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Silvestrini MMA, Alessio GD, Frias BED, Sales Júnior PA, Araújo MSS, Silvestrini CMA, Brito Alvim de Melo GE, Martins-Filho OA, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Martins HR. New insights into Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity, and its influence on parasite biology and clinical outcomes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1342431. [PMID: 38655255 PMCID: PMC11035809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1342431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a serious public health problem worldwide. The parasite was subdivided into six distinct genetic groups, called "discrete typing units" (DTUs), from TcI to TcVI. Several studies have indicated that the heterogeneity of T. cruzi species directly affects the diversity of clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, control, diagnosis performance, and susceptibility to treatment. Thus, this review aims to describe how T. cruzi genetic diversity influences the biology of the parasite and/or clinical parameters in humans. Regarding the geographic dispersion of T. cruzi, evident differences were observed in the distribution of DTUs in distinct areas. For example, TcII is the main DTU detected in Brazilian patients from the central and southeastern regions, where there are also registers of TcVI as a secondary T. cruzi DTU. An important aspect observed in previous studies is that the genetic variability of T. cruzi can impact parasite infectivity, reproduction, and differentiation in the vectors. It has been proposed that T. cruzi DTU influences the host immune response and affects disease progression. Genetic aspects of the parasite play an important role in determining which host tissues will be infected, thus heavily influencing Chagas disease's pathogenesis. Several teams have investigated the correlation between T. cruzi DTU and the reactivation of Chagas disease. In agreement with these data, it is reasonable to suppose that the immunological condition of the patient, whether or not associated with the reactivation of the T. cruzi infection and the parasite strain, may have an important role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. In this context, understanding the genetics of T. cruzi and its biological and clinical implications will provide new knowledge that may contribute to additional strategies in the diagnosis and clinical outcome follow-up of patients with Chagas disease, in addition to the reactivation of immunocompromised patients infected with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glaucia Diniz Alessio
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruna Estefânia Diniz Frias
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Júnior
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Márcio Sobreira Silva Araújo
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Helen Rodrigues Martins
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Microevolution and subspecific taxonomy of Trypanosoma cruzi. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 103:105344. [PMID: 35926722 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is a highly polymorphic species, subdivided into 6 main evolutionary lineages or near-clades (formerly discrete typing units or DTUs). An additional near-clade (TC-bat) has recently been evidenced. This pattern is considered to be the result of predominant clonal evolution (PCE). PCE is compatible with occasional mating/hybridization, which do not break the prevalent pattern of clonal evolution, the main trait of it being the presence of Multigene Bifurcating Trees (MGBTs) at all evolutionary levels ("clonal frame"). The development of highly resolutive genetic (microsatellites*) and genomic (sequencing and multi-single nucleotide polymorphism {SNP}* typing) markers shows that PCE also operates at a microevolutionary* level within each of the near-clades ("Russian doll pattern"), in spite of occasional meiosis and hybridization events. Within each near-clade, one can evidence widespread clonal multilocus genotypes*, linkage disequilibrium*, Multigene Bifurcating Trees and lesser near-clades. The within near-clade population structure is like a miniature picture of that of the whole species, suggesting gradual rather than saltatory evolution. Additional data are required to evaluate the stability of these lesser near-clades in the long run and to evaluate the need for an adequate nomenclature for this microevolutionary level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement, BP 6450134394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Francisco J Ayala
- Catedra Francisco Jose Ayala of Science, Technology, and Religion, University of Comillas, 28015 Madrid, Spain. 2 Locke Court, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
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Trypanosoma cruzi, beyond the dogma of non-infection in birds. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 99:105239. [PMID: 35144004 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite responsible for Chagas disease affecting seven million people. The disease cycle is maintained between Triatominae insects and Mammalia hosts; a refractory effect against infection was noted in birds, but only verified in poultry. This paper presents a new host record for T. cruzi, the American barn-owl (Tyto furcata). Trypanosoma cruzi DTU II molecular evidence was found in heart, intestine, liver, and breast suggesting an established chronic infection based on the parasite DNA presence in multiple organs but absent in spleen, as in the murine model and chronically infected raccoons (Procyon lotor). For birds, the parasite rejection was explained based on the complement and high body temperature, but these mechanisms vary greatly among the members of the avian class. Therefore, there is a need to investigate whether more bird species can become infected, and if T. furcata has a role in disseminating, transmitting and/or maintaining the parasite.
