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da Mota DJG, de Melo LCV, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Gava R, Pinto PLS. First record of natural infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in Belocaulus willibaldoi and Rattus norvegicus in an urban area of São Paulo city, SP, Brazil. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05150. [PMID: 33083611 PMCID: PMC7550912 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a rat lungworm, is one of the leading causes of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Infection in humans occurs by the ingestion of intermediate hosts, undercooked paratenic hosts or contaminated vegetables and fruits by mucus from infected molluscs. This zoonosis is widespread in tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia, it has also been reported in the Pacific Islands as well as in other regions of Americas. In Brazil, human cases of angiostrongyliasis have been reported since 2007 in Southeast, Northeast, and South regions. In January 2011, we collected a batch of 30 Belocaulus willibaldoi slides in a neighborhood of São Paulo city (Parque Fernanda). Six of them were used for identifying species, and the others (24) were used in parasitological tests through digestion in peptic solution and then larvae isolation by the Rugai method. A total of 250 larvae were obtained and they had morphological traits of Angiostrongylus spp. Later, four Golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were infected with 38 larvae that allowed the recovery of young worms from the brain and lungs of rodents on the 21st and 30th day of infection. In this same neighborhood we captured rodents (Rattus norvegicus) that, after necropsy led us to recovery of 22 adult worms in the pulmonary arteries (14 males and 8 females) in May 2011. The larvae and worms obtained from natural infection were evaluated by morphological and morphometric parameters, as well as biological behavior patterns and molecular profile. All methodologies identified the parasite as Angiostrongylus cantonensis. In this way, we report for the first time, the natural infection by A. cantonensis in intermediate (B. willibaldoi) and definitive (R. norvegicus) hosts in a new urban region of Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Jessé Gonçalves da Mota
- Secretaria Municipal da Saúde de São Paulo- (UVIS Parelheiros) - Departamento de Vigilância Sanitária, Rua Cristina Schunck Klein, 23, CEP: 04890-350, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leyva Cecilia Vieira de Melo
- Núcleo de Enteroparasitas, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 355- 8º andar- CEP: 01246-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vera Lúcia Pereira-Chioccola
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Fungos, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 355 - 8º andar- CEP: 01246-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Gava
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Fungos, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 355 - 8º andar- CEP: 01246-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro Luiz Silva Pinto
- Núcleo de Enteroparasitas, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 355- 8º andar- CEP: 01246-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Nakashima F, Brandão de Mattos CC, Ferreira AIC, Spergiorin LCJF, Meira-Strejevitch CS, Oliani AH, Vaz-Oliani DCM, Pereira-Chioccola VL, de Mattos LC. FUT3 and FUT2 genotyping and glycoconjugate profile Lewis b as a protective factor to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Acta Trop 2019; 193:92-98. [PMID: 30831115 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between the ABO, FUT2 and FUT3 genes results in the synthesis of different glycoconjugates profiles expressed in gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis, utilizes this organ as an infection route. We analyzed the frequencies of the different glycoconjugate profiles which were determined by phenotyping ABO and genotyping the status secretor (FUT2; substitution G428A) and Lewis (FUT3; substitution T202C and C314T) histo-blood systems, assessed by PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSP, respectively. A total of 244 pregnant women (G1: Seropositive; G2: Seronegative) for IgG T. gondii antibodies were enrolled. IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were determined by ELISA. G1 was composed of 158 (64.8%) sample and G2 by 86 (36.2%). The glycoconjugate profile was accessed in 151 seropositive and 85 seronegative samples by the combination of ABO and Lewis phenotyping as well as FUT2 and FUT3 genotyping. In G1, 36 (22.8%) presented the glycoconjugate profile ALeb, 5 (3.3%) A, 13 (8.6) BLeb, 1 (0.6%) B, 41 (27.1%) Leb, 13(8.6%) H, 38(25.2%) Lea and 4 (2.6%) Lec. G2 was composed of 13 (15.3%) of ALeb, 15 (17.6%) BLeb, 1 (1.2%) B, 42 (49,4%) Leb and 14 (16.5) Lea. H and Lec glycoconjugate profiles were not found in G2. The frequencies of the glycoconjugates profiles Leb (p = 0.001) and H (p = 0.005) were significantly different compared between G1 and G2. The glycoconjugate profile H inferred from the ABO phenotyping and FUT3 and FUT2 genotyping is associated with infection by T. gondii in pregnant women and the Leb profile appears to protect the infection by this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Nakashima
- Biology Department, Bioscience, Languages and Exact Sciences Institute of the Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (IBILCE/UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Brazil.
| | - Ana Iara Costa Ferreira
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Lígia Cosentino Junqueira Franco Spergiorin
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Brazil.
| | | | - Antonio Hélio Oliani
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Denise Cristina Mós Vaz-Oliani
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Brazil.
