Leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum in a FIV and FelV positive cat with a squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed with histological, serological and isoenzymatic methods

Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is an endemic zoonosis present in the Mediterranean area. Canidae (dog and fox) constitute the main reservoir hosts for the parasite, whilst wild rodents or the cat can be carriers of the protozoan and are considered as secondary potential reservoirs. This paper describes a case of disseminated feline leishmaniosis with cutaneous (ulcerative), visceral (spleen and lymph nodes) and blood involvement in a FIV-FelV positive cat. The microscopic identification of the Leishmania infection was initially made on a skin biopsy of the temporal area, where a squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. The diagnosis of the disease was achieved by several serological techniques (ELISA, IFAT and Western-blot). The strain was obtained by blood culture, characterized by electrophoresis of isoenzymes and identified as Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1. Since the infection due to L. infantum is a zoonosis, the potential feline reservoir should be more investigated. Serological analysis by Western blot on domestic cats provides a useful tool. In veterinary practice, feline leishmaniosis should be systematically included in the differential diagnosis when compatible cutaneous lesions are present, especially in the endemic areas of canine leishmaniosis.     

Visceral leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania (L.) mexicana in a Mexican patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection

A 36 year old male was admitted in December 1997 to hospital with afternoon fever, malaise and hepatosplenomegaly. He also had a dry cough, dyspnoea and anaemia. Pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were documented. The HIV infection was confirmed in 1997 with 290,000 virus copies. The patient had been in the Mexican State of Chiapas which is known to be endemic for visceral leishmaniosis (VL) and localized cutaneous leishmaniosis (LCL). The visceral symptoms were diagnosed as VL and the causal agent was identified as Leishmania (L. ) mexicana. Identification of Leishmania was carried out by the analysis of amplified DNA with specific primers belonging to the Leishmania subgenus and by dot blot positive hybridisation of these polymerase chain reaction derived products with kDNA from the L. (L. ) mexicana MC strain used as probe. This is the first case in Mexico of VL caused by a species of Leishmania that typically produces a cutaneous disease form.     

Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) of human leishmaniosis sites in Tunisia

In order to identify the phlebotomine sandfly populations in Tunisian leishmaniosis foci, an entomological survey was carried out through three entomological seasons (2002-2003-2004) in 19 visceral and cutaneous leishmaniosis areas, located in six bioclimatic zones. Sandfly collections were based on light and sticky traps placed around human leishmaniosis cases. 8,722 phlebotomine sandflies belonging to 12 species were collected. The dominance of subgenus Larroussius species in northern foci, Phlebotomus papatasi in south-western foci and their co-dominance in the centre of the country is in accordance with the distribution of Leishmania infantum and L. major in Tunisia. The low density found in the historical zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis focus of Metlaoui in the south-west may indicate the high competence of the local populations. Studied phlebotomine settlements have showed a low specific diversity in most of the studied sites. In L. infantum areas, the dominant species were respectively: P. perfiliewi in the cutaneous leishmaniosis site of the humid bioclimatic stage, P. perniciosus in the cutaneous and visceral leishmaniosis foci of semi-arid and arid bioclimatic stages and P. longicuspis in the visceral leishmaniosis focus of saharan bioclimate. In the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis foci, P. papatasi was a dominant species. In the well-known south-eastern foci of cutaneous leishmaniosis due to L. killicki, P. sergenti was a dominant species with P. perniciosus. In the central emerging foci of L. killicki, P. perniciosus was a dominant species in some sites whereas it was very rare in others. In these sites, the subgenus Paraphlebotomus was always present with a higher abundance of P. alexandri than P. sergenti.     

The pathology of the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): a review.

Both naturally occurring disease processes and experimental models of human disease in the Mongolian gerbil were reviewed. The gerbil was highly susceptible to cerebral infarction following unilateral ligation of one common carotid artery and was useful in studies of the pathogenesis of stroke. Spontaneous epileptiform seizures mimicked those of human idiopathic epilepsy, and both seizure-sensitive and resistant strains have been bred. Perhaps because of its more efficient nephron, the gerbil accumulated four to six times as much renal lead as the rat, and the gerbil has been proposed as an experimental model of lead nephropathy. On standard diets, about 10% of the animals became obese, and some showed decreased glucose tolerance, elevated serum immunoreactive insulin and diabetic changes in the pancreas and other organs. Some breeders exhibited hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex associated with hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and degenerative vascular disease. Although dietary supplements of cholesterol were toxic and did not induce atherosclerosis, the gerbil was useful in other studies of cholesterol absorption and metabolism. Spontaneous, insidious periodontal disease became evident after about 6 months on standard diets, and dental caries were induced by cariogenic diets or by pathodontic streptococci. Spontaneous neoplasia occurred in 8.4--24% of gerbils, usually after 2 years of life. Adrenal cortical, ovarian and cutaneous tumors were the most consistently reported neoplasms.     

