|
|
Experimental animal models and vectors of Leishmania (Mundinia)
Bečvář, Tomáš
Leishmania are vector-borne dixenous protozoan parasites of vertebrates causing diseases collectively called leishmaniases, which threaten more than 1 billion people mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. These parasites are divided into four subgenera: Leishmania, Viannia, Sauroleishmania, and Mundinia. The last named are geographically widely dispersed and their distribution covers all continents except Antarctica. Although their medical and veterinary importance is increasing, there is currently almost no information on natural reservoir hosts, vector species, and experimental research options due to the very limited range of model animals. This thesis summarizes our efforts to unravel possible vectors and laboratory models for this subgenus. In the first three studies, we focused on potential models; therefore, we experimentally infected guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), BALB/c mice, Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus), and steppe lemmings (Lagurus lagurus) with five species of Mundinia and we also tested reservoir potential of African grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) and Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) to Leishmania chancei. The second part focused on potential vectors of the parasites. We experimentally infected biting midges Culicoides sonorensis and sand flies sharing...
|
|
|
Experimental animal models and vectors of Leishmania (Mundinia)
Bečvář, Tomáš ; Sádlová, Jovana (advisor) ; Courtenay, Orin (referee) ; Soares Maia, Carla Alexandra (referee)
Leishmania are vector-borne dixenous protozoan parasites of vertebrates causing diseases collectively called leishmaniases, which threaten more than 1 billion people mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. These parasites are divided into four subgenera: Leishmania, Viannia, Sauroleishmania, and Mundinia. The last named are geographically widely dispersed and their distribution covers all continents except Antarctica. Although their medical and veterinary importance is increasing, there is currently almost no information on natural reservoir hosts, vector species, and experimental research options due to the very limited range of model animals. This thesis summarizes our efforts to unravel possible vectors and laboratory models for this subgenus. In the first three studies, we focused on potential models; therefore, we experimentally infected guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), BALB/c mice, Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus), and steppe lemmings (Lagurus lagurus) with five species of Mundinia and we also tested reservoir potential of African grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) and Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) to Leishmania chancei. The second part focused on potential vectors of the parasites. We experimentally infected biting midges Culicoides sonorensis and sand flies sharing...
|
|
|
Comparison and characterization of salivary proteins from Sergentomyia and Phlebotomus sand flies
Polanská, Nikola
Sand flies (Diptera, Phlebotominae) are small biting insects and vectors of Leishmania spp. which cause medically and veterinary important disease - leishmaniasis. During the piercing of the host skin, sand fly females inject saliva to facilitate the blood feeding. The sand fly saliva is composed of many bioactive molecules which were shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-haemostatic functions. The saliva affects host's immunity in the bite site and consequently enhances the survival and development of transmitted pathogens. Most of the studies focus on salivary proteins and enzymes of sand flies belonging to Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia genera, while salivary proteins from sand flies of the third genus Sergentomyia were neglected so far. In this thesis we focused on comparison of salivary proteins from two Phlebotomus species, namely Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus orientalis, and Sergentomyia schwetzi. These sand fly species differ not only by the ecology and geographical distribution but also by host preferences. Both Phlebotomus species prefer large or medium-size mammals as the bloodmeal source, particularly rabbits, hares and dogs for P. perniciosus and cattle, goats, sheep and humans for P. orientalis. Contrarily, Sergentomyia sand flies are known for preferred feeding on reptiles...
|
|
|
Toscana virus development in sand flies
Rehbergerová, Markéta ; Jančářová, Magdaléna (advisor) ; Hönig, Václav (referee)
The Toscana virus (TOSV) is a causative agent of meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and encephalitis in humans. It is transmitted by the hematophagous sand flies Phlebotomus perniciosus and Ph. perfiliewi (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in the Mediterranean area mainly during the summer months. In this thesis we studied experimental infections of sand flies belonging to species of Ph. papatasi, Ph. perniciosus, Ph. sergenti, Ph. tobbi, and Sergentomyia schwetzi with viral strains of two TOSV lineages (TOSV-A and TOSV-B). We were unable to infect any of the tested sand fly species with TOSV- A via artificial blood feeding. We report the susceptibility of Ph. tobbi and Ph. sergenti to TOSV-B by artificial blood feeding with infection rates of 59.5% and 5.9%, respectively, and the dissemination of the virus to the head with attached salivary glands suggesting the potential for TOSV transmission to vertebrates. Experimental TOSV infections through sugar meals were unsuccessful. Key words: Toscana virus, Phlebovirus, Phlebotominae, sand fly, vector competence
|
|
|
Leishmaniases and their vectors in western Africa
Hošková, Anna ; Dvořák, Vít (advisor) ; Sádlová, Jovana (referee)
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies. In West Africa, leishmaniasis is endemic and we distinguish cutaneous, visceral and mucocutaneous form of the disease. The most common form in this area is cutaneous leishmaniasis, which is caused by Leishmania major, Leishmania tropica and a new, as yet undescribed species Leishmania sp. from Ghana. The causative agents of visceral leishmaniasis are Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. Phlebotomus duboscqi is a confirmed vector of L. major in this region. Vectors of Leishmania sp. from Ghana and vectors of visceral leishmaniasis remain unknown in West Africa. Sand flies of the genus Sergentomyia or Culicoides biting midges are considered as potential alternative vectors in this area. The confirmed reservoir hosts of L. major in some countries are the rodents Tatera gambiana, Arvicanthis niloticus and Mastomys erythroleucus, but in most states they are not confirmed. The reservoir hosts of visceral leishmaniasis are mainly dogs. Some West African states used to be French colonies, and there are many people of African descent in France who come to visit their relatives in West Africa. This poses a risk of import of leishmaniasis to non-endemic areas. The aim of this bachelor thesis is to summarize the current knowledge about the...
