1
|
Grillet ME, Hernández-Villena JV, Llewellyn MS, Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Tami A, Vincenti-Gonzalez MF, Marquez M, Mogollon-Mendoza AC, Hernandez-Pereira CE, Plaza-Morr JD, Blohm G, Grijalva MJ, Costales JA, Ferguson HM, Schwabl P, Hernandez-Castro LE, Lamberton PHL, Streicker DG, Haydon DT, Miles MA, Acosta-Serrano A, Acquattela H, Basañez MG, Benaim G, Colmenares LA, Conn JE, Espinoza R, Freilij H, Graterol-Gil MC, Hotez PJ, Kato H, Lednicky JA, Martinez CE, Mas-Coma S, Morris JG, Navarro JC, Ramirez JL, Rodriguez M, Urbina JA, Villegas L, Segovia MJ, Carrasco HJ, Crainey JL, Luz SLB, Moreno JD, Noya Gonzalez OO, Ramírez JD, Alarcón-de Noya B. Venezuela's humanitarian crisis, resurgence of vector-borne diseases, and implications for spillover in the region. Lancet Infect Dis 2019; 19:e149-e161. [PMID: 30799251 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30757-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In the past 5-10 years, Venezuela has faced a severe economic crisis, precipitated by political instability and declining oil revenue. Public health provision has been affected particularly. In this Review, we assess the impact of Venezuela's health-care crisis on vector-borne diseases, and the spillover into neighbouring countries. Between 2000 and 2015, Venezuela witnessed a 359% increase in malaria cases, followed by a 71% increase in 2017 (411 586 cases) compared with 2016 (240 613). Neighbouring countries, such as Brazil, have reported an escalating trend of imported malaria cases from Venezuela, from 1538 in 2014 to 3129 in 2017. In Venezuela, active Chagas disease transmission has been reported, with seroprevalence in children (<10 years), estimated to be as high as 12·5% in one community tested (n=64). Dengue incidence increased by more than four times between 1990 and 2016. The estimated incidence of chikungunya during its epidemic peak is 6975 cases per 100 000 people and that of Zika virus is 2057 cases per 100 000 people. The re-emergence of many vector-borne diseases represents a public health crisis in Venezuela and has the possibility of severely undermining regional disease elimination efforts. National, regional, and global authorities must take action to address these worsening epidemics and prevent their expansion beyond Venezuelan borders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Grillet
- Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Martin S Llewellyn
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Alberto E Paniz-Mondolfi
- Infectious Diseases Research Incubator and the Zoonosis and Emerging Pathogens Regional Collaborative Network, Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas IDB, Clinica IDB Cabudare, Cabudare, Venezuela; Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Adriana Tami
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela
| | - Maria F Vincenti-Gonzalez
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marilianna Marquez
- Infectious Diseases Research Incubator and the Zoonosis and Emerging Pathogens Regional Collaborative Network, Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas IDB, Clinica IDB Cabudare, Cabudare, Venezuela; Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Universidad Centrooccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela
| | - Adriana C Mogollon-Mendoza
- Infectious Diseases Research Incubator and the Zoonosis and Emerging Pathogens Regional Collaborative Network, Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas IDB, Clinica IDB Cabudare, Cabudare, Venezuela; Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Universidad Centrooccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela
| | - Carlos E Hernandez-Pereira
- Infectious Diseases Research Incubator and the Zoonosis and Emerging Pathogens Regional Collaborative Network, Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas IDB, Clinica IDB Cabudare, Cabudare, Venezuela; Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Universidad Centrooccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela
| | - Juan D Plaza-Morr
- Infectious Diseases Research Incubator and the Zoonosis and Emerging Pathogens Regional Collaborative Network, Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas IDB, Clinica IDB Cabudare, Cabudare, Venezuela; Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda, Punto Fijo, Falcón State, Venezuela
| | - Gabriella Blohm
- Infectious Diseases Research Incubator and the Zoonosis and Emerging Pathogens Regional Collaborative Network, Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas IDB, Clinica IDB Cabudare, Cabudare, Venezuela; Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mario J Grijalva
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Jaime A Costales
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Heather M Ferguson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Poppy H L Lamberton
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Daniel G Streicker
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Daniel T Haydon
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michael A Miles
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alvaro Acosta-Serrano
- Department of Vector Biology and Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Maria G Basañez
- Department of Vector Biology and Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gustavo Benaim