The effect of grazing on winter survival of midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus) of different genders

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of grazing on midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus) population characteristics and survival of animals of different genders. The experiment used a randomized complete block design and was conducted in Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia, China, in 2002 (The agricultural reclamation plots set up in 1994). From April 2006 to October 2010, midday gerbils were live‐trapped in 3 light grazing plots, 3 overgrazed plots, and 3 grazing exclusion plots. The quantity of vegetation was investigated in the two different grazing intensity areas and grazing exclusion area to determine the relationship between gerbils and plant food availability. The results suggested that there was higher gerbil density, individual body mass, and daily body mass growth rate in the grazing exclusion sites than the other sites across the whole year. Females had higher survival in grazing exclusion areas than in other treatments, but the males’ survival showed the opposite pattern. Our results indicated that grazing negatively influenced the midday gerbil population by reducing food availability. Grazing influenced the survival rates of male midday gerbils positively, but had negative effects on females. The reason for gendered differences in survival rates of midday gerbils requires further investigation.     

Intensified virulence of the causative agent in the process of the formation of a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis

A possible effect of a new epidemic nidus "age" on the virulence of Leishmania was studied. For a period of 9 years 16 strains were isolated from man affected with leishmaniosis. Infectivity of all strains was high (100% infection of animals). The incubative period of the disease in animals was the shorter the more years passed from the moment of the nidus formation. Strains isolated within the first 4-5 years caused leishmaniosis in 2-3 months and those isolated during subsequent years--in 1 to 3 weeks.     

Further studies on Capillaria philippinensis: development of the parasite in the Mongolian gerbil

Capillaria philippinensis larvae from the digestive tract of a Northern Luzon freshwater fish (Hypselotris bipartita) experimentally exposed to embryonated eggs, were given by stomach tube to Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). The larvae developed into adults within 10 to 11 days and female worms produced larvae within 13 to 14 days. These larvae developed into second generation adults by days 22 to 24 and the second generation females produced eggs that were present in the feces of the animal on the average 26 days after infection. Most females were oviparous but a few larviparous females were always present. The gerbils died on an average of 46 days after infection, with the highest numbers of worms recovered between days 36 and 46. All stages of the parasite were generally found at necropsy. Gerbils developed patent infections after receiving 2 or 3 laeval from fish, and 852 to 5,353 worms were recovered at necropsy. These studies show that autoinfection in an integral part of the life cycle of C. philippinensis, both initially and in maintaining the infection. The natural transmission of the parasite was demonstrated when H. bipartita from a lagoon in the endemic area were fed to gerbils and 3 became infected. The parasite can also be maintained in the laboratory by transfer of worms by stomach tube from the small intestines of an infected gerbil to a clean gerbil.     

Canine leishmaniosis--new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part two

Canine leishmaniosis is a widely spread zoonosis that is potentially fatal to humans and dogs. Infection with Leishmania infantum is considerably more prevalent than clinical disease, and infected dogs with no signs of disease might, potentially, transmit infection. Diagnosis of asymptomatic infection by serology is insufficient and PCR markedly increases its sensitivity. A new therapy exclusively for canine leishmaniosis is needed because current drugs do not reliably eliminate infection and might provoke resistance. Protection against sand-fly bites by topical insecticides is effective in reducing infection, and recent development of vaccines has indicated that prevention by vaccination is feasible. Integrated prevention with topical insecticides reducing the feeding of vectors and vaccination blocking early infection would be the basis of successful control programs.     

Persistent infection with Strongyloides venezuelensis in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

To examine the fate of Strongyloides venezuelensis. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguicalatus) were orally infected with 1,000 L3 larvae per animal. Altogether, 50 gerbils divided into 5 groups of 10 each were monitored for a period of 570 days to document the kinetics of faecal egg output, adults worm population, morphological development, fecundity, and hematological changes including peripheral blood eosinophilia. This study chronicled a life long parasitism of S. venezuelensis in the gerbil host, and showed that S. venezuelensis infection was quite stable throughout the course of infection and the worms maintained their normal development as evidenced by their body dimension. A progressive loss of body condition of the infected gerbils was observed as the level of infection advanced. However, no detectable pathological changes were observed in the gastrointestinal tract. The present findings indicate that an immunocompetent host, such as the Mongolian gerbil, can serve as a life long carrier model of S. venezuelensis if the worms are not expelled within 570 days after infection.     

Effect of Habitat Type and Population Density on the Stress Level of Midday Gerbils (Meriones meridianus Pall.) in Free-Living Populations

New methods of noninvasive evaluation of the endocrine status of animals by the content of hormones in their feces were used to study the relationship between the stress level and social (population density) and ecological (habitat integrity) indices in natural populations of midday gerbil in the Southern Kalmykia in 2000. Stress level proved to increase with habitat disturbance but did not depend on population density of animals. The obtained data are discussed in the context of species-specific ecology and social behavior of midday gerbils.     

