We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
An Overview of Immunotherapeutic Approaches Against Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis: What Has Been Tested on Dogs and a New Perspective on Improving Treatment Efficacy.
- Authors
Gonçalves, Ana Alice Maia; Leite, Jaqueline Costa; Resende, Lucilene Aparecida; Mariano, Reysla Maria da Silveira; Silveira, Patricia; Melo-Júnior, Otoni Alves de Oliveira; Ribeiro, Helen Silva; de Oliveira, Diana Souza; Soares, Diogo Fonseca; Santos, Thaiza Aline Pereira; Marques, Alexandre Ferreira; Galdino, Alexsandro Sobreira; Martins-Filho, Olindo Assis; Dutra, Walderez Ornelas; da Silveira-Lemos, Denise; Giunchetti, Rodolfo Cordeiro
- Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by digenetic protozoa of the genus Leishmania , is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Leishmania infantum is one of the species responsible for VL and the disease caused is considered a zoonosis whose main reservoir is the dog. Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) can lead to the death of the animal if left untreated. Furthermore, the available pharmocologial treatment for CVL presents numerous disadvantages, such as relapses, toxicity, drug resistance, and the fact treated animals continue to be reservoirs when treatment fails to achieve parasitological cure. Moreover, the available VL control methods have not been adequate when it comes to controlling parasite transmission. Advances in immune response knowledge in recent years have led to a better understanding of VL pathogenesis, allowing new treatments to be developed based on immune system activation, often referred to as immunotherapy. In fact, well-defined protocols have been described, ranging from the use of immunomodulators to the use of vaccines. This treatment, which can also be associated with chemotherapy, has been shown to be effective in restoring or inducing an adequate immune response to reduce parasitic burden, leading to clinical improvement. This review focuses on immunotherapy directed at dogs infected by L. infantum , including a literature review of what has already been done in dogs. We also introduce a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.
- Subjects
VISCERAL leishmaniasis; PATHOLOGY; ANIMAL mortality; LEISHMANIA infantum; DOGS
- Publication
Frontiers in Cellular & Infection Microbiology, 2019, Vol 9, p1
- ISSN
2235-2988
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3389/fcimb.2019.00427