Speaker
Description
Trypanosomatids are flagellated protozoa classified as monoxenous or dixenous parasites. While dixenous species comprise agents of neglected tropical diseases, monoxenous trypanosomatids have long been regarded as insect-restricted. However, increasing reports of natural infections in mammals, including humans and animal reservoirs, challenge this paradigm. To explore their relevance within a One Health perspective, we combined epidemiological and experimental approaches including reservoirs, vectors and a clinical isolate. Trypanosomatids kDNA DNA was detected in 34 skin and spleen biopsies from dogs with leishmaniasis, while ITS sequencing identified Crithidia fasciculata, Herpetomonas muscarum and H. samuelpessoai in 3 dogs. In parallel, we investigated the behaviour of a C. fasciculata isolate recovered from a Peruvian patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Although the monoxenous parasite tolerated 32°C and successfully colonized sandflies, it failed to establish persistent infections in macrophages in vitro, mice or hamsters in vivo, even during coinfection with Leishmania braziliensis. Through an integrative approach involving a human-derived isolate, canine reservoirs and insect vectors, this study highlights the importance of molecular surveillance of emerging trypanosomatids and supports a One Health approach to better understand their epidemiological significance and potential impact on leishmaniasis.
Keywords
One Health, Co-infection; leishmaniasis; PCR; ITS-RFLP; paraffin-embedded tissue blocks.
| Registration ID | OHS26-103 |
|---|---|
| Professional Status of the Speaker | PhD Student |
| Junior Scientist Status | Yes, I am a Junior Scientist. |
Authors
External references
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