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Maia MM, Meira-Strejevitch CS, Pereira-Chioccola VL, de Hippólito DDC, Silva VO, Brandão de Mattos CC, Frederico FB, Siqueira RC, de Mattos LC. Evaluation of gene expression levels for cytokines in ocular toxoplasmosis. Parasite Immunol 2018; 39. [PMID: 28836673 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated levels for mRNA expression of 7 cytokines in ocular toxoplasmosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis (OT Group, n = 23) and chronic toxoplasmosis individuals (CHR Group, n = 9) were isolated and stimulated in vitro with T. gondii antigen. Negative controls (NC) were constituted of 7 PBMC samples from individuals seronegative for toxoplasmosis. mRNA expression for cytokines was determined by qPCR. Results showed a significant increase in mRNA levels from antigen stimulated PBMCs derived from OT Group for expressing IL-6 (at P < .005 and P < .0005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively), IL-10 (at P < .0005 and P < .005 for CHR and NC groups, respectively) and TGF-β (at P < .005) for NC group. mRNA levels for TNF-α and IL-12 were also upregulated in patients with OT compared to CHR and NC individuals, although without statistical significance. Additionally, mRNA levels for IL-27 and IFN-γ in PBMC of patients with OT were upregulated in comparison with NC individuals. Differences between OT and NC groups were statistically significant at P < .05 and P < .0005, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Maia
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - D D C de Hippólito
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - V O Silva
- Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - C C Brandão de Mattos
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - F B Frederico
- Ambulatório de Oftalmologia, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - R C Siqueira
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - L C de Mattos
- Laboratório de Imunogenética, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Gomes AHS, Martines RB, Kanamura CT, Barbo MLP, Iglezias SD, Lauletta Lindoso JA, Pereira-Chioccola VL. American cutaneous leishmaniasis: In situ immune response of patients with recent and late lesions. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28239875 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17, CD68 and CD57 were evaluated in biopsies of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis living in Sorocaba, Brazil. The analyses were performed considering the time of lesions from 23 patients with recent lesions (Group I) and 19 patients with late lesions (Group II). All patients were infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Immunostaining cells for CD68, CD57, TNF- α, IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 were performed by immunohistochemistry. Except for CD68 and IL-17, the distribution of in situ for CD57, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ showed that patients with recent lesions expressed higher levels than those with late lesions. The comparison of cytokine expression/group showed that IL-10 was significantly higher than IL-17 and IFN-γ (similar data were shown in IL-17 compared with TNF-α), suggesting an immunological balance between inflammatory-anti-inflammatory agents. This balance was similar for two groups of patients. In conclusion, these data suggested that (i) patients from Group I had recent lesions (in the beginning of chronic phase) compared to those from Group II and (ii) the modulation of inflammatory response in patients with recent American cutaneous leishmaniasis was correlated with IL-10 expression in skin lesions preventing the development of mucosal forms. The parasite treatment also prevented the evolution of severe forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H S Gomes
- Laboratorio Regional de Sorocaba, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - R B Martines
- Centro de Patologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - C T Kanamura
- Centro de Patologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - M L P Barbo
- Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S D Iglezias
- Centro de Patologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - J A Lauletta Lindoso
- Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia (LIM-38) Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Previato M, Frederico FB, Murata FHA, Siqueira RC, Barbosa AP, Silveira-Carvalho AP, Meira CDS, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Gava R, Martins Neto PP, de Mattos LC, de Mattos CCB. A Brazilian report using serological and molecular diagnosis to monitoring acute ocular toxoplasmosis. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:746. [PMID: 26643197 PMCID: PMC4671220 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1650-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis was recently included as a neglected disease by the Center for Disease Control. Ocular toxoplasmosis is one clinical presentation of congenital or acquired infection. The laboratory diagnosis is being used worldwide to support the clinical diagnosis and imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of serology and molecular methods to monitor acute OT in immunocompetent patients during treatment. Methods Five immunocompetent patients were clinically diagnosed with acute OT. The clinical evaluation was performed by ophthalmologic examination using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, best-corrected visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopy, fundoscopic examination with indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography and spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT). Serology were