The aim of this study is to describe the major evolutionary historical events among Leishmania, sandflies, and the associated animal reservoirs in detail, in accordance with the geographical ...evolution of the Earth, which has not been previously discussed on a large scale.
Leishmania and sandfly classification has always been a controversial matter, and the increasing number of species currently described further complicates this issue. Despite several hypotheses on the origin, evolution, and distribution of Leishmania and sandflies in the Old and New World, no consistent agreement exists regarding dissemination of the actors that play roles in leishmaniasis. For this purpose, we present here three centuries of research on sandflies and Leishmania descriptions, as well as a complete description of Leishmania and sandfly fossils and the emergence date of each Leishmania and sandfly group during different geographical periods, from 550 million years ago until now. We discuss critically the different approaches that were used for Leishmana and sandfly classification and their synonymies, proposing an updated classification for each species of Leishmania and sandfly. We update information on the current distribution and dispersion of different species of Leishmania (53), sandflies (more than 800 at genus or subgenus level), and animal reservoirs in each of the following geographical ecozones: Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropic, Afrotropical, Oriental, Malagasy, and Australian. We propose an updated list of the potential and proven sandfly vectors for each Leishmania species in the Old and New World. Finally, we address a classical question about digenetic Leishmania evolution: which was the first host, a vertebrate or an invertebrate?
We propose an updated view of events that have played important roles in the geographical dispersion of sandflies, in relation to both the Leishmania species they transmit and the animal reservoirs of the parasites.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Progress in the diagnosis of leishmaniases depends on the development of effective methods and the discovery of suitable biomarkers. We propose firstly an update classification of Leishmania species ...and their synonymies. We demonstrate a global map highlighting the geography of known endemic Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. We summarize a complete list of techniques currently in use and discuss their advantages and limitations. The available data highlights the benefits of molecular markers in terms of their sensitivity and specificity to quantify variation from the subgeneric level to species complexes, (sub) species within complexes, and individual populations and infection foci. Each DNA-based detection method is supplied with a comprehensive description of markers and primers and proposal for a classification based on the role of each target and primer in the detection, identification and quantification of leishmaniasis infection. We outline a genome-wide map of genes informative for diagnosis that have been used for Leishmania genotyping. Furthermore, we propose a classification method based on the suitability of well-studied molecular markers for typing the 21 known Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. This can be applied to newly discovered species and to hybrid strains originating from inter-species crosses. Developing more effective and sensitive diagnostic methods and biomarkers is vital for enhancing Leishmania infection control programs.
Since 2005, cases of chikungunya (CHIK) were caused by an unusual vector, Aedes albopictus. This mosquito, present in Europe since 1979, has gained importance since its involvement in the first CHIK ...outbreak in Italy in 2007. The species is capable of transmitting experimentally 26 arboviruses. However, the vectorial status of its temperate populations has remained little investigated. In 2010, autochthonous cases of CHIK and dengue (DEN) were reported in southeastern France. We evaluated the potential of a French population of Ae. albopictus in the transmission of both viruses.
We used two strains of each virus, CHIK AND DEN: one strain was isolated from an imported case, and one from an autochthonous case. We used as controls Aedes aegypti from India and Martinique, the source of the imported cases of CHIK and DEN, respectively. We showed that Ae. albopictus from Cagnes-sur-Mer (AL-CSM) was as efficient as the typical tropical vector Ae. aegypti from India to experimentally transmit both CHIK strains isolated from patients in Fréjus, with around 35-67% of mosquitoes delivering up to 14 viral particles at day 3 post-infection (pi). The unexpected finding came from the high efficiency of AL-CSM to transmit both strains of DENV-1 isolated from patients in Nice. Almost 67% of Ae. albopictus AL-CSM which have ensured viral dissemination were able to transmit at day 9 pi when less than 21% of the typical DEN vector Ae. aegypti from Martinique could achieve transmission.
Temperate Ae. albopictus behaves differently compared to its counterpart from tropical regions, where recurrent epidemic outbreaks occur. Its potential responsibility for outbreaks in Europe should not be minimized.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A simple method for accurately identifying Glossina spp in the field is a challenge to sustain the future elimination of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) as a public health scourge, as well as for ...the sustainable management of African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT). Current methods for Glossina species identification heavily rely on a few well-trained experts. Methodologies that rely on molecular methodologies like DNA barcoding or mass spectrometry protein profiling (MALDI TOFF) haven't been thoroughly investigated for Glossina sp. Nevertheless, because they are destructive, costly, time-consuming, and expensive in infrastructure and materials, they might not be well adapted for the survey of arthropod vectors involved in the transmission of pathogens responsible for Neglected Tropical Diseases, like HAT. This study demonstrates a new type of methodology to classify Glossina species. In conjunction with a deep learning architecture, a database of Wing Interference Patterns (WIPs) representative of the Glossina species involved in the transmission of HAT and AAT was used. This database has 1766 pictures representing 23 Glossina species. This cost-effective methodology, which requires mounting wings on slides and using a commercially available microscope, demonstrates that WIPs are an excellent medium to automatically recognize Glossina species with very high accuracy.
