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Silvestrini MMA, Alessio GD, Frias BED, Sales Júnior PA, Araújo MSS, Silvestrini CMA, Brito Alvim de Melo GE, Martins-Filho OA, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Martins HR. New insights into Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity, and its influence on parasite biology and clinical outcomes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1342431. [PMID: 38655255 PMCID: PMC11035809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1342431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a serious public health problem worldwide. The parasite was subdivided into six distinct genetic groups, called "discrete typing units" (DTUs), from TcI to TcVI. Several studies have indicated that the heterogeneity of T. cruzi species directly affects the diversity of clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, control, diagnosis performance, and susceptibility to treatment. Thus, this review aims to describe how T. cruzi genetic diversity influences the biology of the parasite and/or clinical parameters in humans. Regarding the geographic dispersion of T. cruzi, evident differences were observed in the distribution of DTUs in distinct areas. For example, TcII is the main DTU detected in Brazilian patients from the central and southeastern regions, where there are also registers of TcVI as a secondary T. cruzi DTU. An important aspect observed in previous studies is that the genetic variability of T. cruzi can impact parasite infectivity, reproduction, and differentiation in the vectors. It has been proposed that T. cruzi DTU influences the host immune response and affects disease progression. Genetic aspects of the parasite play an important role in determining which host tissues will be infected, thus heavily influencing Chagas disease's pathogenesis. Several teams have investigated the correlation between T. cruzi DTU and the reactivation of Chagas disease. In agreement with these data, it is reasonable to suppose that the immunological condition of the patient, whether or not associated with the reactivation of the T. cruzi infection and the parasite strain, may have an important role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. In this context, understanding the genetics of T. cruzi and its biological and clinical implications will provide new knowledge that may contribute to additional strategies in the diagnosis and clinical outcome follow-up of patients with Chagas disease, in addition to the reactivation of immunocompromised patients infected with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glaucia Diniz Alessio
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruna Estefânia Diniz Frias
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Júnior
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Márcio Sobreira Silva Araújo
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Helen Rodrigues Martins
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Rusman F, Díaz AG, Ponce T, Floridia-Yapur N, Barnabé C, Diosque P, Tomasini N. Wide reference databases for typing Trypanosoma cruzi based on amplicon sequencing of the minicircle hypervariable region. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011764. [PMID: 37956210 PMCID: PMC10681310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas Disease, exhibits remarkable genetic diversity and is classified into different Discrete Typing Units (DTUs). Strain typing techniques are crucial for studying T. cruzi, because their DTUs have significant biological differences from one another. However, there is currently no methodological strategy for the direct typing of biological materials that has sufficient sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. The high diversity and copy number of the minicircle hypervariable regions (mHVRs) makes it a viable target for typing. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Approximately 24 million reads obtained by amplicon sequencing of the mHVR were analyzed for 62 strains belonging to the six main T. cruzi DTUs. To build reference databases of mHVR diversity for each DTU and to evaluate this target as a typing tool. Strains of the same DTU shared more mHVR clusters than strains of different DTUs, and clustered together. Different identity thresholds were used to build the reference sets of the mHVR sequences (85% and 95%, respectively). The 95% set had a higher specificity and was more suited for detecting co-infections, whereas the 85% set was excellent for identifying the primary DTU of a sample. The workflow's capacity for typing samples obtained from cultures, a set of whole-genome data, under various simulated PCR settings, in the presence of co-infecting lineages and for blood samples was also assessed. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We present reference databases of mHVR sequences and an optimized typing workflow for T. cruzi including a simple online tool for deep amplicon sequencing analysis (https://ntomasini.github.io/cruzityping/). The results show that the workflow displays an equivalent resolution to that of the other typing methods. Owing to its specificity, sensitivity, relatively low cost, and simplicity, the proposed workflow could be an alternative for screening different types of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Rusman
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Anahí G. Díaz
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Tatiana Ponce
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Noelia Floridia-Yapur
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Christian Barnabé
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Patricio Diosque
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Tomasini
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
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3
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Barnabé C, Brenière SF, Santillán-Guayasamín S, Douzery EJP, Waleckx E. Revisiting gene typing and phylogeny of Trypanosoma cruzi reference strains: Comparison of the relevance of mitochondrial DNA, single-copy nuclear DNA, and the intergenic region of mini-exon gene. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 115:105504. [PMID: 37739149 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a widespread neglected disease in Latin America. Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of the disease, is currently subdivided into six DTUs (discrete typing units) named TcI-TcVI, and although no clear association has been found between parasite genetics and different clinical outcomes of the disease or different transmission cycles, genetic characterization of T. cruzi strains remains crucial for integrated epidemiological studies. Numerous markers have been used for this purpose, although without consensus. These include mitochondrial genes, single or multiple-copy nuclear genes, ribosomal RNA genes, and the intergenic region of the repeated mini-exon gene. To increase our knowledge of these gene sequences and their usefulness for strain typing, we sequenced fragments of three mitochondrial genes, nine single-copy nuclear genes, and the repeated intergenic part of the mini-exon gene by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on a sample constituted of 16 strains representative of T. cruzi genetic diversity, to which we added the corresponding genetic data of the 38 T. cruzi genomes fully sequenced until 2022. Our results show that single-copy nuclear genes remain the gold standard for characterizing T. cruzi strains; the phylogenetic tree from concatenated genes (3959 bp) confirms the six DTUs previously recognized and provides additional information about the alleles present in the hybrid strains. In the tree built from the three mitochondrial concatenated genes (1274 bp), three main clusters are identified, including one with TcIII, TcIV, TcV, and TcVI DTUs which are not separated. Nevertheless, mitochondrial markers remain necessary for detecting introgression and heteroplasmy. The phylogenetic tree built from the sequence alignment of the repeated mini-exon gene fragment (327 bp) displayed six clusters, but only TcI was associated with a single cluster. The sequences obtained from strains belonging to the other DTUs were scattered into different clusters. Therefore, while the mini-exon marker may bring, for some biological samples, some advantages in terms of sensibility due to its repeated nature, mini-exon sequences must be used with caution and, when possible, avoided for T. cruzi typing and phylogenetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Barnabé
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Simone Frédérique Brenière
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Soledad Santillán-Guayasamín
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Emmanuel J P Douzery
- Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution de Montpellier (ISEM), CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico; ACCyC, Asociación Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento, A. C, Orizaba, Mexico.
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Telleria J, Tibayrenc M, Del Salto Mendoza M, Seveno M, Costales JA. Comparative proteomic analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi TcI lineage epimastigotes unveils metabolic and phenotypic differences between fast- and slow-dividing strains. Exp Parasitol 2023; 252:108576. [PMID: 37429537 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108576] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is a genetically and phenotypically diverse species, divided into 5 main phylogenetic lineages (TcI to TcVI). TcI is the most widespread lineage in the Americas. Proteomics is a suitable tool to study the global protein expression dynamics in pathogens. Previous proteomic studies have revealed a link between (i) the genetic variability; (ii) the protein expression; and (iii) the biological characteristics of T. cruzi. Here, two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and mass spectrometry were used to characterize the overall protein expression profiles of epimastigotes from four distinct TcI strains displaying different growth kinetics. Ascending hierarchical clustering analysis based on the global 2DE protein expression profiles grouped the strains under study into two clusters that were congruent with their fast or slow growth kinetics. A subset of proteins differentially expressed by the strains in each group were identified by mass spectrometry. Biological differences between the two groups, including use of glucose as an energy source, flagellum length, and metabolic activity, were predicted by proteomic analysis and confirmed by metabolic tests and microscopic measurements performed on the epimastigotes of each strain. Our results show that protein expression profiles are correlated with parasite phenotypes, which may in turn influence the parasite's virulence and transmission capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Telleria
- Institut de recherche pour le développement, La recherche agronomique pour le développement, 34398, Montpellier, Cedex 05, France
| | - Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/UM1-UM2, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
| | - Michelle Del Salto Mendoza
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Martial Seveno
- BCM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jaime A Costales
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.
