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Olivera MJ, Muñoz L. Exploring the latency period in Chagas disease: duration and determinants in a cohort from Colombia. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2024; 118:440-447. [PMID: 38411919 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trae004] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease has a varying latency period, the time between infection and onset of cardiac symptoms, due to multiple factors. This study seeks to identify and understand these factors to enhance our knowledge of the disease. METHODS A retrospective follow-up study was conducted in Colombia on patients with indeterminate chronic Chagas disease. Medical files were examined to evaluate the disease latency time using time ratios (TRs) and the AFT Weibull model. RESULTS The study followed 578 patients, of whom 309 (53.5%) developed cardiac disease, with a median latency period of 18.5 (95% CI 16 to 20) y for the cohort. Those with the TcISyl genotype (TR 0.72; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.80), individuals who lived 5-15 y (TR 0.80; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.95), 15-30 y (TR 0.63; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.74) or >30 y (vs 5 y) in areas with high disease prevalence had shorter latency periods. On the other hand, undergoing treatment increased the latency period (TR: 1.74; 95% CI 1.52 to 1.87). CONCLUSIONS The latency period of Chagas disease was found to be independently related to male gender, receipt of etiological treatment, length of time spent in an endemic area and the TcISyl genotype. The implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Javier Olivera
- Departamento de investigación en salud pública, Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, D.C., Colombia
| | - Lyda Muñoz
- Departamento de investigación en salud pública, Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, D.C., Colombia
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Velásquez-Ortiz N, Hernández C, Cantillo-Barraza O, Ballesteros N, Cruz-Saavedra L, Herrera G, Buitrago LS, Soto H, Medina M, Palacio J, González MS, Cuervo A, Vallejo G, Zuleta Dueñas L, Urbano P, Muñoz M, Ramírez JD. Trypanosoma cruzi Parasite Burdens of Several Triatomine Species in Colombia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7120445. [PMID: 36548700 PMCID: PMC9782637 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7120445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, is mainly transmitted by insects of the Triatominae subfamily. In Colombia, there are 26 triatomine species, and 16 of them are naturally infected with the parasite. The parasite loads of naturally infected vectors can be significant in targeting specific species that can affect the epidemiology of the disease. Studying their ecology and behavior is vital to understand their role in T. cruzi transmission dynamics. We evaluated the parasite loads of 182 field-collected triatomines corresponding to 10 species in 13 departments across Colombia. We standardized a methodology to quantify T. cruzi DNA in these insects. We obtained a LOD (limit of detection) of 3.05 p-eq/mL. The 82% of triatomines we evaluated were positive for T. cruzi infection, with loads ranging from hundreds to millions of equivalent parasites per milliliter. Panstrongylus geniculatus, Rhodnius prolixus, and Triatoma dimidiata were the species with the highest loads of T. cruzi; however, other species whose role as vectors is still unknown were also found with high loads of parasites. Our results suggest the relevance of secondary species for T. cruzi transmission in Colombia. We hope our data can help improve entomological surveillance and vector control programs in the country and the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Velásquez-Ortiz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Hernández
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Centro de Tecnología en Salud (CETESA), Innovaseq SAS, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Omar Cantillo-Barraza
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Nathalia Ballesteros
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Giovanny Herrera
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Hugo Soto
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública del Cesar, Valledupar, Colombia
| | - Manuel Medina
- Programa de Control de ETV, Secretaría de Salud de Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Jatney Palacio
- Laboratorio Departamental de Salud Pública del Departamento del Chocó, Quibdó, Colombia
| | | | - Andrés Cuervo
- Secretaría Departamental de Salud de Arauca, Arauca, Colombia
| | - Gustavo Vallejo
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Liliana Zuleta Dueñas
- Grupo de Vigilancia en Salud Pública, Secretaría de Salud de Casanare, Yopal, Colombia
| | - Plutarco Urbano
- Grupo de Investigaciones Biológicas de la Orinoquia, Universidad Internacional del Trópico Americano (Unitrópico), Yopal, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
- Correspondence: or
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3