We report patients in their homes in France who had cutaneous lesions caused by Anthrenus sp. larvae during the end of winter and into spring. These lesions mimic bites but are allergic reactions to ...larvae hairs pegged in the skin. These lesions should be distinguished from bites of bed bugs or fleas.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Bed bug has become a major public health pest worldwide. Infestation may result in numerous negative health effects. Homeless shelters are one of the most habitats that can be infested with bed bugs, ...a few studies have focused on bed bug infestations in these settings. We conducted a survey of infestations of bed bugs in a homeless shelter in southern France, using an innovative seven-level scale (0-6) to assess the degree of infestation, MALDI TOF-MS to identify bed bugs, and a biomolecular tool to detect bacteria. Bed bug infestations were documented in 13% (9/68) of investigated rooms. A total of 184 bed bugs were collected and morphologically identified as Cimex lectularius. MALDI TOF-MS analysis allowed us to obtain high-quality MS spectra for all 184 specimens, to correctly identify all specimens, and included 178/184 (97%) Log Score Values higher than 1.8. Among the bacteria tested, Wolbachia sp. DNA was found in 149/184 (81%) of the bed bugs, and one sample was positive for Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever. Our study is the first of its kind that offers new perspectives for increasing public awareness of the conditions in homeless shelters.
Over the past decades, several viral diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes-dengue, chikungunya, Zika-have spread outside of tropical areas. To limit the transmission of these viruses and preserve ...human health, the use of mosquito traps has been developed as a complement or alternative to other vector control techniques. The objective of this work was to perform a systematic review of the existing scientific literature to assess the efficacy of interventions based on adult mosquito trap to control Aedes population densities and the diseases they transmit worldwide.
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases. Among the 19 selected papers, lethal ovitraps were used in 16 studies, host-seeking female traps in 3 studies. Furthermore, 16 studies focused on the control of Ae. aegypti. Our review showed great heterogeneity in the indicators used to assess trap efficacy: e.g., the number of host-seeking females, the number of gravid females, the proportion of positive containers, the viral infection rate in female mosquitoes or serological studies in residents. Regardless of the type of studied traps, the results of various studies support the efficacy of mass trapping in combination with classical integrated vector control in reducing Aedes density. More studies with standardized methodology, and indicators are urgently needed to provide more accurate estimates of their efficacy.
This review highlights gaps in the demonstration of the efficacy of mass trapping of mosquitoes in reducing viral transmission and disease. Thus, further large-scale cluster randomized controlled trials conducted in endemic areas and including epidemiological outcomes are needed to establish scientific evidence for the reduction of viral transmission risk by mass trapping targeting gravid and/or host-seeking female mosquitoes.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Bed bugs are considered a major public health problem in industrialized countries. Usually, bed bug infestations are managed using a combination of physical and chemical methods. In recent years, new ...strategies for bed bug control have emerged, particularly the use of dusts like diatomaceous earth and silicon dioxide. However, in Europe, the use of silicon dioxide is restricted to professional, while diatomaceous earth can be harmful to the lungs. This study aimed to assess bed bug mortality rates associated with Sommières earth, green clay, talc, and sodium bicarbonate compared to silicon dioxide and diatomaceous earth from a pest management company, diatomaceous earth for litter conditioner, and diatomaceous earth from a supermarket. We tested permanent exposure, short exposure, horizontal transfer and repellent effect on two bed bug colonies. Sommières earth demonstrated efficacy ranging from 75% to 100% in permanent and short exposures, similar to the efficacy of diatomaceous earth from the pest management company. On the contrary, diatomaceous earth for litter conditioner and diatomaceous earth from a supermarket, green clay, talc, and sodium bicarbonate were found to be ineffective. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the efficacy of Sommières earth against bed bugs, but also highlights the variability in efficacy of diatomaceous earths on bed bugs depending on their quality.