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De Fuentes-Vicente JA, Santos-Hernández NG, Ruiz-Castillejos C, Espinoza-Medinilla EE, Flores-Villegas AL, de Alba-Alvarado M, Cabrera-Bravo M, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Vidal-López DG. What Do You Need to Know before Studying Chagas Disease? A Beginner's Guide. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:360. [PMID: 37505656 PMCID: PMC10383928 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8070360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the most important tropical infections in the world and mainly affects poor people. The causative agent is the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which circulates among insect vectors and mammals throughout the Americas. A large body of research on Chagas disease has shown the complexity of this zoonosis, and controlling it remains a challenge for public health systems. Although knowledge of Chagas disease has advanced greatly, there are still many gaps, and it is necessary to continue generating basic and applied research to create more effective control strategies. The aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the components of Chagas disease and highlight current trends in research. We hope that this review will be a starting point for beginners and facilitate the search for more specific information.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A De Fuentes-Vicente
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
| | - Nancy G Santos-Hernández
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
| | - Christian Ruiz-Castillejos
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
| | | | - A Laura Flores-Villegas
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Margarita Cabrera-Bravo
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Dolores G Vidal-López
- Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez 29039, Mexico
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Microevolution and subspecific taxonomy of Trypanosoma cruzi. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 103:105344. [PMID: 35926722 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is a highly polymorphic species, subdivided into 6 main evolutionary lineages or near-clades (formerly discrete typing units or DTUs). An additional near-clade (TC-bat) has recently been evidenced. This pattern is considered to be the result of predominant clonal evolution (PCE). PCE is compatible with occasional mating/hybridization, which do not break the prevalent pattern of clonal evolution, the main trait of it being the presence of Multigene Bifurcating Trees (MGBTs) at all evolutionary levels ("clonal frame"). The development of highly resolutive genetic (microsatellites*) and genomic (sequencing and multi-single nucleotide polymorphism {SNP}* typing) markers shows that PCE also operates at a microevolutionary* level within each of the near-clades ("Russian doll pattern"), in spite of occasional meiosis and hybridization events. Within each near-clade, one can evidence widespread clonal multilocus genotypes*, linkage disequilibrium*, Multigene Bifurcating Trees and lesser near-clades. The within near-clade population structure is like a miniature picture of that of the whole species, suggesting gradual rather than saltatory evolution. Additional data are required to evaluate the stability of these lesser near-clades in the long run and to evaluate the need for an adequate nomenclature for this microevolutionary level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement, BP 6450134394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Francisco J Ayala
- Catedra Francisco Jose Ayala of Science, Technology, and Religion, University of Comillas, 28015 Madrid, Spain. 2 Locke Court, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
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Flores-López CA, Mitchell EA, Reisenman CE, Sarkar S, Williamson PC, Machado CA. Phylogenetic diversity of two common Trypanosoma cruzi lineages in the Southwestern United States. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 99:105251. [PMID: 35183751 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a devastating parasitic disease endemic to Central and South America, Mexico, and the USA. We characterized the genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi circulating in five triatomine species (Triatoma gerstaeckeri, T. lecticularia, T.indictiva, T. sanguisuga and T. recurva) collected in Texas and Southern Arizona using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) with four single-copy loci (cytochrome oxidase subunit II- NADH dehydrogensase subunit 1 region (COII-ND1), mismatch-repair class 2 (MSH2), dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) and a nuclear gene with ID TcCLB.506529.310). All T. cruzi variants fall in two main genetic lineages: 75% of the samples corresponded to T. cruzi Discrete Typing Unit (DTU) I (TcI), and 25% to a North American specific lineage previously labelled TcIV-USA. Phylogenetic and sequence divergence analyses of our new data plus all previously published sequence data from those four loci collected in the USA, show that TcIV-USA is significantly different from any other previously defined T. cruzi DTUs. The significant level of genetic divergence between TcIV-USA and other T. cruzi DTUs should lead to an increased focus on understanding the epidemiological importance of this DTU, as well as its geographical range and pathogenicity in humans and domestic animals. Our findings further corroborate the fact that there is a high genetic diversity of the parasite in North America and emphasize the need for appropriate surveillance and vector control programs for Chagas disease in southern USA and Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Flores-López
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA; Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth A Mitchell
- Tick-Borne Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Carolina E Reisenman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Sahotra Sarkar
- Department of Philosophy and Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Philip C Williamson
- Tick-Borne Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Creative Testing Solutions, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Carlos A Machado
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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Geographic variations in test reactivity for the serological diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e0106221. [PMID: 34469183 PMCID: PMC8601237 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01062-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. Most diagnosis is based on serological tests, but the lack of a gold standard test complicates the measurement of test performance. To overcome this limitation, we used samples from a cohort of well-characterized T. cruzi-infected women to evaluate the reactivity of two rapid diagnostic tests and one enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our cohort was derived from a previous study on congenital transmission of T. cruzi and consisted of 481 blood/plasma samples from Argentina (n = 149), Honduras (n = 228), and Mexico (n = 104), with at least one positive T. cruzi PCR. Reactivity of the three tests ranged from 70.5% for the Wiener ELISA to 81.0% for the T-Detect and 90.4% for the Stat-Pak rapid tests. Test reactivity varied significantly among countries and was highest in Argentina and lowest in Mexico. When considering at least two reactive serological tests to confirm seropositivity, over 12% of T. cruzi infection cases from Argentina were missed by serological tests, over 21% in Honduras, and an alarming 72% in Mexico. Differences in test performance among countries were not due to differences in parasitemia, but differences in antibody levels against ELISA antigens were observed. Geographic differences in T. cruzi parasite strains as well as genetic differences among human populations both may contribute to the discrepancies in serological testing. Improvements in serological diagnostics for T. cruzi infections are critically needed to ensure an optimum identification of cases.
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Berná L, Greif G, Pita S, Faral-Tello P, Díaz-Viraqué F, Souza RDCMD, Vallejo GA, Alvarez-Valin F, Robello C. Maxicircle architecture and evolutionary insights into Trypanosoma cruzi complex. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009719. [PMID: 34437557 PMCID: PMC8425572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We sequenced maxicircles from T. cruzi strains representative of the species evolutionary diversity by using long-read sequencing, which allowed us to uncollapse their repetitive regions, finding that their real lengths range from 35 to 50 kb. T. cruzi maxicircles have a common architecture composed of four regions: coding region (CR), AT-rich region, short (SR) and long repeats (LR). Distribution of genes, both in order and in strand orientation are conserved, being the main differences the presence of deletions affecting genes coding for NADH dehydrogenase subunits, reinforcing biochemical findings that indicate that complex I is not functional in T. cruzi. Moreover, the presence of complete minicircles into maxicircles of some strains lead us to think about the origin of minicircles. Finally, a careful phylogenetic analysis was conducted using coding regions of maxicircles from up to 29 strains, and 1108 single copy nuclear genes from all of the DTUs, clearly establishing that taxonomically T. cruzi is a complex of species composed by group 1 that contains clades A (TcI), B (TcIII) and D (TcIV), and group 2 (1 and 2 do not coincide with groups I and II described decades ago) containing clade C (TcII), being all hybrid strains of the BC type. Three variants of maxicircles exist in T. cruzi: a, b and c, in correspondence with clades A, B, and C from mitochondrial phylogenies. While A and C carry maxicircles a and c respectively, both clades B and D carry b maxicircle variant; hybrid strains also carry the b- variant. We then propose a new nomenclature that is self-descriptive and makes use of both the phylogenetic relationships and the maxicircle variants present in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Berná
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Sección Biomatemática—Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Greif
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sebastián Pita
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Sección Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Faral-Tello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Díaz-Viraqué
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Gustavo Adolfo Vallejo
- Laboratorio de investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
| | - Fernando Alvarez-Valin
- Sección Biomatemática—Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno, Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- * E-mail:
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Vela A, Coral-Almeida M, Sereno D, Costales JA, Barnabé C, Brenière SF. In vitro susceptibility of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) to benznidazole: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009269. [PMID: 33750958 PMCID: PMC8016252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease endemic to Latin America caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, currently affects 6-7 million people and is responsible for 12,500 deaths each year. No vaccine exists at present and the only two drugs currently approved for the treatment (benznidazole and nifurtimox), possess serious limitations, including long treatment regimes, undesirable side effects, and frequent clinical failures. A link between parasite genetic variability and drug sensibility/efficacy has been suggested, but remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated associations between T. cruzi genetic variability and in vitro benznidazole susceptibility via a systematic article review and meta-analysis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In vitro normalized benznidazole susceptibility indices (LC50 and IC50) for epimastigote, trypomastigote and amastigote stages of different T. cruzi strains were recorded from articles in the scientific literature. A total of 60 articles, which include 189 assays, met the selection criteria for the meta-analysis. Mean values for each discrete typing unit (DTU) were estimated using the meta and metaphor packages through R software, and presented in a rainforest plot. Subsequently, a meta-regression analysis was performed to determine differences between estimated mean values by DTU/parasite stage/drug incubation times. For each parasite stage, some DTU mean values were significantly different, e.g. at 24h of drug incubation, a lower sensitivity to benznidazole of TcI vs. TcII trypomastigotes was noteworthy. Nevertheless, funnel plots detected high heterogeneity of the data within each DTU and even for a single strain. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Several limitations of the study prevent assigning DTUs to different in vitro benznidazole sensitivity groups; however, ignoring the parasite's genetic variability during drug development and evaluation would not be advisable. Our findings highlight the need for establishment of uniform experimental conditions as well as a screening of different DTUs during the optimization of new drug candidates for Chagas disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vela
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Marco Coral-Almeida
- One Health Research group, Facultad de Ciencias de la salud, Universidad de las Américas-Quito, Calle de los Colimes y Avenida De los Granados, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Denis Sereno
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jaime A. Costales
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Christian Barnabé
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Simone Frédérique Brenière
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Models in parasite and pathogen evolution: Genomic analysis reveals predominant clonality and progressive evolution at all evolutionary scales in parasitic protozoa, yeasts and bacteria. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 111:75-117. [PMID: 33482977 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The predominant clonal evolution (PCE) model of pathogenic microorganisms postulates that the impact of genetic recombination in those pathogens' natural populations is not enough to erase a persistent phylogenetic signal at all evolutionary scales from microevolution till geological times in the whole ecogeographical range of the species considered. We have tested this model with a set of representative parasitic protozoa, yeasts and bacteria in the light of the most recent genomic data. All surveyed species, including those that were considered as highly recombining, exhibit similar PCE patterns above and under the species level, from macro- to micro-evolutionary scales (Russian doll pattern), suggesting gradual evolution. To our knowledge, it is the first time that such a strong common evolutionary feature among very diverse pathogens has been evidenced. The implications of this model for basic biology and applied research are exposed. These implications include our knowledge on the pathogens' reproductive mode, their population structure, the possibility to type strain and to follow up epidemics (molecular epidemiology) and to revisit pathogens' taxonomy through a flexible use of the phylogenetic species concept (Cracraft, 1983).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de recherche pour le développement, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Francisco J Ayala
- Catedra Francisco Jose Ayala of Science, Technology, and Religion, University of Comillas, Madrid, Spain; 2 Locke Court, Irvine, CA, United States
