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Rios LE, Lokugamage N, Garg NJ. Effects of Acute and Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection on Pregnancy Outcomes in Mice: Parasite Transmission, Mortality, Delayed Growth, and Organ Damage in Pups. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:313-331. [PMID: 36565805 PMCID: PMC10013038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This study aimed to determine the effects of T. cruzi infection on fertility rate and health of the newborn pups in pregnant mice. Female mice were challenged with T. cruzi and mated at 21 days (acute parasitemic phase) or 90 days (chronic parasite persistence phase) after infection. Pups were examined for growth up to 20 days after birth; and parasite burden in brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and intestine was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, and fibrosis in pups' heart and brain tissues were evaluated by histology. T. cruzi infection in dams delayed the onset of pregnancy, decreased the fertility rate, and led to vertical transmission of parasite to the pups. Furthermore, infected dams delivered pups that exhibited decreased survival rate, decreased birth weight, and decreased growth rate. Significantly increased inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis of cardiac and brain tissues were noted in pups born to infected dams. Initial challenge with higher parasite dose had more detrimental effects on fertility rate and pups' health in both acutely and chronically infected dams. In conclusion, mice offer a promising model to evaluate the efficacy of new vaccines and therapeutic drugs in controlling the acute and chronic maternal T. cruzi infection and congenital transmission to newborns, and in improving the fertility rate and pups' health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizette E Rios
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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Carlier Y, Truyens C, Muraille E. Is Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Contributing to Congenital/Neonatal Chagas Disease? Front Immunol 2021; 12:723516. [PMID: 34566981 PMCID: PMC8461104 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.723516] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The newborns of women infected with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (the agent of Chagas disease) can be infected either before birth (congenitally), or after birth (as e.g., by vector route). Congenital Chagas disease can induce high levels of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Parasite-infected pregnant women transmit antibodies to their fetus. Antibodies, by opsonizing parasites, can promote phagocytosis and killing of T. cruzi by cells expressing FcγR, on the mandatory condition that such cells are sufficiently activated in an inflammatory context. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a mechanism well described in viral infections, by which antibodies enhance entry of infectious agents into host cells by exploiting the phagocytic FcγR pathway. Previously reported Chagas disease studies highlighted a severe reduction of the maternal-fetal/neonatal inflammatory context in parasite-transmitting pregnant women and their congenitally infected newborns. Otherwise, experimental observations brought to light ADE of T. cruzi infection (involving FcγR) in mouse pups displaying maternally transferred antibodies, out of an inflammatory context. Herein, based on such data, we discuss the previously unconsidered possibility of a role of ADE in the trans-placental parasite transmission, and/or the development of severe and mortal clinical forms of congenital/neonatal Chagas disease in newborns of T. cruzi-infected mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Carlier
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgium.,Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Carine Truyens
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Eric Muraille
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgium
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Betancourt DM, Llana MN, Sarnacki SH, Cerquetti MC, Monzalve LS, Pustovrh MC, Giacomodonato MN. Salmonella Enteritidis foodborne infection induces altered placental morphometrics in the murine model. Placenta 2021; 109:11-18. [PMID: 33915480 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Salmonella foodborne disease during pregnancy causes a significant fetal loss in domestic livestock and preterm birth, chorioamnionitis and miscarriage in humans. These complications could be associated with alterations in placental structure. This study was aimed to determine how a low dose of Salmonella Enteritidis during late gestation affects placental histomorphometric in mice. METHODS We used a self-limiting enterocolitis murine model. BALB/c pregnant animals received a low dose of Salmonella Enteritidis (3-4 x 102 CFU/mouse) on gestational day (GD) 15. At day 3 post infection bacterial loads, serum cytokines expression and placental histomorphometrics parameters were analyzed. RESULTS We found that a sub-lethal infection with Salmonella induced a significant drop in fetal weight -to-placental weight-ratio and an increase in the placental coefficient. After bacterial inoculation maternal organs were colonized, inducing placental morphometric alterations, including increased placental thickness, reduced surface area, and diminished major and minor diameters. Also, foci of necrosis accompanied by acute leukocyte infiltration in decidual zone, reduction of vascular spaces and vascular congestion in labyrinth zone, were also evident in placentas from infected females on GD 18. Our data shows that placentas from infected mothers are phenotypically different from control ones. Furthermore, expression of IFN-gamma and IL-6 was up regulated in response to Salmonella in maternal serum. DISCUSSION Our findings demonstrate that a low dose of Salmonella during late gestation alters the placental morphometry leading to negative consequences on pregnancy outcome such as significant reduction in fetal body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Betancourt
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Mariángeles Noto Llana
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Sebastián H Sarnacki
