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Vázquez ME, Zabala BA, Mesías AC, Biscari L, Kaufman CD, Alloatti A, Siano F, Picariello G, Corbalán NS, Lenis BA, Toscano MA, Parodi CM, Brandán CMP, Acuña L. Protective Efficacy of the Epitope-Conjugated Antigen N-Tc52/TSkb20 in Mitigating Trypanosoma cruzi Infection through CD8+ T-Cells and IFNγ Responses. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:621. [PMID: 38932350 PMCID: PMC11209121 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a major public health challenge affecting millions in Latin America and worldwide. Although significant progress has been made in vector control, no vaccine exists to prevent infection or mitigate disease pathogenesis. We developed a rationally designed chimeric protein vaccine, N-Tc52/TSkb20, incorporating immunodominant epitopes from two T. cruzi antigens, the amino-terminal portion of Tc52 and the TSkb20 epitope derived from trans-sialidase. The objectives of this study were to construct and characterize the antigen and evaluate its protective potential in an immunoprophylactic murine model of T. cruzi infection. The N-Tc52/TSkb20 protein was recombinantly expressed in E. coli and its identity was confirmed using mass spectrometry and Western blotting. Immunization with the chimeric protein significantly controlled parasitemia and reduced the heart, colon, and skeletal muscle parasite burdens compared to non-vaccinated mice. Protection was superior to vaccination with the individual parental antigen components. Mechanistically, the vaccine induced potent CD8+ T-cell and IFNγ responses against the incorporated epitopes and a protective IgG antibody profile. A relatively low IL-10 response favored early parasite control. These results validate the promising multi-epitope approach and support the continued development of this type of rational vaccine design strategy against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Elisa Vázquez
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Protozoarios, Instituto de Patología Experimental “Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta A4400, Argentina; (M.E.V.); (B.A.Z.); (A.C.M.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Brenda A. Zabala
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Protozoarios, Instituto de Patología Experimental “Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta A4400, Argentina; (M.E.V.); (B.A.Z.); (A.C.M.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Andrea C. Mesías
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Protozoarios, Instituto de Patología Experimental “Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta A4400, Argentina; (M.E.V.); (B.A.Z.); (A.C.M.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Lucia Biscari
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER—CONICET—UNR, Rosario 2000, Argentina; (L.B.); (C.D.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Cintia D. Kaufman
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER—CONICET—UNR, Rosario 2000, Argentina; (L.B.); (C.D.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Andrés Alloatti
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER—CONICET—UNR, Rosario 2000, Argentina; (L.B.); (C.D.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Francesco Siano
- Istituto di Scienze dell’ Alimentazione—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 83100 Avellino, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Gianluca Picariello
- Istituto di Scienze dell’ Alimentazione—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 83100 Avellino, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Natalia S. Corbalán
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta A4400, Argentina;
| | - Bladimiro A. Lenis
- Unidad de Conocimiento Traslacional, Hospital Arturo Oñativia, Salta A4400, Argentina; (B.A.L.); (M.A.T.)
| | - Marta A. Toscano
- Unidad de Conocimiento Traslacional, Hospital Arturo Oñativia, Salta A4400, Argentina; (B.A.L.); (M.A.T.)
| | - Cecilia M. Parodi
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Protozoarios, Instituto de Patología Experimental “Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta A4400, Argentina; (M.E.V.); (B.A.Z.); (A.C.M.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Cecilia M. Pérez Brandán
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Protozoarios, Instituto de Patología Experimental “Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta A4400, Argentina; (M.E.V.); (B.A.Z.); (A.C.M.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Leonardo Acuña
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Protozoarios, Instituto de Patología Experimental “Dr. Miguel Ángel Basombrío”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta A4400, Argentina; (M.E.V.); (B.A.Z.); (A.C.M.); (C.M.P.)
