The Experts below are selected from a list of 321 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Domenico Otranto - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The prevention of Canine Leishmaniasis and its impact on public health
Trends in parasitology, 2013Co-Authors: Domenico Otranto, Filipe Dantas-torresAbstract:Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne disease of great veterinary and medical significance. Prevention of CanL requires a combined approach including measures focused on dogs and the environment where the vectors perpetuate. Over past decades, considerable effort has been put towards developing novel and cost-effective strategies against CanL. Vaccination is considered among the most promising tools for controlling CanL, and synthetic pyrethroids are useful and cost-effective in reducing risk of L. infantum infection in dogs. The effectiveness of the use of vaccines plus repellents in preventing L. infantum infection and subsequent disease development should be assessed by means of large-scale, randomized controlled field trials because this combined strategy may become the next frontier in the control of CanL.
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Canine Leishmaniasis in Southern Italy: a role for nitric oxide released from activated macrophages in asymptomatic infection?
Parasites & vectors, 2008Co-Authors: Maria Antonietta Panaro, Olga Brandonisio, Donato De Caprariis, Pasqua Cavallo, Antonia Cianciulli, Vincenzo Mitolo, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Background Human and Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) by Leishmania infantum is endemic in Italy, with a high percentage of infected asymptomatic animals. However, the immune response mechanisms underlying the clinical presentation of CanL have not been fully investigated. Among leishmanicidal molecules produced by activated macrophages, nitric oxide (NO) produced by an inducible NO synthase seems to play an important protective role, but no conclusive data are available. Therefore, NO released by cultured macrophages from dogs with natural Leishmania infection living in an endemic area for CanL was evaluated.
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Canine Leishmaniasis in Southern Italy: a role for nitric oxide released from activated macrophages in asymptomatic infection?
Parasites & Vectors, 2008Co-Authors: Maria Antonietta Panaro, Olga Brandonisio, Donato De Caprariis, Pasqua Cavallo, Antonia Cianciulli, Vincenzo Mitolo, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Background Human and Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) by Leishmania infantum is endemic in Italy, with a high percentage of infected asymptomatic animals. However, the immune response mechanisms underlying the clinical presentation of CanL have not been fully investigated. Among leishmanicidal molecules produced by activated macrophages, nitric oxide (NO) produced by an inducible NO synthase seems to play an important protective role, but no conclusive data are available. Therefore, NO released by cultured macrophages from dogs with natural Leishmania infection living in an endemic area for CanL was evaluated. Methods On the basis of one year's clinical and laboratory follow-up, 22 dogs infected by Leishmania infantum were identified and grouped as: asymptomatic dogs (n = 13) and dogs with symptoms of Leishmaniasis (n = 9). Each animal was bled twice at 4-month intervals and macrophage and lymphocyte cultures were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Supernatants of L. infantum -infected macrophage cultures, with or without addition of autologous lymphocytes, were assayed for NO production by Griess reaction for nitrites. Results In the first months of the infection the levels of NO in supernatants of Leishmania -infected macrophages were higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic dogs, but they were significantly increased in the latter group eight months after the diagnosis of infection. Furthermore, NO release significantly decreased in the presence of autologous lymphocytes in both groups of animals. Conclusion These results suggest that NO may be involved in the long-term protection of dogs against natural Leishmania infection and in the clinical presentation of Canine Leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean area.
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Incidences of Canine Leishmaniasis in an Endemic Area of Southern Italy
Journal of veterinary medicine. B Infectious diseases and veterinary public health, 2006Co-Authors: Paola Paradies, Mariateresa Sasanelli, D. De Caprariis, Gioia Capelli, Claudia Cafarchia, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is widely distributed in many Mediterranean countries and is considered endemic in southern and central Italy with prevalence reaching up to 48.4%. Determination of the incidence would be useful as a measure of the risk of infection, then to evaluate the usefulness of control measures and to estimate whether a new focus is autochthonous or imported. This study was performed on two sites in the Apulia region of southern Italy, namely sites A and B. A total of 262 dogs were included in the evaluation of incidence, 94 farm dogs from site A and 168 dogs (92 farm and 76 kennel dogs) from site B. The incidence of infection was determined by using two different approaches: in site A by means of incidence density rate (IDR); in site B by the yearly seroconversion rate. In site A, the IDR was calculated at 4.25% dog-years; in site B the yearly incidence rate was of 9.52% (6.5% and 13.1% in farm and kennel dogs, respectively). The strength and weakness of the two different approaches (i.e. annual monitoring or monthly interval monitoring) for calculating the incidence of CanL in an endemic area have been discussed.
