Monitoring Leishmania infantum with Luciferase
Author Information
Author(s): Michel Grégory, Ferrua Bernard, Lang Thierry, Maddugoda Madhavi P., Munro Patrick, Pomares Christelle, Lemichez Emmanuel, Marty Pierre
Primary Institution: Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Faculté de Médecine, Nice, France
Hypothesis
Can transgenic Leishmania infantum expressing luciferase be used to monitor parasite population sizes in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that luciferase-expressing Leishmania infantum can effectively monitor parasite loads in various conditions and is useful for drug efficacy testing.
Supporting Evidence
- Luciferase-expressing parasites allowed for real-time monitoring of infection in mice.
- The sensitivity of bioluminescence imaging ranged from 20,000 to 40,000 amastigotes per mg of tissue.
- Ex vivo analysis showed a sensitivity of 1,000 to 6,000 amastigotes per mg of tissue.
- Miltefosine treatment resulted in a significant reduction of luminescence in infected mice.
Takeaway
Scientists created a special type of parasite that glows, which helps them see how many of these parasites are in mice and how well medicines work against them.
Methodology
Transgenic Leishmania infantum expressing luciferase were used to monitor parasite loads in BALB/c mice through bioluminescence imaging and ex vivo analysis.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on high parasite loads, which may not represent lower infection levels.
Participant Demographics
Female BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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