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Velásquez-Ortiz N, Hernández C, Cantillo-Barraza O, Medina M, Medina-Alfonso M, Suescún-Carrero S, Muñoz M, Vega L, Castañeda S, Cruz-Saavedra L, Ballesteros N, Ramírez JD. Estimating the genetic structure of Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and the transmission dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi in Boyacá, eastern Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010534. [PMID: 35816541 PMCID: PMC9302734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is considered a public health issue in Colombia, where many regions are endemic. Triatoma dimidiata is an important vector after Rhodnius prolixus, and it is gaining importance in Boyacá, eastern Colombia. Following the recent elimination of R. prolixus in the region, it is pivotal to understand the behavior of T. dimidiata and the transmission dynamics of T. cruzi. We used qPCR and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to evaluate T. cruzi infection, parasite load, feeding profiles, and T. cruzi genotyping for T. dimidiata specimens collected in nine municipalities in Boyacá and explored T. dimidiata population genetics. We found that T. dimidiata populations are composed by a single population with similar genetic characteristics that present infection rates up to 70%, high parasite loads up to 1.46 × 109 parasite-equivalents/mL, a feeding behavior that comprises at least 17 domestic, synanthropic and sylvatic species, and a wide diversity of TcI genotypes even within a single specimen. These results imply that T. dimidiata behavior is similar to other successful vectors, having a wide variety of blood sources and contributing to the circulation of different genotypes of the parasite, highlighting its importance for T. cruzi transmission and risk for humans. In the light of the elimination of R. prolixus in Boyacá and the results we found, we suggest that T. dimidiata should become a new target for vector control programs. We hope this study provides enough information to enhance surveillance programs and a future effective interruption of T. cruzi vector transmission in endemic regions. Chagas disease is a complex zoonotic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. This pathology is endemic in the Americas and causes a tremendous burden in terms of public health. The feces of triatomine bugs mainly transmit this parasite. A massive diversity of triatomines can be found in the north of South America, where Rhodnius is considered the most epidemiologically relevant genus. However, government efforts have attempted to control the vector transmission of specific regions. That is the case of Boyaca in eastern Colombia, which has several municipalities certified as free of R. prolixus transmission of the parasite. However, other species such as Triatoma dimidiata can occupy the left niche due to R. prolixus elimination. We explored the infection rate, parasite load, feeding preferences, and T. cruzi diversity in T. dimidiata specimens collected in municipalities with no R. prolixus infestation. Our results highlight the preponderant need for increasing serological surveillance and prevention in those communities due to the risk of a plausible reactivation of T. cruzi vector transmission due to T. dimidiata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Velásquez-Ortiz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Hernández
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Centro de Tecnología en Salud (CETESA), Innovaseq SAS, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Omar Cantillo-Barraza
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo BCEI Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Manuel Medina
- Programa de Control de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Vectores, Secretaría de Salud Departamental, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Mabel Medina-Alfonso
- Grupo de Investigación del Laboratorio de Salud Pública de Boyacá, Secretaria de Salud de Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Sandra Suescún-Carrero
- Grupo de Investigación del Laboratorio de Salud Pública de Boyacá, Secretaria de Salud de Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Vega
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sergio Castañeda
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nathalia Ballesteros
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York city, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
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4
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Rubio-Hernández M, Alcolea V, Pérez-Silanes S. Potential of sulfur-selenium isosteric replacement as a strategy for the development of new anti-chagasic drugs. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106547. [PMID: 35667455 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106547] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment for Chagas disease is based on only two drugs: benznidazole and nifurtimox. Compounds containing sulfur (S) in their structure have shown promising results in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease. Notably, some reports show that the isosteric replacement of S by selenium (Se) could be an interesting strategy for the development of new compounds for the treatment of Chagas disease. To date, the activity against T. cruzi of three Se- containing groups has been compared with their S counterparts: selenosemicarbazones, selenoquinones, and selenocyanates. More studies are needed to confirm the positive results of Se compounds. Therefore, we have investigated S compounds described in the literature tested against T. cruzi. We focused on those tested in vivo that allowed isosteric replacement to propose their Se counterparts as promising compounds for the future development of new drugs against Chagas disease.
