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Mateo M, Montoya A, Bailo B, Köster PC, Dashti A, Hernández‐Castro C, Saugar JM, Matas P, Xiao L, Carmena D. Prevalence and public health relevance of enteric parasites in domestic dogs and cats in the region of Madrid (Spain) with an emphasis on Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2542-2558. [PMID: 37725371 PMCID: PMC10650246 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pet dogs and cats exert an unquestionable beneficial effect in the well-being of their owners, but can also act as a source of zoonotic infections if improperly cared. OBJECTIVES We investigated the occurrence, risk factors, genetic variability and zoonotic potential of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats attended in a clinical veterinary setting in Spain. METHODS Canine (n = 252) and feline (n = 35) faecal samples were collected during 2017-2019 and analysed by coproparasitological methods. A rapid lateral immunochromatographic test (ICT) was used for detecting Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp. Samples positive at microscopy examination and/or ICT were reassessed by molecular methods. RESULTS Overall, 48.8% (123/252) of dogs and 48.6% (17/35) of cats were infected by enteric parasites. In dogs, G. duodenalis was the most prevalent species (40.9%), followed by Cystoisospora sp. (7.1%), and Toxocara canis (5.2%). In cats, Joyeuxiella sp. and Toxocara cati were the dominant species (20.0% each), followed by G. duodenalis (14.3%), D. caninum (5.7%) and Cystoisospora felis and Toxascaris leonina (2.9% each). Pups and kittens were more likely to harbour intestinal parasites and develop clinical signs. Sequence analyses of dog isolates revealed the presence of assemblages A (n = 1), C (n = 4), D (n = 4) and C+D (n = 1) within G. duodenalis; C. parvum (n = 1) and C. canis (n = 4) within Cryptosporidium and PtEb IX (n = 1) in Enterocytozoon bieneusi. A novel C. canis subtype family, named XXi, is reported. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight that (i) well-cared dogs carry zoonotic enteric protozoan parasites of public health relevance, (ii) proper hygiene practices and routine veterinary treatment are essential to prevent zoonotic infections, (iii) vulnerable populations should avoid contact with pups/kittens with diarrhoea and (iv) infected dogs might be major contributors to the environmental contamination with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mateo
- Department of Microbiology and ParasitologyFaculty of PharmacyComplutense University of MadridMadridSpain
| | - Ana Montoya
- Department of Animal HealthFaculty of VeterinaryComplutense University of MadridMadridSpain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research LaboratorySpanish National Centre for MicrobiologyHealth Institute Carlos IIIMajadahondaMadridSpain
| | - Pamela C. Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research LaboratorySpanish National Centre for MicrobiologyHealth Institute Carlos IIIMajadahondaMadridSpain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research LaboratorySpanish National Centre for MicrobiologyHealth Institute Carlos IIIMajadahondaMadridSpain
| | - Carolina Hernández‐Castro
- Parasitology Reference and Research LaboratorySpanish National Centre for MicrobiologyHealth Institute Carlos IIIMajadahondaMadridSpain
- Parasitology Group, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Corporation for the Study of Tropical PathologiesUniversity of AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - José M. Saugar
- Parasitology Reference and Research LaboratorySpanish National Centre for MicrobiologyHealth Institute Carlos IIIMajadahondaMadridSpain
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious DiseasesHealth Institute Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Pablo Matas
- Faculty of Veterinary, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX)Villanueva de la CañadaMadridSpain
| | - Lihua Xiao
- College of Veterinary MedicineSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research LaboratorySpanish National Centre for MicrobiologyHealth Institute Carlos IIIMajadahondaMadridSpain
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious DiseasesHealth Institute Carlos IIIMadridSpain
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Muadica AS, Balasegaram S, Beebeejaun K, Köster PC, Bailo B, Hernández-de-Mingo M, Dashti A, Dacal E, Saugar JM, Fuentes I, Carmena D. Risk associations for intestinal parasites in symptomatic and asymptomatic schoolchildren in central Mozambique. Clin Microbiol Infect 2020; 27:624-629. [PMID: 32505583 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2020.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chronic infections by enteric parasites including protist and helminthic species produce long-term sequelae on the health status of infected children. This study assesses potential associations linked with enteric parasite infections in symptomatic and asymptomatic children in Zambézia province, Mozambique. METHODS In this prospective cross-sectional study, stool samples and epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and risk associations were collected from symptomatic children (n = 286) from clinical settings and asymptomatic (n = 807) children from 17 schools and creches aged 3‒14 years. We detected enteric parasites using PCR-based methods. We calculated prevalence (adjusted for age, sex, house construction, drinking water, and latrine use) and odds ratios (ORs) for risk associations with logistic regression, after adjusting for district, neighbourhood and symptoms. RESULTS Numbers and adjusted prevalence (95% confidence intervals in parentheses) for the symptomatic and asymptomatic populations were Giardia duodenalis 120, 52% (22-82), 339, 42% (25-59); followed by Strongyloides stercoralis 52, 14% (9‒20), 180, 20% (15-25). Risk associations for G. duodenalis included drinking untreated river/spring water, OR 2.91 (1.80-4.70); contact with ducks, OR 14.96 (2.93‒76.31); dogs, OR 1.92 (1.04-3.52); cats, OR 1.73 (1.16-2.59), and a relative with diarrhoea, OR 2.59 (1.54‒4.37). Risk associations for S. stercoralis included having no latrine, OR 2.41 (1.44-4.02); drinking well water, OR 1.82 (1.02-3.25), and increasing age, OR 1.11 (1.04-1.20). CONCLUSIONS We found a high prevalence of intestinal parasites regardless of the children's symptoms. Drinking well or river water, domestic animals, and latrine absence were contributing factors of human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Licungo, Quelimane, Zambézia, Mozambique
