Showing papers on "Visceral leishmaniasis published in 1988"
TL;DR: Lymph node aspiration, with its minimal morbidity, is indicated as the primary diagnostic method in patients in the Sudan with suspected kala-azar and splenic aspiration remains the method most likely to provide microscopic proof of leishmanial infection.
Abstract: Patients with suspected kala-azar had aspirations of spleen, lymph node and bone marrow performed to compare the relative merit of each procedure. Splenic aspiration remains the method most likely to provide microscopic proof of leishmanial infection (18 of 19 samples) and was the only site positive in 5 patients. Lymph node aspirates contained parasites in 20 of 29 patients, whereas bone marrow aspirates provided the diagnosis in 18 of 28. Therefore, lymph node aspiration, with its minimal morbidity, is indicated as the primary diagnostic method in patients in the Sudan with suspected kala-azar. If negative, splenic aspiration should be performed.
90 citations
TL;DR: Hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas and leishmania parasites were found in the liver biopsy specimens of 3 patients with prolonged fever and hepatosplenomegaly, extending the range of etiologies of hepatic finemiasis.
64 citations
TL;DR: A severe rectal lesion due to Leishmania infection is described in an American-born homosexual man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which may foretell increasing problems with protozoan infections in AIDS as the epidemic spreads to areas with endemic protozoa diseases.
56 citations
TL;DR: This work uses affinity-purified parasite proteins to develop a direct dot-blot assay for VL that is rapid, simple, and specific and represents a new method for reliably diagnosing and monitoring VL.
Abstract: Serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) due to Leishmania donovani by using crude parasite antigen is complicated in many endemic areas because of cross-reactions with sera from humans with Chagas' disease. We used affinity-purified parasite proteins to develop a direct dot-blot assay for VL. Double-blind tests were carried out on sera from 40 patients with well-documented VL, from controls in endemic areas, and from patients with other diseases. Using gp70-2, 36 (90.0%) of 40 sera from patients with kala azar were correctly diagnosed; 1 (1.2%) of 86 sera from patients without kala azar was misdiagnosed. With dp72, 21 (100%) of 21 sera from patients with VL were correctly identified; 5 (7.0%) of 71 negative sera were misdiagnosed. None of the 18 sera from patients with Chagas' disease reacted positively against gp70-2. Our assay is rapid, simple, and specific and represents a new method for reliably diagnosing and monitoring VL.
45 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a 5-year-old English Foxhound born and housed in an Ohio research colony and postmortem examination revealed widely disseminated Leishmania amastigotes within macrophages.
Abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a 5-year-old English Foxhound born and housed in an Ohio research colony. Physical examination revealed pyrexia, hematochezia, panuveitis, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities consisted of anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, azotemia, and proteinuria. Postmortem examination revealed widely disseminated (spleen, bone marrow, lymph node, liver, kidney, lungs) Leishmania amastigotes within macrophages.
45 citations
TL;DR: It was observed that IF-IgM titers were significantly higher amongst the cutaneous leishmaniasis patients with less than four months of disease as compared to those with longer periods of disease and that IF -IgG titerswere significantly higher in patients with multiple lesions as compared with those with single lesions.
Abstract: The indirect immunofluorescence test (IF) for anti-Leishmania antibodies (IgG and IgM) was performed with sera from the following groups of individuals: 214 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, 28 healthy subjects with positive Montenegro's skin test (MST), 29 healthy subjects with negative MST and 16 visceral leishmaniasis patients. The first four groups came from a suburban area of Rio de Janeiro (Jacarepagua) where cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis is endemic. It was observed that IF-IgM titers were significantly higher amongst the cutaneous leishmaniasis patients with less than four months of disease as compared to those with longer periods and that IF-IgG titers were significantly higher in patients with multiple lesions as compared to those with single lesions. The visceral leishmaniasis patients had IF-IgG titers significantly higher than those from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. A group of 28 individuals selected amongst the 214 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients had their IF-titers (IgG and IgM) compared to those of the two control groups of healthy subjects from the endemic area, respectively with positive and negative MST. Significantly higher titers of IF-IgG and IF-IgM were found in the group with active disease. The same group of patients showed IF-IgG titers significantly lower at the end of the antimonial therapy than those observed during this treatment.
44 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Levels of IL-2R were normal in patients with helminthic infections limited to the intestinal tract, but significantly elevated in Patients with systemic or long-lasting infections (strongyloidiasis, schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis) and in patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni levels were higher in Those with the hepatosplenic than in those with the intestinal form of the disease.
