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Rios LE, Lokugamage N, Garg NJ. Effects of Acute and Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection on Pregnancy Outcomes in Mice: Parasite Transmission, Mortality, Delayed Growth, and Organ Damage in Pups. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:313-331. [PMID: 36565805 PMCID: PMC10013038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This study aimed to determine the effects of T. cruzi infection on fertility rate and health of the newborn pups in pregnant mice. Female mice were challenged with T. cruzi and mated at 21 days (acute parasitemic phase) or 90 days (chronic parasite persistence phase) after infection. Pups were examined for growth up to 20 days after birth; and parasite burden in brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and intestine was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, and fibrosis in pups' heart and brain tissues were evaluated by histology. T. cruzi infection in dams delayed the onset of pregnancy, decreased the fertility rate, and led to vertical transmission of parasite to the pups. Furthermore, infected dams delivered pups that exhibited decreased survival rate, decreased birth weight, and decreased growth rate. Significantly increased inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis of cardiac and brain tissues were noted in pups born to infected dams. Initial challenge with higher parasite dose had more detrimental effects on fertility rate and pups' health in both acutely and chronically infected dams. In conclusion, mice offer a promising model to evaluate the efficacy of new vaccines and therapeutic drugs in controlling the acute and chronic maternal T. cruzi infection and congenital transmission to newborns, and in improving the fertility rate and pups' health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizette E Rios
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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Waldeck B, Schaub GA. "Natural infections" with Trypanosoma cruzi via the skin of mice: size of mouthparts of vectors and numbers of invading parasites. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2033-2041. [PMID: 35507065 PMCID: PMC9192721 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07516-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Investigating parameters influencing natural infections with Trypanosoma cruzi via the skin, the diameters of mouthparts of different stages of triatomines vectors were measured to determine the size of the channel accessible for T. cruzi during cutaneous infection. The mean diameters of the skin-penetrating mandibles of first to fifth instar nymphs of the vector Triatoma infestans increased from 18 to 65 µm. The mean diameter in fourth instar nymphs of Dipetalogaster maxima was 86 µm. Different numbers of isolated vector-derived metacyclic trypomastigotes (10–10,000) were injected intradermally into mice. Prepatent periods, parasitemia and mortality rates were compared with those of mice obtaining 10,000 metacyclic trypomastigotes that are usually present in the first drop of faeces onto the feeding wounds of fifth and fourth instar nymphs of T. infestans and D. maxima, respectively. After injection of 50–10,000 T. cruzi, in all 42 mice the infection developed. An injection of 10 parasites induced an infection in 8 out of 15 mice. With increasing doses of parasites, prepatent periods tended to decrease. The level of parasitemia was higher after injection of the lowest dose. Except for one mouse all infected mice died. After placement of 10,000 metacyclic trypomastigotes onto the feeding wound of fifth or fourth instar nymphs of T. infestans and D. maxima, respectively, the infection rates of the groups, prepatent periods and the levels of parasitemia of T. cruzi in mice indicated that about 10–1,000 metacyclic trypomastigotes entered the skin via this route. For the first time, the present data emphasise the risk of an infection by infectious excreta of triatomines deposited near the feeding wound and the low number of invading parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Waldeck
- Zoology-Parasitology, Ruhr University, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Günter A Schaub
- Zoology-Parasitology, Ruhr University, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
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Repositioned Drugs for Chagas Disease Unveiled via Structure-Based Drug Repositioning. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228809. [PMID: 33233837 PMCID: PMC7699892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in South America. The current treatments are limited, have severe side effects, and are only partially effective. Drug repositioning, defined as finding new indications for already approved drugs, has the potential to provide new therapeutic options for Chagas. In this work, we conducted a structure-based drug repositioning approach with over 130,000 3D protein structures to identify drugs that bind therapeutic Chagas targets and thus represent potential new Chagas treatments. The screening yielded over 500 molecules as hits, out of which 38 drugs were prioritized following a rigorous filtering process. About half of the latter were already known to have trypanocidal activity, while the others are novel to Chagas disease. Three of the new drug candidates—ciprofloxacin, naproxen, and folic acid—showed a growth inhibitory activity in the micromolar range when tested ex vivo on T. cruzi trypomastigotes, validating the prediction. We show that our drug repositioning approach is able to pinpoint relevant drug candidates at a fraction of the time and cost of a conventional screening. Furthermore, our results demonstrate the power and potential of structure-based drug repositioning in the context of neglected tropical diseases where the pharmaceutical industry has little financial interest in the development of new drugs.