performed by ELISA (IgA, IgM, IgG) and confirmed by ELFA (IgG, IgM). Molecular diagnoses were performed in peripheral blood by cPCR using the Toxoplasma gondiiB1 gene as the marker. Follow-up exams were performed on day +15 and day +45. Results Only five non-immunocompromised male patients completed the follow up and their data were used for analysis. The mean age was 41.2 ± 11.3 years (median: 35; range 31–54 years). All of them were positive for IgG antibodies but with different profiles for IgM and IgA, as well as PCR. For all patients the OCT exam showed active lesions with the inner retinal layers being abnormally hyper-reflective with full-thickness disorganization of the retinal reflective layers, which assumed a blurred reflective appearance and the retina was thickened. Conclusions The presence of IgA and IgM confirmed the acute infection and thus was in agreement with the clinical evaluation. Our results show the adopted treatment modified the serological profile of IgM antibodies and the PCR results, but not the IgG and IgA antibodies and that imaging is a good tool to follow-up patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1650-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Previato
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Batista Frederico
- Retinopathy Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-HB-FUNFARME, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5544, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Rubens Camargo Siqueira
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Pires Barbosa
- Retinopathy Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-HB-FUNFARME, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5544, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Aparecida Perpétuo Silveira-Carvalho
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Cristina da Silva Meira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, of Parasites and Fungi, Instituto Adolfo Lutz-IAL, Aenida Dr Arnaldo,355, São Paulo, São Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil. .,IAL Toxoplasma Research Group, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Dr Arnaldo, 355, São Paulo, Sao Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Vera Lúcia Pereira-Chioccola
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, of Parasites and Fungi, Instituto Adolfo Lutz-IAL, Aenida Dr Arnaldo,355, São Paulo, São Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil. .,IAL Toxoplasma Research Group, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Dr Arnaldo, 355, São Paulo, Sao Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Gava
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, of Parasites and Fungi, Instituto Adolfo Lutz-IAL, Aenida Dr Arnaldo,355, São Paulo, São Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil. .,IAL Toxoplasma Research Group, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Dr Arnaldo, 355, São Paulo, Sao Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Plínio Pereira Martins Neto
- Retinopathy Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-HB-FUNFARME, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5544, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
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de Mattos CDCB, Spegiorin LCJF, Meira CDS, Silva TDC, Ferreira AIDC, Nakashima F, Pereira-Chioccola VL, de Mattos LC. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant women and their newborn infants in the region of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. SAO PAULO MED J 2011; 129:261-6. [PMID: 21971902 PMCID: PMC10896019 DOI: 10.1590/s1516-31802011000400010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2010] [Revised: 07/19/2010] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Toxoplasmosis transmission during pregnancy can cause severe sequelae in fetuses and newborns. Maternal antibodies may be indicators of risk or immunity. The aim here was to evaluate seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii (anti-T. gondii) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and IgG avidity in pregnant women and their newborn infants. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study in a high-risk pregnancy outpatient clinic. METHODS Serum samples from pregnant women (n = 87) and their respective newborns (n = 87) were evaluated for anti-T. gondii antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) (IgM and IgG), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (IgG) and an avidity test. RESULTS Anti-T. gondii antibodies were identified in 64.4% of the serum samples from the mothers and their infants (56/87). Except for two maternal serum samples (2.3%), all others were negative for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies, using IIF. The results showed that 92.9% of the pregnant women had high IgG avidity indexes (> 30%) and four samples had avidity indexes between 16 and 30%. Two women in the third trimester of pregnancy were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies; their babies had avidity indexes between 16 and 30%. The avidity indexes of serum from the other 83 newborns were similar to the results from their mothers. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that 2% of the pregnant women were at risk of T. gondii transmission during the gestational period. These data seem to reflect the real situation of gestational toxoplasmosis in the northwestern region of the state of São Paulo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinara de Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- MSc. Doctoral student in Health Sciences, Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (Famerp), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Lígia Cosentino Junqueira Franco Spegiorin
