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I Vouldoukis

Publications and source records attributed to I Vouldoukis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Serodiagnosis and screening of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Corsica: applicability of a direct agglutination test and immunoblot analysis.

For effective control of visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean area, the detection of infected dogs is of utmost importance. To assess the suitability of a direct agglutination test (DAT) and immunoblot analysis in serodiagnosis and screening of infected dogs under field conditions, a study was performed on 113 dogs in an endemic area of Corsica. Twenty one of 22 parasitologically confirmed cases were correctly diagnosed by both tests, and 100% specificity was found when 11 dogs with other diseases were examined. Interestingly, eight of 80 apparently healthy dogs from the same area were found to be parasite-positive by the DAT test as well as by the immunoblot. Although both tests were equally sensitive and specific, based on both the feasibility of its application in field conditions and ease of performance, we consider the DAT to be more suitable for serodiagnosis and large-scale screening of infected dogs.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1989

[An immunologic method of producing antigens for the treatment and prevention of leishmaniasis].

Antigens isolated from lysates of L. infantum promastigotes by electroelution from polyacrylamide gels and by gel filtration, have already been proven to induce anti-Leishmania protective immunity in BALB/c mice when injected subcutaneously. At the present time, five preparations including either Leishmania antigens or anti-idiotypic reagents as vaccines can be considered as candidates for immunoprophylaxis in natural hosts of Leishmania parasites. We present a new method for producing Leishmania antigenic preparations which is of considerable interest, since it can be proposed for immunotherapy and prevention of other parasitic, bacterial, viral and perhaps, retroviral diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Large-scale production of amastigotes by a human monoblastoid cell line].

In this study, a human monoblastoid cell line (TPH-1) was tested in vitro for the production of Leishmania amastigotes. The number of TPH1 cells increased with time and 6 days after promastigote infection the percentage of infected cells was around 45%. Pre-treatment of TPH1 cells with retinoic acid induced the cells to differentiate into unreplicating macrophage-like cells. Ninety per cent was parasitized 6 days after promastigote infection; the number of amastigotes quintuplied during this period of time; this result was irrespective of the Leishmania species used for experiments. Viable and infective parasites were obtained from treated and nontreated cells. TPH1 cells merit further consideration for research concerning new molecules active against Leishmania.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Inoculation of BALB/c mice against Leishmania major infection with Leishmania-derived antigens isolated by gel filtration.

Gel filtration can be used as a substitute for preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the preparation of an immunogenic, partly purified, fraction isolated from lysates of Leishmania promastigotes. This fraction, the molecular weight of which ranged from 70,000 to 53,000, when administered to BALB/c mice in associated with muramyl dipeptide induced resistance against cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

In vitro assessment of anti-Leishmania immunity of man acquired with a vaccine.

Monocytes, obtained from a human volunteer immunized with a Leishmania infantum-derived vaccine, when cultured in vitro displayed a strong parasiticidal activity against L. major promastigotes. In addition, immune serum conferred leishmanicidal activities to monocytes of normal, unexposed donors, and to murine macrophages.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Vaccination and treatment trials against murine leishmaniasis with semi-purified Leishmania antigens.

Antigens with molecular weight ranges of 94-67 kDa (LiF2), 30-20 kDa (LiF5), or below 20 kDa (LiF6), isolated from lysates of Leishmania infantum promastigotes by electroelution from polyacrylamide gels were injected into mice which were genetically either partially resistant (C57BL/6) or susceptible (BALB/c) to Leishmania infection. One month after the completion of the intravenous (C57BL/6) or subcutaneous (BALB/c) schedules, the mice were challenged with 1 x 10(3) L. major promastigotes. All mice immunized with LiF2, LiF5 and LiF6 were completely resistant. Furthermore, the C57BL/6 mice immunized with LiF2 resisted a second challenge with 1 x 10(4) L. major amastigotes. 5 months later, LiF2 antigen was used for immunotherapy of L. major leishmaniasis; parasites disappeared from the treated skin lesions, although ensuing systemic infection could not be averted.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Immunization of dogs with a Leishmania infantum-derived vaccine.

A partially-purified extract of Leishmania infantum has been administered to healthy dogs. Post-immunization sera were found to neutralize the infectivity of L. infantum and to abate the development of L. major. Muramyl dipeptide and one of its derivates, murabutide, were the best adjuvants.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1988

Vaccine-induced immunity against cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice.

Partially purified antigens, derived from Leishmania infantum or L. major promastigotes and isolated under reducing conditions, were used to immunize BALB/c mice. Three subcutaneous injections of the 64- to 97-kilodalton preparation in conjunction with muramyl dipeptide conferred long-lasting immunity against L. mexicana subsp. mexicana and L. major infection; they led to the development of antibodies neutralizing the infectiousness of promastigotes, induced specific delayed-hypersensitivity reactions, and generated populations of peritoneal macrophages capable of killing amastigotes. Vaccination resulted in no harmful effects, since these antigen neither exacerbated preexisting Leishmania infection nor impeded the formation of antibodies to other antigens administered concomitantly.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis].

The classic diagnostic procedure for cutaneous leishmaniasis is based on the examination of Giemsa-stained smears made from the fluid obtained by scraping the edges of the lesion with a lancet, or prepared with small plugs of superficial tissues. In this report, we compare the results given by this standard method with those obtained by the examination of needle aspirates. Aspirates are secured by injecting a few millimetres outside the external border of the lesion 0.3 to 0.5 ml of saline through a thin needle, rubbing the injured skin, and thereafter pulling back slowly the plunger. Amastigotes were found in all smears from needle aspirates, and in only 11 out 15 obtained by scraping. Aspirates were also more suitable for cultures of parasites.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Application of an in vivo culture system for rapid demonstration of anti-Leishmania activity of monoclonal antibodies.

In mice, infection with Leishmania by the subcutaneous route becomes evident after about 2 months. This delay impedes the selection of monoclonal antibodies able to interfere with the infectiousness of the parasite. Using an in vivo culture system--intraperitoneal injection of TG 180 sarcoma cells along with promastigotes or amastigotes--it was possible to define within 15 to 20 days a monoclonal antibody preventing the development of Leishmania. Pretreatment of promastigotes and amastigotes of several Leishmania species with a monoclonal antibody raised against Leishmania infantum prevented infection equally in either system. These cross-reactions may be of importance in designing new approaches of immunotherapy.

Animals↗