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Nascimento LFDJ, Amado-Gomes AC, Dantas-Torres F, Santos FLN, Neres WDS, Filho PEDS, Santos MT, Silva JRS, Resende CF, Dos Reis JKP, Jain S, Cunha JLR, Fujiwara RT, Dolabella SS. Feline leishmaniasis in an animal shelter in northeastern Brazil: Clinical aspects, coinfections, molecular detection, and serological study of a new recombinant protein. Res Vet Sci 2024; 172:105256. [PMID: 38613921 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Infection and clinical cases of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum in cats have been increasingly reported in several countries, including Brazil. In this study, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an immunochromatographic test (ICT) based on a recombinant antigen (rKDDR-plus) to detect anti-Leishmania antibodies in cats from an animal shelter in northeastern Brazil. We compared the results with an ELISA using L. infantum crude antigen (ELISA-CA). We also investigated the presence of Leishmania DNA in blood or ocular conjunctival samples as well as the association between Leishmania PCR positivity and serological positivity to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasma gondii. Concerning serological assays, a higher positivity was detected using the ICT-rKDDR-plus (7.5%; 7/93) as compared to ELISA-rKDDR-plus (5.4%; 5/93) and ELISA-CA (4.3%; 4/93). Upon PCR testing, 52.7% (49/93) of the ocular conjunctival swabs and 48.3% (44/91) of the blood samples were positive. Together, PCR and serological testing revealed overall positivities of 73.1% (68/93) and 12.9% (12/93), respectively. Among PCR-positive samples, 45.5% (31/68) showed co-infection with FIV, 17.6% (12/68) with FeLV, and 82.3% (56/68) with T. gondii. More than half of the PCR-positive cats showed at least one clinical sign suggestive of leishmaniasis (58.8%; 40/68) and dermatological signs were the most frequent ones (45.5%; 31/68). Both tests employing the recombinant antigen rKDDR-plus (i.e., ICT-rKDDR-plus and ELISA-rKDDR-plus) detected more positive cats than the ELISA-CA but presented low overall accuracy. PCR testing using either blood or ocular conjunctival samples detected much more positive cats than serological tests.
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MESH Headings
- Cats
- Animals
- Cat Diseases/diagnosis
- Cat Diseases/parasitology
- Cat Diseases/virology
- Cat Diseases/blood
- Cat Diseases/epidemiology
- Brazil/epidemiology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary
- Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline/isolation & purification
- Coinfection/veterinary
- Coinfection/parasitology
- Coinfection/epidemiology
- Coinfection/virology
- Leishmania infantum/isolation & purification
- Leukemia Virus, Feline/genetics
- Leukemia Virus, Feline/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins
- Male
- Female
- Toxoplasma
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/veterinary
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/diagnosis
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/epidemiology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/blood
- Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/diagnosis
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/epidemiology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/blood
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fred Luciano Neves Santos
- Integrated Translational Program in Chagas Disease from Fiocruz (Fio-Chagas), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Wemerson de Santana Neres
- Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Tibúrcio Santos
- Graduate Program in Parasite Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | | | - Cláudia Fideles Resende
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Sona Jain
- Graduate Program in Parasite Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil; Graduate Program in Industrial Biotechnology, Tiradentes University, SE, Brazil
| | - João Luís Reis Cunha
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Graduate Program in Parasite Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil; Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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da Silva BB, da Silva Junior AB, Araújo LDS, Santos ENFN, da Silva ACM, Florean EOPT, van Tilburg MF, Guedes MIF. Subcutaneous, Oral, and Intranasal Immunization of BALB/c Mice with Leishmania infantum K39 Antigen Induces Non-Protective Humoral Immune Response. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:444. [PMID: 37755905 PMCID: PMC10534909 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a high-burden disease caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus. The K39 kinesin is a highly antigenic protein of Leishmania infantum, but little is known about the immune response elicited by this antigen. We evaluated the humoral immune response of female BALB/c mice (n = 6) immunized with the rK39-HFBI construct, formed by the fusion of the K39 antigen to a hydrophobin partner. The rK39-HFBI construct was administered through subcutaneous, oral, and intranasal routes using saponin as an adjuvant. We analyzed the kinetics of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a production. The groups were then challenged by an intravenous infection with L. infantum promastigote cells. The rK39-HFBI antigen-induced high levels of total IgG (p < 0.05) in all groups, but only the subcutaneous route was associated with increased production of IgG1 and IgG2a 42 days after immunization (p < 0.05), suggesting a potential secondary immune response following the booster dose. There was no reduction in the splenic parasite load; thus, the rK39-HFBI failed to protect the mice against infection under the tested conditions. The results presented here demonstrate that the high antigenicity of the K39 antigen does not contribute to a protective immune response against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Izabel Florindo Guedes