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Rodríguez-Morales O, Mendoza-Téllez EJ, Morales-Salinas E, Arce-Fonseca M. Effectiveness of Nitazoxanide and Electrolyzed Oxiding Water in Treating Chagas Disease in a Canine Model. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051479. [PMID: 37242721 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and affects seven million people in Latin America. Side effects and the limited efficacy of current treatment have led to new drug research. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of nitazoxanide (NTZ) and electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) in a canine model of experimental CD. Náhuatl dogs were infected with the T. cruzi H8 strain and NTZ- or EOW-treated orally for 10 days. Seronegativity was shown at 12 months post-infection (mpi) in the NTZ-, EOW-, and benznidazole (BNZ)-treated groups. The NTZ and BNZ groups had high levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12B, and IL-1β at 1.5 mpi and low levels of IL-10. Electrocardiographic studies showed alterations from 3 mpi and worsening at 12 mpi; NTZ treatment produced fewer cardiac pathomorphological changes compared to EOW, similar to BNZ treatment. There was no cardiomegaly in any group. In conclusion, although NTZ and EOW did not prevent changes in cardiac conductivity, they were able to avoid the severity of heart damage in the chronic phase of CD. NTZ induced a favorable proinflammatory immune response after infection, being a better option than EOW as a possible treatment for CD after BNZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology of Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Erika Jocelin Mendoza-Téllez
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology of Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Morales-Salinas
- Department of Pathology of Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Col. Copilco Universidad, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology of Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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Choudhury SD. Nano-Medicines a Hope for Chagas Disease! Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:655435. [PMID: 34141721 PMCID: PMC8204082 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.655435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, is a vector-mediated tropical disease whose causative agent is a parasitic protozoan named Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a very severe health issue in South America and Mexico infecting millions of people every year. Protozoan T. cruzi gets transmitted to human through Triatominae, a subfamily of the Reduviidae, and do not have any effective treatment or preventative available. The lack of economic gains from this tropical parasitic infection, has always been the reason behind its negligence by researchers and drug manufacturers for many decades. Hence there is an enormous requirement for more efficient and novel strategies to reduce the fatality associated with these diseases. Even, available diagnosis protocols are outdated and inefficient and there is an urgent need for rapid high throughput diagnostics as well as management protocol. The current advancement of nanotechnology in the field of healthcare has generated hope for better management of many tropical diseases including Chagas disease. Nanoparticulate systems for drug delivery like poloxamer coated nanosuspension of benzimidazole have shown promising results in reducing toxicity, elevating efficacy and bioavailability of the active compound against the pathogen, by prolonging release, thereby increasing the therapeutic index. Moreover, nanoparticle-based drug delivery has shown promising results in inducing the host’s immune response against the pathogen with very few side effects. Besides, advances in diagnostic assays, such as nanosensors, aided in the accurate detection of the parasite. In this review, we provide an insight into the life cycle stages of the pathogen in both vertebrate host and the insect vector, along with an overview of the current therapy for Chagas disease and its limitations; nano carrier-based delivery systems for antichagasic agents, we also address the advancement of nano vaccines and nano-diagnostic techniques, for treatment of Chagas disease, majorly focusing on the novel perspectives in combating the disease.
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Burgos-Reyes MA, Baylón-Pacheco L, Espíritu-Gordillo P, Galindo-Gómez S, Tsutsumi V, Rosales-Encina JL. Effect of Prophylactic Vaccination with the Membrane-Bound Acid Phosphatase Gene of Leishmania mexicana in the Murine Model of Localized Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6624246. [PMID: 33928168 PMCID: PMC8053065 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6624246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. Current treatments for leishmaniasis are long, toxic, and expensive and are not available in some endemic regions. Attempts to develop an effective vaccine are feasible, but no vaccine is in active clinical use. In this study, the LmxMBA gene of Leishmania mexicana was selected as a possible vaccine candidate using the reverse vaccinology approach, and the prophylactic effect generated by DNA vaccination with this gene in a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis was evaluated. The results showed that prophylactic vaccination with pVAX1::LmxMBA significantly reduced the size of the lesion and the parasitic load on the footpad, compared to the control groups. At a histological level, a smaller number of parasites were evident in the dermis, as well as the absence of connective tissue damage. Mice immunized with plasmid pVAX1::LmxMBA induced immunity characterized by an increase in the IgG2a/IgG1 > 1 ratio and a higher rate of lymphocyte proliferation. In this study, immunization with the plasmid promoted an improvement in the macroscopic and microscopic clinical manifestations of the experimental infection by L. mexicana, with a T helper 1 response characterized by an IgG2a/IgG1 > 1 ratio and high lymphoproliferative response. These findings support immunization with the plasmid pVAX1::LmxMBA as a preventive strategy against cutaneous infection of L. mexicana.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Angélica Burgos-Reyes
