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Background: Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a deforming type of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis that frequently does not respond to treatment. Despite its relapsing clinical course, few parasites are usually found in mucosal lesions. Host and parasite factors may be responsible for this paradox in the pathogenesis of the disease, allowing for both a low parasite burden and the inability of the host to clear and eliminate the disease. Methods and results: In this work, we present a clinical case of relapsing ML that was treated for 25 years without success with SbV, N-methyl glucamine, sodium stibogluconate, amphotericin B deoxycholate, gabromycin, antimonial plus thalidomide, liposomal amphotericin B, Leishvacin (a vaccine made in Brazil) and miltefosine. In a comparative analysis using nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry of protein extracts of L. (V.) braziliensis promastigotes isolated from the patient and from the reference strain (MHOM/BR/94/M15176), we observed increases in ATPase and HSP70 protein levels in the parasite. We also observed an impairment in the production of hydrogen peroxide by peripheral mononuclear blood monocytes (PBMCs), as assessed by the horseradish peroxidase-dependent oxidation of phenol red. Conclusions: We hypothesise that these parasite molecules may be linked to the impairment of host parasiticidal responses, resulting in Leishmania persistence in ML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a herpetological survey conducted in Cangandala National Park, Angola, highlighting the limited data available on the park's amphibians and reptiles. Topics discussed include the park's biodiversity and conservation status, the historical exploration of Malanje Province's herpetofauna, and the results from recent expeditions uncovering new species and provincial records.

African pygmy toads of the genus Poyntonophrynus are some of the least known species of African toads. The genus comprises ten recognized species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, five of which are restricted to southwestern Africa. Recent field research in Angola provided new material for three species of Poyntonophrynus, including a morphologically distinctive population from the Serra da Neve Inselberg. Based on a combination of external morphology, high-resolution computed tomography scanning, and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the Serra da Neve population is described as new species that is nested within the genus. The most striking character that differentiates the newly described species from its congeners is the lack of a tympanic middle ear, a condition common in the family Bufonidae, but so far not known for Poyntonophrynus. The description of this new species from southwestern Angola reinforces the biogeographic importance of the region and further suggests that southwestern Africa is the cradle of diversity for this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ichnotropis is one of the most diverse lacertid genera in sub-Saharan Africa, reaching its maximum richness in Angola, where seven species and subspecies are represented. However, it has been poorly investigated, and there is taxonomic uncertainty with virtually all of these taxa. In the I. bivittata complex it is unclear if the subspecies I. b. pallida Laurent, 1964 is specifically distinct from the nominotypical form and if I. micropelidota Marx, 1956, known only from its type series is a synonym of one of these taxa. In order to clarify these and other issues related to the Angolan taxa, we conducted morphological and morphometric analyses and incorporated new distribution data. Ichnotropis bivittata and I. b. pallida occur in sympatry in southwestern Angola and, there is significant morphological differentiation between the two, with the former being larger in body size and having more midbody scales. New material of Ichnotropis from Mt. Moco, the type locality of I. micropelidota supports the contention that it is a senior synonym of I. b. pallida. Three mitochondrial markers (ND2 and 16S) and one nuclear marker (RAG1) were also used to corroborate our findings. Using a combination of morphological and molecular approaches reveals that the taxonomy of Angolan Ichnotropis is in need of revision, just as has been demonstrated in the lacertid genera Pedioplanis and Heliobolus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dwarf geckos of the genus Lygodactylus Gray, 1864, are one of the most diverse groups of geckos in Africa. According the modern revisions of the Angolan herpetofauna five members of the genus occur in Angola, although this certainly represents an underestimation. Recent expeditions to Angola have yielded new material of all recognized species in Angola, new records for the country, as well as undescribed species. One of these undescribed species was collected at Serra da Neve, an isolated inselberg at the northern limit of Namibe Province, southwestern Angola. Serra da Neve is the second highest peak in Angola and remains poorly studied in terms of its biodiversity. However, new amphibian and reptile species have been described from the area in the last two years. In order to understand the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships of the Serra da Neve Lygodactylus, we conducted morphological (scalation, body measurements and coloration pattern) and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear genes) analyses. Preliminary results confirm that this population represents a new species and reveals phylogenetic affinities with eastern-African lineages. These findings provide new data that highlights the exceptional importance of this inselberg in terms of biodiversity and endemicity. It also emphasizes the need to incorporate Serra da Neve in future conservation plans for Angola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present the genus Lygodactylus is represented by three species in Angola confirmed by voucher specimens-L. angolensis, L. bradfieldi, and L. capensis-and two others believed to be present, but without specimens with precise localities, L. chobiensis and L. lawrencei. We present a detailed taxonomic revision of the group in Angola and describe three new species, Lygodactylus baptistai sp. nov. L. nyaneka sp. nov. and Lygodactylus tchokwe sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial marker ND2, as well as morphological data support the recognition of the new species. In addition, data suggest that specimens historically assigned to L. capensis in Angola represent misidentifications of L. nyaneka sp. nov. and L. tchokwe sp. nov. We revisit the identity of Lygodactylus laurae, a junior synonym of L. angolensis. We also present the first confirmed record of L. lawrencei in the country, using both morphological and molecular data. The description of the new species and the revision of the taxonomic identity of the Angolan populations of the genus, raises the number of species occurring in the country to five. A key to the Angolan species is presented.

A new species of rupicolous girdled lizard is described from Serra da Neve Inselberg, Namibe Province, southwestern Angola. We sequenced two mitochondrial gene regions (16S and ND2) for the new species and compared these data with those previously published for other Cordylus species. The new species is genetically divergent from the closely related Cordylus machadoi and C. namakuiyus and morphologically distinguished by head scale arrangement, coloration, and osteological characters. Serra da Neve is the second highest peak in Angola and one of the most understudied areas of the country. The discovery of this new species highlights the importance of this inselberg for regional endemism and emphasizes the high conservation importance of the area.