- MD, MSc. Doctoral student in Health Sciences, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (Famerp), Hospital de Base, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina (Funfarme), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Ana Iara da Costa Ferreira
- MSc. Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (Famerp), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Fabiana Nakashima
- MSc. Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (Famerp), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Vera Lúcia Pereira-Chioccola
- PhD. Scientific Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Parasites, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- PhD. Full Professor, Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (Famerp), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Fujimura AE, Kinoshita SS, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Rodrigues MM. DNA sequences encoding CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes are important for efficient protective immunity induced by DNA vaccination with a Trypanosoma cruzi gene. Infect Immun 2001; 69:5477-86. [PMID: 11500420 PMCID: PMC98660 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.9.5477-5486.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization of BALB/c mice with a plasmid containing the gene for Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase (TS) induced antibodies that inhibited TS enzymatic activity, CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Tc1 cells, and protective immunity against infection. We used this model to obtain basic information on the requirement of CD4 or CD8 or B-cell epitopes for an effective DNA-induced immunity against T. cruzi infection. For that purpose, mice were immunized with plasmids containing DNA sequences encoding (i) the entire TS protein, (ii) the TS enzymatic domain, (iii) the TS CD4+ T-cell epitopes, (iv) the TS CD8+ T-cell epitope, or (v) TS CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes. Plasmids expressing the entire TS or its enzymatic domain elicited similar levels of TS-inhibitory antibodies, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-producing T cells, and protective immunity against infection. Although the plasmid expressing TS CD4 epitopes was immunogenic, its protective efficacy against experimental infection was limited. The plasmid expressing the CD8 epitope was poorly immunogenic and provided little protective immunity. The reason for the limited priming of CD8+ T cells was due to a requirement for CD4+ T cells. To circumvent this problem, a plasmid expressing both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes was produced. This plasmid generated levels of IFN-gamma-producing T cells and protective immunity comparable to that of the plasmid expressing the entire catalytic domain of TS. Our observations suggest that plasmids expressing epitopes recognized by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells may have a better protective potential against infection with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Fujimura
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
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Pereira-Chioccola VL, Acosta-Serrano A, Correia de Almeida I, Ferguson MA, Souto-Padron T, Rodrigues MM, Travassos LR, Schenkman S. Mucin-like molecules form a negatively charged coat that protects Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes from killing by human anti-alpha-galactosyl antibodies. J Cell Sci 2000; 113 ( Pt 7):1299-307. [PMID: 10704380 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.113.7.1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the presence of sialic acid donors Trypanosoma cruzi acquires up to 10(7) sialic acid residues on its surface, in a reaction catalyzed by its unique trans-sialidase. Most of these sialic acid residues are incorporated into mucin-like glycoproteins. To further understand the biological role of parasite sialylation, we have measured the amount of mucin in this parasite. We found that both epimastigote and trypomastigote forms have the same number of mucin molecules per surface area, although trypomastigotes have less than 10% of the amount of glycoinositol phospholipids, the other major surface glycoconjugate of T. cruzi. Based on the estimated surface area of each mucin, we calculated that these molecules form a coat covering the entire trypomastigote cell. The presence of the surface coat is shown by transmission electron microscopy of Ruthenium Red-stained parasites. The coat was revealed by binding of antibodies isolated from Chagasic patients that react with high affinity to alpha-galactosyl epitopes present in the mucin molecule. When added to the trypomastigote, these antibodies cause an extensive structural perturbation of the parasite coat with formation of large blebs, ultimately leading to parasite lysis. Interestingly, lysis is decreased if the mucin coat is heavily sialylated. Furthermore, addition of MgCl2 reverses the protective effect of sialylation, suggesting that the sialic acid negative charges stabilize the surface coat. Inhibition of sialylation by anti-trans-sialidase antibodies, found in immunized animals, or human Chagasic sera, also increase killing by anti-alpha-galactosyl antibodies. Therefore, the large amounts of sialylated mucins, forming a surface coat on infective trypomastigote forms, have an important structural and protective role.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Pereira-Chioccola
- Department of Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESP, R. Botucatu 862 8A, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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9
