Mitali Chatterjee - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mitali Chatterjee

Scientific Reports, 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the pa... more An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Inflammopharmacology, 2021

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by in ammation mediated angiogenesis in sy... more Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by in ammation mediated angiogenesis in synovial tissue, leading to apoptotic retardation and enhanced cell survival in synovial broblasts. Methotrexate (MTX) can reduce selective pro-in ammatory cytokines but unable to restore disrupted homeostasis between autophagy and apoptosis in fd-FLS. Objective: To evaluate the effect of black tea compound TF3 along with MTX upon uid derived (fd)-FLS to induce apoptosis and inhibit autophagy through ER stress-mediated pathways. Methods: FLS sourced from synovial uid (SF) of patients with RA (n=11) and osteoarthritis (OA) (n=10) were cultured following treatment with MTX/TF3 or in combination and underlying mechanisms were investigated. Extracellular in ammatory markers like CRP and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), angiogenic markers (VEGF, ANG-1) were quanti ed by ELISA. Cell viability of cultured fd-FLS was determined by MTT assay. fd-FLS treated with MTX/TF3 or combination of MTX(125nM) and TF3(10µM), followed by apoptosis measurement by ow cytometry. ER stress associated markers were quanti ed by RT-PCR (IRE1A and spliced-XBP-1) and immunoblotting (Grp78, Hsp70, CHOP, HIF1-α). Apoptotic (Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspases) and autophagic proteins (Beclin1, LC3b and p62) were quanti ed by immunoblot study. Results: MTX and TF3 both in single doses (IC 25) could down-regulate the levels of pro-in ammatory and angiogenic markers. Combination treatment modulated ER stress response and blocked the autophagmosomal proteins in fd-FLS and induced apoptosis. Conclusion: Disruption in homeostasis between apoptosis and autophagy might be an underlying phenomenon in the progression of pathophysiology in fd-FLS. The combined administration of MTX and TF3 successfully balanced the homeostasis by inducing apoptosis.

BioMed Research International, 2020

Posing a threat to the ongoing leishmaniasis elimination efforts in the Indian subcontinent, L. d... more Posing a threat to the ongoing leishmaniasis elimination efforts in the Indian subcontinent, L. donovani-induced cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been recently reported in many countries. Sri Lanka reports a large focus of human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani, a usually visceralizing parasite. Enhanced case detection, early treatment, and in-depth understanding of sequalae are required to contain the spread of disease. Visceralizing potential of dermotropic strains has not been fully ruled out. Sri Lankan strains have shown a poor response to established serological assays. The present concern was to develop an in-house serological assay and to determine the seroprevalence of CL for identifying visceralizing potential and its usefulness in enhancing case detection. Crude cell lysate of dermotropic L. donovani promastigotes-based indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was previously optimized. Assay was evaluated using sera from 200 CL patients...

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2020

Background During infections involving intracellular pathogens, iron performs a double-edged func... more Background During infections involving intracellular pathogens, iron performs a double-edged function by providing the pathogen with nutrients, but also boosts the host's antimicrobial arsenal. Although the role of iron has been described in visceral leishmaniasis, information regarding its status in the dermal sequel, Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) remains limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to establish the status of iron within monocytes/macrophages of PKDL cases. Methodology/Principal findings The intramonocytic labile iron pool (LIP), status of CD163 (hemoglobin-haptoglobin scavenging receptor) and CD71 (transferrin receptor, Tfr) were evaluated within CD14 + monocytes by flow cytometry, and soluble CD163 by ELISA. At the lesional sites, Fe 3+ status was evaluated by Prussian blue staining, parasite load by qPCR, while the mRNA expression of Tfr (TfR1/CD71), CD163, divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1), Lipocalin-2 (Lcn-2), Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), Ferritin, Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP-1) and Ferroportin (Fpn-1) was evaluated by droplet digital PCR. Circulating monocytes demonstrated elevated levels of CD71, CD163 and soluble CD163, which corroborated with an enhanced lesional mRNA expression of TfR, CD163, DMT1 and Lcn-2. Additionally, the LIP was raised along with an elevated mRNA expression of ferritin and HO-1, as also iron exporters NRAMP-1 and Fpn-1. Conclusions/Significance In monocytes/macrophages of PKDL cases, enhancement of the iron influx gateways (TfR, CD163, DMT-1 and Lcn-2) possibly accounted for the enhanced LIP. However, enhancement of the iron exporters (NRAMP-1 and Fpn-1) defied the classical Ferritin low /Ferroportin high phenotype of alternatively activated macrophages. The creation of such a pro-parasitic

