Co-infection by multiple parasites is common within individuals. Interactions between co-infecting parasites include resource competition, direct competition and immune-mediated interactions and each are likely to alter the dynamics of single parasites. We posit that co-infection is a driver of variation in parasite establishment and growth, ultimately altering the production of parasite transm...

Clinical and laboratory risk factors for death from visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are relatively known, but quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) might assess the role of parasite load in determining clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, including parasite load in peripheral blood, for VL poor outcome among children. This prospective cohort study ...

This study evaluated two vaccine candidates for their effectiveness in protecting BALB/c mice against Leishmania chagasi infection. These immunogenic preparations were composed of Leishmania amazonensis or Leishmania braziliensis antigenic extracts in association with saponin adjuvant. Mice were given three subcutaneous doses of one of these vaccine candidates weekly for three weeks and four we...

The golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is a susceptible model to Leishmania (Viannia) spp.; however, available studies employ different infection protocols, which account for clinical and pathological presentation differences. Herein, L. (V.) braziliensis preparations were standardized to contain 10(4), 10(5), or 10(6) parasites to determine an optimal inoculum that ensured cutaneous lesions...

BACKGROUND We evaluated kDNA PCR/hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting the gene of DNA polymerase of Leishmania infantum for CVL diagnosis and assessment of parasite load in clinical samples obtained invasively and non-invasively. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Eighty naturally infected dogs from an endemic urban area in Brazil were used. Animals were divided into two ...

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognise pathogen-derived molecules and influence immunity to control parasite infections. This study aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of TLRs 2 and 4, the expression and production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and the production of nitric oxide (NO) i...

Local and systemic immune responses were studied in six dogs experimentally infected with the dog/sheep tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. All dogs developed similar IgG antibody response to parasite antigens. In contrast, IgE and IgA responses differed widely. No relationship between IgA responses and parasite burden at the end of the infection were observed. Further, clear differences in the a...

Cardiac involvement represents the main cause of mortality among patients with Chagas disease, and the relevance of trypanocidal treatment to improving diastolic dysfunction is still doubtful. In the present study, we used a canine model infected with the benznidazole-sensitive Berenice-78 Trypanosoma cruzi strain to verify the efficacy of an etiologic treatment in reducing the parasite load an...