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Lidani KCF, Sandri TL, Castillo-Neyra R, Andrade FA, Guimarães CM, Marques EN, Beltrame MH, Gilman RH, de Messias-Reason I. Clinical and epidemiological aspects of chronic Chagas disease from Southern Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2020; 53:e20200225. [PMID: 33111908 PMCID: PMC7580281 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0225-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, present a higher risk of developing other chronic diseases, which may contribute to CD severity. Since CD is underreported in the southern state of Paraná, Brazil, we aimed to characterize clinical and epidemiological aspects of individuals chronically infected with T. cruzi in Southern Brazil. METHODS A community hospital-based study was performed, recording clinical/demographic characteristics of 237 patients with CD from Southern Brazil. To estimate the association between different forms of CD and sociodemographic and clinical variables, multiple logistic regression models were built using the Akaike information criterion. RESULTS Mean age was 57.5 years and 59% were females. Most patients' (60%) place of origin/birth was within Paraná and they were admitted to the CD outpatient clinic after presenting with cardiac/digestive symptoms (64%). The predominant form of CD was cardiac (53%), followed by indeterminate (36%), and digestive (11%). The main electrocardiographic changes were in the right bundle branch block (39%) and left anterior fascicular block (32%). The average number of comorbidities per patient was 3.9±2.3; systemic arterial hypertension was most common (64%), followed by dyslipidemia (34%) and diabetes (19%); overlapping comorbidities were counted separately. Male sex was associated with symptomatic cardiac CD (OR=2.92; 95%CI: 1.05-8.12; p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS This study provided greater understanding of the distribution and clinical profile of CD patients in Southern Brazil, indicating a high prevalence of comorbidities among these patients who are a vulnerable group due to advanced age and substantial risk of morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thaisa Lucas Sandri
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Tübingen,
BW, Germany
| | - Ricardo Castillo-Neyra
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department
of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fabiana Antunes Andrade
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Patologia Médica,
Hospital de Clínicas, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Cesar Maistro Guimarães
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Unidade de
Terapia Intensiva, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Eduardo Nunes Marques
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Patologia Médica,
Hospital de Clínicas, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Marcia Holsbach Beltrame
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Genética,
Laboratório de Genética Molecular Humana, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Robert Hugh Gilman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of
International Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iara de Messias-Reason
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Patologia Médica,
Hospital de Clínicas, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
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Felizardo AA, Marques DVB, Caldas IS, Gonçalves RV, Novaes RD. Could age and aging change the host response to systemic parasitic infections? A systematic review of preclinical evidence. Exp Gerontol 2018; 104:17-27. [PMID: 29366738 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The impact of age and aging in the evolution of systemic parasitic infections remains poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review from preclinical models of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, malaria, sleeping sickness and toxoplasmosis. From a structured and comprehensive search in electronic databases, 29 studies were recovered and included in the review. Beyond the characteristics of the experimental models, parasitological and immunological outcomes, we also discussed the quality of current evidence. Our findings indicated that throughout aging, parasitemia and mortality were consistently reduced in Chagas disease and malaria, but were similar or increased in leishmaniasis and highly variable in toxoplasmosis. While a marked humoral response in older animals was related to the anti-T. cruzi protective phenotype, cellular responses mediated by a polarized Th1 phenotype were associated with a more effective defense against Plasmodium infection. Conversely, in leishmaniasis, severe infections and high mortality rates were potentially related to attenuation of humoral response and an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 phenotypes. Due to the heterogeneous parasitological outcomes and limited immunological data, the role of aging on toxoplasmosis evolution remains unclear. From a detailed description of the methodological bias, more controlled researches could avoid the systematic reproduction of inconsistent and poorly reproducible experimental designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Aparecida Felizardo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Vasconcelos Bastos Marques
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo Santana Caldas