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5
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Medina-Rincón GJ, Gallo-Bernal S, Jiménez PA, Cruz-Saavedra L, Ramírez JD, Rodríguez MJ, Medina-Mur R, Díaz-Nassif G, Valderrama-Achury MD, Medina HM. Molecular and Clinical Aspects of Chronic Manifestations in Chagas Disease: A State-of-the-Art Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111493. [PMID: 34832648 PMCID: PMC8619182 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic manifestations of Chagas disease present as disabling and life-threatening conditions affecting mainly the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. Although meaningful research has outlined the different molecular mechanisms underlying Trypanosoma cruzi’s infection and the host-parasite interactions that follow, prompt diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge, particularly in developing countries and also in those where the disease is considered non-endemic. This review intends to present an up-to-date review of the parasite’s life cycle, genetic diversity, virulence factors, and infective mechanisms, as well as the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options of the main chronic complications of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán J. Medina-Rincón
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-310-817-2369
| | - Sebastián Gallo-Bernal
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Paula A. Jiménez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - María Juliana Rodríguez
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Ramón Medina-Mur
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Gustavo Díaz-Nassif
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 111221, Colombia;
| | | | - Héctor M. Medina
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
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6
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Mateus J, Nocua P, Lasso P, López MC, Thomas MC, Egui A, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. CD8 + T Cell Response Quality Is Related to Parasite Control in an Animal Model of Single and Mixed Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:723121. [PMID: 34712620 PMCID: PMC8546172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.723121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD) is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This highly diverse intracellular parasite is classified into seven genotypes or discrete typing units (DTUs) and they overlap in geographic ranges, vectors, and clinical characteristics. Although studies have suggested that ChD progression is due to a decline in the immune response quality, a direct relationship between T cell responses and disease outcome is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between parasite control and immune T cell responses, we used two distinct infection approaches in an animal model to explore the histological and parasitological outcomes and dissect the T cell responses in T. cruzi-infected mice. First, we performed single infection experiments with DA (TcI) or Y (TcII) T. cruzi strains to compare the infection outcomes and evaluate its relationship with the T cell response. Second, because infections with diverse T. cruzi genotypes can occur in naturally infected individuals, mice were infected with the Y or DA strain and subsequently reinfected with the Y strain. We found different infection outcomes in the two infection approaches used. The single chronic infection showed differences in the inflammatory infiltrate level, while mixed chronic infection by different T. cruzi DTUs showed dissimilarities in the parasite loads. Chronically infected mice with a low inflammatory infiltrate (DA-infected mice) or low parasitemia and parasitism (Y/Y-infected mice) showed increases in early-differentiated CD8+ T cells, a multifunctional T cell response and lower expression of inhibitory receptors on CD8+ T cells. In contrast, infected mice with a high inflammatory infiltrate (Y-infected mice) or high parasitemia and parasitism (DA/Y-infected mice) showed a CD8+ T cell response distinguished by an increase in late-differentiated cells, a monofunctional response, and enhanced expression of inhibitory receptors. Overall, our results demonstrated that the infection outcomes caused by single or mixed T. cruzi infection with different genotypes induce a differential immune CD8+ T cell response quality. These findings suggest that the CD8+ T cell response might dictate differences in the infection outcomes at the chronic T. cruzi stage. This study shows that the T cell response quality is related to parasite control during chronic T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Nocua
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Ciencias de Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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Benaim G, Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Sordillo EM. The Rationale for Use of Amiodarone and its Derivatives for the Treatment of Chagas' Disease and Leishmaniasis. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1825-1833. [PMID: 32988342 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200928161403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The repurposing or repositioning of previously-approved drugs has become an accepted strategy for the expansion of the pharmacopeia for neglected diseases. Accordingly, amiodarone, an inexpensive and extensively- used class III antiarrhythmic has been proposed as a treatment for Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis. Amiodarone has a potent trypanocidal and leishmanicidal action, mainly acting through the disruption of parasite intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, which is a recognized target of different drugs that have activity against trypanosomatids. Amiodarone collapses the mitochondrial electrochemical potential (Δφm) and induces the rapid alkalinization of parasite acidocalcisomes, driving a large increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Amiodarone also inhibits oxidosqualene cyclase activity, a key enzyme in the ergosterol synthesis pathway that is essential for trypanosomatid survival. In combination, these three effects lead to parasite death. Dronedarone, a drug synthesized to minimize some of the adverse effects of amiodarone, displays trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity through the same mechanisms, but curiously, being more potent on Leishmaniasis than its predecessor. In vitro studies suggest that other recently-synthesized benzofuran derivatives can act through the same mechanisms, and produce similar effects on different trypanosomatid species. Recently, the combination of amiodarone and itraconazole has been used successfully to treat 121 dogs naturally-infected by T. cruzi, strongly supporting the potential therapeutic use of this combination against human trypanosomatid infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Benaim
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA) , Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Emilia Mia Sordillo
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
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Velásquez-Ortiz N, Ramírez JD. Understanding the oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi as a veterinary and medical foodborne zoonosis. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:448-461. [PMID: 32781335 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease transmitted by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi that lately has been highlighted because several outbreaks attributed to oral transmission of the parasite have occurred. These outbreaks are characterized by high mortality rates and massive infections that cannot be related to other types of transmission such as the vectorial route. Oral transmission of Chagas disease has been reported in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina and French Guiana, most of them are massive oral outbreaks caused by the ingestion of beverages and food contaminated with triatomine feces or parasites' reservoirs secretions and considered since 2012 as a foodborne disease. In this review, we present the current status and all available data regarding oral transmission of Chagas disease, highlighting its relevance as a veterinary and medical foodborne zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Velásquez-Ortiz
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
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9
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Cruz-Saavedra L, Vallejo GA, Guhl F, Ramírez JD. Transcriptomic changes across the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi II. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8947. [PMID: 32461822 PMCID: PMC7231504 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellated protozoan that causes Chagas disease; it presents a complex life cycle comprising four morphological stages: epimastigote (EP), metacyclic trypomastigote (MT), cell-derived trypomastigote (CDT) and amastigote (AM). Previous transcriptomic studies on three stages (EPs, CDTs and AMs) have demonstrated differences in gene expressions among them; however, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have reported on gene expressions in MTs. Therefore, the present study compared differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and signaling pathway reconstruction in EPs, MTs, AMs and CDTs. The results revealed differences in gene expressions in the stages evaluated; these differences were greater between MTs and AMs-PTs. The signaling pathway that presented the highest number of DEGs in all the stages was associated with ribosomes protein profiles, whereas the other related pathways activated were processes related to energy metabolism from glucose, amino acid metabolism, or RNA regulation. However, the role of autophagy in the entire life cycle of T. cruzi and the presence of processes such as meiosis and homologous recombination in MTs (where the expressions of SPO11 and Rad51 plays a role) are crucial. These findings represent an important step towards the full understanding of the molecular basis during the life cycle of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Gustavo A Vallejo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
