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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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de Oliveira MT, Sulleiro E, da Silva MC, Silgado A, de Lana M, da Silva JS, Molina I, Marin-Neto JA. Intra-Discrete Typing Unit TcV Genetic Variability of Trypanosoma cruzi in Chronic Chagas' Disease Bolivian Immigrant Patients in Barcelona, Spain. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:665624. [PMID: 34095255 PMCID: PMC8172969 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.665624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Trypanosoma cruzi has a high rate of biological and genetic variability, and its population structure is divided into seven distinct genetic groups (TcI-TcVI and Tcbat). Due to immigration, Chagas disease (ChD), caused by T. cruzi, has become a serious global health problem including in Europe. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of genetic variability within discrete typing unit (DTU) TcV of T. cruzi in Bolivian patients with chronic ChD residing in Barcelona, Spain. Methods: The DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 27 patients infected with T. cruzi DTU TcV and the fragments of the genetic material were amplificated through the low stringency single primer-polymerase chain reaction (LSSP-PCR). The data generated after amplification were submitted to bioinformatics analysis. Results: Of the 27 patients evaluated in the study, 8/27 (29.6%) were male and 19/27 (70.4%) female, 17/27 (62.9%) were previously classified with the indeterminate clinical form of Chagas disease and 10/27 (37.1%) with Chagas cardiomyopathy. The LSSP-PCR detected 432 band fragments from 80 to 1,500 bp. The unweighted pair-group method analysis and principal coordinated analysis data demonstrated the existence of three distinct genetic groups with moderate-high rates of intraspecific genetic variability/diversity that had shared parasite's alleles in patients with the indeterminate and cardiomyopathy forms of ChD. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the existence of a moderate to high rate of intra-DTU TcV variability in T. cruzi. Certain alleles of the parasite were associated with the absence of clinical manifestations in patients harboring the indeterminate form of ChD. These results support the need to search for increasingly specific targets in the genome of T. cruzi to be correlated with its main biological properties and clinical features in patients with chronic ChD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maykon Tavares de Oliveira
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Cardiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elena Sulleiro
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Cláudia da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aroa Silgado
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta de Lana
- Pharmacy School and Center of Research in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Israel Molina
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Antônio Marin-Neto
- Cardiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Genomic Organization and Generation of Genetic Variability in the RHS (Retrotransposon Hot Spot) Protein Multigene Family in Trypanosoma cruzi. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11091085. [PMID: 32957642 PMCID: PMC7563717 DOI: 10.3390/genes11091085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposon Hot Spot (RHS) is the most abundant gene family in Trypanosoma cruzi, with unknown function in this parasite. The aim of this work was to shed light on the organization and expression of RHS in T. cruzi. The diversity of the RHS protein family in T. cruzi was demonstrated by phylogenetic and recombination analyses. Transcribed sequences carrying the RHS domain were classified into ten distinct groups of monophyletic origin. We identified numerous recombination events among the RHS and traced the origins of the donors and target sequences. The transcribed RHS genes have a mosaic structure that may contain fragments of different RHS inserted in the target sequence. About 30% of RHS sequences are located in the subtelomere, a region very susceptible to recombination. The evolution of the RHS family has been marked by many events, including gene duplication by unequal mitotic crossing-over, homologous, as well as ectopic recombination, and gene conversion. The expression of RHS was analyzed by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting using anti-RHS antibodies. RHS proteins are evenly distributed in the nuclear region of T. cruzi replicative forms (amastigote and epimastigote), suggesting that they could be involved in the control of the chromatin structure and gene expression, as has been proposed for T. brucei.
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Silva ACC, Brelaz-de-Castro MCA, Leite ACL, Pereira VRA, Hernandes MZ. Chagas Disease Treatment and Rational Drug Discovery: A Challenge That Remains. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:873. [PMID: 31427977 PMCID: PMC6690016 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Cristovão Silva
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Inovação Terapêutica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz-de-Castro
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil.,Laboratório de Parasitologia, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
| | | | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil
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Berry ASF, Salazar-Sánchez R, Castillo-Neyra R, Borrini-Mayorí K, Chipana-Ramos C, Vargas-Maquera M, Ancca-Juarez J, Náquira-Velarde C, Levy MZ, Brisson D. Sexual reproduction in a natural Trypanosoma cruzi population. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007392. [PMID: 31107905 PMCID: PMC6544315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual reproduction provides an evolutionary advantageous mechanism that combines favorable mutations that have arisen in separate lineages into the same individual. This advantage is especially pronounced in microparasites as allelic reassortment among individuals caused by sexual reproduction promotes allelic diversity at immune evasion genes within individuals which is often essential to evade host immune systems. Despite these advantages, many eukaryotic microparasites exhibit highly-clonal population structures suggesting that genetic exchange through sexual reproduction is rare. Evidence supporting clonality is particularly convincing in the causative agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, despite equally convincing evidence of the capacity to engage in sexual reproduction. Methodology/ Principle Findings In the present study, we investigated two hypotheses that can reconcile the apparent contradiction between the observed clonal population structure and the capacity to engage in sexual reproduction by analyzing the genome sequences of 123 T. cruzi isolates from a natural population in Arequipa, Peru. The distribution of polymorphic markers within and among isolates provides clear evidence of the occurrence of sexual reproduction. Large genetic segments are rearranged among chromosomes due to crossing over during meiosis leading to a decay in the genetic linkage among polymorphic markers compared to the expectations from a purely asexually-reproducing population. Nevertheless, the population structure appears clonal due to a high level of inbreeding during sexual reproduction which increases homozygosity, and thus reduces diversity, within each inbreeding lineage. Conclusions/ Significance These results effectively reconcile the apparent contradiction by demonstrating that the clonal population structure is derived not from infrequent sex in natural populations but from high levels of inbreeding. We discuss epidemiological consequences of this reproductive strategy on genome evolution, population structure, and phenotypic diversity of this medically important parasite. The rearrangement of alleles among individuals in a population during sexual reproduction maintains high allelic diversity within individuals in a population at polymorphic genes. Allelic diversity within individuals can be particularly important for parasites as it enhances their ability to evade host immune systems. Despite the potential benefits of sexual reproduction for parasites, natural populations of the protozoan parasite—and causative agent of human Chagas disease—Trypanosoma cruzi, exhibit clonal population structures indicative of asexual reproduction. This is particularly surprising as T. cruzi has the capacity for sexual reproduction. Here, we resolve this apparent contradiction by sequencing whole genomes of 123 T. cruzi isolates from a natural population in Arequipa, Peru. Evidence of past sexual reproduction and allelic rearrangements are common in this T. cruzi population. However, the majority of sexual reproduction events occur between close relatives resulting in an apparent clonal population structure. Sexual reproduction with distant relatives in areas with greater strain diversity has the potential to affect public health by increasing diversity in immune evasion genes within individuals and enhancing within-host survival, rapidly diversifying antigens that could affect the sensitivity of serological diagnostics, and by generating diversity in pathogenicity or drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S. F. Berry
