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Bioorg Chem 2021 Mar 10;110:104816. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Electronic address:

Leishmaniasis being one of the six major tropical diseases that affects nearly 0.7-1.3 million people annually, has so far limited and high toxic therapeutic options. Read More

J Parasit Dis 2021 Mar 24;45(1):191-196. Epub 2020 Oct 24.

Leishmaniasis Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease with 1 to 1.5 million annual incidences. Microscopic examination of the Giemsa stained slides is the most common diagnostic method for CL. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019 Jun 19;71(3). Epub 2021 Mar 19.

State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.

One thermophilic bacterium, designated strain SYSU G02662, was isolated from hot spring sediment sampled in Tibet, PR China. Polyphasic taxonomic analyses and whole-genome sequencing were used to determine the taxonomy position of the strain. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU G02662 showed the highest sequence similarity to SCSIO 58843 (95. Read More

Transbound Emerg Dis 2021 Mar 8. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector-Borne-Diseases, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.

In Morocco, leishmaniases are a major public health problem due to their genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an infectious disease caused by various species of Leishmania and transmitted typically by bite of phlebotomine sand flies. This study identifies sand fly fauna in Ibaraghen village, province of Azilal, which is a focus of CL, by combination of morphological and molecular methods (sequencing of COI gene, MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling). Read More

Pathogens 2021 Feb 25;10(3). Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, 93009 Bobigny, France.

Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases of public health concern in Algeria. To update the geographical distribution of spp. causing cutaneous affection, we examined a set of Giemsa-stained smears prepared from skin lesions of the patients suspected to have cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in various geographical areas in Algeria. Read More

Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2020 Oct;9(3):324-330

Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: and are the etiological agents of cutaneous leishmaniosis. Leishmania species cause a board spectrum of phenotypes. A small number of genes are differentially expressed between them that have likely an important role in the disease phenotype. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2021 Feb 24;14(1):122. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.

Background: Epidemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are occurring more frequently and spreading faster and farther than before in many areas of the world. The present study aimed to assess a long-lasting emerging epidemic (2005-2019) of 5532 cases with anthroponotic CL (ACL) in peri-urban areas of Kerman city in southeastern Iran.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out for 15 years in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. Read More

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 Apr 27;75:101617. Epub 2021 Jan 27.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an infectious disease that commonly caused by Leishmania (L.) major and L.tropica. Read More

Parasite Epidemiol Control 2021 Feb 10;12:e00201. Epub 2021 Jan 10.

Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.

Introduction: Treatment of leishmaniasis with conventional synthetic drugs is a major global challenge. This study was designed to explore the leishmanicidal activity and apoptotic profile of three leaf extracts on stages.

Methods: The plants of and were gathered from Anbarabbad county, in the southeastern part of Kerman province and extracted by maceration method using methanol alcohol. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Jan 28;15(1):e0009089. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

Over the last years, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of unresponsive patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) reported worldwide. The primary objective of this study was to explore the role of demographic, clinical and environmental risk related-factors in the development of treatment failure, relapse and chronic cases compared to responsive patients with ACL. Moreover, molecular, histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings between these forms were explored. Read More

Iran J Med Sci 2021 Jan;46(1):43-51

Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by species () is one of the most important parasitic diseases in humans. To gain information on the metabolite variations and biochemical pathways between , we used the comparative metabolome of metacyclic promastigotes in the Iranian isolates of and by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR).

Methods: and were collected from three areas of Iran, namely Gonbad, Mashhad, and Bam, between 2017 and 2018, and were cultured. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Jan 13;11(1):989. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, China.

Macrotermes barneyi, widely distributed in southern China, is the major fungus-growing termite in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. It has no flagellated protists in the guts. Here, we report occurrence of gregarine, a protozoan parasite in the digestive tract of M. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2021 Jan 11;14(1):40. Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a major parasitic disease worldwide, except in Australia and Antarctica, and it poses a significant public health problem. Due to the absence of safe and effective vaccines and drugs, researchers have begun an extensive search for new drugs. The aim of the current study was to investigate the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of larval saliva and hemolymph of Lucilia sericata on Leishmania tropica. Read More

Acta Trop 2021 Apr 9;216:105827. Epub 2021 Jan 9.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.

Due to its geographical location, Muğla province is one of the most frequently used places by refugees. Although leishmaniasis have been previously reported in this region, there is a lack of information on the etiological agent and possible vectors. The main objectives of this study were; i) to investigate the sand fly fauna, ii) to reveal the natural Leishmania spp. Read More

Acta Trop 2021 Mar 29;215:105807. Epub 2020 Dec 29.

Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan. Electronic address:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is transmitted by Phlebotomine sand fly vectors, among which Phlebotomus papatasi is prevalent in Western Asia, Northern Africa and Southern Europe, and it is known as a vector for Leishmania major parasite in the world. However, in Iraq, morphological studies showed that P. papatasi is a predominant sand fly species and hypothesised to transmit CL causing Leishmania species including L. Read More

Parasite Immunol 2021 Apr 15;43(4):e12814. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Center for Research & Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.

Aims: Despite immunization appearing to be the most appropriate strategy for long-term control of the vector-borne leishmaniases, no sustainable vaccine is currently available against any form of leishmaniasis. We therefore evaluated, in the context of vaccine antigen candidates, antigen-specific immune response at various stages of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).