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Ribeirão M, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Rénia L, Augusto Fragata Filho A, Schenkman S, Rodrigues MM. Chagasic patients develop a type 1 immune response to Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase. Parasite Immunol 2000; 22:49-53. [PMID: 10607290 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3024.2000.00260.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas' disease, express on their surface an enzyme denominated trans-sialidase (TS). The present study was designed to evaluate the naturally acquired immune responses to a bacterial recombinant protein representing the catalytic domain of TS in chronically infected chagasic individuals. The cellular immune response was measured by in-vitro T-cell proliferation and by interferon (INF)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 production in response to a whole-parasite homogenate and the recombinant protein. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 78.6% of 28 chagasic patients responded to the recombinant protein as estimated by T-cell proliferation. With respect to cytokine production, 88% of the cells of the chagasic individuals produced IFN-gamma on stimulation with the recombinant protein. In contrast, IL-4 or IL-10 were minimally produced in response to TS. The cellular immune response was specific because most healthy individuals never exposed to T. cruzi failed to react with this recombinant protein. The plasma of 71.4% or 100% of chagasic patients had IgG antibodies as determined by ELISA or by the presence of TS inhibitory antibodies, respectively. We conclude that the catalytic domain of TS is recognized by IFN-gamma producing type 1 cells and antibodies in a large proportion of patients infected with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ribeirão
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu 862, São Paulo 04023-062, SP Brazil
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Pereira-Chioccola
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
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11
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Costa F, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Ribeirão M, Schenkman S, Rodrigues MM. Trans-sialidase delivered as a naked DNA vaccine elicits an immunological response similar to a Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Braz J Med Biol Res 1999; 32:235-9. [PMID: 10347760 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x1999000200013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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
Trypanosoma cruzi. the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas' disease, does not synthesize sialic acid, but expresses a trans-sialidase (TS) that catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from host glycoconjugates to the parasite surface. Here, we review studies that characterize the immune response to the catalytic domain of the enzyme in humans during Chagas' disease or in mice following immunization with the TS gene. In both cases, there are antibodies that strongly inhibit the enzymatic activity and generation of interferon-gamma-producing T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brasil
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12
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Pereira-Chioccola VL, Costa F, Ribeirão M, Soares IS, Arena F, Schenkman S, Rodrigues MM. Comparison of antibody and protective immune responses against Trypanosoma cruzi infection elicited by immunization with a parasite antigen delivered as naked DNA or recombinant protein. Parasite Immunol 1999; 21:103-10. [PMID: 10101720 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3024.1999.00201.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunization with naked DNA represents an attractive strategy for development of vaccines against a variety of infections including those caused by protozoan parasites. Recently, we have described that immunization with a plasmid containing the trans-sialidase (TS) gene induced protective immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi infection in BALB/c mice. The present study was aimed at examining and comparing the effectiveness of immunization using either plasmid or recombinant delivered antigens in a mouse strain highly susceptible to infection (A/Sn). Two plasmids were generated containing the coding region for the catalytic domain of TS. TS gene was inserted into pcDNA3 vector with or without the coding region for TS signal peptide. These two plasmids were found to be equally immunogenic at inducing antibodies to TS or inhibition of T. cruzi infection. A third plasmid, in which the TS gene was inserted into the vector VR1012, was as immunogenic as the two others. Immunization with a TS recombinant protein in alum generated a significantly higher antibody response as measured by ELISA or inhibition of TS enzymatic activity. Most relevant, this immunization reduced the mortality due to acute infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Pereira-Chioccola
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Brazil
