Publication
Title
Molecular detection of infection homogeneity and impact of miltefosine treatment in a Syrian golden hamster model of Leishmania donovani and L. infantum visceral leishmaniasis
Author
Abstract
Control of visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani primarily relies on chemotherapy using an increasingly compromised repertoire of antileishmanial compounds. For evaluation of novel drugs, the Syrian golden hamster is considered as a clinically relevant laboratory model. In this study, two molecular parasite detection assays were developed targeting cathepsin-like cysteine protease B (CPB) DNA and 18S rRNA to achieve absolute amastigote quantification in the major target organs liver and spleen. Both quantitative PCR (qPCR) techniques showed excellent agreement with a strong correlation with the conventional microscopic reading of Giemsa-stained tissue smears. Using multiple single tissue pieces and all three detection methods, we confirmed homogeneity of infection in liver and spleen and the robustness of extrapolating whole organ burdens from a small single tissue piece. Comparison of pre- and post-treatment burdens in infected hamsters using the three detection methods consistently revealed a stronger parasite reduction in the spleen compared to the liver, indicating an organ-dependent clearance efficacy for miltefosine. In conclusion, this study in the hamster demonstrated high homogeneity of infection in liver and spleen and advocates the use of molecular detection methods for assessment of low (post-treatment) tissue burdens.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Parasitology research / Deutsche Gesellschaft für Parasitologie. - Berlin, 1987, currens
Publication
Berlin : Springer , 2016
ISSN
0932-0113 [print]
1432-1955 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S00436-016-5179-Y
Volume/pages
115 :10 (2016) , p. 4061-4070
ISI
000385143100044
Pubmed ID
27412759
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Dynamics and mechanisms of paromomycin and miltefosine drug-resistance in the protozoan parasite Leishmania.
Study of miltefosine resistance mechanisms and dynamics through experimental selection of miltefosine-resistant Leishmania amastigo.
Induction of miltefosine (MIL)-resistance on Leishmania amastigotes: study of the effect of resistance on MIL-internalisation, processing and parasitic fitness.
Veterinary and human parasitology.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 18.07.2016
Last edited 09.10.2023
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