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Applicability of plant-based products in the treatment ofTrypanosoma cruziandTrypanosoma bruceiinfections: a systematic review of preclinicalin vivoevidence. Parasitology 2017; 144:1275-1287. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYChagas disease and sleeping sickness are neglected tropical diseases closely related to poverty, for which the development of plant-derived treatments has not been a promising prospect. Thus, we systematicaly review the preclinicalin vivoevidence on the applicability of plant-based products in the treatment ofTrypanosoma cruziandTrypanosoma bruceiinfections. Characteristics such as disease models, treatments, toxicological safety and methodological bias were analysed. We recovered 66 full text articles from 16 countries investigating 91 plant species. The disease models and treatments were highly variable. Most studies used native (n= 36, 54·54%) or exotic (n= 30, 45·46%) plants with ethnodirected indication (n= 45, 68·18%) for trypanosomiasis treatment. Complete phytochemical screening and toxicity assays were reported in only 15 (22·73%) and 32 (48·49%) studies, respectively. The currently available preclinical evidence is at high risk of bias. The absence of or incomplete characterization of animal models, treatment protocols, and phytochemical/toxicity analyses impaired the internal validity of the individual studies. Contradictory results of a same plant species compromise the external validity of the evidence, making it difficult determine the effectiveness, safety and biotechnological potential of plant-derived products in the development of new anti-infective agents to treatT. cruziandT. bruceiinfections.
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Assunção AN, Jerosch-Herold M, Melo RL, Mauricio AV, Rocha L, Torreão JA, Fernandes F, Ianni BM, Mady C, Ramires JAF, Kalil-Filho R, Rochitte CE. Chagas' heart disease: gender differences in myocardial damage assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2016; 18:88. [PMID: 27890014 PMCID: PMC5125033 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-016-0307-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since a male-related higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with Chagas' heart disease has been reported, we aimed to investigate gender differences in myocardial damage assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS AND RESULTS Retrospectively, 62 seropositive Chagas' heart disease patients referred to CMR (1.5 T) and with low probability of having significant coronary artery disease were included in this analysis. Amongst both sexes, there was a strong negative correlation between LV ejection fraction and myocardial fibrosis (male r = 0.64, female r = 0.73, both P < 0.001), with males showing significantly greater myocardial fibrosis (P = 0.002) and lower LV ejection fraction (P < 0.001) than females. After adjustment for potential confounders, gender remained associated with myocardial dysfunction, and 53% of the effect was mediated by myocardial fibrosis (P for mediation = 0.004). Also, the transmural pattern was more prevalent among male patients (23.7 vs. 9.9%, P < 0.001) as well as the myocardial heterogeneity or gray zone (2.2 vs. 1.3 g, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS We observed gender-related differences in myocardial damage assessed by CMR in patients with Chagas' heart disease. As myocardial fibrosis and myocardial dysfunction are associated to cardiovascular outcomes, our findings might help to understand the poorer prognosis observed in males in Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonildes N. Assunção
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo L. Melo
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Alejandra V. Mauricio
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Liliane Rocha
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Jorge A. Torreão
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Fabio Fernandes
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Barbara M. Ianni
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Charles Mady
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - José A. F. Ramires
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Roberto Kalil-Filho
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Carlos E. Rochitte
- Heart Institute, InCor, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Sector, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Andar AB, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
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Shiadeh MN, Niyyati M, Fallahi S, Rostami A. Human parasitic protozoan infection to infertility: a systematic review. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:469-77. [PMID: 26573517 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4827-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan parasitic diseases are endemic in many countries worldwide, especially in developing countries, where infertility is a major burden. It has been reported that such infections may cause infertility through impairment in male and female reproductive systems. We searched Medline, PubMed, and Scopus databases and Google scholar to identify the potentially relevant studies on protozoan parasitic infections and their implications in human and animal model infertility. Literature described that some of the protozoan parasites such as Trichomonas vaginalis may cause deformities of the genital tract, cervical neoplasia, and tubal and atypical pelvic inflammations in women and also non-gonoccocal urethritis, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia in men. Toxopalasma gondii could cause endometritis, impaired folliculogenesis, ovarian and uterine atrophy, adrenal hypertrophy, vasculitis, and cessation of estrus cycling in female and also decrease in semen quality, concentration, and motility in male. Trypanosoma cruzi inhibits cell division in embryos and impairs normal implantation and development of placenta. Decrease in gestation rate, infection of hormone-producing glands, parasite invasion of the placenta, and overproduction of inflammatory cytokines in the oviducts and uterine horns are other possible mechanisms induced by Trypanosoma cruzi to infertility. Plasmodium spp. and Trypanosoma brucei spp. cause damage in pituitary gland, hormonal disorders, and decreased semen quality. Entamoeba histolytica infection leads to pelvic pain, salpingitis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and genital ulcers. Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis can induce genital lesion, testicular amyloidosis, inflammation of epididymis, prostatitis, and sperm abnormality in human and animals. In addition, some epidemiological studies have reported that rates of protozoan infections in infertile patients are higher than healthy controls. The current review indicates that protozoan parasitic infections may be an important cause of infertility. Given the widespread prevalence of parasitic protozoa diseases worldwide, we suggest further studies to better understanding of relationship between such infections and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirzad Fallahi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.,Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Science, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ali Rostami
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Flórez-Vargas O, Bramhall M, Noyes H, Cruickshank S, Stevens R, Brass A. The quality of methods reporting in parasitology experiments. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101131. [PMID: 25076044 PMCID: PMC4116335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing concern both inside and outside the scientific community over the lack of reproducibility of experiments. The depth and detail of reported methods are critical to the reproducibility of findings, but also for making it possible to compare and integrate data from different studies. In this study, we evaluated in detail the methods reporting in a comprehensive set of trypanosomiasis experiments that should enable valid reproduction, integration and comparison of research findings. We evaluated a subset of other parasitic (Leishmania, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Trichuris and Schistosoma) and non-parasitic (Mycobacterium) experimental infections in order to compare the quality of method reporting more generally. A systematic review using PubMed (2000-2012) of all publications describing gene expression in cells and animals infected with Trypanosoma spp was undertaken based on PRISMA guidelines; 23 papers were identified and included. We defined a checklist of essential parameters that should be reported and have scored the number of those parameters that are reported for each publication. Bibliometric parameters (impact factor, citations and h-index) were used to look for association between Journal and Author status and the quality of method reporting. Trichuriasis experiments achieved the highest scores and included the only paper to score 100% in all criteria. The mean of scores achieved by Trypanosoma articles through the checklist was 65.5% (range 32-90%). Bibliometric parameters were not correlated with the quality of method reporting (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient <-0.5; p>0.05). Our results indicate that the quality of methods reporting in experimental parasitology is a cause for concern and it has not improved over time, despite there being evidence that most of the assessed parameters do influence the results. We propose that our set of parameters be used as guidelines to improve the quality of the reporting of experimental infection models as a pre-requisite for integrating and comparing sets of data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Flórez-Vargas
- Bio-health Informatics Group, School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Bramhall
- Bio-health Informatics Group, School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Noyes
- School of Biological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sheena Cruickshank
- Manchester Immunology Group, Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Stevens
- Bio-health Informatics Group, School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andy Brass
- Bio-health Informatics Group, School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester Immunology Group, Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Trypanosoma cruzi experimental congenital transmission associated with TcV and TcI subpatent maternal parasitemia. Parasitol Res 2012; 112:671-8. [PMID: 23160891 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-3184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The congenital transmission of Chagas disease is associated with an increase in parasitemia during pregnancy, maternal and fetal immunity, and populations of Trypanosoma cruzi. In this study, the biological behavior of TcI and TcV (isolated from a human congenital case) strains and their potential for experimental congenital transmission were evaluated in female BALB/C mice. Parasitemia was estimated by fresh blood examination, semiquantitative microhematocrit, and hemoculture, while congenital transmission was evaluated by culture in the liver infusion tryptose medium and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the pups' tissues on postnatal day 7 and of the pups' blood sample at 30 days after birth. Infection was detected in 100 % of the females. Both strains showed subpatent parasitemia, which was higher for TcV infection. The presence of amastigote nest was detected only in an animal infected with TcI. The inflammatory process was more frequent (p = 0.001) in the tissues of the animals infected with TcV (58.6 %) than TcI (31.1 %). The fertility rates of females mated after 35 days postinfection were similar (90 % for TcV, 88.9 % for TcI; p = 0.938). Parasitemia did not change during pregnancy. The average number of pups/female was greater (p = 0.03) in mice with TcV infection (8.30) than in those with TcI infection (4.78). Congenital transmission was detected exclusively by PCR in 50.9 % of the pups, 46.6 % for TcV and 58.1 % for TcI. The PCR positivity for TcI was higher in the blood than in the tissue (p = 0.003). These results demonstrate the T. cruzi experimental congenital infection associated with subpatent maternal parasitemia of TcI and TcV.