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Lidia Baylón-Pacheco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Espíritu-Gordillo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Silvia Galindo-Gómez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - José Luis Rosales-Encina
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
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Rodríguez-Morales O, Cabrera-Mata JJ, Carrillo-Sánchez SDC, Gutiérrez-Ocejo RA, Baylón-Pacheco L, Pérez-Reyes OL, Rosales-Encina JL, Aranda-Fraustro A, Hernández-García S, Arce-Fonseca M. Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water Modulates the Immune Response in BALB/c Mice Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Pathogens 2020; 9:E974. [PMID: 33238401 PMCID: PMC7700191 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a major public health problem in Latin America. The mixed Th1/Th2 immune response is required against Trypanosoma cruzi. Electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) has been shown to have germicidal efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the EOW effectiveness in T. cruzi-infected BALB/c mice clinically, immunologically, and histologically. The severity of the infection was assessed by parasitaemia, general health condition, mortality, mega syndromes, and histological lesions. IgG, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-1 beta levels were quantified. The EOW administration showed a beneficial effect on parasitaemia, general physical condition, and mortality. High levels of IgG1 at 50 days postinfection were observed. Prophylactic EOW treatment was able to induce a predominantly TH1 immune response based on an IgG2a levels increase at the late acute phase, and a 10-fold increase of INF-gamma in whole acute phase. EOW was able to control the acute phase infection as effectively as benznidazole. Splenomegaly was caused by EOW treatment and lymphadenopathy was stimulated by T. cruzi infection in all groups. Severe tissue damage was not prevented by EOW treatments. Moderate efficacy may be due to immunomodulatory properties and not to a direct toxic effect on the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (J.J.C.-M.); (S.d.C.C.-S.); (R.A.G.-O.)
| | - Juan José Cabrera-Mata
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (J.J.C.-M.); (S.d.C.C.-S.); (R.A.G.-O.)
| | - Silvia del C. Carrillo-Sánchez
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (J.J.C.-M.); (S.d.C.C.-S.); (R.A.G.-O.)
| | - Rodolfo A. Gutiérrez-Ocejo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (J.J.C.-M.); (S.d.C.C.-S.); (R.A.G.-O.)
| | - Lidia Baylón-Pacheco
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (L.B.-P.); (J.L.R.-E.)
| | - Olga L. Pérez-Reyes
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.L.P.-R.); (A.A.-F.)
| | - José Luis Rosales-Encina
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (L.B.-P.); (J.L.R.-E.)
| | - Alberto Aranda-Fraustro
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.L.P.-R.); (A.A.-F.)
| | - Sergio Hernández-García
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (J.J.C.-M.); (S.d.C.C.-S.); (R.A.G.-O.)
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DNA Vaccine Treatment in Dogs Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:9794575. [PMID: 32455143 PMCID: PMC7222601 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9794575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a chronic and potentially lethal disorder caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, and an effective treatment has not been developed for chronic Chagas disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a therapeutic DNA vaccine containing T. cruzi genes in dogs with experimentally induced Chagas disease through clinical, pathological, and immunological analyses. Infection of Beagle dogs with the H8 T. cruzi strain was performed intraperitoneally with 3500 metacyclic trypomastigotes/kg body weight. Two weeks after infection, plasmid DNA immunotherapy was administered thrice at 15-day intervals. The clinical (physical and cabinet studies), immunological (antibody and cytokine profiles and lymphoproliferation), and macro- and microscopic pathological findings were described. A significant increase in IgG and cell proliferation was recorded after immunotherapy, and the highest stimulation index (3.02) was observed in dogs treated with the pBCSSP4 plasmid. The second treatment with both plasmids induced an increase in IL-1, and the third treatment with the pBCSSP4 plasmid induced an increase in IL-6. The pBCSP plasmid had a good Th1 response regulated by high levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, whereas the combination of the two plasmids did not have a synergistic effect. Electrocardiographic studies registered lower abnormalities and the lowest number of individuals with abnormalities in each group treated with the therapeutic vaccine. Echocardiograms showed that the pBCSSP4 plasmid immunotherapy preserved cardiac structure and function to a greater extent and prevented cardiomegaly. The two plasmids alone controlled the infection moderately by a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrates in heart tissue. The immunotherapy was able to reduce the magnitude of cardiac lesions and modulate the cellular immune response; the pBCSP treatment showed a clear Th1 response; and pBCSSP4 induced a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response that prevented severe cardiac involvement. The pBCSSP4 plasmid had a better effect on most of the parameters evaluated in this study; therefore, this plasmid can be considered an optional treatment against Chagas disease in naturally infected dogs.