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Ramírez JC, Acevedo GR, Torres C, Parrado R, De La Barra A, Villarroel S, García L, Gascon J, Ortiz L, Torrico F, Ribeiro I, Schijman AG. Genetic polymorphism of Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream populations in adult chronic indeterminate Chagas disease patients from the E1224 clinical trial. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 77:578-584. [PMID: 34865002 PMCID: PMC8865008 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role that the genetic diversity of natural Trypanosoma cruzi populations plays in response to trypanocidal treatment of chronic Chagas disease (CD) patients remains to be understood. We analysed the genetic polymorphisms of parasite bloodstream populations infecting chronic CD patients enrolled in the E1224 clinical trial. METHODS A total of 506 baseline and post-treatment follow-up samples from 188 patients were analysed. T. cruzi satellite DNA (satDNA) was amplified and sequenced using cruzi1/cruzi2 primers, and samples with TcI/III, TcII, TcIV or hybrid satDNA sequences were identified. Minicircle signatures were obtained after kinetoplast DNA amplification using 121/122 primers and restriction enzyme digestion. Genetic distances between baseline and post-treatment minicircle signatures were estimated using the Jaccard coefficient. RESULTS At baseline, 74.3% TcII, 17.9% hybrid and 7.8% TcI/III satDNA sequences were found, whereas at the end of follow-up the distribution was 55.2% TcII, 35.2% hybrid and 9.5% TcI/III. The placebo arm was the treatment group with the highest variation of satDNA sequences between baseline and post-treatment follow-up. Genetic distances between baseline and post-treatment minicircle signatures were similar among all treatment arms. No association between minicircle signature variability and satDNA type distribution was found. CONCLUSIONS Genetic variability of T. cruzi bloodstream populations during post-treatment follow-up did not differ from that observed during chronic infection in the absence of treatment, suggesting that there were no selection events of E1224-resistant parasite populations. This is the first report documenting the genetic polymorphism of natural T. cruzi populations in chronic patients in the context of clinical trials with trypanocidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Raúl Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Torres
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rudy Parrado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Anabelle De La Barra
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Sandro Villarroel
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Lineth García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Ortiz
- Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho, Tarija, Bolivia
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Colectivo de Estudios Aplicados y Desarrollo Social (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Corresponding author. E-mail: or
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Stevens L, Lima-Cordón RA, Helms Cahan S, Dorn PL, Monroy MC, Axen HJ, Nguyen A, Hernáiz-Hernánde Y, Rodas A, Justi SA. Catch me if you can: Under-detection of Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatida) infections in Triatoma dimidiata s.l. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from Central America. Acta Trop 2021; 224:106130. [PMID: 34536368 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Assays for parasite detection in insect vectors provide important information for disease control. American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is the most devastating vector-borne illness and the fourth most common in Central America behind HIV/AIDS and acute respiratory and diarrheal infections (Peterson et al., 2019). Under-detection of parasites is a general problem which may be influenced by parasite genetic variation; however, little is known about the genetic variation of the Chagas parasite, especially in this region. In this study we compared six assays for detecting the Chagas parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi: genomic reduced representation sequencing (here referred to as genotype-by-sequencing or GBS), two with conventional PCR (i.e., agarose gel detection), two with qPCR, and microscopy. Our results show that, compared to GBS genomic analysis, microscopy and PCR under-detected T. cruzi in vectors from Central America. Of 94 samples, 44% (50/94) were positive based on genomic analysis. The lowest detection, 9% (3/32) was in a subset assayed with microscopy. Four PCR assays, two with conventional PCR and two with qPCR showed intermediate levels of detection. Both qPCR tests and one conventional PCR test targeted the 195 bp repeat of satellite DNA while the fourth test targeted the 18S gene. Statistical analyses of the genomic and PCR results indicate that the PCR assays significantly under detect infections of Central American T. cruzi genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Stevens
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA.
