Article
Parasitology
Dor Shwartz, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Stephanie Oren, Kobi Aharoni, Nir Edery, Lior Moss, Roni King, Roi Lapid, Reinhard K. Straubinger, Gad Baneth
Summary: The study evaluated the prevalence of Borrelia persica infection in wild carnivores in Israel and found unexpectedly high infection rates, indicating widespread presence of the infection in some wild animal species in Israel. This is the first report of B. persica infection in European badgers and striped hyenas, suggesting they may serve as reservoir hosts for the bacterium.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Bibiana J. Volta, Patricia L. Bustos, Carolina Gonzalez, Maria Ailen Natale, Alina E. Perrone, Natalia Milduberger, Susana A. Laucella, Jacqueline Bua
Summary: This study evaluated differentially expressed factors in T. cruzi-infected pregnant women and found a proinflammatory cytokine profile associated with Chagas congenital transmission. High parasitemia along with certain cytokine level abnormalities were identified as factors increasing the probability of Chagas congenital transmission.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
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)
Article
Immunology
Pablo Smircich, Leticia Perez-Diaz, Fabricio Hernandez, Maria Ana Duhagon, Beatriz Garat
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasite that causes Chagas disease, and its life cycle involves alternating between a blood-sucking insect and a mammalian host. The parasite undergoes different stages of development in the insect gut, leading to the formation of infective forms that are transmitted through feces. Starvation in the insect host affects the parasite population and leads to the emergence of transitional forms. Understanding the molecular changes during nutritional restrictions can provide insights into the parasite's adaptation in the insect vector.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Angel M. Padilla, Wei Wang, Tsutomu Akama, David S. Carter, Eric Easom, Yvonne Freund, Jason S. Halladay, Yang Liu, Sarah A. Hamer, Carolyn L. Hodo, Gregory K. Wilkerson, Dylan Orr, Brooke White, Arlene George, Huifeng Shen, Yiru Jin, Michael Zhuo Wang, Susanna Tse, Robert T. Jacobs, Rick L. Tarleton
Summary: A newly discovered benzoxaborole prodrug, AN15368, has been found to effectively cure Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice and naturally infected non-human primates, making it a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of Chagas disease.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Eduardo E. Avalos-Borges, Lizette E. Rios, Matilde Jimenez-Coello, Antonio Ortega-Pacheco, Nisha J. Garg
Summary: This article reviews the current knowledge of congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in humans and compares the placental architecture of humans and different animals. This is important for evaluating the efficacy of new anti-parasite drugs and therapies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanna Klees van Bommel, Catherine Sun, Adam T. Ford, Melissa Todd, A. Cole Burton
Summary: The urban-wildland interface is expanding and increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. In this study, we investigated black bear habitat use in a North American hotspot of conflict and found that bears modify their behaviors by avoiding humans in space and time, but conflicts still occur in summer and autumn.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gabriela Guadalupe Aliaga-Samanez, Jesus Lescano, Miryam Jeanette Quevedo Urday, Guillermo Santos Salvatierra Rodriguez, Mrinalini Erkenswick Watsa, John Edwin Calderon Escalante, Gideon A. Erkenswick
Summary: This study examined the presence of Leptospira antibodies in two species of free-ranging tamarins and found that a high percentage of animals were reactive for at least one serogroup, suggesting they could serve as reservoirs for pathogenic Leptospira serogroups. No significant differences were found in seropositivity frequencies among categories within assessed variables. Further studies testing for active infection are needed to evaluate potential transmission risks to humans given increasing human-wildlife contact.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Virology
Aijing Liu, Tong Xue, Xiang Zhao, Jie Zou, Hongli Pu, Xiaoliang Hu, Zhige Tian
Summary: Pseudorabies virus (PRV) has the potential to cause health effects in various animals and humans, with wild animals serving as reservoirs and transmitting the virus to domestic livestock. The cross-host transmission of PRV poses a significant threat, and current vaccination and biosecurity measures are insufficient in preventing its spread.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fernando Martinez-Hernandez, Brizia Oria-Martinez, Emilio Rendon-Franco, Guiehdani Villalobos, Claudia Irais Munoz-Garzia
Summary: This study reports a new host, the American barn-owl, for Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecular evidence indicates the presence of the parasite in multiple organs, suggesting chronic infection, but it is absent in the spleen. The mechanisms of parasite rejection vary among bird species. Further investigation is needed to determine if other bird species can be infected and to understand the role of the American barn-owl in disseminating and maintaining the parasite.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marvin Stanley Rodriguez, Yuko Nitahara, Michelle Cornejo, Kevin Siliezar, Rafael Grande, Ana Gonzalez, Kotaro Tasaki, Yu Nakagama, Yu Michimuko, Yoko Onizuka, Junko Nakajima-Shimada, Jose Eduardo Romero, Jose Ricardo Palacios, Carmen Elena Arias, William Mejia, Yasutoshi Kido, Ricardo Cardona Alvarenga
Summary: This study revealed a high prevalence of T. cruzi infection in T. dimidiata in El Salvador, indicating potential active transmission of Chagas disease. Strengthened surveillance for both vector and human infection is required to truly eliminate the risk of T. cruzi transmission in Central America.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Paula Faral-Tello, Gonzalo Greif, Selva Romero, Andres Cabrera, Cristina Oviedo, Telma Gonzalez, Gabriela Libisch, Ana Paula Arevalo, Belen Varela, Jose Manuel Verdes, Martina Crispo, Yester Basmadjian, Carlos Robello
Summary: This study discovered Trypanosoma cruzi strains capable of vertical transmission, which have a higher transmission rate compared to strains of moderate or high virulence. The vertical transmission strains modulate placental gene expression, inducing anti-inflammatory responses and immune damage. This finding provides new insights into the mechanism of vertical transmission for this parasite.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
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
Biology
Sarah Schuster, Jaime Lisack, Ines Subota, Henriette Zimmermann, Christian Reuter, Tobias Mueller, Brooke Morriswood, Markus Engstler
Summary: African trypanosomes can transition between different stages in the mammalian host, potentially challenging the traditional view of their life cycle.