- Instituto de Biología Experimental, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Luis A Colmenares
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jan E Conn
- Griffin Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; School of Public Health, University at Albany, NY, USA
| | - Raul Espinoza
- Hospital Miguel Pérez Carreño, Instituto Venezolano de los Seguros Sociales, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Hector Freilij
- Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mary C Graterol-Gil
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Peter J Hotez
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hirotomo Kato
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - John A Lednicky
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Clara E Martinez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Santiago Mas-Coma
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Glen Morris
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Juan C Navarro
- Enfermedades Emergentes y Salud Ambiental, Centro de Biodiversidad, Universidad Internacional SEK, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jose L Ramirez
- Biotechnology Center, Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Marlenes Rodriguez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Julio A Urbina
- Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Maikell J Segovia
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Hernan J Carrasco
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - James L Crainey
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane ILMD/FIOCRUZ, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Sergio L B Luz
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane ILMD/FIOCRUZ, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Juan D Moreno
- Centro de Investigaciones de Campo "Dr Francesco Vitanza", Servicio Autónomo Instituto de Altos Estudios "Dr Arnoldo Gabaldon", MPPS, Tumeremo, Venezuela
| | - Oscar O Noya Gonzalez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Centro de Investigaciones de Campo "Dr Francesco Vitanza", Servicio Autónomo Instituto de Altos Estudios "Dr Arnoldo Gabaldon", MPPS, Tumeremo, Venezuela
| | - Juan D Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR, Programa de Biología, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bhattacharyya T, Falconar AK, Luquetti AO, Costales JA, Grijalva MJ, Lewis MD, Messenger LA, Tran TT, Ramirez JD, Guhl F, Carrasco HJ, Diosque P, Garcia L, Litvinov SV, Miles MA. Development of peptide-based lineage-specific serology for chronic Chagas disease: geographical and clinical distribution of epitope recognition. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2892. [PMID: 24852444 PMCID: PMC4031129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease, caused by infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a serious public health issue in Latin America. Genetically diverse, the species is sub-divided into six lineages, known as TcI–TcVI, which have disparate geographical and ecological distributions. TcII, TcV, and TcVI are associated with severe human disease in the Southern Cone countries, whereas TcI is associated with cardiomyopathy north of the Amazon. T. cruzi persists as a chronic infection, with cardiac and/or gastrointestinal symptoms developing years or decades after initial infection. Identifying an individual's history of T. cruzi lineage infection directly by genotyping of the parasite is complicated by the low parasitaemia and sequestration in the host tissues. Methodology/Principal Findings We have applied here serology against lineage-specific epitopes of the T. cruzi surface antigen TSSA, as an indirect approach to allow identification of infecting lineage. Chagasic sera from chronic patients from a range of endemic countries were tested by ELISA against synthetic peptides representing lineage-specific TSSA epitopes bound to avidin-coated ELISA plates via a biotin labelled polyethylene glycol-glycine spacer to increase rotation and ensure each amino acid side chain could freely interact with their antibodies. 79/113 (70%) of samples from Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina recognised the TSSA epitope common to lineages TcII/TcV/TcVI. Comparison with clinical information showed that a higher proportion of Brazilian TSSApep-II/V/VI responders had ECG abnormalities than non-responders (38% vs 17%; p<0.0001). Among northern chagasic sera 4/20 (20%) from Ecuador reacted with this peptide; 1/12 Venezuelan and 1/34 Colombian samples reacted with TSSApep-IV. In addition, a proposed TcI-specific epitope, described elsewhere, was demonstrated here to be highly conserved across lineages and therefore not applicable to lineage-specific serology. Conclusions/Significance These results demonstrate the considerable potential for synthetic peptide serology to investigate the infection history of individuals, geographical and clinical associations of T. cruzi lineages. Chagas disease remains a significant public health issue in Latin America. Caused by the single-celled parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the main route of infection is via contact with contaminated faeces from blood-sucking triatomine bugs, but following successful insecticide spraying campaigns, congenital, food-borne, and transfusion/transplantation routes of infection have become more relevant. In the