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Morocoima A, Herrera L, Rattia C, Figueroa M, Ferrer E. Parasitological and molecular characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi of triatomines and mammals from endemic areas for Chagas disease in Venezuela. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:17. [PMID: 38060033 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08072-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
It is estimated that 6-7 million people worldwide are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. In Venezuela, Chagas disease remains a public health problem. In this work, T. cruzi isolates from six species of triatomines and mammals of the orders Didelphimorphia and Xenarthra, captured in rural communities of Monagas, underwent parasitological and molecular characterization. A total of 471 triatomines and 17 mammals were captured, with a natural infection rate of 41.4% and 70.6%, respectively. In the male NMRI mouse model used for parasitological characterization (prepatent period, parasitemia curve, mouse mortality, and tissular parasitism), T. cruzi isolates exhibited high lethality due to their pronounced virulence, irrespective of the parasite load in each mouse, resulting in a mortality rate of 75%. Among the vector isolates, in the mouse model, only 2 out of 6 remained alive, while the rest perished during the evaluation. Conversely, the isolates from mammals proved fatal for all the inoculated mice. All isolates were identified as belonging to DTU TcI, based on the molecular markers such as the intergenic region of the miniexon, D7 divergent domain of the 24Sα rDNA, size-variable domain of the 18S rDNA, and hsp60-PCR-RFLP-EcoRV. This study demonstrates the presence of vectors and mammalian reservoirs naturally infected with T. cruzi in communities of Monagas, the 9th largest and 9th most populous state in Venezuela. This situation represents a neglected epidemiological problem demanding urgent attention and imperative health care intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Morocoima
- Centro de Medicina Tropical de Oriente, Universidad de Oriente (UDO), Núcleo Anzoátegui, Barcelona, Estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela
| | - Leidi Herrera
- Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical (IZET), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Central, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - César Rattia
- Centro de Medicina Tropical de Oriente, Universidad de Oriente (UDO), Núcleo Anzoátegui, Barcelona, Estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela
| | - Mario Figueroa
- Centro de Medicina Tropical de Oriente, Universidad de Oriente (UDO), Núcleo Anzoátegui, Barcelona, Estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela
| | - Elizabeth Ferrer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr, Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, Calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, Estado Aragua, Venezuela.
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, Maracay, Estado Aragua, Venezuela.
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Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in false negative samples of collected triatomines, xenodiagnosis material, and biopsies of experimentally infected animals. Int Microbiol 2020; 24:141-147. [PMID: 33156443 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-020-00149-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Direct test over the gut material from triatomine vectors and xenodiagnosis over mammalian hosts are classical techniques for Trypanosoma cruzi parasitological diagnosis. Nevertheless, negative results can be a source of uncertainty. Experimental models have allowed evaluating the tissue invasion of different strains of T. cruzi, but conventional techniques for tissue biopsies involve time-consuming and elaborated procedures and have low sensitivity. Gut material of collected triatomines (microscopically negative) (n = 114), material of mammal xenodiagnoses (microscopically negative) (n = 138), and biopsy material (microscopically negative) from experimentally infected animals (n = 34) with isolates from endemic areas of Chagas' disease from Venezuela were used for DNA extraction and PCR for the amplification of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and satellite DNA (sDNA) of T. cruzi. Positive PCR was observed in 53.6% of collected triatomine material, 15.8% of parasitological negative xenodiagnosis material, and 70.6% in biopsies, revealing underestimation by the parasitological tests and the valour of this analysis with preserved material. Anzoátegui was the state with the highest percentage of infection, and the triatomine species Rhodnius prolixus and Panstrongylus geniculatus had the highest percentages of infection. Didelphis marsupialis and Canis familiaris were the most infected by T. cruzi revealed by PCR of xenodiagnosis material. In addition, the PCR technique allowed demonstrating the invasion of T. cruzi in all tissues analyzed, constituting a molecular marker of tissue invasion.
