First detection of Leishmania killicki (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in Ctenodactylus gundi (Rodentia, Ctenodactylidae), a possible reservoir of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia

Jaouadi, Kaouther; Haouas, Najoua; Chaara, Dhekra; Gorcii, Mohamed; Chargui, Najla; Augot, Denis; Pratlong, Francine; Dedet, Jean-Pierre; Ettlijani, Selim; Mezhoud, Habib; Babba, Hamouda

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-4-159

Cited by 44 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…However, although included in cluster II, strains that are described by biochemical criteria as L. killicki remained grouped in our analysis and could represent a branch located in Tunisia and Eastern Algeria and in the process of differentiating. The finding that their reservoir ( Ctenodactylus gundi ) is a small rodent living in mountainous and dry areas in these regions could partly explain the differentiation of this group [65]. However, this sub-cluster was genetically poorly differentiated and we would not consider L. killicki as a valid Leishmania species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…An explanation would be that these parasites might depend on cycles involving wild animals living in very restricted biotopes, although humans have been considered as the reservoir of these parasites for a long time. Indeed, for genotypes LST0121 and LST0016, which correspond to Tunisian strains, the role of a small rodent ( Ctenodactylus gundi ) that lives in stone desert areas has recently been confirmed [65]. Similarly, Procaviidae are proven reservoirs of these parasites in Israel and East Africa (Kenya, Namibia) and other wild reservoirs remain to be identified [see 66].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic Structure and Evolution of the Leishmania Genus in Africa and Eurasia: What Does MLSA Tell Us

et al. 2013

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Leishmaniasis is a complex parasitic disease from a taxonomic, clinical and epidemiological point of view. The role of genetic exchanges has been questioned for over twenty years and their recent experimental demonstration along with the identification of interspecific hybrids in natura has revived this debate. After arguing that genetic exchanges were exceptional and did not contribute to Leishmania evolution, it is currently proposed that interspecific exchanges could be a major driving force for rapid adaptation to new reservoirs and vectors, expansion into new parasitic cycles and adaptation to new life conditions.To assess the existence of gene flows between species during evolution we used MLSA-based (MultiLocus Sequence Analysis) approach to analyze 222 Leishmania strains from Africa and Eurasia to accurately represent the genetic diversity of this genus. We observed a remarkable congruence of the phylogenetic signal and identified seven genetic clusters that include mainly independent lineages which are accumulating divergences without any sign of recent interspecific recombination. From a taxonomic point of view, the strong genetic structuration of the different species does not question the current classification, except for species that cause visceral forms of leishmaniasis (L. donovani, L. infantum and L. archibaldi). Although these taxa cause specific clinical forms of the disease and are maintained through different parasitic cycles, they are not clearly distinct and form a continuum, in line with the concept of species complex already suggested for this group thirty years ago. These results should have practical consequences concerning the molecular identification of parasites and the subsequent therapeutic management of the disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Structure and Evolution of the Leishmania Genus in Africa and Eurasia: What Does MLSA Tell Us

et al. 2013

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“…The absence of interspecific genetic exchange might be explained by different epidemiological cycles at the sympatric level. These two species seem to have overlapped geographical foci but different vector species and different mammalian reservoir hosts [7,9,10,63], limiting the interactions between them. As reported by Tabbabi et al the incriminated vectors for L. major and L. killicki in the Tataouine region would be species specific [9].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indoors, P. sergenti and P. papatasi, known to be endophilic were co-dominant [8]. Phlebotomus riouxi (or P. chabaudi), which is suspected to be linked to L. killicki transmission [9], was the dominant species in the semi-natural rocky habitats associated with the presence of Ctenodactylus (C.) gundi, described as a potential reservoir [7][8][9][10]. Concerning the reproductive strategy, the current assumption, mainly based on population genetics studies, is that Leishmania alternates between three modes of reproduction: clonality, allogamy (interspecific recombination), and endogamy (intraspecific recombination), varying according to the species and the environment [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Evidence of Interspecific Genetic Exchange by Multi-Locus Microsatellite Typing Between Leishmania Killicki and Leishmania Major in a Mixed Focus of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southeast Tunisia

