Article
Immunology
Julian Ullrich, Lutz Guertler, Ernst Quenzel, Franz Weinauer, Dieter Roessler, Ulrich Kalus, Axel Pruss, Pedro Albajar-Vinas, Michael Pritsch
Summary: This study aims to investigate the risk of transfusion-associated transmission of Chagas disease in Germany and collect first-hand data on the topic. The results show that no transfusion-associated infection has been reported in Germany, but it is likely to have happened unnoticed or may occur in the near future. The authors suggest conducting risk-adapted serology-based screenings in Germany to prevent transmission events and increase case detection. Larger and ongoing studies are also needed to gather more evidence and address the neglect of Chagas disease in Germany.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Aroa Silgado, Lidia Gual-Gonzalez, Adrian Sanchez-Montalva, Ines Oliveira-Souto, Lidia Goterris, Nuria Serre-Delcor, Juliana Esperalba, Jordi Gomez-I-Prat, Candela Fernandez-Naval, Israel Molina, Tomas Pumarola, Elena Sulleiro
Summary: This study evaluated the use of dried blood sampling and a rapid diagnostic test for the detection of antibodies against T. cruzi in community-based screening. The results showed a higher sensitivity in dried blood elutes using E-CLIA compared to ELISA. The Trypanosoma Detect (TM) test was easier to use but had a lower sensitivity. A sequential strategy of using the rapid test first and confirming with DBS-ECLIA for negative results is proposed for community Chagas disease screening programs.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Saul Gonzalez-Guzman, Patricia Gonzalez-Cano, Edward T. Bagu, Salvador Vazquez-Vega, Martha Martinez-Salazar, Margarita Juarez-Montiel, Adriana Gutierrez-Hoya, Jose A. Crescencio-Trujillo, Sokani Sanchez-Montes, Edith Fernandez-Figueroa, Erik A. Contreras-Lopez, Angel Guerra-Marquez, Carla Arroyo-Anduiza, Laura E. Angeles-Marquez, Eduardo Rodriguez-Trejo, Carolina Bekker-Mendez, Francisco X. Guerra-Castillo, Citlalli Regalado-Santiago, Emiliano Tesoro-Cruz, Norma Oviedo, Ana M. Victoria-Jardon, Jesus Bautista-Olvera, Pedro Garcia-Ramirez, Jose E. Vazquez-Meraz, Maria C. Contreras-Lozano, Veronica S. Castillo-Flores, Rogelio Guevara-Reyes, Alma R. Giron-Sanchez, H. D. Arenas-Luis, Maria Jose Pecero-Hidalgo, Emiliano Rios-Antonio, Natividad Ramirez-Pereda, Adalberto Martinez-Mora, Vladimir Paredes-Cervantes
Summary: The seroprevalence of Chagas disease in blood donors from the north of Mexico City and the northeast of the State of Mexico was found to be 0.23%. Most of the seropositive blood donors resided in the northeast area of the State of Mexico, Mexico City, and southern part of the State of Hidalgo, indicating the possibility of active transmission of Chagas disease in non-endemic regions.
ARCHIVES OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bruno Lisboa Timm, Aline Nefertiti Silva da Gama, Marcos Meuser Batista, Denise da Gama Jaen Batista, David W. Boykin, Harry P. De Koning, Maria de Nazare Correia Soeiro
Summary: Baldis jungle preservation zone, an Argentine nature reserve, was established in 1981 and covers an area of 77,300 hectares. Located in the eastern region of Buenos Aires Province, it includes several towns such as Split Tepi, Azcue, Capra Mance, and Montegrano. The terrain of the reserve is characterized by hills, valleys, and lakes, with the most famous lake being La Rusa Lake. The area is home to diverse species, including amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. The Argentine Salamander is one of the unique amphibians in this reserve and is also one of the most representative species in the area.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Nidiyare Hevia-Montiel, Paulina Haro, Leonardo Guillermo-Cordero, Jorge Perez-Gonzalez
Summary: This research demonstrates the effectiveness and accuracy of deep learning methods based on the U-Net convolutional network architecture in the segmentation of histological images for Chagas disease.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Morven S. Edwards, Susan P. Montgomery
Summary: Recent updates from international organizations recommend diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for congenital Chagas disease. Successful implementation of pregnancy-based screening at certain centers can serve as a model for improving diagnosis. Screening family members may help identify additional infected individuals.