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Nielebock MAP, Moreira OC, Xavier SCDC, Miranda LDFC, de Lima ACB, Pereira TODJS, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Britto C, Sangenis LHC, Saraiva RM. Association between Trypanosoma cruzi DTU TcII and chronic Chagas disease clinical presentation and outcome in an urban cohort in Brazil. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243008. [PMID: 33264350 PMCID: PMC7710061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The specific roles of parasite characteristics and immunological factors of the host in Chagas disease progression and prognosis are still under debate. Trypanosoma cruzi genotype may be an important determinant of the clinical chronic Chagas disease form and prognosis. This study aimed to identify the potential association between T. cruzi genotypes and the clinical presentations of chronic Chagas disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS This is a retrospective study using T. cruzi isolated from blood culture samples of 43 patients with chronic Chagas disease. From 43 patients, 42 were born in Brazil, mainly in Southeast and Northeast Brazilian regions, and one patient was born in Bolivia. Their mean age at the time of blood collection was 52.4±13.2 years. The clinical presentation was as follows 51.1% cardiac form, 25.6% indeterminate form, and 23.3% cardiodigestive form. Discrete typing unit (DTU) was determined by multilocus conventional PCR. TcII (n = 40) and TcVI (n = 2) were the DTUs identified. DTU was unidentifiable in one patient. The average follow-up time after blood culture was 5.7±4.4 years. A total of 14 patients (32.5%) died and one patient underwent heart transplantation. The cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest in six patients, heart failure in five patients, not related to Chagas disease in one patient, and ignored in two patients. A total of 8 patients (18.6%) progressed, all of them within the cardiac or cardiodigestive forms. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE TcII was the main T. cruzi DTU identified in chronic Chagas disease Brazilian patients (92.9%) with either cardiac, indeterminate or cardiodigestive forms, born at Southeast and Northeast regions. Other DTU found in much less frequency was TcVI (4.8%). TcII was also associated to patients that evolved with heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest, the two most common and ominous consequences of the cardiac form of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antonio Prates Nielebock
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio C. Moreira
- Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Alejandro Marcel Hasslocher-Moreno
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Conde Sangenis
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto Magalhães Saraiva
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Gironès N, Fresno M. Trypanosoma Cruzi Genome: Organization, Multi-Gene Families, Transcription, and Biological Implications. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1196. [PMID: 33066599 PMCID: PMC7602482 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi affects millions of people. Although its first genome dates from 2005, its complexity hindered a complete assembly and annotation. However, the new sequencing methods have improved genome annotation of some strains elucidating the broad genetic diversity and complexity of this parasite. Here, we reviewed the genomic structure and regulation, the genetic diversity, and the analysis of the principal multi-gene families of the recent genomes for several strains. The telomeric and sub-telomeric regions are sites with high recombination events, the genome displays two different compartments, the core and the disruptive, and the genome plasticity seems to play a key role in the survival and the infection process. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) genome is composed mainly of multi-gene families as the trans-sialidases, mucins, and mucin-associated surface proteins. Trans-sialidases are the most abundant genes in the genome and show an important role in the effectiveness of the infection and the parasite survival. Mucins and MASPs are also important glycosylated proteins of the surface of the parasite that play a major biological role in both insect and mammal-dwelling stages. Altogether, these studies confirm the complexity of T. cruzi genome revealing relevant concepts to better understand Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Herreros-Cabello
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Oliveira AER, Pereira MCA, Belew AT, Ferreira LRP, Pereira LMN, Neves EGA, Nunes MDCP, Burleigh BA, Dutra WO, El-Sayed NM, Gazzinelli RT, Teixeira SMR. Gene expression network analyses during infection with virulent and avirulent Trypanosoma cruzi strains unveil a role for fibroblasts in neutrophil recruitment and activation. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008781. [PMID: 32810179 PMCID: PMC7508367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that has a heterogeneous population composed of a pool of strains with distinct characteristics, including variable levels of virulence. In previous work, transcriptome analyses of parasite genes after infection of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) with virulent (CL Brener) and non-virulent (CL-14) clones derived from the CL strain, revealed a reduced expression of genes encoding parasite surface proteins in CL-14 compared to CL Brener during the final steps of the intracellular differentiation from amastigotes to trypomastigotes. Here we analyzed changes in the expression of host genes during in vitro infection of HFF cells with the CL Brener and CL-14 strains by analyzing total RNA extracted from cells at 60 and 96 hours post-infection (hpi) with each strain, as well as from uninfected cells. Similar transcriptome profiles were observed at 60 hpi with both strains compared to uninfected samples. However, at 96 hpi, significant differences in the number and expression levels of several genes, particularly those involved with immune response and cytoskeleton organization, were observed. Further analyses confirmed the difference in the chemokine/cytokine signaling involved with the recruitment and activation of immune cells such as neutrophils upon T. cruzi infection. These findings suggest that infection with the virulent CL Brener strain induces a more robust inflammatory response when compared with the non-virulent CL-14 strain. Importantly, the RNA-Seq data also exposed an unexplored role of fibroblasts as sentinel cells that may act by recruiting neutrophils to the initial site of infection. This role for fibroblasts in the regulation of the inflammatory response during infection by T. cruzi was corroborated by measurements of levels of different chemokines/cytokines during in vitro infection and in plasma from Chagas disease patients as well as by neutrophil activation and migration assays. Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a debilitating and often life-threatening illness that affects 6 to 7 million people mainly in Latin America. The parasite, transmitted to humans by an insect vector, needs to invade different cells from the infected person in order to multiply and spread the infection to various organs, including the heart and the gut. In this study, we investigated how the host cell responds to the infection by analyzing changes in the expression of human genes in fibroblasts infected with the CL Brener and CL-14 strains, which are strains that present highly distinct virulent phenotypes during infection in mice. We showed that human fibroblasts build a strong immune response upon infection by T. cruzi and that this response is different depending on the parasite strain: infection with the virulent CL Brener strain induces a more robust inflammatory response compared with the infection with the avirulent CL-14 strain. We also showed that, in response to the infection, fibroblasts produce molecules that can recruit and activate neutrophils, which are important immune cells that controls the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Edson R. Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Milton C. A. Pereira
- Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ashton T. Belew
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics and Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ludmila R. P. Ferreira
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Eula G. A. Neves
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo P. Nunes
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Barbara A. Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Walderez O. Dutra
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Najib M. El-Sayed
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics and Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ricardo T. Gazzinelli
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail: (SMRT); (RTG)
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail: (SMRT); (RTG)
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15
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Sáez-Alquezar A, Junqueira ACV, Durans ADM, Guimarães AV, Corrêa JA, Provance DW, Cabello PH, Coura JR, Viñas PA. Application of WHO International Biological Reference Standards to evaluate commercial serological tests for chronic Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2020; 115:e200214. [PMID: 32725060 PMCID: PMC7379854 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease, resulting from Trypanosoma cruzi infections, continues to be a health concern mainly in Latin American countries where the parasite is endemic. The laboratory diagnosis of a chronic infection is determined through serological assays for antibodies against T. cruzi and several tests are available that differ in key components, formats and methodologies. To date, no single test meets the criteria of a gold standard. The situation is further complicated by the difficulties associated with performance comparisons between different immunoassays or methodologies executed at different times and geographical areas. OBJECTIVE To improve the diagnosis of Chagas disease, the WHO coordinated the development of two International Biological Reference Standards for antibodies against anti-T. cruzi: NIBSC 09/186 and NIBSC 09/188 that respectively represent geographical regions with the highest prevalence of TcII and TcI lineages of the parasite. METHODS The principle goal of this study was to verify the behavior of these standards when assayed by several commercially available serological tests that employ different methods to capture and detect human anti-T. cruzi antibodies. FINDINGS AND MAIN CONCLUSIONS The results reinforce the recommendation that these standards be considered for performance evaluations of commercialised immunoassays and should be an integral step in the development of new test components or assay paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amadeo Sáez-Alquezar
- Sociedade Brasileira de Análises Clínicas, Programa Nacional de Controle de Qualidade, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Andressa da Matta Durans
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - André Valpassos Guimarães
- Sociedade Brasileira de Análises Clínicas, Programa Nacional de Controle de Qualidade, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - José Abol Corrêa
- Sociedade Brasileira de Análises Clínicas, Programa Nacional de Controle de Qualidade, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - D William Provance
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Pedro Hernan Cabello
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Genética Humana, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- Universidade do Grande Rio, Laboratório de Genética, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - José Rodrigues Coura
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Pedro Albajar Viñas
- World Health Organization, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland
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Maiguashca Sánchez J, Sueto SOB, Schwabl P, Grijalva MJ, Llewellyn MS, Costales JA. Remarkable genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli in two localities of southern Ecuador identified via deep sequencing of mini-exon gene amplicons. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:252. [PMID: 32410645 PMCID: PMC7227245 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04079-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and T. rangeli are kinetoplastid parasites endemic to Latin America. Although closely related to T. cruzi and capable of infecting humans, T. rangeli is non-pathogenic. Both parasite species are transmitted by triatomine bugs, and the presence of T. rangeli constitutes a confounding factor in the study of Chagas disease prevalence and transmission dynamics. Trypanosoma cruzi possesses high molecular heterogeneity: seven discrete typing units (DTUs) are currently recognized. In Ecuador, T. cruzi TcI and T. rangeli KP1(-) predominate, while other genetic lineages are seldom reported. METHODS Infection by T. cruzi and/or T. rangeli in different developmental stages of triatomine bugs from two communities of southern Ecuador was evaluated via polymerase chain reaction product size polymorphism of kinetoplast minicircle sequences and the non-transcribed spacer region of the mini-exon gene (n = 48). Forty-three mini-exon amplicons were also deep sequenced to analyze single-nucleotide polymorphisms within single and mixed infections. Mini-exon products from ten monoclonal reference strains were included as controls. RESULTS Trypanosoma cruzi genetic richness and diversity was not significantly greater in adult vectors than in nymphal stages III and V. In contrast, instar V individuals showed significantly higher T. rangeli richness when compared with other developmental stages. Among infected triatomines, deep sequencing revealed one T. rangeli infection (3%), 8 T. cruzi infections (23.5%) and 25 T. cruzi + T. rangeli co-infections (73.5%), suggesting that T. rangeli prevalence has been largely underestimated in the region. Furthermore, deep sequencing detected TcIV sequences in nine samples; this DTU had not previously been reported in Loja Province. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that deep sequencing allows for better parasite identification/typing than amplicon size analysis alone for mixed infections containing both T. cruzi and T. rangeli, or when multiple T. cruzi DTUs are present. Additionally, our analysis showed extensive overlap among the parasite populations present in the two studied localities (c.28 km apart), suggesting active parasite dispersal over the study area. Our results highlight the value of amplicon sequencing methodologies to clarify the population dynamics of kinetoplastid parasites in endemic regions and inform control campaigns in southern Ecuador.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalil Maiguashca Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Salem Oduro Beffi Sueto
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G128QQ UK
- Present Address: Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G128QQ UK
| | - Mario J. Grijalva
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701 USA
| | - Martin S. Llewellyn
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G128QQ UK
| | - Jaime A. Costales
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
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Genomics and High-Resolution Typing Confirm Predominant Clonal Evolution Down to a Microevolutionary Scale in Trypanosoma cruzi. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050356. [PMID: 32397142 PMCID: PMC7281314 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is a paradigmatic case of the predominant clonal evolution (PCE) model, which states that the impact of genetic recombination in pathogens' natural populations is not sufficient to suppress a persistent phylogenetic signal at all evolutionary scales. In spite of indications for occasional recombination and meiosis, recent genomics and high-resolution typing data in T. cruzi reject the counterproposal that PCE does not operate at lower evolutionary scales, within the evolutionary units (=near-clades) that subdivide the species. Evolutionary patterns in the agent of Chagas disease at micro- and macroevolutionary scales are strikingly similar ("Russian doll pattern"), suggesting gradual, rather than saltatory evolution.