absence of successful chemotherapy, T. cruzi usually persists in the body for life, and in symptomatic cases may lead to death or debilitation by heart failure and/or gastrointestinal megasyndromes. As a species, T. cruzi displays great genetic diversity, and is subdivided into lineages called TcI - TcVI. Associating T. cruzi lineage with clinical symptoms is a key goal of Chagas disease research. Direct isolation and typing of T. cruzi from chronically infected patients is hampered by the sequestration of the parasite in host tissues. Identifying lineage-specific antibodies in serum provides an alternative approach to determining an individual's history of infection. Here, we performed lineage-specific serology using samples from a range of South American countries. We show that lineage-specific seropositivity is associated with geographical distributions and clinical outcome. These findings have wide implications for further diagnostics development and improved understanding of the epidemiology of Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Bhattacharyya
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Alejandro O. Luquetti
- Laboratorio de Chagas, Hospital das Clinicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goias, Brazil
| | - Jaime A. Costales
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Escuela de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Mario J. Grijalva
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Escuela de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louisa A. Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Trang T. Tran
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juan-David Ramirez
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Hernan J. Carrasco
- Universidad Central de Venezuela Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Patricio Diosque
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular, Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Lineth Garcia
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | | | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Messenger LA, Llewellyn MS, Bhattacharyya T, Franzén O, Lewis MD, Ramírez JD, Carrasco HJ, Andersson B, Miles MA. Multiple mitochondrial introgression events and heteroplasmy in trypanosoma cruzi revealed by maxicircle MLST and next generation sequencing. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1584. [PMID: 22506081 PMCID: PMC3323513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mitochondrial DNA is a valuable taxonomic marker due to its relatively fast rate of evolution. In Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, the mitochondrial genome has a unique structural organization consisting of 20–50 maxicircles (∼20 kb) and thousands of minicircles (0.5–10 kb). T. cruzi is an early diverging protist displaying remarkable genetic heterogeneity and is recognized as a complex of six discrete typing units (DTUs). The majority of infected humans are asymptomatic for life while 30–35% develop potentially fatal cardiac and/or digestive syndromes. However, the relationship between specific clinical outcomes and T. cruzi genotype remains elusive. The availability of whole genome sequences has driven advances in high resolution genotyping techniques and re-invigorated interest in exploring the diversity present within the various DTUs. Methodology/Principal Findings To describe intra-DTU diversity, we developed a highly resolutive maxicircle multilocus sequence typing (mtMLST) scheme based on ten gene fragments. A panel of 32 TcI isolates was genotyped using the mtMLST scheme, GPI, mini-exon and 25 microsatellite loci. Comparison of nuclear and mitochondrial data revealed clearly incongruent phylogenetic histories among different geographical populations as well as major DTUs. In parallel, we exploited read depth data, generated by Illumina sequencing of the maxicircle genome from the TcI reference strain Sylvio X10/1, to provide the first evidence of mitochondrial heteroplasmy (heterogeneous mitochondrial genomes in an individual cell) in T. cruzi. Conclusions/Significance mtMLST provides a powerful approach to genotyping at the sub-DTU level. This strategy will facilitate attempts to resolve phenotypic variation in T. cruzi and to address epidemiologically important hypotheses in conjunction with intensive spatio-temporal sampling. The observations of both general and specific incidences of nuclear-mitochondrial phylogenetic incongruence indicate that genetic recombination is geographically widespread and continues to influence the natural population structure of TcI, a conclusion which challenges the traditional paradigm of clonality in T. cruzi. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important public health problem in Latin America. While molecular techniques can differentiate the major T. cruzi genetic lineages, few have sufficient resolution to describe diversity among closely related strains. The online availability of three mitochondrial genomes allowed us to design a multilocus sequence typing (mtMLST) scheme to exploit these rapidly evolving markers. We compared mtMLST with current nuclear typing tools using isolates belonging to the oldest and most widely occurring lineage TcI. T. cruzi is generally believed to reproduce clonally. However, in this study, distinct branching patterns between mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenetic trees revealed multiple incidences of genetic exchange within different geographical populations and major lineages. We also examined Illumina sequencing data from the TcI genome strain which revealed multiple different mitochondrial genomes within an individual parasite (heteroplasmy) that were, however, not sufficiently divergent to represent a major source of typing error. We strongly recommend this combined nuclear and mitochondrial genotyping methodology to reveal cryptic diversity and genetic exchange in T. cruzi. The level of resolution that this mtMLST provides should greatly assist attempts to elucidate the complex interactions between parasite genotype, clinical outcome and disease distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louisa A Messenger