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Rodríguez-Morales O, Roldán FJ, Vargas-Barrón J, Parra-Benítez E, Medina-García MDL, Vergara-Bello E, Arce-Fonseca M. Echocardiographic Findings in Canine Model of Chagas Disease Immunized with DNA Trypanosoma cruzi Genes. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E648. [PMID: 32283649 PMCID: PMC7222844 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD) is considered an emerging disease in the USA and Europe. Trypanosoma cruzi genes encoding a trans-sialidase protein and an amastigote-specific glycoprotein were tested as vaccines in canine model. The aim for this study was determining the prophylactic effect of these genes in experimentally infected dogs by echocardiography evaluation to compare with our findings obtained by other techniques published previously. Low fractional-shortening values of non-vaccinated dogs suggested an impairment in general cardiac function. Low left ventricular ejection fraction values found in infected dogs suggested myocardial injury regardless of whether they were vaccinated. Low left ventricular diastolic/systolic diameters suggested that progressive heart damage or heart dilation could be prevented by DNA vaccination. Systolic peak time was higher in non-vaccinated groups, increasing vulnerability to malignant arrhythmias and sudden death. High left ventricular volume suggested a decrease in wall thickness that might lead to increased size of the heart cavity, except in the pBCSP plasmid-vaccinated dogs. There was an echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dilation and reduction in systolic function in experimental chagasic dogs. Echocardiography allowed a more complete follow-up of the pathological process in the living patient than with other techniques like electrocardiography, anatomopathology, and histopathology, being the method of choice for characterizing the clinical stages of ChD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (E.P.-B.); (M.d.L.M.-G.); (E.V.-B.)
| | - Francisco-Javier Roldán
- Department of Echocardiography, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (F.-J.R.); (J.V.-B.)
| | - Jesús Vargas-Barrón
- Department of Echocardiography, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (F.-J.R.); (J.V.-B.)
| | - Enrique Parra-Benítez
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (E.P.-B.); (M.d.L.M.-G.); (E.V.-B.)
| | - María de Lourdes Medina-García
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (E.P.-B.); (M.d.L.M.-G.); (E.V.-B.)
| | - Emilia Vergara-Bello
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (E.P.-B.); (M.d.L.M.-G.); (E.V.-B.)
| | - Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Cardiology “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (O.R.-M.); (E.P.-B.); (M.d.L.M.-G.); (E.V.-B.)
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Nascentes GAN, Hernández CG, Rabelo RADS, Coelho RF, Morais FRD, Marques T, Batista LR, Meira WSF, Oliveira CJFD, Lages Silva E, Ramírez LE. The Driving of Immune Response by Th1 Adjuvants in Immunization of Mice with Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei Elicits a Controversial Infection Control. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:317-25. [PMID: 26959861 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In previous studies, we have demonstrated that inoculation with a Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei (avirulent RM1 strain) was able to reduce parasitemia in mice challenged with T. cruzi, although it was not able to prevent histopathological lesions. Th1 response stimulation by immunization is necessary for T. cruzi infection control, but the resistance is also dependent on immunoregulatory mechanisms, which can be induced by adjuvants. Thus, we evaluated whether inoculation of T. cruzi marinkellei associated with administration of different adjuvants would be capable of inducing different patterns of immune response to maximize the immune response against T. cruzi (virulent Romildo strain) infection. Two hundred eighty nonisogenic mice were divided into 14 groups according to the immunization scheme and the subsequent challenge with virulent Romildo T. cruzi strain. Nonimmunized groups and animals inoculated without adjuvants were also included. Immune protection was not observed with Th2 adjuvants (incomplete Freund's adjuvant [IFA] and Alum) due to high parasitemia. Th1/Th2-polarizing adjuvants also did not induce immune protection because inulin was unable to maintain survival, and immune-stimulating complexes induced intense inflammatory processes. Animals sensitized with RM1 strain without adjuvants were able to reduce parasitemia, increase survival, and protect against severe histological lesions, followed by adequate cytokine stimulation. Finally, our results demonstrate that the early and balanced IFN-γ production becomes critical to promote protection and that Th1 adjuvant elicited a controversial infection control due to increased histopathological damage. Therefore, the host's immunomodulation remains one of the most important challenges in the research for effective protection against T. cruzi infection. Similarly, the identification of protective antigens in the RM1 strain of T. cruzi marinkellei may contribute to further studies on vaccine development against human Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Antonio Nogueira Nascentes
- 1 Microbiology and Immunology Discipline, Federal Institute of Education , Science and Technology at Triângulo Mineiro (IFTM), Uberaba, Brazil
| | - César Gómez Hernández
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Rosiley Aparecida de Souza Rabelo
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Raquel Fernandes Coelho