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - M Cristina Cerquetti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | - María C Pustovrh
- Departamento de Morfología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
| | - Mónica N Giacomodonato
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Ayala EV, Rodrigues da Cunha G, Azevedo MA, Calderon M, Jimenez J, Venuto AP, Gazzinelli R, Lavalle RJY, Riva AGV, Hincapie R, Finn MG, Marques AF. C57BL/6 α-1,3-Galactosyltransferase Knockout Mouse as an Animal Model for Experimental Chagas Disease. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:1807-1815. [PMID: 32374586 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The leading animal model of experimental Chagas disease, the mouse, plays a significant role in studies for vaccine development, diagnosis, and human therapies. Humans, along with Old World primates, alone among mammals, cannot make the terminal carbohydrate linkage of the α-Gal trisaccharide. It has been established that the anti-α-Gal immune response is likely to be a critical factor for protection against Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection in humans. However, the mice customarily employed for the study of T. cruzi infection naturally express the α-Gal epitope and therefore do not produce anti-α-Gal antibodies. Here, we used the C57BL/6 α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (α-GalT-KO) mouse, which does not express the α-Gal epitope as a model for experimental Chagas disease. We found the anti-α-Gal IgG antibody response to an increase in α-GalT-KO mice infected with Arequipa and Colombiana strains of T. cruzi, leading to fewer parasite nests, lower parasitemia, and an increase of INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12 cytokines in the heart of α-GalT-KO mice compared with α-GalT-WT mice on days 60 and 120 postinfection. We therefore agree that the C57BL/6 α-GalT-KO mouse represents a useful model for initial testing of therapeutic and immunological approaches against different strains of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Valencia Ayala
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270901, Brazil
- Instituto de Investigación, Centro de Investigación en Inmunología e Infectología, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad de San Martin de Porres, Lima 15000, Perú
| | - Gisele Rodrigues da Cunha
- Laboratório de Imuno-Proteômica e Biologia de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270901, Brazil
| | - Maira Araujo Azevedo
- Laboratório de Imuno-Proteômica e Biologia de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270901, Brazil
| | - Maritza Calderon
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas and Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15000, Perú
| | - Juan Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Parasitología en Fauna Silvestre y Zoonosis, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15000, Perú
| | - Ana Paula Venuto
- Laboratório de Imuno-Proteômica e Biologia de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270901, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Gazzinelli
- Instituto de Pesquisa Rene Rachou, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-009, Brazil
- Plataforma de Medicina Translacional, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Raúl Jesus Ynocente Lavalle
- Laboratorio de Parasitología en Fauna Silvestre y Zoonosis, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15000, Perú
| | - Angela Giovana Vidal Riva
- Instituto de Investigación, Centro de Investigación en Inmunología e Infectología, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad de San Martin de Porres, Lima 15000, Perú
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas and Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15000, Perú
| | - Robert Hincapie
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 United States
| | - M. G. Finn
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 United States
| | - Alexandre F. Marques
- Laboratório de Imuno-Proteômica e Biologia de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270901, Brazil
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Kemmerling U, Osuna A, Schijman AG, Truyens C. Congenital Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi: A Review About the Interactions Between the Parasite, the Placenta, the Maternal and the Fetal/Neonatal Immune Responses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1854. [PMID: 31474955 PMCID: PMC6702454 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is considered a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. Congenital transmission of CD is an increasingly relevant public health problem. It progressively becomes the main transmission route over others and can occur in both endemic and non-endemic countries. Though most congenitally infected newborns are asymptomatic at birth, they display higher frequencies of prematurity, low birth weight, and lower Apgar scores compared to uninfected ones, and some suffer from severe symptoms. If not diagnosed and treated, infected newborns are at risk of developing disabling and life-threatening chronic pathologies later in life. The success or failure of congenital transmission depends on interactions between the parasite, the placenta, the mother, and the fetus. We review and discuss here the current knowledge about these parameters, including parasite virulence factors such as exovesicles, placental tropism, potential placental defense mechanisms, the placental transcriptome of infected women, gene polymorphism, and the maternal and fetal/neonatal immune responses, that might modulate the risk of T. cruzi congenital transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Molecular Biology of Chagas Disease Laboratory, Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology Research Institute Dr. Héctor Torres (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carine Truyens