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Vermelho AB, Rodrigues GC, Supuran CT. Why hasn't there been more progress in new Chagas disease drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:145-158. [PMID: 31670987 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1681394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In terms of novel drug discovery, there has been no progress since the 1960s with the same two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, still in use. The complex life cycle, genetic diversity of T. cruzi strains, different sensitivities to the available drugs, as well as little interest from pharmaceutical companies and inadequate methodologies for translating in vitro and in vivo findings to the discovery of new drugs have all contributed to the lack of progress.Areas covered: In this perspective, the authors give discussion to the relevant points connected to the lack of developments in CD drug discovery and provide their expert perspectives.Expert opinion: There are few drugs currently in the preclinical pipeline for the treatment of CD. Only three classes of compounds have been shown to achieve high cure rates in mouse models of infection: nitroimidazoles (fexinidazole), oxaborole DNDi-6148 and proteasome inhibitors (GNF6702). New biomarkers for Chagas' disease are urgently needed for the diagnosis and detection of cure/treatment efficacy. Efforts from academia and pharmaceutical companies are in progress and more intense interaction to accelerate the process of new drugs development is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Beatriz Vermelho
- BIOINOVAR - Biotechnology Laboratories: Biocatalysis, Bioproducts and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Teaching of Sciences, University of Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
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In Vitro Benznidazole and Nifurtimox Susceptibility Profile of Trypanosoma cruzi Strains Belonging to Discrete Typing Units TcI, TcII, and TcV. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8040197. [PMID: 31635071 PMCID: PMC6963282 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8040197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We ascertain the in vitro Benznidazole (BZN) and Nifurtimox (NFX) susceptibility pattern of epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes of 21 T. cruzi strains, from patients, reservoir, and triatomine bugs of various geographic origins. Using this panel of isolates, we compute the Epidemiological cut off value (COwt). Then, the frequency of the susceptible phenotype (Wild type) towards benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) within this set of strains belonging to three discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI, TcII, and TcV, was deduced. We observed that the susceptibility status of individual T. cruzi isolates toward BZN and NFX is related to the genetic background and underlying factors that are probably related to the individual life trait history of each strain. Analyzing drug susceptibility in this conceptual framework would offer the possibility to evidence a link between isolates expressing a low susceptibility level (not wild-type) as defined by the COwt value and none-curative treatment. It will also permit us to track drug-resistant parasites in the T. cruzi population.
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Magalhães LMD, Passos LSA, Chiari E, Galvão LMC, Koh CC, Rodrigues-Alves ML, Giunchetti RC, Gollob K, Dutra WO. Co-infection with distinct Trypanosoma cruzi strains induces an activated immune response in human monocytes. Parasite Immunol 2019; 41:e12668. [PMID: 31494949 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of the study was to evaluate the immune response triggered by the first contact of human monocytes with two T cruzi strains from distinct discrete typing units (DTUs) IV and V, and whether co-infection with these strains leads to changes in monocyte immune profiles, which could in turn influence the subsequent infection outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated the influence of in vitro single- and co-infection with AM64 and 3253 strains on immunological characteristics of human monocytes. Single infection of monocytes with AM64 or 3253 induced opposing anti-inflammatory and inflammatory responses, respectively. Co-infection was observed in over 50% of monocytes after 15 hours of culture, but this percentage dropped ten-fold after 72 hours. Co-infection led to high monocyte activation and an increased percentage of both IL-10 and TNF. The decreased percentage of co-infected cells observed after 72 hours was associated with a decreased frequency of TNF-expressing cells. CONCLUSION Our results show that the exacerbated response observed in co-infection with immune-polarizing strains is associated with a decreased frequency of co-infected cells, suggesting that the activated response favours parasite control. These findings may have implications for designing new Chagas disease preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa M D Magalhães
- Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lívia S A Passos
- Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Egler Chiari
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Biologia do Trypanosoma cruzi e doença de Chagas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lúcia M C Galvão
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Biologia do Trypanosoma cruzi e doença de Chagas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carolina C Koh
- Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marina L Rodrigues-Alves
- Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo C Giunchetti
- Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kenneth Gollob
- International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Walderez O Dutra
- Departamento de Morfologia, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Salvador, Brazil
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Elucidating diversity in the class composition of the minicircle hypervariable region of Trypanosoma cruzi: New perspectives on typing and kDNA inheritance. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007536. [PMID: 31247047 PMCID: PMC6619836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan causative of Chagas disease, is classified into six main Discrete Typing Units (DTUs): TcI-TcVI. This parasite has around 105 copies of the minicircle hypervariable region (mHVR) in their kinetoplastic DNA (kDNA). The genetic diversity of the mHVR is virtually unknown. However, cross-hybridization assays using mHVRs showed hybridization only between isolates belonging to the same genetic group. Nowadays there is no methodologic approach with a good sensibility, specificity and reproducibility for direct typing on biological samples. Due to its high copy number and apparently high diversity, mHVR becomes a good target for typing. Methodology/Principal findings Around 22 million reads, obtained by amplicon sequencing of the mHVR, were analyzed for nine strains belonging to six T. cruzi DTUs. The number and diversity of mHVR clusters was variable among DTUs and even within a DTU. However, strains of the same DTU shared more mHVR clusters than strains of different DTUs and clustered together. In addition, hybrid DTUs (TcV and TcVI) shared similar percentages (1.9–3.4%) of mHVR clusters with their parentals (TcII and TcIII). Conversely, just 0.2% of clusters were shared between TcII and TcIII suggesting biparental inheritance of the kDNA in hybrids. Sequencing at low depth (20,000–40,000 reads) also revealed 95% of the mHVR clusters for each of the analyzed strains. Finally, the method revealed good correlation in cluster identity and abundance between different replications of the experiment (r = 0.999). Conclusions/Significance Our work sheds light on the sequence diversity of mHVRs at intra and inter-DTU level. The mHVR amplicon sequencing workflow described here is a reproducible technique, that allows multiplexed analysis of hundreds of strains and results promissory for direct typing on biological samples in a future. In addition, such approach may help to gain knowledge on the mechanisms of the minicircle evolution and phylogenetic relationships among strains. Chagas disease is an important public health problem in Latin America showing a wide diversity of clinical manifestations and epidemiological patterns. It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This parasite is genetically diverse and classified into six main lineages. However, the relationship between intra-specific genetic diversity and clinical or epidemiological features is not clear, mainly because low sensitivity for direct typing on biological samples. For this reason, genetic markers with high copy number are required to achieve sensitivity. Here, we deep sequenced and analyzed a DNA region present in the large mitochondria of the parasite (named as mHVR, 105 copies per parasite) from strains belonging to the six main lineages in order to analyze mHVR diversity and to evaluate its usefulness for typing. Despite the high sequence diversity, strains of the same lineage shared more sequences than strains of different lineages. Curiously, hybrid lineages shared mHVR sequences with both parents suggesting that mHVR (and DNA minicircles from the mitochondria) are inherited from both parentals. The mHVR amplicon sequencing workflow proposed here is reproducible and, potentially, it would be useful for typing hundreds of biological samples at time. It also provides a valuable approach to perform evolutionary and functional studies.
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Systematic Review of the Epidemiology of Chagas Disease in the Americas: a Call for Standardized Reporting of Chagas Disease Prevalence. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-019-00177-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. A misleading description of the predominant clonal evolution model in Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2018; 187:13-14. [PMID: 30048630 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de recherche pour le développement, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Francisco J Ayala
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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24
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Macchiaverna NP, Enriquez GF, Buscaglia CA, Balouz V, Gürtler RE, Cardinal MV. New human isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi confirm the predominance of hybrid lineages in domestic transmission cycle of the Argentinean Chaco. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:229-235. [PMID: 30296602 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, was initially classified into 6 Discrete Typing Units (DTUs). The hybrid DTUs TcV and TcVI are the most frequent in domestic transmission cycles throughout the Southern Cone countries of South America. Here, we genotyped parasite isolates from human residents in Pampa del Indio municipality, Chaco, to further characterize the structure of T. cruzi populations, and to assess the degree of overlapping between the domestic and sylvatic transmission cycles. Artificial xenodiagnostic tests were performed to blood samples from 125 T. cruzi-seropositive people (age range, 3-70 years) who represented 14.3% of all seropositive residents identified. Parasites were obtained from feces of T. cruzi-infected Triatoma infestans examined 30 or 60 days after blood-feeding, and grown in vitro. The cultured parasites were genotyped by means of two PCR-based protocols. DTUs were determined from 39 (31%) patients residing in 28 dwellings. The only DTUs identified were TcV (92%) and TcVI (8-36%). Households with more than one parasite isolate consistently displayed the same DTU. Further sequencing of a fragment of the TcMK gene from selected samples argue against the occurrence of mixed TcV-TcVI infections in the study population. Sequencing data revealed an unexpected degree of genetic variability within TcV including two apparently robust subgroups of isolates. Our results for human residents confirm the predominance of hybrid lineages (TcV and to a much lesser extent TcVI) and the absence of sylvatic genotypes (TcI and TcIII) in (peri)domestic transmission cycles in the Argentinean Chaco area. 245 words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Paula Macchiaverna
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Fabián Enriquez
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Carlos Andrés Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Balouz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Esteban Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Marta Victoria Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina.