CURRENT OPINION IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jesica Hayon, Sofia Lupo, Cristina Poveda, Kathryn M. Jones, Qian Qian, Hulin Wu, Thomas P. Giordano, Charles J. Fleischmann, Caryn Bern, Jeffrey D. Whitman, Eva H. Clark
Summary: This article reports the results of a Chagas disease screening strategy applied at a large HIV clinic, emphasizing the importance of improving screening strategies.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caue Benito Scarim, Francisco Olmo, Elizabeth Igne Ferreira, Chung Man Chin, John M. Kelly, Amanda Fortes Francisco
Summary: The research indicates that NFOH has stronger anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity, works through a inhibitory mechanism, and is more effective in treating chronic infections compared to the acute stage, sharing similar characteristics with BZN.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Genesis Dehesa-Rodriguez, Ignacio Martinez, Cristina Bastida-Jaime, Bertha Espinoza
Summary: This study demonstrates that the highly virulent DTU I strain of T. cruzi can establish an infection in mice through oral route, leading to blood and tissue parasitism with inflammation in the heart and skeletal muscle. Additionally, oral infection with BT induces splenomegaly, severe damage in skeletal and cardiac muscles, a humoral immune response dominated by IgG isotype, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lenci K. Vazquez-Jimenez, Alfredo Juarez-Saldivar, Rogelio Gomez-Escobedo, Timoteo Delgado-Maldonado, Domingo Mendez-Alvarez, Isidro Palos, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Carlos Gaona-Lopez, Eyra Ortiz-Perez, Benjamin Nogueda-Torres, Esther Ramirez-Moreno, Gildardo Rivera
Summary: In this study, a ligand-based virtual screening was performed to identify potential TcTIM inhibitors. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis showed a favorable docking score of the BP5 compound on TcTIM, and a lower docking score on human TIM compared to the control ligand. Both BP2 and BP5 compounds exhibited good physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties as new anti-T. cruzi agents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonardo S. Lara, Guilherme C. Lechuga, Caroline dos S. Moreira, Thais B. Santos, Vitor F. Ferreira, David R. da Rocha, Mirian C. S. Pereira
Summary: Chagas disease remains a serious public health problem in Latin America, with current clinical treatments considered inadequate, emphasizing the need for discovering new effective and safe drugs. Research analyzed a series of naphthoquinone derivatives for biological activity and structure-activity relationship, identifying 1g as a promising compound against Trypanosoma cruzi. However, current compounds were unable to reduce parasite load or prevent mouse mortality in infection.
Article
Immunology
Maria Augusta Dario, Cristiane Varella Lisboa, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier, Paulo Sergio D'Andrea, Andre Luiz Rodrigues Roque, Ana Maria Jansen
Summary: This study investigated the transmission cycle of Trypanosoma sp. in nonflying small mammals in an area where a case of acute Chagas disease occurred. Despite the low mammalian species richness and degraded environment, a high species richness of Trypanosoma, mainly T. janseni, was observed.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
James G. Kohler, Andrew J. Holte, Natalie A. Glass, Nicholas A. Bedard, Timothy S. Brown
Summary: The study found that universal dental screening prior to primary TJA resulted in 18.5% of patients needing invasive dental intervention. Patient characteristics associated with failed dental screening included male gender and current smoker.