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Rapid Immunochromatographic Test for Serodiagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis
Journal of clinical microbiology, 2004Co-Authors: Domenico Otranto, P. Paradies, M. Sasanelli, R. Spinelli, Olga BrandonisioAbstract:An rK39 immunochromatographic test and immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) for serodiagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis were evaluated. The two tests showed correlation for all but one of the sera obtained from 68 dogs confirmed as Leishmaniasis cases and 40 dogs (22 healthy dogs and 18 dogs with other diseases) from areas where the disease is not endemic. Specificity was 100% for both tests, while sensitivity was 97% for the rapid test and 99% for IFAT.
Lenea Campino - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The Role of Reservoirs: Canine Leishmaniasis
2013Co-Authors: Lenea Campino, Carla MaiaAbstract:Canine Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum species (syn. L. (L.) chagasi species in Latin America), which is transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies, is endemic and affects millions of dogs in Asia, Europe, North Africa, and South America and is considered as an emergent disease in North America. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are the major hosts for these parasites and the main reservoir host for human infection.
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risk factors for Canine Leishmaniasis in an endemic mediterranean region
Veterinary Parasitology, 2012Co-Authors: Sofia Cortes, Luis Cardoso, Lenea Campino, Carla Maia, Yolanda Vaz, Rodolfo NevesAbstract:Human visceral Leishmaniasis is an emergent/re-emergent parasitic zoonotic disease in Europe caused by Leishmania infantum, with domestic dog as its main reservoir host. This study presents the results of a Canine epidemiological survey in a mediterranean region where human and Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) are endemic - Portugal. The main goal was to identify risk factors, which can be relevant for Leishmania infection control. The national survey was carried out in January 2009 with a screening of 3974 dogs from all 18 districts of mainland Portugal. Direct Agglutination Test was used for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in Canine blood. An overall CanL true prevalence of 6.31% was observed. Apparent prevalence at district level ranged from 0.88% to 16.16%, with the highest prevalence in the interior regions. Identified risk factors for positivity were: dogs of 2 years and older (adjusted odds ratio OR=5.39); spending exclusively/most of the time outdoors (OR=2.51); origin from the interior of Portugal in comparison to littoral/coast districts (OR=2.51); not having long fur (OR=2.03); and being pure exotic (OR=1.67). The results confirm the Leishmaniasis endemicity in Portugal and the dynamic character of prevalence as new foci emerged and old foci lost their importance. The dog's age, fur size, district and living outdoors as opposed to indoors were more important than dog breeds and insecticide treatment in the transmission of Leishmania infection. The future of CanL prevention and control rely on an integrated approach involving veterinarians, dog owners and health authorities in order to reduce the Canine infection risk and consequently, the human zoonotic visceral Leishmaniasis.
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Experimental Canine Leishmaniasis: clinical, parasitological and serological follow-up.
Acta tropica, 2010Co-Authors: Carla Maia, José Manuel Cristóvão, Mónica Nunes, Lenea CampinoAbstract:Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies and affects millions of dogs in Europe, Asia, North Africa and South America. Canis familiaris is the major host for these parasites, and the main reservoir for human visceral infection. The development of effective molecules for therapy and immunoprophylaxis, would be an important tool in the control of this zoonosis. The aim of this study was to characterize an experimental CanL model in order to determine the best challenge model and which parameters are the most reliable to evaluate the efficacy of new drugs or vaccine candidates against L. infantum infection. The intravenous challenge with purified amastigotes used in this study allowed the development of infection in all animals inoculated (as confirmed by the detection of parasite in the different tissues and organs collected 6 months after inoculation). Molecular and serologic techniques were efficient methods for the follow-up. Lymph node and bone marrow aspirates were suitable clinical samples to detect the presence of Leishmania parasites. Despite ELISA was highly sensitive in detecting specific anti-Leishmania antibodies the use of two tests can improve the sensitivity and specificity of serological diagnosis.
