Leishmaniasis (or the leishmaniases), classified as a neglected tropical parasitic disease, is found in parts of the tropics, subtropics and southern Europe. Leishmania parasites are transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies and million cases of human infection occur annually. Leishmania tarentolae has been historically considered a non-pathogenic protozoan of reptiles, which has been studied mainly for its potential biotechnological applications. However, some strains of L. tarentolae appear to be transiently infective to mammals. In areas where leishmaniasis is endemic, recent molecular diagnostics and serological positivity to L. tarentolae in humans and dogs have spurred interest in the interactions between these mammalian hosts, reptiles and Leishmania infantum, the main aetiologic agent of human and canine leishmaniasis. In this review, we discuss the systematics and biology of L. tarentolae in the insect vectors and the vertebrate hosts and address questions about evolution of reptilian leishmaniae. Furthermore, we discuss the possible usefulness of L. tarentolae for new vaccination strategies.

Biology Centre Institute of Parasitology Czech Academy of Sciences České Budějovice Czech Republic

Department of Biosciences and Pediatric CRC Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi University of Milan Milan Italy

Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Department of Pathobiology Faculty of Veterinary Science Bu Ali Sina University Hamedan Iran

Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Bari Valenzano Italy

Department of Veterinary Sciences Faculty of Agrobiology Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Adler, S. (1962). The behaviour of a lizard Leishmania in hamsters and baby mice. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, 4, 61–64. PubMed

Adler, S. , & Theodor, O. (1929). Observations on

Adler, S. , & Theodor, O. (1935). Investigation on Mediterranean kala azar X—A note on

Akhoundi, M. , Kuhls, K. , Cannet, A. , Votýpka, J. , Marty, P. , Delaunay, P. , & Sereno, D. (2016). A historical overview of the classification, evolution, and dispersion of PubMed DOI PMC

Ansari, N. , Rafati, S. , Taheri, T. , Roohvand, F. , Farahmand, M. , Hajikhezri, Z. , Keshavarz, A. , & Samimi‐Rad, K. (2019). A non‐pathogenic PubMed DOI

Baechlein, C. , Meemken, D. , Pezzoni, G. , Engemann, C. , & Grummer, B. (2013). Expression of a truncated hepatitis E virus capsid protein in the protozoan organism PubMed DOI

Bates, P. A. (2007). Transmission of PubMed DOI PMC

Belova, E. M. (1971). Reptiles and their importance in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 44(4), 553–560. PubMed PMC

Blum, B. , Bakalara, N. , & Simpson, L. (1990). A model for RNA editing in kinetoplastid mitochondria: “guide” RNA molecules transcribed from maxicircle DNA provide the edited information. Cell, 60(2), 189–198. 10.1016/0092-8674(90)90735-w PubMed DOI

Bolhassani, A. , Shirbaghaee, Z. , Agi, E. , & Davoudi, N. (2015). VLP production in PubMed DOI

Breton, M. , Tremblay, M. J. , Ouellette, M. , & Papadopoulou, B. (2005). Live nonpathogenic parasitic vector as a candidate vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis. Infection and Immunity, 73(10), 6372–6382. 10.1128/IAI.73.10.6372-6382.2005 PubMed DOI PMC

Breton, M. , Zhao, C. , Ouellette, M. , Tremblay, M. J. , & Papadopoulou, B. (2007). A recombinant non‐pathogenic PubMed DOI

Cantacessi, C. , Dantas‐Torres, F. , Nolan, M. J. , & Otranto, D. (2015). The past, present, and future of PubMed DOI PMC

Cavalera, M. A. , Iatta, R. , Panarese, R. , Mendoza‐Roldan, J. A. , Gernone, F. , Otranto, D. , Paltrinieri, S. , & Zatelli, A. (2021). Seasonal variation in canine anti‐ PubMed DOI

Chatton, E. , & Blanc, G. (1914). Existence de corps leishmaniformes dans les hématoblastes d'un gecko barbaresque

Chen, H. , Li, J. , Zhang, J. , Guo, X. , Liu, J. , He, J. , Song, Q. , Zhang, J. , Chen, M. , Zheng, Z. , Chen, D. , & Chen, J. (2019). Multi‐locus characterization and phylogenetic inference of PubMed DOI PMC

Coughlan, S. , Mulhair, P. , Sanders, M. , Schonian, G. , Cotton, J. A. , & Downing, T. (2017). The genome of PubMed DOI PMC

Cupolillo, E. , Medina‐Acosta, E. , Noyes, H. , Momen, H. , & Grimaldi, G., Jr. (2000). A revised classification for PubMed DOI

Dantas‐Torres, F. , Solano‐Gallego, L. , Baneth, G. , Ribeiro, V. M. , de Paiva‐Cavalcanti, M. , & Otranto, D. (2012). Canine leishmaniosis in the Old and New Worlds: Unveiled similarities and differences. Trends in Parasitology, 28(12), 531–538. 10.1016/j.pt.2012.08.007 PubMed DOI