JOURNAL OF ARTHROPLASTY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Gabriela Specker, Damian Estrada, Rafael Radi, Lucia Piacenza
Summary: This study demonstrates the protective effects of Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial peroxiredoxin (MPX) in macrophage infections and in response to nifurtimox (NFX) toxicity. MPX content increased after NFX treatment and overexpression of MPX enhanced resistance to the drug. MPX exhibits holdase activity and its overexpression was observed in temperature-challenged parasites. These findings suggest a protective role of MPX holdase activity against NFX toxicity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ines Maria Baeck, Pablo Mando, Belen Maria Virason, Alfredo Martinez, Soledad Zarate, Ricardo Valentini, Ignacio Lopez Saubidet
Summary: Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi remains a major public health problem in Latin America, and its prevalence continues to rise in nonendemic countries. This study estimated the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in an endemic area of Argentina and identified factors related to the disease. The findings highlight the need for active surveillance to detect infection in a potentially treatable stage.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Elisabeth M. Terveer, Tom van Gool, Rogier E. Ooijevaar, Ingrid M. J. G. Sanders, Eline Boeije-Koppenol, Josbert J. Keller, Aldert Bart, Ed J. Kuijper
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Anna E. Oja, Anno Saris, Cherien A. Ghandour, Natasja A. M. Kragten, Boris M. Hogema, Esther J. Nossent, Leo M. A. Heunks, Susan Cuvalay, Ed Slot, Federica Linty, Francis H. Swaneveld, Hans Vrielink, Gestur Vidarsson, Theo Rispens, Ellen van der Schoot, Rene A. W. van Lier, Anja Ten Brinke, Pleun Hombrink
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Hematology
Christina Mikkelsen, Gaia Mori, Suzanna M. van Walraven, Johanna Castren, Sharon Zahra, Sheila MacLennan, Kirsten Seidel, Stefano Fontana, Eva Veropalumbo, Livia Cannata, Simonetta Pupella, Maria Kvist, Marjan Happel, Piia Korkalainen, Birgit Wulff, Jesus Fernandez-Sojo, Cristina Eguizabal, Fernando Urbano, Miguel Angel Vesga, Primoz Pozenel, Marian van Kraaij, Morten Bagge Hansen, Ed Slot, Henrik Ullum
Summary: The TRANSPOSE project aimed to assess risks to donors of Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) in Europe and found significant discrepancies between current donor vigilance systems and perceived risks. Further development and standardization of donor vigilance in Europe is necessary to ensure donor health and secure the future supply of SoHO.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cormac M. Kinsella, Aldert Bart, Martin Deijs, Patricia Broekhuizen, Joanna Kaczorowska, Maarten F. Jebbink, Tom van Gool, Matthew Cotten, Lia Van der Hoek
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Hematology
Christina Mikkelsen, Gaia Mori, Suzanna M. van Walraven, Johanna Castren, Sharon Zahra, Sheila MacLennan, Kirsten Seidel, Stefano Fontana, Eva Veropalumbo, Livia Cannata, Simonetta Pupella, Maria Kvist, Marjan Happel, Piia Korkalainen, Akila Chandrasekar, Ulrike Paulus, Arlinke Bokhorst, Birgit Wulff, Jesus Fernandez-Sojo, Cristina Eguizabal, Fernando Urbano, Miguel Angel Vesga, Marian van Kraaij, Eva-Maria Merz, Katja van den Hurk, Morten Bagge Hansen, Ed Slot, Henrik Ullum
Summary: Donor selection criteria (DSC) based on the precautionary principle are currently lacking a standardized international decision-making method. There is an urgent need to formalize the decision-making process regarding DSC in the expanding field of donation-safety research, in order to increase transparency and consistency.
Letter
Microbiology
M. W. Molenaar-De Backer, B. M. Hogema, M. H. Koppelman, T. J. Van De laar, E. Slot, H. L. Zaaijer
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gert Van der Auwera, Leigh Davidsson, Pierre Buffet, Marie-Therese Ruf, Marina Gramiccia, Stefania Varani, Carmen Chicharro, Aldert Bart, Gundel Harms, Peter L. Chiodini, Hanne Brekke, Florence Robert-Gangneux, Sofia Cortes, Jaco J. Verweij, Alessandra Scarabello, Sara Karlsson Sobirk, Romain Guery, Saskia van Henten, Trentina Di Muccio, Elena Carra, Pieter van Thiel, Martin Vandeputte, Valeria Gaspari, Johannes Blum
Summary: This study collected retrospectively records of leishmaniasis cases diagnosed in 15 centers between 2014 and 2019, and analyzed data on country of infection, reason for traveling, infecting species, age, and sex. The results showed that visceral leishmaniasis was mainly acquired in Europe, while cutaneous leishmaniasis was primarily imported from outside Europe. The geographic species distribution largely confirmed known epidemiology, with some exceptions. The study highlights the importance of pooling species typing data from multiple centers to monitor changing epidemiology.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Romain Guery, Stephen Walker, Gundel Harms, Andreas Neumayr, Pieter Van Thiel, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Jan Clerinx, Sara Karlsson Soebirk, Leo Visser, Laurence Lachaud, Mark N. Bailey, Aldert Bart, Christophe Ravel, Gert van der Auwera, Johannes Blum, Diana Lockwood, Pierre Buffet
