Trypanosomatid Richness Among Rats, Opossums, and Dogs in the Caatinga Biome, Northeast Brazil, a Former Endemic Area of Chagas Disease

Parasites are important components of the immense n-dimensional trophic network that connects all living beings because they, among others, forge biodiversity and deeply influence ecological evolution and host behavior. In this sense, the influence of Trypanosomatidae remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine trypanosomatid infection and richness in rats, opossums, and dogs in the semiarid Caatinga biome. We submitted DNA samples from trypanosomatids obtained through axenic cultures of the blood of these mammals to mini exon multiplex-PCR, Sanger, and next-generation sequencing targeting the 18S rDNA gene. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify genetic diversity in the Trypanosomatidae family. Shannon, Simpson, equability, and beta-diversity indices were calculated per location and per mammalian host. Dogs were surveyed for trypanosomatid infection through hemocultures and serological assays. The examined mammal species of this area of the Caatinga biome exhibited an enormous trypanosomatid species/genotypes richness. Ten denoised Operational Taxonomic Units (ZOTUs), including three species (Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma rangeli and Crithidia mellificae) and one Trypanosoma sp. five genotypes/lineages (T. cruzi DTU TcI, TcII, and TcIV; T. rangeli A and B) and four DTU TcI haplotypes (ZOTU1, ZOTU2, ZOTU5, and ZOTU10 merged), as well as 13 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs), including five species (T. cruzi, T. rangeli, C. mellificae, Trypanosoma dionisii, and Trypanosoma lainsoni), five genotypes/lineages (same as the ZOTUs) and six DTU TcI haplotypes (ASV, ASV1, ASV2, ASV3, ASV5 and ASV13), were identified in single and mixed infections. We observed that trypanosomatids present a broad host spectrum given that species related to a single host are found in other mammals from different taxa. Concomitant infections between trypanosomatids and new host-parasite relationships have been reported, and this immense diversity in mammals raised questions, such as how this can influence the course of the infection in these animals and its transmissibility. Dogs demonstrated a high infection rate by T. cruzi as observed by positive serological results (92% in 2005 and 76% in 2007). The absence of positive parasitological tests confirmed their poor infectivity potential but their importance as sentinel hosts of T. cruzi transmission.

Trypanosoma Species in Small Nonflying Mammals in an Area With a Single Previous Chagas Disease Case

Trypanosomatids are hemoflagellate parasites that even though they have been increasingly studied, many aspects of their biology and taxonomy remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the Trypanosoma sp. transmission cycle in nonflying small mammals in an area where a case of acute Chagas disease occurred in Mangaratiba municipality, Rio de Janeiro state. Three expeditions were conducted in the area: the first in 2012, soon after the human case, and two others in 2015. Sylvatic mammals were captured and submitted to blood collection for trypanosomatid parasitological and serological exams. Dogs from the surrounding areas where the sylvatic mammals were captured were also tested for T. cruzi infection. DNA samples were extracted from blood clots and positive hemocultures, submitted to polymerase chain reaction targeting SSU rDNA and gGAPDH genes, sequenced and phylogenetic analysed. Twenty-one wild mammals were captured in 2012, mainly rodents, and 17 mammals, mainly marsupials, were captured in the two expeditions conducted in 2015. Only four rodents demonstrated borderline serological T. cruzi test (IFAT), two in 2012 and two in 2015. Trypanosoma janseni was the main Trypanosoma species identified, and isolates were obtained solely from Didelphis aurita. In addition to biological differences, molecular differences are suggestive of genetic diversity in this flagellate species. Trypanosoma sp. DID was identified in blood clots from D. aurita in single and mixed infections with T. janseni. Concerning dogs, 12 presented mostly borderline serological titers for T. cruzi and no positive hemoculture. In blood clots from 11 dogs, T. cruzi DNA was detected and characterized as TcI (n = 9) or TcII (n = 2). Infections by Trypanosoma rangeli lineage E (n = 2) and, for the first time, Trypanosoma caninum, Trypanosoma dionisii, and Crithidia mellificae (n = 1 each) were also detected in dogs. We concluded that despite the low mammalian species richness and degraded environment, a high Trypanosoma species richness species was being transmitted with the predominance of T. janseni and not T. cruzi, as would be expected in a locality of an acute case of Chagas disease.