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Costa F, Franchin G, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Ribeirão M, Schenkman S, Rodrigues MM. Immunization with a plasmid DNA containing the gene of trans-sialidase reduces Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice. Vaccine 1998; 16:768-74. [PMID: 9627933 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(97)00277-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas' disease, does not synthesize sialic acid, but expresses a trans-sialidase that catalyses the transfer of sialic acid from host glycoconjugates to the parasite surface. Several lines of evidence suggest that this enzyme is a virulence factor implicated in the establishment of infection. Here we studied whether immunization with a plasmid DNA containing a gene encoding for the catalytic domain of the enzyme could elicit protective immunity against T. cruzi infection in mice. We observed that immunization with this plasmid DNA generated antibody and T-cell mediated immune responses. Antibodies recognized the native enzyme and inhibited its activity in vitro. Upon challenge with bloodstream trypomastigotes, immunized animals displayed reduced parasitemia and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Brazil
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Ribeirão M, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Eichinger D, Rodrigues MM, Schenkman S. Temperature differences for trans-glycosylation and hydrolysis reaction reveal an acceptor binding site in the catalytic mechanism of Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase. Glycobiology 1997; 7:1237-46. [PMID: 9455925 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/7.8.1237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, expresses on its surface a trans-sialidase that catalyzes preferentially the transference of alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid to acceptors containing terminal beta-galactosyl residues, instead of the typical hydrolysis reaction, found in most sialidases. The trans-sialidase is responsible for the acquisition of the host sialic acid by this protozoan parasite, which does not synthesize sialic acids. Here, we have studied some kinetic properties of a recombinant trans-sialidase expressed in Escherichia coli. We found that it has sequential-type kinetics for the transferase reaction, as shown for the parasite-derived enzyme. The rates of sialic acid transfer to water (hydrolysis), and to beta-galactosyl residues have a unique behavior with respect to the reaction temperature. While the hydrolysis rate of sialyllactose increases continuously up to 35 degrees C, the temperature for the maximal rate of trans-glycosylation depends on the acceptor concentration. At low acceptor concentrations the rate of trans-glycosylation is maximal at 13 degrees C and independent of the amount of sialic acid donors. With increasing acceptor concentrations, maximal rates of trans-glycosylation are shifted to higher temperatures. This finding is explained by an 8-fold increase in the Km for the acceptor from 13 degrees C to 33 degrees C. Differences in hydrolysis and transfer rates were also obtained by using 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid. However, its hydrolysis rate is much higher than the rate of transference to lactose, suggesting that a long-lived enzyme-sialosyl intermediate is not formed. In addition, lactose does not increase the rate of methyl-umbelliferone release at any temperature, indicating that the rate limiting step is the aglycon release. Based on these results we propose that transglycosylation in T. cruzi sialidase is favored by the existence of a binding site for beta-galactosyl residues, which accepts the new glycosidic bond as sialic acid is released from the donor. With increasing temperature the affinity for the acceptor decreases, resulting in a concomitant increase in the rate of transfer to water, which, in turn, can be suppressed by increasing the acceptor concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ribeirão
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Immunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Franchin G, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Schenkman S, Rodrigues MM. Passive transfer of a monoclonal antibody specific for a sialic acid-dependent epitope on the surface of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes reduces infection in mice. Infect Immun 1997; 65:2548-54. [PMID: 9199418 PMCID: PMC175360 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.7.2548-2554.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas' disease, proliferates in the cytosol of mammalian cells. When the trypomastigote forms exit the infected cell, they become extensively sialylated because the parasite contains an enzyme called trans-sialidase. This enzyme efficiently catalyzes the transfer of bound sialic acid residues from host glycoconjugates to acceptors containing terminal beta-galactosyl residues on the parasite surface. The sialic acid acceptors are developmentally regulated mucin-like glycoproteins that are extremely abundant on the trypomastigote surface. In the present study, we determined whether passive transfer of monoclonal antibodies specific for sialic acid acceptors could reduce the acute infection induced by T. cruzi in a highly susceptible mouse strain. We found that passive transfer to naive mice of an immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody directed to a sialylated epitope of these mucin-like glycoproteins significantly decreased parasitemia and the number of tissue parasites as measured by a DNA probe specific for T. cruzi. Upon challenge with trypomastigotes, mice which received this antibody also had a significant increase in survival. A statistically significant reduction in parasitemia could be accomplished with relatively small doses of immunoglobulin, and Fab fragments alone could not mediate protective immunity. The precise mechanism of parasite elimination is unknown; however, this monoclonal antibody does not lyse trypomastigotes in vitro in the presence of human complement or mouse spleen cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Franchin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, S.P. Brazil