Diaz‐Albiter, H. M. , Regnault, C. , Alpizar‐Sosa, E. A. , McGuinness, D. , Barrett, M. , & Dillon, R. J. (2018). Non‐invasive visualisation and identification of fluorescent PubMed DOI PMC

Dostálová, A. , & Volf, P. (2012). PubMed DOI PMC

Elwasila, M. (1988). PubMed DOI

Espinosa, O. A. , Serrano, M. G. , Camargo, E. P. , Teixeira, M. , & Shaw, J. J. (2018). An appraisal of the taxonomy and nomenclature of trypanosomatids presently classified as PubMed DOI

Flegontov, P. , Votýpka, J. , Skalický, T. , Logacheva, M. D. , Penin, A. A. , Tanifuji, G. , Onodera, N. T. , Kondrashov, A. S. , Volf, P. , Archibald, J. M. , & Lukeš, J. (2013). PubMed DOI

Gao, G. , Kapushoc, S. T. , Simpson, A. M. , Thiemann, O. H. , & Simpson, L. (2001). Guide RNAs of the recently isolated LEM125 strain of PubMed DOI PMC

Haghdoust, S. , Noroozbeygi, M. , Hajimollahoseini, M. , Masooleh, M. M. , & Yeganeh, F. (2022). A candidate vaccine composed of live nonpathogenic Iranian lizard PubMed DOI

Harkins, K. M. , Schwartz, R. S. , Cartwright, R. A. , & Stone, A. C. (2016). Phylogenomic reconstruction supports supercontinent origins for PubMed DOI

Heisch, R. B. (1958). On PubMed DOI

Iatta, R. , Mendoza‐Roldan, J. A. , Latrofa, M. S. , Cascio, A. , Brianti, E. , Pombi, M. , Gabrielli, S. , & Otranto, D. (2021). PubMed DOI PMC

Jørgensen, M. L. , Friis, N. A. , Just, J. , Madsen, P. , Petersen, S. V. , & Kristensen, P. (2014). Expression of single‐chain variable fragments fused with the Fc‐region of rabbit IgG in PubMed DOI PMC

Kaddu, J. B. (1986).

Karimi, A. , Hanafi‐Bojd, A. A. , Yaghoobi‐Ershadi, M. R. , Akhavan, A. A. , & Ghezelbash, Z. (2014). Spatial and temporal distributions of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), vectors of leishmaniasis, in Iran. Acta Tropica, 132, 131–139. 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.01.004 PubMed DOI

Katebi, A. , Gholami, E. , Taheri, T. , Zahedifard, F. , Habibzadeh, S. , Taslimi, Y. , Shokri, F. , Papadopoulou, B. , Kamhawi, S. , Valenzuela, J. G. , & Rafati, S. (2015). PubMed DOI

Keshavarzian, N. , Noroozbeygi, M. , Haji Molla Hoseini, M. , & Yeganeh, F. (2020). Evaluation of leishmanization using Iranian lizard PubMed DOI PMC

Killick‐Kendrick, R. , Lumsden, W. H. R. , & Evans, D. A. (1979). Biology of the kinetoplastida. New York, NY: Academic Press.

Killick‐Kendrick, R. , Lainson, R. , Rioux, J. A. , & Saf'janova, V. M. (1986). The taxonomy of

Klatt, S. , & Konthur, Z. (2012). Secretory signal peptide modification for optimized antibody‐fragment expression‐secretion in PubMed DOI PMC

Klatt, S. , Rohe, M. , Alagesan, K. , Kolarich, D. , Konthur, Z. , & Hartl, D. (2013). Production of glycosylated soluble amyloid precursor protein alpha (sAPPalpha) in PubMed DOI

Klatt, S. , Simpson, L. , Maslov, D. A. , & Konthur, Z. (2019). PubMed DOI PMC

Kostygov, A. Y. , Karnkowska, A. , Votýpka, J. , Tashyreva, D. , Maciszewski, K. , Yurchenko, V. , & Lukeš, J. (2021). Euglenozoa: Taxonomy, diversity and ecology, symbioses and viruses. Open Biology, 11(3), 200407. 10.1098/rsob.200407 PubMed DOI PMC

Kostygov, A. Y. , & Yurchenko, V. (2017). Revised classification of the subfamily Leishmaniinae (Trypanosomatidae). Folia Parasitologica, 64, 2017020. 10.14411/fp.2017.020 PubMed DOI

Kushnir, S. , Gase, K. , Breitling, R. , & Alexandrov, K. (2005). Development of an inducible protein expression system based on the protozoan host PubMed DOI

Lainson, R. , & Shaw, J. J. (1987). The leishmaniases in biology and medicine. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press.

