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Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis : update on biological diagnosis. LA TUNISIE MEDICALE 2022; 100:13-26. [PMID: 35822327 PMCID: PMC8996314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe life threatening parasitosis requiring early management of cases. It is an emerging disease in the Mediterranean region with a spread of endemic areas and an increase in case incidence. The patient profile has also evolved with more affected adults, presenting generally non-specific symptoms. Hence the interest of a systematic biological confirmation. The microscopic detection of Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrow aspirates (BMA) smears is the gold standard diagnostic technique. However, it requires invasive sampling. Serological tests searching for specific antibodies remain highly contributory, but their interpretation must always take into account the epidemiological context and the patient's clinical and biological features. Currently, the Western-Blot represents the most specific serological technique for diagnostic confirmation. VL diagnosis has greatly improved by the introduction of both rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and molecular biological techniques. RDTs using recombinant rk39 antigen are easy to perform and deliver results in less than 30 minutes. Real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is currently retained as the best technique for VL diagnosis. It is efficient on simple blood samples, allowing to avoid invasive BMA needed for microscopy. In addition, real time PCR estimates parasite load which is helpful for the post-treatment follow-up. In any case, the choice of techniques to be used should be strategic and adapted to the local epidemiology as well as to the means available.
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Echchakery M, Nieto J, Boussaa S, El Fajali N, Ortega S, Souhail K, Aajly H, Chicharro C, Carrillo E, Moreno J, Boumezzough A. Asymptomatic carriers of Leishmania infantum in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Morocco. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1237-1244. [PMID: 29478175 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5805-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In Morocco, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum. L. infantum is transmitted by the bite of female phlebotomine sandflies, and its main reservoir hosts are domestic dogs. Asymptomatic infection with L. infantum is more frequent than clinically apparent disease. In HIV-infected patients, the risk of clinical VL is increased due to immunosuppression that may reactivate latent infections. However, coinfected subjects do not necessarily develop VL and may remain as asymptomatic carriers depending on their immune status. The present study investigates the asymptomatic carriers of L. infantum in HIV-infected patients in central Morocco, where human cases of visceral leishmaniasis by L. infantum have been reported. A total of 200 HIV-infected patients attending the Infectious Diseases Unit of the Ibn Zohar Hospital of Marrakech participated in the study. Parasitological and serological blood analyses included a direct microscopic examination (DME), culture in Novy-McNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium, and serology by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI). We found prevalence rates of 5% (10/200) by IFI, 3% (6/200) by DME, and 2.5% (5/200) by culture. The parasite was identified as L. infantum by PCR from positive cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Echchakery
- Laboratory of Medical Analysis, Ibn Zohr Regional Hospital Center, Marrakech, Morocco.,Ecology and the Environment Laboratory L2E (URAC 32, CNRST ERACNERS 06), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - J Nieto
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Parasitology Service, National Center of Microbiology Institute of Health Carlos III, Ctra Pozuelo-Majadahonda, km 2, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Boussaa
- Ecology and the Environment Laboratory L2E (URAC 32, CNRST ERACNERS 06), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco. .,ISPITS-Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Technology, Marrakech, Morocco.
