Viral communications hacking boosts Leishmania infections
(McGill University) New research from McGill University has found that a virus infecting the Leishmania parasite spreads by exploiting a mechanism used for cell-to-cell communication, a discovery that could pave the way to new vaccines against infections that cause severe disfiguration. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - February 7, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: news
Targeting kinetoplastid and apicomplexan thymidylate biosynthesis as antiprotozoal strategy
(Bentham Science Publishers) Kinetoplastid and apicomplexan parasites comprise a group of protozoans responsible for human diseases, with a serious impact on human health and the socioeconomic growth of developing countries. Researchers review the available literature in relation to drug discovery studies targeting thymidylate biosynthesis in kinetoplastid (genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania) and apicomplexan (Plasmodium spp and Toxoplasma gondii) protozoans. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - December 26, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Advancement in drug therapies may provide new treatment for Cutaneous leishmaniasis
(PLOS) Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic infection caused by Leishmania parasite. CL cases have increased dramatically in Syria and neighboring countries due to conflict-related displacement of Syrians. A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases by Rana El Hajj at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon describes the development of a novel immunomodulatory analog that may be an effective treatment of CL. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - November 21, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Asymptomatic Visceral Leishmaniasis Common in Operation Iraqi Freedom Soldiers Asymptomatic Visceral Leishmaniasis Common in Operation Iraqi Freedom Soldiers
As many as one in five U.S. soldiers deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) have serological evidence of asymptomatic visceral Leishmania infantum infection (AVL), researchers report.Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - October 16, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases News Source Type: news
INRS takes aim at the dreaded tropical disease leishmaniasis
(Institut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS) Leishmania is a microorganism threatening the health of over 500 million people at risk of crossing its path. Although leishmaniasis, the disease caused by the parasite, has been on the radar of scientists for a long time, the quest for affordable and effective treatment continues. INRS professors Albert Descoteaux and Steven LaPlante have developed a new, cost-effective strategy to rapidly identify molecules capable of eliminating Leishmania. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - August 24, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Field test for dog Leishmania exposure evaluated
(PLOS) Dogs infected with Leishmania infantum, a parasite transmitted by the sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus, are at risk for spreading leishmaniasis infections to humans. A new test, described and evaluated this week in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, provides an easier-than-ever way to test dogs for exposure to P. perniciosus sand flies, and could be used in monitoring the effectiveness of sand fly control efforts. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - August 2, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
CIHR grants to the tune of $1.5 million for Professors Descoteaux and Patten
(Institut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS) Following their latest grant competition, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research announced a total of $1.5 in funding for two INRS professors. Professor Albert Descoteaux will receive $918,000 over five years to study the parasite Leishmania, specifically the mechanisms it uses to evade our immune system. Professor Kessen Patten will receive $627,300 over five years as well to enhance the understanding of the mechanisms involved in spinal muscular atrophy, a fatal and untreatable illness that is still poorly understood. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - February 14, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
The genome of Leishmania reveals how this parasite adapts to environmental changes
(Center for Genomic Regulation) Scientists demonstrate that Leishmania adaptation results from frequent and reversible chromosomal amplifications. This novel insight into Leishmania genomic instability should pave the way for the identification of parasite drug resistance mechanisms and help discover biomarkers. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - November 22, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Immune reaction to sandfly saliva varies between individuals living in endemic areas
(PLOS) The Phlebotomus papatasi sandfly is responsible for spreading Leishmania throughout the tropics and subtropics. How individuals in areas endemic for Leishmania infection react to sandfly saliva depends on their long-term exposure to the flies, researchers now report PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases TK. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - October 12, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
New information on a major player in chronic visceral leishmaniasis
(Institut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS) In an article in the latest issue of PLOS Pathogens, INRS professor Simona St ä ger and her team show how the parasite Leishmania donovani uses a physiological response to low oxygen levels (hypoxia) to establish a chronic infection. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - October 3, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
As 'flesh-eating' Leishmania come closer, a vaccine against them does, too
(Georgia Institute of Technology) Boils the size of sand dollars, facial damage reminiscent of acid wounds, death by maiming of the liver and spleen. Leishmania parasites inflict suffering around the world that is the stuff of parables. They are the second-deadliest parasites after malaria, and global warming is slowly pushing them north toward the United States. Can a new experimental vaccine someday stop them? The vaccine has worked in humanized mice, as detailed in a new study. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - September 13, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
A perturbed skin microbiome can be 'contagious' and promote inflammation, Penn study finds
(University of Pennsylvania) In a new study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have shown for the first time that, not only can infection with the Leishmania parasite alter the skin microbiome of affected mice, but this altered microbial community can be passed to uninfected mice that share a cage with the infected animals. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - June 29, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Scientists reveal structure of potential leishmaniasis vaccine
Leishmaniasis, caused by the bite of a sand fly carrying a Leishmania parasite, infects around a million people a year around the world. Now, making progress toward a vaccine against the parasitic disease, researchers have characterized the structure of a protein from sand flies that can convey immunity to Leishmania. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - March 9, 2017 Category: Science Source Type: news
Scientists reveal structure of potential leishmaniasis vaccine
(PLOS) Leishmaniasis, caused by the bite of a sand fly carrying a Leishmania parasite, infects around a million people a year around the world. Now, making progress toward a vaccine against the parasitic disease, researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have characterized the structure of a protein from sand flies that can convey immunity to Leishmania. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - March 9, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Persistent infection keeps immune memory sharp, leading to long-term protection
For many infectious diseases, a single bout of the illness protects a person against contracting it again. Sometimes, the infecting microbe persists in the body long after symptoms resolve. Now, researchers studying the tropical parasite Leishmania have found a clue to explain the link between long-term immunity and long-term infection: The parasite is constantly multiplying and being killed by immune cells, keeping the immune system alert and prepared for any new encounters with the parasite. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - January 16, 2017 Category: Science Source Type: news