Wellcome Open Research, 2019

Background: Liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome®) as a treatment modality for visceral leishmanias... more Background: Liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome®) as a treatment modality for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has had significant impact on patient care in some but not all regions where VL is endemic. As the mode of action of AmBisome® in vivo is poorly understood, we compared the tissue-specific transcriptome in drug-treated vs untreated mice with experimental VL. Methods: BALB/c mice infected with L. donovani were treated with 8mg/kg AmBisome®, resulting in parasite elimination from liver and spleen over a 7-day period. At day 1 and day 7 post treatment (Rx+1 and Rx+7), transcriptomic profiling was performed on spleen and liver tissue from treated and untreated mice and uninfected mice. BALB/c mice infected with M. bovis BCG (an organism resistant to amphotericin B) were analysed to distinguish between direct effects of AmBisome® and those secondary to parasite death. Results: AmBisome® treatment lead to rapid parasitological clearance. At Rx+1, spleen and liver displayed onl...

Scientific Reports, 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 2019

Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL), a sequel of apparently cured Visceral Leishmaniasis p... more Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL), a sequel of apparently cured Visceral Leishmaniasis presents in South Asia with papulonodular (polymorphic) or hypomelanotic lesions (macular). Till date, the polymorphic variant was considered predominant, constituting 85-90%. However, following active-case surveillance, the proportion of macular PKDL has increased substantially to nearly 50%, necessitating an in-depth analysis of this variant. Accordingly, this study aimed to delineate the cellular infiltrate in macular vis-à-vis polymorphic PKDL. To study the overall histopathology, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed on lesional sections and phenotyping by immunohistochemistry done in terms of dendritic cells (CD1a), macrophages (CD68), HLA-DR, T-cells (CD8, CD4), B-cells (CD20) and Ki67 along with assessment of the status of circulating homing markers CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL13. In polymorphic cases (n = 20), the cellular infiltration was substantial, whereas in macular lesions (n = 20) it was mild and patchy with relative sparing of the reticular dermis. Although parasite DNA was identified in both variants by ITS-1 PCR, the parasite load was significantly higher in the polymorphic variant and Leishman-Donovan bodies were notably minimally present in macular cases. Both variants demonstrated a decrease in CD1a + dendritic cells, HLA-DR expression and CD4 + T-cells. In macular cases, the proportion of CD68 + macrophages, CD8 + T-cells and CD20 + B-cells was 4.6 fold, 17.0 fold and 1.6 fold lower than polymorphic cases. The absence of Ki67 positivity and increased levels of chemoattractants suggested dermal homing of these cellular subsets. Taken together, as compared to the polymorphic variant, patients with macular PKDL demonstrated a lower parasite load along with a lesser degree of cellular infiltration, suggesting differences in host-pathogen interactions, which in turn can impact on their disease transmitting potential and responses to chemotherapy.

Scientific Reports, 2019

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the leading infectious diseases affecting developing countr... more Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the leading infectious diseases affecting developing countries. Colloidal gold-based diagnostic tests are rapid tools to detect blood/serum antibodies for VL diagnosis. Lack of uniformity in the performance of these tests in different endemic regions is a hurdle in early disease diagnosis. This study is designed to validate a serum-based dipstick test in eight centres of six countries, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Ethiopia and Spain with archived and fresh sera from 1003 subjects. The dipstick detects antibodies against Leishmania donovani membrane antigens (LAg). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the test with 95% confidence intervals were found to be 97.10% and 93.44%, respectively. The test showed good sensitivity and specificity in the Indian subcontinent (>95%). In Brazil, Ethiopia, and Spain the sensitivity and specificity of the dipstick test (83.78–100% and 79.06–100%) were better as compared to the earlier reports of the...