| | | | - Sara Helms Cahan
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | - Patricia L Dorn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - M Carlota Monroy
- The Applied Entomology and Parasitology Laboratory, Biology School, Pharmacy Faculty, San Carlos University of Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Heather J Axen
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | - Andrew Nguyen
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | | | - Antonieta Rodas
- The Applied Entomology and Parasitology Laboratory, Biology School, Pharmacy Faculty, San Carlos University of Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Silvia A Justi
- The Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, MD, USA; Entomology Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Dos Santos JP, da Silva R, Ricardo-Silva AH, Verly T, Britto C, Evangelista BBC, Rocha-Silva L, da Silva DFM, Oliveira RA, Pereira E, Monteiro KJL, Carvalho-Costa FA, Mallet JDS. Assessing the entomo-epidemiological situation of Chagas disease in rural communities in the state of Piauí, Brazilian semi-arid region. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 114:820-829. [PMID: 32797206 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In northeastern Brazil, the wild nature of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors has challenged control actions. This study aims to describe the entomological and epidemiological scenario of Chagas disease in rural communities in the state of Piauí. METHODS A cross-sectional study (n=683 individuals/244 dwellings) was carried out to obtain serum samples, sociodemographic data and intra- and peridomestic triatomines. RESULTS The overall seroprevalence rate was 8.1%, with no positive tests among subjects <30 y of age. Prevalence rates reached 34.3% and 39.1% among subjects 61-75 and >75 y of age, respectively; 1474 triatomines were collected, of which 90.3% were found in peridomiciliary structures and 9.7% inside houses; 87.2% were classified as Triatoma brasiliensis. T. cruzi infection rates in insects were 0.5% by light microscopy and 0.9% by culture in NNN/LIT medium. Five cultivated isolates were submitted to molecular genotyping, three of which were identified as T. cruzi I and two as T. cruzi II. CONCLUSIONS Although no vector transmission currently occurs, prevalence rates are high in adults and the elderly. This disease should be targeted by primary healthcare providers. Insect surveillance and control activities should not be discontinued in an environment favourable to the perpetuation of house colonization by triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil.,Fiocruz Piauí Regional Office, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Renato da Silva
- Laboratory of Entomological Surveillance of Diptera and Hemiptera, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Alice Helena Ricardo-Silva
- Laboratory of Entomological Surveillance of Diptera and Hemiptera, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Thaiane Verly
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Brenda B C Evangelista
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil.,Fiocruz Piauí Regional Office, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Liliene Rocha-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Darlane F M da Silva
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Piauí, São João do Piauí, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Rony A Oliveira
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Piauí, São João do Piauí, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Edvan Pereira
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Piauí, São João do Piauí, Piauí, Brazil
| | | | - Filipe A Carvalho-Costa
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Systematics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil.,Fiocruz Piauí Regional Office, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Jacenir Dos S Mallet
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil.,Fiocruz Piauí Regional Office, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
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Reproduction in Trypanosomatids: Past and Present. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060471. [PMID: 34071741 PMCID: PMC8230138 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The reproduction of trypanosomatids is a fundamental issue for host–parasite interaction, and its biological importance lies in knowing how these species acquire new defense mechanisms against the countermeasures imposed by the host, which is consistent with the theory of the endless race or the Red Queen hypothesis for the existence of meiotic sex. Moreover, the way these species re-produce may also be at the origin of novel and more virulent clades and is relevant from a thera-peutic or vaccination point of view, as sex may contribute to increased tolerance and even to the rapid acquisition of drug resistance mechanisms. Kinetoplastids are single-celled organisms, many of them being responsible for important parasitic diseases, globally termed neglected diseases, which are endemic in low-income countries. Leishmaniasis, African (sleeping sickness) and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) caused by trypanosomatids are among the most ne-glected tropical scourges related to poverty and poor health systems. The reproduction of these microorganisms has long been considered to be clonal due to population genetic observations. However, there is increasing evidence of true sex and genetic exchange events under laboratory conditions. We would like to highlight the importance of this topic in the field of host/parasite in-terplay, virulence, and drug resistance. Abstract Diseases caused by trypanosomatids (Sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis) are a serious public health concern in low-income endemic countries. These diseases are produced by single-celled parasites with a diploid genome (although aneuploidy is frequent) organized in pairs of non-condensable chromosomes. To explain the way they reproduce through the analysis of natural populations, the theory of strict clonal propagation of these microorganisms was taken as a rule at the beginning of the studies, since it partially justified their genomic stability. However, numerous experimental works provide evidence of sexual reproduction, thus explaining certain naturally occurring events that link the number of meiosis per mitosis and the frequency of mating. Recent techniques have demonstrated genetic exchange between individuals of the same species under laboratory conditions, as well as the expression of meiosis specific genes. The current debate focuses on the frequency of genomic recombination events and its impact on the natural parasite population structure. This paper reviews the results and techniques used to demonstrate the existence of sex in trypanosomatids, the inheritance of kinetoplast DNA (maxi- and minicircles), the impact of genetic exchange in these parasites, and how it can contribute to the phenotypic diversity of natural populations.
