Article
Immunology
F. Parker Hudson, Natalie Homer, Aliza Epstein, Kristin Mondy
Summary: This case report highlights an acute, vectorborne Chagas disease acquired locally in central Texas, USA, presenting with Romana's sign initially mistaken for orbital cellulitis. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics, the infection did not respond, leading to the diagnosis confirmed by DNA-based next generation sequencing and PCR.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marilia L. Cirqueira, Leandro O. Bortot, Mayte Bolean, Mariana A. A. Aleixo, Pedro H. Luccas, Antonio J. Costa-Filho, Ana Paula Ramos, Pietro Ciancaglini, M. Cristina Nonato
Summary: Due to its severe burden and geographic distribution, Chagas disease has a significant social and economic impact on low-income countries. This study aims to understand the role of TcNTR in the basic parasite biology, investigate its potential as a drug target, and contribute to the fight against neglected tropical diseases. The results showed that TcNTR interacts with membranes, with a preference for those containing cardiolipin, and a 23-residue long insertion is involved in enzyme specificity and protein-membrane interaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Docampo, Anibal Eugenio Vercesi
Summary: This review discusses the mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidant generation and removal, and the involvement of Ca2+ in trypanosome cell death, highlighting the need for further studies on ROS generation, defense mechanisms, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore in trypanosomatids.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naiara Dutra Barroso Gomes, Emanuel Paula Magalhaes, Lyanna Rodrigues Ribeiro, John Washington Cavalcante, Marcelo Morais Gomes Maia, Felipe Ramon Cunha da Silva, Arif Ali, Marcia Machado Marinho, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Helcio Silva dos Santos, Alice Maria Costa Martins, Ramon Roseo Paula Pessoa Bezerra de Menezes
Summary: This study evaluated the activity of synthetic p-aminochalcones against T. cruzi and found that they have a trypanocidal effect by causing membrane damage and oxidative stress. Their mechanism of action may be related to inhibition of cruzain and TR.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Carezza Botto-Mahan, Juana P. Correa, Raul Araya-Donoso, Francisca Farias, Esteban San Juan, Nicol Quiroga, Ricardo Campos-Soto, Claudio Reyes-Olivares, Daniel Gonzalez-Acuna
Summary: In this study, we assessed 4 lizard species in Chile for Trypanosoma cruzi and found that all species were infected. We also discovered that one species had the ability to transmit the protozoan, highlighting their role as reservoirs for T. cruzi.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jose L. Saenz-Garcia, Beatriz S. Borges, Normanda Souza-Melo, Luiz V. Machado, Juliana S. Miranda, Lisandro Alfonso Pacheco-Lugo, Nilmar S. Moretti, Richard Wheleer, Lia C. Soares Medeiros, Wanderson D. DaRocha
Summary: The flagellum of Trypanosomatids contributes to multiple functions, and this study explores the role of Trypanin in T. cruzi. The deletion of Trypanin affects the growth and motility of T. cruzi epimastigotes, as well as their infection capacity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lucia Lopez, Maria Laura Chiribao, Magali C. Girard, Karina A. Gomez, Paula Carasi, Marisa Fernandez, Yolanda Hernandez, Carlos Robello, Teresa Freire, Maria Dolores Pineyro
Summary: The study showed that c-TXNPx induces the recruitment of IL-12/23p40-producing innate antigen-presenting cells and promotes a strong specific Th1 immune response, while c-TXNPxC52S does not. The presence of peroxidatic cysteine is essential for the peroxidase activity and quaternary structure of the protein.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wendell Girard-Dias, Ingrid Augusto, Tacio V. A. Fernandes, Pedro G. Pascutti, Wanderley de Souza, Kildare Miranda
Summary: In this study, the three-dimensional distribution of diffusible elements within acidocalcisomes in Trypanosoma cruzi was mapped using advanced electron microscopy techniques. The existence of nanodomains with specific element distribution patterns was discovered. These findings have significant implications for understanding nanophysiology of organelles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Derek J. Matthews, Ryan C. Fries, Nicholas D. Jeffery, Sarah A. Hamer, Ashley B. Saunders
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes cardiac damage in dogs, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can detect the damage. This study aimed to describe CMR in naturally infected dogs with chronic Chagas disease and evaluate the frequency of abnormalities in CMR and other diagnostic tests. The results suggest that CMR can provide useful information and support the use of naturally infected dogs as an animal model for Chagas disease.