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2019

Background Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) develops in patients apparently cured of Vi... more Background Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) develops in patients apparently cured of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), and is the strongest contender for being the disease reservoir. Therefore, existence of a few cases is sufficient to trigger an epidemic of VL in a given community, emphasizing the need for its active detection and in turn ensuring success of the current elimination program. This study explored the impact of active surveillance on the demographic profile of PKDL patients in West Bengal. Methodology/Principal findings Patients with PKDL were recruited through passive (2003-date, n = 100) and active surveillance (2015-date, n = 202), the former from outpatient departments of dermatology in medical colleges in West Bengal and the latter through an active door-to-door survey in four VL hyper-endemic districts of West Bengal. Passive surveillance indicated a male preponderance and a predominance of polymorphic lesions, whereas active surveillance indicated absence of any gender bias and more importantly, macular PKDL constituted almost 50% of the population burden. In terms of polymorphic vs. macular PKDL, the former appeared at a later age, their disease duration was longer and had a higher parasite burden. In the polymorphic variant, the lesional distribution was asymmetrical, comprised of papules/nodules/ macules that were present mainly in sun-exposed areas whereas in macular cases, the hypopigmented patches were diffusely present all over the body. Conclusions/Significance Active surveillance unraveled a disease component whose demographic profile showed important differences with PKDL cases who sought treatment in government hospitals. Detection of a higher proportion of macular cases indicates that this variant is not an

Molecules, 2018

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoal Leishmania. Because of resistance dev... more Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoal Leishmania. Because of resistance development against current drugs, new antileishmanial compounds are urgently needed. Endoperoxides (EPs) are successfully used in malaria therapy, and experimental evidence of their potential against leishmaniasis exists. Anthracene endoperoxides (AcEPs) have so far been only technically used and not explored for their leishmanicidal potential. This study verified the in vitro efficiency and mechanism of AcEPs against both Leishmania promastigotes and axenic amastigotes (L. tarentolae and L. donovani) as well as their toxicity in J774 macrophages. Additionally, the kinetics and radical products of AcEPs' reaction with iron, the formation of radicals by AcEPs in Leishmania, as well as the resulting impairment of parasite mitochondrial functions were studied. Using electron paramagnetic resonance combined with spin trapping, photometry, and fluorescence-based oximetry, AcEPs were demonstrated to (i) show antileishmanial activity in vitro at IC 50 values in a low micromolar range, (ii) exhibit host cell toxicity in J774 macrophages, (iii) react rapidly with iron (II) resulting in the formation of oxygen-and carbon-centered radicals, (iv) produce carbon-centered radicals which could secondarily trigger superoxide radical formation in Leishmania, and (v) impair mitochondrial functions in Leishmania during parasite killing. Overall, the data of different AcEPs demonstrate that their structures besides the peroxo bridge strongly influence their activity and mechanism of their antileishmanial action.

Scientific Reports, 2019

Post Kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), caused by Leishmania donovani is the dermal sequel of... more Post Kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), caused by Leishmania donovani is the dermal sequel of Visceral Leishmaniasis and importantly, is the proposed disease reservoir. The survival of Leishmania parasites within monocytes/macrophages hinges on its ability to effectively nullify immune activation mechanisms. Thus, delineating the disease-promoting immune mechanisms can facilitate development of immunotherapeutic strategies. Accordingly, in the absence of an animal model, this study aimed to delineate the status of CD8+ T-cells in patients with PKDL. At disease presentation, the absence of CD4+ T-cells at lesional sites was concomitant with an overwhelming infiltration of CD8+ T-cells that demonstrated an absence of Perforin, Granzyme and Zap-70, along with an enhanced expression of Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) and the skin-homing CCL17. Additionally, the lesional CCR4+CD8+ population was associated with an enhanced expression of IL-10 and IL-5. In circulation, the enhanced CD8+CCR4...