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
Parasitology
Wesley Arruda Gimenes Nantes, Filipe Martins Santos, Gabriel Carvalho de Macedo, Wanessa Texeira Gomes Barreto, Luiz Ricardo Goncalves, Marina Silva Rodrigues, Jenyfer Valesca Monteiro Chulli, Andreza Castro Rucco, William de Oliveira Assis, Grasiela Edith de Oliveira Porfirio, Carina Elisei de Oliveira, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier, Heitor Miraglia Herrera, Ana Maria Jansen
Summary: The study found that urbanization can impact the richness of trypanosomatids, with the species richness potentially being influenced by the abundance of small mammals. The opossum, D. albiventris, was confirmed to be a host for trypanosomatids in urban forest fragments, with T. lainsoni demonstrating a wider host range than previously described.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Victor Hugo Borba, Coralie Martin, Jose Roberto Machado-Silva, Samanta C. C. Xavier, Flavio L. de Mello, Alena Mayo Iniguez
Summary: This study aims to characterize eggs of capillariid species deposited in institutional helminth collections and to process the data using machine learning as a new approach for taxonomic identification. The logistic model tree algorithm showed the highest values in all metrics, with J48 producing the most reliable decision tree for species identification alongside REPTree.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Omar Cantillo-Barraza, Manuel Medina, Sara Zuluaga, Maria Isabel Blanco, Rodrigo Caro, Jeiczon Jaimes-Duenez, Virgilio Beltran, Samanta C. C. Xavier, Omar Triana-Chavez
Summary: This study highlights the distribution of synanthropic triatomine bugs in Boyaca, Colombia, with T. dimidiata becoming the most prevalent vector after successful control programs targeting R. prolixus. T. venosa, P. geniculatus, and P. rufotuberculatus also increase the risk of Chagas disease transmission in the region, suggesting the need for ongoing surveillance and control measures. The presence of residual R. prolixus populations poses a threat to the progress made in eliminating intradomiciliary transmission of T. cruzi.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Maria Augusta Dario, Paulo Henrique Coelho Maranhao, Gilbert Queiroz dos Santos, Marcos de Meneses Rocha, Aloisio Falqueto, Luiz Felipe Coutinho Ferreira Da Silva, Ana Maria Jansen, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier
Summary: The study aimed to identify the environmental variables modulating the occurrence of T. vitticeps and T. cruzi infection in ES State. Central and southern mesoregions were found to have higher T. vitticeps and T. cruzi distributions, serving as transmission hotspots. Explanatory variables that can explain these phenomena include relative air humidity, average temperature, soil type, altitude elevation, and mammalian species richness.
Article
Geography, Physical
Dario Alejandro Ramirez, Mariana Fabra, Samanta Xavier, Alena Mayo Iniguez
Summary: Experimental paleoparasitological approaches were used to investigate the impact of dehydration and local soil on parasite egg preservation in ancient fecal samples. The study found that desiccation and soil mixing significantly decreased the number of surviving eggs in experimental coprolites. This suggests that the climate and soil conditions in which archaeological fecal samples are found can greatly influence the preservation of parasite evidence from past populations.