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yeo M, Mauricio IL, Messenger LA, Lewis MD, Llewellyn MS, Acosta N, Bhattacharyya T, Diosque P, Carrasco HJ, Miles MA. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for lineage assignment and high resolution diversity studies in Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1049. [PMID: 21713026 PMCID: PMC3119646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is a powerful and highly discriminatory method for analysing pathogen population structure and epidemiology. Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), has remarkable genetic and ecological diversity. A standardised MLST protocol that is suitable for assignment of T. cruzi isolates to genetic lineage and for higher resolution diversity studies has not been developed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We have sequenced and diplotyped nine single copy housekeeping genes and assessed their value as part of a systematic MLST scheme for T. cruzi. A minimum panel of four MLST targets (Met-III, RB19, TcGPXII, and DHFR-TS) was shown to provide unambiguous assignment of isolates to the six known T. cruzi lineages (Discrete Typing Units, DTUs TcI-TcVI). In addition, we recommend six MLST targets (Met-II, Met-III, RB19, TcMPX, DHFR-TS, and TR) for more in depth diversity studies on the basis that diploid sequence typing (DST) with this expanded panel distinguished 38 out of 39 reference isolates. Phylogenetic analysis implies a subdivision between North and South American TcIV isolates. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data revealed high levels of heterozygosity among DTUs TcI, TcIII, TcIV and, for three targets, putative corresponding homozygous and heterozygous loci within DTUs TcI and TcIII. Furthermore, individual gene trees gave incongruent topologies at inter- and intra-DTU levels, inconsistent with a model of strict clonality. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We demonstrate the value of systematic MLST diplotyping for describing inter-DTU relationships and for higher resolution diversity studies of T. cruzi, including presence of recombination events. The high levels of heterozygosity will facilitate future population genetics analysis based on MLST haplotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Yeo
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dujardin JC, Herrera S, do Rosario V, Arevalo J, Boelaert M, Carrasco HJ, Correa-Oliveira R, Garcia L, Gotuzzo E, Gyorkos TW, Kalergis AM, Kouri G, Larraga V, Lutumba P, Macias Garcia MA, Manrique-Saide PC, Modabber F, Nieto A, Pluschke G, Robello C, Rojas de Arias A, Rumbo M, Santos Preciado JI, Sundar S, Torres J, Torrico F, Van der Stuyft P, Victoir K, Olesen OF. Research priorities for neglected infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean region. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010; 4:e780. [PMID: 21049009 PMCID: PMC2964298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
6
|
Bhattacharyya T, Brooks J, Yeo M, Carrasco HJ, Lewis MD, Llewellyn MS, Miles MA. Analysis of molecular diversity of the Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote small surface antigen reveals novel epitopes, evidence of positive selection and potential implications for lineage-specific serology. Int J Parasitol 2010; 40:921-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2009] [Revised: 01/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
7
|
Llewellyn MS, Miles MA, Carrasco HJ, Lewis MD, Yeo M, Vargas J, Torrico F, Diosque P, Valente V, Valente SA, Gaunt MW. Genome-scale multilocus microsatellite typing of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing unit I reveals phylogeographic structure and specific genotypes linked to human infection. PLoS Pathog 2009; 5:e1000410. [PMID: 19412340 PMCID: PMC2669174 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the most important parasitic infection in Latin America and is also genetically highly diverse, with at least six discrete typing units (DTUs) reported: Tc I, IIa, IIb, IIc, IId, and IIe. However, the current six-genotype classification is likely to be a poor reflection of the total genetic diversity present in this undeniably ancient parasite. To determine whether epidemiologically important information is “hidden” at the sub-DTU level, we developed a 48-marker panel of polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate population structure among 135 samples from across the geographic distribution of TcI. This DTU is the major cause of resurgent human disease in northern South America but also occurs in silvatic triatomine vectors and