Drug sensitivity of clinically antimony-unresponsive Leishmania donovani isolates from Eastern Sudan was evaluated in an in vitro culture system against sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) and Amphotericin B. Eight isolates, six from antimony-resistant and two from clinically responsive patients were included in the study. Parasites were tested as promastigotes and four of them were selected to be tested as amastigotes using a murine macrophage-like cell line. The results indicated that the conventional promastigotes and amastigotes-screening assays did not correlate with the clinical picture of patients. In vivo unresponsiveness does not necessarily mean primary parasite resistance. Amphotericin B could be a suitable second line drug in patients unresponsive to pentostam and without concomitant diseases, if close hospital monitoring is available. Promastigotes sensitivity testing concentrations are virtually incomparable with the in vivo clinically curable doses and the amastigotes/macrophage test concentrations.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2006.03.016 | DOI Listing |
Cell Biol Int
January 2025
Laboratory of Leishmaniasis, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Leishmaniases affect millions of people around the world, caused by Leishmania parasites. Leishmania are transmitted by female sandflies from Phlebotominae subfamily during their blood meals. In mammals, promastigotes are phagocytosed mainly by macrophages, differentiate into amastigotes and multiply.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
December 2024
Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious parasitic disease caused by the species Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, Central Asia, South America, and Central America, and Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani in Asia and Africa. VL represents the most severe and systemic form of the disease and is fatal if left untreated. Vaccines based on chimeric or multiepitope antigens hold significant potential to induce a highly effective and long-lasting immune response against infections by these parasites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Infect Dis
December 2024
Centre of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, U.P., India.
Protozoan parasite infections, particularly leishmaniasis, present significant public health challenges in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting socio-economic status and growth. Despite advancements in immunology, effective vaccines remain vague, leaving drug treatments as the primary intervention. However, existing medications face limitations, such as toxicity and the rise of drug-resistant parasites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn Silico Pharmacol
December 2024
Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019 India.
Visceral Leishmaniasis, caused by is the second most deadly parasitic disease, causing over 65,000 deaths annually. Synthetic drugs available in the market, to combat this disease, have numerous side effects. In this backdrop, we aim to find safer antileishmanial alternatives with minimal side effects from mushrooms, which harbour various secondary metabolites with promising efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
December 2024
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniases (CL), highly endemic in Africa and Mediterranean region, are caused by different Leishmania parasite species. Accurate species identification is crucial for effective diagnosis, treatment, and control of these diseases, but traditionally relies on DNA-based methods. High Resolution Melting analysis PCR (HRM PCR) provides rapid results and precise differentiation based on nucleotide variations.
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