Laboratory and field studies onHerpetosomaTrypanosomes from Portugal

Abstract

Several small mammals were trapped in the Arrabida region (Portugal) and checked for the presence of trypanosomes which were found in 33 of the 197 (11.1 %) M us spretus and in 9 of the 29 (31 %) Crocidura russula observed. To our knowledge, this was the first time that trypanosomes were isolated from these mammals species. In the liver of one dead C. russula was observed different parasite forms. The studies of infectivity to experimental rodents, analyses of the DNA buoyant density and the isoenzy matic profils, show that trypanosomes isolates from M. spretus were identical to Trypanosoma musculi isolates from Mus musculus. However the isolates from C. russula, although related to the isolates from murine rodents, were clearely separated from these and close to Trypanosoma microti. These findings may allow further studies on the detection of their vectors and on the study of trypanosome reproduction.Résumé : Études expérimentales de Trypanosomes (Herpetosoma) de petits mammifères portugais.Dans la région d'Arrabida (Portugal), 197 Mus spretus et 29 Crocidura russula ont été capturés. 11,1 % des M. spretus et 31 % des C. russula ont des trypanosomes qui n'avaient pas encore été signalés chez ces hôtes. Les différentes formes du parasite obser vées dans le foie d'une Crocidure trouvée morte sont décrites.

Dynamics of CD62L/CD45RB CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte subsets in hepatic and splenic tissues during murine visceral leishmaniasis

“…After in vitro transformation, virulent promastigotes were collected from the stationary phase of a subculture with less than five passages [28] in RPMI 1640 medium (Gibco BRL, Paisley, Scotland) containing 20% heat-inactivated foetal calf serum (FCS) (Biochrom, Berlim, Germany) and used for mice inoculation. Infection was performed through the intraperitoneal route with 5 × 10 6 promastigotes per mouse.…”