Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy
Abstract Background L. tarentolae, the lizard-infecting species of Old World geckos, has been classified as non-pathogenic to man. While it has been demonstrated that L. tarentolae is capable of infecting human phagocytic cells and to differentiate into amastigote-like forms, there is no clear evide...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2015-02-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-0666-z |
| _version_ | 1797811922575294464 |
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| author | Shênia PC Novo Daniela Leles Raffaella Bianucci Adauto Araujo |
| author_facet | Shênia PC Novo Daniela Leles Raffaella Bianucci Adauto Araujo |
| author_sort | Shênia PC Novo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background L. tarentolae, the lizard-infecting species of Old World geckos, has been classified as non-pathogenic to man. While it has been demonstrated that L. tarentolae is capable of infecting human phagocytic cells and to differentiate into amastigote-like forms, there is no clear evidence for its efficient replication within macrophages. Here we provide first evidence for L. tarentolae ancient DNA sequences from bone marrow and intestines of a 300yo adult male. Methods We identified molecular signatures of Leishmania tarentolae, the lizard-infecting species of Old World geckos, in hard and soft tissue biopsies from a Brazilian mummy (A74) uncovered in Itacambira (Brazil) and dating to the Colonial Period (end of 18th/beginning of the 19th century). Results Our results imply that efficient replication of the parasite occurred within human macrophage and to lead to a systemic spread and visceralization in this individual. The ancient sequences show a 100% similarity with those of isolated L. tarentolae parasites grown on artificial nutrient media and a 99% similarity with two modern sequences isolated from reptiles. Conclusions De facto, our findings re-open the debate about the potential survival of ancient L. tarentolae strain within human macrophage and its ability to spread systemically. They also raise ecological issues since it is unknown whether this parasite circulates in the reptilian reservoir in modern day Brazil or not. Investigations on fossil fauna and arthropods are needed to shed light on the interactions between saurian Leishmania and lizards in Brazil’s remote and recent past. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:29:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e6825f0b36d4422e860c1700f3e33750 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:29:57Z |
| publishDate | 2015-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-e6825f0b36d4422e860c1700f3e337502023-06-04T11:10:37ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052015-02-01811810.1186/s13071-015-0666-zLeishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummyShênia PC Novo0Daniela Leles1Raffaella Bianucci2Adauto Araujo3Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, rua Leopoldo BulhõesDepartamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de ParasitosDepartment of Public Health and Paediatric Sciences, Laboratory of Physical Anthropology, University of TurinDepartamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, rua Leopoldo BulhõesAbstract Background L. tarentolae, the lizard-infecting species of Old World geckos, has been classified as non-pathogenic to man. While it has been demonstrated that L. tarentolae is capable of infecting human phagocytic cells and to differentiate into amastigote-like forms, there is no clear evidence for its efficient replication within macrophages. Here we provide first evidence for L. tarentolae ancient DNA sequences from bone marrow and intestines of a 300yo adult male. Methods We identified molecular signatures of Leishmania tarentolae, the lizard-infecting species of Old World geckos, in hard and soft tissue biopsies from a Brazilian mummy (A74) uncovered in Itacambira (Brazil) and dating to the Colonial Period (end of 18th/beginning of the 19th century). Results Our results imply that efficient replication of the parasite occurred within human macrophage and to lead to a systemic spread and visceralization in this individual. The ancient sequences show a 100% similarity with those of isolated L. tarentolae parasites grown on artificial nutrient media and a 99% similarity with two modern sequences isolated from reptiles. Conclusions De facto, our findings re-open the debate about the potential survival of ancient L. tarentolae strain within human macrophage and its ability to spread systemically. They also raise ecological issues since it is unknown whether this parasite circulates in the reptilian reservoir in modern day Brazil or not. Investigations on fossil fauna and arthropods are needed to shed light on the interactions between saurian Leishmania and lizards in Brazil’s remote and recent past.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-0666-zLeishmania tarentolaeLizardsMinas GeraisAncient DNANew World |
| spellingShingle | Shênia PC Novo Daniela Leles Raffaella Bianucci Adauto Araujo Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy Parasites & Vectors Leishmania tarentolae Lizards Minas Gerais Ancient DNA New World |
| title | Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy |
| title_full | Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy |
| title_fullStr | Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy |
| title_short | Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy |
| title_sort | leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred years old human brazilian mummy |
| topic | Leishmania tarentolae Lizards Minas Gerais Ancient DNA New World |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-0666-z |
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