| | - S Balasegaram
- Field Epidemiology Services, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - K Beebeejaun
- Field Epidemiology Services, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - P C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Hernández-de-Mingo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - E Dacal
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Saugar
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - I Fuentes
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - D Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Rivero-Juarez A, Dashti A, López-López P, Muadica AS, Risalde MDLA, Köster PC, Machuca I, Bailo B, de Mingo MH, Dacal E, García-Bocanegra I, Saugar JM, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Rivero A, Briz V, Carmena D. Protist enteroparasites in wild boar (Sus scrofa ferus) and black Iberian pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) in southern Spain: a protective effect on hepatitis E acquisition? Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:281. [PMID: 32493465 PMCID: PMC7271453 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04152-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have independently evaluated the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and enteroparasites in swine, but no surveys have been conducted to jointly assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of enteroparasites in pigs and wild boars, their sympatric transmission between hosts, and their potential interaction with HEV. METHODS We prospectively collected serum and faecal samples from black Iberian domestic pigs and wild boars from southern Spain between 2015‒2016. We evaluated for HEV in serum and faeces, and for the presence of enteroparasites (Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis sp., Neobalantidium coli and Strongyloides spp.) in the same faecal samples. The prevalence of each intestinal parasite species was calculated. RESULTS A total of 328 animals (56.7% black Iberian pigs and 43.3% wild boars) were included in the study. The overall global prevalence of HEV in serum was 16.8%. The overall global prevalence of each enteroparasite species was 19.5% for G. duodenalis, 8.2% for Cryptosporidium spp., 41.8% for Blastocystis sp., 31.4% for N. coli, and 8.8% for Strongyloides spp. HEV-infected animals showed a significantly lower prevalence of G. duodenalis (3.2 vs 20%; P = 0.002) and Blastocystis sp. (38.7 vs 80%; P < 0.001) than those uninfected by HEV. Animals carrying G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. infections showed a significantly lower rate of HEV infection than those not harbouring these enteroparasites (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study found a high prevalence of enteroparasites in black Iberian pigs and wild boars in southern Spain, suggesting a sympatric co-transmission of some of the species investigated. It is suggested that extracellular G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. might have a protective effect on HEV acquisition in swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Aly Salimo Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Maria de los Angeles Risalde
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Compared Pathological Anatomy, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pamela C. Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Isabel Machuca
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Marta Hernández de Mingo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Elena Dacal
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - José M. Saugar
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Verónica Briz
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
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Renelies-Hamilton J, Noguera-Julian M, Parera M, Paredes R, Pacheco L, Dacal E, Saugar JM, Rubio JM, Poulsen M, Köster PC, Carmena D. Exploring interactions between Blastocystis sp., Strongyloides spp. and the gut microbiomes of wild chimpanzees in Senegal. Infect Genet Evol 2019; 74:104010. [PMID: 31442596 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut parasites exert an important influence on the gut microbiome, with many studies focusing on the human gut microbiome. It has, however, undergone severe richness depletion. Hygienic lifestyle, antimicrobial treatments and altered gut homeostasis (e.g., chronic inflammation) reduce gut microbiome richness and also parasite prevalence; which may confound results. Studying species closely related to humans could help overcome this problem by providing insights into the ancestral relationship between humans, their gut microbiome and their gut parasites. Chimpanzees are a particularly promising model as they have similar gut microbiomes to humans and many parasites infect both species. AIMS We study the interaction between gut microbiome and enteric parasites in chimpanzees. Investigating what novel insights a closely related species can reveal when compared to studies on humans. METHODS Using eighty-seven faecal samples from wild western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Senegal, we combine 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for gut microbiome characterization with PCR detection of parasite taxa (Blastocystis sp., Strongyloides spp., Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Plasmodium spp., Filariae and Trypanosomatidae). We test for differences in gut microbiota ecosystem traits and taxonomical composition between Blastocystis and Strongyloides bearing and non-bearing samples. RESULTS For Blastocystis, twelve differentially abundant taxa (e.g., Methanobrevibacter), including Prevotella and Ruminococcus-Methanobrevibacter enterotype markers, replicate findings in humans. However, several richness indices are lower in Blastocystis carriers, contradicting human studies. This indicates Blastocystis, unlike Strongyloides, is associated to a "poor health" gut microbiome, as does the fact that Faecalibacterium, a bacterium with gut protective traits, is absent in Blastocystis-positive samples. Strongyloides was associated to Alloprevotella and five other taxonomic groups. Each parasite had its unique impact on the gut microbiota indicating parasite-specific niches. Our results suggest that studying the gut microbiomes of wild chimpanzees could help disentangle biological from artefactual associations between gut microbiomes and parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justinn Renelies-Hamilton