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Pinto ACH, Caetano LC, Levy AMA, Fernandes RD, Santos CD, do Prado JC. Experimental Chagas' disease in orchiectomized Calomys callosus infected with the CM strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2009; 124:147-52. [PMID: 19698712 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2008] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The incidence and progression of disorders associated with an unbalanced immune response has among many factors the gender as a contributory factor. The aims of this work were to evaluate the effects of orchiectomy and the immune response during the experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Young adult, male Calomys callous were i.p. inoculated with 1 x 10(5) blood trypomastigotes of the CM strain of T. cruzi and divided in groups: Control, Sham and Castrated. Castrated group displayed significantly lower values for prostate and seminal vesicle weights indicating a drastic drop of testosterone plasmatic levels. Orchiectomized animals also displayed lesser number of blood parasites, enhanced lytic antibody percentage, splenocyte proliferation and NO concentration when compared to its sham and control counterparts, indicating that steroid gonadal ablation actually influences immune response triggering a more efficient cellular and humoral response which led animals to become more resistant against T. cruzi infection.
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Huber SA. Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis: infection of females during the estrus phase of the ovarian cycle leads to activation of T regulatory cells. Virology 2008; 378:292-8. [PMID: 18586295 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2008] [Revised: 04/08/2008] [Accepted: 05/13/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic female mice expressing the TNFalpha gene under the cardiac myosin promoter (TNF1.6) develop substantially increased myocarditis and increased numbers of CD4+Th1 (interferon gamma+) cells when infected with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) during the diestrus and proestrus phases of the estrus cycle compared to females infected during the estrus and metestrus phases. Cardiac virus titers were increased in females infected in estrus compared to females infected during the other phases. T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) were increased in both peripheral blood and inflammatory cells in the heart in females infected during estrus. Exogenous administration of 200 ng/mouse 17-beta-estradiol to females protected against CVB3 induced myocarditis and increased CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ cells. These results demonstrate that hormonal fluctuations occurring in normally cycling females can determine T regulatory cell response and control virus-induced pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Huber
- University of Vermont, Department of Pathology, 208 South Park Drive, Suite #2, Colchester, Vermont 05446, USA.
