Nanodiagnostics in leishmaniasis: A new frontiers for early elimination

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is still a major public health concern in developing countries having the highest outbreak and mortality potential. While the treatment of VL has greatly improved in recent times, the current diagnostic tools are limited for use in the post‐elimination setting. Although conventional serological methods of detection are rapid, they can only differentiate between active disease in strict combination with clinical criteria, and thus are not sufficient enough to diagnose relapse patients. Therefore, there is a dire need for a portable, authentic, and reliable assay that does not require large space, specialized instrument facilities, or highly trained laboratory personnel and can be carried out in primary health care settings. Advances in the nanodiagnostic approaches have led to the expansion of new frontiers in the concerned area. The nanosized particles are blessed with an ability to interact one‐on‐one with the biomolecules because of their unique optical and physicochemical properties and high surface area to volume ratio. Biomolecular detection systems based on nanoparticles (NPs) are cost‐effective, rapid, nongel, non‐PCR, and nonculture based that provide fast, one‐step, and reliable results with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. In this review, we discuss different NPs that are being used for the identification of molecular markers and other biomarkers, such as toxins and antigens associated with leishmaniasis. The most promising diagnostic approaches have been included in the article, and the ability of biomolecular recognition, advantages, and disadvantages have been discussed in detail to showcase the enormous potential of nanodiagnostics in human and veterinary medicine. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Precision Medicine in Control of Visceral Leishmaniasis Caused by L. donovani

“…Nanotechnology (nanodiagnostics) is based on biomedical detection systems that do not require a read-out tool such as a gel, PCR or culture; they are rapid and seem cost-effective for use in the field. In VL, the potential for use in an elimination program was suggested because of superior sensitivity for early detection and simultaneous detection of drug resistance ( Singh et al., 2019 ; Gedda et al., 2021 ). Theragnostics combines diagnostics and therapeutics using nanotechnology and holds promise for accurate monitoring of infection in the field.…”

Visceral Leishmaniasis: Asymptomatic Facts

“…The sensitivity of the assays may vary according to the types of targets and samples used. The most used amplification targets are: kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) [41,42], internal non-coding spacer region (ITS-1) [43] and the smaller ribosomal subunits (SSU -rRNA) [44][45][46]. Sudarshan et al [35] when performing a qPCR, analyzed the level of circulating parasites to differentiate a possible disease progression.…”

Development and Validation of a SERS-Based Serological Test Combined with PLS-DA Method for Leishmaniasis Detection

“…2 The disease is usually fatal if not appropriately treated, implying an early and accurate diagnosis is necessary. 3 The demonstration of parasite amastigotes in Giemsastained bone marrow and splenic aspirate preparations is still the gold standard for diagnosis. 2 However, despite its high specificity, this technique is invasive and risky, and its sensitivity depends on the quality of the collected specimen and a well-trained microscopist.…”

“…2 However, despite its high specificity, this technique is invasive and risky, and its sensitivity depends on the quality of the collected specimen and a well-trained microscopist. 3 One of the most important laboratory markers suggestive of disease in patients with VL is hypergammaglobulinemias, secondary to the polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes composed of IgG. 4 Because the strong humoral response is a hallmark of patients with VL, research efforts to develop a novel point-of-need serological assessment tool are of clinical significance.…”