Human mixed infections of Leishmania spp. and Leishmania-Trypanosoma cruzi in a sub Andean Bolivian area: identification by polymerase chain reaction/hybridization and isoenzyme

Abstract

Parasites belonging to

Simultaneous Infection with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and L. (V.) lainsoni in a Peruvian Patient with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

“…However, simultaneous infection with more than one causative species of Leishmania has been documented. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] It has long been postulated that infection of the host with one species of Leishmania might protect against re-infection with homologous or heterologous species. 22,23 However, in vitro studies of individual macrophage co-infections with different species of Leishmania suggest an absence of mutual exclusion if a second infection with a different strain occurs within a short window, 24 and recurrent infections in humans also imply some plasticity of this protective immune phenomenon.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13] Moreover, previous work in Bolivia using molecular methods detected patients with co-infection of different Leishmania species as well as Leishmania-Trypanosoma cruzi co-infections. 14 We report a case of two different Leishmania (Viannia) species, namely L. (V.) braziliensis and L. (V.) lainsoni, identified by molecular means as causing distinct lesions in a Peruvian patient with CL.…”

Canine trypanosomiasis: etiology of infection and implications for public health

“…2009;15(4):592 continent (25,26). Domestic dogs may also present mixed infections with the trypanosomatids cited above in geographical areas where these species overlap, which can complicate the diagnosis of these pathogens of medical, veterinary, and economic interest when diagnosis is based on routine serological tests (26)(27)(28)(29).…”

Leishmaniases in Bolivia: Comprehensive Review and Current Status

“…22,28,29,33,[62][63][64] The sensitivity varies according to the PCR protocol used, but in all cases, PCR proved to be more sensitive and specific in detecting Leishmania parasites compared with culture, microscopy, or clinical diagnosis (especially for ML). Similar to parasite culture, however, the use of PCR in Bolivia is limited to research purposes or epidemiologic studies because of the cost and need for specialized laboratory infrastructure and technically trained staff.…”

“…Sensitivity and specificity of tests can be variable, with tests suffering from cross-reaction with Trypanosoma cruzi , which is sympatric in many leishmaniases-endemic areas. 62 The Montenegro skin test is occasionally used in diagnosis of cutaneous disease (e.g., in epidemiologic surveys), 41 because of its simple use and high sensitivity and specificity; however, it fails to distinguish between past and present infections. Although not mandated by the NPLC, for VL case detection, the rk39 rapid diagnostic test has recently been used.…”