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Jane Goodall Institute Spain, Station Biologique Fouta Djallon, Dindéfélo, Kédougou, Senegal.
| | - Marc Noguera-Julian
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute-HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Chair in AIDS and Related Illnesses, Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic - UCC), Vic, Spain
| | - Mariona Parera
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute-HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Roger Paredes
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute-HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Chair in AIDS and Related Illnesses, Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic - UCC), Vic, Spain
| | - Liliana Pacheco
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain, Station Biologique Fouta Djallon, Dindéfélo, Kédougou, Senegal
| | - Elena Dacal
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - José M Saugar
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - José M Rubio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Michael Poulsen
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
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Dacal E, Saugar JM, de Lucio A, Hernández-de-Mingo M, Robinson E, Köster PC, Aznar-Ruiz-de-Alegría ML, Espasa M, Ninda A, Gandasegui J, Sulleiro E, Moreno M, Salvador F, Molina I, Rodríguez E, Carmena D. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Strongyloides stercoralis, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Blastocystis spp. isolates in school children in Cubal, Western Angola. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:67. [PMID: 29378626 PMCID: PMC5789528 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2640-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human infections by the gastrointestinal helminth Strongyloides stercoralis and the enteric protozoans Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Blastocystis spp. are not formally included in the list of 20 neglected tropical diseases prioritised by the World Health Organization. Although largely underdiagnosed and considered of lower public health relevance, these infections have been increasingly demonstrated to cause significant morbidity and even mortality globally, particularly among children living in resource-poor settings. METHODS In this cross-sectional survey the prevalence, frequency and molecular diversity of S. stercoralis, G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Blastocystis spp. were investigated in a school children population in the province of Benguela (Angola). A total of 351 stool samples were collected during January to June 2015. The presence of S. stercoralis and G. duodenalis was confirmed by qPCR methods. Giardia duodenalis assemblages and sub-assemblages were determined by multilocus sequence-based genotyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase and β-giardin genes of the parasite. Detection and identification of Cryptosporidium and Blastocystis species and subtypes was carried out by amplification and sequencing of a partial fragment of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene of both protozoan. Analyses of risk factors potentially associated with the transmission of these pathogens were also conducted. RESULTS Prevalences of S. stercoralis, G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Blastocystis spp. were estimated at 21.4% (95% CI: 17.1-25.7%), 37.9% (95% CI: 32.8-43.0%), 2.9% (95% CI: 1.1-4.5%) and 25.6% (95% CI: 21.18-30.2%), respectively. Overall, 64.1% (225/351) of the children were infected by at least one of the pathogens investigated. Sequence analyses of the 28 G. duodenalis isolates that were successfully genotyped allowed the identification of sub-assemblages AI (14.3%), AII (14.3%), BIII (7.1%) and BIV (25.0%). Discordant typing results AII/AIII and BIII/BIV were identified in 7.1% and 14.3% of the isolates, respectively. A total of five additional isolates (17.9%) were identified as assemblage B. Three Cryptosporidium species including C. hominis (70%), C. parvum (20%) and C. canis (10%) were found circulating in the children population under study. A total of 75 Blastocystis isolates were assigned to the subtypes ST1 (30.7%), ST2 (30.7%), ST3 (36.0%), ST5 (1.3%) and ST7 (1.3%), respectively. Children younger than seven years of age had significantly higher risk of infections by protozoan enteropathogens (PRR: 1.35, P < 0.01), whereas being underweight seemed to have a protective effect against these infections (PRR: 0.74, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS The burden of disease attributable to human strongyloidiasis, giardiosis, cryptosporidiosis and blastocystosis in Angola is considerably higher than initially estimated in previous surveys. Surveillance and control of these infections should be jointly tackled with formally considered neglected tropical diseases in order to maximize effort and available resources. Our data also demonstrate the added value of using molecular diagnostic methods in high transmission areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dacal
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - José M. Saugar
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Aida de Lucio
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Marta Hernández-de-Mingo
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Elena Robinson
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Pamela C. Köster