Trypanosomatid Richness in Wild and Synanthropic Small Mammals from a Biological Station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Trypanosomatids are diverse and can infect several host species, including small mammals (rodents and marsupials). Between 2012 and 2014, 91 small mammals were surveyed for trypanosomatid infection in the Estação Biológica FIOCRUZ Mata Atlântica (EFMA), an Atlantic Forest area in Rio de Janeiro that presents different levels of conserved and degraded areas. Blood, skin, liver, and spleen samples were submitted to parasitological, serological, and molecular assays to detect the infection and determine the taxonomic status of their parasites. Sixty-eight individuals (74.7%; n = 91) were infected by trypanosomatids, including fourteen mixed infected by different trypanosomatid parasites. These hosts were infected by: T. cruzi DTU TcI (n = 12), T. cruzi DTU TcIV (n = 2), T. janseni (n = 15), T. dionisii (n = 1), and T. rangeli A (n = 1) detected in blood or tissue cultures, in addition to T. cruzi DTU TcI (n = 9) and Leishmania sp. (n = 1) only by the molecular diagnosis. Serological diagnosis was positive in 38 (71.6%) individuals for T. cruzi, the same amount for Leishmania spp., and 23 (43.3%) individuals were mixed infected. These data indicate a remarkable richness of trypanosomatid species/genotypes infecting small mammals, even in a disturbed area with low mammal species diversity—as is the case of the EFMA—reinforcing the generalist aspect of these parasites.

Trypanosoma rangeli Genetic, Mammalian Hosts, and Geographical Diversity from Five Brazilian Biomes

Trypanosoma rangeli is a generalist hemoflagellate that infects mammals and is transmitted by triatomines around Latin America. Due to its high genetic diversity, it can be classified into two to five lineages. In Brazil, its distribution outside the Amazon region is virtually unknown, and knowledge on the ecology of its lineages and on host species diversity requires further investigation. Here, we analyzed 57 T. rangeli samples obtained from hemocultures and blood clots of 1392 mammals captured in different Brazilian biomes. The samples were subjected to small subunit (SSU) rDNA amplification and sequencing to confirm T. rangeli infection. Phylogenetic inferences and haplotype networks were reconstructed to classify T. rangeli lineages and to infer the genetic diversity of the samples. The results obtained in our study highlighted both the mammalian host range and distribution of T. rangeli in Brazil: infection was observed in five new species (Procyon cancrivorous, Priodontes maximum, Alouatta belzebul, Sapajus libidinosus, and Trinomys dimidiatus), and transmission was observed in the Caatinga biome. The coati (Nasua nasua) and capuchin monkey (S. libidinosus) are the key hosts of T. rangeli. We identified all four T. rangeli lineages previously reported in Brazil (A, B, D, and E) and possibly two new genotypes.

Crithidia mellificae infection in different mammalian species in Brazil

Crithidia mellificae, a monoxenous trypanosomatid considered restricted to insects, was recently reported to infect a bat. Herein, C. mellificae has been demonstrated to have a wider range of vertebrate hosts and distribution in Brazilian biomes than once thought. Parasites isolated from haemocultures were characterized using V7V8 SSU rDNA and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes. Coatis (Nasua nasua) in the Cerrado; marmosets (Callithrix sp.) and bats (Carollia perspicillata, Myotis lavali, M. izecksohni, Artibeus lituratus) in the Atlantic Forest; crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the Pantanal biomes were infected by trypanosomatids that displayed choanomastigote forms in haemoculture in Giemsa-stained slide smears. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic inference confirmed the infection of C. mellificae in these animals. Moreover, slight differences in C. mellificae sequences were observed. Crithidia mellificae growth curves were counted at 27°C, 36°C and 37°C, and the morphotypes were able to grow and survive for up to 16 days. Serological titers for C. mellificae were observed in nonhuman primates, demonstrating that this parasite is able to induce a humoral immune response in an infected mammal. These results showed that host specificity in trypanosomatids is complex and far from understood.

