Multi-locus characterization and phylogenetic inference of Leishmania spp. in snakes from Northwest China

Chen, Han; Li, Jiao; Zhang, Junrong; Guo, Xianguang; Liu, Jinlong; He, Jinlei; Song, Qi; Zhang, Jianhui; Chen, Minli; Zheng, Zhiwan; Chen, Dali; Chen, Jianping

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210681

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…infantum , further supporting previous studies in which Leishmania spp. pathogenic to mammals were molecularly detected in reptiles [ 44 – 46 ]. Accordingly, efforts should be made to isolate L .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae isolation and sympatric occurrence with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in geckoes, dogs and sand flies

et al. 2022

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The trypanosomatid protist Leishmania tarentolae is a saurian-associated parasite vectored by the Sergentomyia minuta sand fly. This study aimed to confirm the circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in sand flies, reptiles and dogs and to isolate new strains of these protists. Reptilian and sheltered dog blood samples were collected, and sand flies were captured. Samples were tested for Leishmania spp. using duplex real-time PCR (dqPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR); the origin of blood meal was identified in engorged sand flies by conventional PCR. The reptilian blood and intestinal content of sand fly females were cultured. Dog sera were tested by IFAT using both Leishmania species. Four Tarentola mauritanica geckoes were molecularly positive for L. infantum or L. tarentolae, with no co-infections; moreover, amastigote-like forms of L. infantum were observed in the bone marrow. 24/294 sand flies scored positive for Leishmania spp. by dqPCR, 21 S. minuta and two Phlebotomus perniciosus were positive for L. tarentolae, while only a single Ph. perniciosus was positive for L. infantum. Blood meal analysis confirmed reptile and dog in S. minuta, dog and human in Ph. perniciosus and dog in Phlebotomus neglectus. Two axenic strains of L. tarentolae were obtained. Twelve of 19 dogs scored positive for L. infantum and L. tarentolae by IFAT and three of them also for L. infantum by dqPCR, and six by qPCR. These data confirm the sympatric circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in geckoes, sand flies, and dogs, and suggest that geckoes may be infected with L. infantum.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae isolation and sympatric occurrence with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in geckoes, dogs and sand flies

et al. 2022

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“…Meanwhile, the DNA and/or amastigote forms of pathogenic Leishmania spp. (i.e., Leishmania donovani , Leishmania tropica and Leishmania turanica ) have been detected in reptiles [ 22 – 25 ], therefore suggesting their potential role as reservoirs of mammalian pathogenic Leishmania spp. [ 24 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Leishmania tarentolae in lizards, sand flies and dogs in southern Italy, where Leishmania infantum is endemic: hindrances and opportunities

et al. 2021

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Background Leishmania tarentolae is a protozoan isolated from geckoes (Tarentola annularis, Tarentola mauritanica), which is considered non-pathogenic and is transmitted by herpetophilic Sergentomyia spp. sand flies. This species occurs in sympatry with Leishmania infantum in areas where canine leishmaniasis is endemic. In the present study, we investigated the circulation of L. tarentolae and L. infantum in sand flies, dogs and lizards in a dog shelter in southern Italy, where canine leishmaniasis by L. infantum is endemic. Methods Sheltered dogs (n = 100) negative for Leishmania spp. (March 2020) were screened by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) using promastigotes of both species at two time points (June 2020 and March 2021). Whole blood from dogs, tissues of Podarcis siculus lizards (n = 28) and sand flies (n = 2306) were also sampled and tested by a duplex real-time PCR (dqPCR). Host blood meal was assessed in sand flies by PCR. Results Overall, 16 dogs became positive for L. infantum and/or L. tarentolae by IFAT at one or both sampling periods. One canine blood sample was positive for L. infantum, whilst two for L. tarentolae by dqPCR. At the cytology of lizard blood, Leishmania spp. amastigote-like forms were detected in erythrocytes. Twenty-two tissue samples, mostly lung (21.4%), scored molecularly positive for L. tarentolae, corresponding to 10 lizards (i.e., 35.7%). Of the female Sergentomyia minuta sampled (n = 1252), 158 scored positive for L. tarentolae, four for L. infantum, and one co-infected. Two Phlebotomus perniciosus (out of 29 females) were positive for L. tarentolae. Engorged S. minuta (n = 10) fed on humans, and one P. perniciosus, positive for L. tarentolae, on lagomorphs. Conclusions Dogs and lacertid lizards (Podarcis siculus) were herein found for the first time infected by L. tarentolae. The detection of both L. tarentolae and L. infantum in S. minuta and P. perniciosus suggests their sympatric circulation, with a potential overlap in vertebrate hosts. The interactions between L. tarentolae and L. infantum should be further investigated in both vectors and vertebrate hosts to understand the potential implications for the diagnosis and control of canine leishmaniasis in endemic areas. Graphical abstract

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“…For leishmaniasis, the transmission occurs via the bite of infected female phlebotomine sand flies [7]. In addition, several publications demonstrated that a variety of animals can serve as potential reservoirs of both Trypanosoma [21][22][23] and Leishmania [24][25][26]. Therefore, the investigation of animal reservoirs would contribute to a better understanding of the biology of pathogens and the effective control of disease transmission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Report of Anuran Trypanosoma DNA in Flat-Tailed House Geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) Collected from Southern Thailand: No Evidence as a Reservoir for Human Trypanosomatids

et al. 2022

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Over the years, cases of autochthonous leishmaniasis have been dramatically increasing in Thailand. Recently, several publications have claimed certain species of the phlebotomine sand flies and biting midges potentially serve as natural vectors of Leishmania and Trypanosoma species in this country. However, more information regarding the vector–parasite relationships, as well as their natural reservoirs in the country, still needs to be explored. Herein, we hypothesized that synanthropic reptiles in the leishmaniasis-affected area might be a natural reservoir for these parasites. In this present study, a total of nineteen flat-tailed house geckos were collected from the house of a leishmaniasis patient in Songkhla province, southern Thailand, and then dissected for their visceral organs for parasite detection. Small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1)-specific amplifications were conducted to verify the presence of Trypanosoma and Leishmania parasites, respectively. Only Trypanosoma DNA was screened positive in eight gecko individuals by SSU rRNA-PCR in at least one visceral organ (4, 4, and 6 of the heart, liver, and spleen, respectively) and phylogenetically related to the anuran Trypanosoma spp. (An04/Frog1 clade) previously detected in three Asian sand fly species (Phlebotomus kazeruni, Sergentomyia indica, and Se. khawi). Hence, our data indicate the first detection of anuran Trypanosoma sp. in the flat-tailed house geckos from southern Thailand. Essentially, it can be inferred that there is no evidence for the flat-tailed house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus) as a natural reservoir of human pathogenic trypanosomatids in the leishmaniasis-affected area of southern Thailand.

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Multi-locus characterization and phylogenetic inference of Leishmania spp. in snakes from Northwest China

Cited by 14 publications

References 46 publications

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae isolation and sympatric occurrence with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in geckoes, dogs and sand flies

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae isolation and sympatric occurrence with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in geckoes, dogs and sand flies

Detection of Leishmania tarentolae in lizards, sand flies and dogs in southern Italy, where Leishmania infantum is endemic: hindrances and opportunities

First Report of Anuran Trypanosoma DNA in Flat-Tailed House Geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) Collected from Southern Thailand: No Evidence as a Reservoir for Human Trypanosomatids

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