Latrofa, M. S. , Mendoza‐Roldan, J. , Manoj, R. , Dantas‐Torres, F. , & Otranto, D. (2021). A duplex real‐time PCR assay for the detection and differentiation of DOI

Lukeš, J. , Butenko, A. , Hashimi, H. , Maslov, D. A. , Votýpka, J. , & Yurchenko, V. (2018). Trypanosomatids are much more than just trypanosomes: Clues from the expanded family tree. Trends in Parasitology, 34(6), 466–480. 10.1016/j.pt.2018.03.002 PubMed DOI

Lukeš, J. , Mauricio, I. L. , Schönian, G. , Dujardin, J. C. , Soteriadou, K. , Dedet, J. P. , Kuhls, K. , Tintaya, K. W. , Jirků, M. , Chocholová, E. , Haralambous, C. , Pratlong, F. , Oborník, M. , Horák, A. , Ayala, F. J. , & Miles, M. A. (2007). Evolutionary and geographical history of the PubMed DOI PMC

Lukeš, J. , Skalický, T. , Týč, J. , Votýpka, J. , & Yurchenko, V. (2014). Evolution of parasitism in Kinetoplastid flagellates. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 195(2), 115–122. 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.05.007 PubMed DOI

Maia, C. , & Depaquit, J. (2016). Can PubMed DOI PMC

Manson‐Bahr, P. E. , & Heisch, R. B. (1961). Transient infection of man with a PubMed DOI

Maroli, M. , Feliciangeli, M. D. , Bichaud, L. , Charrel, R. N. , & Gradoni, L. (2013). Phlebotomine sandflies and the spreading of leishmaniases and other diseases of public health concern. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 27(2), 123–147. 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2012.01034.x PubMed DOI

Maroli, M. , Gramiccia, M. , Gradoni, L. , Ready, P. D. , Smith, D. F. , & Aquino, C. (1988). Natural infections of PubMed DOI

Maslov, D. A. , Votýpka, J. , Yurchenko, V. , & Lukeš, J. (2013). Diversity and phylogeny of insect trypanosomatids: All that is hidden shall be revealed. Trends in Parasitology, 29(1), 43–52. 10.1016/j.pt.2012.11.001 PubMed DOI

McMillan, B. (1966).

Mendoza‐Roldan, J. A. , Latrofa, M. S. , Iatta, R. , Manoj, R. R. S. , Panarese, R. , Annoscia, G. , Pombi, M. , Zatelli, A. , Beugnet, F. , & Otranto, D. (2021). Detection of PubMed DOI PMC

Mendoza‐Roldan, J. A. , Latrofa, M. S. , Tarallo, V. D. , Manoj, R. R. , Bezerra‐Santos, M. A. , Annoscia, G. , Iatta, R. , & Otranto, D. (2022). PubMed DOI

Mendoza‐Roldan, J. A. , Zatelli, A. , Latrofa Iatta, R. , Bezerra‐Santos, M. A. , Annoscia, G. , Gernone, F. , Votýpka, J. , Modrý, D. , Tichá, L. , Volf, P. , & Otranto, D. (2022). PubMed PMC

Montakhab‐Yeganeh, H. , Abdossamadi, Z. , Zahedifard, F. , Taslimi, Y. , Badirzadeh, A. , Saljoughian, N. , Taheri, T. , Taghikhani, M. , & Rafati, S. (2017). PubMed DOI

Murphy, N. , Rooney, B. , Bhattacharyya, T. , Triana‐Chavez, O. , Krueger, A. , Haslam, S. M. , O'Rourke, V. , Pańczuk, M. , Tsang, J. , Bickford‐Smith, J. , Gilman, R. H. , Tetteh, K. , Drakeley, C. , Smales, C. M. , & Miles, M. A. (2020). Glycosylation of PubMed DOI PMC

Mutinga, M. J. , & Ngoka, J. M. (1981). Suspected vectors of lizard leishmaniasis in Kenya and their possible role in partial immunization of the human population against

Niimi, T. (2012). Recombinant protein production in the eukaryotic protozoan parasite PubMed DOI

Novo, S. P. , Leles, D. , Bianucci, R. , & Araujo, A. (2015). PubMed DOI PMC

Okwor, I. , & Uzonna, J. (2016). Social and economic burden of human leishmaniasis. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 94(3), 489–493. 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0408 PubMed DOI PMC

Otranto, D. , & Dantas‐Torres, F. (2013). The prevention of canine leishmaniasis and its impact on public health. Trends in Parasitology, 29(7), 339–345. 10.1016/j.pt.2013.05.003 PubMed DOI

Ouellette, M. , Hettema, E. , Wüst, D. , Fase‐Fowler, F. , & Borst, P. (1991). Direct and inverted DNA repeats associated with P‐glycoprotein gene amplification in drug resistant PubMed DOI PMC

Parrot, L. (1949). Sur quelques souches de

Poinar, G. (2004).

Poinar, G. Jr. , & Poinar, R. (2004a). Evidence of vector‐borne disease of Early Cretaceous reptiles. Vector‐Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 4(4), 281–284. 10.1089/vbz.2004.4.281 PubMed DOI

Poinar, G. Jr. , & Poinar, R. (2004b). PubMed DOI

Pombi, M. , Giacomi, A. , Barlozzari, G. , Mendoza‐Roldan, J. , Macrì, G. , Otranto, D. , & Gabrielli, S. (2020). Molecular detection of PubMed DOI

Pozio, E. , Gramiccia, M. , Gradoni, L. , & Maroli, M. (1983). Hemoflagellates in PubMed

Quate, L. W. (1964). PubMed DOI

Rashti, M. S. , & Mohebali, M. (1994). Natural promastigote infection of

Rezaei, Z. , Van Reet, N. , Pouladfar, G. , Kühne, V. , Ramezani, A. , Sarkari, B. , Pourabbas, B. , & Büscher, P. (2019). Expression of a rK39 homologue from an Iranian PubMed DOI PMC

Rooney, B. , Piening, T. , Büscher, P. , Rogé, S. , & Smales, C. M. (2015). Expression of PubMed DOI PMC

Sádlová, J. , & Volf, P. (1999). Occurrence of PubMed DOI

Sádlová, J. , Reishig, J. , & Volf, P. (2013). Prediuresis in female

Sádlová, J. , Homola, M. , Myskova, J. , Jancarova, M. , & Volf, P. (2018). Refractoriness of PubMed DOI PMC

Salari, S. , Sharifi, I. , Keyhani, A. R. , & Ghasemi Nejad Almani, P. (2020). Evaluation of a new live recombinant vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. Parasites & Vectors, 13(1), 415. 10.1186/s13071-020-04289-7 PubMed DOI PMC

Saljoughian, N. , Taheri, T. , Zahedifard, F. , Taslimi, Y. , Doustdari, F. , Bolhassani, A. , Doroud, D. , Azizi, H. , Heidari, K. , Vasei, M. , Namvar Asl, N. , Papadopoulou, B. , & Rafati, S. (2013). Development of novel prime‐boost strategies based on a tri‐gene fusion recombinant PubMed DOI PMC

Schönian, G. , Lukeš, J. , Stark, O. , & Cotton, J. A. (2018). Drug resistance in Leishmania parasites. Cham, CH: Springer.

Sergent, E. , Sergent, E. , Lemaire, G. , & Senevet, G. (1914). Insecte transmetteur et réservoir de virus de Clou de Biskra. Hypothèse et éxperiences préliminaires. Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique, 7, 577.

Taylor, V. M. , Muñoz, D. L. , Cedeño, D. L. , Vélez, I. D. , Jones, M. A. , & Robledo, S. M. (2010). PubMed DOI

Telford, S. R. Jr. (2009). Hemoparasites of the reptilia. Color atlas and text. CRC Press.

Ticha, L. , Kykalova, B. , Sadlova, J. , Gramiccia, M. , Gradoni, L. , & Volf, P. (2021). Development of various PubMed DOI PMC

Varotto‐Boccazzi, I. , Manenti, A. , Dapporto, F. , Gourlay, L. J. , Bisaglia, B. , Gabrieli, P. , Forneris, F. , Faravelli, S. , Bollati, V. , Rubolini, D. , Zuccotti, G. , Montomoli, E. , Epis, S. , & Bandi, C. (2021). Epidemic Preparedness‐ PubMed DOI PMC

Wenyon, C. M. (1920). Observations on the intestinal protozoa of three Egyptian lizards, with a note on a cell‐invading fungus. Parasitology, 12(4), 350–365.

White, T. C. , Fase‐Fowler, F. , van Luenen, H. , Calafat, J. , & Borst, P. (1988). The H circles of PubMed

Wilson, V. C. L. C. , & Southgate, B. (1979). Lizard leishmania. Biology of the Kinetoplastida. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

Yang, B. B. , Chen, D. L. , Chen, J. P. , Liao, L. , Hu, X. S. , & Xu, J. N. (2013). Analysis of kinetoplast cytochrome b gene of 16 PubMed DOI PMC

Zhang, J. R. , Guo, X. G. , Chen, H. , Liu, J. L. , Gong, X. , Chen, D. L. , & Chen, J. P. (2019). Pathogenic PubMed DOI PMC

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

Evolution of RNA viruses in trypanosomatids: new insights from the analysis of Sauroleishmania

Experimental feeding of Sergentomyia minuta on reptiles and mammals: comparison with Phlebotomus papatasi