Isolation and characterization of trypanosomatids, including Crithidia mellificae, in bats from the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We studied infection by Trypanosomatidae in bats captured in two areas with different degradation levels in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state: Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) and Estação Fiocruz Mata Atlântica (EFMA). Furthermore, we evaluated whether the diversity of trypanosomatids changes according to bat diversity and the different levels of preservation in the region. The results showed no influence of the level of preservation on bat species richness (15 and 14 species, respectively), with similar chiropterofauna and higher abundance of two common fruit-eating bat species in the tropics: Carollia perspicillata and Artibeus lituratus. Of the 181 bat specimens analyzed by LIT/Schneider hemoculture, we detected 24 infected individuals (13%), including one positive Sturnira lilium individual that was also positive by fresh blood examination. Molecular characterization using nested PCR targeting the 18 SSU rRNA-encoding gene fragment showed similar trypanosomatid infection rates in bats from the two areas: 15% in REGUA and 11% in EFMA (p = 0.46). Trypanosoma dionisii was the most frequently detected parasite (54%), followed by T. cruzi DTUs TcI and TcIV and Trypanosoma sp., in Neotropical phyllostomid bats (RNMO63 and RNMO56); mixed infections by T. dionisii/T. cruzi TcIII and T. dionisii/T. cruzi TcI were also observed. The T. cruzi DTUs TcI and TcIV are the genotypes currently involved in cases of acute Chagas disease in Brazil, and T. dionisii was recently found in the heart tissue of an infected child. Surprisingly, we also describe for the first time Crithidia mellificae, a putative monoxenous parasite from insects, infecting a vertebrate host in the Americas. Bats from the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state harbor a great diversity of trypanosomatids, maintaining trypanosomatid diversity in this sylvatic environment.

High Trypanosoma spp. diversity is maintained by bats and triatomines in Espírito Santo state, Brazil

The aim of this study was to reevaluate the ecology of an area in the Atlantic Forest, southeast Brazil, where Chagas disease (CD) has been found to occur. In a previous study, immediately after the occurrence of a CD case, we did not observe any sylvatic small mammals or dogs with Trypanosoma cruzi cruzi infections, but Triatoma vitticeps presented high T. c. cruzi infection rates. In this study, we investigated bats together with non-volant mammals, dogs, and triatomines to explore other possible T. c. cruzi reservoirs/hosts in the area. Seventy-three non-volant mammals and 186 bats were captured at three sites within the Guarapari municipality, Espírito Santo state. Rio da Prata and Amarelos sites exhibited greater richness in terms of non-volant mammals and bats species, respectively. The marsupial Metachirus nudicaudatus, the rodent Trinomys paratus, and the bats Artibeus lituratus and Carollia perspicillata were the most frequently captured species. As determined by positive hemocultures, only two non-volant mammals were found to be infected by Trypanosoma species: Monodelphis americana, which was infected by T. cascavelli, T. dionisii and Trypanosoma sp., and Callithrix geoffroyi, which was infected by T. minasense. Bats presented T. c. cruzi TcI and TcIII/V, T. c. marinkellei, T. dionisii, T. rangeli B and D, and Trypanosoma sp. infections. Seven dogs were infected with T. cruzi based only on serological exams. The triatomines T. vitticeps and Panstrongylus geniculatus were found to be infected by trypanosomes via microscopy. According to molecular characterization, T. vitticeps specimens were infected with T. c. cruzi TcI, TcII, TcIII/V, and TcIV, T. c. marinkellei and T. dionisii. We observed high trypanosome diversity in a small and fragmented region of the Atlantic Forest. This diversity was primarily maintained by bats and T. vitticeps. Our findings show that the host specificity of the Trypanosoma genus should be thoroughly reviewed. In addition, our data show that CD cases can occur without an enzootic cycle near residential areas.

Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi TcII and TcI in free-ranging population of lion tamarins (Leontopithecus spp): an 11-year follow-up

Here, we present a review of the dataset resulting from the 11-years follow-up of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in free-ranging populations of Leontopithecus rosalia (golden lion tamarin) and Leontopithecus chrysomelas (golden-headed lion tamarin) from distinct forest fragments in Atlantic Coastal Rainforest. Additionally, we present new data regarding T. cruzi infection of small mammals (rodents and marsupials) that live in the same areas as golden lion tamarins and characterisation at discrete typing unit (DTU) level of 77 of these isolates. DTU TcII was found to exclusively infect primates, while TcI infected Didelphis aurita and lion tamarins. The majority of T. cruzi isolates derived from L. rosalia were shown to be TcII (33 out 42) Nine T. cruzi isolates displayed a TcI profile. Golden-headed lion tamarins demonstrated to be excellent reservoirs of TcII, as 24 of 26 T. cruzi isolates exhibited the TcII profile. We concluded the following: (i) the transmission cycle of T. cruzi in a same host species and forest fragment is modified over time, (ii) the infectivity competence of the golden lion tamarin population fluctuates in waves that peak every other year and (iii) both golden and golden-headed lion tamarins are able to maintain long-lasting infections by TcII and TcI.

