Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. in rodents in a peri-urban area of Central Mexico.

Rodents are one of the most relevant groups of mammals involved in the process of zoonotic disease transmission. Their ability to adapt to anthropized environments allows them to come into contact with humans with often negative consequences for the latter. The present study designed to detect the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. in rodents living in the peri-urban area of Queretaro in central Mexico. This research was carried out during two seasons of collection of wild and domestic rodents, in three localities within the peri-urban area of the state of Queretaro. These collections were carried out during the dry season of February-May 2017 and in the rainy season of August-November 2017. Samples were obtained from the tail tip, from which DNA was purified using the DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit. End-point PCR was used for the identification of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. A total of 82 rodents were caught, represented in three families, six genera and seven species, of which 29 (35.3%) were positive for Trypanosoma cruzi; 13 (15.8%) for Leishmania spp.; and 12 individuals presented co-infection with both parasites (14.6%). This study confirmed the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. in synanthropic rodents in the peri-urban area of Queretaro, where Chagas and Leishmaniosis diseases are not considered endemic. It is necessary to continue researching for the presence of vectors, as well as for the detection of diseases caused by parasites in humans and thus be able to confirm the transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. in this central Mexican city.

Molecular Detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana in Sandflies from the State of Yucatan, Mexico.

Background: Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne zoonotic diseases of public health relevance within the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The state of Yucatan is a vulnerable and receptive area to localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) due to its proximity to the high-transmission endemic states of Campeche and Quintana Roo. Autochthonous cases of LCL caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana have been documented in the state, showing a geographical expansion of the disease. Materials and Methods: Using CO2-supplemented Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps and Shannon traps, we captured anthropophilic sandflies in the surroundings of a locality with recent records of autochthonous cases of LCL. Sandflies carrying Leishmania DNA were evidenced using PCR. Results: A total of 140 Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) females of four species were captured: Lutzomyia (Tricholateralis) cruciata (Coquillett), Psathyromyia (Psathyromyia) shannoni (Dyar), Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva), and Dampfomyia (Coromyia) deleoni (Fairchild and Hertig). Molecular results showed that 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.3-12.9%) of Lu. cruciata and 43.8% (95% CI = 19.8-70.1%) of Pa. shannoni showed evidence of carrying L. (L.) mexicana DNA. Conclusion: We provide evidence of anthropophilic sandflies carrying L. mexicana DNA in a municipality with recorded autochthonous cases of LCL caused by this parasite species in the state of Yucatan, suggesting the emergence of new focus of LCL in Mexico.

Report of autochthonous cases of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana in vulnerable, susceptible areas of Southeastern Mexico.

Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is an endemic disease in several Mexican States with the main endemic areas located in the South-Southeast region of the country, where 90% of Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana cases are registered. The Southeast region is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, including Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan States. Campeche and Quintana Roo register more than 60% of the cases in the country each year, while in Yucatan the reports are of imported cases due to residents traveling to endemic areas. However, since 2015, autochthonous cases have been diagnosed by health authorities in municipalities with no previous transmission records. We aimed to identify Leishmania parasite species involved in autochthonous cases by means of the PCR technique. The present study included 13 autochthonous cases of LCL with clinical and parasitological diagnoses during 2018 and 2019 by health authorities, without specific identification of the causal agent. Tissue samples were taken by scraping the margins of active lesions and then they were spotted onto an FTATM Elute Microcard. Next, DNA was eluted and used for PCR amplification of specific Leishmania genus and L. (L.) mexicana species-specific fragments. Molecular analysis showed evidence that L. (L.) mexicana was the causal agent of LCL in 12 of the 13 patients; in one patient, PCR was not performed due to the patient's refusal to participate in the study. Identifying Leishmania species that cause LCL is necessary to define efficient treatment schemes and control strategies for the disease in vulnerable and susceptible areas of the Yucatan State's municipalities.

Report of autochthonous cases of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana in vulnerable, susceptible areas of Southeastern Mexico

ABSTRACT Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is an endemic disease in several Mexican States with the main endemic areas located in the South-Southeast region of the country, where 90% of Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana cases are registered. The Southeast region is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, including Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan States. Campeche and Quintana Roo register more than 60% of the cases in the country each year, while in Yucatan the reports are of imported cases due to residents traveling to endemic areas. However, since 2015, autochthonous cases have been diagnosed by health authorities in municipalities with no previous transmission records. We aimed to identify Leishmania parasite species involved in autochthonous cases by means of the PCR technique. The present study included 13 autochthonous cases of LCL with clinical and parasitological diagnoses during 2018 and 2019 by health authorities, without specific identification of the causal agent. Tissue samples were taken by scraping the margins of active lesions and then they were spotted onto an FTATM Elute Microcard. Next, DNA was eluted and used for PCR amplification of specific Leishmania genus and L. (L.) mexicana species-specific fragments. Molecular analysis showed evidence that L. (L.) mexicana was the causal agent of LCL in 12 of the 13 patients; in one patient, PCR was not performed due to the patient's refusal to participate in the study. Identifying Leishmania species that cause LCL is necessary to define efficient treatment schemes and control strategies for the disease in vulnerable and susceptible areas of the Yucatan State's municipalities.