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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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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Juiz NA, Solana ME, Acevedo GR, Benatar AF, Ramirez JC, da Costa PA, Macedo AM, Longhi SA, Schijman AG. Different genotypes of Trypanosoma cruzi produce distinctive placental environment genetic response in chronic experimental infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005436. [PMID: 28273076 PMCID: PMC5358786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital infection of Trypanosoma cruzi allows transmission of this parasite through generations. Despite the problematic that this entails, little is known about the placenta environment genetic response produced against infection. We performed functional genomics by microarray analysis in C57Bl/6J mice comparing placentas from uninfected animals and from animals infected with two different T. cruzi strains: K98, a clone of the non-lethal myotropic CA-I strain (TcI), and VD (TcVI), isolated from a human case of congenital infection. Analysis of networks by GeneMANIA of differentially expressed genes showed that “Secretory Granule” was a pathway down-regulated in both infected groups, whereas “Innate Immune Response” and “Response to Interferon-gamma” were pathways up-regulated in VD infection but not in K98. Applying another approach, the GSEA algorithm that detects small changes in predetermined gene sets, we found that metabolic processes, transcription and macromolecular transport were down-regulated in infected placentas environment and some pathways related to cascade signaling had opposite regulation: over-represented in VD and down-regulated in K98 group. We also have found a stronger tropism to the placental organ by VD strain, by detection of parasite DNA and RNA, suggesting living parasites. Our study is the first one to describe in a murine model the genetic response of placental environment to T. cruzi infection and suggests the development of a strong immune response, parasite genotype-dependent, to the detriment of cellular metabolism, which may contribute to control infection preventing the risk of congenital transmission. Congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, remains a problem of global public health impact in endemic areas where vectorial and transfusional transmission have been controlled and in non-endemic countries due to migration movements. Little is known about how the parasite´s presence and genetic variability affect placental capacity to protect the fetus. This study explores, for the first time, the effects of placental environment infection by analyzing parasite persistence and gene expression using functional genomics and biological network analyses in mice infected by two strains of T. cruzi, with differential capacity of congenital transmission. The infection with the strain with a stronger placental tropism was associated to a higher degree of up-regulation in genes related to innate immunity and response to interferon-gamma. Our findings suggest that the placental environment exerts a strong immune response in detriment of cellular metabolism modulated by the parasite strain. These findings constitute a significant contribution to better understand the mechanisms causing congenital infection of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Anahí Juiz
- Grupo de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas (LaBMECh), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Elisa Solana
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Raúl Acevedo
- Grupo de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas (LaBMECh), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Francisco Benatar
- Grupo de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas (LaBMECh), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Ramirez
- Grupo de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas (LaBMECh), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Priscilla Almeida da Costa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Inmunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andrea Mara Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Inmunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvia Andrea Longhi
- Grupo de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas (LaBMECh), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro G. Schijman
- Grupo de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas (LaBMECh), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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Shiadeh MN, Niyyati M, Fallahi S, Rostami A. Human parasitic protozoan infection to infertility: a systematic review. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:469-77. [PMID: 26573517 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4827-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan parasitic diseases are endemic in many countries worldwide, especially in developing countries, where infertility is a major burden. It has been reported that such infections may cause infertility through impairment in male and female reproductive systems. We searched Medline, PubMed, and Scopus databases and Google scholar to identify the potentially relevant studies on protozoan parasitic infections and their implications in human and animal model infertility. Literature described that some of the protozoan parasites such as Trichomonas vaginalis may cause deformities of the genital tract, cervical neoplasia, and tubal and atypical pelvic inflammations in women and also non-gonoccocal urethritis, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia in men. Toxopalasma gondii could cause endometritis, impaired folliculogenesis, ovarian and uterine atrophy, adrenal hypertrophy, vasculitis, and cessation of estrus cycling in female and also decrease in semen quality, concentration, and motility in male. Trypanosoma cruzi inhibits cell division in embryos and impairs normal implantation and development of placenta. Decrease in gestation rate, infection of hormone-producing glands, parasite invasion of the placenta, and overproduction of inflammatory cytokines in the oviducts and uterine horns are other possible mechanisms induced by Trypanosoma cruzi to infertility. Plasmodium spp. and Trypanosoma brucei spp. cause damage in pituitary gland, hormonal disorders, and decreased semen quality. Entamoeba histolytica infection leads to pelvic pain, salpingitis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and genital ulcers. Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis can induce genital lesion, testicular amyloidosis, inflammation of epididymis, prostatitis, and sperm abnormality in human and animals. In addition, some epidemiological studies have reported that rates of protozoan infections in infertile patients are higher than healthy controls. The current review indicates that protozoan parasitic infections may be an important cause of infertility. Given the widespread prevalence of parasitic protozoa diseases worldwide, we suggest further studies to better understanding of relationship between such infections and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirzad Fallahi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.,Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Science, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ali Rostami