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Renzo Salazar-Sánchez
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Ricardo Castillo-Neyra
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, The Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Katty Borrini-Mayorí
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Claudia Chipana-Ramos
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Melina Vargas-Maquera
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Jenny Ancca-Juarez
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
| | - César Náquira-Velarde
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Michael Z. Levy
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/University of Pennsylvania Chagas Disease Field Laboratory, Arequipa, Peru
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, The Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dustin Brisson
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Dorn PL, McClure AG, Gallaspy MD, Waleckx E, Woods AS, Monroy MC, Stevens L. The diversity of the Chagas parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, infecting the main Central American vector, Triatoma dimidiata, from Mexico to Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005878. [PMID: 28957315 PMCID: PMC5619707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the strains of Trypanosoma cruzi circulating in Central America and specifically in the most important vector in this region, Triatoma dimidiata. Approximately six million people are infected with T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, which has the greatest negative economic impact and is responsible for ~12,000 deaths annually in Latin America. By international consensus, strains of T. cruzi are divided into six monophyletic clades called discrete typing units (DTUs TcI-VI) and a seventh DTU first identified in bats called TcBat. TcI shows the greatest geographic range and diversity. Identifying strains present and diversity within these strains is important as different strains and their genotypes may cause different pathologies and may circulate in different localities and transmission cycles, thus impacting control efforts, treatment and vaccine development. To determine parasite strains present in T. dimidiata across its geographic range from Mexico to Colombia, we isolated abdominal DNA from T. dimidiata and determined which specimens were infected with T. cruzi by PCR. Strains from infected insects were determined by comparing the sequence of the 18S rDNA and the spliced-leader intergenic region to typed strains in GenBank. Two DTUs were found: 94% of infected T. dimidiata contained TcI and 6% contained TcIV. TcI exhibited high genetic diversity. Geographic structure of TcI haplotypes was evident by Principal Component and Median-Joining Network analyses as well as a significant result in the Mantel test, indicating isolation by distance. There was little evidence of association with TcI haplotypes and host/vector or ecotope. This study provides new information about the strains circulating in the most important Chagas vector in Central America and reveals considerable variability within TcI as well as geographic structuring at this large geographic scale. The lack of association with particular vectors/hosts or ecotopes suggests the parasites are moving among vectors/hosts and ecotopes therefore a comprehensive approach, such as the Ecohealth approach that makes houses refractory to the vectors will be needed to successfully halt transmission of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia L. Dorn
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Annie G. McClure
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Meghan D. Gallaspy
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | - Adrienne S. Woods
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | - Lori Stevens
- University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
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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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Martínez MF, Kowalewski MM, Salomón OD, Schijman AG. Molecular characterization of trypanosomatid infections in wild howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in northeastern Argentina. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2016; 5:198-206. [PMID: 27617205 PMCID: PMC5005429 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi by vectors is confined to the Americas, and the infection circulates in at least two broadly defined transmission cycles occurring in domestic and sylvatic habitats. This study sought to detect and characterize infection by T. cruzi and other trypanosomes using PCR strategies in blood samples from free-ranging howler monkeys, Alouatta caraya, in the northeastern Argentina. Blood samples were collected at four sites with variable levels of habitat modification by human activity. PCR was conducted using primers for kinetoplast DNA, satellite DNA and ribosomal DNA of the trypanosomatid parasites. Ribosomal and satellite DNA fragments were sequenced to identify the trypanosomatid species and to characterize the discrete typing units (DTUs) of T. cruzi. Overall, 46% (50/109) of the howlers were positive according to the kDNA-PCR assay, but only 7 of the howlers were positive according to the SatDNA-PCR protocol. We sequenced the amplicons of the satellite DNA obtained from five specimens, and the sequences were 99% and 100% similar to T. cruzi. A sequence typical of DTU T. cruzi I was found in one howler monkey from the "remote" site, while sequences compatible with DTUs II, V, and VI were found in howlers from the "remote", "rural" and "village" sites. We detected 96% positive samples for RibDNA-PCR, 9 of which were sequenced and displayed 99% identity with Trypanosoma minasense, while none showed identity with T. cruzi. The results demonstrated the presence of T. cruzi and a species closely related to T. minasense in blood samples from free-ranging A. caraya, belonging to different T. cruzi DTUs circulating in these howler monkey populations. The results obtained in this study could help evaluate the role of A. caraya as a reservoir of T. cruzi in regions where Chagas disease is hyper-endemic and where the human-wildlife interface is increasing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Florencia Martínez
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Neuquén y Jujuy s/n, 3370, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (MACN–CONICET), San Cayetano, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Martín Miguel Kowalewski
- Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (MACN–CONICET), San Cayetano, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Oscar Daniel Salomón
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Neuquén y Jujuy s/n, 3370, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación de Endemo-epidemias (CeNDIE–ANLIS Malbrán), Av. Paseo Colón 568, 1063, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 2do piso, 1428, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bermudez J, Davies C, Simonazzi A, Pablo Real J, Palma S. Current drug therapy and pharmaceutical challenges for Chagas disease. Acta Trop 2016; 156:1-16. [PMID: 26747009 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One of the most significant health problems in the American continent in terms of human health, and socioeconomic impact is Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Infection was originally transmitted by reduviid insects, congenitally from mother to fetus, and by oral ingestion in sylvatic/rural environments, but blood transfusions, organ transplants, laboratory accidents, and sharing of contaminated syringes also contribute to modern day transmission. Likewise, Chagas disease used to be endemic from Northern Mexico to Argentina, but migrations have earned it global. The parasite has a complex life cycle, infecting different species, and invading a variety of cells - including muscle and nerve cells of the heart and gastrointestinal tract - in the mammalian host. Human infection outcome is a potentially fatal cardiomyopathy, and gastrointestinal tract lesions. In absence of a vaccine, vector control and treatment of patients are the only tools to control the disease. Unfortunately, the only drugs now available for Chagas' disease, Nifurtimox and Benznidazole, are relatively toxic for adult patients, and require prolonged administration. Benznidazole is the first choice for Chagas disease treatment due to its lower side effects than Nifurtimox. However, different strategies are being sought to overcome Benznidazole's toxicity including shorter or intermittent administration schedules-either alone or in combination with other drugs. In addition, a long list of compounds has shown trypanocidal activity, ranging from natural products to specially designed molecules, re-purposing drugs commercialized to treat other maladies, and homeopathy. In the present review, we will briefly summarize the upturns of current treatment of Chagas disease, discuss the increment on research and scientific publications about this topic, and give an overview of the state-of-the-art research aiming to produce an alternative medication to treat T. cruzi infection.
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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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Díaz ML, Leal S, Mantilla JC, Molina-Berríos A, López-Muñoz R, Solari A, Escobar P, González Rugeles CI. Acute Chagas outbreaks: molecular and biological features of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates, and clinical aspects of acute cases in Santander, Colombia. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:608. [PMID: 26612724 PMCID: PMC4661967 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outbreaks of acute Chagas disease associated with oral transmission are easily detected nowadays with trained health personnel in areas of low endemicity, or in which the vector transmission has been interrupted. Given the biological and genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi, the high morbidity, mortality, and the observed therapeutic failure, new characteristics of these outbreaks need to be addressed at different levels, both in Trypanosoma cruzi as in patient response. The aim of this work was to evaluate the patient's features involved in six outbreaks of acute Chagas disease which occurred in Santander, Colombia, and the characteristics of Trypanosoma cruzi clones isolated from these patients, to establish the potential relationship between the etiologic agent features with host behavior. METHODS The clinical, pathological and epidemiological aspects of outbreaks were analyzed. In addition, Trypanosoma cruzi clones were biologically characterized both in vitro and in vivo, and the susceptibility to the classical trypanocidal drugs nifurtimox and benznidazole was evaluated. Trypanosoma cruzi clones were genotyped by means of mini-exon intergenic spacer and cytochrome b genes sequencing. RESULTS All clones were DTU I, and based on the mini-exon intergenic spacer, belong to two genotypes: G2 related with sub-urban, and G11 with rural outbreaks. Girón outbreak clones with higher susceptibility to drugs presented G2 genotype and C/T transition in Cyt b. The outbreaks affected mainly young population (±25.9 years), and the mortality rate was 10 %. The cardiac tissue showed intense inflammatory infiltrate, myocardial necrosis and abundant amastigote nests. However, although the gastrointestinal tissue was congestive, no inflammation or parasites were observed. CONCLUSIONS Although all clones belong to DTU I, two intra-DTU genotypes were found with the sequencing of the mini-exon intergenic spacer, however there is no strict correlation between genetic groups, the cycles of the parasite or the clinical forms of the disease. Trypanosoma cruzi clones from Girón with higher sensitivity to nifurtimox presented a particular G2 genotype and C/T transition in Cyt b. When the diagnosis was early, the patients responded well to antichagasic treatment, which highlights the importance of diagnosis and treatment early to prevent fatal outcomes associated with these acute episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Lucía Díaz
- Grupo de Inmunología y Epidemiología Molecular (GIEM), Facultad de Salud, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
| | - Sandra Leal
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CINTROP), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
| | - Julio César Mantilla
- Grupo de Inmunología y Epidemiología Molecular (GIEM), Facultad de Salud, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
| | - Alfredo Molina-Berríos
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. .,Present address: Laboratorio de Farmacología y Farmacogenética, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Odontológicas (ICOD), Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Rodrigo López-Muñoz
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. .,Present address: Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Aldo Solari
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Patricia Escobar
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CINTROP), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
| | - Clara Isabel González Rugeles
- Grupo de Inmunología y Epidemiología Molecular (GIEM), Facultad de Salud, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia. .,Escuela de Microbiología, Facultad de Salud, Carrera 32 #29-31, Oficina 419, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
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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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Panunzi LG, Agüero F. A genome-wide analysis of genetic diversity in Trypanosoma cruzi intergenic regions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2839. [PMID: 24784238 PMCID: PMC4006747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of Chagas Disease. Recently, the genomes of representative strains from two major evolutionary lineages were sequenced, allowing the construction of a detailed genetic diversity map for this important parasite. However this map is focused on coding regions of the genome, leaving a vast space of regulatory regions uncharacterized in terms of their evolutionary conservation and/or divergence. METHODOLOGY Using data from the hybrid CL Brener and Sylvio X10 genomes (from the TcVI and TcI Discrete Typing Units, respectively), we identified intergenic regions that share a common evolutionary ancestry, and are present in both CL Brener haplotypes (TcII-like and TcIII-like) and in the TcI genome; as well as intergenic regions that were conserved in only two of the three genomes/haplotypes analyzed. The genetic diversity in these regions was characterized in terms of the accumulation of indels and nucleotide changes. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Based on this analysis we have identified i) a core of highly conserved intergenic regions, which remained essentially unchanged in independently evolving lineages; ii) intergenic regions that show high diversity in spite of still retaining their corresponding upstream and downstream coding sequences; iii) a number of defined sequence motifs that are shared by a number of unrelated intergenic regions. A fraction of indels explains the diversification of some intergenic regions by the expansion/contraction of microsatellite-like repeats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo G. Panunzi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín – CONICET, Sede San Marítn, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín – CONICET, Sede San Marítn, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: ;
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Andrade SG, Campos RF, Steindel M, Guerreiro ML, Magalhães JB, Almeida MCD, Reis JN, Santos VC, Valadares HMS, Reis MGD, Macedo AM. Biological, biochemical and molecular features of Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated from patients infected through oral transmission during a 2005 outbreak in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil: its correspondence with the new T. cruzi Taxonomy Consensus (2009). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2012; 106:948-56. [PMID: 22241116 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762011000800009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2011] [Accepted: 09/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined strains of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from patients with acute Chagas disease that had been acquired by oral transmission in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil (2005) and two isolates that had been obtained from a marsupial (Didelphis aurita) and a vector (Triatoma tibiamaculata). These strains were characterised through their biological behaviour and isoenzymic profiles and genotyped according to the new Taxonomy Consensus (2009) based on the discrete typing unities, that is, T. cruzi genotypes I-VI. All strains exhibited the biological behaviour of biodeme type II. In six isolates, late peaks of parasitaemia, beyond the 20th day, suggested a double infection with biodemes II + III. Isoenzymes revealed Z2 or mixed Z1 and Z2 profiles. Genotyping was performed using three polymorphic genes (cytochrome oxidase II, spliced leader intergenic region and 24Sα rRNA) and the restriction fragment length polymorphism of the kDNA minicircles. Based on these markers, all but four isolates were characterised as T. cruzi II genotypes. Four mixed populations were identified: SC90, SC93 and SC97 (T. cruzi I + T. cruzi II) and SC95 (T. cruzi I + T. cruzi VI). Comparison of the results obtained by different methods was essential for the correct identification of the mixed populations and major lineages involved indicating that characterisation by different methods can provide new insights into the relationship between phenotypic and genotypic aspects of parasite behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Gumes Andrade
- Laboratório de Chagas Experimental, Autoimunidade e Imunologia Celular, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fiocruz, Salvador, BA, Brasil.