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Rossetto de Morais
- 3 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP) , Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Marques
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Lara Rocha Batista
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Wendell Sérgio Ferreira Meira
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Carlo José Freire de Oliveira
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Eliane Lages Silva
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Luis Eduardo Ramírez
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) , Uberaba, Brazil
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Morilla MJ, Romero EL. Nanomedicines against Chagas disease: an update on therapeutics, prophylaxis and diagnosis. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2015; 10:465-81. [PMID: 25707979 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.14.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. After a mostly clinically silent acute phase, the disease becomes a lifelong chronic condition that can lead to chronic heart failure and thromboembolic phenomena followed by sudden death. Antichagasic treatment is only effective in the acute phase but fails to eradicate the intracellular form of parasites and causes severe toxicity in adults. Although conventional oral benznidazol is not a safe and efficient drug to cure chronic adult patients, current preclinical data is insufficient to envisage if conventional antichagasic treatment could be realistically improved by a nanomedical approach. This review will discuss how nanomedicines could help to improve the performance of therapeutics, vaccines and diagnosis of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Morilla
- Programa de Nanomedicinas, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Saenz Peña 352, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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10
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Experimental Vaccines against Chagas Disease: A Journey through History. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:489758. [PMID: 26090490 PMCID: PMC4452192 DOI: 10.1155/2015/489758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, which is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is primarily a vector disease endemic in 21 Latin American countries, including Mexico. Although many vector control programs have been implemented, T. cruzi has not been eradicated. The development of an anti-T. cruzi vaccine for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes may significantly contribute to the transmission control of Chagas disease. Immune protection against experimental infection with T. cruzi has been studied since the second decade of the last century, and many types of immunogens have been used subsequently, such as killed or attenuated parasites and new DNA vaccines. This primary prevention strategy appears feasible, effective, safe, and inexpensive, although problems remain. The objective of this review is to summarize the research efforts about the development of vaccines against Chagas disease worldwide. A thorough literature review was conducted by searching PubMed with the terms “Chagas disease” and “American trypanosomiasis” together with “vaccines” or “immunization”. In addition, reports and journals not cited in PubMed were identified. Publications in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were reviewed.
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Aparicio-Burgos JE, Zepeda-Escobar JA, de Oca-Jimenez RM, Estrada-Franco JG, Barbabosa-Pliego A, Ochoa-García L, Alejandre-Aguilar R, Rivas N, Peñuelas-Rivas G, Val-Arreola M, Gupta S, Salazar-García F, Garg NJ, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC. Immune protection against Trypanosoma cruzi induced by TcVac4 in a canine model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003625. [PMID: 25853654 PMCID: PMC4390229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in southern parts of the American continent. Herein, we have tested the protective efficacy of a DNA-prime/T. rangeli-boost (TcVac4) vaccine in a dog (Canis familiaris) model. Dogs were immunized with two-doses of DNA vaccine (pcDNA3.1 encoding TcG1, TcG2, and TcG4 antigens plus IL-12- and GM-CSF-encoding plasmids) followed by two doses of glutaraldehyde-inactivated T. rangeli epimastigotes (TrIE); and challenged with highly pathogenic T. cruzi (SylvioX10/4) isolate. Dogs given TrIE or empty pcDNA3.1 were used as controls. We monitored post-vaccination and post-challenge infection antibody response by an ELISA, parasitemia by blood analysis and xenodiagnosis, and heart function by electrocardiography. Post-mortem anatomic and pathologic evaluation of the heart was conducted. TcVac4 induced a strong IgG response (IgG2>IgG1) that was significantly expanded post-infection, and moved to a nearly balanced IgG2/IgG1 response in chronic phase. In comparison, dogs given TrIE or empty plasmid DNA only developed high IgG titers with IgG2 predominance in response to T. cruzi infection. Blood parasitemia, tissue parasite foci, parasite transmission to triatomines, electrocardiographic abnormalities were significantly lower in TcVac4-vaccinated dogs than was observed in dogs given TrIE or empty plasmid DNA only. Macroscopic and microscopic alterations, the hallmarks of chronic Chagas disease, were significantly decreased in the myocardium of TcVac4-vaccinated dogs. We conclude that TcVac4 induced immunity was beneficial in providing resistance to T. cruzi infection, evidenced by control of chronic pathology of the heart and preservation of cardiac function in dogs. Additionally, TcVac4 vaccination decreased the transmission of parasites from vaccinated/infected animals to triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José A. Zepeda-Escobar