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | | | - Mateu Espasa
- 0000 0001 0675 8654grid.411083.fMicrobiology Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arlette Ninda
- Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz, Cubal, Benguela, Angola
| | - Javier Gandasegui
- 0000 0001 2180 1817grid.11762.33Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca - Research Center for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Sulleiro
- 0000 0001 0675 8654grid.411083.fMicrobiology Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Fernando Salvador
- 0000 0001 0675 8654grid.411083.fInfectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Israel Molina
- 0000 0001 0675 8654grid.411083.fInfectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esperanza Rodríguez
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - David Carmena
- 0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
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Amor A, Rodriguez E, Saugar JM, Arroyo A, López-Quintana B, Abera B, Yimer M, Yizengaw E, Zewdie D, Ayehubizu Z, Hailu T, Mulu W, Echazú A, Krolewieki AJ, Aparicio P, Herrador Z, Anegagrie M, Benito A. High prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in school-aged children in a rural highland of north-western Ethiopia: the role of intensive diagnostic work-up. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:617. [PMID: 27903301 PMCID: PMC5131444 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1912-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Soil-transmitted helminthiases (hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) are extremely prevalent in school-aged children living in poor sanitary conditions. Recent epidemiological data suggest that Strongyloides stercoralis is highly unreported. However, accurate data are essential for conducting interventions aimed at introducing control and elimination programmes. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 396 randomly selected school-aged children in Amhara region in rural area in north-western Ethiopia, to assess the prevalence of S. stercoralis and other intestinal helminths. We examined stools using three techniques: conventional stool concentration; and two S. stercoralis-specific methods, i.e. the Baermann technique and polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic accuracy of these three methods was then compared. Results There was an overall prevalence of helminths of 77.5%, with distribution differing according to school setting. Soil-transmitted helminths were recorded in 69.2%. Prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infection was 20.7 and 54.5%, respectively, and co-infection was detected in 16.3% of cases. Schistosoma mansoni had a prevalence of 15.7%. Prevalence of S. stercoralis was shown 3.5% by the conventional method, 12.1% by the Baermann method, and 13.4% by PCR, which thus proved to be the most sensitive. Conclusions Our results suggest that S. stercoralis could be overlooked and neglected in Ethiopia, if studies of soil-transmitted helminths rely on conventional diagnostic techniques alone. A combination of molecular and stool microscopy techniques yields a significantly higher prevalence. In view of the fact that current control policies for triggering drug administration are based on parasite prevalence levels, a comprehensive diagnostic approach should instead be applied to ensure comprehensive control of helminth infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranzazu Amor
- National Center of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. .,Mundo Sano Foundation, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Esperanza Rodriguez
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Saugar
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Arroyo
- Service of Microbiology and Parasitology, Hospital La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Bayeh Abera
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Mulat Yimer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Endalew Yizengaw
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Derejew Zewdie
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Zimman Ayehubizu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Wondemagegn Mulu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Adriana Echazú
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, sede regional Orán, San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, Salta, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro J Krolewieki
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, sede regional Orán, San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, Salta, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pilar Aparicio
- National School of Health, Institute of health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Herrador
- National Center of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Melaku Anegagrie
- National Center of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Mundo Sano Foundation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Benito
- National Center of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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7
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de Lucio A, Amor-Aramendía A, Bailo B, Saugar JM, Anegagrie M, Arroyo A, López-Quintana B, Zewdie D, Ayehubizu Z, Yizengaw E, Abera B, Yimer M, Mulu W, Hailu T, Herrador Z, Fuentes I, Carmena D. Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. among School Children in a Rural Area of the Amhara Region, North-West Ethiopia. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159992. [PMID: 27466809 PMCID: PMC4965151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgroud Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are enteric protozoan causing gastrointestinal illness in humans and animals. Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are not formally considered as neglected tropical diseases, but belong to the group of poverty-related infectious diseases that impair the development and socio-economic potential of infected individuals in developing countries. Methods We report here the prevalence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in children attending rural primary schools in the Bahir Dar district of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Stool samples were collected from 393 children and analysed by molecular methods. G. duodenalis was detected by real-time PCR, and the assemblages and sub-assemblages were determined by multilocus sequence-based genotyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase and β-giardin genes of the parasite. Detection and identification of Cryptosporidium species was carried out by sequencing of a partial fragment of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Principal Findings The PCR-based prevalences of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were 55.0% (216/393) and 4.6% (18/393), respectively. A total of 78 G. duodenalis isolates were successfully characterized, revealing the presence of sub-assemblages AII (10.3%), BIII (28.2%), and BIV (32.0%). Discordant typing results AII/AIII and BIII/BIV were identified in 7.7% and 15.4% of the isolates, respectively. An additional five (6.4%) isolates were assigned to assemblage B. No mixed infections of assemblages A+B were found. Extensive genetic variation at the nucleotide level was observed within assemblage B (but no within assemblage A), resulting in the identification of a large number of sub-types. Cryptosporidium diversity was demonstrated by the occurrence of C. hominis, C. parvum, and C. viatorum in the population under study. Conclusions Our data suggest an epidemiological scenario with an elevated transmission intensity of a wide range of G. duodenalis genetic variants. Importantly, the elevated degree of genetic diversity observed within assemblage B is consistent with the occurrence of intra-assemblage recombination in G. duodenalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida de Lucio
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Saugar
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Melaku Anegagrie
- National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- Mundo Sano Foundation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Arroyo
- Microbiology and Parasitology Service, La Paz-Carlos III Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Derjew Zewdie
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Zimmam Ayehubizu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Endalew Yizengaw
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Bayeh Abera
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Mulat Yimer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Wondemagen Mulu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | | | - Isabel Fuentes
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: ;
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8
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Ramos JM, León R, Andreu M, de las Parras ER, Rodríguez-Díaz JC, Esteban Á, Saugar JM, Torrús D. Serological study of Trypanosoma cruzi, Strongyloides stercoralis, HIV, human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) and syphilis infections in asymptomatic Latin-American immigrants in Spain. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2016; 109:447-53. [PMID: 26065661 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trv043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to perform a serological screening for T. cruzi, Strongyloides stercoralis, HIV, human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) and syphilis in Latin American immigrants admitted to hospital in Spain. METHODS We have carried out a cross-sectional study of Latin American immigrants admitted to the Hospital General Universitario Alicante (Spain) from June 2012 to May 2014, where screening of Chagas disease, strongyloidiasis, HTLV, HIV and syphilis was performed by serology. RESULTS A total 180 patients were included in the study. Patients' median age was 38 years old, 123 (68.3%; 123/180) were female and 57 (31.7%; 57/180) male. Five of the 180 (2.5%) patients were positive for Chagas disease; associated with knowledge about Chagas disease (p=0.005), previous contact with patients with Chagas disease (p=0.04) and being Bolivian (p<0.001). Forty-two of the 157 (26.8%) patients were positive for Strongyloides serology; associated positively with being male (p<0.001), eosinophilia (p=0.001), hyper-IgE (p<0.001) and being Ecuadorian (p=0.001), and negatively associated with being Colombian (p=0.03). Positive serology of latent syphilis was found in 1.8% (3/171) of patients. Serology of HTLV was negative in all cases. No new cases of HIV infection were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS We propose that Latin American immigrant patients admitted to hospital in Spain be screened for strongyloidiasis, Chagas disease and syphilis by serology.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Ramos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante Spain Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain
| | - Rafael León
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante Spain
| | - Mariano Andreu
- Division of Microbiology, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain Department of Microbiology, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Juan C Rodríguez-Díaz
- Division of Microbiology, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain Department of Microbiology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Spain
| | - Ángel Esteban
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - José M Saugar
- Service of Parasitology, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Torrús
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante Spain
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9
