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Lopes SCP, Albrecht L, Carvalho BO, Siqueira AM, Thomson-Luque R, Nogueira PA, Fernandez-Becerra C, Del Portillo HA, Russell BM, Rénia L, Lacerda MVG, Costa FTM. Paucity of Plasmodium vivax mature schizonts in peripheral blood is associated with their increased cytoadhesive potential. J Infect Dis 2014; 209:1403-7. [PMID: 24415786 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There is now a growing body of evidence that challenges the current view that Plasmodium vivax-infected erythrocyte (Pv-iE) are unable to sequester. Here we used ex vivo adhesion assays with Pv-iE before and after maturation to demonstrate a higher binding potential of schizonts compared to other asexual stages. These experimental results are correlated with our observations in a panel of 50 vivax malaria patients where schizonts were completely absent in 27 isolates, and few schizonts were observed in the remaining patients. These observations prompt a paradigm shift in P. vivax biology and open avenues to investigate the role of Pv-iE sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie C P Lopes
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Carvalho BO, Matsuda JS, Luz SLB, Martinez-Espinosa FE, Leite JA, Franzin F, Orlandi PP, Gregoracci GB, Lacerda MVG, Nogueira PA, Costa FTM. Gestational malaria associated to Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum placental mixed-infection followed by foetal loss: a case report from an unstable transmission area in Brazil. Malar J 2011; 10:178. [PMID: 21708032 PMCID: PMC3141593 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 11/26/2010] [Accepted: 06/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational malaria is a multi-factorial syndrome leading to poor outcomes for both the mother and foetus. Although an unusual increasing in the number of hospitalizations caused by Plasmodium vivax has been reported in Brazil, mortality is rarely observed. This is a report of a gestational malaria case that occurred in the city of Manaus (Amazonas State, Brazil) and resulted in foetal loss. The patient presented placental mixed-infection by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum after diagnosis by nested-PCR, however microscopic analysis failed to detect P. falciparum in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, as the patient did not receive proper treatment for P. falciparum and hospitalization occurred soon after drug treatment, it seems that P. falciparum pathology was modulated by the concurrent presence of P. vivax. Collectively, this case confirms the tropism towards the placenta by both of these species of parasites, reinforces the notion that co-existence of distinct malaria parasites interferes on diseases' outcomes, and opens discussions regarding diagnostic methods, malaria treatment during pregnancy and prenatal care for women living in unstable transmission areas of malaria, such as the Brazilian Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna O Carvalho
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Carvalho BO, Lopes SCP, Nogueira PA, Orlandi PP, Bargieri DY, Blanco YC, Mamoni R, Leite JA, Rodrigues MM, Soares IS, Oliveira TR, Wunderlich G, Lacerda MVG, del Portillo HA, Araújo MOG, Russell B, Suwanarusk R, Snounou G, Rénia L, Costa FTM. On the cytoadhesion of Plasmodium vivax-infected erythrocytes. J Infect Dis 2010; 202:638-47. [PMID: 20617923 DOI: 10.1086/654815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are responsible for most of the global burden of malaria. Although the accentuated pathogenicity of P. falciparum occurs because of sequestration of the mature erythrocytic forms in the microvasculature, this phenomenon has not yet been noted in P. vivax. The increasing number of severe manifestations of P. vivax infections, similar to those observed for severe falciparum malaria, suggests that key pathogenic mechanisms (eg, cytoadherence) might be shared by the 2 parasites. METHODS Mature P. vivax-infected erythrocytes (Pv-iEs) were isolated from blood samples collected from 34 infected patients. Pv-iEs enriched on Percoll gradients were used in cytoadhesion assays with human lung endothelial cells, Saimiri brain endothelial cells, and placental cryosections. RESULTS Pv-iEs were able to cytoadhere under static and flow conditions to cells expressing endothelial receptors known to mediate the cytoadhesion of P. falciparum. Although Pv-iE cytoadhesion levels were 10-fold lower than those observed for P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, the strength of the interaction was similar. Cytoadhesion of Pv-iEs was in part mediated by VIR proteins, encoded by P. vivax variant genes (vir), given that specific antisera inhibited the Pv-iE-endothelial cell interaction. CONCLUSIONS These observations prompt a modification of the current paradigms of the pathogenesis of malaria and clear the way to investigate the pathophysiology of P. vivax infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna O Carvalho
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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Albrecht L, Castiñeiras C, Carvalho BO, Ladeia-Andrade S, Santos da Silva N, Hoffmann EHE, dalla Martha RC, Costa FTM, Wunderlich G. The South American Plasmodium falciparum var gene repertoire is limited, highly shared and possibly lacks several antigenic types. Gene 2010; 453:37-44. [PMID: 20079817 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2009] [Revised: 01/05/2010] [Accepted: 01/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum var gene family encodes large variant antigens, which are important virulence factors, and also targets of the humoral host response. The frequently observed mild outcomes of falciparum malaria in many places of the Amazon area prompted us to ask whether a globally restricted variant (var) gene repertoire is present in currently circulating and older isolates of this area. By exhaustive analysis of var gene tags from 89 isolates and clones taken during many years from all over the Brazilian Amazon, we estimate that there are probably no more than 350-430 distinct sequence types, less than for any similar sized area studied so far. Detailed analysis of the var tags from genetically distinct clones obtained from single isolates revealed restricted and redundant repertoires