Leishmania major-Infected Phlebotomus duboscqi Sand Fly Bites Enhance Mast Cell Degranulation.

ABSTRACT: Leishmania parasites infect mammalian hosts through the bites of sand fly vectors. The response by mast cells (MC) to the parasite and vector-derived factors, delivered by sand fly bites, has not been characterized. We analyzed MC numbers and their mediators in BALB/c mice naturally infected in the ear with Leishmania major through the bite of the sand fly vector Phlebotomus duboscqi and compared them to non-infected sand fly bites. MC were found at the bite sites of infective and non-infected sand flies throughout 48 h, showing the release of granules with intense TNF-α, histamine, and tryptase staining. At 30 min and 48 h, the MC numbers were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in infected as compared to non-infected bites or controls. Neutrophil recruitment was

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Garcia L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9960273 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature