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Schaub GA. Interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi, Triatomines and the Microbiota of the Vectors-A Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:855. [PMID: 38792688 PMCID: PMC11123833 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050855] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, its vectors, triatomines, and the diverse intestinal microbiota of triatomines, which includes mutualistic symbionts, and highlights open questions. T. cruzi strains show great biological heterogeneity in their development and their interactions. Triatomines differ from other important vectors of diseases in their ontogeny and the enzymes used to digest blood. Many different bacteria colonize the intestinal tract of triatomines, but only Actinomycetales have been identified as mutualistic symbionts. Effects of the vector on T. cruzi are indicated by differences in the ability of T. cruzi to establish in the triatomines and in colonization peculiarities, i.e., proliferation mainly in the posterior midgut and rectum and preferential transformation into infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes in the rectum. In addition, certain forms of T. cruzi develop after feeding and during starvation of triatomines. Negative effects of T. cruzi on the triatomine vectors appear to be particularly evident when the triatomines are stressed and depend on the T. cruzi strain. Effects on the intestinal immunity of the triatomines are induced by ingested blood-stage trypomastigotes of T. cruzi and affect the populations of many non-symbiotic intestinal bacteria, but not all and not the mutualistic symbionts. After the knockdown of antimicrobial peptides, the number of non-symbiotic bacteria increases and the number of T. cruzi decreases. Presumably, in long-term infections, intestinal immunity is suppressed, which supports the growth of specific bacteria, depending on the strain of T. cruzi. These interactions may provide an approach to disrupt T. cruzi transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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Kaufman CD, Farré C, Biscari L, Pérez AR, Alloatti A. Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease and cancer: putting together the pieces of a complex puzzle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1260423. [PMID: 38188016 PMCID: PMC10768204 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1260423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Considering the extensive and widespread impact on individuals, cancer can presently be categorized as a pandemic. In many instances, the development of tumors has been linked to endemic microbe infections. Among parasitic infections, Trypanosoma cruzi stands out as one of the most extensively discussed protozoans in the literature that explores the association between diseases of parasite origin and cancer. However, the effective association remains an unsolved paradox. Both the parasite, along with protozoan-derived molecules, and the associated antiparasitic immune response can induce alterations in various host cell pathways, leading to modifications in cell cycle, metabolism, glycosylation, DNA mutations, or changes in neuronal signaling. Furthermore, the presence of the parasite can trigger cell death or a senescent phenotype and modulate the immune system, the metastatic cascade, and the formation of new blood vessels. The interaction among the parasite (and its molecules), the host, and cancer undoubtedly encompasses various mechanisms that operate differentially depending on the context. Remarkably, contrary to expectations, the evidence tilts the balance toward inhibiting tumor growth or resisting tumor development. This effect is primarily observed in malignant cells, rather than normal cells, indicating a selective or specific component. Nevertheless, nonspecific bystander mechanisms, such as T. cruzi's adjuvancy or the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, may also play a significant role in this phenomenon. This work aims to elucidate this complex scenario by synthesizing the main findings presented in the literature and by proposing new questions and answers, thereby adding pieces to this challenging puzzle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Daniela Kaufman
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Farré
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Lucía Biscari
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrés Alloatti
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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De Fuentes-Vicente JA, Santos-Hernández NG, Ruiz-Castillejos C, Espinoza-Medinilla EE, Flores-Villegas AL, de Alba-Alvarado M, Cabrera-Bravo M, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Vidal-López DG. What Do You Need to Know before Studying Chagas Disease? A Beginner's Guide. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:360. [PMID: 37505656 PMCID: PMC10383928 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8070360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the most important tropical infections in the world and mainly affects poor people. The causative agent is the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which circulates among insect vectors and mammals throughout the Americas. A large body of research on Chagas disease has shown the complexity of this zoonosis, and controlling it remains a challenge for public health systems. Although knowledge of Chagas disease has advanced greatly, there are still many gaps, and it is necessary to continue generating basic and applied research to create more effective control strategies. The aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the components of Chagas disease and highlight current trends in research. We hope that this review will be a starting point for beginners and facilitate the search for more specific information.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A De Fuentes-Vicente
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
| | - Nancy G Santos-Hernández
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
| | - Christian Ruiz-Castillejos
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
| | | | - A Laura Flores-Villegas
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Margarita Cabrera-Bravo
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Dolores G Vidal-López
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