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25
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Orantes LC, Monroy C, Dorn PL, Stevens L, Rizzo DM, Morrissey L, Hanley JP, Rodas AG, Richards B, Wallin KF, Helms Cahan S. Uncovering vector, parasite, blood meal and microbiome patterns from mixed-DNA specimens of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma dimidiata. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006730. [PMID: 30335763 PMCID: PMC6193617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, considered a neglected disease by the World Health Organization, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, and transmitted by >140 triatomine species across the Americas. In Central America, the main vector is Triatoma dimidiata, an opportunistic blood meal feeder inhabiting both domestic and sylvatic ecotopes. Given the diversity of interacting biological agents involved in the epidemiology of Chagas disease, having simultaneous information on the dynamics of the parasite, vector, the gut microbiome of the vector, and the blood meal source would facilitate identifying key biotic factors associated with the risk of T. cruzi transmission. In this study, we developed a RADseq-based analysis pipeline to study mixed-species DNA extracted from T. dimidiata abdomens. To evaluate the efficacy of the method across spatial scales, we used a nested spatial sampling design that spanned from individual villages within Guatemala to major biogeographic regions of Central America. Information from each biotic source was distinguished with bioinformatics tools and used to evaluate the prevalence of T. cruzi infection and predominant Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) in the region, the population genetic structure of T. dimidiata, gut microbial diversity, and the blood meal history. An average of 3.25 million reads per specimen were obtained, with approximately 1% assigned to the parasite, 20% to the vector, 11% to bacteria, and 4% to putative blood meals. Using a total of 6,405 T. cruzi SNPs, we detected nine infected vectors harboring two distinct DTUs: TcI and a second unidentified strain, possibly TcIV. Vector specimens were sufficiently variable for population genomic analyses, with a total of 25,710 T. dimidiata SNPs across all samples that were sufficient to detect geographic genetic structure at both local and regional scales. We observed a diverse microbiotic community, with significantly higher bacterial species richness in infected T. dimidiata abdomens than those that were not infected. Unifrac analysis suggests a common assemblage of bacteria associated with infection, which co-occurs with the typical gut microbial community derived from the local environment. We identified vertebrate blood meals from five T. dimidiata abdomens, including chicken, dog, duck and human; however, additional detection methods would be necessary to confidently identify blood meal sources from most specimens. Overall, our study shows this method is effective for simultaneously generating genetic data on vectors and their associated parasites, along with ecological information on feeding patterns and microbial interactions that may be followed up with complementary approaches such as PCR-based parasite detection, 18S eukaryotic and 16S bacterial barcoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia C. Orantes
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Carlota Monroy
- Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Parasitología, Escuela de Biología, Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Patricia L. Dorn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Lori Stevens
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Donna M. Rizzo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Leslie Morrissey
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - John P. Hanley
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Antonieta Guadalupe Rodas
- Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Parasitología, Escuela de Biología, Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Bethany Richards
- Department of Biological Sciences, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Kimberly F. Wallin
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Sara Helms Cahan
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
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Alves CL, Repolês BM, da Silva MS, Mendes IC, Marin PA, Aguiar PHN, Santos SDS, Franco GR, Macedo AM, Pena SDJ, Andrade LDO, Guarneri AA, Tahara EB, Elias MC, Machado CR. The recombinase Rad51 plays a key role in events of genetic exchange in Trypanosoma cruzi. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13335. [PMID: 30190603 PMCID: PMC6127316 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of genetic exchange has been a limiting factor to deepen the knowledge on the mechanisms by which Trypanosoma cruzi is able to generate progeny and genetic diversity. Here we show that incorporation of halogenated thymidine analogues, followed by immunostaining, is a reliable method not only to detect T. cruzi fused-cell hybrids, but also to quantify their percentage in populations of this parasite. Through this approach, we were able to detect and quantify fused-cell hybrids of T. cruzi clones CL Brener and Y. Given the increased detection of fused-cell hybrids in naturally-occurring hybrid CL Brener strain, which displays increased levels of RAD51 and BRCA2 transcripts, we further investigated the role of Rad51 - a recombinase involved in homologous recombination - in the process of genetic exchange. We also verified that the detection of fused-cell hybrids in T. cruzi overexpressing RAD51 is increased when compared to wild-type cells, suggesting a key role for Rad51 either in the formation or in the stabilization of fused-cell hybrids in this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceres Luciana Alves
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruno Marçal Repolês
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Santos da Silva
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabela Cecília Mendes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paula Andrea Marin
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Selma da Silva Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Glória Regina Franco
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Andréa Mara Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Danilo Junho Pena
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Erich Birelli Tahara
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Zingales B. Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity: Something new for something known about Chagas disease manifestations, serodiagnosis and drug sensitivity. Acta Trop 2018; 184:38-52. [PMID: 28941731 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas disease, is widely recognized. At present, T. cruzi is partitioned into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. This article reviews the present knowledge on the parasite population structure, the evolutionary relationships among DTUs and their distinct, but not exclusive ecological and epidemiological associations. Different models for the origin of hybrid DTUs are examined, which agree that genetic exchange among T. cruzi populations is frequent and has contributed to the present parasite population structure. The geographic distribution of the prevalent DTUs in humans from the southern United States to Argentina is here presented and the circumstantial evidence of a possible association between T. cruzi genotype and Chagas disease manifestations is discussed. The available information suggests that parasite strains detected in patients, regardless of the clinical presentation, reflect the principal DTU circulating in the domestic transmission cycles of a particular region. In contrast, in several orally transmitted outbreaks, sylvatic strains are implicated. As a consequence of the genotypic and phenotypic differences of T. cruzi strains and the differential geographic distribution of DTUs in humans, regional variations in the sensitivity of the serological tests are verified. The natural resistance to benznidazole and nifurtimox, verified in vivo and in vitro for some parasite stocks, is not associated with any particular DTU, and does not explain the marked difference in the anti-parasitic efficacy of both drugs in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease. Throughout this review, it is emphasized that the interplay between parasite and host genetics should have an important role in the definition of Chagas disease pathogenesis, anti-T. cruzi immune response and chemotherapy outcome and should be considered in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Roman F, das Chagas Xavier S, Messenger LA, Pavan MG, Miles MA, Jansen AM, Yeo M. Dissecting the phyloepidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi I (TcI) in Brazil by the use of high resolution genetic markers. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006466. [PMID: 29782493 PMCID: PMC5983858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, is monophyletic but genetically heterogeneous. It is currently represented by six genetic lineages (Discrete Typing Units, DTUs) designated TcI-TcVI. TcI is the most geographically widespread and genetically heterogeneous lineage, this as is evidenced by a wide range of genetic markers applied to isolates spanning a vast geographic range in Latin America. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In total, 78 TcI isolated from hosts and vectors distributed in 5 different biomes of Brazil, were analyzed using 6 nuclear housekeeping genes, 25 microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial marker. Nuclear markers reveal substantial genetic diversity, significant gene flow between biomes, incongruence in phylogenies, and haplotypic analysis indicative of intra-DTU genetic exchange. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci were incongruent, and consistent with introgression. Structure analysis of microsatellite data reveals that, amongst biomes, the Amazon is the most genetically diverse and experiences the lowest level of gene flow. Investigation of population structure based on the host species/genus, indicated that Didelphis marsupialis might play a role as the main disperser of TcI. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The present work considers a large TcI sample from different hosts and vectors spanning multiple ecologically diverse biomes in Brazil. Importantly, we combine fast and slow evolving markers to contribute to the epizootiological understanding of TcI in five distinct Brazilian biomes. This constitutes the first instance in which MLST analysis was combined with the use of MLMT and maxicircle markers to evaluate the genetic diversity of TcI isolates in Brazil. Our results demonstrate the existence of substantial genetic diversity and the occurrence of introgression events. We provide evidence of genetic exchange in TcI isolates from Brazil and of the relative isolation of TcI in the Amazon biome. We observe the absence of strict associations with TcI genotypes to geographic areas and/or host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Roman
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Samanta das Chagas Xavier
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Louisa A. Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana María Jansen
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Roman F, Iñiguez AM, Yeo M, Jansen AM. Multilocus sequence typing: genetic diversity in Trypanosoma cruzi I (TcI) isolates from Brazilian didelphids. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:107. [PMID: 29471851 PMCID: PMC5824584 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2696-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite characterized by extensive genetic heterogeneity. There are currently six recognised, genetically distinct, monophyletic clades designated discrete typing units (DTUs). TcI has the broadest geographical range and most genetic diversity evidenced by a wide range of genetic markers applied to isolates spanning a vast geographical range across Latin America. However, little is known of the diversity of TcI that exists within sylvatic mammals across the geographical expanse of Brazil. RESULTS Twenty-nine sylvatic TcI isolates spanning multiple ecologically diverse biomes across Brazil were analyzed by the application of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using four nuclear housekeeping genes. Results revealed extensive genetic diversity and also incongruence among individual gene trees. There was no association of intralineage genotype with geography or with any particular biome, with the exception of isolates from Caatinga that formed a single cluster. However, haplotypic analyses of METIII and LYT1 constitutive markers provided evidence of recombination events in two isolates derived from Didelphis marsupialis and D. albiventris, respectively. For diversity studies all possible combinations of markers were assessed with the objective of selecting the combination of gene targets that are most resolutive using the minimum number of genes. A panel of just three gene fragments (DHFR-TS, LYT1 and METIII) discriminated 26 out of 35 genotypes. CONCLUSIONS These findings showed geographical association of genotypes clustering in Caatinga but more characteristically TcI genotypes widely distributed without specific association to geographical areas or biomes. Importantly, we detected the signature of recombination events at the nuclear level evidenced by haplotypic analysis and incongruence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Roman
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Alena M Iñiguez
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ana M Jansen
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Tomasini N. Introgression of the Kinetoplast DNA: An Unusual Evolutionary Journey in Trypanosoma cruzi. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:133-139. [PMID: 29491741 PMCID: PMC5814961 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666170815124832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Phylogenetic relationships between different lineages of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, have been controversial for several years. However, recent phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses clarified the nuclear relationships among such lineages. However, incongruence between nuclear and kinetoplast DNA phylogenies has emerged as a new challenge. This incongruence implies several events of mitochondrial introgression at evolutionary level. However, the mechanism that gave origin to introgressed lineages is unknown. Here, I will review and discuss how maxicircles of the kinetoplast were horizontally and vertically transferred between different lineages of T. cruzi. CONCLUSION Finally, I will discuss what we know - and what we don't - about the kDNA transference and inheritance in the context of sexual reproduction in this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Tomasini
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta, CONICET, Salta, Argentina
