Epidemiological dynamics of <i>Leishmania</i> (<i>Sauroleishmania</i>) <i>tarentolae</i> and <i>Trypanosoma platydactyli</i> in reptile hosts and sand flies: from isolation to genome assembly.

ABSTRACT: Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae and Trypanosoma platydactyli are reptile-associated trypanosomatids transmitted by Sergentomyia minuta sand flies, posing challenges for accurate diagnosis due to the fact that they often occur in sympatry. This study aimed to isolate and characterize new strains of these parasites from reptiles and sand flies using morphological, molecular and genomic approaches. Fifty-five reptiles were captured in Apulia, Italy, and sand flies were collected and dissected under a surveillance framework. Blood samples and gut contents were cultured in Schneider's Drosophila (SC) and Tobie-Evans (TEv) media. Two positive cultures underwent whole-genome sequencing, and a new conventional PCR (cPCR) protocol targeting the β-tubuli

SUBMITTER: Perles L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12688035 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature