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Project

Functional characterization of Leishmania braziliensis throughout in vitro biological cycle: the quest for a quiescent stage among amastigotes

Persistence is a major feature of Leishmania infections in humans and plays a role in asymptomatic infection, reactivation of the disease and treatment failure. Quiescence (characterized by a reversible non-proliferative or low-proliferative stage with reduced metabolism) is a mechanism of persistence in several pathogens and was so far poorly explored in Leishmania. We propose here to undertake a comprehensive study, integrating targeted and untargeted approaches to characterize the functional activity of Leishmania braziliensis throughout its in vitro life cycle, assess the presence of quiescent forms in the amastigote stage and define markers of these. This species was chosen as a model, because: i) it represents a paradigm for metastasis, presence in scars or healthy tissues, often associated with treatment failure, ii) it causes a major health problem in Peru and iii) we possess a unique collection of parasites clinically well documented. The functional activity of amastigotes, using the found markers, will be assessed in strains originating from patients with different clinical background.
Date:1 Jan 2015 →  27 Mar 2019
Keywords:B780-tropical-medicine