Isolation and molecular identification of Leishmania chagasi from a bat (Carollia perspicillata) in northeastern Venezuela

Lima, Héctor De; Rodríguez, Noris; Barrios, Miguel; Ávila, Andrea; Cañizales, Israel; Gutiérrez, Saúl

doi:10.1590/s0074-02762008000400018

Cited by 54 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…However, bats in the New World were repeatedly investigated and found infected with Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. In our study, the prevalence reached 5% (8 out of 163) corresponds with the infection rates of bats recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil (4%) (Savani et al, 2010); while higher prevalence has been detected in Venezuela (9%) (Lima et al, 2008); Mexico (9.8%) (Berzunza-Cruz et al, 2015) and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (40%) (Shapiro et al, 2013). Four of the positive bats were captured in the Aba-Roba and Awash-Methara leishmaniasis endemic foci while the other four specimens originated from non-endemic localities of Metu, Bedele and Masha (Fig.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Importantly, being cave-dwelling organisms, bats and sand flies frequently share living habitats where ample opportunity exists for sand flies to feed on bats (Feliciangeli, 2004). Natural Leishmania infection in bats has been reported in New World leishmaniasis foci and the findings suggested their possible epidemiological involvement in the transmission cycle (Lima et al, 2008;Savani et al, 2010;Shapiro et al, 2013;Berzunza-Cruz et al, 2015). Despite the attempts else where (Millan et al, 2014;Rotureau et al, 2006;Rajendran et al, 1985;Mutinga, 1975;Morsy et al, 1987), the extent of Leishmania natural infection in the Old World bats remains uncertain, and cases of Chiropteran Leishmania infections have not been documented in Ethiopia until now.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natural infection of bats with Leishmania in Ethiopia

et al. 2015

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The leishmaniases, a group of diseases with a worldwide-distribution, are caused by different species of Leishmania parasites. Both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis remain important public health problems in Ethiopia. Epidemiological cycles of these protozoans involve various sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) vectors and mammalian hosts, including humans. In recent years, Leishmania infections in bats have been reported in the New World countries endemic to leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to survey natural Leishmania infection in bats collected from various regions of Ethiopia. Total DNA was isolated from spleens of 163 bats belonging to 23 species and 18 genera. Leishmania infection was detected by real-time (RT) PCR targeting a kinetoplast (k) DNA and internal transcribed spacer one (ITS1) gene of the parasite. Detection was confirmed by sequencing of the PCR products. Leishmania kDNA was detected in eight (4.9%) bats; four of them had been captured in the Aba-Roba and Awash-Methara regions that are endemic for leishmaniasis, while the other four specimens originated from non-endemic localities of Metu, Bedele and Masha. Leishmania isolates from two bats were confirmed by ITS1 PCR to be Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major, isolated from two individual bats, Cardioderma cor and Nycteris hispida, respectively. These results represent the first confirmed observation of natural infection of bats with the Old World Leishmania. Hence, bats should be considered putative hosts of Leishmania spp. affecting humans with a significant role in the transmission.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural infection of bats with Leishmania in Ethiopia

et al. 2015

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“…chagasi and L . amazonensis [52], [53] and should not be ignored in the search for sylvatic reservoirs of L . ( V .)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Native Rodent Species Are Unlikely Sources of Infection for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis along the Transoceanic Highway in Madre de Dios, Peru

et al. 2014

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An estimated 2.3 million disability-adjusted life years are lost globally from leishmaniasis. In Peru's Amazon region, the department of Madre de Dios (MDD) rises above the rest of the country in terms of the annual incidence rates of human leishmaniasis. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the species most frequently responsible for the form of disease that results in tissue destruction of the nose and mouth. However, essentially nothing is known regarding the reservoirs of this vector-borne, zoonotic parasite in MDD. Wild rodents have been suspected, or proven, to be reservoirs of several Leishmania spp. in various ecosystems and countries. Additionally, people who live or work in forested terrain, especially those who are not regionally local and whose immune systems are thus naïve to the parasite, are at most risk for contracting L. (V.) braziliensis. Hence, the objective of this study was to collect tissues from wild rodents captured at several study sites along the Amazonian segment of the newly constructed Transoceanic Highway and to use molecular laboratory techniques to analyze samples for the presence of Leishmania parasites. Liver tissues were tested via polymerase chain reaction from a total of 217 rodents; bone marrow and skin biopsies (ear and tail) were also tested from a subset of these same animals. The most numerous rodent species captured and tested were Oligoryzomys microtis (40.7%), Hylaeamys perenensis (15.7%), and Proechimys spp. (12%). All samples were negative for Leishmania, implying that although incidental infections may occur, these abundant rodent species are unlikely to serve as primary reservoirs of L. (V.) braziliensis along the Transoceanic Highway in MDD. Therefore, although these rodent species may persist and even thrive in moderately altered landscapes, we did not find any evidence to suggest they pose a risk for L. (V.) braziliensis transmission to human inhabitants in this highly prevalent region.

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“…There is only one report of the isolation of Leishmania parasites ( L. infantum ) from the blood of a short-tailed fruit bat Carollia perspicillata in Venezuela (De Lima et al., 2008) (Table 1). Before that, Lampo et al had demonstrated that bats could be sources of blood for Lutzomyia longipalpis in Venezuelan caves (Lampo et al., 2000).…”

Section: Leishmania Hosts and Putative Reservoirsmentioning

confidence: 99%