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Mule SN, Costa-Martins AG, Rosa-Fernandes L, de Oliveira GS, Rodrigues CMF, Quina D, Rosein GE, Teixeira MMG, Palmisano G. PhyloQuant approach provides insights into Trypanosoma cruzi evolution using a systems-wide mass spectrometry-based quantitative protein profile. Commun Biol 2021; 4:324. [PMID: 33707618 PMCID: PMC7952728 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01762-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a complex of seven genetic subdivisions termed discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. The relevance of T. cruzi genetic diversity to the variable clinical course of the disease, virulence, pathogenicity, drug resistance, transmission cycles and ecological distribution requires understanding the parasite origin and population structure. In this study, we introduce the PhyloQuant approach to infer the evolutionary relationships between organisms based on differential mass spectrometry-based quantitative features. In particular, large scale quantitative bottom-up proteomics features (MS1, iBAQ and LFQ) were analyzed using maximum parsimony, showing a correlation between T. cruzi DTUs and closely related trypanosomes' protein expression and sequence-based clustering. Character mapping enabled the identification of synapomorphies, herein the proteins and their respective expression profiles that differentiate T. cruzi DTUs and trypanosome species. The distance matrices based on phylogenetics and PhyloQuant clustering showed statistically significant correlation highlighting the complementarity between the two strategies. Moreover, PhyloQuant allows the identification of differentially regulated and strain/DTU/species-specific proteins, and has potential application in the identification of specific biomarkers and candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ngao Mule
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Monadeli F Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Quina
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Graziella E Rosein
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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9
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Majeau A, Murphy L, Herrera C, Dumonteil E. Assessing Trypanosoma cruzi Parasite Diversity through Comparative Genomics: Implications for Disease Epidemiology and Diagnostics. Pathogens 2021; 10:212. [PMID: 33669197 PMCID: PMC7919814 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is an important vector-borne neglected tropical disease that causes great health and economic losses. The etiological agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a protozoan parasite endemic to the Americas, comprised by important diversity, which has been suggested to contribute to poor serological diagnostic performance. Current nomenclature describes seven discrete typing units (DTUs), or lineages. We performed the first large scale analysis of T. cruzi diversity among 52 previously published genomes from strains covering multiple countries and parasite DTUs and assessed how different markers summarize this genetic diversity. We also examined how seven antigens currently used in commercial serologic tests are conserved across this diversity of strains. DTU structuration was confirmed at the whole-genome level, with evidence of sub-DTU diversity, associated in part to geographic structuring. We observed very comparable phylogenetic tree topographies for most of the 32 markers investigated, with clear clustering of sequences by DTU, and a few of these markers suggested some degree of intra-lineage diversity. At least three of the currently used antigens represent poorly conserved sequences, with sequences used in tests quite divergent from sequences in many strains. Most markers are well suited for estimating parasite diversity to DTU level, and a few are particularly well-suited to assess intra-DTU diversity. Analysis of antigen sequences across all strains indicates that antigenic diversity is a likely explanation for limited diagnostic performance in Central and North America.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Herrera
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Vector Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.M.); (L.M.)
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Vector Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.M.); (L.M.)
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10
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Muñoz-Calderón A, Silva-Gomes NL, Apodaca S, Alarcón de Noya B, Díaz-Bello Z, Souza LRQ, Costa ADT, Britto C, Moreira OC, Schijman AG. Toward the Establishment of a Single Standard Curve for Quantification of Trypanosoma cruzi Natural Populations Using a Synthetic Satellite Unit DNA Sequence. J Mol Diagn 2021; 23:521-531. [PMID: 33549859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate diagnostic tools and surrogate markers of parasitologic response to treatment are needed for managing Chagas disease. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is used for treatment monitoring, but variability in copy dosage and sequences of molecular target genes among different Trypanosoma cruzi strains limit the precision of quantitative measures. To improve qPCR quantification accuracy, we designed and evaluated a synthetic DNA molecule containing a satellite DNA (satDNA) repeat unit as standard for quantification of T. cruzi loads in clinical samples, independently of the parasite strain. Probit regression analysis established for Dm28c (TcI) and CL-Brener (TcVI) stocks similar 95% limit of detection values [0.903 (0.745 to 1.497) and 0.667 (CI, 0.113 to 3.927) copy numbers/μL, respectively] when synthetic DNA was the standard for quantification, allowing direct comparison of loads in samples infected with different discrete typing units. This standard curve was evaluated in 205 samples (38 acute oral and 19 chronic Chagas disease patients) from different geographical areas infected with various genotypes, including samples obtained during treatment follow-up; high agreement with parasitic load trends using standard curves based on DNA extracted from spiked blood with counted parasites was obtained. This qPCR-based quantification strategy will be a valuable tool in phase 3 clinical trials, to follow up patients under treatment or at risk of reactivation, and in experimental models using different parasite strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Muñoz-Calderón