Methods And Results: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from healthy volunteers and CL patients (caused by either Leishmania major or L tropica) were incubated with crude Leishmania proteins (soluble Leishmania antigen; SLA), single recombinant proteins (TSA, LeIF, LmSTI1) or chimeric fusion proteins (LEISH-F2 and LEISH-F3). Read More

Microorganisms 2020 Dec 16;8(12). Epub 2020 Dec 16.

Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy.

The parasite protozoan , the causative agent of leishmaniasis, includes two subgenera of medical interest: () and (). Parasite species detection and characterization is crucial to choose treatment protocols and to monitor the disease evolution. Molecular approaches can speed up and simplify the diagnostic process. Read More

Arch Iran Med 2020 11 1;23(11):740-748. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

Department of Biology, School of Basic Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Background: In Iran, zoonotic and anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are caused by Leishmania major and L. tropica respectively. Despite extensive studies, no effective therapies have ever been reported for CL. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 2020 Nov;100(18):adv00322

Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital Petach Tikva, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel. E-mail:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis poses a therapeutic challenge in the paediatric population. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of miltefosine treatment for Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis in paediatric patients. A multicentre retrospective review of 10 children (≤ 18 years of age) with cutaneous leishmaniasis treated with miltefosine in Israel was performed. Read More

Acta Parasitol 2020 Nov 6. Epub 2020 Nov 6.

Laboratory of Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the activity of Naja naja oxiana venom on Leishmania tropica and its modes of action.

Methods: Different fractions of Naja naja oxiana venom (NNOV) were prepared and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography. The superior component, fraction k (FK) was selected. Read More

Ann Parasitol 2020 ;66(3):339-346

Leishmania Research Laboratory, Gonbad Kavus Health Center, Taleghani Shargi, Golestan, 4971715988, Iran.

Cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL) is mainly caused by Leishmania major (rural-type) and Leishmania tropica (urban-type). CL is a major health problem in many regions of the world, and it is associated with health complications and economic loss. The identification and differentiation of Leishmania species are critical because the prevention and control methods, as well as management and therapeutic strategies, are different for each type of CL. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2020 Oct 28. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease causing an estimated 1 million new cases annually. While antimonial compounds are the standard of care worldwide, they are associated with significant adverse effects. Miltefosine, an oral medication, is United States (US) Food and Drug Administration approved to treat CL caused by Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania guyanensis, and Leishmania panamensis. Read More

Mikrobiyol Bul 2020 Oct;54(4):647-656

Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey.

Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases, and two clinical forms, visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL, Oriental sore), are seen in Turkey. While VL cases are recorded as 20-25 per year, CL cases are reported around 2000 per year, and nearly half of CL cases were recorded in Şanlıurfa province. Therefore, by knowing the epidemiology of the disease in Şanlıurfa province, it is possible to develop control measures and reduce the total number of cases across the country. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 2020 10 19;100(18):adv00322. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital Petach Tikva, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel. E-mail:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis poses a therapeutic challenge in the paediatric population. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of miltefosine treatment for Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis in paediatric patients. A multicentre retrospective review of 10 children (≤ 18 years of age) with cutaneous leishmaniasis treated with miltefosine in Israel was performed. Read More

Zootaxa 2020 Jun 30;4806(1):zootaxa.4806.1.1. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Biosciences: Zoology, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Erbprinzenstr. 13, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany..

We propose a revision of the spider genus Corythalia C.L. Koch, 1850 (Salticidae: Euophryini) with a revised genus diagnosis based on examination of all species available to us. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 10 5;14(10):e0008748. Epub 2020 Oct 5.

Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Abu-Deis, The West Bank, Palestine.

Since leishmaniases are zoonotic vector-borne diseases transmitted through the bites of infected female sand flies, identification of the sources of imbibed blood meals and the detection and identification of leishmanial DNA in them are important in discerning animal reservoirs, clarifying the epidemiology and facilitating control of local leishmaniases. CDC light traps, aspirators and sticky paper traps were used to collect sand flies in four Palestinian foci of both, CL and VL. Phlebotomine species identification was based on morphological keys. Read More

Microorganisms 2020 Sep 30;8(10). Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Research Group on Impact, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Morocco (GRIVAC), LHEA, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000 Marrakesh, Morocco.

In Morocco, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases represent a public health concern. In this opinion paper, we propose to highlight chosen elements that have governed the drastic increase in the incidence of leishmaniases recorded in Morocco during the period between 1990 to 2010 in order to guide the prediction of the expansion of diseases and epidemic events. We highlight that the dispersion of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) form, caused by the parasite, appears to be closely related to that of its arthropod vector density, which is sensitive to changes in climate. Read More

Acta Parasitol 2020 Sep 29. Epub 2020 Sep 29.

Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common form of leishmaniasis. CL can be divided into two major groups: acute CL (ACL) and chronic CL (CCL). The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of miltefosin and pentavalent antimony compounds in vivo with the CCL patient samples. Read More

Iran J Public Health 2020 May;49(5):975-980

Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a major health problem in many parts of Iran. Many methods have been introduced for detection and identification of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. The purpose of this study was isolation and molecular identification of spp. Read More