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Arce-Fonseca M, Gutiérrez-Ocejo RA, Rosales-Encina JL, Aranda-Fraustro A, Cabrera-Mata JJ, Rodríguez-Morales O. Nitazoxanide: A Drug Repositioning Compound with Potential Use in Chagas Disease in a Murine Model. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:826. [PMID: 37375773 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060826] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the most serious parasitosis in the western hemisphere. Benznidazole and nifurtimox, the only two trypanocidal drugs, are expensive, difficult to obtain, and have severe side effects. Nitazoxanide has shown to be effective against protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. This study aimed to evaluate the nitazoxanide efficacy against the Mexican T. cruzi Ninoa strain in mice. Infected animals were orally treated for 30 days with nitazoxanide (100 mg/kg) or benznidazole (10 mg/kg). The clinical, immunological, and histopathological conditions of the mice were evaluated. Nitazoxanide- or benznidazole-treated mice had longer survival and less parasitemia than those without treatment. Antibody production in the nitazoxanide-treated mice was of the IgG1-type and not of the IgG2-type as in the benznidazole-treated mice. Nitazoxanide-treated mice had significantly high IFN-γ levels compared to the other infected groups. Serious histological damage could be prevented with nitazoxanide treatment compared to without treatment. In conclusion, nitazoxanide decreased parasitemia levels, indirectly induced the production of IgG antibodies, and partially prevented histopathological damage; however, it did not show therapeutic superiority compared to benznidazole in any of the evaluated aspects. Therefore, the repositioning of nitazoxanide as an alternative treatment against ChD could be considered, since it did not trigger adverse effects that worsened the pathological condition of the infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo Andrés Gutiérrez-Ocejo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - José Luis Rosales-Encina
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Insituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Alberto Aranda-Fraustro
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Juan José Cabrera-Mata
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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Machado JM, Pereira IAG, Maia ACG, Francisco MFC, Nogueira LM, Gandra IB, Ribeiro AJ, Silva KA, Resende CAA, da Silva JO, dos Santos M, Gonçalves AAM, Tavares GDSV, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Campos-da-Paz M, Giunchetti RC, Rocha MODC, Chaves AT, Coelho EAF, Galdino AS. Proof of Concept of a Novel Multiepitope Recombinant Protein for the Serodiagnosis of Patients with Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:312. [PMID: 36839584 PMCID: PMC9965379 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease remains a neglected disease that is considered to be a public health problem. The early diagnosis of cases is important to improve the prognosis of infected patients and prevent transmission. Serological tests are the method of choice for diagnosis. However, two serological tests are currently recommended to confirm positive cases. In this sense, more sensitive and specific serological tests need to be developed to overcome these current diagnosis problems. This study aimed to develop a new recombinant multiepitope protein for the diagnosis of Chagas disease, hereafter named rTC. The rTC was constructed based on amino acid sequences from different combinations of Trypanosoma cruzi antigens in the same polypeptide and tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect different types of Chagas disease. rTC was able to discriminate between indeterminate (IND) and cardiac (CARD) cases and cross-reactive diseases, as well as healthy samples, with 98.28% sensitivity and 96.67% specificity, respectively. These data suggest that rTC has the potential to be tested in future studies against a larger serological panel for the diagnosis of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Martins Machado
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Isabela Amorim Gonçalves Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Gontijo Maia
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Lais Moreira Nogueira
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Isadora Braga Gandra
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Anna Julia Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Kamila Alves Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Jonatas Oliveira da Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Michelli dos Santos
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Alice Maia Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Grasiele de Sousa Vieira Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru
| | - Mariana Campos-da-Paz
- Laboratório de NanoBiotecnologia & Bioativos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, 400, Divinópolis 355901-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antônio Ferraz Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
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Parasitemia and Differential Tissue Tropism in Mice Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Isolates Obtained from Meccus phyllosoma in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101141. [PMID: 36297198 PMCID: PMC9607563 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasite transmitted by the feces of triatomines. Many triatomine species are found in Mexico, and various T. cruzi variants have been isolated from these species, each showing very different virulence and cell tropism. The isolates were obtained from Meccus phyllosoma specimens in three localities in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico: Tehuantitla, Vixhana, and Guichivere. The virulence of each isolate was assessed by quantifying parasitemia, survival, and histopathologic findings. The lineage of each isolate was identified using the mini-exon gene. The expression of the tssa gene during infection was detected in the heart, esophagus, gastrocnemius, and brain. Our results show that the maximum post-infection parasitemia was higher for the Tehuantitla isolate. On genotyping, all isolates were identified as T. cruzi I. The amastigotes in the heart and gastrocnemius were verified for all isolates, but in the brain only for Tehuantitla and Vixhana. The tssa expression allowed us to detect T. cruzi isolates, for Tehuantitla, predominantly in the heart. For Vixhana, a higher tssa expression was detected in gastrocnemius, and for Guichivere, it was higher in the esophagus. Results show that virulence, tropism, and tssa expression can vary, even when the isolates are derived from the same vector species, in the same region, and at similar altitudes.
