phenylephrine-hydrochloride and Leishmaniasis--Visceral

The skin is the first organ to be infected by the parasite in canine visceral leishmaniasis. The enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) acts towards degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and modulation of the inflammatory response against many kinds of injuries. The aims of this study were to evaluate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 through immunohistochemistry and zymography on the skin (muzzle, ears, and abdomen) of dogs that were naturally infected by Leishmania spp. and to compare these results with immunodetection of the parasite and with alterations to the dermal ECM. Picrosirius red staining was used to differentiate collagen types I and III in three regions of the skin. The parasite load, intensity of inflammation, and production of MMP-2 (latent) and MMP-9 (active and latent) were higher in the ear and muzzle regions. MMP-9 (active) predominated in the infected group of dogs and its production was significantly different to that of the control group. Macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells predominated in the dermal inflammation and formed granulomas in association with degradation of mature collagen (type I) and with discrete deposition of young collagen (type III). This dermal change was more pronounced in dogs with high parasite load in the skin. Therefore, it was concluded that the greater parasite load and intensity of inflammation in the skin led consequently to increased degradation of mature collagen, caused by increased production of MMPs, particularly active MMP-9, in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. This host response profile possibly favors systemic dissemination of the parasite.

Topics: Abdomen; Animals; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type III; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ear; Extracellular Matrix; Inflammation; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Mouth; Nose; Parasite Load; Plasma Cells; Skin

Topics: Afghanistan; Animals; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Diagnosis, Differential; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ear, External; Foot; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Macrophages; Male; Nose; Spleen; Splenomegaly; Travel

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of nasal, oral, and ear swabs for molecular diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in an endemic urban area in Brazil.. Sixty-two naturally infected and ten healthy dogs were enrolled in this study. Bone marrow aspirates, peripheral blood, skin biopsy, and conjunctival, nasal, oral, and ear swabs were collected. All samples, except blood, were submitted to conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) to detect and quantify Leishmania infantum DNA, respectively. All dogs were submitted to thorough clinical analysis and were included based on a combination of serological (ELISA immunoassay and immunofluorescent antibody test) and parasitological methods. The cPCR positivity obtained from nasal swab samples was 87% (54/62), equivalent to those from other samples (P>0.05). Positive results were obtained for 79% (22/28) in oral swabs and 43% (12/28) in ear swab samples. A significant difference was observed between these data (P=0.013), and the frequency of positive results from oral swab was equivalent to those from other samples (P>0.05). The use of ear swab samples for cPCR assays is promising because its result was equivalent to skin biopsy data (P>0.05). The qPCR data revealed that parasite loads in mucosal tissues were similar (P>0.05), but significantly lower than the parasite burden observed in bone marrow and skin samples (P<0.05).. Nasal and oral swab samples showed a high potential for the qualitative molecular diagnosis of CVL because their results were equivalent to those observed in samples collected invasively. Considering that mucosae swab collections are painless, noninvasive, fast and practical, the combination of these samples would be useful in massive screening of dogs. This work highlights the potential of practical approaches for molecular diagnosis of CVL and human leishmaniasis infections.

Topics: Animals; DNA, Protozoan; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ear; Female; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Male; Mouth; Nose

Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Amphotericin B; Antiprotozoal Agents; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Resistance; HIV Infections; Humans; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Male; Middle Aged; Nose; Skin Diseases, Parasitic

Topics: Animals; Brazil; Foxes; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Liver; Nose; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Spleen

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) involving the mucus membranes is relatively rare on the Indian sub-continent. We describe 3 cases of PKDL presenting with hoarseness of voice. In one case the skin, nasal, oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa had nodular and nodulo-ulcerative lesions; in the 2 other cases, genitalia and anorectal mucosa were also affected. Laryngoscopic examination revealed nodular lesions on the vocal cords. Biopsy smear and culture confirmed their leishmanial origin.

Topics: Adolescent; Genitalia; Hoarseness; Humans; India; Laryngeal Diseases; Laryngeal Mucosa; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth; Nose; Oropharynx; Rectum; Skin; Vocal Cords

Metronidazole has been claimed in several earlier reports to be active in human cases of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. Its efficacy against the protozoa causing these diseases was tested in hamsters infected with Leishmania mexicana or L. donovani, and in mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. In separate experiments, hamsters were either inoculated intradermally into the nose with 5 million amastigotes of L. mexicana or intracardially with 10-30 million amastigotes of L. donovani, and mice were infected intraperitoneally with 30 million T. b. brucei. Metronidazole was administered in four oral doses on alternate days for a total of 375 mg/kg to hamsters and 500 mg/kg to mice. Sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) served as a positive control. In hamsters the extent of infection was assessed by the appearance of flagellates in blood agar cultures of nose and spleen, by counting amastigotes in nose and liver impression smears, and by measuring the size of nose lesions. Ultrastructure of nose lesions before and after treatment with metronidazole or Pentostam was also evaluated. Infection in mice was assessed by the extent of parasitemia and/or survival to 30 days. In no case did metronidazole-treated animals differ from untreated controls. Metronidazole shows no activity against experimental infections of leishmaniasis or trypanosomiasis in these animal models.

Topics: Animals; Antimony Sodium Gluconate; Cricetinae; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Mesocricetus; Metronidazole; Mice; Microscopy, Electron; Nose; Pentamidine; Trypanosoma brucei brucei; Trypanosomiasis, African