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
Immunology
Esthefany S. Rodrigues, Gilbert Q. Santos, Marlon Vicente da Silva, Juliana H. S. Barros, Aline R. Bernardo, Rafaela L. Diniz, Nara M. Rubim, Andre L. R. Roque, Ana Maria Jansen, Edimilson D. Silva, Samanta C. C. Xavier
Summary: In this study, a rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic test for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in domestic dogs was evaluated, and the potential application of this method to wild canid species was explored. The results showed that this test has high sensitivity and specificity, and it is suitable for detecting different discrete typing units of T. cruzi infection. Furthermore, it can also be used for the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection in wild canid species.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Alice Pereira Berbigier, Juliana Helena da Silva Barros, Edilene Sousa Pontes, Cristiane Varella Lisboa, Rosana Gentile, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier, Ana Maria Jansen, Andre Luiz Rodrigues Roque
Summary: The survey of trypanosomatid infection in small mammals in the Atlantic Forest area in Rio de Janeiro revealed a diverse range of trypanosomatid species/genotypes infecting the hosts. Even in disturbed areas with low mammal species diversity, a significant number of hosts were found infected, highlighting the generalist aspect of these parasites.
Article
Immunology
Maria Augusta Dario, Carolina Furtado, Cristiane Varella Lisboa, Felipe De Oliveira, Filipe Martins Santos, Paulo Sergio D'Andrea, Andre Luiz Rodrigues Roque, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier, Ana Maria Jansen
Summary: This study investigated the trypanosomatid infection and richness in rats, opossums, and dogs in the semiarid Caatinga biome. The results revealed a high diversity of trypanosomatid species/genotypes in the examined mammal species, indicating a broad host spectrum and potential for new host-parasite relationships. Additionally, dogs showed a high infection rate by T. cruzi, emphasizing their role as sentinel hosts for transmission.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Omar Cantillo-Barraza, Cesil Solis, Alexander Zamora, Rafael Herazo, Maria Isabel Osorio, Edilson Garces, Samanta Xavier, Ana Maria Mejia-Jaramillo, Omar Triana-Chavez
Summary: This study investigates the epidemiological parameters of T. cruzi transmission in the Department of Vichada, Colombia, focusing on the transmission cycle of R. prolixus and Didelphis marsupialis in sylvatic environments.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Filipe Martins Santos, Nayara Yoshie Sano, Sany Caroline Liberal, Maria Augusta Dario, Wesley Arruda Gimenes Nantes, Fernanda Moreira Alves, Alanderson Rodrigues da Silva, Carina Elisei De Oliveira, Andre Luiz Rodrigues Roque, Heitor Miraglia Herrera, Ana Maria Jansen
Summary: This study evaluated the diversity of kinetoplastids infecting small mammals in the forest patches of the Pantanal biome. Through hemocultures and Next Generation Sequencing, eight parasite species were identified, including Leishmania amazonensis, L. infantum and Trypanosoma cascavelli. Additionally, the study revealed the presence of L. infantum and L. amazonensis infections in small mammals from this region for the first time.
Article
Immunology
Gabriel Carvalho de Macedo, Wanessa Teixeira Gomes Barreto, Carina Elisei de Oliveira, Filipe Martins Santos, Grasiela Edith de Oliveira Porfirio, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier, Fernanda Moreira Alves, Alanderson Rodrigues da Silva, Gisele Braziliano de Andrade, Andreza Castro Rucco, William Oliveira de Assis, Ana Maria Jansen, Andre Luiz Rodrigues Roque, Heitor Miraglia Herrera
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Leishmania infantum in South American coatis inhabiting two forest fragments in Campo Grande, Brazil. The results showed that 33 out of 110 coatis were infected with L. infantum, and the infection rate was significantly higher in the VBA area. The study suggested that the higher infection rate in VBA may be attributed to the presence of resident dogs and chickens, a denser population of coatis, and physical barriers in the surroundings.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cecilia S. Andreazzi, Luis A. Martinez-Vaquero, Gisele R. Winck, Thiago S. Cardoso, Bernardo R. Teixeira, Samanta C. C. Xavier, Rosana Gentile, Ana Maria Jansen, Paulo S. D'Andrea
Summary: Land use changes and biodiversity loss disrupt ecosystem functioning and drive infectious disease outbreaks. Using a large database on small mammal infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil, we found that allometric traits and rodent abundance were key predictors of infection risk, along with variables related to landscape environmental quality. Changes in natural vegetation cover and biodiversity dimensions indirectly reduced infection by affecting host community composition. Integrating social inclusion and human welfare into biodiversity conservation and restoration efforts could help regulate T. cruzi prevalence and reduce transmission risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Raphael Testai, Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira, Diogo Souza Bezerra Rocha, Andre Luiz Rodrigues Roque, Ana Maria Jansen, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier
Summary: Ecological Niche Modeling was applied to investigate the niche of Didelphis aurita and the infection of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The presence of two common vector species, Triatoma vitticeps and Panstrongylus megistus, was used to predict the occurrence of D. aurita. The Ecoland method revealed the varying impact of D. aurita on the enzootic cycle of T. cruzi in different locations.