New Leishmania species and hybrids- risk of introduction and implications to the pathogeny of infection

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

The first detection of Leishmania major in naturally infected Sergentomyia minuta in Portugal

Publication . Campino, Lenea; Cortes, Sofia; Dionisio, Lidia; Neto, Luis; Afonso, Maria Odete; Maia, Carla

Phlebotomine sandflies of the genus Sergentomyia are widely distributed throughout the Old World. It has been suggested that Sergentomyia spp are involved in the transmission of Leishmania in India and Africa, whereas Phlebotomus spp are thought to be the sole vectors of Leishmania in the Old World. In this study, Leishmania major DNA was detected in one Sergentomyia minuta specimen that was collected in the southern region of Portugal. This study challenges the dogma that Leishmania is exclusively transmitted by species of the genus Phlebotomus in the Old World.

2013-06Journal article

Open Access

In vitro susceptibility of Leishmania infantum to Artemisinin derivatives and selected trioxolanes

Publication . Cortes, Sofia; Albuquerque, Andreia; Cabral, Lília; Lopes, Liliana; Campino, Lenea; Cristiano, Maria L. S.

Leishmaniasis is among the world's most neglected diseases. Currently available drugs for treatment present drawbacks, urging the need for more effective, safer, and cheaper drugs. A small library of artemisinin-derived trioxanes and synthetic trioxolanes was tested against promastigote and intramacrophage amastigote forms of Leishmania infantum. The trioxolanes LC50 and LC95 presented the best activity and safety profiles, showing potential for further studies in the context of leishmanial therapy. Our results indicate that the compounds tested exhibit peroxide-dependent activity.

2015-08Journal article

Restricted