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Gómez-Sánchez EF, Ochoa-Díaz-López H, Espinoza-Medinilla EE, Velázquez-Ramírez DD, Santos-Hernandez NG, Ruiz-Castillejos C, Vidal-López DG, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Flores-Villegas AL, López-Argueta E, De Fuentes-Vicente JA. Mini-exon gene reveals circulation of TcI Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in bats and small mammals in an ecological reserve in southeastern Mexico. Zookeys 2022; 1084:139-150. [PMID: 35177949 PMCID: PMC8816842 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1084.78664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of mammals are involved in the sylvatic cycle of Trypanosomacruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. In many areas in Latin America where T.cruzi is endemic, this cycle is poorly known, and its main reservoirs have not been identified. In this study we analyzed T.cruzi infection in bats and other small mammals from an Ecological Reserve in southeastern Mexico. From January through March 2021, we captured wild individuals to extract cardiac and peripheral blood, and infection was detected by PCR of the mini-exon gene. In bats, the prevalence of infection was 16.36%, while in small mammals the prevalence was 28.57%. All of the samples that were positive for T.cruzi were identified as the TCI genotype. Our findings suggest that this zone, situated at the periphery of urban zones might have epidemiological relevance in the sylvatic cycle of T.cruzi and needs to be monitored. The infection of bats in this area is particularly concerning since the flight pattern of this populations overlaps with human settlements. Despite being subject to conservation protections, there continue to be anthropogenic actions that disturb the study area, which could exacerbate risks to public health.
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Sanchez-Patino N, Toriz-Vazquez A, Hevia-Montiel N, Perez-Gonzalez J. Convolutional Neural Networks for Chagas' Parasite Detection in Histopathological Images. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2021; 2021:2732-2735. [PMID: 34891815 DOI: 10.1109/embc46164.2021.9629563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a widely spreaded illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Most cases go unnoticed until the accumulated myocardial damage affect the patient. The endomyocardium biopsy is a tool to evaluate sustained myocardial damage, but analyzing histopathological images takes a lot of time and its prone to human error, given its subjective nature. The following work presents a deep learning method to detect T. cruzi amastigotes on histopathological images taken from a endomyocardium biopsy during an experimental murine model. A U-Net convolutional neural network architecture was implemented and trained from the ground up. An accuracy of 99.19% and Jaccard index of 49.43% were achieved. The obtained results suggest that the proposed approach can be useful for amastigotes detection in histopathological images.Clinical relevance- The proposed method can be incorporated as automatic detection tool of amastigotes nests, it can be useful for the Chagas disease analysis and diagnosis.