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Umezawa ES, Shikanai-Yasuda MA, Gruber A, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Zingales B. Trypanosoma cruzi defined antigens in the serological evaluation of an outbreak of acute Chagas disease in Brazil (Catolé do Rocha, Paraíba). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1996; 91:87-93. [PMID: 8734955 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02761996000100015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin G and M humoral response to recombinant protein B13 and glycoconjugate LPPG Trypanosoma cruzi defined antigens was evaluated by ELISA in 18 patients in the acute phase of Chagas disease, who were contaminated on the same occasion. LPPG showed 100% positivity detecting both IgM and IgG antibodies, while positivity of 55-65% was observed for B13. An epimastigote alkaline extract (EPI) also showed high sensitivity for acute IgM (100%) and IgG (90%) antibodies. However LPPG had better discriminatory reactivity since with EPI two patients showed negative IgG, and several other sera presented OD values for IgG and IgM antibodies very close to the cutoff. Thus, it is suggested that detection of IgM antibodies by LPPG may be used for diagnosis of the acute phase of Chagas disease. An intense decline of IgG and IgM antibodies to the three antigens was observed in response to anti-T. cruzi chemotherapy in all acute phase patients. After treatment, six (30%) individuals maintained IgG positivity to EPI, LPPG, and B13 with lower reactivity than that measured at the acute phase. For comparison, serology of a group of 22 patients in the chronic phase of Chagas disease and also submitted to chemotherapy was determined. Positive IgM antibodies to EPI, LPPG and B13 were detected in only 5-9% cases. In all chronic-phase patients IgG antibodies highly reactive to the three antigens were present and no significant decrease resulted after benznidazole administration. These observations reinforce previous reports that treatment in the acute phase may reduce or eliminate the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Umezawa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
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Amino R, Serrano AA, Morita OM, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Schenkman S. A sialidase activity in the midgut of the insect Triatoma infestans is responsible for the low levels of sialic acid in Trypanosoma cruzi growing in the insect vector. Glycobiology 1995; 5:625-31. [PMID: 8563150 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/5.6.625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi expresses a unique trans-sialidase that is responsible for the transfer of sialic acid from host glycoproteins and glycolipids to mucin-like glycoprotein acceptors on the parasite surface. The enzyme and the sialic acid acceptors are present in the mammalian forms of the parasite and in the parasite forms that grow in axenic cultures, which correspond to the developmental stages found in the insect vectors. Here we show that parasite forms growing in the vector Triatoma infestans express trans-sialidase in the hindgut portions of the insect. However, the sialic acid acceptors are poorly sialylated due to the low concentration of sialic acid donors in the gut lumen of T.infestans, which feeds exclusively on blood that is rich in sialic acid donors. These low levels of sialic acid donors are due to a novel sialidase activity present mainly in the anterior midgut with high specificity for alpha-2,3-sialyllactose, but not for alpha-2,6-sialyllactose. The activity is present in starved insects or insects fed with culture medium, indicating that it did not originate from the blood meal. Enzyme activity does not decrease in insects fed with antibiotics, is present in the salivary glands, and the few bacteria isolated from the gut and faeces of T.infestans did not display sialidase activity, indicating that the enzyme is not derived from a commensal organism. This novel activity could have a nutritional role in the gut of haematophagous insects and indicates that acquisition of sialic acid is not required for parasite development in the gut of T.infestans.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Amino
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
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Pereira-Chioccola VL, Schenkman S, Kloetzel JK. Sera from chronic Chagasic patients and rodents infected with Trypanosoma cruzi inhibit trans-sialidase by recognizing its amino-terminal and catalytic domain. Infect Immun 1994; 62:2973-8. [PMID: 8005683 PMCID: PMC302906 DOI: 10.1128/iai.62.7.2973-2978.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated whether sera from chronic Chagasic patients and animals infected with Trypanosoma cruzi inhibit the removal of sialic acid from human erythrocytes and the transfer of sialic acid from sialyllactose to [14C]lactose in the reactions catalyzed by the parasite trans-sialidase. Sera from Swiss mice and Calomys callosus animals infected with three different T. cruzi strains inhibit both reactions. Inhibition increases during the infection, reaching maximal levels when the parasitemia decreases. Among 44 sera of untreated chronic Chagasic patients, 40 inhibit both reactions. Inhibition is observed with total, defatted sera or with purified immunoglobulins. Whereas most of the inhibitory antibodies from Chagasic patients react with the papain fragment of trans-sialidase in immunoblots, a few patients have noninhibitory antibodies that react only with the entire trans-sialidase. These findings may be relevant for the pathology of Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Pereira-Chioccola
- Laboratório de Xenodiagnóstico, Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, Brazil
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