F1000Research, 2018

For several complex intracellular pathogens, we have an urgent need for effective vaccines and ye... more For several complex intracellular pathogens, we have an urgent need for effective vaccines and yet there are common barriers to vaccine development. These diseases, including tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, leprosy and melioidosis, cause a huge burden of disease and disproportionately affect low and middle income countries. They are therefore often neglected due to the marginalisation of affected populations and the poor predicted commercial return on investment. Barriers to vaccine development include an incomplete understanding of protective immunity and translation from the bench into clinical vaccine trials. The current linear approach to vaccine research and development for these pathogens, which involves basic research, vaccine design, and vaccine evaluation in preclinical challenge models and clinical trials, is inefficient for these complex intracellular pathogens. We have established a Global Challenges Research Fund Network for VAccine deveLopment for complex Intracellular ne...

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2017

Background. The potential reservoirs of leishmaniasis in South Asia include relapsed cases of vis... more Background. The potential reservoirs of leishmaniasis in South Asia include relapsed cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), and an asymptomatically infected population. Therefore, assessment of cure in terms of parasite clearance, early detection of PKDL, and asymptomatic VL are pivotal for ensuring elimination. This study aimed to monitor the efficacy of miltefosine and liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) in PKDL based on parasite load. Methods. Patients with PKDL were recruited from the dermatology outpatient departments or during active field surveys. Skin biopsies were collected at disease presentation, immediately at the end of treatment, and 6 months later. The presence of parasite DNA was assessed by internal transcribed spacer-1 polymerase chain reaction, and quantified by amplification of parasite kinetoplastid DNA. Results. At disease presentation (n = 184), the median parasite load was 5229 (interquartile range [IQR], 896-50 898)/μg genomic DNA (gDNA). Miltefosine cleared the parasites to <10 in the macular (n = 17) and polymorphic (n = 21) variants, and remained so up to 6 months later (<10 parasites). LAmB reduced the parasite burden substantially in macular (n = 34; 2128 [IQR, 544-5763]/µg gDNA) and polymorphic PKDL (n = 36; 2541 [IQR, 650-9073]/µg gDNA). Importantly, in patients who returned 6 months later (n = 38), a resurgence of parasites was evident, as the parasites increased to 5665 (IQR, 1840-17 067)/µg gDNA. Conclusions. This study established that quantifying parasite load is an effective approach for monitoring patients with PKDL, wherein miltefosine demonstrated near-total parasite clearance and resolution of symptoms. However, in cases treated with LAmB, the persistence of parasites suggested treatment inadequacy. This needs immediate redressal in view of the leishmaniasis elimination program targeted for 2020.

The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, Jan 17, 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inﬂammatory autoimmune disorder is characterized by synovial hyperp... more Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inﬂammatory autoimmune disorder is characterized by synovial hyperplasia and bony destruction. The pathogenesis of RA includes redox dysregulation, concomitant with increased levels of pro-inﬂammatory mediators. As the ability of Allylpyrocatechol (APC), a phytoconstituent of Piper betle leaves to alleviate oxidative stress has been demonstrated in patients with RA, its anti-arthritic activity was evaluated in an animal model of arthritis, along with establishment of the underlying mechanism(s) of action. The animal model was established by immunizing rats with bovine collagen type II (CII) followed by lipopolysaccharide, along with a booster dose of CII on day 15. Rats were treated with APC or Methotrexate (MTX) from days 11 to 27, wherein paw edema, radiography, histopathology and markers of inflammation were evaluated. The pro/anti-inflammatory signaling pathways were studied in a RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. APC prevented the progression of arthri...