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Araújo JVS, de Barros GM, Cavalcante MMADS, Silva ABSD, Monção ÉDC, Mendonça TGS, Mendes Júnior AC. Morphological features of lower respiratory tract of nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, Linnaeus, 1758). Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 50:234-239. [PMID: 32997356 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a mammal of the Xenarthra Superorder, which inhabits Central, South and North America. Few morphological descriptions are observed in this species, including the respiratory tract; therefore, the objective of this study was to describe morphologically the lower respiratory tract of the nine-banded armadillo. Five animals were dissected, and the macroscopic and microscopic aspects were analysed. In the anatomical analysis, the perfusion technique was performed with vinyl acetate and the fragments of tissue from respiratory organs (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and pulmonary lobes) were stained with haematoxylin-eosin for visualization under optical microscopy. Containing about 30 cartilage rings, the trachea is lined internally with ciliated pseudostratified epithelial tissue. The lungs are subdivided into lobes by deep interlobar fissures, with two lobes in the right lung and three lobes in the left lung. Microscopically, the primary, secondary and tertiary bronchi have non-ciliated pseudostratified epithelium with goblet cells. It was found that macro- and microscopically the respiratory tract of this species is similar to existing xenarthras and other excavator animals. These data provide subsidies for the clinic and preservation of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Élida da Costa Monção
- Department of Morphology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina, Brazil
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Lattanzi R, Maftei D, Fullone MR, Miele R. Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase induces STAT3 and ERK activation by prokineticin receptor 2 binding. Cell Biochem Funct 2020; 39:326-334. [PMID: 32892338 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Tc85, as other members of trans-sialidase family, is involved in Trypanosoma cruzi parasite adhesion to mammalian cells. Particularly, Tc85 acts through specific interactions with prokineticin receptor 2, a G-protein coupled receptor involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes. In this manuscript, through biochemical analyses, we demonstrated that LamG, a Tc85 domain, physically interacts with the prokineticin receptor 2. Moreover, expressing prokineticin receptor 1 and 2 we demonstrated that LamG specifically activates prokineticin receptor 2 through a strong coupling with Gαi or Gαq proteins in yeast strains and inducing ERK and NFAT phosphorylation in CHO mammalian cells. To demonstrate a Tc85 physiological role in T. cruzi infection of the nervous system, we evidenced a strong STAT3 and ERK activation by LamG in mice Dorsal Root Ganglia. L173R is the most common prokineticin receptor 2 mutation reported in Kallmann syndrome and it is a founder mutation. Our results demonstrated that in cells co-expressing prokineticin receptor 2 mutant (L173R) and wild-type, LamG is unable to induce signal transduction. The L173R mutation in heterozygosity may allow for a selective advantage due to increased protection from T. cruzi infection. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: The Chagas' disease affecting millions of people worldwide is caused by an eukaryotic microorganism called T. cruzi. Pharmacological treatment for patients with Chagas' disease is still limited. Indeed, the small number of drugs available shows important side effects that can be debilitating for patient health. In order to replicate and produce new parasites T. cruzi uses a complex of different proteins produced by both the parasite and the human host cells. So, understanding the molecular details used by T. cruzi to be internalised by different types of human cells is an important step towards the development of new drugs for this disease. Prokineticin receptors are relevant for host-parasite interaction. To characterise the signal transduction cascade induced by their activation may help to understand the molecular details of cell infection, leading to novel therapeutic alternative for this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lattanzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Maftei
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Fullone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Miele
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection induces MMP-9 and causes tight junction protein disruption associated with Purkinje cell degeneration. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3433-3441. [PMID: 32789733 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06840-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis causes a human central nervous system (CNS) infection characterized by eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Individuals infected with A. cantonensis exhibit unbalanced walking. The mechanism of extensive neurological impairments of hosts caused by A. cantonensis larvae remains unclear. Tight junction proteins (e.g., claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1) are the most important regulators of paracellular permeability and cellular adhesion. In a previous study, we found that increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity may be associated with blood-CNS barrier disruption and/or the degeneration of Purkinje cells in eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis. In the present study, the co-localization of MMP-9 and tight junction proteins on the degeneration of Purkinje cells was measured via confocal laser scanning immunofluorescence microscopy. The statistical evidence indicated that MMP-9 correlated between tight junction protein disruption and Purkinje cell degeneration at 20 days post-infection with A. cantonensis. In conclusion, Purkinje cell degeneration is highly correlated with tight junction protein disruption via the MMP-9 activation pathway.
