Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Prevalence and Bloodmeal Analysis in Triatomine Vectors of Chagas Disease From Rural Peridomestic Locations in Texas, 2013–2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodion Gorchakov ◽  
Lillian P. Trosclair ◽  
Edward J. Wozniak ◽  
Patricia T. Feria ◽  
Melissa N. Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Transmission Cycle ◽  
High Infection ◽  
History Of

Abstract Protozoan pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, which affects millions of people in Latin America. Recently, the disease has been gaining attention in Texas and the southern United States. Transmission cycle of the parasite involves alternating infection between insect vectors and vertebrate hosts (including humans, wildlife, and domestic animals). To evaluate vector T. cruzi parasite burden and feeding patterns, we tested triatomine vectors from 23 central, southern, and northeastern counties of Texas. Out of the 68 submitted specimens, the majority were genetically identified as Triatoma gerstaeckeri (Stal, 1859), with a few samples of Triatoma sanguisuga (LeConte, 1855), Triatoma lecticularia (Stal, 1859), Triatoma rubida (Uhler, 1894), and Triatoma protracta woodi (Usinger, 1939). We found almost two-thirds of the submitted insects were polymerase chain reaction-positive for T. cruzi. Bloodmeal sources were determined for most of the insects, and 16 different species of mammals were identified as hosts. The most prevalent type of bloodmeal was human, with over half of these insects found to be positive for T. cruzi. High infection rate of the triatomine vectors combined with high incidence of feeding on humans highlight the importance of Chagas disease surveillance in Texas. With our previous findings of autochthonous transmission of Chagas disease, urgent measures are needed to increase public awareness, vector control in and around homes, and Chagas screening of residents who present with a history of a triatomine exposure.

scholarly journals Bottlenecks in domestic animal populations can facilitate the emergence of Trypanosoma cruzi , the aetiological agent of Chagas disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1810) ◽  
pp. 20142807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Z. Levy ◽  
Aaron Tustin ◽  
Ricardo Castillo-Neyra ◽  
Tarub S. Mabud ◽  
Katelyn Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Aetiological Agent ◽  
Force Of Infection ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Triatomine Bugs ◽  
High Infection

Faeces-mediated transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi (the aetiological agent of Chagas disease) by triatomine insects is extremely inefficient. Still, the parasite emerges frequently, and has infected millions of people and domestic animals. We synthesize here the results of field and laboratory studies of T. cruzi transmission conducted in and around Arequipa, Peru. We document the repeated occurrence of large colonies of triatomine bugs (more than 1000) with very high infection prevalence (more than 85%). By inoculating guinea pigs, an important reservoir of T. cruzi in Peru, and feeding triatomine bugs on them weekly, we demonstrate that, while most animals quickly control parasitaemia, a subset of animals remains highly infectious to vectors for many months. However, we argue that the presence of these persistently infectious hosts is insufficient to explain the observed prevalence of T. cruzi in vector colonies. We posit that seasonal rains, leading to a fluctuation in the price of guinea pig food (alfalfa), leading to annual guinea pig roasts, leading to a concentration of vectors on a small subpopulation of animals maintained for reproduction, can propel T. cruzi through vector colonies and create a considerable force of infection for a pathogen whose transmission might otherwise fizzle out.

scholarly journals Usefulness of serology for the evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in endemic areas of Chagas' disease

1989 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Chuit ◽  
Elisabet Subias ◽  
Analia C. Pérez ◽  
Irene Paulone ◽  
Cristina Wisnivesky-Colli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Insecticide Treatment ◽  
Tissue Culture Media ◽  
Indirect Hemagglutination ◽  
History Of

Thirteen communities from 7 Argentinian provinces were selected for the evaluation of serology as an indicator of transmission of Chagas disease. Of the communities appraised, 6 did not have a history of previous treatment with insecticides and 7 had received sporadic or continuous insecticide treatment. The inhabitants of 20% of the houses of each locality were studied by serology. The samples were obtained byfinger pricking and 50 fil of blood were mixed with 150μl of 50% glycerine solution in tissue culture media to be assayed by Indirect Hemagglutination and Indirect Immunofluorescence tests. In untreated areas, the prevalence of infection in infants 0-4 years old was 17.5%, reaching to over 22% for the 5-9 year old group, and to 33.3% in 10-14 year old individuals. The prevalence in treated and surveyed areas was 2.6% in 0-4 year old children, 5.4% in 5-9 year old and 6,2% in 10-14 year old youngsters. The differences between both areas were statistically significant (p < 0.005). This study favors serology as a valid indicator for the evaluation of transmission of Chagas disease in rural areas.