Summary: Cutaneous and muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis are disfiguring diseases caused by Leishmania parasite, with clinical manifestations ranging from single nodular lesions to disseminated forms with mucosal involvement. A prospective clinical study showed unexpected high rates of mucosal involvement in CL acquired in Europe compared to Latin America, especially in immunocompromised patients. Local therapy was found to be associated with high cure rates in treating CL.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
K. Mourik, S. A. Boers, A. L. van Rijn, J. C. P. Thijssen, R. Doorn, S. Svraka, A. Bart, E. Wessels, E. C. J. Claas, R. H. T. Nijhuis
Summary: This study evaluated the qualitative and quantitative performance of the NeuMoDx CMV and EBV assays compared to lab developed tests (LDT) and assays on the Abbott m2000 system. The results showed that the NeuMoDx assays are suitable for medium-to-high throughput diagnostic settings, but there are differences in sensitivity and quantification compared to the Abbott m2000 system, especially for EBV.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hedvig Glans, Leif Dotevall, Gert Van der Auwera, Aldert Bart, Johannes Blum, Pierre Buffet, Romain Guery, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Saskia van Henten, Gundel Harms, Stefania Varani, Florence Robert-Gangneux, Robert Rongisch, Bjorn Andersson, Maria Bradley
Summary: This article describes and evaluates the treatment outcomes of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) among travelers and migrants in Europe caused by Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. The study found that L. major infections were mostly found in individuals visiting friends and relatives, while L. tropica infections were mainly identified in migrants. Pentavalent antimony had a cure rate of 73% (L. major) and 78% (L. tropica) among patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sammy Huygens, Albert Dunbar, Jochem B. Buil, Corne H. W. Klaassen, Paul E. Verweij, Karin van Dijk, Nick de Jonge, Jeroen J. W. M. Janssen, Walter J. F. M. van der Velden, Bart J. Biemond, Aldert Bart, Anke H. W. Bruns, Pieter-Jan A. Haas, Astrid M. P. Demandt, Guy Oudhuis, Peter von dem Borne, Martha T. van der Beek, Saskia K. Klein, Peggy Godschalk, Lambert F. R. Span, Douwe F. Postma, Greetje A. Kampinga, Johan Maertens, Katrien Lagrou, Toine Mercier, Ine Moors, Jerina Boelens, Dominik Selleslag, Marijke Reynders, Willemien Zandijk, Jeanette K. Doorduijn, Jan J. Cornelissen, Alexander F. A. D. Schauwvlieghe, Bart J. A. Rijnders
Summary: This prospective multicenter study showed that real-time resistance testing may limit the impact of azole resistance on mortality. An isolated positive polymerase chain reaction assay was not associated with mortality. Its place in the current EORTC/MSGERC definitions should be reconsidered.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Cormac M. Kinsella, Martin Deijs, Christin Becker, Patricia Broekhuizen, Tom van Gool, Aldert Bart, Arne S. Schaefer, Lia van der Hoek
Summary: A computational workflow was developed to predict viral hosts from complex metagenomic datasets, providing support for the study of medical or veterinary importance of related diseases.
Article
Immunology
Michael W. van Kalleveen, Andries E. Budding, Marc A. Benninga, Paul H. M. Savelkoul, Tom van Gool, Iris van Maldeghem, J. W. Dorigo-Zetsma, Aldert Bart, Frans B. Ploetz, Tim G. J. de Meij
Summary: This study found no significant differences in intestinal microbiota composition and diversity between children with D. fragilis infection and gastrointestinal symptoms compared to healthy controls. Despite a high prevalence of positive fecal PCR for D. fragilis in asymptomatic children, the role of microbiota in the presence of clinical symptoms in children with D. fragilis remains unclear. Further research is needed to clarify the pathogenicity of D. fragilis and the mechanisms underlying the development of gastrointestinal symptoms.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Katja van den Hurk, Eva-Maria Merz, Femmeke J. Prinsze, Marloes L. C. Spekman, Franke A. Quee, Steven Ramondt, Ed Slot, Hans Vrielink, Elisabeth M. J. Huis In't Veld, Hans L. Zaaijer, Boris M. Hogema
Summary: The study found that 48% of individuals with antibodies did not suspect they had COVID-19, 11% reported no symptoms, and around 27% had only mild symptoms during the peak of the epidemic. Anosmia/ageusia and fever were found to be most strongly associated with seropositivity.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ed Slot, Boris M. Hogema, Chantal B. E. M. Reusken, Johan H. Reimerink, Michel Molier, Jan H. M. Karregat, Johan IJlst, Vera M. J. Novotny, Rene A. W. van Lier, Hans L. Zaaijer
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)