mammalian reservoir hosts throughout the continent. Based on a total dataset of 12,329 alleles, we demonstrate that silvatic TcI populations are extraordinarily genetically diverse, show spatial structuring on a continental scale, and have undergone recent biogeographic expansion into the southern United States of America. Conversely, the majority of human strains sampled are restricted to two distinct groups characterised by a considerable reduction in genetic diversity with respect to isolates from silvatic sources. In Venezuela, most human isolates showed little identity with known local silvatic strains, despite frequent invasion of the domestic setting by infected adult vectors. Multilocus linkage indices indicate predominantly clonal parasite propagation among all populations. However, excess homozygosity among silvatic strains and raised heterozygosity among domestic populations suggest that some level of genetic recombination cannot be ruled out. The epidemiological significance of these findings is discussed. The arrival of the Trypanosoma cruzi online genome now provides vital information for the study of Chagas disease. Using this resource, we identified and developed a genome-scale panel of rapidly evolving microsatellite markers that can be used to unravel the micro-epidemiology of this parasite. We then tested these against a panel of isolates belonging to the most widely occurring and ancient major lineage, T. cruzi I (TcI). Our study includes samples from across the geographical distribution of this lineage, including isolates from wild vectors, domestic vectors, as well as wild mammalian reservoirs and human hosts. This is the first time T. cruzi has been subjected to such high-resolution population genetic analysis. Our study shows that important epidemiological information lies at the intra-lineage level, especially when wild and domestic populations of parasite are compared. Crucially, in Venezuela, where Chagas disease may be resurgent despite decades of control effort, genotypes of parasites found in the wild are rarely represented in humans, despite evidence that infected wild vectors do invade houses. In this manuscript, we examine the epidemiological implications of this finding and others, and suggest how the approach we have developed can now be used to investigate the true nature of parasite transmission at Chagas disease foci throughout the Americas.
Collapse
|
8
|
Yeo M, Lewis MD, Carrasco HJ, Acosta N, Llewellyn M, da Silva Valente SA, de Costa Valente V, de Arias AR, Miles MA. Resolution of multiclonal infections of Trypanosoma cruzi from naturally infected triatomine bugs and from experimentally infected mice by direct plating on a sensitive solid medium. Int J Parasitol 2006; 37:111-20. [PMID: 17052720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2006] [Revised: 08/03/2006] [Accepted: 08/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The isolation of biological clones of Trypanosoma cruzi by microscopically dispensing individual organisms or by serial dilution is laborious and time consuming. The inability to resolve mixed T. cruzi infections, from vectors and hosts, and to isolate clones of slow growing genotypes by efficient plating on solid media, has hindered characterisation studies and downstream applications. We have devised and validated a sensitive, solid medium plating technique for rapid in vitro isolation of clones representative of all the recognised T. cruzi lineages (TCI, TCIIa-e), including the slow growing strain CANIII (TC IIa) and Trypanosoma rangeli, with high plating efficiencies. Furthermore, the method is effective for the isolation of clones directly from silvatic triatomine bugs and from experimentally infected mice harbouring mixed infections, allowing resolution of multiclonal infections from varied sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Yeo
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gaunt MW, Yeo M, Frame IA, Stothard JR, Carrasco HJ, Taylor MC, Mena SS, Veazey P, Miles GAJ, Acosta N, de Arias AR, Miles MA. Mechanism of genetic exchange in American trypanosomes. Nature 2003; 421:936-9. [PMID: 12606999 DOI: 10.1038/nature01438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2002] [Accepted: 01/14/2003] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The kinetoplastid Protozoa are responsible for devastating diseases. In the Americas, Trypanosoma cruzi is the agent of Chagas' disease--a widespread disease transmissible from animals to humans (zoonosis)--which is transmitted by exposure to infected faeces of blood-sucking triatomine bugs. The presence of genetic exchange in T. cruzi and in Leishmania is much debated. Here, by producing hybrid clones, we show that T. cruzi has an extant capacity for genetic exchange. The mechanism is unusual and distinct from that proposed for the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei. Two biological clones of T. cruzi were transfected to carry different drug-resistance markers, and were passaged together through the entire life cycle. Six double-drug-resistant progeny clones, recovered from the mammalian stage of the life cycle, show fusion of parental genotypes, loss of alleles, homologous recombination, and uniparental inheritance of kinetoplast maxicircle DNA. There are strong genetic parallels between these experimental hybrids and the genotypes among natural isolates of T. cruzi. In this instance, aneuploidy through nuclear hybridization results in recombination across far greater genetic distances than mendelian genetic exchange. This mechanism also parallels genome duplication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Gaunt