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Figarella K, Wolburg H, Garaschuk O, Duszenko M. Microglia in neuropathology caused by protozoan parasites. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 95:333-349. [PMID: 31682077 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is the most severe consequence of some parasitic infections. Protozoal infections comprise a group of diseases that together affect billions of people worldwide and, according to the World Health Organization, are responsible for more than 500000 deaths annually. They include African and American trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, and amoebiasis. Mechanisms underlying invasion of the brain parenchyma by protozoa are not well understood and may depend on parasite nature: a vascular invasion route is most common. Immunosuppression favors parasite invasion into the CNS and therefore the host immune response plays a pivotal role in the development of a neuropathology in these infectious diseases. In the brain, microglia are the resident immune cells active in defense against pathogens that target the CNS. Beside their direct role in innate immunity, they also play a principal role in coordinating the trafficking and recruitment of other immune cells from the periphery to the CNS. Despite their evident involvement in the neuropathology of protozoan infections, little attention has given to microglia-parasite interactions. This review describes the most prominent features of microglial cells and protozoan parasites and summarizes the most recent information regarding the reaction of microglial cells to parasitic infections. We highlight the involvement of the periphery-brain axis and emphasize possible scenarios for microglia-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Figarella
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hartwig Wolburg
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olga Garaschuk
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Duszenko
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in the central nervous system in non-human mammals: a systematic review. Parasitology 2019; 146:983-1005. [PMID: 30873928 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019000210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the types and distribution of the lesions induced in the central nervous system (CNS) by Trypanosoma cruzi remain unclear as the available evidence is based on fragmented data. Therefore, we developed a systematic review to analyse the main characteristics of the CNS lesions in non-human hosts infected. From a structured search on the PubMed/Medline and Scopus platforms, 32 studies were retrieved, subjected to data extraction and methodological bias analysis. Our results show that the most frequent alterations in the CNS are the presence of different forms of T. cruzi and intense lymphocytes infiltrates. The encephalon is the main target of T. cruzi, and inflammatory changes in the CNS are more frequent and severe in the acute phase of infection. The parasite's genotype and phenotype are associated with the tropism and severity of the CNS lesions. The methodological limitations found in the studies were divergences in inoculation pathways, under-reporting of animal age and weight, sample calculation strategies and histopathological characterization. Since the changes were dependent on the pathogenicity and virulence of the T. cruzi strains, the genotype and phenotype characterization of the parasite are extremely relevant to predict changes in the CNS and the neurological manifestations associated with Chagas' disease.
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Lannes N, Eppler E, Etemad S, Yotovski P, Filgueira L. Microglia at center stage: a comprehensive review about the versatile and unique residential macrophages of the central nervous system. Oncotarget 2017; 8:114393-114413. [PMID: 29371994 PMCID: PMC5768411 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia cells are the unique residential macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). They have a special origin, as they derive from the embryonic yolk sac and enter the developing CNS at a very early stage. They play an important role during CNS development and adult homeostasis. They have a major contribution to adult neurogenesis and neuroinflammation. Thus, they participate in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to aging. They play an important role in sustaining and breaking the blood-brain barrier. As innate immune cells, they contribute substantially to the immune response against infectious agents affecting the CNS. They play also a major role in the growth of tumours of the CNS. Microglia are consequently the key cell population linking the nervous and the immune system. This review covers all different aspects of microglia biology and pathology in a comprehensive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Lannes
- Albert Gockel, Anatomy, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Eppler
- Pestalozzistrasse Zo, Department of BioMedicine, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Samar Etemad
- Building 71/218 RBWH Herston, Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD 4029 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Peter Yotovski
- Albert Gockel, Anatomy, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Luis Filgueira