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Yimer M, Zenebe Y, Mulu W, Abera B, Saugar JM. Molecular prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar infection among patients attending four health centres in north-west Ethiopia. Trop Doct 2016; 47:11-15. [PMID: 26834117 DOI: 10.1177/0049475515627236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of amoebiasis is often overestimated owing to its epidemiological overlap with the non-pathogenic Entamoeba dispar To provide evidence for this conjecture, a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to January 2015. A range of 180-200 µg of semi-solid and formed stools and 200 µL of diarrhoeic stool samples were used for DNA extraction from microscopically E. histolytica/dispar positive samples using the QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit according to manufacturers' instructions. Nested PCR targeting 18S ribosomal RNA gene was used. In 422 microscopically positive E. histolytica/dispar stools, molecular prevalence revealed that E. histolytica infestation was present in only 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-2.93) and E. dispar was found in 42.2% (95% CI, 37.49-46.91), while 56.2% (95% CI, 51.47-60.93) had neither E. histolytica nor E. dispar (P < 0.001). We conclude that infestation with E. histolytica is rarer in our study areas than was previously believed. Hence, accurate differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulat Yimer
- Medical Parasitologist; Lecturer, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University
| | - Yohannes Zenebe
- Lecturer, College of Medicine, Bahir Dar University and Health Sciences and tropical infectious diseases
| | - Wondemagegn Mulu
- Medical Microbiologist; Lecturer, College of Medicine, Bahir Dar University and Health Sciences
| | - Bayeh Abera
- Medical Microbiologist; Lecturer, College of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | - José M Saugar
- Carlos III Institute of health, Madrid, Spain, Laboratory officer at Department of amoebiasis
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10
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Saugar JM, Merino FJ, Martín-Rabadán P, Fernández-Soto P, Ortega S, Gárate T, Rodríguez E. Application of real-time PCR for the detection of Strongyloides spp. in clinical samples in a reference center in Spain. Acta Trop 2015; 142:20-5. [PMID: 25447829 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is one of the major intestinal helminthic infections in humans with a worldwide distribution, affecting especially tropical and subtropical regions. This disease can occur without any symptoms or as a potentially fatal hyperinfection or disseminated infection. Definitive diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis infection relies mainly on demonstration of larvae in stool, but at present there is no gold standard for this diagnosis. Our main objective was to evaluate a real-time PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene of Strongyloides spp. and to compare it with routine parasitological methods. DNA from Strongyloides venezuelensis was used to optimize PCR protocols obtaining an analytical sensitivity of 0.1 pg of parasite DNA per sample. Sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR on fecal samples from 231 patients screened for suspected strongyloidiasis attending two hospitals in Madrid were 93.8% and 86.5%, respectively. No significant differences were found when comparing Ct-values of positive PCR between parasitological positive and negative samples. This study showed that real-time PCR is an effective tool for diagnosing strongyloidiasis and could be applied in association with parasitological methods in epidemiological studies in endemic areas. It would be also important to assess its performance in immunocompromised populations who are at risk of fatal disease.
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11
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Mateo M, Mateo M, Montoya A, Bailo B, Saugar JM, Aguilera M, Fuentes I, Carmena D. Detection and molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis in children attending day care centers in Majadahonda, Madrid, Central Spain. Medicine (Baltimore) 2014; 93:e75. [PMID: 25275524 PMCID: PMC4616291 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000000075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections by the protozoan enteroparasites Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp are a major cause of morbidity in children attending day care facilities in developed countries. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to estimate the occurrence and genotype frequencies of these pathogens in children attending day care centers in Majadahonda, Central Spain. To do so, single stool samples were obtained from 90 children and tested for the presence of G duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp by conventional microscopy and immunochromatography. Positive results by these techniques were subsequently confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. G duodenalis-positive samples were subjected to molecular characterization studies by multilocus sequence-based genotyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase and β-giardin genes of the parasite. G duodenalis assemblages were confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and sequencing. A socioepidemiological questionnaire was used to identify variables potentially associated with giardiasis/cryptosporidiosis in the population of children under investigation. Overall, G duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp were detected in 15.5% and 3.3% of stool samples, respectively. Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis were found in 3/3 and 2/3 day care centers, respectively, affecting mainly infants aged 13 to 24 months. A total of 8 G duodenalis isolates were confirmed as subassemblage BIV, all of them belonging to asymptomatic children. Attempts to genotype Cryptosporidium isolates failed. None of the variables considered could be associated with higher risk of infection with giardiasis or cryptosporidiosis. These results clearly indicate that asymptomatic infections with G duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp are frequent in <3-year-old children in Central Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mateo
