Publications by authors named "Jose Eduardo Calzada"

Article Synopsis
  • Researchers studied 100 isolates from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Panama collected between 2016 and 2022, identifying multiple Leishmania species and genetic variants present in the samples.
  • The study found the presence of the Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV-1) in 9% of the isolates, with specific cases recorded in various locations.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the LRV-1 isolates were mostly of genotype A, suggesting a connection between the virus's distribution and the geographical areas where the host species are found.
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Despite ongoing efforts for elimination, malaria continues to be a major public health problem in the Republic of Panama. For effective elimination, it is key that malaria foci and areas of high transmission are identified in a timely manner. Here, we study malaria transmission records for the 2015-2022 period, a time when cases have increased by a factor of ten.

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Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by parasites of the genus and transmitted by sand fly vectors. Tegumentary leishmaniasis is the most prevalent clinical outcome in Latin America, afflicting people from 18 countries. In Panama, the annual incidence rate of leishmaniasis is as high as 3000 cases, representing a major public health problem.

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Panama and all nations within the Mesoamerican region have committed to eliminate malaria within this decade. With more than 90% of the malaria cases in this region caused by , an efficient national/regional elimination plan must include a comprehensive study of this parasite's genetic diversity. Here, we retrospectively analyzed genetic diversity in autochthonous and imported field isolates collected in different endemic regions in Panama from 2007 to 2020, using highly polymorphic markers (, -1, and -3α).

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Aims: Leishmaniasis is considered a disease with multiple clinical/immunopathological characteristics, depending on the immunity of the host and the species of the parasite. In Panama, the most prevalent species that causes localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis, and its immune response is poorly studied. Therefore, we evaluated by immunohistochemistry, the in situ immune response during this infection.

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Chagas disease, a neglected illness, affects nearly 12-14 million people in endemic areas of Latin America. Although the occurrence of acute cases sharply has declined due to Southern Cone Initiative efforts to control vector transmission, there still remain serious challenges, including the maintenance of sustainable public policies for Chagas disease control and the urgent need for better drugs to treat chagasic patients. Since the introduction of benznidazole and nifurtimox approximately 40 years ago, many natural and synthetic compounds have been assayed against Trypanosoma cruzi, yet only a few compounds have advanced to clinical trials.

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The sylvatic triatomine Rhodnius pallescens is considered to be the most important and widespread vector of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli in Panama. However, its behavior and biological characteristics have only been partially investigated. Thus, to achieve sustainable and efficient control over Chagas disease in Panama, a better understanding of the ecology and biology of R.

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