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Candidate targets for Multilocus Sequence Typing of Trypanosoma cruzi: Validation using parasite stocks from the Chaco Region and a set of reference strains. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2012; 12:350-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Venegas J, Rojas T, Díaz F, Miranda S, Jercic MI, González C, Coñoepán W, Pichuantes S, Rodríguez J, Gajardo M, Sánchez G. Geographical structuring of Trypanosoma cruzi populations from Chilean Triatoma infestans triatomines and their genetic relationship with other Latino American counterparts. ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2011; 105:625-46. [PMID: 22325822 PMCID: PMC4089798 DOI: 10.1179/2047773211y.0000000002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In order to obtain more information about the population structure of Chilean Trypanosoma cruzi, and their genetic relationship with other Latino American counterparts, we performed the study of T. cruzi samples detected in the midgut content of Triatoma infestans insects from three endemic regions of Chile. The genetic characteristics of these samples were analysed using microsatellite markers and PCR conditions that allow the detection of predominant T. cruzi clones directly in triatomine midgut content. Population genetic analyses using the Fisher's exact method, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and the determination of F(ST) showed that the northern T. cruzi population sample was genetically differentiated from the two southern population counterparts. Further analysis showed that the cause of this genetic differentiation was the asymmetrical distribution of TcIII T. cruzi predominant clones. Considering all triatomines from the three regions, the most frequent predominant lineages were TcIII (38%), followed by TcI (34%) and hybrid (8%). No TcII lineage was observed along the predominant T. cruzi clones. The best phylogenetic reconstruction using the shared allelic genetic distance was concordant with the population genetic analysis and tree topology previously described studying foreign samples. The correlation studies showed that the lineage TcIII from the III region was genetically differentiated from the other two, and this differentiation was correlated with geographical distance including Chilean and mainly Brazilian samples. It will be interesting to investigate whether this geographical structure may be related with different clinical manifestation of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Venegas
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Barnabé C, De Meeûs T, Noireau F, Bosseno MF, Monje EM, Renaud F, Brenière SF. Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs): Microsatellite loci and population genetics of DTUs TcV and TcI in Bolivia and Peru. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2011; 11:1752-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Revised: 07/09/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Souza RT, Lima FM, Barros RM, Cortez DR, Santos MF, Cordero EM, Ruiz JC, Goldenberg S, Teixeira MMG, da Silveira JF. Genome size, karyotype polymorphism and chromosomal evolution in Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23042. [PMID: 21857989 PMCID: PMC3155523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Trypanosoma cruzi genome was sequenced from a hybrid strain (CL Brener). However, high allelic variation and the repetitive nature of the genome have prevented the complete linear sequence of chromosomes being determined. Determining the full complement of chromosomes and establishing syntenic groups will be important in defining the structure of T. cruzi chromosomes. A large amount of information is now available for T. cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, providing the opportunity to compare and describe the overall patterns of chromosomal evolution in these parasites. Methodology/Principal Findings The genome sizes, repetitive DNA contents, and the numbers and sizes of chromosomes of nine strains of T. cruzi from four lineages (TcI, TcII, TcV and TcVI) were determined. The genome of the TcI group was statistically smaller than other lineages, with the exception of the TcI isolate Tc1161 (José-IMT). Satellite DNA content was correlated with genome size for all isolates, but this was not accompanied by simultaneous amplification of retrotransposons. Regardless of chromosomal polymorphism, large syntenic groups are conserved among T. cruzi lineages. Duplicated chromosome-sized regions were identified and could be retained as paralogous loci, increasing the dosage of several genes. By comparing T. cruzi and T. brucei chromosomes, homologous chromosomal regions in T. brucei were identified. Chromosomes Tb9 and Tb11 of T. brucei share regions of syntenic homology with three and six T. cruzi chromosomal bands, respectively. Conclusions Despite genome size variation and karyotype polymorphism, T. cruzi lineages exhibit conservation of chromosome structure. Several syntenic groups are conserved among all isolates analyzed in this study. The syntenic regions are larger than expected if rearrangements occur randomly, suggesting that they are conserved owing to positive selection. Mapping of the syntenic regions on T. cruzi chromosomal bands provides evidence for the occurrence of fusion and split events involving T. brucei and T. cruzi chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata T. Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio M. Lima
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto Moraes Barros
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle R. Cortez
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele F. Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esteban M. Cordero
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marta M. G. Teixeira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Minning TA, Weatherly DB, Flibotte S, Tarleton RL. Widespread, focal copy number variations (CNV) and whole chromosome aneuploidies in Trypanosoma cruzi strains revealed by array comparative genomic hybridization. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:139. [PMID: 21385342 PMCID: PMC3060142 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2010] [Accepted: 03/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite and the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, an important public health problem in Latin America. T. cruzi is diploid, almost exclusively asexual, and displays an extraordinarily diverse population structure both genetically and phenotypically. Yet, to date the genotypic diversity of T. cruzi and its relationship, if any, to biological diversity have not been studied at the whole genome level. Results In this study, we used whole genome oligonucleotide tiling arrays to compare gene content in biologically disparate T. cruzi strains by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We observed that T. cruzi strains display widespread and focal copy number variations (CNV) and a substantially greater level of diversity than can be adequately defined by the current genetic typing methods. As expected, CNV were particularly frequent in gene family-rich regions containing mucins and trans-sialidases but were also evident in core genes. Gene groups that showed little variation in copy numbers among the strains tested included those encoding protein kinases and ribosomal proteins, suggesting these loci were less permissive to CNV. Moreover, frequent variation in chromosome copy numbers were observed, and chromosome-specific CNV signatures were shared by genetically divergent T. cruzi strains. Conclusions The large number of CNV, over 4,000, reported here uphold at a whole genome level the long held paradigm of extraordinary genome plasticity among T. cruzi strains. Moreover, the fact that these heritable markers do not parse T. cruzi strains along the same lines as traditional typing methods is strongly suggestive of genetic exchange playing a major role in T. cruzi population structure and biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Minning
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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Câmara ACJ, Varela-Freire AA, Valadares HMS, Macedo AM, D'Avila DA, Machado CR, Lages-Silva E, Chiari E, Galvão LMC. Genetic analyses of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from naturally infected triatomines and humans in northeastern Brazil. Acta Trop 2010; 115:205-11. [PMID: 20303924 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2009] [Revised: 03/04/2010] [Accepted: 03/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity was investigated in 25 isolates (vectors and humans) from the semiarid zone of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Molecular markers (3' region of the 24Salpha rRNA; mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 (COII) gene; spliced leader intergenic region (SL-IR) gene; allelic size microsatellite polymorphism) identified 56% TcIII (100% Panstrongyluslutzi; 50% Triatomabrasiliensis); 40% TcII (91.7% humans; 50% T. brasiliensis) and 4% TcI (human). Microsatellite analysis revealed monoclonal and heterozygous patterns on one or more microsatellite loci in 64% of T. cruzi isolates (92.3% triatomines; 33.3% humans) and 36% putative polyclonal populations (66.7% humans; 7.7% triatomines) by loci SCLE10, SCLE11, TcTAT20, TcAAAT6, all belonging to TcII. Identical T. cruzi polyclonal profiles (88.9%) were detected, mostly from humans. The adaptative natural plasticity of TcII and TcIII and their potential for maintaining human infection in T. brasiliensis were confirmed. Intraspecific and phylogenetic T. cruzi diversity in the sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles in this specific region will provide exclusive control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C J Câmara
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Brazil