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Padilla-Valdez JM, Antonio-Campos A, Arias-Del-Angel JA, Rivas N, Alejandre-Aguilar R. Susceptibility dynamics between five Trypanosoma cruzi strains and three triatomine (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) species. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2021; 46:82-95. [PMID: 35229585 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-46.1.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
American trypanosomiasis is a zoonosis caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is transmitted mainly by blood-sucking insects belonging to the subfamily Triatominae. The importance of this parasite lies in its wide geographical distribution, high morbidity, and the fact that there has not yet been an effective treatment or vaccine. Previous studies have detailed the interactions between different triatomine species and T. cruzi strains. However, the factors necessary to establish infection in triatomines have not yet been fully elucidated. Furthermore, it is postulated that the coexistence between the parasite and triatomines could modulate the susceptibility to infection in these insects. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the susceptibility to T. cruzi infection in the species Triatoma (Meccus) pallidipennis, Triatoma barberi, and Triatoma lecticularia, which were infected with Ninoa, H8, INC-5, Sontecomapan, and Hueypoxtla strains. The criteria used to establish susceptibility were the amount of blood ingested by the insects, percentage of infected triatomines, concentration of parasites in feces, and percentage of metacyclic trypomastigotes in feces. These parameters were analyzed by fresh examination and differential count with Giemsa-stained smears. Our main findings suggest the following order of susceptibility concerning infection with T. cruzi: T. lecticularia > T. barberi > T. (Meccus) pallidipennis. Furthermore, the study concludes that an increased susceptibility to infection of triatomines that share the same geographic region with different strains of T. cruzi is not always a fact.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Miguel Padilla-Valdez
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico
| | - Alberto Antonio-Campos
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico
| | - Jorge A Arias-Del-Angel
- Unidad Monterrey, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apocada NL, Mexico
| | - Nancy Rivas
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Alejandre-Aguilar
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico,
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Schaub GA. An Update on the Knowledge of Parasite-Vector Interactions of Chagas Disease. Res Rep Trop Med 2021; 12:63-76. [PMID: 34093053 PMCID: PMC8169816 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s274681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focusses on the interactions between the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, and its triatomine vector. The flagellate mainly colonizes the intestinal tract of the insect. The effect of triatomines on trypanosomes is indicated by susceptibility and refractoriness phenomena that vary according to the combination of the strains. Other effects are apparent in the different regions of the gut. In the stomach, the majority of ingested blood trypomastigotes are killed while the remaining transform to round stages. In the small intestine, these develop into epimastigotes, the main replicative stage. In the rectum, the population density is the highest and is where the infectious stage develops, the metacyclic trypomastigote. In all regions of the gut, starvation and feeding of the triatomine affect T. cruzi. In the small intestine and rectum, starvation reduces the population density and more spheromastigotes develop. In the rectum, feeding after short-term starvation induces metacyclogenesis and after long-term starvation the development of specific cells, containing several nuclei, kinetoplasts and flagella. When considering the effects of T. cruzi on triatomines, the flagellate seems to be of low pathogenicity. However, during stressful periods, which are normal in natural populations, effects occur often on the behaviour, eg, in readiness to approach the host, the period of time before defecation, dispersal and aggregation. In nymphs, the duration of the different instars and the mortality rates increase, but this seems to be induced by repeated infections or blood quality by the feeding on infected hosts. Starvation resistance is often reduced by infection. Longevity and reproduction of adults is reduced, but only after infection with some strains of T. cruzi. Only components of the surface coat of blood trypomastigotes induce an immune reaction. However, this seems to act against gut bacteria and favours the development of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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11
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Córdoba-Aguilar A. Chagas bugs and trypanosoma cruzi: Puppets and puppeteer? Acta Trop 2020; 211:105600. [PMID: 32592685 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A widely accepted idea in parasite-host relationships is that the former manipulates the latter so that it increases its own success. In the case of complex life cycles, this means that the parasite is able to manipulate the first host which allows its transmission to the second host. In this paper, I formalize the idea that this may be the case for the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and its vectors, bugs of the subfamily Triatominae. I discuss the sources of existing evidence and propose some types of manipulation. This manipulation could also occur in the second host, that is, a vertebrate. Here, I emphasize humans and domesticated animals. I also discuss how global change and insecticide resistance may drive the arms race between both, triatomines and T. cruzi, and host manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. P. 70-275, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Coyoacán, Distrito Federal, México.