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13
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Monteiro RV, Dietz JM, Raboy B, Beck B, De Vleeschouwer K, Vleeschouwer KD, Baker A, Martins A, Jansen AM. Parasite community interactions: Trypanosoma cruzi and intestinal helminths infecting wild golden lion tamarins Leontopithecus rosalia and golden-headed lion tamarins L. chrysomelas (Callitrichidae, L., 1766). Parasitol Res 2007; 101:1689-98. [PMID: 17676342 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2007] [Revised: 06/20/2007] [Accepted: 06/25/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The parasite prevalence and infection intensity in primate wild populations can be affected by many variables linked to host and/or parasite ecology or either to interparasite competition/mutualism. In this study, we tested how host sex, age, and place of origin, as well parasitic concomitant infections affect the structure of golden lion and golden-headed lion tamarins parasite community, considering Trypanosoma cruzi and intestinal helminths infection in these primates. A total of 206 tamarins from two Atlantic Coastal rain forest areas in Brazil were tested during 4 years for prevalence of T. cruzi infection and helminth prevalence. Three intestinal helminth groups showed high prevalences in both tamarin species: Prosthenorchis sp., Spiruridae, and Trichostrongylidae. An association between presence of T. cruzi infection and higher intestinal helminth prevalence was found in both tamarin species. Two explanations for this association seem to be plausible: (1) lower helminth-linked mortality rates in T. cruzi-infected tamarins and (2) lower elimination rates of helminths in such tamarins. A higher frequency of T. cruzi-positive blood cultures was significantly correlated to female tamarins and to the presence of Trichostrongylidae infection. The possibility of an increase in the transmissibility of T. cruzi and the three analyzed helminths in lion tamarins with concomitant infections is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael V Monteiro
- Lab. Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
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14
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Id Boufker H, Alexandre H, Carlier Y, Truyens C. Infertility in murine acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection is associated with inhibition of pre-implantation embryo development. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2006; 169:1730-8. [PMID: 17071596 PMCID: PMC1780211 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2006.060309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that Trypanosoma cruzi acute infection induced infertility in a great proportion of female mice, which resulted from a defect taking place before implantation. In this study, we have analyzed every step of reproduction from mating to implantation to identify the most sensitive event. Our results show that mating, ovulation, fertilization, and first division of the zygote of infected mice take place normally compared with uninfected mice, indicating that the defect occurred after the two-cell stage. In vivo development of two-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage was indeed dramatically delayed; some embryos even arrested their development before having reached the eight-cell stage while others degenerated. The effect was less pronounced when embryos were allowed to develop in vitro, indicating that the infectious context of the mother plays a role in maintaining growth retardation. The delay of embryonic development was associated with insufficient divisions of the blastomeres and led to abnormal blastocyst outgrowth that may explain implantation failure. Inhibition of cell division was correlated with the maternal parasitemia. This work clearly shows that T. cruzi infection dramatically impedes embryonic development, offering a model for further in vivo studies of embryotrophic factors produced by the oviduct of infected females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hicham Id Boufker
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Voigt CC, Fassbender M, Dehnhard M, Wibbelt G, Jewgenow K, Hofer H, Schaub GA. Validation of a minimally invasive blood-sampling technique for the analysis of hormones in domestic rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (Lagomorpha). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2004; 135:100-7. [PMID: 14644649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2003.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in small mammals showed that blood-sucking bugs (Reduviidae, Heteroptera) can be used to obtain blood from veins difficult to access by human experimenters. In the present study, we validated the use of reduviid bugs for endocrinological studies in endotherms using domestic rabbits as a model organism. Two processes could alter the hormone concentrations in the blood ingested by the bug: (1) Mixing of ingested blood with saliva, gut fluid, or hemolymph and (2) digestive processes. We compared concentrations of progesterone, testosterone, and hydrocortisone in blood samples that were acquired from domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by bugs (Dipetalogaster maxima) with hormone concentrations in blood obtained from the same individual rabbits with a conventional method, i.e., syringe. We found no significant differences in hormone concentrations between the two methods. Thus, the mixing effect is negligible immediately after the blood meal. In addition, we also could not find significant changes in concentrations of progesterone and hydrocortisone for up to 8h after the blood meal. Whereas levels of hydrocortisone remained unchanged for even 24h, progesterone levels significantly increased between eight and 24h. Thus, the bugs' excretory apparatus did not fractionate between water and hormones. Thirdly, we hypothesized that reduviid bugs impose less stress on the rabbits than the conventional method. We showed that deviations in hydrocortisone concentrations between the two blood sampling routines were lower when the bug method was used first and higher when the conventional method was used first. Thus, bugs imposed less stress on the study animals than the conventional method. Overall, we conclude that reduviid bugs present a minimally invasive method for obtaining blood from endotherm animals for endocrinological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian C Voigt
- Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Postfach 60 11 03, 10252, Berlin, Germany.
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