Development of a molecular tool for the identification of Leishmania reservoir hosts by blood meal analysis in the insect vectors.
The transmission of parasites of the genus Leishmania involves a large diversity of mammalian reservoir hosts. However, many of these are yet to be identified, mainly in isolated biotopes such as the Amazonian rain forest. Furthermore, the trophic preferences of insect vectors have major epidemiologic implications. In this study, we developed a molecular tool for the identification of blood meals of phlebotomine sand flies. This assay is based on specific amplification and sequencing of the blood meal-derived single copy prepronociceptin (PNOC) gene, which is used as a target in phylogenetic studies of mammals. Sand flies were identified simultaneously with the blood-meal identification, using molecular analysis of a ribosomal locus. After a systematic assessment of the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction amplification of the PNOC gene using human fed sand flies, the assay was tested on wild-caught sand flies. This work has important implications for the discovery of new Leishmania reservoir hosts and for a better understanding of complex parasite life cycles.
Haouas
Najoua
N
Laboratory of Parasitology Code 99UR/08-05, Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia. najoua.h@laposte.net
Pesson
Bernard
B
Boudabous
Raja
R
Dedet
Jean-Pierre
JP
Babba
Hamouda
H
Ravel
Christophe
C
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D002417:Cattle; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000145:classification* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000469:parasitology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
D017931:DNA Primers; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; C075526:RNA, ribosomal, 12S; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; C121527:prepronociceptin