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), State University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60714903, Brazil
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Siqueira WF, Cardoso MS, Fraga VG, Ottino J, Ribeiro VM, Gondim CN, de Paiva Barçante JM, Amado Gomes AC, Galdino AS, Eersels K, van Grinsven B, Bartholomeu DC, Bueno LL, Cleij T, Fujiwara RT. Immunogenic mapping of rDyn-1 and rKDDR-plus proteins and selection of oligopeptides by immunoblotting for the diagnosis of Leishmania infantum-infected dogs. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011535. [PMID: 37540724 PMCID: PMC10442149 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endemic in Brazil, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic infection that is among the most important parasitic diseases transmitted by vectors. Dogs are the main reservoirs of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and their identification is used in some countries as part of disease prevention and control measures in the canine and human population. In this context, serological tests are necessary, composed of antigens capable of correctly identifying infected dogs, minimizing the number of false-negative cases. This study aimed to identify more immunoreactive peptides derived from two previously described whole proteins (rDyn-1 and rKDDR-plus) and compare their performance to the control antigens rK39 and the crude extract for the detection of dogs infected with L. infantum, especially the asymptomatic ones. The three selected peptides and a mixture of them, along with the rDyn-1, rKDDR-plus, rK39, and crude extract antigens were evaluated using indirect ELISA with sera samples from 186 dogs with CanL, being asymptomatic (n = 50), symptomatic (n = 50), co-infected (n = 19), infected with Babesia sp. (n = 7), Ehrlichia sp. (n = 6), T. cruzi (n = 20) and uninfected (n = 34). The results showed that the rDyn-1 protein and the peptide mixture had the highest sensitivity (100% and 98.32%, respectively) and specificity (97.01 and 98.51, respectively). A high degree of kappa agreement was found for rDyn-1 protein (0.977), mixed peptides (0.965), rKDDR-plus protein (0.953), K-plus peptide 1 (0.930) and Dyn-1 peptide (0.893). The mixture of peptides showed the highest likelihood (65.87). The ELISA using the mixture of peptides and the rDyn-1 protein showed high performance for CanL serodiagnosis. More mix combinations of the peptides and additional extended field tests with a larger sample size are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Williane Fernanda Siqueira
- Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Gomes Fraga
- Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jennifer Ottino
- Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vitor Márcio Ribeiro
- Veterinary School, Pontificial Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Betim, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kasper Eersels
- Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Bart van Grinsven
- Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | | | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thomas Cleij
- Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
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Siqueira WF, Cardoso MS, Clímaco MDC, Silva ALT, Heidt B, Eersels K, van Grinsven B, Bartholomeu DC, Bueno LL, Cleij T, Fujiwara RT. Serodiagnosis of leishmaniasis in asymptomatic and symptomatic dogs by use of the recombinant dynamin-1-like protein from Leishmania infantum: A preliminary study. Acta Trop 2023; 239:106827. [PMID: 36610530 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal manifestation of an infection caused by intracellular protozoa of the Leishmania genus. In New World countries, VL is classified as a zoonotic disease with domestic dogs acting as its main reservoir. Asymptomatic dogs are as competent to transmit Leishmania to the vectors as symptomatic dogs, however current diagnostic tests are limited and present low sensitivity for this important group. The development of accurate tests is fundamental to the early diagnosis, treatment, and control of canine leishmaniasis. In this study, we investigated the use of a recombinant protein (dynamin-1-like protein, Dyn-1) from L. infantum, as a potential target antigen for leishmaniasis serodiagnosis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. The antigenic performance of the protein was evaluated by means of ELISA assays using sera from symptomatic (n = 25), asymptomatic (n = 34) and non-infected dogs (n = 36) using ELISA. In addition, sera from dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (n = 49) and naturally infected with Babesia sp. (n = 8) were tested to evaluate possible cross-reactivity. A crude soluble antigen (CSA) of Leishmania was used as an antigen control and K39 and K26 were used as reference antigens because they are already widely used in commercial tests. rDyn-1-based assay showed the highest sensitivity (97%) compared to the antigens K39 (88%), K26 (86%) and crude extract (95%). The highest specificity among the tests was also obtained with the protein rDyn-1 (94%), compared with the other antigens K39 (81%), K26 (87%), and crude extract (77%). This study showed that the rDyn-1 ELISA assay was able to identify 100% of asymptomatic dogs, establishing its potential as a target for the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Williane Fernanda Siqueira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil; Sensor Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil
| | - Marianna de Carvalho Clímaco
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil
| | | | - Benjamin Heidt
- Sensor Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Kasper Eersels
- Sensor Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Bart van Grinsven
- Sensor Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil
| | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil; Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil
| | - Thomas Cleij
- Sensor Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil; Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil.
