A New Strategy for Mapping Epitopes of LACK and PEPCK Proteins of Specific for Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I.

Leishmaniasis represents a complex of diseases with a broad clinical spectrum and epidemiological diversity, considered a major public health problem. Although there is treatment, there are still no vaccines for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Because spp.

Natural infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in triatomines and seropositivity for Chagas disease of dogs in rural areas of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Introduction: Chagas disease is caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi. Its main reservoir is the domestic dog, especially in rural areas with favorable characteristics for vector establishment and proliferation. The aims of this study were to collect data, survey and map the fauna, and identify T.

Can P-glycoprotein and β-tubulin polymorphisms be used as genetic markers of resistance in Dirofilaria immitis from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

Objective: Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of canine heartworm infection, is worldwide the most important filarid to affect domestic dogs. Prevention of this infection is done by macrocyclic lactones, but some reports on the lack of efficacy have been published. Although the actual cause of resistance is unknown, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on a P-glycoprotein ABC transporter and β-tubulin genes have been pointed out as candidates for genetic markers of resistance.

Awareness of visceral leishmaniasis and its relationship to canine infection in riverside endemic areas in Northeastern Brazil.

Introduction: An awareness of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is necessary to encourage the population to participate in prevention and control in collaboration with more efficient, centrally organized health programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of the riverside population regarding VL and the association between awareness and the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL).

Methods: In total, 71 people living in riverside areas in the City of Mossoró in State of Rio Grande do Norte participated of the study, and 71 dogs were tested for CVL by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

In vitro evaluation of (-)α-bisabolol as a promising agent against Leishmania amazonensis.

Current treatments for leishmaniasis present some difficulties due to their toxicity, the use of the intravenous route for administration and therapy duration, which may lead to treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study is to investigate new treatment alternatives to improve patients well being. Therefore, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of (-)α-bisabolol, a sesquiterpene alcohol found in various essential oils of different plant species, against the promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis, as well as the cytotoxic, morphological and ultrastructural alterations of treated cells.