Pooled salivary gland samples are frequently used to ensure the sufficient amount of material for the experiments; however, this could mask an individual variability. Thus, we compared salivary protein profiles in seven colonies of three Phlebotomus species: Phlebotomus sergenti, Phlebotomus perniciosus, and Phlebotomus papatasi. Surprisingly, the individual profiles differed significantly between the colonies as well as between individuals. The highest variability was observed in proteins with molecular masses of 42-46kDa corresponding to the yellow-related proteins.
We conducted a case-control study to evaluate risk factors for cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum outbreaks in villages in the Cukurova region, South Anatolia, Turkey. 282 respondents from eight villages were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics, personal protection and knowledge of leishmania were analyzed. Young people, aged from 5–19 years, were found to be the most endangered group of villagers. The concurrent presence of both lesions and scars in nine persons may indicate repeated infections.
Background: Phlebotomine sand flies are blood-sucking insects transmitting Leishmania parasites. Hosts bitten by sand flies develop immune response against sand fly salivary antigens. Specific anti-saliva IgG indicate the exposure to the vector and may also help to estimate the risk of Leishmania spp. transmission. In this study, we examined the canine antibody response against the saliva of Phlebotomus perniciosus, the main vector of Leishmania infantum in Mediterranean basin, and characterized salivary antigens of this sand fly species.
Rodent-borne pathogens are the causes of several widespread but under-reported diseases within Europe, with strong links with habitat and landscape structures.
The binding of Leishmania promastigotes to the midgut epithelium is regarded as an essential part of the life-cycle in the sand fly vector, enabling the parasites to persist beyond the initial blood meal phase and establish the infection. However, the precise nature of the promastigote stage(s) that mediate binding is not fully understood.