Harrabi¹,

Ghawar²,

Hide³

et al. 2017

J Infect Dis Preve Med

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Sixty-four Leishmania samples were isolated from patients in several villages in the Tataouine governorate, southeast Tunisia. This region is known to be a mixed focus of human cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) killicki (synonymous L. tropica) and L. Major. To identify the Leishmania species in this governorate, a nested polymerase chain reaction based on the variable region of the kinetoplast minicircle was performed on each isolate. Multi-locus microsatellite typing using markers selected for their ability to amplify the two species was used to explore patterns of interspecific genetic exchange. Thirteen L. major and 51 L. killicki isolates were identified. The analysis of microsatellite data showed very low genetic diversity in each species with this set of microsatellites but a high differentiation between the two species. Nine L. major and five L. killicki strains revealed heterozygous genotypes with no shared allele between the two species. These heterozygotes probably resulted from genetic mutation events and not from interspecific genetic exchange. Specific and different epidemiological cycles at the sympatric level might explain the absence of genetic exchange between the two Leishmania species in the Tataouine governorate.

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“…The annual incidence of this peculiar form of cutaneous leishmaniosis is estimated to be less than 100 cases per year, in Algeria. The proven vector for L. killicki is Phlebotomus sergenti [20], and the suspected reservoir host is Massoutiera mzabi, a rodent close to Ctenodactylus gundi that has been found naturally infected with L. killicki in Tunisia [21]. In the northern part of the country, a zoonotic cutaneous form caused by L infantum is sporadic.…”

Section: Human Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leishmania antimony resistance/ susceptibility in Algerian foci

Eddaikra¹,

Aït-Oudhia²,

Oury³

et al. 2017

Open J Trop Med

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024-032. Medical Group AbstractAlgeria is one of the most endemic countries for cutaneous and visceral forms of leishmaniosis. Strikingly, with more than 21,000 annual cases of cutaneous leishmaniosis recorded in 2010, the disease has a major public health impact. For all forms of leishmaniosis, the fi rst line treatment relies on antimonial containing drug i.e., Glucantime®, developed during the 1950's. As early as 1986, antimonial treatment failure was reported during cutaneous leishmaniosis treatment. Linked to this therapeutic failure, Leishmania strains displaying a low susceptibility towards antimonials were isolated. Nevertheless, in Algeria, antimonial formulations still remain the fi rst line drug for all clinical forms of leishmaniosis. Therefore, an urgent need of knowledge on the baseline antimony susceptibility status of parasites strains in Algeria is required. These pieces of knowledge will shed light not only on the prevalence of antimony resistance in this area but also on underlying factors triggering this drug resistance in natural populations. Here, we performed a review of the literature on what is known about epidemiology, treatment failure, and antimony-resistance, in Algeria. We bring information on underlying mechanisms acting in antimony resistant parasites and discuss their potential to be used for diagnostic purpose. This analysis will help to set up protocols aiming at detecting antimony resistant strains in Algeria and to test the risk of transmission, two steps that are essential to defi ne public health policy in Algeria.

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First detection of Leishmania killicki (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in Ctenodactylus gundi (Rodentia, Ctenodactylidae), a possible reservoir of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia

Cited by 44 publications

References 6 publications

Genetic Structure and Evolution of the Leishmania Genus in Africa and Eurasia: What Does MLSA Tell Us

Genetic Structure and Evolution of the Leishmania Genus in Africa and Eurasia: What Does MLSA Tell Us

No Evidence of Interspecific Genetic Exchange by Multi-Locus Microsatellite Typing Between Leishmania Killicki and Leishmania Major in a Mixed Focus of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southeast Tunisia

Leishmania antimony resistance/ susceptibility in Algerian foci

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