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr Héctor Torres" (INGEBI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Lins Silva-Gomes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sofia Apodaca
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr Héctor Torres" (INGEBI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Belkisyolé Alarcón de Noya
- Sección de Inmunologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Dr Félix Pifano," Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Zoraida Díaz-Bello
- Sección de Inmunologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Dr Félix Pifano," Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Leticia Rocha Quintino Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Dias Tavares Costa
- Laboratório de Ciências e Tecnologias Aplicadas à Saúde (LaCTAS), Instituto Carlos Chagas (ICC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr Héctor Torres" (INGEBI), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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11
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Models in parasite and pathogen evolution: Genomic analysis reveals predominant clonality and progressive evolution at all evolutionary scales in parasitic protozoa, yeasts and bacteria. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 111:75-117. [PMID: 33482977 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The predominant clonal evolution (PCE) model of pathogenic microorganisms postulates that the impact of genetic recombination in those pathogens' natural populations is not enough to erase a persistent phylogenetic signal at all evolutionary scales from microevolution till geological times in the whole ecogeographical range of the species considered. We have tested this model with a set of representative parasitic protozoa, yeasts and bacteria in the light of the most recent genomic data. All surveyed species, including those that were considered as highly recombining, exhibit similar PCE patterns above and under the species level, from macro- to micro-evolutionary scales (Russian doll pattern), suggesting gradual evolution. To our knowledge, it is the first time that such a strong common evolutionary feature among very diverse pathogens has been evidenced. The implications of this model for basic biology and applied research are exposed. These implications include our knowledge on the pathogens' reproductive mode, their population structure, the possibility to type strain and to follow up epidemics (molecular epidemiology) and to revisit pathogens' taxonomy through a flexible use of the phylogenetic species concept (Cracraft, 1983).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de recherche pour le développement, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Francisco J Ayala
- Catedra Francisco Jose Ayala of Science, Technology, and Religion, University of Comillas, Madrid, Spain; 2 Locke Court, Irvine, CA, United States
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12
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Wehrendt DP, Alonso-Padilla J, Liu B, Rojas Panozo L, Rivera Nina S, Pinto L, Lozano D, Picado A, Abril M, Pinazo MJ, Gascon J, Torrico F, Wong S, Schijman AG. Development and Evaluation of a Three-Dimensional Printer-Based DNA Extraction Method Coupled to Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Point-of-Care Diagnosis of Congenital Chagas Disease in Endemic Regions. J Mol Diagn 2020; 23:389-398. [PMID: 33387697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertical transmission of Trypanosomacruzi is the cause of congenital Chagas disease, a re-emerging infectious disease that affects endemic and nonendemic regions alike. An early diagnosis is crucial because prompt treatment achieves a high cure rate, precluding evolution to symptomatic chronic Chagas disease. However, early diagnosis involves low-sensitive parasitologic assays, making necessary serologic confirmation after 9 months of life. With the aim of implementing early diagnostic strategies suitable for minimally equipped laboratories, a T. cruzi-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) prototype was coupled with an automated DNA-extraction device repurposed from a three-dimensional printer (PrintrLab). The whole process takes <3 hours to yield a result, with an analytical sensitivity of 0.1 to 2 parasite equivalents per milliliter, depending on the T. cruzi strain. Twenty-five blood samples from neonates born to seropositive mothers were tested blindly. In comparison to quantitative real-time PCR, the PrintrLab-LAMP dual strategy showed high agreement, while both molecular-based methodologies yielded optimal sensitivity and specificity with respect to microscopy-based diagnosis of congenital Chagas disease. PrintrLab-LAMP detected all 10 congenitally transmitted T. cruzi infections, showing promise for point-of-care early diagnosis of congenital Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana P Wehrendt
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de La Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bo Liu
- AI Biosciences Inc., College Station, Texas
| | - Lizeth Rojas Panozo
- Fundación Cienciasy Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Saludy Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Silvia Rivera Nina
- Fundación Cienciasy Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Saludy Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Lilian Pinto
- Fundación Cienciasy Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Saludy Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Daniel Lozano
- Fundación Cienciasy Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Saludy Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Albert Picado
- Foundation for Innovative Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Maria J Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Fundación Cienciasy Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Saludy Medio Ambiente, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Season Wong
- AI Biosciences Inc., College Station, Texas.
| | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de La Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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13
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Arnal A, Villanueva‐Lizama L, Teh‐Poot C, Herrera C, Dumonteil E. Extent of polymorphism and selection pressure on the Trypanosoma cruzi vaccine candidate antigen Tc24. Evol Appl 2020; 13:2663-2672. [PMID: 33294015 PMCID: PMC7691455 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health problem in the Americas, and existing drugs have severe limitations. In this context, a vaccine would be an attractive alternative for disease control. One of the difficulties in developing an effective vaccine lies in the high genetic diversity of T. cruzi. In this study, we evaluated the level of sequence diversity of the leading vaccine candidate Tc24 in multiple parasite strains. METHODS AND RESULTS We quantified its level of polymorphism within and between T. cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) and how this potential polymorphism is structured by different selective pressures. We observed a low level of polymorphism of Tc24 protein, weakly associated with parasite DTUs, but not with the geographic origin of the strains. In particular, Tc24 was under strong purifying selection pressure and predicted CD8+ T-cell epitopes were mostly conserved. Tc24 strong conservation may be associated with structural/functional constrains to preserve EF hand domains and their calcium-binding loops, and Tc24 is likely important for the parasite fitness. DISCUSSION Together, these results show that a vaccine based on Tc24 is likely to be effective against a wide diversity of parasite strains across the American continent, and further development of this vaccine candidate should be a high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Arnal
- Laboratorio de ParasitologíaCentro de Investigaciones Regionales “DrHideyo Noguchi”Universidad Autónoma de YucatánMéridaMexico
- Departamento de Ecología de la BiodiversidadInstituto de EcologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Liliana Villanueva‐Lizama
- Laboratorio de ParasitologíaCentro de Investigaciones Regionales “DrHideyo Noguchi”Universidad Autónoma de YucatánMéridaMexico
| | - Christian Teh‐Poot
- Laboratorio de ParasitologíaCentro de Investigaciones Regionales “DrHideyo Noguchi”Universidad Autónoma de YucatánMéridaMexico
| | - Claudia Herrera
- Department of Tropical MedicineSchool of Public Health and Tropical MedicineTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
- Vector‐Borne and Infectious Disease Research CenterTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical MedicineSchool of Public Health and Tropical MedicineTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
- Vector‐Borne and Infectious Disease Research CenterTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
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14
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Performance Evaluation of a Commercial Real-Time PCR Assay and of an In-House Real-Time PCR for Trypanosoma cruzi DNA Detection in a Tropical Medicine Reference Center, Northern Italy. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111692. [PMID: 33143253 PMCID: PMC7692395 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a neglected protozoal disease endemic in Latin America, is also currently considered an emerging threat in nonendemic areas because of population movements. The detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA is increasingly being considered as important evidence to support Chagas disease diagnoses. However, further performance evaluation of molecular assays is useful for a standardization of strategy considering the whole process in routine diagnosis, especially for the different settings such as endemic and nonendemic countries. Seventy-five samples were collected from subjects screened for Chagas disease in Italy. The DNA was isolated from blood using automated extraction. We evaluated the performance of the commercial RealCycler® CHAG kit (pmPCR) based on satellite DNA (SatDNA) and of an in-house real-time PCR (ihPCR) targeting Sat and kinetoplast (k) DNAs, using the concordance of two serology assays as a reference standard. The sensitivity of kDNA and SatDNA tests by ihPCR and SatDNA by pmPCR were 14.29% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.38 to 26.22), 7.14% (95% CI 1.98 to 17.29), and 7.14% (95% CI 1.98 to 17.29), respectively. Specificity was 100% for all PCR assays and targets. Overall, our results suggest that the preferred approach for clinical laboratories is to combine the kDNA and SatDNA as targets in order to minimize false-negative results increasing sensitivity.