scholarly journals Chagasic meningoencephalitis in the immunodeficient

1998 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAZO JAVIER ◽  
ANTONIO CARLOS OLIVEIRA MENESES ◽  
ADEMIR ROCHA ◽  
MARCELO SIMÃO FERREIRA ◽  
JAIME OLAVO MARQUEZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Brain Pathology ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain

Based on their own experience and on the literature, the authors compare the brain pathology due to HIV+ associated Trypanosoma cruzi reactived infection to that described for the natural history of the Chagas' disease (CD). The peculiar focal necrotizing chagasic meningoencephalitis (MECNF) which appears only in immunedeficient chagasics, especially when the deficiency is due HIV is a safe criterion for reactivation of CD. MECNF morphologic findings are unlike to those found either for some cases of acute phase CD or for chronic nervous form of CD.

scholarly journals Limited Ability of Posaconazole To Cure both Acute and Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infections Revealed by Highly SensitiveIn VivoImaging

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 4653-4661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Fortes Francisco ◽  
Michael D. Lewis ◽  
Shiromani Jayawardhana ◽  
Martin C. Taylor ◽  
Eric Chatelain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chronic Stage

ABSTRACTThe antifungal drug posaconazole has shown significant activity againstTrypanosoma cruziin vitroand in experimental murine models. Despite this, in a recent clinical trial it displayed limited curative potential. Drug testing is problematic in experimental Chagas disease because of difficulties in demonstrating sterile cure, particularly during the chronic stage of infection when parasite burden is extremely low and tissue distribution is ill defined. To better assess posaconazole efficacy against acute and chronic Chagas disease, we have exploited a highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging system which generates data with greater accuracy than other methods, including PCR-based approaches. Mice inoculated with bioluminescentT. cruziwere assessed byin vivoandex vivoimaging, with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression used to enhance the detection of relapse. Posaconazole was found to be significantly inferior to benznidazole as a treatment for both acute and chronicT. cruziinfections. Whereas 20 days treatment with benznidazole was 100% successful in achieving sterile cure, posaconazole failed in almost all cases. Treatment of chronic infections with posaconazole did however significantly reduce infection-induced splenomegaly, even in the absence of parasitological cure. The imaging-based screening system also revealed that adipose tissue is a major site of recrudescence in mice treated with posaconazole in the acute, but not the chronic stage of infection. Thisin vivoscreening model for Chagas disease is predictive, reproducible and adaptable to diverse treatment schedules. It should provide greater assurance that drugs are not advanced prematurely into clinical trial.

scholarly journals The indeterminate form of human chronic Chagas' disease: a clinical epidemological review

1989 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Carlos Pinto Dias
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Classical Concept ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Indeterminate Form ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chronic Chagas Disease

Data on the epidemiology and the natural history of the indeterminate form of human chronic Chagas' disease (IFCCD) are discussed, revealing its great importance in endemic areas of Brazil. The work shows that IFCCD presents a gradual and very slow course, causing a benign picture in the studied patients. Evolution patterns, prognostic and anatomopathological features are also discussed. For practical purposes, the classical concept of IFCCD proved to be simple, operational and consistent, It is defined by the absence of symptoms and clinical findings in chronic infected patients with positive serology and/or parasitological examinations for Trypanosoma cruzi coupled with normal electrocardiographic and radiological exams (heart, oesophagus and colon X-Rays). If a patient is submitted to more rigorous and sophisticated tests, these can reveal some alterations, generally small ones and unable to interfere with the prognosis of the infection. It is suggested that research lines specially related to the evolution ary factors and immunological involvement during this phase be adopted.

