Abstract

The aims of this research are to determine the biogeographic distribution of Leishmania mexicana, to further clarify the role of woodrats (Neotoma spp.) as reservoirs and sand flies (Lutzomyia spp.) as enzootic vectors, and to determine environmental factors that influence transmission. This information is essential to prevent the emergence or introduction of leishmaniasis in the United States, and to reduce transmission to humans in countries such as Nicaragua, where severe outbreaks are presently occurring. Strengths of this study are that it is highly interdisciplinary (ecology, biogeography, mammalogy, entomology, parasitology, modeling, molecular biology, evolutionary biology), and studies will be conducted at several spatial and temporal scales.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Minority Biomedical Research Support - MBRS (S06)
Project #
2S06GM055337-05
Application #
6491845
Study Section
Project Start
1997-02-01
Project End
2005-07-31
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$64,158
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of the Incarnate Word
Department
Type
DUNS #
119844538
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78209

  Publications

Raymond, Russell W; McHugh, Chad P; Kerr, Sara F (2010) Sand flies of Nicaragua: a checklist and reports of new collections. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 105:889-94
Kerr, Sara F (2006) Molecular trees of trypanosomes incongruent with fossil records of hosts. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 101:25-30
Kerr, Sara F; Emmons, Louise H; Melby, Peter C et al. (2006) Leishmania amazonensis infections in Oryzomys acritus and Oryzomys nitidus from Bolivia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 75:1069-73
Raymond, Russell W; McHugh, Chad P; Witt, Loren R et al. (2003) Temporal and spatial distribution of Leishmania mexicana infections in a population of Neotoma micropus. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 98:171-80
McHugh, Chad P; Thies, Monte L; Melby, Peter C et al. (2003) Short report: a disseminated infection of Leishmania mexicana in an eastern woodrat, Neotoma floridana, collected in Texas. Am J Trop Med Hyg 69:470-2
Vasquez, R E; Sullivan, J T (2001) Effect of miracidial dose on adoptively transferred resistance to Schistosoma mansoni in the snail intermediate host, Biomphalaria glabrata. J Parasitol 87:460-2
McHugh, C P; Ostrander, B F; Raymond, R W et al. (2001) Population dynamics of sand flies (diptera: psychodidae) at two foci of leishmaniasis in Texas. J Med Entomol 38:268-77
Orta, A J; Sullivan, J T (2000) Short-term immunoisolation of incompatible xenografts in a snail, Biomphalaria glabrata. Dev Comp Immunol 24:543-51
Galvan, A G; Paugam, M; Sullivan, J T (2000) Rescue of sporocysts of Schistosoma mansoni in nonsusceptible Biomphalaria by head-foot transplantation into susceptible snails. J Parasitol 86:308-11
Kerr, S F; Merkelz, R; Mackinnon, C (2000) Further support for a Palaearctic origin of Leishmania. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 95:579-81

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications