Browsing by Subject "Trypanosomiasis"

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    Open Access
    Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes
    (2019-09-02) Attardo, Geoffrey M; Abd-Alla, Adly M M; Acosta-Serrano, Alvaro; Allen, James E; Bateta, Rosemary; Benoit, Joshua B; Bourtzis, Kostas; Caers, Jelle; Caljon, Guy; Christensen, Mikkel B; Farrow, David W; Friedrich, Markus; Hua-Van, Aurélie; Jennings, Emily C; Larkin, Denis M; Lawson, Daniel; Lehane, Michael J; Lenis, Vasileios P; Lowy-Gallego, Ernesto; Macharia, Rosaline W; Malacrida, Anna R; Marco, Heather G; Masiga, Daniel; Maslen, Gareth L; Matetovici, Irina; Meisel, Richard P; Meki, Irene; Michalkova, Veronika; Miller, Wolfgang J; Minx, Patrick; Mireji, Paul O; Ometto, Lino; Parker, Andrew G; Rio, Rita; Rose, Clair; Rosendale, Andrew J; Rota-Stabelli, Omar; Savini, Grazia; Schoofs, Liliane; Scolari, Francesca; Swain, Martin T; Takáč, Peter; Tomlinson, Chad; Tsiamis, George; Van Den Abbeele, Jan; Vigneron, Aurelien; Wang, Jingwen; Warren, Wesley C; Waterhouse, Robert M; Weirauch, Matthew T; Weiss, Brian L; Wilson, Richard K; Zhao, Xin; Aksoy, Serap
    Abstract Background Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Tsetse flies are distinguished from other Diptera by unique adaptations, including lactation and the birthing of live young (obligate viviparity), a vertebrate blood-specific diet by both sexes, and obligate bacterial symbiosis. This work describes the comparative analysis of six Glossina genomes representing three sub-genera: Morsitans (G. morsitans morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni), Palpalis (G. palpalis, G. fuscipes), and Fusca (G. brevipalpis) which represent different habitats, host preferences, and vectorial capacity. Results Genomic analyses validate established evolutionary relationships and sub-genera. Syntenic analysis of Glossina relative to Drosophila melanogaster shows reduced structural conservation across the sex-linked X chromosome. Sex-linked scaffolds show increased rates of female-specific gene expression and lower evolutionary rates relative to autosome associated genes. Tsetse-specific genes are enriched in protease, odorant-binding, and helicase activities. Lactation-associated genes are conserved across all Glossina species while male seminal proteins are rapidly evolving. Olfactory and gustatory genes are reduced across the genus relative to other insects. Vision-associated Rhodopsin genes show conservation of motion detection/tracking functions and variance in the Rhodopsin detecting colors in the blue wavelength ranges. Conclusions Expanded genomic discoveries reveal the genetics underlying Glossina biology and provide a rich body of knowledge for basic science and disease control. They also provide insight into the evolutionary biology underlying novel adaptations and are relevant to applied aspects of vector control such as trap design and discovery of novel pest and disease control strategies.
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    The role of B-cells and IgM antibodies in parasitemia, anemia, and VSG switching in Trypanosoma brucei-infected mice
    (Public Library of Science, 2008) Magez, Stefan; Schwegmann, Anita; Atkinson, Robert; Claes, Filip; Drennan, Michael; De Baetselier, Patrick; Brombacher, Frank
    Author Summary African trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by different species of extracellular flagellated protozoan trypanosome parasites. Trypanosomes have developed a mechanism of regular antigenic variation of their variant-specific surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat which allows chronic infection. Replacement of this coat occurs at rapid regular time intervals, allowing the parasite to escape from an effective host antibody responses. So far, primary T-cell independent antibody responses have been described to constitute the main host defense mechanism, relying largely on IgM antibody induction. Using genetically engineered B lymphocyte- or IgM-deficient mouse strains, we show that lack of B-cells or IgM did not prevent infection-associated anemia. More importantly, we show that in the absence of IgM, parasitemia was controlled almost as well as in wild-type mice, with only slightly increased mortality. In addition, we show in vivo that antigenic variation is not affected by the lack of IgM.