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Carlier Y, Truyens C. Congenital Chagas disease as an ecological model of interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, pregnant women, placenta and fetuses. Acta Trop 2015; 151:103-15. [PMID: 26293886 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to discuss the main ecological interactions between the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and its hosts, the mother and the fetus, leading to the transmission and development of congenital Chagas disease. One or several infecting strains of T. cruzi (with specific features) interact with: (i) the immune system of a pregnant woman whom responses depend on genetic and environmental factors, (ii) the placenta harboring its own defenses, and, finally, (iii) the fetal immune system displaying responses also susceptible to be modulated by maternal and environmental factors, as well as his own genetic background which is different from her mother. The severity of congenital Chagas disease depends on the magnitude of such final responses. The paper is mainly based on human data, but integrates also complementary observations obtained in experimental infections. It also focuses on important gaps in our knowledge of this congenital infection, such as the role of parasite diversity vs host genetic factors, as well as that of the maternal and placental microbiomes and the microbiome acquisition by infant in the control of infection. Investigations on these topics are needed in order to improve the programs aiming to diagnose, manage and control congenital Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Carlier
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), CP 616, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium; Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, Suite 2210, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112-2797, USA.
| | - Carine Truyens
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), CP 616, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium.
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10
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Gamboa-León R, Ramirez-Gonzalez C, Pacheco-Tucuch FS, O'Shea M, Rosecrans K, Pippitt J, Dumonteil E, Buekens P. Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi among mothers and children in rural Mayan communities and associated reproductive outcomes. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014; 91:348-53. [PMID: 24935948 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Our objective was to determine the seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among mothers and children in two rural Mayan communities in Yucatan, Mexico and examine sociodemographic characteristics and adverse reproductive outcomes associated with maternal infection. We performed household surveys in the communities of Sudzal and Teya. Mothers were interviewed, and blood samples were obtained to perform rapid tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). We surveyed 390 mothers and 685 children. The overall seroprevalence was 2.3% among mothers and 0.4% among children. In Sudzal, we found a seroprevalence of 4.4% among mothers and 0.7% in children. In Teya, we found a seroprevalence of 0.9% among mothers and 0.3% among children. Compared with uninfected mothers, seropositive mothers reported more stillbirths (relative risk = 4.7; 95% confidence interval = 2.1-10.4). T. cruzi infection is present in these communities, and infected children indicate active transmission. Seropositivity in mothers is associated with a history of adverse reproductive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubi Gamboa-León
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Claudia Ramirez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Freddy S Pacheco-Tucuch
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Matthew O'Shea
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kathryn Rosecrans
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Julia Pippitt
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Pierre Buekens
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Cencig S, Coltel N, Truyens C, Carlier Y. Fertility, gestation outcome and parasite congenital transmissibility in mice infected with TcI, TcII and TcVI genotypes of Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2271. [PMID: 23785533 PMCID: PMC3681732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This work aims to compare the effects of acute or chronic infections with the T. cruzi genotypes TcI (X10 strain), TcII (Y strain) and TcVI (Tulahuen strain) on fertility, gestation, pup growth and the possible vertical transmission of parasites in BALB/c mice. The occurrence of congenital infection was evaluated by microscopic examination of blood and/or qPCR on blood and heart in newborn pups and/or older offspring submitted to cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in order to detect possible cryptic congenital infection. Altogether, the results show that: i) for the three strains tested, acute infection occurring after the embryo implantation in the uterus (parasite inoculation 4 days before mating), or close to delivery (parasite inoculation on day 13 of gestation), prevents or severely jeopardizes gestation outcome (inducing pup mortality and intra-uterine growth retardation); ii) for the three strains tested, gestation during chronic infection results in intra-uterine growth retardation, whereas re-inoculation of TcVI parasites during gestation in such chronically infected mice, in addition, strongly increases pup mortality; iii) congenital infection remains a rare consequence of infection (occurring in approximately 4% of living pups born to acutely infected dams); iv) PCR, detecting parasitic DNA and not living parasites, is not convenient to detect congenial infection close to delivery; v) transmission of parasites by breast milk is unlikely. This study should encourage further investigations using other parasite strains and genotypes to explore the role of virulence and other factors, as well as the mechanisms of such effects on gestation and on the establishment of congenital infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Cencig