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Abad-Franch F, Santos WS, Schofield CJ. Research needs for Chagas disease prevention. Acta Trop 2010; 115:44-54. [PMID: 20227378 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2009] [Revised: 02/17/2010] [Accepted: 03/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We present an overview of the two main strategies for the primary (vector control) and secondary (patient care) prevention of Chagas disease (CD). We identify major advances, knowledge gaps, and key research needs in both areas. Improved specific chemotherapy, including more practical formulations (e.g., paediatric) or combinations of existing drugs, and a better understanding of pathogenesis, including the relative weights of parasite and host genetic makeup, are clearly needed. Regarding CD vectors, we find that only about 10-20% of published papers on triatomines deal directly with disease control. We pinpoint the pitfalls of the current consensus on triatomine systematics, particularly within the Triatomini, and suggest how some straightforward sampling and analytical strategies would improve research on vector ecology, naturally leading to sounder control-surveillance schemes. We conclude that sustained research on CD prevention is still crucial. In the past, it provided not only the know-how, but also the critical mass of scientists needed to foster and consolidate CD prevention programmes; in the future, both patient care and long-term vector control would nonetheless benefit from more sharply focused, problem-oriented research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Abad-Franch
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane-Fiocruz Amazonia, Rua Teresina 476, 69057-070 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
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SCHMID-HEMPEL REGULA, TOGNAZZO MARTINA. Molecular Divergence Defines Two Distinct Lineages of Crithidia bombi (Trypanosomatidae), Parasites of Bumblebees. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2010; 57:337-45. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2010.00480.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Grosso NL, Bua J, Perrone AE, Gonzalez MN, Bustos PL, Postan M, Fichera LE. Trypanosoma cruzi: biological characterization of a isolate from an endemic area and its susceptibility to conventional drugs. Exp Parasitol 2010; 126:239-44. [PMID: 20493848 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 04/27/2010] [Accepted: 05/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We describe some biological and molecular characteristics of a Trypanosoma cruzi isolate derived from a Triatomine captured in Nicaragua. PCR based typification showed that this isolate, named Nicaragua, belonged to the lineage Tc I. Nicaragua infected culture cells were treated with allopurinol, showing different behavior according to the cellular compartment, being cardiomyocyte primary cultures more resistant to this drug. The course of the infection in a mice experimental model and its susceptibility to benznidazole and allopurinol was analyzed. In benznidazole treatment, mice reverted the high lethal effect of parasites during the acute infection, however, a few parasites were detected in the heart of 88% of mice 1 year post-infection. Since T. cruzi is a heterogeneous species population it is important to study and characterize different parasites actually circulating in humans in endemic areas. In this work we show that T. cruzi Nicaragua isolate, is sensitive to early benznidazole treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia L Grosso
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología, Dr. M. Fatala Chaben, ANLIS C.G. Malbrán, Paseo Colón 568, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Mexican Trypanosoma cruzi T. cruzi I strains with different degrees of virulence induce diverse humoral and cellular immune responses in a murine experimental infection model. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:890672. [PMID: 20396398 PMCID: PMC2852613 DOI: 10.1155/2010/890672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2009] [Revised: 11/18/2009] [Accepted: 12/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is has been shown that the majority of T. cruzi strains isolated from Mexico belong to the T. cruzi I (TCI). The immune response produced in response to Mexican T. cruzi I strains has not been well characterized. In this study, two Mexican T. cruzi I strains were used to infect Balb/c mice. The Queretaro (TBAR/MX/0000/Queretaro)(Qro) strain resulted in 100% mortality. In contrast, no mortality was observed in mice infected with the Ninoa (MHOM/MX/1994/Ninoa) strain. Both strains produced extended lymphocyte infiltrates in cardiac tissue. Ninoa infection induced a diverse humoral response with a higher variety of immunoglobulin isotypes than were found in Qro-infected mice. Also, a stronger inflammatory TH1 response, represented by IL-12p40, IFNγ, RANTES, MIG, MIP-1β, and MCP-1 production was observed in Qro-infected mice when compared with Ninoa-infected mice. We propose that an exacerbated TH1 immune response is a likely cause of pathological damage observed in cardiac tissue and the primary cause of death in Qro-infected mice.
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Subileau M, Barnabé C, Douzery E, Diosque P, Tibayrenc M. Trypanosoma cruzi: New insights on ecophylogeny and hybridization by multigene sequencing of three nuclear and one maxicircle genes. Exp Parasitol 2009; 122:328-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2009] [Revised: 04/07/2009] [Accepted: 04/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Predominance of Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes in two reservoirs infected by sylvatic Triatoma infestans of an endemic area of Chile. Acta Trop 2009; 111:90-3. [PMID: 19426670 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2008] [Revised: 01/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We report results of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and parasite genotypes in the wild Octodon degus and synantropic reservoir Rattus rattus from an endemic area with sylvatic Triatoma infestans as the only detected vector. The infection status was determined by hemi-nested PCR directed to minicircles DNA and genotyping by hybridization tests with a panel of five specific probes, including two probes for TcI subgroups (clones 19 and 20). O. degus was found infected with 13.3% and mainly with sublineage TcIId, and less with TcIIb and TcI. Meantime the synantropic R. rattus was found infected with 27.7% and mainly with TcI and much less with TcIId, TcIIb and TcIIe. The results are discussed to explain the distribution of T. cruzi genotypes between these two reservoirs and the importance of sylvatic foci of T. infestans allowing the permanence of the wild and peridomestic cycle of Chagas disease.
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Falla A, Herrera C, Fajardo A, Montilla M, Vallejo GA, Guhl F. Haplotype identification within Trypanosoma cruzi I in Colombian isolates from several reservoirs, vectors and humans. Acta Trop 2009; 110:15-21. [PMID: 19135020 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2008.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2008] [Revised: 11/07/2008] [Accepted: 12/12/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variability in the Trypanosoma cruzi I group has recently been revealed in Colombian isolates from humans, reservoirs and vectors. Genomic rearrangements and the polymorphic regions in taxonomic markers, such as the miniexon gene, have led to the development of molecular tools to identify phylogenetic haplotypes in T. cruzi isolates. From genetic polymorphisms found in T. cruzi I isolates, they have been classified into four haplotypes according to their epidemiologic transmission cycles. Haplotype Ia is associated with domestic isolates, from Rhodnius prolixus; haplotype Ib, with the domestic and peridomestic cycle, mainly associated with Triatoma dimidiata; haplotype Ic is a poorly characterized group, which has been associated with the peridomestic cycle; and haplotype Id has been related to the sylvatic cycle. In order to demonstrate that the circulating T. cruzi I isolates in Colombia can be classified in the four proposed haplotypes, specific primers were designed on polymorphic regions of the miniexon gene's intergenic sequences. This set of primers allowed the molecular characterization of 33 Colombian isolates, classifying them into three of the four proposed haplotypes (Ia, Ib and Id). Results obtained from maximum parsimony and maximum-likelihood-based phylogenetic analyses correlated with the molecular classification of the isolates and their transmission cycles. This study brings insights into the Chagas disease epidemiology and the parasite's transmission dynamics.
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Venegas J, Coñoepan W, Pichuantes S, Miranda S, Jercic MI, Gajardo M, Sánchez G. Phylogenetic analysis of microsatellite markers further supports the two hybridization events hypothesis as the origin of the Trypanosoma cruzi lineages. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:191-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Venegas J, Coñoepan W, Pichuantes S, Miranda S, Apt W, Arribada A, Zulantay I, Coronado X, Rodriguez J, Reyes E, Solari A, Sanchez G. Differential distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi clones in human chronic chagasic cardiopathic and non-cardiopathic individuals. Acta Trop 2009; 109:187-93. [PMID: 19059372 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2008.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2007] [Revised: 05/12/2008] [Accepted: 11/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PCR and Southern blot hybridization were used to determine the distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi clones in 37 chronic chagasic cardiopathic and non-cardiopathic patients. Parasite DNA amplified from peripheral blood or dejections of Triatoma infestans fed on patient blood was hybridized with probes containing hypervariable minicircle nucleotide sequences capable of detecting three sublineages of T. cruzi. Probes Z-I and Z-IIb detect unique sequences in lineages TcI and TcIIb, respectively. Probe Z-hybrid detects sequences of lineages TcIId and TcIIe. T. cruzi clones of the Z-I sublineage were detected in 62.2% of T. infestans dejections and 5.4% of peripheral blood samples. Clones of Z-IIb and Z-hybrid sublineages had similar distribution in blood and dejection samples. Interestingly, clones of the Z-IIb sublineage were significantly lower in cardiopathic than in non-cardiopathic patients (23.5% versus 75%; P=0.0006). Clones of the Z-hybrid sublineage were found in 29.4% of cardiopathic and 75% of non-cardiopathic patients, respectively (P=0.0051). By contrast, clones of sublineage Z-I were similarly distributed in both groups of patients. The low frequency of Z-IIb and Z-hybrid sublineage clones detected in cardiopathic patients suggests that the immunological mechanisms involved in controlling and eliminating these T. cruzi parasites may be detrimental to the host, leading to the development of chagasic cardiomyopathy.
