Recent autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis in residents of the Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation.

Eighty years after the last published record of human leishmaniasis from Dagestan, Russian Federation, we report two recent cases which were most probably acquired locally: one case of visceral leishmaniasis in a 2-year old child, and one cutaneous leishmaniasis case in a 39-year-old man co-infected with HIV, both resident in Dagestan.

The application of proteomic methods (MALDI-toff MS) for studying protein profiles of some nematodes (dirofilaria and ascaris) for differentiating species.

INTRODUCTION: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-toff MS) is a reliable method for diagnosing a number of bacterial and fungal infections. It is also effective as a method of rapid diagnosis of several parasitic agents. We used MALDI-toff MS to study the protein profiles of four nematodes: Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria. immitis, Ascaris suum and Ascaris lumbricoides. METHODS: We studied the protein profiles of dirofilaria (five of each species: D. repens and D. immitis) and ascaris (five of each species: A. suum and A. lumbricoides), using a proteomic analysis based on MALDI-toff MS. RESULTS: Analysis of protein extracts of dirofilaria and ascaris showed spectra with high-intensity peaks in the range of 2-20 kDa. The quality of the spectra (clear graphical reflection of mass/charge to luminous intensity, consistent in repeated analyzes) and the intensity of the spectral peaks were consistent in all samples of the same species. The spectra profiles of D. repens and D. immitis differed in eight major peaks which makes it possible to differentiate species according to the protein profile. The spectra profiles obtained from A. suum and A. lumbricoides proteins differed slightly in 3 major peaks in both species and were discovered in m/z 13000; 13400 and 14400. The protein peaks in diapason 3000 kD-7300 kD specific for all genus ascaris are constant. CONCLUSIONS: MALDI-toff MS-based proteomic analysis can serve as an effective taxonomic tool for parasitological studies.

Periorbital Dirofilaria repens imported to Denmark: A human case report.

Dirofilaria repens, a filarial nematode of dogs and other carnivores, can accidentally infect humans. The infection occurs widely throughout Europe. We report a case of D. repens in a Danish woman who had been traveling to Crete. A nematode was visualized on examination and ELISA was positive for antibodies against D. repens.

Dirofilaria repens in the Russian Federation: current epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment from a federal reference center perspective.

BACKGROUND: Dirofilariasis is an emerging zoonotic infection in which the human serves as an accidental host. Russia has been one of the most important endemic regions worldwide for Dirofilaria repens, the most prevalent Dirofilaria species in Europe. METHODS: Based on a cohort of patients at the Rostov Medical University, we provide an epidemiological description of 236 human cases, reporting common clinical symptoms and treatment options for D. repens infections in humans. The performance of a non-commercial immunoassay was validated in a diagnostic sub-study (diagnostic accuracy 83%). Data from mosquito surveys and cross-sectional surveys of dogs, the main reservoir of D. repens, are also presented. RESULTS: Results showed important variations in prevalence depending on sex, geographic location, and the use of dogs (professional service dogs or pets). CONCLUSIONS: The particularly high prevalence of Dirofilaria infection in professional dogs used in the police force and armed forces poses a particular problem, since these dogs may serve as epidemiologically important amplifiers within the region of the former Soviet Union.