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Zecca IB, Hodo CL, Slack S, Auckland L, Hamer SA. Trypanosoma cruzi infections and associated pathology in urban-dwelling Virginia opossums ( Didelphis virginiana). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 11:287-293. [PMID: 32215248 PMCID: PMC7090276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a zoonotic protozoan parasite, infects a wide range of mammals. The southern United States has endemic sylvatic transmission cycles maintained by several species of wildlife and domestic dogs. We hypothesized that urban-dwelling opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in South Texas are infected with T. cruzi, and that tissue pathology would be associated with infection. In 2017, we collected blood, heart tissue and anal gland secretions from 100 wild opossums across three seasons that were trapped by animal control in South Texas. In addition, anal gland tissue and intercostal muscle were collected from 43 of the 100 opossums for which time allowed the extra tissue collection. All blood, tissue, and secretion samples were screened for T. cruzi DNA using qPCR with confirmation of positive status achieved through one or more additional PCR assays, including a qPCR to determine the parasite discrete typing unit (DTU). T. cruzi DNA was detected in at least one tissue of 15% of the opossums sampled: blood clot (9%), heart tissue (10%), anal gland secretions (12%), intercostal muscle (16.3%), and anal gland tissue (11.6%). Infection was detected in two or more different tissue types in nine of the opossums. The 35 tissues for which parasite DTU was determined were exclusively 'Tcl'- a DTU previously associated with locally-acquired human disease in the United States. T. cruzi-positive opossums were nearly 14 times more likely to exhibit significant heart lesions on histopathology (lympoplasmacytic inflammation±fibrosis) when compared to negative opossums (OR = 13.56, CI = 1.23-751.28, p-value = 0.03). Three triatomines were opportunistically collected from the study site, of which two were infected (66.7%), and bloodmeal analysis revealed canine, opossum, and human bloodmeals. Given the presence of parasite in opossum blood, unique potential for shedding of parasite in anal glad secretions, and evidence of vectors feeding on opossums, it is likely that opossums serve as wild reservoirs around urban dwellings in South Texas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Italo B. Zecca
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Carolyn L. Hodo
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, 650 Cool Water Drive, Bastrop, TX, 78602, USA
| | - Sarah Slack
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Lisa Auckland
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
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Histopathological study in cardiac tissue of rodents infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, captured in suburbs of Mérida, México. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 39:32-43. [PMID: 31529832 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v39i3.4192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of the American trypanosomiasis, an endemic disease in México. The commensal rodents Mus musculus and Rattus rattus are reservoirs of this parasite, which invades cardiac fibers and develops parasite nests causing various lesions. Histopathological studies in naturally infected rodents are scarce.
Objective: To describe the types and frequencies of microscopic lesions in cardiac tissue of M. musculus and R. rattus infected with T. cruzi captured in Mérida, México.
Materials and methods: The rodents were captured in suburban environments of Mérida. Cardiac tissue was extracted and processed by the paraffin inclusion technique and hematoxylin and eosin stained. The observation was made with a conventional microscope and all the lesions, as well as their degree, were identified.
Results: Eight tissue samples of M. musculus and seven of R. rattus were studied. Parasite nests were found in 7/15, specifically 3/8 in M. musculus and 4/7 in R. rattus. The inflammatory infiltrate was the most frequent lesion. Other lesions were: Degeneration of cardiac fibers (8/15), congestion of blood vessels (6/15), and necrosis (5/15).
Discussion: The lesions we observed have been described in experimental animal models and in humans with American trypanosomiasis. The inflammatory infiltrate has been identified as the most significant lesion in humans and reservoirs in the chronic stage of the disease.
Conclusion: The lesions we described are associated with T. cruzi infection, which confirms that the rodents studied are reservoirs of this parasite.
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Evaluation of the multispecies coalescent method to explore intra-Trypanosoma cruzi I relationships and genetic diversity. Parasitology 2019; 146:1063-1074. [PMID: 31046857 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019000428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Chagas Disease is a zoonosis caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Several high-resolution markers have subdivided T. cruzi taxon into at least seven lineages or Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) (TcI-TcVI and TcBat). Trypanosoma cruzi I is the most diverse and geographically widespread DTU. Recently a TcI genotype related to domestic cycles was proposed and named as TcIDOM. Herein, we combined traditional markers and housekeeping genes and applied a Multispecies Coalescent method to explore intra-TcI relationships, lineage boundaries and genetic diversity in a random set of isolates and DNA sequences retrieved from Genbank from different countries in the Americas. We found further evidence supporting TcIDOM as an independent and emerging genotype of TcI at least in Colombia and Venezuela. We also found evidence of high phylogenetic incongruence between parasite's gene trees (including introgression) and embedded species trees, and a lack of genetic structure among geography and hosts, illustrating the complex dynamics and epidemiology of TcI across the Americas. These findings provide novel insights into T. cruzi systematics and epidemiology and support the need to assess parasite diversity and lineage boundaries through hypothesis testing using different approaches to those traditionally employed, including the Bayesian Multispecies coalescent method.