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2016

The prevalence of HCV infection among dialysis patients is generally much higher than healthy blo... more The prevalence of HCV infection among dialysis patients is generally much higher than healthy blood donors and general population. Studies held in dialysis centers from different countries revealed that prevalence ranges from 1 to 84.6%. There is particular concern because it causes significant morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of the study was to study the prevalence of HCV infection and its genotype in HD patients, HCV viremia by PCR, demographic profile and risk factors of HCV infection. Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted in 225 patients undergoing HD at Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad. Patients were subjected to screening for Anti-HCV antibody using ELISA, HCV RNA using RT PCR technique and genotyping. Further comparison was done with healthy control population and blood donor group. Statistical analysis of the data was done by Chi-square test using EPIINFO 2000 software with P < 0.001 highly significant and P > 0.05 insignificant. Results: Out of 225 hemodialysis patients 38 (16.8%) patients were anti HCV positive. Duration of dialysis was significantly longer in anti-HCV antibodies positive group with dialysis duration more than 2 years. Seropositivity is more in HD patients having dialysis more than one center. HCV RNA was detected in randomly selected 13/25 (52%) anti HCV positive patients. The genotype distribution was as 3a (7) 2a (2), 2b (1), mixed genotypes (3). Conclusion: Duration of dialysis, getting dialysis at more than one center is important association for anti-HCV antibodies positivity. Genotype 3 was predominant (61.11%). Detection of genotypes helps in initiation of therapy and prediction of prognosis in patients of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2016

Hepatitis B e-antigen negative (e(À)) chronic HBV infection (CHI) encompasses a heterogeneous cli... more Hepatitis B e-antigen negative (e(À)) chronic HBV infection (CHI) encompasses a heterogeneous clinical spectrum ranging from inactive carrier (IC) state to e(À) chronic hepatitis B (CHB), cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation. In the backdrop of dysfunctional virus-specific T cells, natural killer (NK) cells are emerging as innate effectors in CHI. We characterized CD3 À CD56 þ NK cells in clinically well-defined, treatment-naive e(À) patients in IC, e(À)CHB or decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC) phase to appraise their role in disease progression. The NK cell frequencies increased progressively with disease severity (IC 8.2%, e(À)CHB 13.2% and LC 14.4%). Higher proportion of NK cells from LC/e(À)CHB expressed CD69, NKp46, NKp44, TRAIL and perforin, the last two being prominent features of CD56 bright and CD56 dim NK subsets, respectively. The frequencies of CD3 À CD56 þ NK cells together with TRAIL þ CD56 bright and Perforin þ CD56 dim NK cells correlated positively with serum alanine transaminase levels in e(À)CHB/LC. K562 cell-stimulated NK cells from e(À)CHB/LC exhibited significantly greater degranulation but diminished interferon-g production than IC. Further, Perforin þ NK cell frequency inversely correlated with autologous CD4 þ T-cell count in e(À) patients and ligands of NK receptors were over-expressed in CD4 þ T cells from e(À)CHB/LC relative to IC. Co-culture of sorted CD56 dim NK cells and CD4 þ T cells from e(À)CHB showed enhanced CD4 þ T-cell apoptosis, which was reduced by perforin inhibitor, concanamycin A, suggesting a possible perforin-dependent NK cell-mediated CD4 þ T-cell depletion. Moreover, greater incidence of perforin-expressing NK cells and decline in CD4 þ T cells were noticed intrahepatically in e(À) CHB than IC. Collectively, NK cells contribute to the progression of e(À)CHI by enhanced TRAIL-and perforin-dependent cytolytic activity and by restraining anti-viral immunity through reduced interferong secretion and perforin-mediated CD4 þ T-cell lysis.

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, Jan 7, 2015

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a chronic dermatosis that generally occurs after ap... more Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a chronic dermatosis that generally occurs after apparent cure of visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani. In view of the prolonged treatment regimens necessary for PKDL, noncompliance is a major limitation; an optimal regimen is yet to be defined, but 12 weeks of therapy with miltefosine is generally recommended. We performed a single-arm open-label trial of miltefosine administered daily for 16 weeks in 27 patients in Kolkata with PKDL. After 4 weeks of treatment, nine patients were lost to follow-up because of unacceptable side effects, including severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Of the 18 remaining patients, seven completed 12 weeks of therapy and 11 completed 16 weeks of therapy. Three of the seven who received 12 weeks of therapy and none of the 11 who received 16 weeks of therapy experienced disease relapse. Our results suggest that a 16-week course of miltefosine is required for reliable cure of PKDL. Furt...

