterization of sympatric populations of Phlebotomus longicuspis and Phlebotomus perniciosus in Morocco. Both sand fly species are generally recorded in sympatry in North Africa but on few occasions have been molecularly characterized. The diagnostic confusion of these species has led to errors in their geographical distribution and probably, in the assignment of their role in the transmission of L.

Effectiveness of an -Alkyl Hydroxamate in Dogs with Naturally Acquired Canine Leishmaniosis: An Exploratory Clinical Trial.

Canine leishmaniosis is a challenge in veterinary medicine and no drug to date has achieved parasite clearance in dogs. Histone deacetylase inhibitors are a drug class widely used in cancer chemotherapy. We have successfully used -alkyl hydroxamates (vorinostat derivatives) in the treatment of a laboratory model of visceral leishmaniasis without showing toxicity.

Leishmaniasis vectors in the environment of treated leishmaniasis cases in Spain.

Transmission of leishmaniasis in endemic areas is characterized by microfocality related to the presence of the vector. Most entomological studies in southwestern Europe have focused on sylvatic areas and town outskirts, very few have sampled town or urban centres, and no survey has investigated inside households. The aim of this study was to determine the sand fly species diversity and vector density in the surroundings of human leishmaniasis cases compared with environments in which there was no association.

Role of wild rabbits as reservoirs of leishmaniasis in a non-epidemic Mediterranean hot spot in Spain.

There is limited information regarding the role of wild mammals in the transmission dynamics of Leishmania infantum. A potential human leishmaniasis hot spot was detected in southern Spain that could not be explained solely by canine leishmaniasis prevalence. The aim of this work was to analyse the involvement of wild rabbits as the main factor affecting this Mediterranean hot spot.

Intra and peridomiciliary comparison of density, sex ratio and gonotrophic stage of Phlebotomus sergenti in an active anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in Morocco.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica represents a major public health problem due to its ability to spread into non-endemic areas by means of its vectors, and the associated dramatic psychosocial impact. The objective of this work was to compare the intra and extradomiciliary density, sex ratio and gonotrophic stage of sand flies from a recent active focus in Morocco. This field study is based on the need to optimize the effectiveness of control programs.

Understanding the factors that determine the emergence of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica in Morocco: Density and mitochondrial lineage of Phlebotomus sergenti in endemic and free areas of leishmaniasis.

Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) due to Leishmania tropica is spreading to new areas in Morocco. Exposure to the vector, Phlebotomus sergenti, is the only proven risk factor. Our objective was to compare the densities and genetic characteristics of P.

Seasonal dynamics of phlebotomine sand flies and autochthonous transmission of Leishmania infantum in high-altitude ecosystems in southern Spain.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease transmitted by sand flies. A dozen species have been involved in the transmission of Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean region. Climate change may alter sand fly distribution at particular altitudes and latitudes.

Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum: Integration of human, animal and environmental data through a One Health approach.

The aim of this study was to explore Leishmania infantum epidemiology through a One Health approach that promotes a better estimation of leishmaniasis burden and a deeper understanding of the spatial distribution of the key actors of the parasite life cycle (vectors, reservoirs and humans). We conducted a 14-year mixed retrospective and prospective study of leishmaniasis cases in an endemic area in southern Spain (Granada province), to estimate the human incidence and its association with the vector presence, cryptic leishmaniasis rates and canine leishmaniasis prevalence. We found an annual linear increase in the incidence that cannot be fully explained by active case surveillance and the improvement of PCR diagnostic techniques.

Vertical transmission may play a greater role in the spread of Leishmania infantum in synanthropic Mus musculus rodents than previously believed.

Vertical transmission of Leishmania infantum was demonstrated in domestic mice captured close to the home of a patient with leishmaniasis. Leishmania infantum DNA was detected in 88.9% of synanthropic Mus musculus adult rodents and 29.

Risk factors for the expansion of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania tropica: Possible implications for control programmes.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica is emerging in new areas, initially as outbreaks and then establishing endemic foci. There is little evidence of the risk factors and effectiveness of existing control measures, what limits our ability to generalize in different epidemiological settings. The disease is described as anthroponotic; however, zoonotic outbreaks have been reported in some countries.

Comparison of PCR-based methods for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two different epidemiological scenarios: Spain and Morocco.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a disfiguring and stigmatising disease occurring in more than 70 countries across the world including Spain and Morocco. The use of sensitive tests that can differentiate Leishmania species is advised.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the epidemiological scenario on the reliability of the PCR techniques and contribute to the selection of the most efficient one for CL diagnosis.

Effectiveness of the sesquiterpene (-)-α-bisabolol in dogs with naturally acquired canine leishmaniosis: an exploratory clinical trial.

The use of natural products is a promising approach for treating visceral leishmaniosis. (-)-α-Bisabolol is a sesquiterpene that have been proved active in vivo on Leishmania infantum-infected mice without showing toxicity. A single-centre, parallel-group, randomized, exploratory study was designed to assess its efficacy in a canine leishmaniosis model involving naturally infected dogs.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum: behind granulomatous lesions of unknown aetiology.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is underestimated in Spain as in other European countries due to the polymorphism of its clinical manifestations and histopathological features discouraging doctors from suspecting leishmaniasis. Mucosal manifestations (ML) are misdiagnosed due to the fact that they often mimic cancer.