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Methods for diagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis and immune response to infection
Veterinary parasitology, 2008Co-Authors: Carla Maia, Lenea CampinoAbstract:Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi, in Latin America), which is transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies, is endemic and affects millions of dogs in Europe, Asia, North Africa and South America. It is an emergent disease in North America. Early detection and treatment of infected animals may be critical in controlling the spread of the disease and is an essential part of human zoonotic visceral Leishmaniasis control. The laboratory diagnosis of CanL still poses a challenge, despite progress made in the development of several direct and indirect methods. An effective diagnosis test, apart of being able to confirm a clinical suspicion in a single patient as well as to detect infection in asymptomatic dogs, should have high sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility; it must be simple, easy to perform, non-expensive, feasible in regional laboratories or adaptable for field conditions. Ideally, it should detect all Leishmania-infected dogs, preferentially using non-invasive collection of biological samples. In this paper we review the advantages and shortcomings of the available procedures for CanL diagnosis in the different phases, e.g. pre-patent and patent period of the infection and methods to determine the related immune response.
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Diagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis: conventional and molecular techniques using different tissues.
Veterinary journal (London England : 1997), 2007Co-Authors: Carla Maia, João Ramada, José Manuel Cristóvão, Luzia Gonçalves, Lenea CampinoAbstract:Abstract Serology, bone marrow (BM)-, lymph node (LN)- and whole blood-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were evaluated as potential reference tests for the diagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis. A high degree of agreement (⩾91.0%) was observed between Leishmania cultures and serology or BM/LN-PCR. In the light of these results as well as the access to biological test material and the cost of each method, LN-PCR is recommended for the diagnosis or therapeutic control of Canine Leishmaniasis, but BM-PCR is a suitable alternative in dogs without detectable adenomegaly. For large-scale epidemiological field studies, antibody detection is appropriate and whole blood-PCR can be used to complement the serological results.
Olga Brandonisio - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Canine Leishmaniasis in Southern Italy: a role for nitric oxide released from activated macrophages in asymptomatic infection?
Parasites & vectors, 2008Co-Authors: Maria Antonietta Panaro, Olga Brandonisio, Donato De Caprariis, Pasqua Cavallo, Antonia Cianciulli, Vincenzo Mitolo, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Background Human and Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) by Leishmania infantum is endemic in Italy, with a high percentage of infected asymptomatic animals. However, the immune response mechanisms underlying the clinical presentation of CanL have not been fully investigated. Among leishmanicidal molecules produced by activated macrophages, nitric oxide (NO) produced by an inducible NO synthase seems to play an important protective role, but no conclusive data are available. Therefore, NO released by cultured macrophages from dogs with natural Leishmania infection living in an endemic area for CanL was evaluated.
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Canine Leishmaniasis in Southern Italy: a role for nitric oxide released from activated macrophages in asymptomatic infection?
Parasites & Vectors, 2008Co-Authors: Maria Antonietta Panaro, Olga Brandonisio, Donato De Caprariis, Pasqua Cavallo, Antonia Cianciulli, Vincenzo Mitolo, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Background Human and Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) by Leishmania infantum is endemic in Italy, with a high percentage of infected asymptomatic animals. However, the immune response mechanisms underlying the clinical presentation of CanL have not been fully investigated. Among leishmanicidal molecules produced by activated macrophages, nitric oxide (NO) produced by an inducible NO synthase seems to play an important protective role, but no conclusive data are available. Therefore, NO released by cultured macrophages from dogs with natural Leishmania infection living in an endemic area for CanL was evaluated. Methods On the basis of one year's clinical and laboratory follow-up, 22 dogs infected by Leishmania infantum were identified and grouped as: asymptomatic dogs (n = 13) and dogs with symptoms of Leishmaniasis (n = 9). Each animal was bled twice at 4-month intervals and macrophage and lymphocyte cultures were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Supernatants of L. infantum -infected macrophage cultures, with or without addition of autologous lymphocytes, were assayed for NO production by Griess reaction for nitrites. Results In the first months of the infection the levels of NO in supernatants of Leishmania -infected macrophages were higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic dogs, but they were significantly increased in the latter group eight months after the diagnosis of infection. Furthermore, NO release significantly decreased in the presence of autologous lymphocytes in both groups of animals. Conclusion These results suggest that NO may be involved in the long-term protection of dogs against natural Leishmania infection and in the clinical presentation of Canine Leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean area.
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Rapid Immunochromatographic Test for Serodiagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis
Journal of clinical microbiology, 2004Co-Authors: Domenico Otranto, P. Paradies, M. Sasanelli, R. Spinelli, Olga BrandonisioAbstract:An rK39 immunochromatographic test and immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) for serodiagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis were evaluated. The two tests showed correlation for all but one of the sera obtained from 68 dogs confirmed as Leishmaniasis cases and 40 dogs (22 healthy dogs and 18 dogs with other diseases) from areas where the disease is not endemic. Specificity was 100% for both tests, while sensitivity was 97% for the rapid test and 99% for IFAT.
