A pilot and open trial to evaluate topical Bacterial Cellulose bio-curatives in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. braziliensis.

The treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Brazil using pentavalent antimony (Sb) is associated with a high failure rate and long time to heal. Moreover, standard Sb treatment cures only 50-60% of the cases. In this pilot clinical trial, we evaluated the topical use of bacterial cellulose (BC) bio-curatives + Sb in the treatment of CL caused by L.

Generation and Characterization of a Dual-Reporter Transgenic Line Expressing eGFP and Luciferase.

In this study, we generated a transgenic strain of , an etiological agent associated with a diversity of clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis ranging from localized cutaneous to mucocutaneous to disseminated disease. Transgenic parasites expressing reporter proteins are valuable tools for studies of parasite biology, host-pathogen interactions, and anti-parasitic drug development. To this end, we constructed an line stably expressing the reporters eGFP and luciferase (eGFP-LUC .

The Paradoxical Leishmanicidal Effects of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)-Mimetic Tempol in Infection .

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by protozoans of the genus . The macrophage is the resident cell in which the parasite replicates and it is important to identify new compounds that can aid in parasite elimination since the drugs used to treat leishmaniasis are toxic and present side effects. We have previously shown that treatment of -infected macrophages with DETC (Diethyldithiocarbamate) induces parasite killing, .

Photodynamic Vaccination of BALB/c Mice for Prophylaxis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by .

Photosensitizers (PS), like porphyrins and phthalocyanines (PC) are excitable by light to generate cytotoxic singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species in the presence of atmospheric O. Photodynamic inactivation of by this means renders them non-viable, but preserves their effective use as vaccines. can be photo-inactivated after PS-sensitization by loading via their endocytic uptake of PC or endogenous induction of transgenic mutants with delta-aminolevulinate (ALA) to accumulate cytosolic uroporphyrin I (URO).

Heme Drives Oxidative Stress-Associated Cell Death in Human Neutrophils Infected with .

Free heme is an inflammatory molecule capable of inducing migration and activation of neutrophils. Here, we examine the heme-driven oxidative stress-associated cell death mechanisms in human neutrophils infected with , an etiologic agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). We first performed exploratory analyses in a population of well characterized treatment-naïve VL patients as well as uninfected controls, who were part of previously reported studies.

Parasite Killing of by Standardized Propolis Extracts.

Treatments based on antimonials to cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) entail a range of toxic side effects. Propolis, a natural compound widely used in traditional medical applications, exhibits a range of biological effects, including activity against infectious agents. The aim of this study was to test the potential leishmanicidal effects of different propolis extracts against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes in vitro.

DETC-based bacterial cellulose bio-curatives for topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The treatment of leishmaniasis still relies on drugs with potentially serious adverse effects. Herein, we tested a topical formulation of bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes containing Diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC), a superoxide dismutase 1 inhibitor. Leishmania-infected macrophages exposed to BC-DETC resulted in parasite killing, without pronounced toxic effects to host cells.

Topical amphotericin B in ultradeformable liposomes: Formulation, skin penetration study, antifungal and antileishmanial activity in vitro.

Aiming to improve the topical delivery of AmB to treat cutaneous fungal infections and leishmaniasis, ultradeformable liposomes containing amphotericin B (AmB-UDL) were prepared, and structural and functional characterized. The effect of different edge activators, phospholipid and AmB concentration, and phospholipid to edge activator ratio on liposomal deformability, as well as on AmB liposomal content, was tested. Liposomes having Tween 80 as edge activator resulted of maximal deformability and AmB/phospholipid ratio.

Exposure to Leishmania braziliensis triggers neutrophil activation and apoptosis.

Background: Neutrophils are the first line of defense against invading pathogens and are rapidly recruited to the sites of Leishmania inoculation. During Leishmania braziliensis infection, depletion of inflammatory cells significantly increases the parasite load whereas co-inoculation of neutrophils plus L. braziliensis had an opposite effect.

Chemotherapeutic potential of 17-AAG against cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.

Background: Leishmaniasis remains a worldwide public health problem. The limited therapeutic options, drug toxicity and reports of resistance, reinforce the need for the development of new treatment options. Previously, we showed that 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90)-specific inhibitor, reduces L.

Serological survey of Leishmania infection in blood donors in Salvador, Northeastern Brazil.

Background: Visceral Leishmaniasis is endemic to Brazil, where it is caused by Leishmania infantum (syn. Leishmania chagasi). Following parasite inoculation, individuals may experience asymptomatic infection, raising the possibility of parasite transmission through the transfusion of contaminated blood products.

Evaluation of the implementation of a quality system in a basic research laboratory: viability and impacts.

Objective: To evaluate the process of implementing a quality management system in a basic research laboratory of a public institution, particularly considering the feasibility and impacts of this improvement.

Methods: This was a prospective and qualitative study. We employed the norm "NIT DICLA 035--Princípios das Boas Práticas de Laboratório (BPL)" and auxiliary documents of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to complement the planning and implementation of a Quality System, in a basic research laboratory.