Food web connections and the transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in the Pantanal Region, Brazil

We examined by parasitological tests (hemocultures and buffy coat) infection by Trypanosoma cruzi and T. evansi in blood samples from Leopardus pardalis, Cerdocyon thous and domestic dogs. Besides, 25 T. cruzi isolates previously derived from feral pigs and small wild mammals were here characterized by miniexon gene and demonstrated to be in the TcI genotype. Herein, we make an overall analysis of the transmission cycle of both trypanosome species in the light of the assemblage of data collected over the last seven years. The carnivore Nasua nasua was confirmed to play a major role in the transmission cycles of both T. cruzi and T. evansi since it was the species that had the higher prevalence and higher parasitemias by both flagellate species. In addition, our results show that both trypanosomatid species may be found throughout the Pantanal landscape, in all forest strata, as shown by the infection of carnivore, arboreal and terrestrial scansorial marsupial species in complex and seasonal transmission cycles. We propose that transmission of T. cruzi and T. evansi in the southern Pantanal region takes place via an intricate ecological trophic network involving generalist and specialist mammal species that are linked through a robust food-web connection.

Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) genotypes in neotropical bats in Brazil

Few studies have been conducted to investigate the role played by the order Chiroptera in the sylvatic transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi or their putative association with the main genotypes of the parasite. Here, the purpose was to enlarge the knowledge of this issue, in this sense, 93 specimens of bats included in 4 families, respectively Molossidae, Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae collected in distinct regions of Brazil were submitted to fresh blood smears and hemocultures. No patent parasitemia was observed but positive hemocultures by T. cruzi were observed in 14% (13/93) of examined samples. The majority of the parasite isolates were obtained from Phyllostomus hastatus (80%) captured in one same buriti hollow palm tree in the Cerrado region. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) analyses showed that the genetic distance among these isolates was 0.35, almost the same observed when all the isolates (excluding the reference strains) were analyzed (0.40). No correlation of zymodeme with bat genera, species or geographic region of its origin could be observed, moreover, correlation of zymodeme and genotype of the parasite was not strict. Ten out of 14 T. cruzi isolates obtained from bats corresponded to the TCII genotype. Chiropterans with TCI, TCII/TCIII mixed infection as well as Trypanosoma rangeli in single or mixed infections were observed. These results show that bats may harbor and are probably important maintainers of the main genotypes (TCI, TCII, TCIII/Z3) of T. cruzi. These results support the absence of an association of TCII with any mammal order and show that bats, mainly P. hastatus, may act as amplifier hosts of TCII subpopulations of T. cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi (kinetoplastida Trypanosomatidae): biological heterogeneity in the isolates derived from wild hosts

The course of experimental infection of Swiss mice with 95 sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi isolates included in TCI or TCII genotype was characterized. The purpose was to verify biological properties and its eventual correspondence with original host species, genotype or zymodeme. The isolates of T. cruzi were 100% infective, 55% resulted in patent parasitemia with 69% (36/52) of mortality. A meaningful biological heterogeneity was observed in both, TCI and TCII isolates. TCII isolates resulted in higher patent parasitemia 64% (38/59), in contrast to the 41% TCI infected Swiss mice (14/34). Parasitemia was not always associated to mortality. Higher biological heterogeneity was observed in T. cruzi II isolates derived from L. rosalia from the Atlantic Coastal Rain forest. TCII isolates derived from marsupials resulted in very similar infection profile in Swiss mice.