Review
Biology
Oscar Hernan Rodriguez-Bejarano, Catalina Avendano, Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
Summary: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is mainly transmitted by insect bites. The parasite's lifecycle includes an intracellular phase and infective forms, involving various signaling cascades and intracellular associations for recognition and internalization in host cells.
Article
Immunology
Nadjania Saraiva de Lira Silva, Cristina Mary Orikaza, Fabiana Rodrigues de Santana, Luana Aguiar dos Santos, Bruno Ramos Salu, Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva, Rita de Cassia Sinigaglia, Renato Arruda Mortara
Summary: IL-9 plays a role in controlling T. cruzi infection by reducing invasion and multiplication in vitro, and acts as a protective factor during the chronic phase of experimental infection in BALB/c mice, controlling cardiac fibrosis and proinflammatory cytokine production.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sergio Castaneda, Marina Munoz, Peter J. Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi, Kathryn M. Jones, Rojelio Mejia, Cristina Poveda, Juan David Ramirez
Summary: Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and has a profound impact on the gastrointestinal tract. Alterations in the gut microbiome caused by the parasite may play a crucial role in host-parasite interactions and immune responses. Understanding this interaction could provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease and the development of new treatments.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Barbara Verena Dias Galvao, Carlos Fernando Araujo-Lima, Monica Cristine Pereira dos Santos, Mariana Pulmar Seljan, Eduardo Kennedy Carrao-Dantas, Claudia Alessandra Fortes Aiub, Luiz Claudio Cameron, Mariana Simoes Larraz Ferreira, Edira Castello Branco de Andrade Goncalves, Israel Felzenszwalb
Summary: The study identified 14 phenolic compounds in Plinia cauliflora leaf extract, showing certain anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity but also cytotoxic effects on liver cell lines.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
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.
Article
Immunology
Francisco Callejas-Hernandez, Alfonso Herreros-Cabello, Javier del Moral-Salmoral, Manuel Fresno, Nuria Girones
Summary: This study analyzed the complete repertoire of maxicircle and minicircle sequences of different T. cruzi strains, revealing structural differences in minicircles and maxicircles among strains. Understanding the mitochondrial genome of Trypanosomatids is crucial for coordinating the expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, and the heterogeneity observed in minicircles and maxicircles suggests a more complex organization than previously described.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Julia Becher, Alex Schoeman, Gavin Whitelaw, Stephen Buckley, Jean-Pierre Celliers, Sara Cafisso, Matthias Belser, Maxime Rageot, Cynthianne Spiteri
Summary: This study represents the first application of Organic Residue Analysis (ORA) to southern African early farming pottery to gain a deeper understanding of past human behavior and subsistence patterns. The study found evidence of dairy processing and multi-purpose functionality of the ceramics. It also discovered potential medicinal use and the involvement of dung in pottery sealing and mending.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Jon Clindaniel, Matthew Magnani
Summary: Large sources of digital trace data have become important in the study of material culture. The authors introduce a computational method to observe digital formation processes and highlight the importance of accounting for these processes in studies utilizing digital trace data.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Rebecca A. G. Reid, Miranda M. E. Jans, Lesley A. Chesson, Rebecca J. Taylor, Gregory E. Berg
Summary: Chemical treatment of skeletal remains can reduce overall DNA quality and quantity but has no significant impact on stable isotope ratio analysis. Examination of treated and untreated human remains through histological and stable isotope analysis reveals that treated remains exhibit better preservation compared to untreated remains. Stable isotope ratio analysis is viable for both treated and untreated remains, regardless of their origin.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Anthropology
Laura Tome, Eneko Iriartec, Antonio Blanco-Gonzalez, Margarita Jambrina-Enriquez, Natalia Eguez, Antonio V. Herrera-Herrera, Carolina Mallola
Summary: This paper presents the outcomes of a microcontextual geoarchaeological study conducted on earthen dwellings from the Early Iron Age village of Cerro de San Vicente. The study employed soil micromorphology, lipid biomarker analysis, XRD, and XRF analyses to investigate various aspects of the dwellings, including construction materials, site formation processes, and daily life practices. The results have shed light on the construction layers, floor use, maintenance, repaving, periods of abandonment and decay, and the presence of lipid biomarkers associated with dwelling functionality. The study significantly contributes to our understanding of ancient construction practices and the utilization of domestic spaces during the Early Iron Age.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2024)