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Ramírez JD, Hernández C. Trypanosoma cruzi I: Towards the need of genetic subdivision?, Part II. Acta Trop 2018; 184:53-58. [PMID: 28495405 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a complex zoonosis caused by the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This protozoan exhibits remarkable genetic diversity evinced in at least six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) with the foreseen emergence of a genotype associated to bats (TcBat). T. cruzi I is the DTU with the broadest geographical distribution and associated to severe cardiomyopathies. In 2011, we published a review questioning the need for genetic subdivision within TcI. However, after six years of intensive research. Herein, we attempted to determine if TcI should be subdivided or not in the light of the current genetic, biological, clinical and ecological data. The future perspectives are discussed.
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Torres-Vargas J, Jiménez-Coello M, Guzmán-Marín E, Acosta-Viana KY, Yadon ZE, Gutiérrez-Blanco E, Guillermo-Cordero JL, Garg NJ, Ortega-Pacheco A. Quantitative and histological assessment of maternal-fetal transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in guinea pigs: An experimental model of congenital Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006222. [PMID: 29364882 PMCID: PMC5798842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on fertility, gestation outcome, and maternal-fetal transmission in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). METHODS Animals were infected with T. cruzi H4 strain (TcI lineage) before gestation (IBG) or during gestation (IDG). Tissue and sera samples of dams and fetuses were obtained near parturition. RESULTS All IBG and IDG dams were seropositive by two tests, and exhibited blood parasite load of 1.62±2.2 and 50.1±62 parasites/μl, respectively, by quantitative PCR. Histological evaluation showed muscle fiber degeneration and cellular necrosis in all infected dams. Parasite nests were not detected in infected dams by histology. However, qPCR analysis detected parasites-eq/g heart tissue of 153±104.7 and 169.3±129.4 in IBG and IDG dams, respectively. All fetuses of infected dams were positive for anti-parasite IgG antibodies and tissue parasites by qPCR, but presented a low level of tissue inflammatory infiltrate. Fetuses of IDG (vs. IBG) dams exhibited higher degree of muscle fiber degeneration and cellular necrosis in the heart and skeletal tissues. The placental tissue exhibited no inflammatory lesions and amastigote nests, yet parasites-eq/g of 381.2±34.3 and 79.2±84.9 were detected in IDG and IBG placentas, respectively. Fetal development was compromised, and evidenced by a decline in weight, crow-rump length, and abdominal width in both groups. CONCLUSIONS T. cruzi TcI has a high capacity of congenital transmission even when it was inoculated at a very low dose before or during gestation. Tissue lesions, parasite load, and fetal under development provide evidence for high virulence of the parasite during pregnancy. Despite finding of high parasite burden by qPCR, placentas were protected from cellular damage. Our studies offer an experimental model to study the efficacy of vaccines and drugs against congenital transmission of T. cruzi. These results also call for T. cruzi screening in pregnant women and adequate follow up of the newborns in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatziri Torres-Vargas
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Matilde Jiménez-Coello
- C.A. Biomedicina de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Eugenia Guzmán-Marín
- C.A. Biomedicina de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Karla Y. Acosta-Viana
- C.A. Biomedicina de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Zaida E. Yadon
- Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, Pan American Health Organization, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Gutiérrez-Blanco
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - José Leonardo Guillermo-Cordero
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NJG); (AOP)
| | - Antonio Ortega-Pacheco
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
- * E-mail: (NJG); (AOP)
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Ecology of Trypanosoma cruzi I genotypes across Rhodnius prolixus captured in Attalea butyracea palms. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 49:146-150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
SUMMARYChagas disease is a complex zoonosis that affects around 8 million people worldwide. This pathology is caused byTrypanosoma cruzi, a kinetoplastid parasite that shows tremendous genetic diversity evinced in six distinct Discrete Typing Units (TcI-TcVI) including a recent genotype named as TcBat and associated with anthropogenic bats. TcI presents a broad geographical distribution and has been associated with chronic cardiomyopathy. Recent phylogenetic studies suggest the existence of two genotypes (Domestic (TcIDom) and sylvatic TcI) within TcI. The understanding of the course of the infection in different mouse models by these two genotypes is not yet known. Therefore, we infected 126 animals (ICR-CD1, National Institute of Health (NIH) and Balb/c) with two TcIDomstrains and one sylvatic strain for a follow-up period of 60 days. We quantified the parasitaemia, immune response and histopathology observing that the maximum day of parasitaemia was achieved at day 21 post-infection. Domestic strains showed higher parasitaemia than the sylvatic strain in the three mouse models; however in the survival curves Balb/c mice were less susceptible to infection compared with NIH and ICR-CD1. Our results suggest that the genetic background plays a fundamental role in the natural history of the infection and the sympatric TcI genotypes have relevant implications in disease pathogenesis.