- Veterinary Faculty (Marta Mateo, AM), Alfonso X El Sabio University; Quirón Madrid University Hospital (María Mateo), European University of Madrid; and Parasitology Service (BB, JMS, MA, IF, DC), National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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Luque-Ortega JR, van't Hof W, Veerman ECI, Saugar JM, Rivas L. Human antimicrobial peptide histatin 5 is a cell-penetrating peptide targeting mitochondrial ATP synthesis in Leishmania. FASEB J 2008; 22:1817-28. [PMID: 18230684 DOI: 10.1096/fj.07-096081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Histatin 5 (Hst5) is a human salivary antimicrobial peptide that targets fungal mitochondria. In the human parasitic protozoa Leishmania, the mitochondrial ATP production is essential, as it lacks the bioenergetic switch between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation described in some yeasts. On these premises, Hst5 activity was assayed on both stages of its life cycle, promastigotes and amastigotes (LC(50)=7.3 and 14.4 microM, respectively). In a further step, its lethal mechanism was studied. The main conclusions drawn were as follows: 1) Hst5 causes limited and temporary damage to the plasma membrane of the parasites, as assessed by electron microscopy, depolarization, and entrance of the vital dye SYTOX Green; 2) Hst5 translocates into the cytoplasm of Leishmania in an achiral receptor-independent manner with accumulation into the mitochondrion, as shown by confocal microscopy; and 3) Hst5 produces a bioenergetic collapse of the parasite, caused essentially by the decrease of mitochondrial ATP synthesis through inhibition of F(1)F(0)-ATPase, with subsequent fast ATP exhaustion. By using the Hst5 enantiomer, it was found that the key steps of its lethal mechanism involved no chiral recognition. Hst5 thus constitutes the first leishmanicidal peptide with a defined nonstereospecific intracellular target. The prospects of its development, by its own or as a carrier molecule for other leishmanicidal molecules, into a novel anti-Leishmania drug with a preferential subcellular accumulation are discussed.
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13
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Saugar JM, Delgado J, Hornillos V, Luque-Ortega JR, Amat-Guerri F, Acuña AU, Rivas L. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Fluorescent Leishmanicidal Analogues of Hexadecylphosphocholine (Miltefosine) as Probes of Antiparasite Mechanisms. J Med Chem 2007; 50:5994-6003. [DOI: 10.1021/jm070595+] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Mangoni ML, Papo N, Saugar JM, Barra D, Shai Y, Simmaco M, Rivas L. Effect of Natural l- to d-Amino Acid Conversion on the Organization, Membrane Binding, and Biological Function of the Antimicrobial Peptides Bombinins H. Biochemistry 2006; 45:4266-76. [PMID: 16566601 DOI: 10.1021/bi052150y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are evolutionarily old components of innate immunity found in all living pluricellular organisms. Interestingly, some organisms express families of AMPs with only a slight variation among their members, possibly to increase their spectrum of activity. Despite the growing body of knowledge about their biological activity and mode of action on bacteria, only a few of them have been tested on Leishmania, a worldwide spread protozoan pathogen, and the parameters contributing to this activity are yet to be determined. We report on the anti-Leishmania activity and mode of action of bombinins H2 and H4 isolated from the skin secretion of the frog Bombina variegata. H4, the most active, is the first natural AMP of animal origin with a single L- to D-amino acid isomerization. Membrane depolarization and membrane permeation assays, as well as electron microscopy, suggest that the lethal mechanism involves plasma membrane permeation and/or disruption. To better understand the enhanced activity of H4, we determined the peptide's structure in membranes mimicking those of mammals, bacteria, and Leishmania by using ATR-FTIR and CD spectroscopies and assessed their membrane binding by using surface plasmon resonance. The data reveal that (i) H2 but not H4 partially aggregates in membranes mimicking those of Leishmania, (ii) H2 is slightly more helical than H4 in all membranes, and (iii) H4 binds the Leishmania model membrane approximately 5-fold better than H2. This study highlights the importance of a single alpha-amino acid epimerization as a tool used by nature to modulate the activity of AMPs. In addition, our findings suggest bombinins H as potential templates for the development of new drugs with a new mode of action against Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, Università La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis encompasses a wide range of infections caused by the human parasitic protozoan species belonging to the Leishmania genus. It appears frequently as an opportunistic disease, especially in virus-infected immunodepressed people. Similarly to other pathogens, parasites became resistant to most of the first-line drugs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop antiparasitic agents with new modes of action. Gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides are promising candidates, but so far only a few of them have shown anti-protozoa activities. Here we found that temporins A and B, 13-amino acid antimicrobial peptides secreted from the skin of the European red frog Rana temporaria, display anti-Leishmania activity at micromolar concentrations, with no cytolytic activity against human erythrocytes. To the best of our knowledge, temporins represent the shortest natural peptides having the highest leishmanicidal activity and the lowest number of positively charged amino acids (a single lysine/arginine) and maintain biological function in serum. Their lethal mechanism involves plasma membrane permeation based on the following data. (i) They induce a rapid collapse of the plasma membrane potential. (ii) They induce the influx of the vital dye SYTOX Green. (iii) They reduce intracellular ATP levels. (iv) They severely damage the membrane of the parasite, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Besides giving us basic important information, the unique properties of temporins, as well as their membranolytic effect, which should make it difficult for the pathogen to develop resistance, suggest them as potential candidates for the future design of antiparasitic drugs with a new mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, Italy.
