Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum/chagasi infection in blood donors of western Sicily

Scarlata, Francesco; Vitale, Fabrizio; Saporito, Laura; Reale, Stefano; Vecchi, Valentina Li; Giordano, Salvatore; Infurnari, Laura; F, Occhipinti; Titone, Lucina

doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.01.011

Cited by 37 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Moreover, the above tests frequently give false-negative results in immunocompromised patients even in the presence of positive kDNA amplification (23), making their sensitivity unsatisfactory for detecting asymptomatic Leishmania infection, which is characterized by low or intermittent parasitemia. Consequently, it is not surprising that data from IFAT, DAT, or ELISA have shown low seroprevalence among healthy subjects living in Mediterranean areas of high endemicity (11,48) or even in Middle Eastern areas, where parasitemia, evidenced by DNA amplification, may be present in 16% of the healthy population (16) ( Table 2). On the other hand, the high sensitivity of qualitative techniques such as immunoblotting (24,32,39,41) makes them excellent epidemiological tools for detecting past contact with the parasite, as well as ideal candidates for diagnosing subclinical infections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For these reasons we chose to employ WB in order to trace patients with possible subclinical infection as this test is expected to be positive in the presence of parasite replication in 100% of immunocompetent and in more than 70% of immunocompromised subjects (13,47). Moreover, WB may be an epidemiological marker for identifying all exposed individuals; in fact, it often remains positive after successful treatment of VL (44,48) and, very likely, after spontaneous resolution of asymptomatic infection as well. In contrast, DTH techniques such as the leishmanin skin test (LST), usually marking cell-mediated parasite control or clearance, could be less able to identify asymptomatic, kDNA-positive subjects (1,37), given the variability of standardization, potency, and stability of leishmanin antigens (6).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum Infection in an Area of Northwestern Italy (Piedmont Region) Where Such Infections Are Traditionally Nonendemic

et al. 2010

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The prevalence of Leishmania infantum-specific antibodies and asymptomatic infection was assessed in a randomized sample of 526 healthy adults from a continental area of Northwestern Italy where L. infantum is not endemic and where autochthonous cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were recently reported. L. infantum-specific antibodies were detected by Western blotting (WB) in 39 subjects (7.41%), while L. infantum kinetoplast DNA was amplified from buffy coat in 21 out of 39 WB-positive subjects, confirming asymptomatic infection in 53.8% of seropositives. Risk factors significantly associated with WB positivity were uninterrupted residence since childhood in a local rural environment (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 7.3), daily contact with animals though not exclusively with dogs (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.3 to 10.7), older age (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.5), and agricultural/other outdoor activities (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 0.99 to 3.7.) Logistic regression analysis showed that uninterrupted residence in a local rural environment and an age of >65 years were the only independent predictors of seropositivity assessed by WB. Follow-up at 24 months did not show evidence of VL in either seropositive or PCR-positive subjects. The detection of a high seroprevalence rate, confirmed as asymptomatic infection by PCR in more than half of the cases, among healthy residents in a continental area of northwestern Italy makes local L. infantum transmission very likely. In a region where VL is considered nonendemic, these findings warrant further epidemiological investigations as well as interventions with respect to both the canine reservoir and vectors, given the possible risks for immunosuppressed patients.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum Infection in an Area of Northwestern Italy (Piedmont Region) Where Such Infections Are Traditionally Nonendemic

et al. 2010

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“…According to Scarlata et al (2008), a positive result using serological tests does not necessarily indicate an active infection, and may be a result of a previous exposure to the parasite, especially in endemic regions. In this study, seropositive canine samples did not have any DNA detection of the infection when using PCR, which is considered a more sensitive and specific test.…”

Section: : Ggg(g/t)aggggcgttct(c/g)cgaa 152: (C/g)(c/g)(c/g)(a/t)cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Leishmania chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia canis vogeli, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis in canine blood donors

Cruz

Otsubo

Trevisan

et al. 2017

SCA

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The transfusion of blood components is common in a veterinary clinic; however, the safety of this therapeutic measure cannot always be guaranteed. Studies show a high risk of haemoparasite transmission during blood transfusion in canines. These parasites include Leishmania chagasi, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis, which are endemic to the city of Cuiabá. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of L. chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia (canis) vogeli, A. platys, and E. canis in canine blood donor candidates, and identify possible factors associated with the infection of these agents. Sixty-six canines were evaluated using serologic and molecular tests, for the presence of the Leishmania species. While one canine sample showed a positive result for L. chagasi with indirect fluorescent antibody test, with titer of 1:40, and seven canine samples were positive using DPP, all other samples were negative when using PCR and ELISA. All canines were negative for T. cruzi when using PCR. The B. (c.) vogeli infection was identified in one canine and A. platys was identified in six canines. E. canis was identified in 17 canines, with a prevalence of 25.7%. There were no significant factors associated with the infection of the pathogens investigated. Given the observation of infection, even in the absence of clinical symptoms, emphasis must be placed on the need for the use of more sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for the screening of donor canines.

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“…PCR to detect Leishmania DNA was used to test blood samples from IFAT-positive donors. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were found in 11 (0.75%) cases, among which Leishmania DNA was detected in four [41]. A previous screening of asymptomatic blood donors from northwestern Sicily, Italy did not detect any positive sample of L. infantum antibodies by ELISA [42].…”

Section: Asymptomatic Cases Of Leishmania Infection and Studies On Blmentioning

confidence: 80%

Transfusion transmitted leishmaniasis. What to do with blood donors from endemic areas?

Mansueto

Seidita

Vitale

2014

Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease

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Summary Leishmaniasis clinical spectrum ranges from cryptic infection to fatal visceral leishmaniasis. Cryptic infection can be found in blood donors from areas endemic for leishmaniasis all over the world. Although leishmaniasis is a classic vector-borne disease, cases of transfusion transmitted leishmaniasis have been reported especially in nonendemic areas. Most of these cases regarded infants or children. This paper reviews the literature on this specific feature and the impact of leishmaniasis on transfusion medicine. Relevant literature was found through PubMed. The reference lists of selected articles identified further sources. Conclusions: Blood donations by emigrants or travelers from endemic areas require special attention. Routine diagnostic methods should be implemented in blood banks to exclude donors that are positive for Leishmania, and individuals who suffered from visceral leishmaniasis should be prohibited from donating blood. The use of leukodepletion filters at the time of collection should be recommended in at-risk areas especially for high-risk recipients. ª

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Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum/chagasi infection in blood donors of western Sicily

Cited by 37 publications

References 9 publications

Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum Infection in an Area of Northwestern Italy (Piedmont Region) Where Such Infections Are Traditionally Nonendemic

Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum Infection in an Area of Northwestern Italy (Piedmont Region) Where Such Infections Are Traditionally Nonendemic

Occurrence of Leishmania chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia canis vogeli, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis in canine blood donors

Transfusion transmitted leishmaniasis. What to do with blood donors from endemic areas?

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