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Garcia VS, Guerrero SA, Burna A, Demonte A, Gugliotta LM, Gonzalez VDG. Validation of an immunochromatographic assay kit based on colored latex particles for the identification of the canine visceral leishmaniasis. Res Vet Sci 2023; 155:69-75. [PMID: 36641975 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic infectious disease with a severe impact on humans and animals. Infection is transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. The dogs are main reservoir for human infection. A rapid and accurate diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis is essential for an efficient surveillance program. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a rapid immunochromatographic strip test based on functionalized colored particles and a new recombinant antigenic protein, as a visual "in situ" method for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis. The results were evaluated using an in-house ELISA assay with the same antigen. Both tests produced concordant results and the immunochromatographic strip test showed good diagnostic sensitivity (98%) and specificity (95%). Finally, meta-analysis was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the here developed test with the results of commercial immunochromatographic strip tests obtained from literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria S Garcia
- INTEC (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- IAL (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
| | - Alexis Burna
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), Corrientes 3400, Argentina
| | - Ana Demonte
- IAL (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Luis M Gugliotta
- INTEC (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
| | - Verónica D G Gonzalez
- INTEC (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
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Morales-Yuste M, Martín-Sánchez J, Corpas-Lopez V. Canine Leishmaniasis: Update on Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080387. [PMID: 36006301 PMCID: PMC9416075 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dog are the main reservoir of Leishmania infantum, causing canine leishmaniasis, an incurable multisystemic disease that leads to death in symptomatic dogs, when not treated. This parasite causes visceral, cutaneous, and mucosal leishmaniasis in people in the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, South America, and West Asia. This disease is mostly unknown by veterinarians outside the endemic areas, but the disease is expanding in the Northern Hemisphere due to travel and climate change. New methodologies to study the epidemiology of the disease have found new hosts of leishmaniasis and drawn a completely new picture of the parasite biological cycle. Canine leishmaniasis diagnosis has evolved over the years through the analysis of new samples using novel molecular techniques. Given the neglected nature of leishmaniasis, progress in drug discovery is slow, and the few drugs that reach clinical stages in humans are unlikely to be commercialised for dogs, but several approaches have been developed to support chemotherapy. New-generation vaccines developed during the last decade are now widely used, along with novel prevention strategies. The implications of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of canine leishmaniasis are fundamental to public health.
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Gondim CN, Ferreira SDA, Vasconcelos BKS, Wouters F, Fujiwara RT, de Castro JC, Barçante JMDP. Visceral leishmaniasis in a recent transmission region: 27.4% infectivity rate among seronegative dogs. Parasitology 2022:1-6. [PMID: 35249570 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
American visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease whose main domestic reservoir in the urban environment is dog and is considered one of the most important zoonoses in the context of public health. Serological tests are typically used for the diagnostic screening of the disease. This study aimed to analyse the performance of different methodologies used in the diagnosis of VL in dogs sampled from a recent transmission area. The sample consisted of 52 dogs separated into groups based on the absence and presence of clinical signs of VL. The following serological techniques were carried out: the DPP® rapid test (RT), the ALERE® RT and an RT and immunoenzymatic assay with a recently developed protein (rKDDR-plus). In addition, molecular techniques were carried out with conjunctival swabs, and bone marrow aspirate samples and parasitological samples were obtained directly from bone marrow aspirates. It was concluded that 27.4% of seronegative dogs were infected, but the serological tests, used as screening tests, showed unsatisfactory sensitivity results (average: 51.2%) for dogs without clinical signs. It was suggested that polymerase chain reaction with conjunctival swabbing be used as a screening test for dogs without clinical signs, as this is a non-invasive collection technique with high-sensitivity values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Novato Gondim
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sidney de Almeida Ferreira
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Ketelin Sousa Vasconcelos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Zootechnics and Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Flademir Wouters
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Zootechnics and Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Joseane Camilla de Castro
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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