Persistent infection keeps immune memory sharp, leading to long-term protection
(Washington University School of Medicine) 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: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - January 16, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Sandfly spit vaccinates mice against leishmaniasis infection
A vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis, a skin infection caused by Leishmania parasites, may be spitting distance away -- sand fly spit, that is. Saliva from a species of the fly responsible for transmitting leishmaniasis can be used to vaccinate mice against the infection, researchers have shown. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - November 3, 2016 Category: Science Source Type: news
Insecticide treatment of cattle to kill sand flies and combat leishmaniasis
With an estimated 500,000 human infections and 50,000 deaths annually, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the second most prevalent parasitic killer, behind malaria. Leishmania parasites are transmitted through the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. A study makes the case that fighting the insects by treating cattle with the long-lasting insecticide, fipronil, could substantially reduce VL in areas where people and cattle live in close proximity. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - August 18, 2016 Category: Science Source Type: news
Insecticide treatment of cattle to kill sand flies and combat leishmaniasis
(PLOS) With an estimated 500,000 human infections and 50,000 deaths annually, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the second most prevalent parasitic killer, behind malaria. Leishmania parasites are transmitted through the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases makes the case that fighting the insects by treating cattle with the long-lasting insecticide, fipronil, could substantially reduce VL in areas where people and cattle live in close proximity. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - August 18, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
New Leishmania virulence strategies
Medical researchers have discovered novel virulence strategies employed by the Leishmania parasite. These scientific breakthroughs represent two important clues to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the parasitic infections that cause leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease endemic in one hundred countries. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - July 28, 2016 Category: Science Source Type: news
INRS professor's team unveils new Leishmania virulence strategies
( < i > Institut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS < /i > ) Professor Albert Descoteaux of INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier Research Centre and his team have discovered novel virulence strategies employed by the Leishmania parasite. These scientific breakthroughs recently published in the prestigious PLOS Pathogens journal represent two important clues to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the parasitic infections that cause leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease endemic in one hundred countries. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - July 28, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Black fever beats drugs by adding just two DNA bases to its genome
Scientists identify how certain strains of the fatal neglected tropical parasite Leishmania donovani have become immune to drug treatment. The addition of just two bases of DNA to the gene LdAQP1 stops the organism from absorbing antimonial drugs. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - March 22, 2016 Category: Science Source Type: news
Black fever beats drugs by adding just two DNA bases to its genome
(Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) In eLife, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute scientists identify how certain strains of the fatal neglected tropical parasite Leishmania donovani have become immune to drug treatment. The addition of just two bases of DNA to the gene LdAQP1 stops the organism from absorbing antimonial drugs. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - March 22, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
New iron transporter essential for Leishmania parasite virulence is potential drug target
(PLOS) Leishmaniasis is a serious parasitic disease that affects 12 million people worldwide. Like for many neglected tropical diseases that disproportionately affect poor populations, existing drugs have serious side-effects and face increasing parasite resistance. A study published on Jan. 7 in PLOS Pathogens identifies a new drug target, and supports the conclusion that iron-dependent signals generated in the mitochondria are essential for the development of parasite stages that cause disease in humans. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - January 7, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
How parasites take a bigger bite
A team of international scientists uncovered an important mechanism behind Leishmania, a deadly parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies. In a new study, researchers described how key molecules known as exosomes, boost the process by which the Leishmania parasite infects humans and other mammals. These findings could lead to the development of new potential vaccine targets and diagnostic tools. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - October 22, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news
Infection Assistants
Parasite-derived exosomes boost Leishmania infection in mice. (Source: The Scientist)
Source: The Scientist - October 22, 2015 Category: Science Tags: The Scientist, Daily News, News & Opinion Source Type: news
How parasites take a bigger bite
(McGill University Health Centre) A team of international scientists led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre uncovered an important mechanism behind Leishmania, a deadly parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies. In a new study published today in Cell Reports, researchers described how key molecules known as exosomes, boost the process by which the Leishmania parasite infects humans and other mammals. These findings could lead to the development of new potential vaccine targets and diagnostic tools. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - October 22, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Lingering lymphocytes lash out against leishmania
Immune cells that hang around after parasitic skin infection help ward off secondary attack. These skin squatters may prove to be the key to successful anti-parasite vaccines. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - July 27, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news
Lingering lymphocytes lash out against Leishmania
(Rockefeller University Press) Immune cells that hang around after parasitic skin infection help ward off secondary attack. These skin squatters may prove to be the key to successful anti-parasite vaccines. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - July 27, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Drug Delivery: Lessons to Be Learnt From Leishmania StudiesDrug Delivery: Lessons to Be Learnt From Leishmania Studies
Recent studies on treatment for leishmaniasis can serve as models for increasing our understanding of drug delivery systems, as well as facilitating novel ways of improving drug efficacy and delivery. Nanomedicine (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - November 21, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pathology & Lab Medicine Journal Article Source Type: news
