BackgroundSalivary hyaluronidases have been described in a few bloodsucking arthropods. However, ... more BackgroundSalivary hyaluronidases have been described in a few bloodsucking arthropods. However, very little is known about the presence of this enzyme in various bloodsucking insects and no data are available on its effect on transmitted microorganisms. Here, we studied hyaluronidase activity in thirteen bloodsucking insects belonging to four different orders. In addition, we assessed the effect of hyaluronidase coinoculation on
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is transmitted from dogs to hu... more Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is transmitted from dogs to humans by sand flies and Lutzomyia longipalpis is a major vector of this disease. We studied the antibody response in dogs experimentally exposed to L. longipalpis females to characterize sand fly salivary antigens recognized by canine sera and to find out whether the level of specific anti-saliva antibodies reflects the intensity of exposure. Sera from repeatedly bitten dogs revealed up to six salivary protein bands with approximate molecular weight of 66, 55, 45, 37-39, 34, and 25 kDa in L. longipalpis salivary gland lysate. Anti-saliva immunoglobin (Ig) G and its subclasses were found to be useful markers of exposure to sand flies. Specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 were related to numbers of bloodfed L. longipalpis females, and increased antibody levels were detectable throughout the study, i.e. more than 6 months after the last exposure. In contrast, specific IgE response developed in some ...
In East Africa, Phlebotomus orientalis serves as the main vector of Leishmania donovani, the caus... more In East Africa, Phlebotomus orientalis serves as the main vector of Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Phlebotomus orientalis is present at two distant localities in Ethiopia; Addis Zemen where VL is endemic and Melka Werer where transmission of VL does not occur. To find out whether the difference in epidemiology of VL is due to distant compositions of P. orientalis saliva we established colonies from Addis Zemen and Melka Werer, analyzed and compared the transcriptomes, proteomes and enzymatic activity of the salivary glands. Two cDNA libraries were constructed from the female salivary glands of P. orientalis from Addis Zemen and Melka Werer. Clones of each P. orientalis library were randomly selected, sequenced and analyzed. In P. orientalis transcriptomes, we identified members of 13 main protein families. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignments were performed to evaluate differences between the P. orientalis colonies and to s...
BACKGROUND: Sand fly saliva plays an important role in blood feeding and Leishmania transmission ... more BACKGROUND: Sand fly saliva plays an important role in blood feeding and Leishmania transmission as it was shown to increase parasite virulence. On the other hand, immunity to salivary components impedes the establishment of infection. Therefore, it is most desirable to gain a deeper insight into the composition of saliva in sand fly species which serve as vectors of various
Background Visceral leishmaniasis is the world'second largest vector-borne parasitic killer ... more Background Visceral leishmaniasis is the world'second largest vector-borne parasitic killer and a neglected tropical disease, prevalent in poor communities. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LNs) are a low cost proven vector intervention method for malaria control; however, their effectiveness against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is unknown. This study quantified the effect of LNs on exposure to the sand fly vector of VL in India and Nepal during a two year community intervention trial. Methods As part of a paired-cluster randomized controlled ...
Background Phlebotomus orientalis Parrot (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of visceral le... more Background Phlebotomus orientalis Parrot (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani in East Africa. Here we report on life cycle parameters and susceptibility to L. donovani of two P. orientalis colonies originating from different sites in Ethiopia: a non-endemic site in the lowlands - Melka Werer (MW), and an endemic focus of human VL in the highlands - Addis Zemen (AZ). Methodology/Principal Findings Marked differences in life-cycle parameters between the two colonies included distinct requirements for larval food and humidity during pupation. However, analyses using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR and DNA sequencing of cytB and COI mitochondrial genes did not reveal any genetic differences. F1 hybrids developed successfully with higher fecundity than the parental colonies. Susceptibility of P. orientalis to L. donovani was studied by experimental infections. Even the lowest infective dose tested (2×103 per ml...