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Rodrigues MS, Morelli KA, Jansen AM. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene as a DNA barcode for discriminating Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs and closely related species. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:488. [PMID: 29037251 PMCID: PMC5644147 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The DNA barcoding system using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene (cox1 or COI) is highly efficient for discriminating vertebrate and invertebrate species. In the present study, we examined the suitability of cox1 as a marker for Trypanosoma cruzi identification from other closely related species. Additionally, we combined the sequences of cox1 and the nuclear gene glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) to evaluate the occurrence of mitochondrial introgression and the presence of hybrid genotypes. METHODS Sixty-two isolates of Trypanosoma spp. obtained from five of the six Brazilian biomes (Amazon Forest, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado and Pantanal) were sequenced for cox1 and GPI gene fragments. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood, parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. Molecular species delimitation was evaluated through pairwise intraspecific and interspecific distances, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery, single-rate Poisson Tree Processes and multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes. RESULTS Both cox1 and GPI genes recognized and differentiated T. cruzi, Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei, Trypanosoma dionisii and Trypanosoma rangeli. Cox1 discriminated Tcbat, TcI, TcII, TcIII and TcIV. Additionally, TcV and TcVI were identified as a single group. Cox1 also demonstrated diversity in the discrete typing units (DTUs) TcI, TcII and TcIII and in T. c. marinkellei and T. rangeli. Cox1 and GPI demonstrated TcI and TcII as the most genetically distant branches, and the position of the other T. cruzi DTUs differed according to the molecular marker. The tree reconstructed with concatenated cox1 and GPI sequences confirmed the separation of the subgenus Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) sp. and the T. cruzi DTUs TcI, TcII, TcIII and TcIV. The evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was informative for DTU differentiation using both genes. In the cox1 analysis, one SNP differentiated heterozygous hybrids from TcIV sequences. In the GPI analysis one SNP discriminated Tcbat from TcI, while another SNP distinguished TcI from TcIII. CONCLUSIONS DNA barcoding using the cox1 gene is a reliable tool to distinguish T. cruzi from T. c. marinkellei, T. dionisii and T. rangeli and identify the main T. cruzi genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Karina Alessandra Morelli
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Jansen
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Barros JHS, Xavier SCC, Bilac D, Lima VS, Dario MA, Jansen AM. Identification of novel mammalian hosts and Brazilian biome geographic distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi TcIII and TcIV. Acta Trop 2017; 172:173-179. [PMID: 28499908 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasitic protozoan responsible for Chagas disease. Seven different Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) of T. cruzi are currently identified in nature: TcI-TcVI, and TcBat whose distribution patterns in nature, hosts/reservoirs and eco-epidemiological importance are still little known. Here, we present novel data on the geographic distribution and diversity of mammalian hosts and vectors of T. cruzi DTUs TcIII and TcIV. In this study, we analyzed 61 T. cruzi isolates obtained from 18 species of mammals (five orders) and two Hemiptera genera. Samples were collected from five Brazilian biomes (Pantanal, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Rainforest, and Amazon) previously characterized as Z3 or mixed infection (TcI-Z3) by mini-exon gene PCR. To identify TcIII and TcIV genotypes, we applied restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to the PCR-amplified histone 3 gene. DTUs TcIII and TcIV were identified in single and mixed infections from wide dispersion throughout five Brazilian biomes studied, with TcIV being the most common. Pantanal was the biome that displayed the largest number of samples characterized as TcIII and TcIV in single and mixed infections, followed by Atlantic Rainforest and Amazon. Species from the Didelphimorphia order displayed the highest frequency of infection and were found in all five biomes. We report, for the first time, the infection of a species of the Artiodactyla order by DTU TcIII. In addition, we describe new host species: five mammals (marsupials and rodents) and two genera of Hemiptera. Our data indicate that DTUs TcIII and TcIV are more widespread and infect a larger number of mammalian species than previously thought. In addition, they are transmitted in restricted foci and cycles, but in different microhabitats and areas with distinct ecological profiles. Finally, we show that DTUs TcIII and TcIV do not present any specific association with biomes or host species.
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ACOSTA NIDIA, LÓPEZ ELSA, LEWIS MICHAELD, LLEWELLYN MARTINS, GÓMEZ ANA, ROMÁN FABIOLA, MILES MICHAELA, YEO MATTHEW. Hosts and vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units in the Chagas disease endemic region of the Paraguayan Chaco. Parasitology 2017; 144:884-898. [PMID: 28179034 PMCID: PMC5471830 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016002663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Active Trypanosoma cruzi transmission persists in the Gran Chaco region, which is considered hyperendemic for Chagas disease. Understanding domestic and sylvatic transmission cycles and therefore the relationship between vectors and mammalian hosts is crucial to designing and implementing improved effective control strategies. Here we describe the species of triatomine vectors and the sylvatic mammal reservoirs of T. cruzi, in different localities of the Paraguayan and Bolivian Chaco. We identify the T. cruzi genotypes discrete typing units (DTUs) and provide a map of their geographical distribution. A total of 1044 triatomines and 138 sylvatic mammals were captured. Five per cent of the triatomines were microscopically positive for T. cruzi (55 Triatoma infestans from Paraguay and one sylvatic Triatoma guasayana from Bolivia) and 17 animals (12·3%) comprising eight of 28 (28·5%) Dasypus novemcinctus, four of 27 (14·8%) Euphractus sexcinctus, three of 64 (4·7%) Chaetophractus spp. and two of 14 (14·3%) Didelphis albiventris. The most common DTU infecting domestic triatomine bugs was TcV (64%), followed by TcVI (28%), TcII (6·5%) and TcIII (1·5%). TcIII was overwhelmingly associated with armadillo species. We confirm the primary role of T. infestans in domestic transmission, armadillo species as the principal sylvatic hosts of TcIII, and consider the potential risk of TcIII as an agent of Chagas disease in the Chaco.
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Affiliation(s)
- NIDIA ACOSTA
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción – UNA, San Lorenzo CP 2160, Paraguay
| | - ELSA LÓPEZ
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción – UNA, San Lorenzo CP 2160, Paraguay
| | - MICHAEL D. LEWIS
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - MARTIN S. LLEWELLYN
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - ANA GÓMEZ
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC)/Díaz Gill Medicina Laboratorial/Fundación Moisés Bertoni, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - FABIOLA ROMÁN
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC)/Díaz Gill Medicina Laboratorial/Fundación Moisés Bertoni, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - MICHAEL A. MILES
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - MATTHEW YEO
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Oliveira TDSFD, Santos BND, Galdino TS, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Bastos OMP, Sousa MAD. Trypanosoma cruzi I genotype among isolates from patients with chronic Chagas disease followed at the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (FIOCRUZ, Brazil). Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2017; 50:35-43. [PMID: 28327800 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0406-2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease in humans, mainly in Latin America. Trypanosome stocks were isolated by hemoculture from patients followed at Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (FIOCRUZ) and studied using different approaches. METHODS: For species and genotype identification, the stocks were analyzed by parasitological techniques, polymerase chain reaction assays targeted to specific DNA sequences, isoenzyme patterns, besides sequencing of a polymorphic locus of TcSC5D gene (one stock). RESULTS: The isolates presented typical T. cruzi morphology and usually grew well in routine culture media. Metacyclic trypomastigotes were found in cultures or experimentally infected Triatoma infestans. All isolates were pure T. cruzi cultures, presenting typical 330-bp products from kinetoplast DNA minicircles, and 250 or 200-bp amplicons from the mini-exon non-transcribed spacer. Their genetic type assignment was resolved by their isoenzyme profiles. The finding of TcI in one asymptomatic patient from Paraíba was confirmed by the sequencing assay. TcVI was found in two asymptomatic individuals from Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul. TcII was identified in six patients from Pernambuco, Bahia and Minas Gerais, who presented different clinical forms: cardiac (2), digestive with megaesophagus (1), and indeterminate (3). CONCLUSIONS: The main T. cruzi genotypes found in Brazilian chronic patients were identified in this work, including TcI, which is less frequent and usually causes asymptomatic disease, unlike that in other American countries. This study emphasizes the importance of T. cruzi genotyping for possible correlations between the parasite and patient' responses to therapeutic treatment or disease clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tainah Silva Galdino
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Otilio Machado Pereira Bastos
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Maria Auxiliadora de Sousa
- Coleção de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e Outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Relevant units of analysis for applied and basic research dealing with neglected transmissible diseases: The predominant clonal evolution model of pathogenic microorganisms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005293. [PMID: 28448491 PMCID: PMC5407763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The predominant clonal evolution (PCE) model seeks to formulate a common population genetics framework for all micropathogens (namely, parasitic protozoa, fungi and yeasts, bacteria, and viruses). It relies on a definition of clonality that is only based on population structure features (namely, strongly restrained genetic recombination). Its clear-cut properties make it of strong interest for applied and basic research, since it permits the definition of stable, clearly delimited units of analysis below the species level: clonal genotypes and discrete genetic subdivisions (“near-clades”). These units of analysis can be used for clinical and epidemiological studies, vaccine and drug design, species description, and evolutionary studies on natural and experimental populations. In this review, the evolutionary and population genetics background of the model will be only briefly mentioned, while considerable emphasis will be given to its practical significance for the study and control of neglected tropical diseases. The goal of the paper is to make this practical usefulness accessible to a broad audience of readers, including scientists who are not evolution specialists, such as epidemiologists, field scientists, and clinicians. For extensive developments about the evolutionary background of the model, see our previous papers [1–9]. Citations of these former articles lead to the many references quoted in them, which cannot be listed again here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de Rercherche pour le Développement (IRD), Montpellier, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Francisco J. Ayala
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
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Performance of TcI/TcVI/TcII Chagas-Flow ATE-IgG2a for universal and genotype-specific serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005444. [PMID: 28333926 PMCID: PMC5380352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Distinct Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes have been considered relevant for patient management and therapeutic response of Chagas disease. However, typing strategies for genotype-specific serodiagnosis of Chagas disease are still unavailable and requires standardization for practical application. In this study, an innovative TcI/TcVI/TcII Chagas Flow ATE-IgG2a technique was developed with applicability for universal and genotype-specific diagnosis of T. cruzi infection. For this purpose, the reactivity of serum samples (percentage of positive fluorescent parasites-PPFP) obtained from mice chronically infected with TcI/Colombiana, TcVI/CL or TcII/Y strain as well as non-infected controls were determined using amastigote-AMA, trypomastigote-TRYPO and epimastigote-EPI in parallel batches of TcI, TcVI and TcII target antigens. Data demonstrated that “α-TcII-TRYPO/1:500, cut-off/PPFP = 20%” presented an excellent performance for universal diagnosis of T. cruzi infection (AUC = 1.0, Se and Sp = 100%). The combined set of attributes “α-TcI-TRYPO/1:4,000, cut-off/PPFP = 50%”, “α-TcII-AMA/1:1,000, cut-off/PPFP = 40%” and “α-TcVI-EPI/1:1,000, cut-off/PPFP = 45%” showed good performance to segregate infections with TcI/Colombiana, TcVI/CL or TcII/Y strain. Overall, hosts infected with TcI/Colombiana and TcII/Y strains displayed opposite patterns of reactivity with “α-TcI TRYPO” and “α-TcII AMA”. Hosts infected with TcVI/CL strain showed a typical interweaved distribution pattern. The method presented a good performance for genotype-specific diagnosis, with global accuracy of 69% when the population/prototype scenario include TcI, TcVI and TcII infections and 94% when comprise only TcI and TcII infections. This study also proposes a receiver operating reactivity panel, providing a feasible tool to classify serum samples from hosts infected with distinct T. cruzi genotypes, supporting the potential of this method for universal and genotype-specific diagnosis of T. cruzi infection. Chagas disease remains a significant public health issue infecting 6–7 million people worldwide. The factors influencing the clinical heterogeneity of Chagas disease have not been elucidated, although it has been suggested that different clinical outcome may be associated with the genetic diversity of T. cruzi isolates. Moreover, differences in therapeutic response of distinct T. cruzi genotypes have been also reported. Typing strategies for genotype-specific diagnosis of Chagas disease to identify the T. cruzi discrete typing units (DTU) have already been developed, including biochemical and molecular methods, however the techniques have limitations. The majority of these methods can not directly be performed in biological and clinical samples. In addition, it has been proposed that parasite isolates from blood may not necessarily represent the full set of strains current in the individual as some strains can be confined to tissues. The improvement of genotype-specific serology to identify the T. cruzi DTU(s) present in a given host may provide a useful tool for clinical studies. In the present investigation, we developed an innovative TcI/TcVI/TcII Chagas Flow ATE-IgG2a technique with applicability for universal and genotype-specific diagnosis of T. cruzi infection that may contribute to add future insights for genotype-specific diagnosis of Chagas disease.