Territorial Structure and Social Organization of Two Subspecies of the Midday Gerbil (Meriones meridianus nogaiorum,M. m. psammophilus) (Muridae,Mammalia) under Seminatural Conditions

Biology Bulletin - Abstract—The territorial structure and social organization of artificial groups of two subspecies of the midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus nogaiorum, M. m. psammophilus)...     

Effect of lipid preparations isolated from protozoa on experimental leishmaniasis in golden hamsters]

The effect of lipid preparations Nos. 59 and 60 isolated from Protozoa on experimental leishmaniosis of golden hamsters was studied. Preparations Nos. 59 and 60 are water-soluble derivatives of fatty acids isolated from Trypanosoma lewisi and Astasia longa respectively. It was found that both preparations administered to the animals simultaneously with the causative agent or after formation of the leishmaniosis infiltrates inhibited the development of the disease clinical signs. Such an effect of the preparations was observed only during the period of the animals exposure to them. After discontinuation of the treatment the development of the clinical process proceeded the same as in the control animals. The lipid preparation No. 60 differing from preparation No. 59 by high content of C20-poly-unsaturated fatty acids was more active and induced a significant decrease in the size of the leishmaniosis infiltrates formed. Preparation No. 60 was more effective in the treatment of the animals infected with L. tropica major than in the animals infected with L. tropica minor. Preparation No. 59 had no significant effect on multiplication and morphology of the parazites.     

The first report of autochthonous non-vector-borne transmission of canine leishmaniosis in the Nordic countries

Background

Leishmania spp. are zoonotic protozoans that infect humans and other mammals such as dogs. The most significant causative species in dogs is L. infantum. In dogs, leishmaniosis is a potentially progressive, chronic disease with varying clinical outcomes. Autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis have not previously been reported in the Nordic countries.

Results

In this report we describe the first diagnosed autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis in Finland, in which transmission via a suitable arthropod vector was absent. Two Finnish boxers that had never been in endemic areas of Leishmania spp., had never received blood transfusions, nor were infested by ectoparasites were diagnosed with leishmaniosis. Another dog was found with elevated Leishmania antibodies. A fourth boxer dog that had been in Spain was considered to be the source of these infections. Transmission occurred through biting wounds and semen, however, transplacental infection in one of the dogs could not be ruled out.Two of the infected dogs developed a serious disease and were euthanized and sent for necropsy. The first one suffered from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and the second one had a chronic systemic disease. Leishmania sp. was detected from tissues by PCR and/or IHC in both dogs. The third infected dog was serologically positive for Leishmania sp. but remained free of clinical signs.

Conclusions

This case report shows that imported Leishmania-infected dogs may pose a risk for domestic dogs, even without suitable local arthropod vectors.

     

子午沙鼠(Meriones meridianus Pallas)的生态研究

子午沙鼠是广泛分布于我国西北荒漠、半荒漠的优势鼠种之一。关于它的生态学,苏联学者(1934)曾进行过多方面的研究,以后Гамбаргн等(1960)又进行过研究,但国内研究较少,仅张荣祖(1960)、张洁(1959)有过记载。柳枢(1978)曾作过日食量的报道。     

Soil biological activity in the Chernye Zemli, Kalmykia, inhabited by gerbils Meriones tamariscinus and M. meridianus

The influence of tamarisk (Meriones tamariscinus) and midday (M. meridianus) gerbils on soil biological activity in the Chernye Zemli, Kalmykia, was studied. Nitrogen fixation, denitrification, and CO₂ emission were measured in soil samples from different parts of gerbil burrows. Functional biodiversity of the microbial community was evaluated using multisubstrate testing and comparison of bacterial group composition in samples from gerbil burrows. The impact of gerbils on soil biological activity was mediated by the changes in the group composition of microorganisms.     

Responses of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis cutaneous infection to N-methylglucamine antimoniate in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) model

The antileishmanial efficacy of the reference drug N-methylglucamine antimoniate (Glucantime) was evaluated in groups of rhesus monkeys with acute and chronic Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis cutaneous infection. The therapeutic responses in experimental animals to either a low dose (5 mg/kg body wt/day for 28 days) or a routine dose (20 mg/kg/day for 28 days) of pentavalent antimony were similar to those reported in the human disease. Primates were cured of their lesions after treatment, but with cryptic parasitism and/or relapse. The rhesus model of L. (V.) braziliensis cutaneous leishmaniasis therefore provides an additional resource for preclinical trials with newer drugs.     