Trypanosoma cruzi Discrete Typing Units in Chagas disease patients from endemic and non-endemic regions of Argentina

Parasitology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. I. CURA ◽  
R. H. LUCERO ◽  
M. BISIO ◽  
E. OSHIRO ◽  
L. B. FORMICHELLI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Kidney Transplant Patient ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Cardiac Tissues ◽  
Taxonomical Status ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
History Of

SUMMARYGenetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi may play a role in pathogenesis of Chagas disease forms. Natural populations are classified into 6 Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) Tc I-VI with taxonomical status. This study aimed to identify T. cruzi DTUs in bloodstream and tissue samples of Argentinean patients with Chagas disease. PCR-based strategies allowed DTU identification in 256 clinical samples from 239 Argentinean patients. Tc V prevailed in blood from both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases and Tc I was more frequent in bloodstream, cardiac tissues and chagoma samples from immunosuppressed patients. Tc II and VI were identified in a minority of cases, while Tc III and Tc IV were not detected in the studied population. Interestingly, Tc I and Tc II/VI sequences were amplified from the same skin biopsy slice from a kidney transplant patient suffering Chagas disease reactivation. Further data also revealed the occurrence of mixed DTU populations in the human chronic infection. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence of the complexity of the dynamics of T. cruzi diversity in the natural history of human Chagas disease and allege the pathogenic role of DTUs I, II, V and VI in the studied population.

scholarly journals Bioluminescent:fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi Reporter Strains as Tools for Exploring Chagas Disease Pathogenesis and Drug Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin C. Taylor ◽  
Alexander I. Ward ◽  
Francisco Olmo ◽  
Amanda F. Francisco ◽  
Shiromani Jayawardhana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Drug Activity ◽  
Cellular Environment

: Chagas disease results from infection with the trypanosomatid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Progress in developing new drugs has been hampered by the long term and complex nature of the condition and by our limited understanding of parasite biology. Technical difficulties in assessing the parasite burden during the chronic stage of infection have also proved to be a particular challenge. In this context, the development of non-invasive, highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging procedures, based on parasites that express a red-shifted luciferase, has greatly enhanced our ability to monitor infections in experimental models. Applications of this methodology have led to new insights into tissue tropism and infection dynamics, and have been a major driver in drug development. The system has been further modified by the generation of parasite reporter lines that express bioluminescent:fluorescent fusion proteins, an advance that has allowed chronic infections in mice to be examined at a cellular level. By exploiting bioluminescence to identify the rare sites of tissue infection, and fluorescence to detect T. cruzi at the level of individual host cells in histological sections, it has been possible to investigate the replication and differentiation status of parasites in vivo and to examine the cellular environment of infection foci. In combination, these data are providing a framework for the detailed dissection of disease pathogenesis and drug activity.

scholarly journals 1357. A Combination of Itraconazole and Amiodarone Is Highly Effective Against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection of Human Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S415-S416
Author(s):  
Gabriele Sass ◽  
Roy Madigan ◽  
Adriana Bozzi ◽  
Nazish Sayed ◽  
Joseph Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
The United States ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Sterol Synthesis ◽  
Xtt Assay ◽  
Cruzi Infection

Abstract Background Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, which can result in severe cardiomyopathy. Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic to the Americas, and of particular importance in Latin America. In the United States and other nonendemic countries, rising case numbers have been observed. The only drugs available so far are benznidazole and nifurtimox, which have limited efficacy during chronic infection. We repurposed itraconazole, originally an antifungal, in combination with amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic, with the goal to interfere with Tc infection. Both drugs inhibit sterol synthesis, while amiodarone also inhibits calcium metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi. Methods Human pluripotent stem cells (HiPSC) were differentiated to cardiomyocytes (HiPSC-CM). Vero cells or HiPSC-CM were infected with the T. cruzi trypomastigotes Y strain in the presence of itraconazole and/or amiodarone. After 48 hours, infection and multiplication were evaluated by Giemsa stain. Benznidazole was used as a reference compound. Cell viability was verified by XTT assay. Results Itraconazole and amiodarone showed dose-dependent interference with T. cruzi infection of Vero cells or HiPSC-CM. The combination of itraconazole and amiodarone was more potent than the single substances, or benznidazole at therapeutic concentrations, without affecting host cell metabolism. In addition to effects on infection, itraconazole, or amiodarone affected T. cruzi multiplication. Here, itraconazole/amiodarone combinations were more potent than either alone, both, in Vero cells, and HiPSC-CM. Conclusion Our in vitro data suggest that a combination of itraconazole and amiodarone might serve as an effective new treatment option for Chagas disease, particularly cardiac involvement, in human and animal patients. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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