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15
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Silgado A, Moure Z, de Oliveira MT, Serre-Delcor N, Salvador F, Oliveira I, Molina I, Pumarola T, Ramírez JC, Sulleiro E. Comparison of DNA extraction methods and real-time PCR assays for the molecular diagnostics of chronic Chagas disease. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:1139-1145. [PMID: 32954845 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This work aimed to compare the sensitivity of four protocols for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in 98 blood samples from chronic Chagas disease patients. Materials & methods: Two DNA extraction (automated and manual) methods and two T. cruzi satellite DNA qPCRs (with a recent design and the usually used set of primers) were analyzed. Results: Both DNA extraction methods and qPCR assays tested in this work gave comparable qualitative results, although the lowest Ct values were obtained when samples were analyzed using the new set of primers for T. cruzi satellite DNA. Conclusion: Our results encourage the implementation of automated DNA extraction systems and the new T. cruzi qPCR for the molecular diagnostics and treatment response monitoring of chronic Chagas disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aroa Silgado
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zaira Moure
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maykon T de Oliveira
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Unidade de Cardiologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil
| | - Núria Serre-Delcor
- Tropical Medicine Unit Vall d´Hebron-Drassanes, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inés Oliveira
- Tropical Medicine Unit Vall d´Hebron-Drassanes, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Israel Molina
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomàs Pumarola
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan C Ramírez
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben" (INP-ANLIS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elena Sulleiro
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Genomics and High-Resolution Typing Confirm Predominant Clonal Evolution Down to a Microevolutionary Scale in Trypanosoma cruzi. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050356. [PMID: 32397142 PMCID: PMC7281314 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is a paradigmatic case of the predominant clonal evolution (PCE) model, which states that the impact of genetic recombination in pathogens' natural populations is not sufficient to suppress a persistent phylogenetic signal at all evolutionary scales. In spite of indications for occasional recombination and meiosis, recent genomics and high-resolution typing data in T. cruzi reject the counterproposal that PCE does not operate at lower evolutionary scales, within the evolutionary units (=near-clades) that subdivide the species. Evolutionary patterns in the agent of Chagas disease at micro- and macroevolutionary scales are strikingly similar ("Russian doll pattern"), suggesting gradual, rather than saltatory evolution.
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17
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Wehrendt DP, Gómez-Bravo A, Ramirez JC, Cura C, Pech-May A, Ramsey JM, Abril M, Guhl F, Schijman AG. Development and evaluation of a duplex TaqMan qPCR assay for detection and quantification of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in domestic and sylvatic reservoir hosts. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:567. [PMID: 31783770 PMCID: PMC6884757 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3817-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A question of epidemiological relevance in Chagas disease studies is to understand Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles and trace the origins of (re)emerging cases in areas under vector or disease surveillance. Conventional parasitological methods lack sensitivity whereas molecular approaches can fill in this gap, provided that an adequate sample can be collected and processed and a nucleic acid amplification method can be developed and standardized. We developed a duplex qPCR assay for accurate detection and quantification of T. cruzi satellite DNA (satDNA) sequence in samples from domestic and sylvatic mammalian reservoirs. The method incorporates amplification of the gene encoding for the interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), highly conserved among mammalian species, as endogenous internal amplification control (eIAC), allowing distinction of false negative PCR findings due to inadequate sample conditions, DNA degradation and/or PCR interfering substances. Results The novel TaqMan probe and corresponding primers employed in this study improved the analytical sensitivity of the assay to 0.01 par.eq/ml, greater than that attained by previous assays for Tc I and Tc IV strains. The assay was tested in 152 specimens, 35 from 15 different wild reservoir species and 117 from 7 domestic reservoir species, captured in endemic regions of Argentina, Colombia and Mexico and thus potentially infected with different parasite discrete typing units. The eIACs amplified in all samples from domestic reservoirs from Argentina and Mexico, such as Canis familiaris, Felis catus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Equus caballus, Bos taurus and Capra hircus with quantification cycles (Cq’s) between 23 and 25. Additionally, the eIACs amplified from samples obtained from wild mammals, such as small rodents Akodon toba, Galea leucoblephara, Rattus rattus, the opossums Didelphis virginiana, D. marsupialis and Marmosa murina, the bats Tadarida brasiliensis, Promops nasutus and Desmodus rotundus, as well as in Conepatus chinga, Lagostomus maximus, Leopardus geoffroyi, Lepus europaeus, Mazama gouazoubira and Lycalopex gymnocercus, rendering Cq’s between 24 and 33. Conclusions This duplex qPCR assay provides an accurate laboratory tool for screening and quantification of T. cruzi infection in a vast repertoire of domestic and wild mammalian reservoir species, contributing to improve molecular epidemiology studies of T. cruzi transmission cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana P Wehrendt
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Juan C Ramirez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Cura
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Angélica Pech-May
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Chiapas, México
| | - Janine M Ramsey
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Chiapas, México
| | | | | | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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18
