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Lima MB, Borges A, Wolf M, Santos HA, Dias RJP, Rossi MF. First record of Trypanosoma (Ornithotrypanum) infecting Neotropical birds. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:156. [PMID: 38457016 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08179-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Parasites play a pivotal role in ecosystem health, influencing human and zoonotic diseases, as well as biodiversity preservation. The genus Trypanosoma comprises approximately 500 species mostly found in wildlife animals. This study focuses on identifying trypanosomes found in the white-necked thrush (Turdus albicollis) and the yellow-legged thrush (Turdus flavipes) in the Neotropics. First, we demonstrate the utility of an 18S rDNA sequence-structure phylogeny as an alternative method for trypanosome classification, especially when gGAPDH sequences are unavailable. Subsequently, the sequence-structure phylogeny is employed to classify new trypanosome sequences discovered in wild birds, placing them within the Ornithotrypanum subgenus. This marks the first identification of Ornithotrypanum in Neotropical birds, contributing to the understanding of the distribution and ecological adaptation of avian trypanosomes. Beyond taxonomy, this study broadens our comprehension of the ecological implications of avian trypanosomes in the Neotropics, emphasizing the need for continued research in this field. These findings underscore the importance of alternative classification methods, which are essential to unravel the complex interactions between parasites, wildlife hosts, and their ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mylena B Lima
- Laboratory of Protozoology (LabProto), Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alyssa Borges
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Wolf
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Würzburg, BiocenterWürzburg, Germany
| | - Huarrisson A Santos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto Júnio Pedroso Dias
- Laboratory of Protozoology (LabProto), Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana F Rossi
- Laboratory of Protozoology (LabProto), Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Beatty NL, Arango-Ferreira C, Gual-Gonzalez L, Zuluaga S, Nolan MS, Cantillo-Barraza O. Oral Chagas Disease in Colombia-Confirmed and Suspected Routes of Transmission. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:14. [PMID: 38251211 PMCID: PMC10819552 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) remains endemic throughout many regions of Colombia despite implementing decades of vector control strategies in several departments. Some regions have had a significant decrease in vectorial transmission, but the oral ingestion of Trypanosoma cruzi through consumption of contaminated food and drink products is increasingly described. This form of transmission has important public health relevance in Colombia due to an increase in reported acute CD cases and clinical manifestations that often lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Oral CD in Colombia has been associated with the consumption of contaminated fruit juices, such as palm wine, sugar cane, or tangerine juice and water for consumption, or contaminated surfaces where food has been prepared. Another interesting route of oral transmission includes ingestion of unbeknownst infected armadillos' blood, which is related to a traditional medicine practice in Colombia. Some earlier reports have also implemented consumption of infected bush meat as a source, but this is still being debated. Within the Amazon Basin, oral transmission is now considered the principal cause of acute CD in these regions. Furthermore, new cases of acute CD are now being seen in departments where CD has not been documented, and triatomine vectors are not naturally found, thus raising suspicion for oral transmission. The oral CD could also be considered a food-borne zoonosis, and odoriferous didelphid secretions have been implemented in contaminating the human dwelling environment, increasing the risk of consumption of infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes. In this article, we will discuss the complex transmission dynamics of oral CD in Colombia and further examine the unique clinical manifestations of this route of infection. New insights into the oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi are being discovered in Colombia, which can help bring increased awareness and a better understanding of this neglected tropical disease to reduce the burden of CD throughout Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman L. Beatty
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Catalina Arango-Ferreira
- Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital San Vicente Fundación, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
- Departamento de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Lídia Gual-Gonzalez
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (L.G.-G.); (M.S.N.)
| | - Sara Zuluaga
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (L.G.-G.); (M.S.N.)
| | - Omar Cantillo-Barraza
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
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Beatty NL, Bhosale CR, Torhorst CW, Burkett-Cadena ND, Oi FM, Forsyth CJ, Wisely SM. Integrated pest management strategies targeting the Florida kissing bug, Triatoma sanguisuga: Preventing this vector of Chagas disease from invading your home. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 4:100144. [PMID: 37841307 PMCID: PMC10570570 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), commonly called "kissing bugs", are blood-sucking pests and vectors of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD). Eleven species of kissing bugs occur throughout the southern half of the USA, four of which are well known to invade human dwellings. Certain kissing bugs in the USA are known to transmit T. cruzi to humans and other animals and their bites can also lead to serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. In Florida, the kissing bug Triatoma sanguisuga frequently invades homes, bites residents, and has been found infected with T. cruzi, placing humans and companion animals at risk for CD. This review outlines integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for minimizing human exposure to T. sanguisuga and CD. A comprehensive IPM plan for kissing bugs includes detailed inspections, removal of vertebrate host nesting areas, and kissing bug harborage, home improvements to exclude kissing bugs from entering structures, pest removal, and judicious use of pesticides. This approach can limit or eliminate kissing bug entry into residential structures, thereby preventing kissing bug bites, and CD infections in humans and companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman L. Beatty
- University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chanakya R. Bhosale
- Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Carson W. Torhorst
- University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Vero Beach, FL, USA
| | - Faith M. Oi
- University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Samantha M. Wisely
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Role of a 49 kDa Trypanosoma cruzi Mucin-Associated Surface Protein (MASP49) during the Infection Process and Identification of a Mammalian Cell Surface Receptor. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010105. [PMID: 36678452 PMCID: PMC9865002 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, a parasitic disease of great medical importance on the American continent. Trypomastigote infection's initial step in a mammalian host is vital for the parasite's life cycle. A trypomastigote's surface presents many molecules, some of which have been proposed to be involved in the infection process, including a glycoprotein family called mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs). This work describes a 49-kDa molecule (MASP49) that belongs to this family and is expressed mainly on the surfaces of amastigotes and trypomastigotes but can be found in extracts and the membrane-enriched fractions of epimastigotes. This protein is partially GPI-anchored to the surface and has a role during the internalization process, since its blockade with specific antibodies decreases parasite entry into Vero cells by 62%. This work shows that MASP49 binds to peritoneal macrophages and rat cardiomyocytes, undergoes glycosylation via galactose N-acetylgalactosamine, and can attach to the macrophage murine C-type lectin receptor (mMGL). These results suggest that MASP49 can be considered a virulence factor in T. cruzi, and a better understanding of its role in the infection process is necessary.
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