Leishmaniasis is a protozoal vector-borne disease that affects both humans and animals. In the Mediterranean Basin, the primary reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp. are mainly rodents and canids. Lipidomic approaches have allowed scientists to establish Leishmania spp. lipid profiles for the identification of cell stage specific biomarkers, drug mechanisms of action, and host immune response. Using an in silico approach of global network interaction between genes involved in fatty acid (FA) synthesis followed by the GC-MS approach, we were able to characterize the fatty acid profiles of L. major derived from human and rodent hosts. Our results revealed that the lipid profile of L. major showed similarities and differences with those already reported for other Leishmania species. Phospholipids are the predominant lipid class. FA composition of rodent parasites was characterized by a lower abundance of the precursor C18:2(n-6). One of the rodent clones, which also expressed the lowest lipid abundance in PL and TAG, was the least sensitive clone to the miltefosine drug and has the lowest infection efficiency. Our findings suggest that the lipid composition variation may explain the response of the parasite toward treatment and their ability to infect their host.
Introduction. Candida spp. may cause opportunistic infections called vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which is estimated to be the second most common cause of vaginitis worldwide. Gap Statement. Under various circumstances, VVC could compromise pregnancy outcomes. Emerging data suggests that VVC during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk of complications and congenital cutaneous candidiasis. Aim. To assess the prevalence of Candida spp. in asymptomatic pregnant women and determine the susceptibility of the isolates to antifungal drugs. Methodology. In a prospective cohort, 65 high vaginal swab samples of consented pregnant women. Candida isolates were identified using both microbiological and molecular tools and drug susceptibilities were profiled. Results. The prevalence of VVC among our study participants was 37 %, 24 of the 65 asymptomatic pregnant women show Candida spp. colonization. C. albicans was the most common species 61 %, followed by C. glabrata 39 %. In addition, a significant fraction of the isolated colonies showed resistance to Fluconazole, with a ratio of 63 % for C. albicans isolates and 16 % for Candida glabrata isolates. Moreover, relative quantification of genes related to resistance to fluconazole, CDR1, ERG11 as well as HWP1, showed a significant change compared to controls. Conclusion. Monitoring of vaginal Candida colonization before the third trimester of pregnancy, that could reduce congenital Candida colonization and risk of pregnancy complications.
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