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Izeta-Alberdi A, Ibarra-Cerdeña CN, Moo-Llanes DA, Ramsey JM. Geographical, landscape and host associations of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs and lineages. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:631. [PMID: 27923409 PMCID: PMC5142175 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1918-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The evolutionary history and ecological associations of Trypanosoma cruzi, the need to identify genetic markers that can distinguish parasite subpopulations, and understanding the parasite’s evolutionary and selective processes have been the subject of a significant number of publications since 1998, the year when the first DNA sequence analysis for the species was published. Methods The current analysis systematizes and re-analyzes this original research, focusing on critical methodological and analytical variables and results that have given rise to interpretations of putative patterns of genetic diversity and diversification of T. cruzi lineages, discrete typing units (DTUs), and populations, and their associations with hosts, vectors, and geographical distribution that have been interpreted as evidence for parasite subpopulation specificities. Results Few studies use hypothesis-driven or quantitative analysis for T. cruzi phylogeny (16/58 studies) or phylogeography (10/13). Among these, only one phylogenetic and five phylogeographic studies analyzed molecular markers directly from tissues (i.e. not from isolates). Analysis of T. cruzi DTU or lineage niche and its geographical projection demonstrate extensive sympatry among all clades across the continent and no significant niche differences among DTUs. DTU beta-diversity was high, indicating diverse host assemblages across regions, while host dissimilarity was principally due to host species turnover and to a much lesser degree to nestedness. DTU-host order specificities appear related to trophic or microenvironmental interactions. Conclusions More rigorous study designs and analyses will be required to discern evolutionary processes and the impact of landscape modification on population dynamics and risk for T. cruzi transmission to humans. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1918-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos N Ibarra-Cerdeña
- Departamento de Ecología Humana, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav) Unidad Mérida, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - David A Moo-Llanes
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública (CRISP), Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP), Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Janine M Ramsey
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública (CRISP), Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP), Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Is Predominant Clonal Evolution a Common Evolutionary Adaptation to Parasitism in Pathogenic Parasitic Protozoa, Fungi, Bacteria, and Viruses? ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 97:243-325. [PMID: 28325372 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We propose that predominant clonal evolution (PCE) in microbial pathogens be defined as restrained recombination on an evolutionary scale, with genetic exchange scarce enough to not break the prevalent pattern of clonal population structure. The main features of PCE are (1) strong linkage disequilibrium, (2) the widespread occurrence of stable genetic clusters blurred by occasional bouts of genetic exchange ('near-clades'), (3) the existence of a "clonality threshold", beyond which recombination is efficiently countered by PCE, and near-clades irreversibly diverge. We hypothesize that the PCE features are not mainly due to natural selection but also chiefly originate from in-built genetic properties of pathogens. We show that the PCE model obtains even in microbes that have been considered as 'highly recombining', such as Neisseria meningitidis, and that some clonality features are observed even in Plasmodium, which has been long described as panmictic. Lastly, we provide evidence that PCE features are also observed in viruses, taking into account their extremely fast genetic turnover. The PCE model provides a convenient population genetic framework for any kind of micropathogen. It makes it possible to describe convenient units of analysis (clones and near-clades) for all applied studies. Due to PCE features, these units of analysis are stable in space and time, and clearly delimited. The PCE model opens up the possibility of revisiting the problem of species definition in these organisms. We hypothesize that PCE constitutes a major evolutionary strategy for protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses to adapt to parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tibayrenc
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - F J Ayala
- University of California at Irvine, United States
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First finding of Trypanosoma cruzi II in vampire bats from a district free of domestic vector-borne transmission in Northeastern Argentina. Parasitology 2016; 143:1358-68. [PMID: 27220254 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016000925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Establishing the putative links between sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, is of public health relevance. We conducted three surveys to assess T. cruzi infection in wild mammals from a rural and a preserved area in Misiones Province, Northeastern Argentina, which had recently been declared free of vector- and blood-borne transmission of human T. cruzi infection. A total of 200 wild mammals were examined by xenodiagnosis (XD) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the hyper-variable region of kinetoplast DNA minicircles of T. cruzi (kDNA-PCR). The overall prevalence of T. cruzi infection was 8%. Nine (16%) of 57 Didelphis albiventris opossums and two (7%) of 29 Desmodus rotundus vampire bats were positive by both XD and kDNA-PCR. Additionally, one D. rotundus positive for T. cruzi by kDNA-PCR tested positive by satellite-DNA-PCR (SAT-DNA-PCR). The T. cruzi-infected bats were captured indoors and in the yard of a vacant dwelling. All D. albiventris were infected with TcI and both XD-positive D. rotundus by TcII. Fifty-five opossum cubs within the marsupium were negative by XD. The mean infectiousness to the vector was 62% in D. albiventris and 50% in D. rotundus. Mice experimentally infected with a parasite isolate from a vampire bat displayed lesions typically caused by T. cruzi. Our study documents the presence of the genotype TcII in a sylvatic host for the first time in Argentina, and the occurrence of two transmission cycles of T. cruzi in a district free of domestic vector-borne transmission.
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Barnabé C, Mobarec HI, Jurado MR, Cortez JA, Brenière SF. Reconsideration of the seven discrete typing units within the species Trypanosoma cruzi , a new proposal of three reliable mitochondrial clades. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 39:176-186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Molecular Approaches for Diagnosis of Chagas' Disease and Genotyping of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Microbiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1128/9781555819071.ch36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. The population genetics of Trypanosoma cruzi revisited in the light of the predominant clonal evolution model. Acta Trop 2015; 151:156-65. [PMID: 26188332 PMCID: PMC7117470 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Comparing the population structure of Trypanosoma cruzi with that of other pathogens, including parasitic protozoa, fungi, bacteria and viruses, shows that the agent of Chagas disease shares typical traits with many other species, related to a predominant clonal evolution (PCE) pattern: statistically significant linkage disequilibrium, overrepresented multilocus genotypes, near-clades (genetic subdivisions somewhat blurred by occasional genetic exchange/hybridization) and "Russian doll" patterns (PCE is observed, not only at the level of the whole species, but also, within the near-clades). Moreover, T. cruzi population structure exhibits linkage with the diversity of several strongly selected genes, with gene expression profiles, and with some major phenotypic traits. We discuss the evolutionary significance of these results, and their implications in terms of applied research (molecular epidemiology/strain typing, analysis of genes of interest, vaccine and drug design, immunological diagnosis) and of experimental evolution. Lastly, we revisit the long-term debate of describing new species within the T. cruzi taxon.
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Bhattacharyya T, Mills EA, Jansen AM, Miles MA. Prospects for T. cruzi lineage-specific serological surveillance of wild mammals. Acta Trop 2015; 151:182-6. [PMID: 26116784 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sequence diversity in the Trypanosoma cruzi small surface molecule TSSA has yielded antigens for serology to investigate the T. cruzi lineage-specific infection history of patients with Chagas disease. Synthetic peptides can be used as the lineage-specific antigens. Here we consider the rationale, feasibility and potential of applying peptide-based lineage-specific serology to naturally infected wild mammals. The commercial availability of appropriate secondary antibodies encourages this further development, for discovery of new reservoir host species and to reveal the wider ecological distribution of T. cruzi lineages, currently hindered by the need to recover live isolates or to attempt genotyping of DNA extracted from blood samples.