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Canine Leishmaniasis in the Gargano promontory (Apulia, South Italy).
European journal of epidemiology, 1992Co-Authors: Olga Brandonisio, G. Carelli, Luigi Ceci, B. Consenti, A. Fasanella, V. PucciniAbstract:We examined 444 dogs by visiting farms and peripheral districts on the Gargano promontory (Province of Foggia, Apulia, South Italy). Clinical examination and immunofluorescence antibody test for Leishmaniasis were performed. Bone marrow and lymph node samples obtained from 25 dogs with positive serological test were cultured on Tobie-Evans medium. The results obtained show both a higher seropositivity rate for Canine Leishmaniasis (14.4%) and a higher percentage of asymptomatic dogs with positive serological test (53.1%) compared to previous research in the same area. Seven strains isolated from infected dogs belonged to Leishmania infantum species zymodeme Montpellier 1. None of 82 sera of humans living in close contact with infected dogs were positive for Leishmaniasis.
Filipe Dantas-torres - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Vaccination against Canine Leishmaniasis in Brazil.
International journal for parasitology, 2020Co-Authors: Filipe Dantas-torres, Luis Cardoso, Christine A. Petersen, Fábio Dos Santos Nogueira, Ingrid Menz, Paulo Tabanez, Sydnei Magno Da Silva, Vitor Márcio Ribeiro, Guadalupe Miró, Gad BanethAbstract:Prevention of Canine Leishmania infantum infection is critical to management of visceral Leishmaniasis in people living in endemic areas of Brazil. A bill (PL 1738/11), currently under consideration, proposes to establish a national vaccination policy against Canine Leishmaniasis in Brazil. However, there is no solid scientific evidence supporting the idea that this could reduce transmission from infected vaccinated dogs to sand flies to a level that would significantly reduce the risk of L. infantum infection or visceral Leishmaniasis in humans. Thus, we advocate that insecticide-impregnated collars should the first line protective measure for public health purposes and that vaccines are applied on a case-by-case, optional basis for individual dog protection.
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The prevention of Canine Leishmaniasis and its impact on public health
Trends in parasitology, 2013Co-Authors: Domenico Otranto, Filipe Dantas-torresAbstract:Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne disease of great veterinary and medical significance. Prevention of CanL requires a combined approach including measures focused on dogs and the environment where the vectors perpetuate. Over past decades, considerable effort has been put towards developing novel and cost-effective strategies against CanL. Vaccination is considered among the most promising tools for controlling CanL, and synthetic pyrethroids are useful and cost-effective in reducing risk of L. infantum infection in dogs. The effectiveness of the use of vaccines plus repellents in preventing L. infantum infection and subsequent disease development should be assessed by means of large-scale, randomized controlled field trials because this combined strategy may become the next frontier in the control of CanL.
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Seroepidemiological survey on Canine Leishmaniasis among dogs from an urban area of Brazil.
Veterinary parasitology, 2006Co-Authors: Filipe Dantas-torres, Maria Edileuza Felinto De Brito, Sinval Pinto Brandão-filhoAbstract:A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey on Canine Leishmaniasis among pet dogs was carried out in an urban area in the State of Pernambuco (Brazil) where human cases of visceral Leishmaniasis have sporadically been reported. Using an indirect fluorescent antibody test, anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected in 130 out of 322 dogs, confirming previous exposure to Leishmania parasites. The overall seroprevalence found was 40.3% (95% confidence interval: 34.9-45.9). Data analysis revealed that serological positivity was statistically associated with male (chi2=20.60, P-value=0.000) and juvenile dogs (chi2=4.24, P-value=0.039). Furthermore, it was observed that 85.3% of all seropositive dogs showed no clinical signs of Leishmaniasis. The results showed a high seroprevalence of anti-Leishmania antibodies among dogs from an urban area of Pernambuco - with a large proportion of asymptomatic seropositive dogs - indicating that the prevalence of Leishmania infection in this area has been underestimated.
Luis Cardoso - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Vaccination against Canine Leishmaniasis in Brazil.