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16
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Luque-Ortega JR, Saugar JM, Chiva C, Andreu D, Rivas L. Identification of new leishmanicidal peptide lead structures by automated real-time monitoring of changes in intracellular ATP. Biochem J 2003; 375:221-30. [PMID: 12864731 PMCID: PMC1223672 DOI: 10.1042/bj20030544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2003] [Revised: 07/11/2003] [Accepted: 07/15/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Leishmanicidal drugs interacting stoichiometrically with parasite plasma membrane lipids, thus promoting permeability, have raised significant expectations for Leishmania chemotherapy due to their nil or very low induction of resistance. Inherent in this process is a decrease in intracellular ATP, either wasted by ionic pumps to restore membrane potential or directly leaked through larger membrane lesions caused by the drug. We have adapted a luminescence method for fast automated real-time monitoring of this process, using Leishmania donovani promastigotes transfected with a cytoplasmic luciferase form, previously tested for anti-mitochondrial drugs. The system was first assayed against a set of well-known membrane-active drugs [amphotericin B, nystatin, cecropin A-melittin peptide CA(1-8)M(1-18)], plus two ionophoric polyethers (narasin and salinomycin) not previously tested on Leishmania, then used to screen seven new cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptides. All membrane-active compounds showed a good correlation between inhibition of luminescence and leishmanicidal activity. Induction of membrane permeability was demonstrated by dissipation of membrane potential, SYTOX trade mark Green influx and membrane damage assessed by electron microscopy, except for the polyethers, where ATP decrease was due to inhibition of its mitochondrial synthesis. Five of the test peptides showed an ED50 around 1 microM on promastigotes. These peptides, with equal or better activity than 26-residue-long CA(1-8)M(1-18), are the shortest leishmanicidal peptides described so far, and validate our luminescence assay as a fast and cheap screening tool for membrane-active compounds.
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17
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Alarcón T, López-Hernández S, Andreu D, Saugar JM, Rivas L, López-Brea M. In vitro activity of CA(1-8)M(1-18), a synthetic cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptide, against multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains. Rev Esp Quimioter 2001; 14:184-90. [PMID: 11704773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The in vitro antibiotic activity of CA(1-8)M(1-18), a synthetic cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptide, was determined by broth microdilution on 20 clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates with different resistance profiles. The MIC(50), MIC(90) and ranges were 4 mg/l, 4 mg/l and 2-8 mg/l, respectively, and were independent of resistance pattern. Different assay parameters such as microplate plastic (polystyrene or polypropylene), addition of supplements (5-10% fetal calf serum or 5% horse blood), inoculum size (10(5), 10(6), 10(7) and 10(8) CFU/ml) or incubation period (24 or 48 h) were studied. MIC was independent of the first two parameters, although the MIC values increased both with inoculum size or incubation period. Killing curves were obtained both for a standard strain and a multiresistant isolate over a 45.7-2.8 mg/l (16-1 mM) peptide range, using an initial inoculum of 10(5)-10(6) CFU/ml and 10(9)-10(10) CFU/ml. A concentration of 45.7 mg/l was required for complete killing. Accordingly, CA(1-8)M(1-18) showed good in vitro activity against the A. baumannii strains tested irrespective of the resistance to classical antibiotics, and could be a future candidate for multiresistant A. baumannii infections, although further cytotoxicity and pharmacological studies will be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Alarcón
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
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