Article
Food Science & Technology
Diana Zapparoli, Thaina Valente Bertozzo, Marcela Alexandrino, Daniela Filadelfo Sanches, Isabella Neves Aires, Suzane Manzini, Maria Izabel Merino de Medeiros, Cilmery Suemi Kurokawa, Rodrigo Mattos dos Santos, Simone Baldini Lucheis
Summary: This study identified the risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in acai ice cream and highlights the need for quality control and good manufacturing practices to ensure the safe consumption of acai-derived products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Raquel Durao, Catia Ramalhete, Ana Margarida Madureira, Eduarda Mendes, Noelia Duarte
Summary: Human African trypanosomiasis and American trypanosomiasis are neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites. They have spread worldwide due to human migration, military interventions, and climate changes. Finding new drugs from higher plants is a valuable approach to treat these diseases.
Article
Biology
Aline Antunes Maciel Bortoluzzi, Izabela Virginia Staffen, Fernanda Weyand Banhuk, Aline Griebler, Patricia Karoline Matos, Thais Soprani Ayala, Edson Antonio Alves da Silva, Maria Helena Sarragiotto, Ivania Teresinha Albrecht Schuquel, Tereza Cristina Marinho Jorge, Rafael Andrade Menolli
Summary: The study investigated the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of Lonchocarpus cultratus root extracts, revealing that the dichloromethane extract showed the highest activity against all tested forms of the parasite, with IC50 values very close to benznidazole. Additionally, both extracts exhibited varying degrees of cytotoxicity against mammalian cells.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Aline Maria Vasconcelos Queiroz, Johny Wysllas de Freitas Oliveira, Claudia Jassica Moreno, Diego M. A. Guerin, Marcelo Sousa Silva
Summary: Current research focuses on using VLP technology to develop vaccines against trypanosomatids, a family of protozoa causing neglected tropical diseases. This approach offers potential to combat diseases such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and sleeping sickness, by targeting protozoan antigens.
Review
Immunology
Concepcion J. Puerta, Adriana Cuellar, Paola Lasso, Jose Mateus, John M. Gonzalez
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, has developed mechanisms of antigenic variability to evade the host immune response. CD8(+) T cells play a key role in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy, and specific peptide stimulation can activate multifunctional immune responses. Anti-parasitic treatment improves CD8(+) T cell response, and the quality of CD8(+) T cell responses correlates with the outcome of chronic infection. These findings provide valuable resources for discovering new biomarkers, vaccines, and immunotherapy strategies.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Juan M. Bustamante, Angel M. Padilla, Brooke White, Lisa D. Auckland, Rachel E. Busselman, Stephanie Collins, Elizabeth L. Malcolm, Briana F. Wilson, Ashley B. Saunders, Sarah A. Hamer, Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: The trypanocidal compound benznidazole (BNZ) was tested for its ability to prevent new infections in dogs. The study found that the current prophylaxis regimen did not impact the incidence of new infections. Further research is needed to determine if a more rigorous and potent dosing regimen can achieve immediate benefits of prophylaxis.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Carlos Alberto Flores-Lopez, Lynneth Rivas-Garcia, Guillermo Romero-Figueroa, Aldo Guevara-Carrizales, Haran Peiro-Nuno, Teresa Lopez-Ordonez, Rafael Bello-Bedoy
Summary: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is highly prevalent in Mexico. The endemic Dipetalogaster maxima is the largest vector in the southernmost region of the Baja California peninsula. A multiyear study using PCR species-specific diagnosis found an average T. cruzi infection rate of 2% in this species across all sites and years.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Leonardo da Silva Lara, Guilherme Curty Lechuga, Lorraine Martins Rocha Orlando, Byanca Silva Ferreira, Bernardo Araujo Souto, Mauricio Silva dos Santos, Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
Summary: Chagas disease is a long-standing disease that primarily affects impoverished populations in Latin America. The available drugs have limited effectiveness and intense side effects. This study explores the biological activity of two new series of pyrazole-thiazoline derivatives with potential therapeutic options against Trypanosoma cruzi. These derivatives show potent activity with good oral bioavailability and low cytotoxicity, making them potential candidates for Chagas disease therapy.