Les punaises de lit sont considérées comme un problème de santé publique majeur dans les pays industrialisés. Habituellement, les infestations de punaises de lit sont gérées en utilisant une combinaison de méthodes physiques et chimiques. Ces dernières années, de nouvelles stratégies de lutte contre les punaises de lit ont vu le jour, notamment l’utilisation de poudres comme la terre de diatomées et le dioxyde de silicium. Cependant, en Europe, l’usage du dioxyde de silicium est réservé aux professionnels tandis que la terre de diatomées peut être nocive pour les poumons. Cette étude visait à évaluer les taux de mortalité des punaises de lit associés à la terre de Sommières, à l’argile verte, au talc et au bicarbonate de sodium par rapport au dioxyde de silicium, à la terre de diatomées d’une entreprise de lutte antiparasitaire, à la terre de diatomées pour conditionneur de litière et à la terre de diatomées d’un supermarché. Nous avons testé l’exposition permanente, l’exposition courte, le transfert horizontal et l’effet répulsif sur deux colonies de punaises de lit. La terre de Sommières a démontré une efficacité allant de 75% à 100% en exposition permanente et courte, similaire à l’efficacité de la terre de diatomées d’une entreprise de lutte antiparasitaire. Au contraire, la terre de diatomées pour conditionneur de litière et la terre de diatomées d’un supermarché, l’argile verte, le talc et le bicarbonate de sodium se sont révélés inefficaces. Cette étude démontre, pour la première fois, l’efficacité de la terre de Sommières contre les punaises de lit mais met également en évidence la variabilité de l’efficacité des terres de diatomées sur les punaises de lit en fonction de leur qualité.
Abstract
Background
Malaria is a potentially lethal parasitic disease due to infection by
Plasmodium
parasites, transmitted by
Anopheles
mosquito vectors. Various preventative measures may be ...recommended for travellers who visit endemic areas. The diagnosis is generally evoked in the context of a febrile patient returning from an endemic zone. Nevertheless, symptoms and clinical signs may be difficult to interpret, and fatal cases may only be diagnosed retrospectively with laboratory techniques, specific pathological features and patient history. The present work reports a case of fatal cerebral malaria diagnosed post-mortem, along with the techniques that allowed identification of the causative agent.
Case presentation
A 29 year-old male was found dead in his rental home during a vacation in Southern France. In the absence of explainable cause, an autopsy was performed, which did not retrieve major lesions. In the context of frequent business-related travels in tropical Africa, several samples were adressed for parasitological examination. Microscopy techniques, along with immunochromatographic and molecular biology assays, led to post-mortem diagnosis of fatal cerebral malaria. It was discovered in retrospect that the patient had not used preventative measures against malaria when travelling in endemic zones, and had not been provided with proper travel medicine counseling prior to his travel.
Conclusion
A vast proportion of imported malaria cases reported in France concerns patients who did not use preventive measures, such as bed nets, repellents or chemoprophylaxis. Given the wide availability of prevention tools in developed countries, and the important number of declared imported malaria cases, there is no doubt traveller awareness still needs to be raised. Moreover, healthcare professionals should always question travel history in febrile patients. The authors advocate for recurrent information campaigns for travellers, and physician training for a better prevention and diagnosis of malaria cases.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in the Mediterranean basin. However, large-scale comparative analyses of the commercial kits for the serological diagnosis of this neglected disease ...are lacking. This study compared the performances of four enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and two immunochromatographic tests (ICT) as screening tests for the serodiagnosis of human VL in the Mediterranean region.
Serum samples from 319 patients living in France, Tunisia or Morocco were tested using two ICT (IT LEISH and TruQuick LEISH IgG/IgM Meridian) and four ELISA reagents (NovaLisa Leishmania infantum IgG, Bordier Leishmania infantum, Ridascreen Leishmania IgG, and Vircell Leishmania). The population with proven VL (n = 181) included 65 immunocompromised patients. Significantly higher percentages of false-negative results were obtained with all assays in immunocompromised patients, compared with the immunocompetent population. In the whole population, sensitivity and specificity ranged from 80.7% to 93.9% and from 95.7% to 100%, respectively. The maximum accuracy was observed with the Bordier and Vircell ELISA kits (96.2%), and the lowest accuracy with Ridascreen reagent (88.7%). New thresholds of positivity are proposed for the Bordier, Vircell and NovaLisa ELISA kits to achieve 95% sensitivity with the highest possible specificity. Western blot (WB), used as a confirmation method, showed 100% sensitivity and identified 10.1% of asymptomatic carriers among the control population from the South of France.
This is the first study that compared commercially available kits for VL serodiagnosis in the endemic region of the Mediterranean basin. It provides specific information about the tests' performance to help clinicians and biologists to select the right assay for VL screening.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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