Exacerbation of murine cutaneous leishmaniasis by adoptive transfer of parasite-specific helper T cell populations capable of mediating Leishmania major-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity

The effect of adoptive transfer of in vitro-propagated Leishmania major-specific T cell populations on the course of experimentally induced cutaneous leishmaniasis was studied in mice. The L. major-specific T cells expressed the T helper/inducer phenotype and were able in vitro to a) mount a specific proliferative response, b) provide specific helper activity for antibody responses, c) activate parasitized macrophages resulting in L. major destruction, and d) secrete macrophage-activating factors as tested in a tumoricidal assay. These T cells were also found capable of transferring parasite-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to normal syngeneic mice. Results indicated that the i.v. transfer of these L. major-specific T cell populations into normal syngeneic mice exacerbated cutaneous lesions induced by infection with L. major. This effect on the disease process appeared to be dependent upon recognition of parasite antigens by the injected T cells because no exacerbation of the disease process was seen after the transfer of similar T cell populations specific for an antigen unrelated to the parasite, namely ovalbumin. However, the inclusion of ovalbumin in the L. major infecting inoculum resulted in an exacerbating effect of ovalbumin-specific T cells on cutaneous leishmaniasis. These unexpected results were supported by observations showing that immunization of mice with L. major antigens in complete Freund's adjuvant 7 days before infection with L. major led to exacerbated lesions. A similar aggravation of L. major-induced cutaneous lesions was also observed in mice previously immunized with an unrelated antigen provided that this antigen was included in the L. major infecting inoculum.     

Suppressive effect of cyclosporin A on the development of Leishmania tropica-induced lesions in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice

The effect of cyclosporin A (CyA) application on the development of cutaneous lesions was analyzed in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice infected s.c. with Leishmania tropica promastigotes. Daily i.p. injections of CyA, beginning 2 days before or at the day of the infection, dose dependently inhibited the development of parasite-induced lesions; no effect on the lesions was observed, however, if CyA application was started 14 days after the infection. Cessation of CyA administration after having successfully suppressed the cutaneous lesions for a period of 42 days, resulted in the development of lesions within 3 days. CyA had no inhibitory effect on lesions developing in L. tropica infected hypothymic BALB/c nu/nu mice. CyA or CyA-containing mouse serum did not directly affect the viability and the growth rate of L. tropica promastigotes, suggesting that the effect of the agent was imposed on the cells participating in the formation of the cutaneous lesions. Quantitative analysis of the cell distribution in the spleens of infected mice revealed that CyA markedly suppressed the infection-associated numerical increase of splenocytes. Within the Thy-1+ lymphocyte compartment, CyA had its most pronounced effect on the Lyt-1+ T lymphocyte subset. Early in the disease, the frequency of splenic cells proliferating in response to L. tropica antigen in vitro was clearly inhibited by CyA; in the later stages of the infection, however, this effect could not be observed, indicating the presence of L. tropica-inducible T cells being relatively resistant to CyA. Taken together, our findings indicate that CyA reversibly inhibits or delays the parasite-induced expansion of Lyt-1+ splenic T lymphocytes, and thus suppresses the biological function of those T cells that are instrumental for the formation of cutaneous lesions in L. tropica-infected BALB/c mice.     

Allergic Complications of Meningococcal Disease I—Clinical Aspects

Out of 717 patients with meningococcal disease 53 showed one or more of the three allergic complications: 47 (6·6%) developed arthritis, 12 (1·7%) developed cutaneous vasculitis, and 6 developed episcleritis. These complications, which were often multiple, occurred six to nine days after the beginning of the illness and three to six days after the start of successful antibiotic therapy. Those patients with severe systemic disease were prone to the complications.Histological and bacteriological study of the arthritis and vasculitis showed that these lesions were probably not due to persisting infection and suggested that they might be due to immune complex disease.     

Comparison of Glial Activation in the Hippocampal CA1 Region Between The Young and Adult Gerbils After Transient Cerebral Ischemia

It has been reported that young animals are less vulnerable to brain ischemia. In the present study, we compared gliosis in the hippocampal CA1 region of the young gerbil with those in the adult gerbil induced by 5?min of transient cerebral ischemia by immunohistochemistry and western blot for glial cells. We used male gerbils of postnatal month 1 (PM 1) as the young and PM 6 as the adult. Neuronal death in CA1 pyramidal neurons in the adult gerbil occurred at 4?days posti-schemia; the neuronal death in the young gerbil occurred at 7?days post-ischemia. The findings of glial changes in the young gerbil after ischemic damage were distinctively different from those in the adult gerbil. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive astrocytes, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule (Iba-1), and isolectin B4-immunoreactive microglia in the ischemic CA1 region were activated much later in the young gerbil than in the adult gerbil. In brief, very less gliosis occurred in the hippocampal CA1 region of the young gerbil than in the adult gerbil after transient cerebral ischemia.