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Mejía-Jaramillo AM, Peña VH, Triana-Chávez O. Trypanosoma cruzi: Biological characterization of lineages I and II supports the predominance of lineage I in Colombia. Exp Parasitol 2009; 121:83-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2008] [Revised: 09/10/2008] [Accepted: 10/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Ackermann AA, Carmona SJ, Agüero F. TcSNP: a database of genetic variation in Trypanosoma cruzi. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 37:D544-9. [PMID: 18974180 PMCID: PMC2686512 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The TcSNP database (http://snps.tcruzi.org) integrates information on genetic variation (polymorphisms and mutations) for different stocks, strains and isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The database incorporates sequences (genes from the T. cruzi reference genome, mRNAs, ESTs and genomic sequences); multiple sequence alignments obtained from these sequences; and single-nucleotide polymorphisms and small indels identified by scanning these multiple sequence alignments. Information in TcSNP can be readily interrogated to arrive at gene sets, or SNP sets of interest based on a number of attributes. Sequence similarity searches using BLAST are also supported. This first release of TcSNP contains nearly 170 000 high-confidence candidate SNPs, derived from the analysis of annotated coding sequences. As new sequence data become available, TcSNP will incorporate these data, mapping new candidate SNPs onto the reference genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro A Ackermann
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, San Martín, 1650, Argentina
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Fernandes A, Iñiguez AM, Lima VS, Souza SMFMD, Ferreira LF, Vicente ACP, Jansen AM. Pre-Columbian Chagas disease in Brazil: Trypanosoma cruzi I in the archaeological remains of a human in Peruaçu Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2008; 103:514-6. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762008000500021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2008] [Accepted: 07/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Cardinal MV, Lauricella MA, Ceballos LA, Lanati L, Marcet PL, Levin MJ, Kitron U, Gürtler RE, Schijman AG. Molecular epidemiology of domestic and sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi infection in rural northwestern Argentina. Int J Parasitol 2008; 38:1533-43. [PMID: 18585717 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2008] [Revised: 04/28/2008] [Accepted: 04/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi populations and parasite transmission dynamics have been well documented throughout the Americas, but few studies have been conducted in the Gran Chaco ecoregion, one of the most highly endemic areas for Chagas disease, caused by T. cruzi. In this study, we assessed the distribution of T. cruzi lineages (identified by PCR strategies) in Triatoma infestans, domestic dogs, cats, humans and sylvatic mammals from two neighbouring rural areas with different histories of transmission and vector control in northern Argentina. Lineage II predominated amongst the 99 isolates characterised and lineage I amongst the six isolates obtained from sylvatic mammals. T. cruzi lineage IIe predominated in domestic habitats; it was found in 87% of 54 isolates from Tr. infestans, in 82% of 33 isolates from dogs, and in the four cats found infected. Domestic and sylvatic cycles overlapped in the study area in the late 1980s, when intense domestic transmission occurred, and still overlap marginally. The introduction of T. cruzi from sylvatic into domestic habitats is likely to occur very rarely in the current epidemiological context. The household distribution of T. cruzi lineages showed that Tr. infestans, dogs and cats from a given house compound shared the same parasite lineage in most cases. Based on molecular evidence, this result lends further support to the importance of dogs and cats as domestic reservoir hosts of T. cruzi. We believe that in Argentina, this is the first time that lineage IIc has been isolated from naturally infected domestic dogs and Tr. infestans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta V Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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A population study of the minicircles in Trypanosoma cruzi: predicting guide RNAs in the absence of empirical RNA editing. BMC Genomics 2007; 8:133. [PMID: 17524149 PMCID: PMC1892023 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-8-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2006] [Accepted: 05/24/2007] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The structurally complex network of minicircles and maxicircles comprising the mitochondrial DNA of kinetoplastids mirrors the complexity of the RNA editing process that is required for faithful expression of encrypted maxicircle genes. Although a few of the guide RNAs that direct this editing process have been discovered on maxicircles, guide RNAs are mostly found on the minicircles. The nuclear and maxicircle genomes have been sequenced and assembled for Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, however the complement of 1.4-kb minicircles, carrying four guide RNA genes per molecule in this parasite, has been less thoroughly characterised. Results Fifty-four CL Brener and 53 Esmeraldo strain minicircle sequence reads were extracted from T. cruzi whole genome shotgun sequencing data. With these sequences and all published T. cruzi minicircle sequences, 108 unique guide RNAs from all known T. cruzi minicircle sequences and two guide RNAs from the CL Brener maxicircle were predicted using a local alignment algorithm and mapped onto predicted or experimentally determined sequences of edited maxicircle open reading frames. For half of the sequences no statistically significant guide RNA could be assigned. Likely positions of these unidentified gRNAs in T. cruzi minicircle sequences are estimated using a simple Hidden Markov Model. With the local alignment predictions as a standard, the HMM had an ~85% chance of correctly identifying at least 20 nucleotides of guide RNA from a given minicircle sequence. Inter-minicircle recombination was documented. Variable regions contain species-specific areas of distinct nucleotide preference. Two maxicircle guide RNA genes were found. Conclusion The identification of new minicircle sequences and the further characterization of all published minicircles are presented, including the first observation of recombination between minicircles. Extrapolation suggests a level of 4% recombinants in the population, supporting a relatively high recombination rate that may serve to minimize the persistence of gRNA pseudogenes. Characteristic nucleotide preferences observed within variable regions provide potential clues regarding the transcription and maturation of T. cruzi guide RNAs. Based on these preferences, a method of predicting T. cruzi guide RNAs using only primary minicircle sequence data was created.