Review
Immunology
Natalia S. Vellozo, Thayane C. Matos-Silva, Marcela F. Lopes
Summary: This study highlights the important role of macrophage activation in early immune responses to Trypanosoma cruzi infection, which can prevent parasite proliferation, heart parasitism, and reduce mortality risk. The study also discusses the mechanisms of macrophage activation and deactivation, and proposes strategies to enhance macrophage-mediated immunity in order to prevent persistent infection, inflammation, and the development of chagasic cardiomyopathy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Gregorio Guilherme Almeida, Inga Rimkute, Isabela Natalia Pascoal Campos Do Vale, Thomas Liechti, Priscilla Miranda Henriques, Ester Roffe, Fernanda Fortes de Araujo, Manoel Otavio da Costa Rocha, Silvana Maria Eloi Santos, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, Dragana Jankovic, Alan Sher, Andrea Teixeira-Carvalho, Mario Roederer, Lis Ribeiro do Valle Antonelli
Summary: In this study, high-dimensional flow cytometry was used to evaluate CD4(+) T cells in patients with different clinical forms. The results showed that activated CD4(+) T cells were increased in patients, while functional regulatory T cells were reduced. These findings provide evidence for the involvement of these cells in the development of Chagas cardiomyopathy and their potential as biomarkers for disease progression.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatiana Dias-Guerreiro, Joana Palma-Marques, Patricia Mourata-Goncalves, Graca Alexandre-Pires, Ana Valerio-Bolas, Aurea Gabriel, Telmo Nunes, Wilson Antunes, Isabel Pereira da Fonseca, Marcelo Sousa-Silva, Gabriela Santos-Gomes
Summary: The study showed that TbEVs can establish direct communication with cells of innate and adaptive immunity, influencing the differentiation and expansion of macrophages and T lymphocytes.
Article
Immunology
Elda Goncalves-Santos, Ivo S. Caldas, Valquiria A. Fernandes, Lucas L. Franco, Monica F. Pelozo, Fernando Feltrim, Juliana S. Maciel, Jose Vaz C. Machado, Reggiani V. Gonsalves, Romulo D. Novaes
Summary: This study developed two new molecular hybrids (AD06 and AD07) using metronidazole and eugenol. The results showed that AD07 had a direct antiparasitic effect on T. cruzi and attenuated cellular parasitism, reactive species biosynthesis, and oxidative stress. AD07 also exhibited antiparasitic and cardioprotective effects in T. cruzi-infected mice. These findings suggest that AD07 could be a promising candidate for the treatment of T. cruzi infection.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Cody J. Malone, Immaculate Nevis, Eduardo Fernandez, Ana Sanchez
Summary: Chagas disease treatment options are currently suboptimal, with Benznidazole being the most effective but also causing the highest rate of adverse effects. Developing new, less toxic drugs for better quality of life is essential. Combination therapies, shorter regimens, and better clinical parameters are needed to improve treatment outcomes.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jafar Abbasi Shiran, Mina Ghanbari, Elaheh Mohammadnejadi, Nima Razzaghi-Asl
Summary: Trypanosomiasis, caused by parasitic protozoan trypanosomes, is a serious threat to public health in sub-Saharan African and continental Latin America countries. The availability of effective vaccines is hindered by antigenic variation, and current medications have limitations in terms of toxicity and administration route. Therefore, the search for new antitrypanosomal agents is of great importance.