- Albert Gockel, Anatomy, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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Protective effect of aspirin treatment on mouse behavior in the acute phase of experimental infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:189-200. [PMID: 29196837 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a potentially fatal disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can in some cases affect the central nervous system. The objective was to evaluate the effect of aspirin (ASA) in the behavior of mice infected with T. cruzi during the acute phase. This was an experimental study with random assignation. Twenty four BALB/c mice were divided into four groups of six animals each as follows: only ASA (OA), ASA before infection (BI), ASA after infection (AI) and only infection (OI). The strain used for infection was M/HOM/Bra/53/Y. An ASA dose of 100 mg/kg per day was administered 72 h before infection to BI group and the same dose 48 h after infection to AI group. Mice behavior in the open field test, mortality, and brain histopathology was evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, chi square test, and Kaplan-Meier with long-rank for survival analysis. In the open field test, the OA group has similar results with the BI group, in the variables of immobility and escape. Also, the OA group displayed significantly higher rates of micturition (p < 0.001) and defecation (p < 0.001) compared to infected groups. Mortality was higher in BI group (p = 0.02). The presence of T. cruzi amastigotes were higher in brain tissues of the AI and OI groups (p = 0.008). In conclusion, the administration of ASA before infection seemed to prevent behavioral changes induced by the acute infection, but it led to accelerated mortality. The study highlighted the potential importance of the pathways inhibited by ASA in the early hours of acute infection with T. cruzi.
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Herrera L. Trypanosoma cruzi, the Causal Agent of Chagas Disease: Boundaries between Wild and Domestic Cycles in Venezuela. Front Public Health 2014; 2:259. [PMID: 25506587 PMCID: PMC4246568 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi the etiological agent of American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease (ChD) is transmitted by triatomines vectors between mammals including man. T. cruzi has existed for circa 150 Ma in the Americas and nearly 10 million people are currently infected. The overlap between wild and domestic ecotopes where T. cruzi circulates is increasing. Host–parasite interactions have been determined by infection patterns in these cycles, all under natural or laboratorial conditions. This mini-review describes specific parasite niches, such as plant communities or biological corridors between domestic and wild landscapes, in order to help identify risk factors for ChD and define the boundaries between wild and domestic transmission cycles, with an emphasis on research undertaken in Venezuela.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leidi Herrera
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Institute of Tropical Zoology and Ecology, Science Faculty, Central University of Venezuela , Caracas , Venezuela
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Khusal KG, Tonelli RR, Mattos EC, Soares CO, Di Genova BM, Juliano MA, Urias U, Colli W, Alves MJM. Prokineticin receptor identified by phage display is an entry receptor for Trypanosoma cruzi into mammalian cells. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:155-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Nisimura LM, Estato V, de Souza EM, Reis PA, Lessa MA, Castro-Faria-Neto HC, Pereira MCDS, Tibiriçá E, Garzoni LR. Acute Chagas disease induces cerebral microvasculopathy in mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2998. [PMID: 25010691 PMCID: PMC4091872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathy is the main clinical form of Chagas disease (CD); however, cerebral manifestations, such as meningoencephalitis, ischemic stroke and cognitive impairment, can also occur. The aim of the present study was to investigate functional microvascular alterations and oxidative stress in the brain of mice in acute CD. Acute CD was induced in Swiss Webster mice (SWM) with the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Cerebral functional capillary density (the number of spontaneously perfused capillaries), leukocyte rolling and adhesion and the microvascular endothelial-dependent response were analyzed over a period of fifteen days using intravital video-microscopy. We also evaluated cerebral oxidative stress with the thiobarbituric acid reactive species TBARS method. Compared with the non-infected group, acute CD significantly induced cerebral functional microvascular alterations, including (i) functional capillary rarefaction, (ii) increased leukocyte rolling and adhesion, (iii) the formation of microvascular platelet-leukocyte aggregates, and (iv) alteration of the endothelial response to acetylcholine. Moreover, cerebral oxidative stress increased in infected animals. We concluded that acute CD in mice induced cerebral microvasculopathy, characterized by a reduced incidence of perfused capillaries, a high number of microvascular platelet-leukocyte aggregates, a marked increase in leukocyte-endothelium interactions and brain arteriolar endothelial dysfunction associated with oxidative stress. These results suggest the involvement of cerebral microcirculation alterations in the neurological manifestations of CD. Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It is endemic in Latin America and affects 10 million people worldwide. Meningoencephalitis occurs in children with acute CD and in immunosuppressed patients suffering acute CD reactivation. During the chronic phase, cerebral manifestations, including ischemic stroke and cognitive impairment, can also occur. Although microvascular alterations have been implicated in Chagas cardiomyopathy, the main clinical form of the disease, there is a lack of discussion in some studies regarding alterations of the cerebral microcirculation in CD. In the present study, we evaluated the functionality of the cerebral microcirculation in mice infected by T. cruzi. Utilizing an intravital video-microscope, we observed in the brain of infected mice a reduction in the number of perfused capillaries, an increased interaction between inflammatory cells and venules, the presence of microvascular platelet-leukocyte aggregates and alterations in the dilatation capacity of arterioles. Moreover, cerebral oxidative stress was increased in infected animals. We concluded that acute CD induced cerebral microvasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindice Mitie Nisimura
- Laboratório de Investigação Cardiovascular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Estato
- Laboratório de Investigação Cardiovascular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elen Mello de Souza
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia A. Reis
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Adriano Lessa
- Laboratório de Investigação Cardiovascular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hugo Caire Castro-Faria-Neto
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultra-estrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Tibiriçá
- Laboratório de Investigação Cardiovascular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Ribeiro Garzoni
- Laboratório de Investigação Cardiovascular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: ,
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Perez CJ, Lymbery AJ, Thompson RA. Chagas disease: the challenge of polyparasitism? Trends Parasitol 2014; 30:176-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Rodríguez-Angulo H, García O, Castillo E, Cardenas E, Marques J, Mijares A. Etanercept induces low QRS voltage and autonomic dysfunction in mice with experimental Chagas disease. Arq Bras Cardiol 2013; 101:205-10. [PMID: 23877744 PMCID: PMC4032299 DOI: 10.5935/abc.20130149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagasic cardiomyopathy is characterized by disorders of autonomic regulation and action potential conduction in the acute and chronic phases of infection. Although tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) has been linked to cardiomyopathy in experimental models and in patients with Chagas disease, other reports suggest that TNF-α may exert anti-parasitic actions during the acute phase of infection. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the effects of a soluble TNF-α agonist, etanercept, on electrocardiographic parameters in the acute phase of experimental infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODS Electrocardiograms were obtained from untreated infected mice and infected mice who were treated with etanercept 7 days after infection. ECG wave and heart rate variability parameters were determined using Chart for Windows. RESULTS Etanercept treatment resulted in a low QRS voltage and decreased heart rate variability compared with no treatment. However, the treated mice exhibited a delay in the fall of the survival curve during the acute phase. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that although etanercept treatment promotes survival in mice infected with a virulent T. cruzi strain, TNF-α blockade generates a low voltage complex and autonomic dysfunction during the acute phase of infection. These findings indicate that mortality during the acute phase can be attributed to a systemic inflammatory response rather than cardiac dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Rodríguez-Angulo
- Instituto Venezuelano de Investigações Científicas (IVIC) - Centro de
Biofísica e Bioquímica, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Oscar García
- Universidade Centro Ocidental "Lisandro Alvarado" - Decanato de
Ciências de la Saúde, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Endher Castillo
- Universidade Centro Ocidental "Lisandro Alvarado" - Decanato de
Ciências de la Saúde, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Edward Cardenas
- Universidade Centro Ocidental "Lisandro Alvarado" - Decanato de
Ciências de la Saúde, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Juan Marques
- Serviço de Cardiologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical - Universidade
Central da Venezuela, Venezuela
| | - Alfredo Mijares
- Instituto Venezuelano de Investigações Científicas (IVIC) - Centro de
Biofísica e Bioquímica, Caracas, Venezuela
- Mailing Address: Alfredo Mijares, Carretera Panamericana, Km 11, Alto de
Pipe. Postal Code 1020A, Caracas, Venezuela. E-mail:
,
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