Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated Parasites

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with three major clinical forms, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Drug treatments are expensive and often result...

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Main Authors: Angamuthu Selvapandiyan, Ranadhir Dey, Sreenivas Gannavaram, Ines Lakhal-Naouar, Robert Duncan, Poonam Salotra, Hira L. Nakhasi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Journal of Tropical Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/631460
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author Angamuthu Selvapandiyan
Ranadhir Dey
Sreenivas Gannavaram
Ines Lakhal-Naouar
Robert Duncan
Poonam Salotra
Hira L. Nakhasi
author_facet Angamuthu Selvapandiyan
Ranadhir Dey
Sreenivas Gannavaram
Ines Lakhal-Naouar
Robert Duncan
Poonam Salotra
Hira L. Nakhasi
author_sort Angamuthu Selvapandiyan
collection DOAJ
description Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with three major clinical forms, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Drug treatments are expensive and often result in the development of drug resistance. No vaccine is available against leishmaniasis. Subunit Leishmania vaccine immunization in animal models has shown some efficacy but little or none in humans. However, individuals who recover from natural infection are protected from reinfection and develop life-long protection, suggesting that infection may be a prerequisite for immunological memory. Thus, genetically altered live-attenuated parasites with controlled infectivity could achieve such memory. In this paper, we discuss development and characteristics of genetically altered, live-attenuated Leishmania donovani parasites and their possible use as vaccine candidates against VL. In addition, we discuss the challenges and other considerations in the use of live-attenuated parasites.
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institution OA Journals
issn 1687-9686
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language English
publishDate 2012-01-01
publisher Wiley
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series Journal of Tropical Medicine
spelling doaj-art-b232c3381b2f4501a12055294355bca52025-08-20T02:23:18ZengWileyJournal of Tropical Medicine1687-96861687-96942012-01-01201210.1155/2012/631460631460Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated ParasitesAngamuthu Selvapandiyan0Ranadhir Dey1Sreenivas Gannavaram2Ines Lakhal-Naouar3Robert Duncan4Poonam Salotra5Hira L. Nakhasi6Institute of Molecular Medicine, 254 Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III, New Delhi 110020, IndiaDivision of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USADivision of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USADivision of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USADivision of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USAInstitute of Pathology (Indian Council of Medical Research), Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi 110029, USADivision of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USALeishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with three major clinical forms, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Drug treatments are expensive and often result in the development of drug resistance. No vaccine is available against leishmaniasis. Subunit Leishmania vaccine immunization in animal models has shown some efficacy but little or none in humans. However, individuals who recover from natural infection are protected from reinfection and develop life-long protection, suggesting that infection may be a prerequisite for immunological memory. Thus, genetically altered live-attenuated parasites with controlled infectivity could achieve such memory. In this paper, we discuss development and characteristics of genetically altered, live-attenuated Leishmania donovani parasites and their possible use as vaccine candidates against VL. In addition, we discuss the challenges and other considerations in the use of live-attenuated parasites.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/631460
spellingShingle Angamuthu Selvapandiyan
Ranadhir Dey
Sreenivas Gannavaram
Ines Lakhal-Naouar
Robert Duncan
Poonam Salotra
Hira L. Nakhasi
Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated Parasites
Journal of Tropical Medicine
title Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated Parasites
title_full Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated Parasites
title_fullStr Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated Parasites
title_full_unstemmed Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated Parasites
title_short Immunity to Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Genetically Defined Live-Attenuated Parasites
title_sort immunity to visceral leishmaniasis using genetically defined live attenuated parasites
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/631460
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