CURRENT TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Martin Somoza, Adriano Bertelli, Cecilia A. Pratto, Ramiro E. Verdun, Oscar Campetella, Juan Mucci
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces a polyclonal B cell proliferative response that regulates CD4(+) T cell immune responses by inducing apoptosis, arresting cell division, and affecting the development of proinflammatory response.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Leona Gabrysova, Marisol Alvarez-Martinez, Raphaelle Luisier, Luke S. Cox, Jan Sodenkamp, Caroline Hosking, Damian Perez-Mazliah, Charlotte Whicher, Yashaswini Kannan, Krzysztof Potempa, Xuemei Wu, Leena Bhaw, Hagen Wende, Michael H. Sieweke, Greg Elgar, Mark Wilson, James Briscoe, Vicki Metzis, Jean Langhorne, Nicholas M. Luscombe, Anne O'Garra
Article
Infectious Diseases
Damian E. Perez-Mazliah, Melisa D. Castro Eiro, Maria Gabriela Alvarez, Bruno Lococo, Graciela Bertocchi, Gonzalo Cesar, Maria A. Natale, Maria C. Albareda, Rodolfo Viotti, Susana A. Laucella
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2018)
Article
Biology
Damian Perez-Mazliah, Peter J. Gardner, Edina Schweighoffer, Sarah McLaughlin, Caroline Hosking, Irene Tumwine, Randall S. Davis, Alexandre J. Potocnik, Victor L. J. Tybulewicz, Jean Langhorne
Correction
Immunology
Leona Gabrysova, Marisol Alvarez-Martinez, Raphaelle Luisier, Luke S. Cox, Jan Sodenkamp, Caroline Hosking, Damian Perez-Mazliah, Charlotte Whicher, Yashaswini Kannan, Krzysztof Potempa, Xuemei Wu, Leena Bhaw, Hagen Wende, Michael H. Sieweke, Greg Elgar, Mark Wilson, James Briscoe, Vicki Metzis, Jean Langhorne, Nicholas M. Luscombe, Anne O'Garra
Review
Microbiology
Michael P. Barrett, Dennis E. Kyle, L. David Sibley, Joshua B. Radke, Rick L. Tarleton
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Immunology
Damian Perez-Mazliah, Francis M. Ndungu, Racheal Aye, Jean Langhorne
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Angela D. Pack, Rick L. Tarleton
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Immunology
Damian Perez-Mazliah, Alexander I. Ward, Michael D. Lewis
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi is a versatile parasite that can parasitize almost any nucleated cell type and naturally infects a variety of mammal species, causing Chagas disease. While a large number of people are infected, around two thirds of them remain long-term asymptomatic carriers. Clinical outcomes of chronic infections depend on the interactions between host and parasite.
PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Wei Wang, Duo Peng, Rodrigo P. Baptista, Yiran Li, Jessica C. Kissinger, Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi establishes life-long infections in humans and other mammals due to the genetic diversity in genes encoding target antigens, which allows the parasite to evade immune responses. This diversity is maintained through processes like gene amplification and recombination, leading to extreme genome flexibility. This poses challenges for developing protective vaccines and contributes to the species-specific biological diversity of T. cruzi.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Angel M. Padilla, Phil Y. Yao, Tre J. Landry, Gretchen M. Cooley, Susan M. Mahaney, Isabela Ribeiro, John L. VandeBerg, Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: The study demonstrates the complexity of infection dynamics, parasite phenotypes, and immune response patterns that can occur in a primate group, despite being housed in a uniform environment at a single location, and the limited time period over which the T. cruzi infections were established.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: Human clinical trials are costly and failures can discourage future attempts. Chagas disease drug discovery efforts have faced numerous trial failures. Guidelines specific to Chagas disease and other neglected tropical diseases can help avoid these failures by addressing challenges and utilizing advantages such as multi-species natural infection systems.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Molly E. Bunkofske, Natasha Perumal, Brooke White, Eva-Maria Strauch, Rick Tarleton
Summary: Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi induces CD8+ T cell responses targeting epitopes in the large trans-sialidase (TS) gene family, but these responses are not essential for immune control. A screen for alternative CD8+ T cell targets identified a previously uncharacterized epitope, MUCKb25, within mucin family proteins. However, the MUCKb25-specific response was dispensable for infection control and vaccination to generate MUCK-specific CD8+ T cells failed to confer protection. These findings highlight the limited effector potential of CD8+ T cells in T. cruzi-infected mice. Journal of Immunology, 2023, 210: 420-430.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Juan M. Bustamante, Brooke E. White, Gregory K. Wilkerson, Carolyn L. Hodo, Lisa D. Auckland, Wei Wang, Stephanie McCain, Sarah A. Hamer, Ashley B. Saunders, Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: This study demonstrates that higher dose, intermittent administration of benznidazole can effectively treat Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Administration twice a week, for more than 4 months, provides the best chance for parasitological cure.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: The author and his colleagues have recently reported on a benzoxaborole compound that can consistently cure parasites in experimentally infected mice and naturally infected non-human primates (NHPs). Although these results do not guarantee success in human clinical trials, they significantly reduce the risks and provide strong justification for such trials. Effective drug discovery relies on understanding host and parasite biology and expertise in designing and validating chemical entities. This opinion piece aims to provide insights into the process that led to the discovery of AN15368, hoping to facilitate the discovery of more clinical candidates for Chagas disease.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Juan M. Bustamante, Fernando Sanchez-Valdez, Angel M. Padilla, Brooke White, Wei Wang, Rick L. Tarleton
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2020)