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Coltel
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carine Truyens
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Carlier
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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12
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Trypanosoma cruzi experimental congenital transmission associated with TcV and TcI subpatent maternal parasitemia. Parasitol Res 2012; 112:671-8. [PMID: 23160891 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-3184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The congenital transmission of Chagas disease is associated with an increase in parasitemia during pregnancy, maternal and fetal immunity, and populations of Trypanosoma cruzi. In this study, the biological behavior of TcI and TcV (isolated from a human congenital case) strains and their potential for experimental congenital transmission were evaluated in female BALB/C mice. Parasitemia was estimated by fresh blood examination, semiquantitative microhematocrit, and hemoculture, while congenital transmission was evaluated by culture in the liver infusion tryptose medium and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the pups' tissues on postnatal day 7 and of the pups' blood sample at 30 days after birth. Infection was detected in 100 % of the females. Both strains showed subpatent parasitemia, which was higher for TcV infection. The presence of amastigote nest was detected only in an animal infected with TcI. The inflammatory process was more frequent (p = 0.001) in the tissues of the animals infected with TcV (58.6 %) than TcI (31.1 %). The fertility rates of females mated after 35 days postinfection were similar (90 % for TcV, 88.9 % for TcI; p = 0.938). Parasitemia did not change during pregnancy. The average number of pups/female was greater (p = 0.03) in mice with TcV infection (8.30) than in those with TcI infection (4.78). Congenital transmission was detected exclusively by PCR in 50.9 % of the pups, 46.6 % for TcV and 58.1 % for TcI. The PCR positivity for TcI was higher in the blood than in the tissue (p = 0.003). These results demonstrate the T. cruzi experimental congenital infection associated with subpatent maternal parasitemia of TcI and TcV.
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Abrams ET, Miller EM. The roles of the immune system in women's reproduction: evolutionary constraints and life history trade-offs. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2012; 146 Suppl 53:134-54. [PMID: 22101690 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Life history theory posits that, as long as survival is assured, finite resources are available for reproduction, maintenance, and growth/storage. To maximize lifetime reproductive success, resources are subject to trade-offs both within individuals and between current and future investment. For women, reproducing is costly and time-consuming; the bulk of available resources must be allocated to reproduction at the expense of more flexible systems like immune function. When reproducing women contract infectious diseases, the resources required for immune activation can fundamentally shift the patterns of resource allocation. Adding to the complexity of the reproductive-immune trade-offs in women are the pleiotropic effects of many immune factors, which were modified to serve key roles in mammalian reproduction. In this review, we explore the complex intersections between immune function and female reproduction to situate proximate immunological processes within a life history framework. After a brief overview of the immune system, we discuss some important physiological roles of immune factors in women's reproduction and the conflicts that may arise when these factors must play dual roles. We then discuss the influence of reproductive-immune trade-offs on the patterning of lifetime reproductive success: (1) the effect of immune activation/infectious disease on the timing of life history events; (2) the role of the immune system, immune activation, and infectious disease on resource allocation within individual reproductive events, particularly pregnancy; and (3) the role of the immune system in shaping the offspring's patterns of future life history trade-offs. We close with a discussion of future directions in reproductive immunology for anthropologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Abrams
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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14
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Differential susceptibility of isolated human trophoblasts to infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. Placenta 2012; 33:264-70. [PMID: 22296856 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Revised: 12/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the work was to analyze the susceptibility of the placental syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and cytotrophoblast (CTB) cells to infection by the causal agent of congenital Chagas' disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, and the possible parasite route for placental invasion. Monolayers of CTB and STB and VERO as control cells were used. The infection of STB was significantly lower that of the CTB and Vero cells (p < 0.05) which coincided with a significantly increased mortality of parasite cells in the culture medium and trypanocidal levels of nitric oxide. We conclude that the syncytiotrophoblast, the first placental barrier, is the main barrier of the chorionic villous that limits the infection by T. cruzi. This work opens the possibility of a new mechanism for placental infection when there are discontinuities in the first placental barrier.
