A5105660551- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Malaria Research and Control
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Leptospirosis research and findings
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Pancreatitis Pathology and Treatment
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Entomological Studies and Ecology
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
- Virology and Viral Diseases
Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment
2014-2023
University of Crete
2008-2022
University of Cyprus
2014
Crete University Press
2012-2014
University Hospital of Heraklion
2009
Background The recent geographical expansion of phlebotomine vectors Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean subregion has been attributed to ongoing climate changes. At these latitudes, activity sand flies is typically seasonal; because seasonal phenomena are also sensitive general variations climate, current phenological data sets can provide a baseline for continuing investigations on fly population dynamics that may impact future scenarios leishmaniasis transmission. With this aim,...
Since 2016, A(H5Nx) high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus of clade 2.3.4.4b has become one the most serious global threats not only to wild and domestic birds, but also public health. In recent years, important changes in ecology, epidemiology, evolution this have been reported, with an unprecedented diffusion variety affected birds mammalian species. After two consecutive devastating epidemic waves Europe 2020-2021 2021-2022, second recognized as largest epidemics recorded so far,...
Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania adapt to environmental change through chromosome and gene copy number variations. Only little is known about external or intrinsic factors that govern genomic adaptation. Here, by conducting longitudinal genome analyses 10 new clinical isolates, we uncovered important differences in among genetically highly related strains revealed gain loss copies as potential drivers long-term adaptation field. In contrast, rather than amplification was...
Blood-sucking phlebotomine sand flies are the vectors of protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. Different Phlebotomus species transmit different causing leishmaniases which neglected diseases emerging/reemerging in new regions. Thirteen fly species, ten belonging to medically important genus and three Sergentomyia known Greece. An increasing number human dog cases reported each year from all parts country including Aegean Islands. However, no previous study has been conducted on fauna islands,...
Leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. Three species of Leishmania found in the Mediterranean basin: infantum, most common responsible for both visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL); major, North Africa Middle East causing CL; tropica with a limited presence Europe, CL. During last 25 years, Crete has become an endemic zone L. infantum high number infected dogs increasing human cases every year; 4 incidence reached average seven VL patients...
Phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies are endemic in the Mediterranean area. The last decade has witnessed description of an accumulating number novel viruses. Although, risk exposure vertebrates is globally assessed, detailed geographic knowledge poor even Greece and Cyprus where sandfly fever been recognized for a long time repeatedly. A total 1,250 dogs from mainland Greek archipelago on one hand 422 other have sampled tested neutralising antibodies against Toscana virus (TOSV), Sandfly...
Abstract Background The dynamic re-emergence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in south Europe and the northward shift to Leishmania -free European countries are well-documented. However, epidemiology VL due infantum southeastern (SE) Balkans is inadequately examined. Herein, we aim re-evaluate compare population structure L. SE southwestern (SW) Europe. Methods strains collected from humans canines Turkey, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania Croatia, were characterized by K26 -PCR assay...
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) continues to present a significant challenge for vaccination due its rapid evolution and the emergence of new variants. Although molecular sequence data are now quickly inexpensively produced, genetic distance rarely serves as good proxy cross-protection, while experimental studies assess antigenic differences time consuming resource intensive. In response these challenges, this study explores compares several machine learning (ML) methods predict between NDV...
Previous studies demonstrated safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of DNA/modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) prime/boost vaccines expressing tryparedoxin peroxidase (TRYP) Leishmania homologue the mammalian receptor for activated C kinase (LACK) against major challenge in mice, which was consistent with results from TRYP protein/adjuvant combinations non-human primates. This study aimed to conduct safety trials these DNA/MVA dogs, natural reservoir host infantum, followed-up 4 months...
Canine tick-borne pathogens such as Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon are widespread in the Mediterranean basin but have never been reported or investigated Cyprus. We describe herein presence of canine three dogs with clinical signs compatible vector-borne diseases from Paphos area Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed E. canis, Anaplasma platys, H. Babesia vogeli Mycoplasma haemocanis One dog co-infected B. M. is, to best our knowledge, first report this multiple co-infection dogs. The...
Abstract Sand flies are responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease claiming more than 50,000 lives annually. Leishmaniasis is an emerging health risk in and Mediterranean countries as well temperate regions North America Europe. There increasing demand predicting population dynamics spreading sand to support management control, yet phenotypic diversity complex environmental dependence hamper model development. Here, we present principles developing...
Abstract To determine whether the incidence of canine leishmaniasis has increased on Crete, Greece, we fitted infection models to serodiagnostic records 8,848 dog samples for 1990–2006. Models predicted that seroprevalence 2.4% (95% confidence interval 1.61%–3.51%) per year and 2.2- 3.8-fold over this 17-year period.
Leishmaniasis is endemic in more than 95 countries and the only tropical/subtropical vector-borne disease that has been Southern Europe for decades. To best of our knowledge, this first case cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania donovani a child cluster with adult cases reported Europe. We describe familial four among Greek Cypriots caused L. Paphos village, Cyprus. A 6-year-old boy (Case number 1) had persistent lesion left angle his upper lip, 60-year-old woman 2) presented 2cm-diameter...
Resistance of pathogens to drugs is a growing concern regarding many diseases. Parasites like Leishmania, Plasmodium and Entamoeba histolytica; neoplastic cells, present the multidrug-resistant phenotype rendering chemotherapy ineffective. The acquired resistance Leishmania antimony has generated intense research on mechanisms involved but question not yet been resolved. To test hypothesis that drug efflux in as measured by flow cytometry using fluorescent dye Rhodamine-123, largely...
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are vectors of Leishmania spp., protozoan parasites responsible for a group neglected diseases called leishmaniases. Two fly genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, contain species that present in the Mediterranean islands Crete Cyprus where visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL) canine (CanLei) leishmaniases public health concern. The risk transmission different can be studied an area by monitoring their vectors. Sand traditionally identified using...
In September 2016, clinical signs, indicative of bluetongue, were observed in sheep Cyprus. Bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) was detected sheep, indicating the first incursion this into Following propagation, Nextera XT DNA libraries sequenced on MiSeq instrument. Full-genome sequences obtained for five isolates CYP2016/01-05 and percent nucleotide sequence (% nt) identity between them ranged from 99.92% to 99.95%, which corresponded a few (2–5) amino acid changes. Based complete coding...
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is important to human and animal health worldwide. This the first study of prevalence infection with T. associated risk factors in populations small ruminants Cyprus.A random sample 18 schools out 46 participated: 1056 girls aged 16 years completed a questionnaire were serologically tested for between 2008 2011 (response rate 30%). In addition, laboratory results 23 076 pregnant women 2009 2014 obtained from hospital records. Finally, 163 (out 3123)...
The genus Phlebotomus (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) comprises a group of small winged insect species medical importance. To date, ten are known to be present in Greece; yet their evolutionary history is poorly studied due the lack comprehensive phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies. Herein, we aim clarify relationships amongst local collected from 12 Aegean Islands, Cyprus Turkey; identify which palaeogeographic events may have influenced biogeographic history. Our analyses...