Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Quantification of Intracellular Growth Inside Macrophages is a Fast and Reliable Method for Assessing the Virulence of Leishmania Parasites
10:01

Quantification of Intracellular Growth Inside Macrophages is a Fast and Reliable Method for Assessing the Virulence of Leishmania Parasites

Published on: March 16, 2018

Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses in Phlebotomus papatasi inhibit development of Leishmania major

A Warburg, K Ostrovska

    The Journal of Parasitology
    |June 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPV) in sand flies disrupt midgut function, preventing Leishmania infections. This viral pathology may impact cutaneous leishmaniasis epidemiology.

    Area of Science:

    • Entomology
    • Virology
    • Parasitology

    Background:

    • Phlebotomus papatasi are vectors for Leishmania parasites.
    • Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPV) are known insect pathogens.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effect of CPV on Phlebotomus papatasi.
    • To determine if CPV influences Leishmania major infection in sand flies.

    Main Methods:

    • Observation of CPV in wild-caught and laboratory-reared P. papatasi.
    • Assessment of midgut pathology and blood digestion.
    • Correlation analysis between CPV incidence and L. major infection rates.

    Main Results:

    • CPV infections were observed in P. papatasi.
    • Chronic CPV pathology caused midgut aberrations and impaired blood digestion.
    • CPV infection rates were inversely correlated with L. major infection rates.

    Conclusions:

    • CPV interferes with Leishmania transmission by P. papatasi.
    • The interaction between CPV and L. major has implications for cutaneous leishmaniasis epidemiology.

    More Related Videos

    Investigating the Phagocytosis of Leishmania using Confocal Microscopy08:41

    Investigating the Phagocytosis of Leishmania using Confocal Microscopy

    Published on: July 29, 2021

    Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism and Function of Pore-Forming Toxins Using Leishmania major08:17

    Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism and Function of Pore-Forming Toxins Using Leishmania major

    Published on: October 28, 2022

    Related Concept Videos

    Poliomyelitis01:17

    Poliomyelitis

    Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
    Leishmaniasis01:30

    Leishmaniasis

    Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...
    Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

    Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

    As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...
    Antiprotozoal Agents01:21

    Antiprotozoal Agents

    Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...