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15
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Reduction of parasite levels in blood improves pregnancy outcome during experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Parasitology 2009; 136:627-39. [PMID: 19366478 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182009005770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Infection with a myotropic Trypanosoma cruzi clone induces maternal fertility failure. In the current work, we evaluated whether reduction of maternal parasitaemia before mating has beneficial effects on pregnancy outcome. Female mice were subjected to benznidazole (Bz) treatment after infection. On day 30 of therapy, mating was assessed and pregnancy outcome was determined on day 14 of gestation. Fetal resorptions diminished in T. cruzi-infected Bz-treated mice compared with T. cruzi-infected untreated mice. This was in agreement with the reduction in the blood/solid tissue parasite load and with the percentage of necrotic foci in placental samples from T. cruzi-infected Bz-treated females. To study eventual changes in the immune homeostasis of T. cruzi-infected Bz-treated mice, activation of the immune system was evaluated at the end of Bz therapy and before mating. We found specific IgG1 reduction resulting in a predominance of specific IgG2a, reduced numbers of CD69+ CD4+ cells and diminished frequency and numbers of CD44+ T cells. Concanavalin A-stimulated splenocytes from T. cruzi-infected Bz-treated mice produced higher amounts of IFN-gamma than T. cruzi-infected untreated mice. These results indicate that reduction of maternal parasite load improves pregnancy outcome. These findings correlate with a favourable modulation of the immune response.
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16
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Triquell MF, Díaz-Luján C, Freilij H, Paglini P, Fretes RE. Placental infection by two subpopulations of Trypanosoma cruzi is conditioned by differential survival of the parasite in a deleterious placental medium and not by tissue reproduction. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2009; 103:1011-8. [PMID: 19339029 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2007] [Revised: 03/05/2009] [Accepted: 03/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which can be transmitted to the fetus via the transplacental route. Factors that may be involved in transplacental transmission include parasite strain and placental immunological competence. The aim of this work was to compare the biological differences between two subpopulations of T. cruzi with respect to their interaction with the human placenta in vitro. We found that the Tulahuen strain (sublineage TcIIe) and another strain isolated from a congenitally infected newborn child had similar rates of productive infection in human chorionic villi in vitro, with similar deleterious nitric oxide levels between the two strains. We also found that the congenital T. cruzi stock had a greater ability than the Tulahuen strain to survive in the placental deleterious media, with the difference acquiring more importance considering the low reproductive rate of both subpopulations of T. cruzi within placental cells. As the presence of T. cruzi is a necessary condition to produce congenital transmission, we propose that the different survival rates of strains of T. cruzi in an adverse placental environment offer an opportunity for the parasite to infect the placenta in order to produce a sustainable infection during pregnancy, with the subsequent possibility of infecting the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Triquell
- Biología Celular, Histología y Embriología, Facultad Cs. Médicas Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enrique Barros y Enfermera Gordillo s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina
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17
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Senegas A, Villard O, Neuville A, Marcellin L, Pfaff AW, Steinmetz T, Mousli M, Klein JP, Candolfi E. Toxoplasma gondii-induced foetal resorption in mice involves interferon-gamma-induced apoptosis and spiral artery dilation at the maternofoetal interface. Int J Parasitol 2009; 39:481-7. [PMID: 18838076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2008] [Revised: 08/07/2008] [Accepted: 08/18/2008] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The severity of congenital toxoplasmosis depends on the stage of the pregnancy at which infection takes place. Infection during the first trimester generally leads to miscarriage, through an unknown mechanism. Toxoplasma gondii infection is normally controlled by a strong Th1-type response with IFN-gamma production. To investigate the mechanisms of foetal resorption induced by T. gondii, pregnant Swiss-Webster mice were infected 1 day post coïtum with the avirulent Me49 strain. Mated recipients were examined at mid-gestation. Few parasites and no cytolytic effects were detected 10 days post coïtum in implantation sites undergoing resorption. Resorption was accompanied by haemorrhage, spiral artery dilation, hypocellularity of the decidua basalis, apoptosis of placental cells, a decline in uterine mature natural killer cell numbers, increased indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase mRNA levels and reduced IL-15 mRNA levels. Given the role of IFN-gammaR(-/-) in non-infectious abortive processes, IFN-gammaR(-/-) mice were used to investigate its local role in T. gondii-induced foetal resorption. IFN-gammaR(-/-) mice showed 50% less foetal resorption than their wild-type counterparts, and spiral artery dilation and placental cell apoptosis were both abolished. These results strongly suggest that, at least in mice, T. gondii-induced abortion in early gestation is not due to a direct action of the parasite at the maternofoetal interface but rather to massive IFN-gamma release.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Senegas