| | - N El Fajali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ibn Zohr Regional Hospital Center, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - S Ortega
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Parasitology Service, National Center of Microbiology Institute of Health Carlos III, Ctra Pozuelo-Majadahonda, km 2, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - K Souhail
- Laboratory of Medical Analysis, Ibn Zohr Regional Hospital Center, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - H Aajly
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ibn Zohr Regional Hospital Center, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - C Chicharro
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Parasitology Service, National Center of Microbiology Institute of Health Carlos III, Ctra Pozuelo-Majadahonda, km 2, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - E Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Parasitology Service, National Center of Microbiology Institute of Health Carlos III, Ctra Pozuelo-Majadahonda, km 2, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Parasitology Service, National Center of Microbiology Institute of Health Carlos III, Ctra Pozuelo-Majadahonda, km 2, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Boumezzough
- Ecology and the Environment Laboratory L2E (URAC 32, CNRST ERACNERS 06), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
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Lindoso JAL, Cunha MA, Queiroz IT, Moreira CHV. Leishmaniasis-HIV coinfection: current challenges. HIV AIDS-RESEARCH AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2016; 8:147-156. [PMID: 27785103 PMCID: PMC5063600 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s93789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis – human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection can manifest itself as tegumentary or visceral leishmaniasis. Almost 35 countries have reported autochthonous coinfections. Visceral leishmaniasis is more frequently described. However, usual and unusual manifestations of tegumentary leishmaniasis have been reported mainly in the Americas, but the real prevalence of Leishmania infection in HIV-infected patients is not clear. Regarding the clinical manifestations, there are some reports showing unusual manifestations in visceral leishmaniasis and tegumentary leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients; yet, the usual manifestations are more frequent. Leishmaniasis diagnosis relies on clinical methods, but serological tests are used to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis despite them having a low sensitivity to tegumentary leishmaniasis. The search for the parasite is used to diagnose both visceral leishmaniasis and tegumentary leishmaniasis. Nevertheless, in HIV-infected patients, the sensitivity of serology is very low. Drugs available to treat leishmaniasis are more restricted and cause severe side effects. Furthermore, in HIV-infected patients, these side effects are more prominent and relapses and lethality are more recurrent. In this article, we discuss the current challenges of tegumentary leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis–HIV infection, focusing mainly on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Angelo Lauletta Lindoso
- Laboratory of Soroepidemiology (LIM HC-FMUSP), São Paulo University, São Paulo; Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas-SES, São Paulo
| | - Mirella Alves Cunha
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo University, São Paulo
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Colomba C, Saporito L, Vitale F, Reale S, Vitale G, Casuccio A, Tolomeo M, Maranto D, Rubino R, Di Carlo P, Titone L. Cryptic Leishmania infantum infection in Italian HIV infected patients. BMC Infect Dis 2009; 9:199. [PMID: 20003257 PMCID: PMC2797011 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-9-199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Accepted: 12/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a protozoan diseases caused in Europe by Leishmania (L.) infantum. Asymptomatic Leishmania infection is more frequent than clinically apparent disease. Among HIV infected patients the risk of clinical VL is increased due to immunosuppression, which can reactivate a latent infection. The aims of our study were to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic L. infantum infection in HIV infected patients and to study a possible correlation between Leishmania parasitemia and HIV infection markers. METHODS One hundred and forty-five HIV infected patients were screened for the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies and L. infantum DNA in peripheral blood. Statistical analysis was carried out by using a univariate regression analysis. RESULTS Antibodies to L. infantum were detected in 1.4% of patients. L. infantum DNA was detected in 16.5% of patients. Significant association for PCR-Leishmania levels with plasma viral load was documented (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION In our area a considerable proportion of HIV infected patients are asymptomatic carriers of L. infantum infection. A relationship between high HIV viral load and high parasitemic burden, possibly related to a higher risk of developing symptomatic disease, is suggested. PCR could be used for periodic screening of HIV patients to individuate those with higher risk of reactivation of L. infantum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Colomba
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute, Sezione di Malattie Infettive, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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Neffati A, Kallel K, Anene S, Kaouech E, Belhadj S, Ennigrou S, Chaker E. [Choice of primers: a determining element in molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 59:e119-23. [PMID: 19896289 DOI: 10.1016/j.patbio.2009.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 06/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease which represents a serious problem for the public health not only in Tunisia but also all over the world. Its diagnosis is based on the techniques which are usually used, direct examination and in vitro culture. Because of several factors, these techniques lack sensitivity. The molecular biology, which is indeed more rapid and more sensitive, has proved its effectiveness in diagnosis of the CL. There are two main aims for our research work. First, to show the contribution of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) during the diagnosis of CL (of course by comparing the results obtained when using this technique with those found through the direct examination); second, to compare the two pairs of primers which amplify the leishmanien gene coding for the 18s ribosomal sub-unit: the pair R221/R332 (PCR1) and the pair Lei70L/Lei70R (PCR2). Our work was carried out upon 299 samples. One hundred and eighty-eight of them were positive using the direct examination and/or the PCR and 111 were negative. Only two samples were positive using of course the direct examination in comparison with 74 which were positive when using only the PCR (PCR1 and/or PCR2). Among these 74 samples, 64 where positive using only PCR2 in comparison with two samples which were positive using only PCR1. The eight remaining samples were at once positive for the PCR1 and the PCR2. The PCR (notably the PCR2) has proved a more significant percentage of positivity in comparison with direct examination: 98.98% for the PCR and 60.6% for direct examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Neffati
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, La Rabta, Jebbari, 1007 Tunis, Tunisie
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