• 대한수의학회지
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.211-218
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• 2001

병원성 내장리슈만편모충(Leishmania donovani)에서 추출한 GP63 또는 LPG 항원을 liposome으로 캡슐화하고 보강제로서 BCG를 조합하여 DBA-2N 마우스에 면역접종을 한 후, 내장리슈만편모충의 병원성 amastigote를 접종하여 이들 물질의 방어면역 효과를 관찰하였다. 그 결과 GP63 과 LPG, 그리고 BCG를 모두 첨가하여 접종한 마우스의 간 조직에서 유의성 있는 내장리슈만편모충의 감소가 관찰되었으나 감소율은 27.4%에 불과하였다. 실험적 피부리슈만편모충증에 대하여 성공적인 방어면역성을 나타낸 GP63이 내장리슈만편모충 감염에 대하여 방어면역성을 상실한 원인을 분석하기 위한 실험에서 C3H 마우스에 GP63-GST 단백질과 BCG를 혼합하여 면역접종하고 내장리슈만편모충의 병원성 amastigote로 접종한 후, 혈청 내 특이항체와 비장세포에서의 감마인터페론 및 IL-5의 생산을 관찰하였다. 그 결과 GP63-GST와 BCG를 혼합하여 면역 접종한 마우스의 간 조직에서도 유의성 있는 amastigote의 감소는 관찰되지 않았다. 한편 이들 마우스의 비장세포에서는 BCG 만을 접종한 군에 비해 10배 이상의 감마인터페론과 3배의 IL-5가 생산되었다. 이와 같은 사실은 GP63-GST 단백질과 BCG를 혼합하여 접종한 마우스에서 Th1 및 Th2 타입 면역반응이 모두 활성화되었음을 시사하며, Th1 뿐만 아니라 Th2 타입 면역 반응도 함께 활성화된 것이 실험적 내장리슈만편모충 감염에 대한 방어면역에 실패한 원인 중의 하나일 것으로 사료되었다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.367-374
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• 2017

Despite the broad distribution of leishmaniasis among Iranians and animals across the country, little is known about the genetic characteristics of the causative agents. Applying both HSP70 PCR-RFLP and sequence analyses, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among Leishmania spp. isolated from Iranian endemic foci and available reference strains. A total of 36 Leishmania isolates from almost all districts across the country were genetically analyzed for the HSP70 gene using both PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis. The original HSP70 gene sequences were aligned along with homologous Leishmania sequences retrieved from NCBI, and subjected to the phylogenetic analysis. Basic parameters of genetic diversity were also estimated. The HSP70 PCR-RFLP presented 3 different electrophoretic patterns, with no further intraspecific variation, corresponding to 3 Leishmania species available in the country, L. tropica, L. major, and L. infantum. Phylogenetic analyses presented 5 major clades, corresponding to 5 species complexes. Iranian lineages, including L. major, L. tropica, and L. infantum, were distributed among 3 complexes L. major, L. tropica, and L. donovani. However, within the L. major and L. donovani species complexes, the HSP70 phylogeny was not able to distinguish clearly between the L. major and L. turanica isolates, and between the L. infantum, L. donovani, and L. chagasi isolates, respectively. Our results indicated that both HSP70 PCR-RFLP and sequence analyses are medically applicable tools for identification of Leishmania species in Iranian patients. However, the reduced genetic diversity of the target gene makes it inevitable that its phylogeny only resolves the major groups, namely, the species complexes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an endemic vector-borne disease in Sri Lanka. Over 2,500 cases have been reported since 2000 and the number of CL cases has dramatically increased annually. Total 57 clinically suspected CL patients attending the dermatology clinic in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital were recruited from January to June 2015. Slit skin smears and skin biopsies were taken from each of the subjects. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained using interviewer administered questionnaire. Forty-three (75.4%) patients among 57 were confirmed positive for L. donovani. The majority (77%) of infected patients was males, and the most affected age group was 21-40 years. Soldiers in security forces, farmers, and housewives were identified as high risk groups. The presence of scrub jungles around the residence or places of occupation (P=0.003), the presence of sandflies (P=0.021), and working outsides more than 6 hr per day (P=0.001) were significantly associated with CL. The number of lesions ranged from 1-3, and the majority (76%) of the patients had a single lesion. Upper and lower extremities were the prominent places of lesions, while the wet type of lesions were more prevalent in females (P=0.022). A nodular-ulcerative type lesion was common in both sexes. The presence of sandflies, scrub jungles, and outdoor activities contributed to spread of Leishmania parasites in an endemic pattern. Implementation of vector control programs together with health education with regard to transmission and prevention of CL are necessary to control the spread of this infection.