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Galindo M, Sabaj V, Espinoza I, Toro GC, Búa J, Grenet J, López-Solís R, Ruiz AM, Galanti N. Chromosomal size conservation through the cell cycle supports karyotype stability inTrypanosoma cruzi. FEBS Lett 2007; 581:2022-6. [PMID: 17467699 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.03.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2007] [Accepted: 03/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Trypanosoma cruzi karyotype shows an extensive chromosomal size polymorphism. Absence of condensed mitotic chromosomes and chromatin fragility are characteristic features of T. cruzi which would allow DNA breaks and chromosomal rearrangements during cell proliferation. We have investigated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) eventual changes in chromosomal size during exponential and stationary phases of T. cruzi epimastigotes in culture, in G0 trypomastigotes and throughout the cell cycle in synchronized epimastigotes. T. cruzi molecular karyotype was stable throughout the cell cycle and during differentiation. Thus, the chromosomal size polymorphism previously reported in T. cruzi contrasts with the stability of the molecular karyotype observed here and suggests that chromosomal rearrangements leading to changes in chromosomal size are scarce events during the clonal propagation of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Galindo
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Tibayrenc M. Human Genetic Diversity and the Epidemiology of Parasitic and Other Transmissible Diseases. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2007; 64:377-422. [PMID: 17499103 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-308x(06)64004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper aims to review human genetic studies that are generally poorly known by parasitologists and scientists working on other pathogenic agents. The key proposals of this paper are as follows: (i) human susceptibility to transmissible diseases may often have a complex, multigenic background; (ii) recent discoveries indicate that major genomic rearrangements may be involved, possibly more so than DNA sequence; (iii) it is crucial to have a general population genetics framework of the human species based on neutral/historical markers to analyse reliably genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases; and (iv) the population level is a key factor. Ethnic diversity, a highly adaptive genetically driven phenotypic diversity, is possibly a valuable source for exploring human genetic susceptibility to transmissible diseases, since different populations have been exposed to drastically different geographic/climatic environments and different pathogens and vectors for tens of thousands of years. Studies dealing with human genetic susceptibility to transmissible diseases have mostly been based on the hypothesis that this factor is driven by only one or a few genes, and considered the individual more than the population level. Two different approaches have been developed for identifying the genes involved: (i) candidate genes and (ii) blind association studies (linkage analysis), screening the genome with a large number of high-resolution markers. Some loci involved in susceptibility to leishmaniosis, malaria and schistosomosis, for example, have already been identified. South American trypanosomosis (Chagas disease) is reviewed in detail to show the methodological problems of this classical approach. Current knowledge on the general impact of transmissible diseases on human genetic diversity, mainly HLA polymorphism, and the hopes raised by recent major international programmes such as the Human Genome Project (HGP), Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP), International Human Haplotype Map Project (Hap Map) and extended databases, networks and networks of networks will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Institut pour la Recherche et Développement (IRD) Representative Office, French Embassy, 29 Thanon Sathorn Tai, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
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Maldonado RA, Kuniyoshi RK, Linss JG, Almeida IC. Trypanosoma cruzi oleate desaturase: molecular characterization and comparative analysis in other trypanosomatids. J Parasitol 2006; 92:1064-74. [PMID: 17152952 DOI: 10.1645/ge-845r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi lipids contain a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, primarily oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2). Previous data suggest that this parasite is able to convert oleic acid into linoleic acid; humans are not able to do this. Presently, we show that T. cruzi has a gene with high similarity to the delta12 (omega6)-oleate desaturase from plants. Northern blot analysis of the oleate desaturase gene from T. cruzi (OD(Tc)) indicated that this gene is transcribed in epimastigote, amastigote, and trypomastigote forms. Pulsed-field analysis showed that OD(Tc) is located at distinct chromosomal bands on distinct T. cruzi phylogenetic groups. In addition, the chromoblot analysis demonstrated the presence of homologous OD(Tc) genes in several trypanosomatids; namely, Crithidia fasciculata, Herpetomonas megaseliae, Leptomonas seymouri, Trypanosoma freitasi, Trypanosoma rangeli, Trypanosoma lewisi, Blastocrithidia sp., Leishmania amazonensis, Endotrypanum schaudinni, and Trypanosoma conorhini. The native OD(Tc) activity was detected by metabolic labeling and analysis of total fatty acids from epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of T. cruzi, coanomastigotes of C. fasciculata, and promastigotes of L. amazonensis, H. megaseliae, and L. seymouri. The fact that the enzyme oleate desaturase is not present in humans makes it an ideal molecular target for the development of new chemotherapeutic approaches against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A Maldonado
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968, USA.
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38
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Salazar A, Schijman AG, Triana-Chávez O. High variability of Colombian Trypanosoma cruzi lineage I stocks as revealed by low-stringency single primer-PCR minicircle signatures. Acta Trop 2006; 100:110-8. [PMID: 17101108 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2006.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2006] [Revised: 09/22/2006] [Accepted: 10/04/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In Colombia, high genetic variability has been found among Trypanosoma cruzi stocks isolated from different vector and host species, using isoenzyme analysis and RFLP of total kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA), suggesting that several genetically related T. cruzi populations might be present within a single geographical area or adjacent ones. The objective of this study was to use the low-stringency single primer (LSSP)-PCR technique on variable regions of kDNA minicircles of T. cruzi to determine possible genetic relationships among stocks from distinct geographical regions of Colombia and different vector species and hosts. Although LSSP-PCR analysis showed a high genetic variability among 30 Colombian T. cruzi stocks, 29 of them belonged to T. cruzi lineage I, confirming that this lineage is predominant in different vector and host species from Colombia. Interestingly, one stock isolated from a Pastrongylus geniculatus bug was identified as T. cruzi lineage IIb, using PCR strategies targeted to the intergenic region of miniexon genes, a sequence encoding the D7 domain of the 24salpha ribosomal genes and the A10 fragment, being this finding, the first description of this lineage in Colombia. The LSSP-PCR signatures allowed correlation of most isolates with their respective geographical origins, and in one case from host and vector specimens at a same region, suggesting a transmission event. Moreover, variations in LSSP-PCR profiles among T. cruzi I stocks from a same region suggest that they may have a multiclonal character. Our results show that LSSP-PCR is a fast, valuable technique for characterization of intra-lineage polymorphism among T. cruzi stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Salazar
- Grupo de Chagas, Corporación de Patologías Tropicales, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Maillard S, Benchikh-Elfegoun MC, Knapp J, Bart JM, Koskei P, Gottstein B, Piarroux R. Taxonomic position and geographical distribution of the common sheep G1 and camel G6 strains of Echinococcus granulosus in three African countries. Parasitol Res 2006; 100:495-503. [PMID: 17016727 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-006-0286-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2006] [Accepted: 07/11/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The taxonomic and phylogenetic status of Echinococcus granulosus strains are still controversial and under discussion. In the present study, we investigated the genetic polymorphism of E. granulosus isolates originating from three countries of Africa, including a region of Algeria, where the common G1 sheep and the camel G6 strains coexist sympatrically. Seventy-one hydatid cysts were collected from sheep, cattle, camels, and humans. Two mitochondrial markers (cox1 and nad1) were used for strain identification. Two nuclear markers (actII and hbx2) were used to study the possible occurrence of cross-fertilization. Despite the heterogeneity observed among the G1 isolates, they were all localized within one robust cluster. A second strong cluster was also observed containing all of the G6 isolates. Both strains appeared as two distinct groups, and no cases of interbreeding were found. Thus, the attribution of a species rank can be suggested. We also found the Tasmanian sheep G2 strain for the first time in Africa. Because of the slight variations observed between the common sheep and the Tasmanian sheep strains, further studies should be carried out to elucidate the epidemiological relevance of this genetic discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Maillard
- SERF, Santé Environnement Rural-Université de Franche-Comté, Parasitology Department, University of Franche-Comté, Besancon, France.
