Research Articles
The first documentation of the immune response to cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka.
Authors:
D. Atapattu ,
Peradeniya University, LK
About D.
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine
D. Iddawela,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About D.
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine
S. Adikari,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About S.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine
S. Wickramasinghe,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About S.
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine
L. Bandara,
University of Peradeniya, LK
About L.
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine
S. Samaraweera
Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala, LK
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: The predominant form of leishmaniasis seen in Sri Lanka is cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani, a species commonly causing visceral disease. The objective of this study was to explore the human host immune response to CL in Sri Lanka.
Methods: A descriptive comparative study was carried out on nine CL patients referred to the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, during 2011-2013. mRNA was extracted from the skin biopsy samples and reverse transcribed to cDNA and tested for Th1 and Th2 cytokines by using specific primers for IFN-γ, IL-2 (Th1 cytokines) and IL-4, IL-10 (Th2 cytokines). The results were compared with different characteristics of the lesion (number, duration, size and type of lesion).
Results: This study revealed that the majority of CL patients (5/9) elicited a Th1 response whereas a Th2 response was not detected in any of the patients. Of the Th1 cytokine positive patients, majority had single lesions, with a shorter duration and smaller sized lesions which were of the plaque type. Of those which exhibited a negative Th1 response, the majority were larger lesions with a longer duration and were of the papular-nodular type.
Conclusions: The study suggests that the predominant immune response to CL caused by L. donovani in Sri Lanka, is a Th1 type of response which may explain the localization of L. donovani which is usually a viscerotropic species, to skin tissue.
Limitations of study: This study was done only in nine patients due to resource limitations. A continuation of this study is indicated to validate these results.
How to Cite:
Atapattu, D., Iddawela, D., Adikari, S., Wickramasinghe, S., Bandara, L. and Samaraweera, S., 2017. The first documentation of the immune response to cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka.. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases, 7(2), pp.76–84. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v7i2.8128
Published on
15 Oct 2017.
Peer Reviewed
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