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Hernández C, Cucunubá Z, Flórez C, Olivera M, Valencia C, Zambrano P, León C, Ramírez JD. Molecular Diagnosis of Chagas Disease in Colombia: Parasitic Loads and Discrete Typing Units in Patients from Acute and Chronic Phases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004997. [PMID: 27648938 PMCID: PMC5029947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of Chagas disease is complex due to the dynamics of parasitemia in the clinical phases of the disease. The molecular tests have been considered promissory because they detect the parasite in all clinical phases. Trypanosoma cruzi presents significant genetic variability and is classified into six Discrete Typing Units TcI-TcVI (DTUs) with the emergence of foreseen genotypes within TcI as TcIDom and TcI Sylvatic. The objective of this study was to determine the operating characteristics of molecular tests (conventional and Real Time PCR) for the detection of T. cruzi DNA, parasitic loads and DTUs in a large cohort of Colombian patients from acute and chronic phases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Samples were obtained from 708 patients in all clinical phases. Standard diagnosis (direct and serological tests) and molecular tests (conventional PCR and quantitative PCR) targeting the nuclear satellite DNA region. The genotyping was performed by PCR using the intergenic region of the mini-exon gene, the 24Sa, 18S and A10 regions. The operating capabilities showed that performance of qPCR was higher compared to cPCR. Likewise, the performance of qPCR was significantly higher in acute phase compared with chronic phase. The median parasitic loads detected were 4.69 and 1.33 parasite equivalents/mL for acute and chronic phases. The main DTU identified was TcI (74.2%). TcIDom genotype was significantly more frequent in chronic phase compared to acute phase (82.1% vs 16.6%). The median parasitic load for TcIDom was significantly higher compared with TcI Sylvatic in chronic phase (2.58 vs.0.75 parasite equivalents/ml). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The molecular tests are a precise tool to complement the standard diagnosis of Chagas disease, specifically in acute phase showing high discriminative power. However, it is necessary to improve the sensitivity of molecular tests in chronic phase. The frequency and parasitemia of TcIDom genotype in chronic patients highlight its possible relationship to the chronicity of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Hernández
- Red Chagas Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Zulma Cucunubá
- Red Chagas Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Flórez
- Red Chagas Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mario Olivera
- Red Chagas Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Valencia
- Red Chagas Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Pilar Zambrano
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Cielo León
- Red Chagas Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad el Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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León CM, Hernández C, Montilla M, Ramírez JD. Retrospective distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi I genotypes in Colombia. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:387-93. [PMID: 25946157 PMCID: PMC4489476 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760140402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the aetiological agent of Chagas disease, which
affects approximately eight million people in the Americas. This parasite exhibits
genetic variability, with at least six discrete typing units broadly distributed in
the American continent. T. cruzi I (TcI) shows remarkable genetic
diversity; a genotype linked to human infections and a domestic cycle of transmission
have recently been identified, hence, this strain was named TcIDom. The aim of this
work was to describe the spatiotemporal distribution of TcI subpopulations across
humans, insect vectors and mammalian reservoirs in Colombia by means of molecular
typing targeting the spliced leader intergenic region of mini-exon gene. We analysed
101 TcI isolates and observed a distribution of sylvatic TcI in 70% and TcIDom in
30%. In humans, the ratio was sylvatic TcI in 60% and TcIDom in 40%. In mammal
reservoirs, the distribution corresponded to sylvatic TcI in 96% and TcIDom in 4%.
Among insect vectors, sylvatic TcI was observed in 48% and TcIDom in 52%. In
conclusion, the circulation of TcIDom is emerging in Colombia and this genotype is
still adapting to the domestic cycle of transmission. The epidemiological and
clinical implications of these findings are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cielo M León
- Red Chagas Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Marleny Montilla
- Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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