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Stothard JR, Frame IA, Carrasco HJ, Miles MA. Analysis of genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi: an application of riboprinting and gradient gel electrophoresis methods. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2000; 95:545-51. [PMID: 10904413 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762000000400017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles derived from digestion of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of the ribosomal 18S from Trypanosoma cruzi yields a typical 'riboprint' profile that can vary intraspecifically. A selection of 21 stocks of T. cruzi and three outgroup taxa: T. rangeli, T. conorhini and Leishmania braziliensis were analysed by riboprinting to assess divergence within and between taxa. T. rangeli, T. conorhini and L. braziliensis could be easily differentiated from each other and from T. cruzi. Phenetic analysis of PCR-RFLP profiles indicated that, with one or two exceptions, stocks of T. cruzi could be broadly partitioned into two groups that formally corresponded to T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II respectively. To test if ribosomal 18S sequences were homogeneous within each taxon, gradient gel electrophoresis methods were employed utilising either chemical or temperature gradients. Upon interpretation of the melting profiles of riboprints and a section of the 18S independently amplified by PCR, there would appear to be at least two divergent 18S types present within T. cruzi. Heterogeneity within copies of the ribosomal 18S within a single genome has therefore been demonstrated and interestingly, this dimorphic arrangement was also present in the outgroup taxa. Presumably the ancestral duplicative event that led to the divergent 18S types preceded that of speciation within this group. These divergent 18S paralogues may have, or had, different functional pressures or rates of molecular evolution. Whether or not these divergent types are equally transcriptionally active throughout the life cycle, remain to be assessed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J R Stothard
- Pathogen Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
In order to investigate the molecular taxonomy within Trypanosoma cruzi, the ribosomal small subunit (18S) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from a selection of 21 stocks and 3 outgroup taxa. Amplification products were digested with 10 restriction enzymes; restriction fragments were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and profiles were visualized by silver staining. Upon analysis of such riboprint profiles, an estimate of pairwise phenetic distance between stocks of T. cruzi was calculated. Upon principal coordinate analysis of this data matrix, a tendency towards a bi-polar grouping of stocks was observed. These 2 groups were predominantly either zymodeme 1 stocks or zymodeme 2 stocks. The position of zymodeme 3 stocks remained intermediate between the 2 groups but did not form a coherent group by themselves. It would therefore appear premature to warrant division of T. cruzi into 2 discrete taxa or subspecies until the relationships of further zymodeme 3 stocks are elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J R Stothard
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
To test the homogeneity of 18S sequences within Trypanosoma cruzi, riboprint profiles were separated by temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE). Upon interpretation of melting curves of fragments within a riboprint profile, there appeared to be two 18S sequence types within each stock examined. Two similar types were also observed within outgroup taxa Trypanosoma conorhini, Trypanosoma rangeli and Leishmania braziliensis. From DNA hybridization studies, these fragments were shown to have homology to the 18S V1 region. There are therefore two 18S V1 regions, differing in sequence, present in all taxa examined. When only a single 18S sequence is used to represent each taxa for phylogenetic inference, comparisons may be between paralogous and not orthologous copies of this region, such that, inferred relationships may merely reflect a gene history. This seriously questions the current molecular phylogeny of these protozoa using 18S data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J R Stothard
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Valente VC, Valente SA, Noireau F, Carrasco HJ, Miles MA. Chagas disease in the Amazon Basin: association of Panstrongylus geniculatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) with domestic pigs. J Med Entomol 1998; 35:99-103. [PMID: 9538568 DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/35.2.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Just over 100 autochthonous cases of Chagas disease are reported from the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille) occurs throughout the region and is the known vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, principal zymodeme 3 (Z3) to the armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus. In the small riverine community of Furo do Rio Pau Grande, pigsties adjoining houses were heavily infested with P. geniculatus, which repeatedly attacked local inhabitants. Palm trees in the immediate vicinity were also infested. T. cruzi principal zymodeme 1 (Z1) was isolated from P. geniculatus, domestic pigs, and opossums, but no human infections were detected. The threat of endemic Chagas disease to the Amazon Basin from either domiciliation of local silvatic triatomine species, or from migration of domestic vectors, demands a program of vigilance and plans of action to eliminate household triatomine colonies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V C Valente
