Evaluation of the experimental infection in hamster by isolated parasites of atypical cutaneous lesion and human visceral caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in the municipality of Amapala, Valle, Honduras

Abstract

In the Americas, particularly in South America, infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi cause subclinical manifestations and Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), which if untreated is potentially fatal. In Honduras, infection by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi causes Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), but has also been reported Non-Ulcerated or Atypical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (NUCL) caused by this species of parasite. Cases of Non-Ulcerated or Atypical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis has also been reported in other countries in Central America, such as Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua. In Honduras, there are endemic areas well identified of this non-ulcerated clinical variant, located in the departments of Choluteca and Valle, as well as the southern part of departments Francisco Morazán, La Paz, El Paraíso, Intibucá and Lempira. In order to better understand the pathogenesis of the infection caused by this specie of parasite in America, this study aims to evaluate the evolution of the experimental infection in hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus, caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi isolated from individuals affected with classical Visceral Leishmaniasis and Non-Ulcerated or Atypical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the municipality of Amapala, Valle, Honduras. Hamsters will be infected subcutaneously and intraperitoneally with 10.000.000 promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in stationary growth phase in culture. After 30, 60 and 90 days Post Infection (PI) animals will be anesthetized, euthanized and fragments of skin and viscera (spleen, liver and lymph node) will be collected for histopathological evaluation, determination of the parasite load and the cytokines expression. Whole blood will be collected and sera were used for determination of anti-Leishmania antibodies. The identification of the parasite will be done by total genome sequencing of the isolates obtained from individuals with LV and LCNU. Besides the identification of the parasite, it is aimed to determine possible differences that may be related to the determination of the different clinical forms. (AU)