Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40598545›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Development of a novel ddPCR assay for the simultaneous detection of the protozoan parasites Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tarentolae.

Alessandro Alvaro, Giulia Maria Cattaneo, Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi, Riccardo Molteni, Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Matteo Brilli, Matilde Silvia Conconi, Virginia Giovagnoli, Alessandro Manenti, Domenico Otranto and 2 more

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Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

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5citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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  5. Sand Fly Fauna and Prevalence ofTransboundary and emerging diseases · 2025
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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Alessandro AlvaroDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Giulia Maria CattaneoDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Ilaria Varotto-BoccazziDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Riccardo MolteniDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-RoldanDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Bari, Italy.
Matteo BrilliDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Matilde Silvia ConconiDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Virginia GiovagnoliDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Alessandro ManentiVisMederi Srl, 53100, Siena, Italy.
Domenico OtrantoDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Bari, Italy.
Claudio BandiDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Sara EpisDepartment of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy. sara.epis@unimi.it.

Funding

NextGeneration EU-MUR PNRR Extended Partnership initiative on Emerging Infectious Diseases Project no. PE00000007, INF-ACT
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLeishmaniases, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, are vector-borne diseases occurring mainly in the tropics and subtropics of the world, as well as in the Mediterranean Basin. In this area, the mammalian pathogen Leishmania infantum is endemic, along with the reptile-associated Leishmania tarentolae. The two species occur in sympatry, and there is evidence that the exposure to L. tarentolae in mammalian hosts may elicit a protective immune response towards pathogenic Leishmania species. Accurate detection methods for both species are therefore crucial for gathering comprehensive information on the epidemiology of leishmaniases. In microbiological diagnosis, limits in detection performance imply the risk of false negatives and other issues, which highlights the need for sensitive methods.

methodsHere, we developed a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the kinetoplast minicircle DNA, for the simultaneous and differential detection of L. infantum and L. tarentolae. The assay features primers designed to bind to both species and species-specific probes. The assay was validated on three cultured isolates for each species, whose cells were spiked into Leishmania-negative dog blood, and on Leishmania-positive sand flies. Sensitivity was assessed with testing serial dilutions, and specificity was evaluated by assessing the cross-reactivity of the probes with the controls of Leishmania-free dog blood and male sand fly DNA.

resultsThe assay demonstrated high sensitivity, with a limit of detection corresponding to one Leishmania cell in the reaction mix for isolates of both L. infantum and L. tarentolae. Limited cross-reaction of the L. tarentolae-targeting probe was observed on L. infantum isolates. No cross-reaction was observed with the controls of Leishmania-free dog blood and male sand flies.

conclusionsThe protocol can represent a valuable method for comprehensive surveillance in both canine hosts and sand flies in areas in which L. infantum and L. tarentolae occur in sympatry.

Indexed as

LeishmaniaLeishmania infantumLeishmaniasisPolymerase Chain ReactionAnimalsDNA, KinetoplastDNA PrimersDNA, ProtozoanDog DiseasesDogsPsychodidaeSensitivity and SpecificityDNA, KinetoplastDNA PrimersDNA, ProtozoanDroplet digital PCREpidemiologyLeishmania infantumLeishmaniasisLeishmania tarentolaeSand flies

Identifiers

PMID40598545
PMCPMC12210423

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.