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Fundacao Nacional de Saude, Belém, Pará State, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Garcia AL, Carrasco HJ, Schofield CJ, Stothard JR, Frame IA, Valente SA, Miles MA. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA as a tool for taxonomic studies of triatomine bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). J Med Entomol 1998; 35:38-45. [PMID: 9542343 DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/35.1.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Eleven of 27 decameric primers were found to be suitable for random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) from triatomine bugs on the basis that they produced discrete profiles and distinguished among Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister), Rhodnius prolixus Stål, and Triatoma infestans (Klug). The legs, or single leg segments, of individual bugs were used as the source of DNA so that the taxonomic value of the bug was conserved. Within the scope of the specimens studied, RAPD profiles allowed assignment to species even when bugs were kept dry for up to 12 mo. Profiles for individuals within a species were not identical. RAPD profiles, with the specimens tested, distinguished among species of 3 pairs considered to be morphologically similar and closely related, namely, Rhodnius ecuadorensis Lent & León and Rhodnius pictipes Stål; Rhodnius nasutus Stål, and Rhodnius neglectus Lent; Rhodnius prolixus Stål and Rhodnius robustus Larrousse. RAPD data conformed with the perceived affinities among these species. RAPD polymorphisms were seen with T. infestans from 3 different localities, but none of the polymorphisms was confined to 1 source. RAPD provided a molecular basis to reassess taxonomic relationships within the Triatomine subfamily. The accurate distinction of triatomine species and of intraspecific bug populations may contribute to elimination of vector-borne Chagas disease from the Americas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A L Garcia
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Simon, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Carrasco HJ, Frame IA, Valente SA, Miles MA. Genetic exchange as a possible source of genomic diversity in sylvatic populations of Trypanosoma cruzi. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1996; 54:418-24. [PMID: 8615458 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1996.54.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Thirty six stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from sylvatic mammals (32 Didelphis marsupialis and one Philander opossum) and triatomine bugs (Rhodnius robustus and one unidentified bug) in the Amazonian forest by Carajas, Brazil were characterized by isoenzyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis as belonging to principal zymodeme '1 (Z1). Two different homozygous phenotypes and the corresponding heterozygous phenotype were found for phosphoglucomutase with an observed frequency almost identical with that predicted by the theoretical Hardy-Weinberg distribution. Parental and hybrid profiles were also suggested by RAPD analysis, which allowed exclusion of mixed parental strains from the hybrids: isoenzyme and RAPD profiles of biological clones were also indistinguishable from those of uncloned stocks. Trypanosoma cruzi stocks from widely separated geographic origins in Central and South America gave similar RAPD profiles that allowed them to be recognized as being Z1. These results indicate that genetic exchange could contribute to the generation of genetic diversity during the sylvatic cycle of T. cruzi, and this may have epidemiologic and taxonomic implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H J Carrasco
- Department of Medical Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Rivera CJ, Gerardi AG, Infante RB, Carrasco HJ, Rodríguez O. Dietary fiber analysis of cassava using gravimetric methods. Arch Latinoam Nutr 1993; 43:78-80. [PMID: 8002709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
We report the application of a method which combines digestion with pancreatin and neutral detergent treatment in the analytical study of dietary fiber from cassava. The use of pancreatin previous to the detergent extraction enabled rapid filtration, thus giving more reproducible results for neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, lignin and pectin were also determined. The values obtained for NDF (4.65%) and pectin (1.17%) are very important, considering their role in the digestive process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C J Rivera
- Facultad de Medicina, Escuela de Bioanálisis, Universidad Central de Venezuela
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|