Objectives: Given that leishmaniasis may be masked as different granulomatous diseases in Leishmania infantum endemic areas, the aim of this study was to verify this misdiagnosing and contributes to the improvement of CL/ML diagnosis.

Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Phlebotomidae) of Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands, Spain): Ecological survey and evaluation of the risk of Leishmania transmission.

Phlebotomine sandflies are natural vectors of Leishmania spp. and their expansion throughout has been evidenced in the last few years due to the global warming and changes in human behavior, worsening leishmaniasis problem. However, phlebotomine sandflies have been captured in small numbers on the Canary Islands, particularly on the island of Lanzarote, where only one limited survey was carried out almost thirty years ago.

Genetic variability and infective ability of the rabbit trypanosome, Trypanosoma nabiasi Railliet 1895, in southern Spain.

Trypanosomes are widespread haemoflagellate protozoans, commonly found in all groups of vertebrates and usually transmitted by arthropods. Non-pathogenic species are those that cause little or no apparent negative effects in the host and it is accepted that Trypanosoma nabiasi is the species that infects the domestic and wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Knowledge about genetic variability, in vitro cultivation and infectivity of this parasite is very scarce, so the aim of this study was to provide an insight on them.

Topical Treatment of Leishmania tropica Infection Using (-)-α-Bisabolol Ointment in a Hamster Model: Effectiveness and Safety Assessment.

There is currently no reliable treatment for the management of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and intralesional antimonial injections remain the main treatment. The present work aims at evaluating the antileishmanial effectiveness and safety of (-)-α-bisabolol (1) in a novel topical formulation on a cutaneous leishmaniasis model involving Leishmania tropica-infected Syrian hamsters. The topical treatment with 1 reduced lesion thickness to 56% at 2.

The sesquiterpene (-)-α-bisabolol is active against the causative agents of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis through the induction of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment remains challenging due to the absence of a satisfactory treatment. The screening of natural compounds is a valuable strategy in the search of new drugs against leishmaniasis. The sesquiterpene (-)-α-bisabolol is effective in vivo against visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum, but its mechanism of action remains elusive.

Hair parasite load as a new biomarker for monitoring treatment response in canine leishmaniasis.

Canine leishmaniasis treatment focuses on the reduction of parasite load, the clinical improvement of the animal, and the avoidance of relapses, in a scenario where the definitive parasite clearance is not achievable. Therefore, monitoring is crucial during the treatment of this disease. Quantitative PCR has been shown as an ideal tool for the treatment monitoring when quantifying parasite load in target organs such as lymph node or bone marrow, tissues that are too invasive for regular evaluation.

Differential ecological traits of two Phlebotomus sergenti mitochondrial lineages in southwestern Europe and their epidemiological implications.

Objectives: The introduction of leishmaniasis in a new area requires a well-established population of the sandfly vector species of the parasite. No autochthonous cases of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis have been detected in southwestern Europe, and Leishmania infantum is the only causative agent of leishmaniasis in this area. Phlebotomus sergenti, the main vector of Leishmania tropica, is commonly found in the Iberian Peninsula at sufficient densities to be able to act as a vector.

(-)-α-Bisabolol, a Promising Oral Compound for the Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

The aim of the present study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo activity of (-)-α-bisabolol (1) against the etiological agents of visceral leishmaniasis. Bone-marrow-derived macrophages were infected with Leishmania infantum or L. donovani promastigotes and incubated with (-)-α-bisabolol at different concentrations.

Leishmania infantum in wild rodents: reservoirs or just irrelevant incidental hosts?

Wild rodents constitute a very large biomass of potential reservoirs for Leishmania spp. Therefore, an epidemiological study was carried out in a well-known focus of canine leishmaniasis from southern Spain, with the objective of detecting and characterizing Leishmania infantum infection in wild rodents. Blood, liver, spleen, bone marrow, and skin from 37 rodents (24 Apodemus sylvaticus, 9 Rattus rattus, and 4 Mus musculus) were analyzed by optical microscopy, culture, and two different polymerase chain reactions.

High rates of Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma nabiasi infection in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in sympatric and syntrophic conditions in an endemic canine leishmaniasis area: epidemiological consequences.

Leishmania infantum infection has been reported in various host species, both domestic and wild, in some cases with high prevalence rates. However, until the recent discovery of infected hares, no studies had provided clear evidence of any significant reservoir other than domestic dogs. Our focus was on another lagomorph, Oryctolagus cuniculus or wild rabbit.

[Recognition of excretory/secretory antigens of Anisakis type I and evolution of IgE in experimentally infected rats].

Introduction: Anisakis spp., during parasitism, release excretory-secretory antigens that, in contact with the human immune system, can trigger a hypersensitivity response mediated by IgE, causing various allergic symptoms.

Objectives: To evaluate the IgE response in Wistar rats after infection with L3 larvae of the parasite Anisakis spp.

Predicting the risk of an endemic focus of Leishmania tropica becoming established in South-Western Europe through the presence of its main vector, Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, 1917.

The aim of the study was the construction of risk maps for exposure to Phlebotomus sergenti, the main vector of Leishmania tropica, with a view to identifying hot spots for the potential establishment of this parasite in the southwest of Europe. Data were collected on the presence/absence of this vector and the ecological and climatic characteristics of 662 sampling sites located in the southeast, centre and northeast of the Iberian Peninsula (south-western Europe). The environmental factors associated with the distribution of P.