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, UPRES-EA 3950, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg F-67000, France
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18
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Histopathological changes in the placentas and fetuses of mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from the Myotis nigricans nigricans bat. J Comp Pathol 2008; 139:108-12. [PMID: 18640685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2008.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2007] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Histopathological changes and placental transmission were studied in the late stages of pregnancy in mice infected with a strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, isolated from a Myotis nigricans nigricans bat. Large amastigote nests were observed in uterine muscles, as well as in decidual and endothelial placental cells. In addition, persistent coagulative and fibrotic vascular degeneration was observed. Large amastigote burdens were found in giant cells, spongioblasts and endothelial cells within the labyrinthine layer. Transplacental transmission was confirmed in 30% of the fetuses examined, in which amastigote nests were seen only in striated muscle. During the acute phase, intrauterine development was impaired as the result of parasitic invasion of the placenta, and fetal mortality rose to 10%.
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19
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Currie JLM, Woo PTK. Susceptibility of sexually mature rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss to experimental cryptobiosis caused by Cryptobia salmositica. Parasitol Res 2007; 101:1057-67. [PMID: 17582534 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0586-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sexually mature rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were highly susceptible to cryptobiosis caused by Cryptobia salmositica. Spawning female trout were more susceptible (higher parasitaemia and mortality) than sexually mature males. Most infected female trout (seven of nine) with eggs died before or shortly after spawning; however, none of the nine infected sexually matured males or the uninfected fish died. There was no significant difference in the severity of the anaemia between infected male and female trout. All infected males developed exophthalmia, while this clinical sign was not seen in any of the infected females nor in uninfected trout. The addition of 17 beta-estradiol (at physiological level or higher) did not enhance in vitro multiplication of the Cryptobia; however, fresh plasma from sexually mature females or males when added to cultures significantly increased in vitro multiplication of the pathogen. In addition, plasma from sexually mature females were significantly better than those from males in promoting in vitro parasite multiplication. Parasite multiplication did not increase after plasma from sexually mature fish were heat inactivated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime L M Currie
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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20
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Id Boufker H, Alexandre H, Carlier Y, Truyens C. Infertility in murine acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection is associated with inhibition of pre-implantation embryo development. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2006; 169:1730-8. [PMID: 17071596 PMCID: PMC1780211 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2006.060309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that Trypanosoma cruzi acute infection induced infertility in a great proportion of female mice, which resulted from a defect taking place before implantation. In this study, we have analyzed every step of reproduction from mating to implantation to identify the most sensitive event. Our results show that mating, ovulation, fertilization, and first division of the zygote of infected mice take place normally compared with uninfected mice, indicating that the defect occurred after the two-cell stage. In vivo development of two-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage was indeed dramatically delayed; some embryos even arrested their development before having reached the eight-cell stage while others degenerated. The effect was less pronounced when embryos were allowed to develop in vitro, indicating that the infectious context of the mother plays a role in maintaining growth retardation. The delay of embryonic development was associated with insufficient divisions of the blastomeres and led to abnormal blastocyst outgrowth that may explain implantation failure. Inhibition of cell division was correlated with the maternal parasitemia. This work clearly shows that T. cruzi infection dramatically impedes embryonic development, offering a model for further in vivo studies of embryotrophic factors produced by the oviduct of infected females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hicham Id Boufker