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de Oliveira MT, de Assis GFM, Oliveira e Silva JCV, Machado EMM, da Silva GN, Veloso VM, Macedo AM, Martins HR, de Lana M. Trypanosoma cruzi Discret Typing Units (TcII and TcVI) in samples of patients from two municipalities of the Jequitinhonha Valley, MG, Brazil, using two molecular typing strategies. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:568. [PMID: 26520576 PMCID: PMC4628324 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1161-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is classified into six discrete taxonomic units (DTUs). For this classification, different biological markers and classification criteria have been used. The objective was to identify the genetic profile of T. cruzi samples isolated from patients of two municipalities of Jequitinhonha Valley, MG, Brazil. Methods Molecular characterization was performed using two different criteria for T. cruzi typing to characterize 63 T. cruzi samples isolated from chronic Chagas disease patients. The characterizations followed two distinct methodologies. Additionally, the RAPD technique was used to evaluate the existence of genetic intragroup variability. Results The first methodology identified 89 % of the samples as TcII, but it was not possible to define the genetic identity of seven isolates. The results obtained with the second methodology corroborated the classification as TcII of the same samples and defined the classification of the other seven as TcVI. RAPD analysis showed lower intra-group variability in TcII. Conclusions The results confirmed the preliminary data obtained in other municipalities of the Jequitinhonha Valley, showing a predominance of TcII, similar to that verified in northeast/south axis of Brazil and the first detection of TcVI in the study region. The second protocol was more simple and reliable to identify samples of hybrid character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maykon Tavares de Oliveira
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Girley Francisco Machado de Assis
- Departamento- Básico de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), CEP: 35010-177, Campus Governador Valadares, Governador Valadares, MG, Brazil.
| | - Jaquelline Carla Valamiel Oliveira e Silva
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Evandro Marques Menezes Machado
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Glenda Nicioli da Silva
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, UFOP, CEP: 35400-000 Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas (CiPHARMA), Escola de Farmácia, UFOP, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Vanja Maria Veloso
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, UFOP, CEP: 35400-000 Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas (CiPHARMA), Escola de Farmácia, UFOP, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Andrea Mara Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), 6627, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, MG, Brazil.
| | - Helen Rodrigues Martins
- Departamento de Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), 39100-000, Diamantina, MG, Brazil.
| | - Marta de Lana
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. .,Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, UFOP, CEP: 35400-000 Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas (CiPHARMA), Escola de Farmácia, UFOP, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
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Messenger LA, Miles MA, Bern C. Between a bug and a hard place: Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity and the clinical outcomes of Chagas disease. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2015; 13:995-1029. [PMID: 26162928 PMCID: PMC4784490 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2015.1056158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 30 years, concomitant with successful transnational disease control programs across Latin America, Chagas disease has expanded from a neglected, endemic parasitic infection of the rural poor to an urbanized chronic disease, and now a potentially emergent global health problem. Trypanosoma cruzi infection has a highly variable clinical course, ranging from complete absence of symptoms to severe and often fatal cardiovascular and/or gastrointestinal manifestations. To date, few correlates of clinical disease progression have been identified. Elucidating a putative role for T. cruzi strain diversity in Chagas disease pathogenesis is complicated by the scarcity of parasites in clinical specimens and the limitations of our contemporary genotyping techniques. This article systematically reviews the historical literature, given our current understanding of parasite genetic diversity, to evaluate the evidence for any association between T. cruzi genotype and chronic clinical outcome, risk of congenital transmission or reactivation and orally transmitted outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa A Messenger
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael A Miles
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Caryn Bern
- Global Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Gumiel M, da Mota FF, Rizzo VDS, Sarquis O, de Castro DP, Lima MM, Garcia EDS, Carels N, Azambuja P. Characterization of the microbiota in the guts of Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma pseudomaculata infected by Trypanosoma cruzi in natural conditions using culture independent methods. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:245. [PMID: 25903360 PMCID: PMC4429471 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0836-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by triatomine vectors. The northeastern region of Brazil is endemic for Chagas disease and has the largest diversity of triatomine species. T. cruzi development in its triatomine vector depends on diverse factors, including the composition of bacterial gut microbiota. Methods We characterized the triatomines captured in the municipality of Russas (Ceará) by sequencing the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The composition of the bacterial community in the gut of peridomestic Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma pseudomaculata was investigated using culture independent methods based on the amplification of the 16S rRNA gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), DNA fragment cloning, Sanger sequencing and 454 pyrosequencing. Additionally, we identified TcI and TcII types of T. cruzi by sequencing amplicons from the gut metagenomic DNA with primers for the mini-exon gene. Results Triatomines collected in the peridomestic ecotopes were diagnosed as T. pseudomaculata and T. brasiliensis by comparing their COI sequence with GenBank. The rate of infection by T. cruzi in adult triatomines reached 80% for T. pseudomaculata and 90% for T. brasiliensis. According to the DNA sequences from the DGGE bands, the triatomine gut microbiota was primarily composed of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. However, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were also detected, although in much lower proportions. Serratia was the main genus, as it was encountered in all samples analyzed by DGGE and 454 pyrosequencing. Members of Corynebacterinae, a suborder of the Actinomycetales, formed the next most important group. The cloning and sequencing of full-length 16S rRNA genes confirmed the presence of Serratia marcescens, Dietzia sp., Gordonia terrae, Corynebacterium stationis and Corynebacterium glutamicum. Conclusions The study of the bacterial microbiota in the triatomine gut has gained increased attention because of the possible role it may play in the epidemiology of Chagas disease by competing with T. cruzi. Culture independent methods have shown that the bacterial composition of the microbiota in the guts of peridomestic triatomines is made up by only few bacterial species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0836-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Gumiel
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Fabio Faria da Mota
- Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa de Sousa Rizzo
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Otília Sarquis
- Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da Doença de Chagas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Daniele Pereira de Castro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Marli Maria Lima
- Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da Doença de Chagas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Eloi de Souza Garcia
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Nicolas Carels
- Laboratório de Modelagem de Sistemas Biológicos, National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation in Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Patricia Azambuja
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Tomasini N, Diosque P. Evolution of Trypanosoma cruzi: clarifying hybridisations, mitochondrial introgressions and phylogenetic relationships between major lineages. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:403-13. [PMID: 25807469 PMCID: PMC4489478 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760140401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several different models of Trypanosoma cruzi evolution have been proposed. These
models suggest that scarce events of genetic exchange occurred during the
evolutionary history of this parasite. In addition, the debate has focused on the
existence of one or two hybridisation events during the evolution of T. cruzi
lineages. Here, we reviewed the literature and analysed available sequence data to
clarify the phylogenetic relationships among these different lineages. We observed
that TcI, TcIII and TcIV form a monophyletic group and that TcIII and TcIV are not,
as previously suggested, TcI-TcII hybrids. Particularly, TcI and TcIII are sister
groups that diverged around the same time that a widely distributed TcIV split into
two clades (TcIVS and TcIVN). In addition, we collected
evidence that TcIII received TcIVS kDNA by introgression on several
occasions. Different demographic hypotheses (surfing and asymmetrical introgression)
may explain the origin and expansion of the TcIII group. Considering these
hypotheses, genetic exchange should have been relatively frequent between TcIII and
TcIVS in the geographic area in which their distributions overlapped.
In addition, our results support the hypothesis that two independent hybridisation
events gave rise to TcV and TcVI. Consequently, TcIVS kDNA was first
transferred to TcIII and later to TcV and TcVI in TcII/TcIII hybridisation
events.
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Maldonado E, Rojas DA, Moreira-Ramos S, Urbina F, Miralles VJ, Solari A, Venegas J. Expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of recombinant DNA polymerase beta of the Trypanosoma cruzi TcI lineage: requirement of additional factors and detection of phosphorylation of the native form. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:1313-26. [PMID: 25566774 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4308-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major parasitic disease that affects millions of people in America. However, despite the high impact of this disease on human health, no effective and safe treatment has been found that eliminates the infecting parasite from human patients. Among the possible chemotherapeutic targets that could be considered for study in T. cruzi are the DNA polymerases, in particular DNA polymerase beta (polß), which previous studies have shown to be involved in kinetoplast DNA replication and repair. In this paper, we describe the expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of the Miranda clone polß, corresponding to lineage T. cruzi I (TcI). The recombinant enzyme purified to homogeneity displayed specific activity in the range described for a highly purified mammalian polß. However, the trypanosome enzyme exhibited important differences in biochemical properties compared to the mammalian enzymes, specifically an almost absolute dependency on KCl, high sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and low sensitivity to ddTTP. Immuno-affinity purification of T. cruzi polymerase beta (Tcpolß) from epimastigote extracts showed that the native enzyme was phosphorylated. In addition, it was demonstrated that Tcpolß interacts with some proteins in a group of about 15 proteins which are required to repair 1-6 bases of gaps of a double strand damaged DNA. It is possible that these proteins form part of a DNA repair complex, analogous to that described in mammals and some trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edio Maldonado
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Fernández MDP, Cecere MC, Lanati LA, Lauricella MA, Schijman AG, Gürtler RE, Cardinal MV. Geographic variation of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units from Triatoma infestans at different spatial scales. Acta Trop 2014; 140:10-8. [PMID: 25090650 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We assessed the diversity and distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (DTU) in Triatoma infestans populations and its association with local vector-borne transmission levels at various geographic scales. At a local scale, we found high predominance (92.4%) of TcVI over TcV in 68 microscope-positive T. infestans collected in rural communities in Santiago del Estero province in northern Argentina. TcV was more often found in communities with higher house infestation prevalence compatible with active vector-borne transmission. Humans and dogs were the main bloodmeal sources of the TcV- and TcVI-infected bugs. At a broader scale, the greatest variation in DTU diversity was found within the Argentine Chaco (227 microscope-positive bugs), mainly related to differences in equitability between TcVI and TcV among study areas. At a country-wide level, a meta-analysis of published data revealed clear geographic variations in the distribution of DTUs across countries. A correspondence analysis showed that DTU distributions in domestic T. infestans were more similar within Argentina (dominated by TcVI) and within Bolivia (where TcI and TcV had similar relative frequencies), whereas large heterogeneity was found within Chile. DTU diversity was lower in the western Argentine Chaco region and Paraguay (D=0.14-0.22) than in the eastern Argentine Chaco, Bolivia and Chile (D=0.20-0.68). Simultaneous DTU identifications of T. cruzi-infected hosts and triatomines across areas differing in epidemiological status are needed to shed new light on the structure and dynamics of parasite transmission cycles.
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Dutra WO, Menezes CAS, Magalhães LMD, Gollob KJ. Immunoregulatory networks in human Chagas disease. Parasite Immunol 2014; 36:377-87. [PMID: 24611805 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in all Latin America. Due to the increase in population migration, Chagas disease has spread worldwide and is now considered a health issue not only in endemic countries. While most chronically infected individuals remain asymptomatic, approximately 30% of the patients develop a potentially deadly cardiomyopathy. The exact mechanisms that underlie the establishment and maintenance of the cardiac pathology are not clear. However, there is consistent evidence that immunoregulatory cytokines are critical for orchestrating the immune response and thus influence disease development or control. While the asymptomatic (indeterminate) form represents a state of balance between the host and the parasite, the establishment of the cardiac form represents the loss of this balance. Analysis of data obtained from several studies has led to the hypothesis that the indeterminate form is associated with an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile, represented by high expression of IL-10, while cardiac form is associated with a high production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in relation to IL-10, leading to an inflammatory profile. Here, we discuss the immunoregulatory events that might influence disease outcome, as well as the mechanisms that influence the establishment of these complex immunoregulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- W O Dutra
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Doenças Tropicais - INCT-DT, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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