Abstract: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify soluble interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) in the serum of patients with helminthic and protozoal infections. The results demonstrated that levels of IL-2R were normal in patients with helminthic infections limited to the intestinal tract (ascariasis, trichuriasis), but significantly elevated in patients with systemic or long-lasting infections (strongyloidiasis, schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis). In patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni levels of IL-2R were higher in those with the hepatosplenic than in those with the intestinal form of the disease. Patients with malaria also showed increased serum levels of IL-2R, irrespective whether the infection was caused by Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax. No difference was observed between patients with acute or history of malaria. The highest levels of IL-2R were observed in patients with visceral leishmaniasis. Interestingly, in these patients the concentration of IL-2R correlated to specific antibody titre. The results are discussed in the context of preferential activation of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and/or macrophages during the course of the different parasitic infections investigated.
44 citations
43 citations
TL;DR: Fourteen isoquinoline alkaloids extracted from Annonaceae, Berberidaceae, Hernandiaceae and Menispermaceae demonstrate highly effective activity against this protozoan, and gyrocarpine, daphnandrine and obaberine seem to be of particular interest.
43 citations
TL;DR: Two Leishmania donovani membrane proteins recognized by sera from patients with visceral leishmaniasis were purified using species-specific monoclonal antibodies and characterized and shown to be distinct by peptide mapping and Western blotting of the purified material.
40 citations
TL;DR: An 18-month sandfly survey was conducted at 4 locations in Baringo District, Rift Valley Province, Kenya and the finding of 2 P. martini naturally infected with L. donovani strongly supports the hypothesis that this species is a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in this area.
Abstract: An 18-month sandfly survey was conducted at 4 locations in Baringo District, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. 3 collection techniques were used: aspiration, sticky paper trap, and light trap in sites selected because of their proximity to homes of visceral leishmaniasis patients diagnosed and treated within 6 months before the survey. Over 2000 female Phlebotomus martini were collected of which 6 females were found to have flagellate protozoan infections. 3 of these infections were cultured successfully and cryopreserved. 2 isolates were identified as Leishmania donovani by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The zymogram of the third isolate was different from all Old World Leishmania reference strains examined, and it is still unidentified. The finding of 2 P. martini naturally infected with L. donovani strongly supports the hypothesis that this species is a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in this area.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In IFA serological survey, sero-positive rate in females was higher than males, however, geometric mean of leishmanial antibody titers in males was, slightly, more than females, indicating that females are exposed to the infection at least as much as males.
Abstract: The incidence of visceral leishmaniasis has being increased in Iran during the recent decade. Since 1980, more than 200 cases have been diagnosed from East Azerbaijan province, mostly, from Meshkin-Shahr area. It seems, that kala-azar has being endemic in this area for a long time. The majority (86%) of kala-azar cases were found among children up to 4 years. The sex incidence ratio of males/females was 1.27/1. In IFA serological survey, sero-positive rate in females was higher than males. However, geometric mean of leishmanial antibody titers in males was, slightly, more than females. These serological findings indicate that females are exposed to the infection at least as much as males. The cross-sectional IFA serological survey, relatively reflected the kala-azar status among different studied groups with various incidences of the disease in Meshkin-Shahr area. IFAT showed also a good efficiency in the assessment of the treatment in the treated kala-azar patients.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The inability of lymphocytes from visceral leishmaniasis patients to proliferate when stimulated with leishmania antigens and to activate macrophages to killLeishmania may represent a fundamental defect and lead to the acquisition of the disease.
Abstract: 1. The production of lymphokines capable of activating macrophages to kill leishmania was evaluated in seven visceral leishmaniasis patients. 2. Macrophages from healthy donors cultivated in vitro with supernatants from lymphocyte cultures of visceral leishmaniasis patients were infected with L. d. chagasi or L. m. amazonensis. After infection the number of amastigotes per 100 cells was counted. 3. The supernatant from visceral leishmaniasis lymphocytes did not significantly reduce the number of intracellular amastigotes of L. donovani chagasi (89 +/- 27%) in relation to controls (culture containing medium alone). In contrast, supernatants of mucocutaneous lymphocyte cultures decreased the percentage of infection to 26 +/- 11%. The supernatant of antigen-stimulated lymphocyte cultures from visceral leishmaniasis patients also did not inhibit L. mexicana amazonensis growth. The supernatant of visceral leishmaniasis lymphocytes stimulated with PHA reduced the number of intracellular amastigotes to 62 +/- 23% in relation to controls. 4. The inability of lymphocytes from visceral leishmaniasis patients to proliferate when stimulated with leishmania antigens and to activate macrophages to kill leishmania may represent a fundamental defect and lead to the acquisition of the disease.
TL;DR: A preliminary survey of canine leishmaniasis was made in Israel by serodiagnosis, using a direct and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Parasites isolated from one dog by needle aspiration were identified as Leishmania donovani sensu lato by their excreted factor.
Abstract: A preliminary survey of canine leishmaniasis was made in Israel by serodiagnosis, using a direct and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Three (4%) of the 75 dogs surveyed were seropositive. The infected dogs came from Wadi Hamam near Tiberias in northern Israel. Parasites isolated from one dog by needle aspiration were identified as Leishmania donovani sensu lato by their excreted factor.
TL;DR: A lambda gt11 expression library was constructed using mRNA from the promastigote form of Leishmania donovani, and antibodies against the fusion protein were detected universally in the sera of visceral leishmaniasis patients and were not detected in sera from patients with cutaneous leish maniasis or other parasitic protozoan infections.
TL;DR: Sera of patients with American visceral leishmaniasis were found to have high-molecular-weight complexes that contained one or more parasite antigens, which may play a role in the immunology of the disease, and detection of circulating parasiteAntigens has potential diagnostic importance.
Abstract: Circulating immune complexes are present in the sera of patients with visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani chagasi. In order to determine whether these complexes contain parasite antigens, sera were collected from Brazilian patients with visceral leishmaniasis and from hospitalized control subjects with other diagnoses. High-molecular-weight complexes were precipitated from pooled sera with 2.5% polyethylene glycol. Approximately 140-fold-more protein was precipitated from patient sera than from control sera; 12% of the total patient serum protein was precipitated. Patient serum precipitates contained immunoglobulins G (525 mg/dl), M (27 mg/dl), and A (8 mg/dl). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the patient serum precipitates revealed multiple bands, including a prominent band at 70 kilodaltons, that were not seen in precipitates of control sera. The 70-kilodalton band was recognized by human and hamster sera with antileishmanial antibodies, but not by control sera. Finally, immunization of BALB/c mice with the high-molecular-weight precipitates from patients elicited antileishmanial antibodies against L. donovani chagasi antigens as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot (immunoblot) assay. In summary, sera of patients with American visceral leishmaniasis were found to have high-molecular-weight complexes that contained one or more parasite antigens. These complexes may play a role in the immunology of the disease, and detection of circulating parasite antigens has potential diagnostic importance.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Using immunofluorescence techniques and the common antiglobulin test, membrane-associated antiplatelet, antineutrophil and antierythrocytic IgG antibodies in all three cases of combined anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in patients with visceral leishmaniasis are reported.
Abstract: We report three cases of combined anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in patients with visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) Using immunofluorescence techniques and the common antiglobulin (Coombs') test, we showed membrane-associated antiplatelet, antineutrophil and antierythrocytic IgG antibodies in all three cases Treatment with sodium stibogluconate raised the patients' platelet, neutrophil and erythrocyte count At that time no antibodies were detected on peripheral blood cells Immunological studies performed on these patients did not show marked abnormalities except for reduced T-helper cells and elevated OKM1-positive cells, which normalized after recovery As bone marrow suppression was not found, it is suggested that pancytopenia resulted from rapid destruction of antibody-coated blood cells Whether these antibodies are specific is not clear
TL;DR: A 39-year-old homosexual man was admitted for fever, diarrhea, and weight loss and showed multiple enlarged lymph nodes and splenomegaly, and at least one of the patients has acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Abstract: To the Editor. — Leishmania infantum is the agent of an endemic anthropozoonosis in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. 1 We report two cases of Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis with anti—human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) antibodies; at least one of the patients has acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Report of Cases. —Case 1. —A 39-year-old homosexual man was admitted for fever, diarrhea, and weight loss. He showed multiple enlarged lymph nodes and splenomegaly. Laboratory studies were as follows: white blood cell count, 3.3×1010 9 /L (3300/mm 3 ); lymphocytes, 0.45×1010 9 /L (450/mm 3 ); hemoglobin, 5.9 mmol/L (5.9 g/dL); platelet count, 75×1010 9 /L (75/mm 3 ); gammaglobulin, 35 g/L (3.5 g/dL); anti-HIV antibodies, positive (enzymelinked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], Pasteur Institute, and Western blot); and T4 cell count, 0.04× 10 9 /L (4/mm 3 ). Salmonella enteritidis was found in blood cultures, and Pneumocystis carinii was found in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. Improvement was obtained with
TL;DR: A case of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) is presented which clinically and on CT examination mimicked lymphoma, and the value of the recognition of the previously unreported CT findings of visceral Leopardiasis is discussed.
TL;DR: The antigens recognized by D13 by immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled promastigotes are characterized as two proteins (apparent molecular mass, 72 and 80 kilodaltons) and Pulse-chase studies showed no evidence of a precursor-product relationship for the two proteins.
Abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. We previously described the development of 16 monoclonal antibodies specific for L. donovani. The epitope recognized by one of these monoclonal antibodies, D13, is present at high density on nearly all isolates of L. donovani and, along with two other monoclonal antibodies, has been used to develop a sensitive and specific competitive assay for serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. In this report, we characterize the antigens recognized by D13 by immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled promastigotes as two proteins (apparent molecular mass, 72 and 80 kilodaltons). Pulse-chase studies showed no evidence of a precursor-product relationship for the two proteins. We purified the 80-kilodalton protein (p80) to homogeneity by detergent solubilization of promastigote membranes, immunoaffinity chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography. The epitope on p80 recognized by D13 was completely destroyed by proteolysis but was not affected by periodic acid treatment. P80 did not bind to the radioiodinated lectins concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin, and Ricinus communis agglutinin. Its apparent molecular mass was not affected by tunicamycin. Thus, it does not appear to be glycosylated. This protein is highly immunogenic and may prove useful for immunoprophylaxis and serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.
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TL;DR: Despite the infrequent association between HIV infection and leishmaniasis pathologists and clinicians alike should be alerted to the possibility of leish maniasis occurring as yet another opportunistic infection in the setting of HIV-induced immunodeficiency.
Abstract: The case of an AIDS patient with visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed by bone marrow and liver biopsy is reported. Despite the infrequent association between HIV infection and leishmaniasis pathologists and clinicians alike should be alerted to the possibility of leishmaniasis occurring as yet another opportunistic infection in the setting of HIV-induced immunodeficiency.
TL;DR: In an endemic area of visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), individuals with leishmanial antibodies that reacted in the radioimmunoassay (RIA) were retested to determine duration of leish manial antibody retention.
Abstract: In an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), individuals with leishmanial antibodies that reacted in the radioimmunoassay (RIA) were retested to determine duration of leishmanial antibody retention. One fourth of adults retained antibodies for at least 10 months. At least 2/3 of asymptomatic children retained leishmanial antibodies for 5 to 7 months after detection. 2/3 of children treated for VL retained leishmanial antibodies for 5 to 7 months after treatment, while 1/3 retained antibodies for over a year. These data modify conclusions that can be drawn from a single serosurvey. Since leishmanial RIA antibodies can persist in humans for at least two transmission seasons, incidence estimates require serial serosurveys.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is concluded that systemic leishmaniasis is a curable cause of disorders characterized by an activation of the mononuclear phagocyte system.
Abstract: We report a case of mononuclear phagocyte system activation observed in a 12 month-old girl presenting with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, histiocytic hyperplasia with hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, high triglyceride and low fibrinogen blood levels. This syndrome was associated with visceral leishmaniasis. We conclude that systemic leishmaniasis is a curable cause of disorders characterized by an activation of the mononuclear phagocyte system.
Patent•
02 Aug 1988
TL;DR: In this paper, leishmania-specific antigens, the process for preparing them, and antigenic profiles containing these antsens are recognized in a specific manner by the sera of persons or animals, especially dogs, suffering from visceral leishmaniasis, which do not exhibit cross-reactions with patients suffering from other diseases.
Abstract: The invention concerns leishmania-specific antigens, the process for preparing them, and antigenic profiles containing these antigens. Said antigens are recognized in a specific manner by the sera of persons or animals, especially dogs, suffering from visceral leishmaniasis, which do not exhibit cross-reactions with the sera of patients suffering from other diseases. Applications to the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.
01 Jan 1988
TL;DR: This work uses affinity-purified parasite proteins to develop a direct dot-blot assay for visceral leishmaniasis and represents a new method for reliably diagnosing and monitoring VL.
Abstract: Serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) due to Leishmania donovani by using crude parasite antigen is complicated in many endemic areas because of cross-reactions with sera from humans with Chagas' disease. We used affinity-purified parasite proteins to develop a direct dot-blot assay for VL. Double-blind tests were carried out on sera from 40 patients with well-documented VL, from controls in endemic areas, and from patients with other diseases. Using gp70-2, 36 (QO.O^o) of 40 sera from patients with kala azar were correctly diagnosed; 1 (1.2^0) of 86 sera from patients without kala azar was misdiagnosed. With dp72, 21 (lOO^o) of 21 sera from patients with VL were correctly identified; 5 (7.0^0) of 71 negative sera were misdiagnosed. None of the 18 sera from patients with Chagas' disease reacted positively against gp70-2. Our assay is rapid, simple, and specific and represents a new method for reliably diagnosing and monitoring VL. Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a spectrum