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Branche C, Ochaya S, Aslund L, Andersson B. Comparative karyotyping as a tool for genome structure analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2006; 147:30-8. [PMID: 16481054 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2006.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2005] [Revised: 01/06/2006] [Accepted: 01/09/2006] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
As a part of the Trypanosoma cruzi genome project, 239 genetic markers were hybridised to PFGE separated DNA from T. cruzi, in order to determine the number and size of chromosomes and to aid the assembly of the genome sequence. We used three strains, T. cruzi IIe CL Brener (the genome project reference strain) and two T. cruzi I strains, Sylvio X10/7 and CAI/72, to perform a comparative study of their karyotypes and to determine marker linkage. A densitometry analysis of the separations estimated the total chromosome numbers to be 55 in CL Brener and 57 in the two other strains. In all, 45 markers hybridised to single chromosomal bands and 103 markers to two bands in CL Brener, while the number of markers in Sylvio X10/7 and CAI/72 were 102/68 and 61/105, respectively. Size differences between homologous chromosomes were often large, up to 1900 kb (173%). The average difference was 36% for CL Brener and 23.5% for the T. cruzi I strains. Larger differences in CL Brener are consistent with a recent hybrid origin. Forty markers distributed into 15 linkage groups were found to identify specific chromosomes or chromosomes pairs. While the same markers are generally linked in all three strains, the sizes of the chromosomes vary extensively, indicating large chromosomal rearrangements. These data provide valuable information for the finishing of the CL Brener genome sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Branche
- Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Karolinska Institutet, Berzelius väg 35, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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41
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de Freitas JM, Augusto-Pinto L, Pimenta JR, Bastos-Rodrigues L, Gonçalves VF, Teixeira SMR, Chiari E, Junqueira ÂCV, Fernandes O, Macedo AM, Machado CR, Pena SDJ. Ancestral genomes, sex, and the population structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Pathog 2006; 2:e24. [PMID: 16609729 PMCID: PMC1434789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2005] [Accepted: 02/21/2006] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquisition of detailed knowledge of the structure and evolution of Trypanosoma cruzi populations is essential for control of Chagas disease. We profiled 75 strains of the parasite with five nuclear microsatellite loci, 24Salpha RNA genes, and sequence polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene. We also used sequences available in GenBank for the mitochondrial genes cytochrome B and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1. A multidimensional scaling plot (MDS) based in microsatellite data divided the parasites into four clusters corresponding to T. cruzi I (MDS-cluster A), T. cruzi II (MDS-cluster C), a third group of T. cruzi strains (MDS-cluster B), and hybrid strains (MDS-cluster BH). The first two clusters matched respectively mitochondrial clades A and C, while the other two belonged to mitochondrial clade B. The 24Salpha rDNA and microsatellite profiling data were combined into multilocus genotypes that were analyzed by the haplotype reconstruction program PHASE. We identified 141 haplotypes that were clearly distributed into three haplogroups (X, Y, and Z). All strains belonging to T. cruzi I (MDS-cluster A) were Z/Z, the T. cruzi II strains (MDS-cluster C) were Y/Y, and those belonging to MDS-cluster B (unclassified T. cruzi) had X/X haplogroup genotypes. The strains grouped in the MDS-cluster BH were X/Y, confirming their hybrid character. Based on these results we propose the following minimal scenario for T. cruzi evolution. In a distant past there were at a minimum three ancestral lineages that we may call, respectively, T. cruzi I, T. cruzi II, and T. cruzi III. At least two hybridization events involving T. cruzi II and T. cruzi III produced evolutionarily viable progeny. In both events, the mitochondrial recipient (as identified by the mitochondrial clade of the hybrid strains) was T. cruzi II and the mitochondrial donor was T. cruzi III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge M. de Freitas
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luiz Augusto-Pinto
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana R Pimenta
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luciana Bastos-Rodrigues
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vanessa F Gonçalves
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Santuza M. R Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Egler Chiari
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Octavio Fernandes
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andréa M Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sérgio D. J Pena
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Westenberger SJ, Barnabé C, Campbell DA, Sturm NR. Two Hybridization Events Define the Population Structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. Genetics 2005; 171:527-43. [PMID: 15998728 PMCID: PMC1456769 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.104.038745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genetic variation in Trypanosoma cruzi is likely a key determinant in transmission and pathogenesis of Chagas disease. We have examined nine loci as markers for the extant T. cruzi strains. Four distinct alleles were found for each locus, corresponding to the sequence classes present in the homozygous discrete typing units (DTUs) I, IIa, IIb, and IIc. The alleles in DTUs IIa and IIc showed a spectrum of polymorphism ranging from DTU I-like to DTU IIb-like, in addition to DTU-specific sequence variation. DTUs IId and IIe were indistinguishable, showing DTU homozygosity at one locus and heterozygosity with DTU IIb and IIc allelic sequences at eight loci. Recombination between the DTU IIb and IIc alleles is evidenced from mosaic polymorphisms. These data imply that two discrete hybridization events resulted in the formation of the current DTUs. We propose a model in which a fusion between ancestral DTU I and IIb strains gave rise to a heterozygous hybrid that homogenized its genome to become the homozygous progenitor of DTUs IIa and IIc. The second hybridization between DTU IIb and IIc strains that generated DTUs IId and IIe resulted in extensive heterozygosity with subsequent recombination of parental genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Westenberger
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, USA
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Laurentino EC, Ruiz JC, Fazelinia G, Myler PJ, Degrave W, Alves-Ferreira M, Ribeiro JMC, Cruz AK. A survey of Leishmania braziliensis genome by shotgun sequencing. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 137:81-6. [PMID: 15279954 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2004] [Revised: 05/12/2004] [Accepted: 05/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We have carried out a survey of the genome of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis by shotgun sequencing. Approximately 15% of the haploid genome of the parasite (5.15 Mb of genomic sequence) was obtained. A large number of known and putative genes, predicted to be involved in several cellular processes, were identified. Some genomic features were investigated, such as the general G + C content, which was found to be lower than L. major (57% versus 63%). BlastN searches revealed that 60.2% of the clusterized GSS sequences displayed similarity to L. major genomic sequences, while a BlastX search showed that 45.3% of the thus obtained predicted protein sequences showed similarity to annotated proteins of L. major. Further comparison of the degree of conservation between L. major and L. braziliensis revealed that coding regions are much more conserved than non-coding ones. The shotgun sequence analysis of Leishmania braziliensis appears to be an efficient and suitable strategy contributing to the search for vaccines and novel drug targets. The sequence data described in this paper have been submitted to the dbGSS database under the following accession numbers (BX530413 to BX530454; BX530456 to BX530718; BX538354 to BX539305; BX539350 to BX540325; BX541002 to BX544869; BX544893 to BX545685; BX897701 to BX897710; BX905184 to BX907797; BX907798 to BX908381; BX908403 to BX908718). All data including sequences are also available at (www.ebi.ac.uk/embl/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane C Laurentino
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900, Brasil
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Dávila AMR, Lukeš J. Towards a framework for the evolutionary genomics of Kinetoplastids: what kind of data and how much? KINETOPLASTID BIOLOGY AND DISEASE 2003; 2:16. [PMID: 14613494 PMCID: PMC280664 DOI: 10.1186/1475-9292-2-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2003] [Accepted: 10/28/2003] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The current status of kinetoplastids phylogeny and evolution is discussed in view of the recent progresses on genomics. Some ideas on a potential framework for the evolutionary genomics of kinetoplastids are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto MR Dávila
- Lab. de Biologia Molecular de Tripanosomatídeos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz. Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. 21045-900
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Biology, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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