Stable infection of primates with Trypanosoma cruzi I and II

In order to better comprehend the putative association between genotype Trypanosoma cruzi II and primates, an evaluation of the infection in free ranging primates and specimens born in captivity from different geographical areas, the Amazon and the Atlantic forest, was carried out. Seroprevalences of the T. cruzi infection among the primates was similar in both biomes (45.5% and 46%). The parasites were isolated from 8 and 4 different species of primates, respectively from the Amazon and Atlantic forest. Multi-locus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) typed the isolates from Amazon as zymodeme 1. Mini-exon gene analysis characterized all these isolates as T. cruzi I, the main genotype circulating in the region. In the Atlantic forest, primates infected with TCI and TCII, as well as a mixed infection (TCI and TCII), were detected. These findings prove that primates may maintain stable infections by both genotypes. Moreover, data show that T. cruzi can occur in a wide range of primate genera, independent of their social behaviour, niches or habitats. Considering the high seroprevalence and stability of T. cruzi infection among the primates, these animals play an important role in the maintenance of the parasite in nature.

Clinical, biochemical, and electrocardiographic aspects of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in free-ranging golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia)

BACKGROUND

Wild golden lion tamarins from the Biological Reserve of Poço das Antas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have high prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection leading us to clinically assess the disease in this endangered species.

METHODS

34 tamarins were sampled for the presence of T. cruzi infection (through serology) and clinical evaluation (electrocardiography, blood counts and biochemical analysis).

RESULTS

32% of the sampled tamarins were T. cruzi positive, 45% of these displayed cardiac abnormalities. Main cardiac abnormality in infected tamarins was T wave low voltage; R wave low voltage and V3S wave high voltage were also found. The tamarins displaying T wave low voltage had high proportion of seric cardiac creatine kinase. Seric mean total protein was significantly higher in infected tamarins.

CONCLUSIONS

Sampled tamarins displayed typical signs of T. cruzi infection, similar to experimentally infected primates and human natural infection. Potential risk of T. cruzi infection to this endangered species is discussed.

Distinct patterns of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Leontopithecus rosalia in distinct Atlantic coastal rainforest fragments in Rio de Janeiro--Brazil

Previous studies on infection of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve population of wild free-ranging Leontopithecus rosalia have shown the presence of genotype T. cruzi II, associated in Brazil with human disease. Herein, this study has been extended, the infection being evaluated in L. rosalia of 3 different tamarin populations, inhabiting distinct forest areas located in the same Atlantic Coastal Rainforest. Edentata, Marsupialia, Rodentia and Chiroptera were examined exclusively in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve. Excluding Chiroptera, T. cruzi infection was found in all orders. Biochemical and molecular characterization demonstrated that golden lion tamarins maintained stable infections by T. cruzi II. The isolates from the other mammals corresponded to T. cruzi I, suggesting independent transmission cycles occurring among the sylvatic mammals inside Poço das Antas Biological Reserve. Significant differences in the infection patterns presented by the 3 populations of wild and captive-born golden lion tamarins were noticed. In Poço das Antas a considerably higher number of positive haemocultures from tamarins with positive serological titres was observed in comparison to those obtained from other areas. The implications for conservation and public health of an active sylvatic cycle in the Atlantic Coastal Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro are discussed.

Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in a captive primate unit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A breeding in captivity program of neotropical primates for subsequent reintroduction in nature is in progress at the Primatology Center of Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ). Almost 200 animals of 20 species that include both wild captured animals and specimens born in captivity are maintained in CPRJ. Here, we examined 198 primates of CPRJ for infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The animals included 18 species of eight genera. We also performed an "ad lib" search for triatomines that could be incriminated as putative transmitters of the protozoan in this scenario. Anti-T. cruzi antibodies were observed (by indirect immunofluorescence assay-IFA) in 40 monkeys (26.5%). Four Panstrongylus megistus were collected in the monkey's food storage room near the cages and in human dwellings in the proximity to CPRJ. T. cruzi were isolated from nine primates of two genera (Leontopithecus and Saguinus) and from two individuals of the vector P. megistus. The transmission inside the cages could be attested by the isolation of the T. cruzi from primates born in captivity. Multi-locus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) demonstrated that the two isolates from Saguinus bicolor bicolor displayed a zymodeme 1 profile in four out of five tested enzymes, while all isolates derived from Leontopithecus showed zymodeme 2 for four out of the five tested enzymes. Mini-exon gene analysis genotyped all isolates as T. cruzi II, which is associated with human disease in Brazil. A wild primate unit such as CPRJ, located inside the forest and near to human dwellings and with T. cruzi II infected animals, deserves a careful surveillance in order to prevent expansion of the infection.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Leontopithecus rosalia at the Reserva Biológica de Poco das Antas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Wild golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) - endangered primates that are native to the Brazilian Atlantic coastal forest - were surveyed for the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi with the use of Giemsa-stained blood smears, hemocultures and an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT). Positive IFAT with titers ranging from 1:20 to 1:1280 were observed in 52% of the 118 wild tamarins examined and the parasite was isolated from 38 tamarins. No patent parasitemia was observed among the tamarins from which T. cruzi was isolated. Serum conversion and positive hemoculture was observed for three animals that had yielded negative results some months earlier, which indicates that T. cruzi is actively transmitted among tamarins. In contrast to observations with other sylvatic isolates, those from the tamarins were significantly more virulent and most of them produced mortality in experimentally infected Swiss mice. Some variation in the kDNA restriction profiles among the isolates was observed. Electrophoresis with GPI, G6PDH, IDH, MDH and ME enzymes showed a Z2 profile.