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Bizai ML, Romina P, Antonela S, Olivera LV, Arias EE, Josefina DC, Silvia M, Walter S, Diana F, Cristina D. Geographic distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes detected in chronic infected people from Argentina. Association with climatic variables and clinical manifestations of Chagas disease. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 78:104128. [PMID: 31786340 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Chronic Chagas disease affects large number of people in Latin America where it remains one of the biggest public health problems. Trypanosoma cruzi is genetically divided into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat, and exhibits differential distribution across vectors, host and transmission cycles. Clinical manifestations (cardiac, digestive and / or neurological) vary according to the geographical region; and the DTUs more frequently found in any of the chronic form of the disease, indeterminate or clinical, are TcI, TcII, TcV and TcVI. However, why they have a particular geographical distribution and how they affect the development of Chagas disease is still unknown. In this study, we assessed the geographic distribution of T. cruzi genotypes detected in chronic infected people from 57 localities of endemic regions of Argentina and analyzed their association with climatic variables. The prevalent DTUs detected in the whole population were TcV (47.4%) and TcVI (66.0%). TcI and TcII were identified in 5.2% each. All DTUs were detected in single and mixed infections (78.4% and 21.6%, respectively). TcV was found in infected people from localities with significantly higher average annual temperature, seasonal temperature and annual temperature range than those infected with TcVI. When we evaluated the association of DTUs with clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, the probability of finding TcVI in subjects with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) was higher than other DTUs, but without reaching statistical significance. Moreover, the probability of finding TcV in those who have not developed the disease after 20 years of infection was significantly higher than in CCC, either if it was present as unique DTU (reciprocal OR=4.95 95%CI: 1.42 to 17.27) (p=0.0117) or if it was also part of mixed infections (reciprocal OR=3.375; 95%CI: 1.227 to 9.276) (p=0.0264). There was no difference in the distribution of TcI between asymptomatic people and those with clinical manifestations, while TcII appeared more frequently in CCC cases, but without statiscal significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- María L Bizai
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales, Facultad de Bioquímica y Cs. Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Peralta Romina
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular e Inmunología Aplicadas, Facultad de Bioquímica y Cs. Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Simonetto Antonela
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular e Inmunología Aplicadas, Facultad de Bioquímica y Cs. Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lorena V Olivera
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales, Facultad de Bioquímica y Cs. Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Evelyn E Arias
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales, Facultad de Bioquímica y Cs. Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | | | - Sione Walter
- Centro Regional de Geomática, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos, Oro Verde, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Fabbro Diana
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales, Facultad de Bioquímica y Cs. Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diez Cristina
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular e Inmunología Aplicadas, Facultad de Bioquímica y Cs. Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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19
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Macchiaverna NP, Enriquez GF, Buscaglia CA, Balouz V, Gürtler RE, Cardinal MV. New human isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi confirm the predominance of hybrid lineages in domestic transmission cycle of the Argentinean Chaco. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:229-235. [PMID: 30296602 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, was initially classified into 6 Discrete Typing Units (DTUs). The hybrid DTUs TcV and TcVI are the most frequent in domestic transmission cycles throughout the Southern Cone countries of South America. Here, we genotyped parasite isolates from human residents in Pampa del Indio municipality, Chaco, to further characterize the structure of T. cruzi populations, and to assess the degree of overlapping between the domestic and sylvatic transmission cycles. Artificial xenodiagnostic tests were performed to blood samples from 125 T. cruzi-seropositive people (age range, 3-70 years) who represented 14.3% of all seropositive residents identified. Parasites were obtained from feces of T. cruzi-infected Triatoma infestans examined 30 or 60 days after blood-feeding, and grown in vitro. The cultured parasites were genotyped by means of two PCR-based protocols. DTUs were determined from 39 (31%) patients residing in 28 dwellings. The only DTUs identified were TcV (92%) and TcVI (8-36%). Households with more than one parasite isolate consistently displayed the same DTU. Further sequencing of a fragment of the TcMK gene from selected samples argue against the occurrence of mixed TcV-TcVI infections in the study population. Sequencing data revealed an unexpected degree of genetic variability within TcV including two apparently robust subgroups of isolates. Our results for human residents confirm the predominance of hybrid lineages (TcV and to a much lesser extent TcVI) and the absence of sylvatic genotypes (TcI and TcIII) in (peri)domestic transmission cycles in the Argentinean Chaco area. 245 words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Paula Macchiaverna
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Fabián Enriquez
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Carlos Andrés Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Balouz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Esteban Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Marta Victoria Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina.
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20
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Schijman AG. Molecular diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2018; 184:59-66. [PMID: 29476727 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the kinetoplastid protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people, most of them neglected populations. The different phases of the disease, the transmission mode and the high genetic variability of the parasite determine that molecular detection methods display different degree of success. Molecular diagnostic tests may be employed during epidemiological surveys of transmission, for early diagnosis of congenital transmission and acute infections due to oral transmission, transfusion or transplantation routes, reactivation due to immunosuppression and monitoring of treatment response in chronically infected patients receiving trypanocidal chemotherapy. This manuscript summarizes the most widely used molecular tools to detect T. cruzi infection in different epidemiological and clinical scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Hector Torres" (INGEBI-CONICET), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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