Heterogeneity, geographic distribution, and pathogenicity of serodemes of Leishmania viannia in Colombia.

Abstract

Abstract. Leishmania Viannia strains from 1,092 patients who acquired dermal leishmaniasis in endemic regions of Colombia were analyzed for expression of species and subgenus specific epitopes. Eight monoclonal antibodies prepared against membranes of the major species of the Viannia subgenus and previously shown to distinguish these species, recognized low molecular mass (< 45kD) membrane components. Thirteen widely but non-uniformly distributed serodemes were identified: one unique to L. panamensis, four unique to L. braziliensis and eight that were common to L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis. Thirty-seven percent of Colombian L. braziliensis strains concomitantly typed by isoenzymes were null, i.e., not recognized by the corresponding species-specific B-16 or B-18 antibodies. No Colombian L. guyanensis strains were recognized by the antibody specific for this species (B-19). In contrast, L. panamensis-specific B-4 and B11 antibodies recognized > 98% of the L. panamensis strains. Null strains of L. braziliensis and L. panamensis were more frequently isolated from mucosal leishmaniasis than strains that expressed species specific epitopes, suggesting that these strains may be more pathogenic.

Genetic risk factors for human susceptibility to infections of relevance in dermatology

“…Furthermore, the disease evolution in those infected with parasites of the "mucosal-prone" L. braziliensis zymodeme was statistically longer (p=0.002) than that caused by other strains. 59 Two recent reports further reinforce that the parasite strain has an important role in determining complex phenotypes of human infections. In the earlier of these studies, a multiclonal population structure among L. braziliensis isolates from an area with high endemicity for ATL in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia was described.…”

“…Coupled with the observations from Saravia et al mentioned above, these findings indicate a major role for the intra-species variability among these microorganisms with regard to form of the disease, paralleling the strong relationship between species of Leishmania and form of leishmaniasis. 45,58,59 In the most recent report, a geographic clustering of ATL forms was found in the same Brazilian region. 61 It was remarkable that the distributions of ML and DL overlapped those of the clones of the parasite that were associated with these diseases in that previous study, indicating that the L. brazilliensis genetic content may also influence other complex phenotypes like geographic distribution of form of leishmaniasis within an affected region.…”

“…However, two Colombian reports by Saravia et al were very insightful in this respect. 58,59 In both studies, the authors described an increased frequency of mucosal involvement among human cases caused by particular L. braziliensis zymodemes or strains. Furthermore, the disease evolution in those infected with parasites of the "mucosal-prone" L. braziliensis zymodeme was statistically longer (p=0.002) than that caused by other strains.…”

Lista actualizada de flebotomíneos (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) de la región cafetera colombiana

“…En países como Colombia, Venezuela, México y Brasil, se presentan condiciones óptimas para dicho cultivo, generalmente en zonas montañosas entre los 1.000 y 2.100 msnm, y los casos de leishmaniasis cutánea usualmente se asocian con los complejos Leishmania braziliensis y L. mexicana, y con las especies. L. guyanensis y L. panamensis (35,39,42,(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51).…”

Las células de Langerhans en la inmunidad a leishmaniasis.

“…Además, L. (V) panamensis se caracteriza por producir infecciones crónicas y persistentes y está implicada también en la presentación de recaídas, reinfecciones y diseminación a mucosas (7,8).…”