|
|
|
Potential vectors of leishmaniases in southeastern Asia
Mandysová, Adéla ; Dvořák, Vít (advisor) ; Vojtková, Barbora (referee)
Leishmaniasis are neglected tropical diseases caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. They are transmitted by blood feeding phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae). The disease occurs in many parts of the world, including southeastern Asia. Recently, the number of human leishmaniasis cases have been increasing in this region. Leishmania martiniquenis and L. orientalis of the subgenus Mundinia are the causative agents of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, L. donovani and L. infantum are the causative agents only of visceral leishmaniasis (also known as kala-azar) here. Domestic animals may serve as natural reservoirs, suggesting their role in zoonotic cycle. Although the fauna of phlebotomine sandflies in this area is rich, no species has yet been proven as a vector of the disease. Recent studies suggest that other groups of insects in the southeastern Asia could transmit the diasease. The potential vectors could be females of the genus Sergentomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae) and also biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Key words: sand fly, leishmaniasis, vector, southeastern Asia, Thailand
|
|
|
Types of Leishmania development in phlebotomine species
Nováková, Julie ; Votýpka, Jan (advisor) ; Sádlová, Jovana (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to depict the means of Leishmania development in sand flies (Phlebotominae). Three main Leishmania evolutionary branches (subgenera Leishmania, Viannia and Sauroleishmania) have a slightly different development in the vector, the Sauroleishmania development being the least known. The vector-bound development of the subgenus Leishmania is localized in the midgut and foregut of the sand fly solely, whereas species of the Viannia subgenus occur in the hindgut (although the necessity of this phase for a successful development and infection of the vertebrate host is a matter of doubt) and the subgenus Sauroleishmania development is according to literature confined to the hindgut. Quite little is known about the genus Endotrypanum, according to phylogenetic data set inside the Leishmania group. In my bachelor thesis, I review up-to-date literature on the topic of different types of Leishmania development inside the sand flies and their probable reasons.
|
|
|
Salivary proteins of sand flies and the immune aspects of Leishmania transmission
Kindlová, Michaela
Sand flies serve as the vectors of leishmaniasis and their saliva was shown to affect the outcome of Leishmania infection by immunomodulation of the host. On the other hand, sand fly saliva contains a large scale of farmacologically active proteins that are strongly immunogenous for bitten hosts and specific anti-saliva immunity initiated by repeated sand fly feeding provides protection against Leishmania infection. Specific cell-mediated immunity was shown to be the core of the protectivity; however, our data suggests that the protective immunity has certain limitations. In mice bitten by sand flies for prolonged periods, we observed the desenzitization in term of abrogation of the protective immunity. Thus, we can speculate that the protective effect of immunity is linked solely with the short-term exposure. Nevertheless, our experiments showed that this aspect is also conditioned by the immediate infection after the protective short-term immunization. Taken together, it seems that these limitations may explain the circulation of leishmaniasis in endemic areas, even though humans and animals are frequently immunized by bites of uninfected sand flies. Repeated sand fly feeding on various hosts also promotes production of anti-saliva antibodies that reflect the intensity of exposure. We...
|
|
|
Comparison and characterization of salivary proteins from Sergentomyia and Phlebotomus sand flies
Polanská, Nikola ; Volf, Petr (advisor) ; Martin-Martin, Ines (referee) ; Chmelař, Jindřich (referee)
Sand flies (Diptera, Phlebotominae) are small biting insects and vectors of Leishmania spp. which cause medically and veterinary important disease - leishmaniasis. During the piercing of the host skin, sand fly females inject saliva to facilitate the blood feeding. The sand fly saliva is composed of many bioactive molecules which were shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-haemostatic functions. The saliva affects host's immunity in the bite site and consequently enhances the survival and development of transmitted pathogens. Most of the studies focus on salivary proteins and enzymes of sand flies belonging to Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia genera, while salivary proteins from sand flies of the third genus Sergentomyia were neglected so far. In this thesis we focused on comparison of salivary proteins from two Phlebotomus species, namely Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus orientalis, and Sergentomyia schwetzi. These sand fly species differ not only by the ecology and geographical distribution but also by host preferences. Both Phlebotomus species prefer large or medium-size mammals as the bloodmeal source, particularly rabbits, hares and dogs for P. perniciosus and cattle, goats, sheep and humans for P. orientalis. Contrarily, Sergentomyia sand flies are known for preferred feeding on reptiles...
|
|
|
Molecular taxonomy of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Europe
Grešová, Markéta ; Dvořák, Vít (advisor) ; Brzoňová, Jana (referee)
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) are small blood sucking insects which are only proven vectors of neglected tropical disease called leishmaniasis. Sand flies of the genus Phlebotomus act as vectors in the Old World and those of genus Lutzomyia are vectors in the New World. However, not all of them are capable of transmitting the disease. It is therefore crutial to conclusively determinate the species and have up-to-date knowledge of their natural occurence. Routine identification based on morphological characters is challenging due to intraspecific variability of these or their possible damage during the capture and preparation. In adition, correct assessment of distinctive cahracters, especially for females, is difficult and requires certain expertise. Thus, approaches of molecular taxonomy have been recently increasingly used for sand flies species determination. This thesis presents usage of DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF protein profiling for routine determination of sand flies caught in southeastern Europe and adjacent regions, where we have lack of information of present sand flies species. Another part of this thesis focus on closer examination of relations between selected closely related species within species complexes. Key words: Phlebotomus, molacular identification, DNA...
|
guest ::