suggesting either a low incidence of infective bites or restricted variant gene diversity in inoculated parasites. Additionally, we found a structuring of var gene repertoires observed as a higher pairwise typing sharing in isolates from the same microregion compared to isolates from different regions. Fine analysis of translated var tags revealed that certain Distinct Sequence Identifiers (DSIDs) were differently represented in Brazilian/South American isolates when compared to datasets from other continents. By global alignment of worldwide var DBLalpha sequences and sorting in groups with more than 76% identity, 125 clusters were formed and more than half of all genes were found in nine clusters with 50 or more sequences. While Brazilian/South American sequences were represented only in 64 groups, African sequences were found in the majority of clusters. DSID type 1 related sequences accumulated almost completely in one single cluster, indicating that limited recombination occurs in these specific var gene types. These data demonstrate the so far highest pairwise type sharing values for the var gene family in isolates from all over an entire subcontinent. The apparent lack of specific sequences types suggests that the P. falciparum transmission dynamics in the whole Amazon are probably different from any other endemic region studied and possibly interfere with the parasite's ability to efficiently diversify its variant gene repertoires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letusa Albrecht
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Blanco YC, Farias AS, Goelnitz U, Lopes SCP, Arrais-Silva WW, Carvalho BO, Amino R, Wunderlich G, Santos LMB, Giorgio S, Costa FTM. Hyperbaric oxygen prevents early death caused by experimental cerebral malaria. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3126. [PMID: 18769544 PMCID: PMC2518956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2007] [Accepted: 08/14/2008] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral malaria (CM) is a syndrome characterized by neurological signs, seizures and coma. Despite the fact that CM presents similarities with cerebral stroke, few studies have focused on new supportive therapies for the disease. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been successfully used in patients with numerous brain disorders such as stroke, migraine and atherosclerosis. Methodology/Principal Findings C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) were exposed to daily doses of HBO (100% O2, 3.0 ATA, 1–2 h per day) in conditions well-tolerated by humans and animals, before or after parasite establishment. Cumulative survival analyses demonstrated that HBO therapy protected 50% of PbA-infected mice and delayed CM-specific neurological signs when administrated after patent parasitemia. Pressurized oxygen therapy reduced peripheral parasitemia, expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA levels and percentage of γδ and αβ CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes sequestered in mice brains, thus resulting in a reduction of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and hypothermia. Conclusions/Significance The data presented here is the first indication that HBO treatment could be used as supportive therapy, perhaps in association with neuroprotective drugs, to prevent CM clinical outcomes, including death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara C. Blanco
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Parasitology, UNICAMP, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandro S. Farias
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Uta Goelnitz
- Department of Parasitology – ICB, University of São Paulo – USP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stefanie C. P. Lopes
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Parasitology, UNICAMP, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wagner W. Arrais-Silva
- Department of Parasitology, UNICAMP, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruna O. Carvalho
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Parasitology, UNICAMP, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogério Amino
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo – UNIFESP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerhard Wunderlich
- Department of Parasitology – ICB, University of São Paulo – USP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonilda M. B. Santos
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Selma Giorgio
- Department of Parasitology, UNICAMP, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabio T. M. Costa
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Parasitology, UNICAMP, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Andrade CF, Gameiro J, Nagib PRA, Carvalho BO, Talaisys RL, Costa FTM, Verinaud L. Thymic alterations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Cell Immunol 2008; 253:1-4. [PMID: 18635160 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2008.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2008] [Revised: 05/30/2008] [Accepted: 06/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The primary function of the thymus is to develop immature T-cells into cells that further in the periphery will be able to carry out immune functions. The Literature has shown that thymus can be a target for many pathogens and severe structural alterations take place in this organ during infectious diseases. Here, we investigated if thymus is also a target organ during experimental malaria infection by analyzing the presence of parasites inside the organ and histological alterations in thymuses from Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected BALB/c. After 14 days of infection, parasites were found inside the thymus that presented a profound atrophy with total loss of its architecture. We propose that the presence of parasites in the thymus induces histological modifications that alter the microenvironment, impairing by consequence the successful T cell development. Additional studies are currently being developed in our laboratory to verify if such thymic alterations can influence the systemic immune response to the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Andrade
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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