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Roberto Montes de Oca-Jimenez
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - José G. Estrada-Franco
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Alberto Barbabosa-Pliego
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Laucel Ochoa-García
- Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública del Instituto Salud del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Ricardo Alejandre-Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, México
| | - Nancy Rivas
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, México
| | - Giovanna Peñuelas-Rivas
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Margarita Val-Arreola
- Hospital General de Zona No. 2, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Irapuato, México
| | - Shivali Gupta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Felix Salazar-García
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, and Faculty of the Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, and the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Juan C. Vázquez-Chagoyán
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
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Arce-Fonseca M, Rios-Castro M, Carrillo-Sánchez SDC, Martínez-Cruz M, Rodríguez-Morales O. Prophylactic and therapeutic DNA vaccines against Chagas disease. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:121. [PMID: 25885641 PMCID: PMC4343048 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in which the most affected organ is the heart. Conventional chemotherapy has a very low effectiveness; despite recent efforts, there is currently no better or more effective treatment available. DNA vaccines provide a new alternative for both prevention and treatment of a variety of infectious disorders, including Chagas disease. Recombinant DNA technology has allowed some vaccines to be developed using recombinant proteins or virus-like particles capable of inducing both a humoral and cellular specific immune response. This type of immunization has been successfully used in preclinical studies and there are diverse models for viral, bacterial and/or parasitic diseases, allergies, tumors and other diseases. Therefore, several research groups have been given the task of designing a DNA vaccine against experimental infection with T. cruzi. In this review we explain what DNA vaccines are and the most recent studies that have been done to develop them with prophylactic or therapeutic purposes against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Martha Rios-Castro
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Silvia del Carmen Carrillo-Sánchez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Mariana Martínez-Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Rodríguez-Morales O, Pedro-Martínez E, Hernández-Pichardo JE, Alejandre-Aguilar R, Aranda-Fraustro A, Graullera-Rivera V, Arce-Fonseca M. Sperm morphological features associated with chronic Chagas disease in the semen of experimentally infected dogs. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014; 91:810-5. [PMID: 25114010 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of trypanosomatids in the reproductive systems of different mammals (causing genital lesions in the acute stage of the disease) may predispose the animals to low semen quality. However, there are no studies examining the alterations in the sperm morphological features in the chronic stage of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Knowledge of these aspects is important to understand the other ways of transmission of the Chagas disease. Progressive motility, mass motility, concentration, and sperm morphology of 84 ejaculates of dogs that were chronically infected with T. cruzi were evaluated. Most of the findings were consistent with the reference values and with those obtained from healthy control dogs. The scrotal circumference was not correlated with spermatozoa concentration in the infected animals. In conclusion, the T. cruzi Ninoa (MHOM/MX/1994/Ninoa) strain does not cause significant alterations in the semen quality of dogs experiencing chronic Chagas disease (at concentrations of 5 × 10(4) to 1 × 10(6) parasites per animal).
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Parasitology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pathological Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elvia Pedro-Martínez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Parasitology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pathological Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Ernesto Hernández-Pichardo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Parasitology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pathological Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Alejandre-Aguilar
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Parasitology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pathological Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alberto Aranda-Fraustro
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Parasitology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pathological Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Verónica Graullera-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Parasitology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pathological Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Parasitology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pathological Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," Mexico City, Mexico
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