The complexity of the sylvatic cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in Rio de Janeiro state (Brazil) revealed by the non-transcribed spacer of the mini-exon gene

American trypanosamiasis occurs in nature as a sylvatic cycle, where Trypanosoma cruzi interacts with wild triatomines and mammalian reservoirs, such as marsupials, rodents, armadillos and other animals. Due to difficulties in trying to isolate T. cruzi stocks from the sylvatic cycle, very few studies have been performed in order to understand the parasite infection in natural environments. Traditionally T. cruzi has been considered to be composed of a highly heterogeneous population of parasites. In contrast, the mini-exon and the 24S alpha rRNA gene loci have shown that T. cruzi stocks can be clustered in 2 major phylogenetic groups: lineage 1 and lineage 2. In this report, 68 recently isolated T. cruzi samples from the sylvatic cycle belonging to different geographical areas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have been typed based on a variable spot in the non-transcribed spacer of the mini-exon gene. Eight isolates were from triatomines, 26 stocks were from golden-lion tamarins, 31 from opossums, 2 from rodents and 1 from a three-toed sloth. Thirty (44%-30/68) isolates were typed as lineage 1, while 36 (53%-36/68) isolates were typed as lineage 2. Two opossums presented mixed infection. Therefore, 3% (2/68) of the isolates were typed as lineage 1 + lineage 2. Using these geographical regions as models of sylvatic environments, it was observed that 96% of the Didelphis marsupialis were infected by lineage 2 isolates, while all 26 golden-lion tamarins were infected by lineage 1. The results show preferential association of the 2 lineages of T. cruzi with different hosts, composing the complexity of the sylvatic cycle.

Molecular epidemiology of American trypanosomiasis in Brazil based on dimorphisms of rRNA and mini-exon gene sequences

American trypanosomiasis is transmitted in nature via a sylvatic cycle, where Trypanosoma cruzi interacts with wild triatomines and mammalian reservoirs, or via a domestic cycle where the parasite comes into contact with humans through domiciliated triatomines. The pool of T. cruzi isolates consists of sub-populations presenting a broad genetic diversity. In contrast to the heterogeneity suggested by isoenzyme analysis, PCR amplification of sequences from the 24S alpha rRNA gene and from the non-transcribed spacer of the mini-exon gene indicated dimorphism among T. cruzi isolates, which enabled the definition of two major parasite lineages. In the present study, 157 T. cruzi isolates obtained from humans, triatomines and sylvatic mammalian reservoirs from 12 Brazilian states were analysed by the 24S alpha RNA and mini-exon typing approaches. The stocks were classified into the two proposed lineages and according to the domestic or sylvatic cycle of the parasite. Data presented provide evidence for a strong association of T. cruzi lineage 1 with the domestic cycle, while in the sylvatic cycle both lineages circulate equally. Molecular typing of human parasite isolates from three well-characterised endemic regions of Chagas disease (Minas Gerais, Paraiba and Piaui) and from Amazonas State, where T. cruzi is enzootic, suggests that in some endemic areas in Brazil there is a preferential linkage between both cycles mediated by lineage-1 stocks.