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Elucidating in vitro and in vivo phenotypic behaviour of L. infantum/L. major natural hybrids

The clinical manifestation and course of Leishmania infections depend on factors such as species, virulence and host-immunity. Although trypanosomatids are considered to have clonal propagation, genetic hybridization has produced successful natural hybrid lineages. Hybrids displaying strong selective advantages may have an impact on pathogenesis and the ecoepidemiology of leishmaniasis. Thus, characterization of phenotypic properties of Leishmania hybrids could bring significant insight into the biology, infectivity, pathogenicity and transmission dynamics of these atypical strains.
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Comparison of Leishmania typing results obtained from 16 European clinical laboratories in 2014

Leishmaniasis is endemic in southern Europe, and in other European countries cases are diagnosed in travellers who have visited affected areas both within the continent and beyond. Prompt and accurate diagnosis poses a challenge in clinical practice in Europe. Different methods exist for identification of the infecting Leishmania species.
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KDNA genetic signatures obtained by LSSP-PCR analysis of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum isolated from the new and the old world.

BACKGROUND:
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) caused by species from the Leishmania donovani complex is the most severe form of the disease, lethal if untreated. VL caused by Leishmania infantum is a zoonosis with an increasing number of human cases and millions of dogs infected in the Old and the New World. In this study, L. infantum (syn. L.chagasi) strains were isolated from human and canine VL cases.
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In vitro and in vivo behaviour of sympatric Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) peruviana and their hybrids.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main cause of highly disfiguring mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) in South America. The related species L. (V.) peruviana has only been identified in simple cutaneous lesions (CL). Hybrids between L. braziliensis and L. peruviana have been reported although genetic exchange in Leishmania is considered to be rare. Here we compared growth in vitro, adaptive capacity under thermal and oxidative stress and behaviour in a hamster model, of L. braziliensis, L. peruviana, and their putative hybrids. At 24°C, the optimal temperature for in vitro growth, L. braziliensis had the highest growth rate.
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Genetic diversity of human zoonotic leishmaniasis in Iberian Peninsula.

Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is a zoonotic disease endemic in South Europe, from Portugal to the Middle East. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity of L. infantum parasites in Iberian Peninsula.
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Entomological and ecological studies in a new potential zoonotic leishmaniasis focus in Torres Novas municipality, Central Region, Portugal

In Portugal human and canine leishmaniasis are caused by Leishmania infantum, and Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. ariasi are the proven vectors.
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Risk factors for canine leishmaniasis in an endemic Mediterranean region.

Human visceral leishmaniasis is an emergent/re-emergent parasitic zoonotic disease in Europe caused by Leishmania infantum, with domestic dog as its main reservoir host. This study presents the results of a canine epidemiological survey in a mediterranean region where human and canine leishmaniasis (CanL) are endemic – Portugal.
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The first detection of Leishmania major in naturally infected Sergentomyia minuta in Portugal

Phlebotomine sandflies of the genus Sergentomyia are widely distributed throughout the Old World. It has been suggested that Sergentomyia spp are involved in the transmission of Leishmania in India and Africa, whereas Phlebotomus spp are thought to be the sole vectors of Leishmania in the Old World. In this study, Leishmania major DNA was detected in one Sergentomyia minuta specimen that was collected in the southern region of Portugal. This study challenges the dogma that Leishmania is exclusively transmitted by species of the genus Phlebotomus in the Old World.
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Entomological and ecological studies in a new potential zoonotic leishmaniasis focus in Torres Novas municipality, Central Region, Portugal

In Portugal human and canine leishmaniasis are caused by Leishmania infantum, and Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. ariasi are the proven vectors. Three main foci were identified in eighty’s decade: Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region, Lisbon region and Algarve region, but according to OnLeish observatory data, canine leishmaniasis cases have been reported from several other regions, for which sand fly species and their infection rates are unknown.
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