BackgroundSalivary hyaluronidases have been described in a few bloodsucking arthropods. However, ... more BackgroundSalivary hyaluronidases have been described in a few bloodsucking arthropods. However, very little is known about the presence of this enzyme in various bloodsucking insects and no data are available on its effect on transmitted microorganisms. Here, we studied hyaluronidase activity in thirteen bloodsucking insects belonging to four different orders. In addition, we assessed the effect of hyaluronidase coinoculation on
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is transmitted from dogs to hu... more Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is transmitted from dogs to humans by sand flies and Lutzomyia longipalpis is a major vector of this disease. We studied the antibody response in dogs experimentally exposed to L. longipalpis females to characterize sand fly salivary antigens recognized by canine sera and to find out whether the level of specific anti-saliva antibodies reflects the intensity of exposure. Sera from repeatedly bitten dogs revealed up to six salivary protein bands with approximate molecular weight of 66, 55, 45, 37-39, 34, and 25 kDa in L. longipalpis salivary gland lysate. Anti-saliva immunoglobin (Ig) G and its subclasses were found to be useful markers of exposure to sand flies. Specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 were related to numbers of bloodfed L. longipalpis females, and increased antibody levels were detectable throughout the study, i.e. more than 6 months after the last exposure. In contrast, specific IgE response developed in some ...
In East Africa, Phlebotomus orientalis serves as the main vector of Leishmania donovani, the caus... more In East Africa, Phlebotomus orientalis serves as the main vector of Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Phlebotomus orientalis is present at two distant localities in Ethiopia; Addis Zemen where VL is endemic and Melka Werer where transmission of VL does not occur. To find out whether the difference in epidemiology of VL is due to distant compositions of P. orientalis saliva we established colonies from Addis Zemen and Melka Werer, analyzed and compared the transcriptomes, proteomes and enzymatic activity of the salivary glands. Two cDNA libraries were constructed from the female salivary glands of P. orientalis from Addis Zemen and Melka Werer. Clones of each P. orientalis library were randomly selected, sequenced and analyzed. In P. orientalis transcriptomes, we identified members of 13 main protein families. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignments were performed to evaluate differences between the P. orientalis colonies and to s...
BACKGROUND: Sand fly saliva plays an important role in blood feeding and Leishmania transmission ... more BACKGROUND: Sand fly saliva plays an important role in blood feeding and Leishmania transmission as it was shown to increase parasite virulence. On the other hand, immunity to salivary components impedes the establishment of infection. Therefore, it is most desirable to gain a deeper insight into the composition of saliva in sand fly species which serve as vectors of various
Background Visceral leishmaniasis is the world'second largest vector-borne parasitic killer ... more Background Visceral leishmaniasis is the world'second largest vector-borne parasitic killer and a neglected tropical disease, prevalent in poor communities. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LNs) are a low cost proven vector intervention method for malaria control; however, their effectiveness against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is unknown. This study quantified the effect of LNs on exposure to the sand fly vector of VL in India and Nepal during a two year community intervention trial. Methods As part of a paired-cluster randomized controlled ...
Background Phlebotomus orientalis Parrot (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of visceral le... more Background Phlebotomus orientalis Parrot (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani in East Africa. Here we report on life cycle parameters and susceptibility to L. donovani of two P. orientalis colonies originating from different sites in Ethiopia: a non-endemic site in the lowlands - Melka Werer (MW), and an endemic focus of human VL in the highlands - Addis Zemen (AZ). Methodology/Principal Findings Marked differences in life-cycle parameters between the two colonies included distinct requirements for larval food and humidity during pupation. However, analyses using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR and DNA sequencing of cytB and COI mitochondrial genes did not reveal any genetic differences. F1 hybrids developed successfully with higher fecundity than the parental colonies. Susceptibility of P. orientalis to L. donovani was studied by experimental infections. Even the lowest infective dose tested (2×103 per ml...
Uploads
Papers by Vera Volfova