PLOS ONE, 2015

Background Current chemotherapeutic agents based on apoptosis induction are lacking in desired ef... more Background Current chemotherapeutic agents based on apoptosis induction are lacking in desired efficacy. Therefore, there is continuous effort to bring about new dimension in control and gradual eradication of cancer by means of ever evolving therapeutic strategies. Various forms of PCD are being increasingly implicated in anti-cancer therapy and the complex interplay among them is vital for the ultimate fate of proliferating cells. We elaborated and illustrated the underlying mechanism of the most potent Andrographolide analogue (AG-4) mediated action that involved the induction of dual modes of cell death-apoptosis and autophagy in human leukemic U937 cells. Principal Findings AG-4 induced cytotoxicity was associated with redox imbalance and apoptosis which involved mitochondrial depolarisation, altered apoptotic protein expressions, activation of the caspase cascade leading to cell cycle arrest. Incubation with caspase inhibitor Z-VADfmk or Bax siRNA decreased cytotoxic efficacy of AG-4 emphasising critical roles of caspase and Bax. In addition, AG-4 induced autophagy as evident from LC3-II accumulation, increased Atg protein expressions and autophagosome formation. Pre-treatment with 3-MA or Atg 5 siRNA suppressed the cytotoxic effect of AG-4 implying the pro-death role of autophagy. Furthermore, incubation with Z-VAD-fmk or Bax siRNA subdued AG-4 induced autophagy and pre-treatment with 3-MA or Atg 5 siRNA curbed AG-4 induced apoptosisimplying that apoptosis and autophagy acted as partners in the context of AG-4 mediated PLOS ONE |

Glycobiology, 2002

Sialic acids as terminal residues of oligosaccharide chains play a crucial role in several cellul... more Sialic acids as terminal residues of oligosaccharide chains play a crucial role in several cellular recognition events. The presence of sialic acid on promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, the causative organism of Indian visceral leishmaniasis, was demonstrated by fluorimetric high-performance liquid chromatography showing Neu5Ac and, to a minor extent, Neu5,9Ac 2. The presence of Neu5Ac was confirmed by GC/MS analysis. Furthermore, binding with sialic acidbinding lectins Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA), Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA), and Siglecs showed the presence of both a2,3-and a2,6-linked sialic acids. No endogenous biosynthetic machinery for Neu5Ac could be demonstrated in the parasite. Concomitant western blotting of parasite membranes and culture medium with SNA demonstrated the presence of common sialoglyconjugates (123, 90, and 70 kDa). Similarly, binding of MAA with parasite membrane and culture medium showed three analogous sialoglycans corresponding to 130, 117, and 70 kDa, indicating that a2,3-and a2,6-linked sialoglycans are adsorbed from the fetal calf serum present in the culture medium. L. donovani promastigotes also reacted with Achatinin-H, a lectin that preferentially identifies 9-O-acetylated sialic acid in a2 3 6 GalNAc linkage. This determinant was evidenced on parasite cell surfaces by cell agglutination, ELISA, and flow cytometry, where its binding was abolished by pretreatment of cells with a recombinant 9-O-acetylesterase derived from the HE1 region of the influenza C esterase gene. Additionally, binding of CD60b, a 9-O-acetyl GD3-specific monoclonal antibody, corroborated the presence of terminal 9-O-acetylated disialoglycans. Our results indicate that sialic acids (a2 3 6 and a2 3 3 linked) and 9-O-acetyl derivatives constitute components of the parasite cell surface.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2011

This report presents three cases where the rK39 strip test failed to diagnose two cases of post-k... more This report presents three cases where the rK39 strip test failed to diagnose two cases of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis and one case of visceral leishmaniasis. However, a strong clinical suspicion prompted further evaluation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which established the etiology. The present case series highlights the usefulness of PCR in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

Scientific Reports, 2021

Inflammopharmacology, 2021

BioMed Research International, 2020

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2020

Wellcome Open Research, 2019

Scientific Reports, 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 2019

Scientific Reports, 2019

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2019

Molecules, 2018

Scientific Reports, 2019

F1000Research, 2018

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2017

The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, Jan 17, 2016

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2016

Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2016

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, Jan 7, 2015

PLOS ONE, 2015

Glycobiology, 2002

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2011