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Pertino MW, F. de la Torre A, Schmeda-Hirschmann G, Vega C, Rolón M, Coronel C, Rojas de Arias A, Leal López K, Carranza-Rosales P, Viveros Valdez E. Synthesis, trypanocidal and anti-leishmania activity of new triazole-lapachol and nor-lapachol hybrids. Bioorg Chem 2020; 103:104122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Ouali R, Valentim de Brito KC, Salmon D, Bousbata S. High-Throughput Identification of the Rhodnius prolixus Midgut Proteome Unravels a Sophisticated Hematophagic Machinery. Proteomes 2020; 8:proteomes8030016. [PMID: 32722125 PMCID: PMC7564601 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes8030016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the most common parasitic infections in Latin America, which is transmitted by hematophagous triatomine bugs, of which Rhodnius prolixus is the vector prototype for the study of this disease. The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of this disease, is transmitted by the vector to humans through the bite wound or mucosa. The passage of the parasite through the digestive tract of its vector constitutes a key step in its developmental cycle. Herewith, by a using high-throughput proteomic tool in order to characterize the midgut proteome of R. prolixus, we describe a set of functional groups of proteins, as well as the biological processes in which they are involved. This is the first proteomic analysis showing an elaborated hematophagy machinery involved in the digestion of blood, among which, several families of proteases have been characterized. The evaluation of the activity of cathepsin D proteases in the anterior part of the digestive tract of the insect suggested the existence of a proteolytic activity within this compartment, suggesting that digestion occurs early in this compartment. Moreover, several heat shock proteins, blood clotting inhibitors, and a powerful antioxidant enzyme machinery against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell detoxification have been identified. Highlighting the complexity and importance of the digestive physiology of insects could be a starting point for the selection of new targets for innovative control strategies of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radouane Ouali
- Proteomic Plateform, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Karen Caroline Valentim de Brito
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências e da Saúde, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-902, Brazil; (K.C.V.d.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Didier Salmon
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências e da Saúde, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-902, Brazil; (K.C.V.d.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Sabrina Bousbata
- Proteomic Plateform, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium;
- Correspondence:
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Mendonça AAS, Gonçalves-Santos E, Souza-Silva TG, González-Lozano KJ, Caldas IS, Gonçalves RV, Diniz LF, Novaes RD. Thioridazine aggravates skeletal myositis, systemic and liver inflammation in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected and benznidazole-treated mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 85:106611. [PMID: 32447223 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
While thioridazine (Tio) inhibits the antioxidant defenses of Trypanosoma cruzi, the gold standard antitrypanosomal drug benznidazole (Bz) has potent anti-inflammatory and pro-oxidant properties. The combination of these drugs has never been tested to determine the effect on T. cruzi infection. Thus, we compared the impact of Tio and Bz, administered alone and in combination, on the development of skeletal myositis and liver inflammation in T. cruzi-infected mice. Swiss mice were randomized into six groups: uninfected untreated, infected untreated, treated with Tio (80 mg/kg) alone, Bz (50 or 100 mg/kg) alone, or a combination of Tio and Bz. Infected animals were inoculated with a virulent T. cruzi strain (Y) and treated by gavage for 20 days. Mice untreated or treated with Tio alone developed the most intense parasitemia, highest parasitic load, elevated IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α plasma levels, increased N-acetylglucosaminidase and myeloperoxidase activity in the liver and skeletal muscle, as well as severe myositis and liver inflammation (P < 0.05). All parameters were markedly attenuated in animals receiving Bz alone (P < 0.05). However, the co-administration of Tio impaired the response to Bz chemotherapy, causing a decrease in parasitological control (parasitemia and parasite load), skeletal muscle and liver inflammation, and increased microstructural damage, when compared to the group receiving Bz alone (P < 0.05). Altogether, our findings indicated that Tio aggravates systemic inflammation, skeletal myositis and hepatic inflammatory damage in T. cruzi-infected mice. By antagonizing the antiparasitic potential of Bz, Tio limits the anti-inflammatory, myoprotectant and hepatoprotective effects of the reference chemotherapy, aggravating the pathological remodeling of both organs. As the interaction of T. cruzi infection, Bz and Tio is potentially toxic to the liver, inducing inflammation and microvesicular steatosis; this drug combination represents a worrying pharmacological risk factor in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa A S Mendonça
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elda Gonçalves-Santos
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thaiany G Souza-Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kelly J González-Lozano
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo S Caldas
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani V Gonçalves
- Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lívia F Diniz
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo D Novaes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Ramírez-Toloza G, Sosoniuk-Roche E, Valck C, Aguilar-Guzmán L, Ferreira VP, Ferreira A. Trypanosoma cruzi Calreticulin: Immune Evasion, Infectivity, and Tumorigenesis. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:368-381. [PMID: 32191851 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To successfully infect, Trypanosoma cruzi evades and modulates the host immune response. T. cruzi calreticulin (TcCalr) is a multifunctional, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident chaperone that, translocated to the external microenvironment, mediates crucial host-parasite interactions. TcCalr binds and inactivates C1 and mannose-binding lectin (MBL)/ficolins, important pattern- recognition receptors (PRRs) of the complement system. Using an apoptotic mimicry strategy, the C1-TcCalr association facilitates the infection of target cells. T. cruzi infection also seems to confer protection against tumorigenesis. Thus, recombinant TcCalr has important antiangiogenic properties, detected in vitro, ex vivo, and in ovum, most likely contributing at least in part, to its antitumor properties. Consequently, TcCalr is useful for investigating key issues of host-parasite interactions and possible new immunological/pharmacological interventions in the areas of Chagas' disease and experimental cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | - Carolina Valck
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Aguilar-Guzmán
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Viviana P Ferreira
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, OH, USA
| | - Arturo Ferreira
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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