International journal for parasitology, 2020Co-Authors: Filipe Dantas-torres, Luis Cardoso, Christine A. Petersen, Fábio Dos Santos Nogueira, Ingrid Menz, Paulo Tabanez, Sydnei Magno Da Silva, Vitor Márcio Ribeiro, Guadalupe Miró, Gad BanethAbstract:Prevention of Canine Leishmania infantum infection is critical to management of visceral Leishmaniasis in people living in endemic areas of Brazil. A bill (PL 1738/11), currently under consideration, proposes to establish a national vaccination policy against Canine Leishmaniasis in Brazil. However, there is no solid scientific evidence supporting the idea that this could reduce transmission from infected vaccinated dogs to sand flies to a level that would significantly reduce the risk of L. infantum infection or visceral Leishmaniasis in humans. Thus, we advocate that insecticide-impregnated collars should the first line protective measure for public health purposes and that vaccines are applied on a case-by-case, optional basis for individual dog protection.
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Development of a Fluorescent Based Immunosensor for the Serodiagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis Combining Immunomagnetic Separation and Flow Cytometry
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2013Co-Authors: Susana Sousa, Alexandre B. Reis, Olindo Assis Martins-filho, Steven G Reed, Ricardo Silvestre, Luis Cardoso, Anabela Cordeiro-da-silvaAbstract:BACKGROUND: An accurate diagnosis is essential for the control of infectious diseases. In the search for effective and efficient tests, biosensors have increasingly been exploited for the development of new and highly sensitive diagnostic methods. Here, we describe a new fluorescent based immunosensor comprising magnetic polymer microspheres coated with recombinant antigens to improve the detection of specific antibodies generated during an infectious disease. As a challenging model, we used Canine Leishmaniasis due to the unsatisfactory sensitivity associated with the detection of infection in asymptomatic animals where the levels of pathogen-specific antibodies are scarce.\n\nMETHODOLOGY: Ni-NTA magnetic microspheres with 1,7 µm and 8,07 µm were coated with the Leishmania recombinant proteins LicTXNPx and rK39, respectively. A mixture of equal proportions of both recombinant protein-coated microspheres was used to recognize and specifically bind anti-rK39 and anti-LicTNXPx antibodies present in serum samples of infected dogs. The microspheres were recovered by magnetic separation and the percentage of fluorescent positive microspheres was quantified by flow cytometry.\n\nPRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A clinical evaluation carried out with 129 dog serum samples using the antigen combination demonstrated a sensitivity of 98,8% with a specificity of 94,4%. rK39 antigen alone demonstrated a higher sensitivity for symptomatic dogs (96,9%), while LicTXNPx antigen showed a higher sensitivity for asymptomatic (94,4%).\n\nCONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results demonstrated the potential of a magnetic microsphere associated flow cytometry methodology as a viable tool for highly sensitive laboratorial serodiagnosis of both clinical and subclinical forms of Canine Leishmaniasis.
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risk factors for Canine Leishmaniasis in an endemic mediterranean region
Veterinary Parasitology, 2012Co-Authors: Sofia Cortes, Luis Cardoso, Lenea Campino, Carla Maia, Yolanda Vaz, Rodolfo NevesAbstract:Human visceral Leishmaniasis is an emergent/re-emergent parasitic zoonotic disease in Europe caused by Leishmania infantum, with domestic dog as its main reservoir host. This study presents the results of a Canine epidemiological survey in a mediterranean region where human and Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) are endemic - Portugal. The main goal was to identify risk factors, which can be relevant for Leishmania infection control. The national survey was carried out in January 2009 with a screening of 3974 dogs from all 18 districts of mainland Portugal. Direct Agglutination Test was used for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in Canine blood. An overall CanL true prevalence of 6.31% was observed. Apparent prevalence at district level ranged from 0.88% to 16.16%, with the highest prevalence in the interior regions. Identified risk factors for positivity were: dogs of 2 years and older (adjusted odds ratio OR=5.39); spending exclusively/most of the time outdoors (OR=2.51); origin from the interior of Portugal in comparison to littoral/coast districts (OR=2.51); not having long fur (OR=2.03); and being pure exotic (OR=1.67). The results confirm the Leishmaniasis endemicity in Portugal and the dynamic character of prevalence as new foci emerged and old foci lost their importance. The dog's age, fur size, district and living outdoors as opposed to indoors were more important than dog breeds and insecticide treatment in the transmission of Leishmania infection. The future of CanL prevention and control rely on an integrated approach involving veterinarians, dog owners and health authorities in order to reduce the Canine infection risk and consequently, the human zoonotic visceral Leishmaniasis.