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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21
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Bazi T, Finan R, Zourob D, Sabbagh AS, Nasnas R, Zreik TG. Filariasis infection is a probable cause of implantation failure in in vitro fertilization cycles. Fertil Steril 2006; 85:1822.e13-5. [PMID: 16677646 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.11.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2005] [Revised: 11/16/2005] [Accepted: 11/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe a parasitic infection that probably affected the implantation of good-quality embryos in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. DESIGN Case report. SETTING Tertiary care center in a university hospital. PATIENT(S) A 36-year-old Caucasian female with primary unexplained infertility. The patient underwent two cycles of IVF with good-quality embryos transferred; however, no pregnancy ensued despite adequate luteal support. INTERVENTION(S) In vitro fertilization cycles, CBC, blood smear, evaluation for eosinophilia including serological evaluation for parasitic infections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Pregnancy. RESULT(S) Following treatment for filariasis, a repeat IVF cycle using the same stimulation protocol yielded a full-term pregnancy. CONCLUSION(S) This case is of particular importance because, to our knowledge, it is the first to describe a parasitic infection that probably affected the implantation of good-quality embryos in IVF cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Bazi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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22
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Luján CD, Triquell MF, Sembaj A, Guerrero CE, Fretes RE. Trypanosoma cruzi: productive infection is not allowed by chorionic villous explant from normal human placenta in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2004; 108:176-81. [PMID: 15582515 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2004.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2003] [Revised: 06/04/2004] [Accepted: 07/27/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED We hypothesize that a sustained infection of Trypanosoma cruzi into placental tissue might be diminished. Human placental chorionic villi and VERO cells as controls were co-cultured with T. cruzi. Parasites occupied 0.0137% at 3h, 0.0224% (24h), and 0.0572% (72 h) of the total chorionic villi area analyzed and some few placental samples were negative to parasite DNA, whereas 52% of VERO cells were infected at 3h and parasites occupied 0.57%, at 24h the parasite area was of 2.78% and at 72 h was of 3.32%. There were no live parasites in placenta-T. cruzi culture media at 72 h of co-culture. There were significantly increased dead parasites when T. cruzi was treated with unheated culture media coming from placental explants and fewer dead parasites when pre-heated culture media were employed. CONCLUSION Low productive infection by T. cruzi into placental tissue associated with no viable parasites in the culture media partially due to placental thermo labile substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Díaz Luján
- IIa. Cátedra de Biología Celular, Histología y Embriología, Facultad Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Córdoba, Av. Colón 2077, Dpto. "E", (5003) Córdoba, Argentina
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Mjihdi A, Truyens C, Detournay O, Carlier Y. Systemic and placental productions of tumor necrosis factor contribute to induce fetal mortality in mice acutely infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2004; 107:58-64. [PMID: 15208038 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2004.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2003] [Revised: 03/01/2004] [Accepted: 03/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Blood levels and placental productions of IFN-gamma and TNF, known to be harmful for pregnancy, were determined in pregnant mice acutely infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and suffering massive fetal losses without congenital infection. INF-gamma was detected mainly at day 9 and TNF at days 17 and 19 of pregnancy in plasma of infected mice. TNF levels were significantly correlated to the percentages of dead fetuses. Placental cells produced TNF but not IFN-gamma, and addition of T. cruzi lysate to such cells strongly stimulated TNF production. Treatment of infected mice with pentoxifylline, known to decrease IFN-gamma production and to inhibit the TNF-alpha gene transcription, reduced the placental production of TNF, and the fetal mortality in comparison to control animals. Altogether these result suggest that TNF produced at systemic and placental levels plays a role in the fetal mortality induced in mice acutely infected with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelkarim Mjihdi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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