Trypanosoma cruzi strain TcIV infects raccoons from Illinois

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe northern limits of Trypanosoma cruzi across the territory of the United States remain unknown. The known vectors Triatoma sanguisuga and T. lecticularia find their northernmost limits in Illinois; yet, earlier screenings of those insects did not reveal the presence of the pathogen, which has not been reported in vectors or reservoir hosts in this state.OBJECTIVESFive species of medium-sized mammals were screened for the presence of T. cruzi.METHODSGenomic DNA was isolated from heart, spleen and skeletal muscle of bobcats (Lynx rufus, n = 60), raccoons (Procyon lotor, n = 37), nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus, n = 5), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana, n = 3), and a red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Infections were detected targeting DNA from the kinetoplast DNA minicircle (kDNA) and satellite DNA (satDNA). The discrete typing unit (DTU) was determined by amplifying two gene regions: the Spliced Leader Intergenic Region (SL), via a multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and the 24Sα ribosomal DNA via a heminested reaction. Resulting sequences were used to calculate their genetic distance against reference DTUs.FINDINGS18.9% of raccoons were positive for strain TcIV; the rest of mammals tested negative.MAIN CONCLUSIONSThese results confirm for the first time the presence of T. cruzi in wildlife from Illinois, suggesting that a sylvatic life cycle is likely to occur in the region. The analyses of sequences of SL suggest that amplicons resulting from a commonly used multiplex reaction may yield non-homologous fragments.

Interactions among Triatoma sanguisuga blood feeding sources, gut microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi diversity in southern Louisiana

“…They also confirm the circulation of TcII and TcV in triatomine vectors in the region (although at low frequency), where these DTUs were previously only detected in rodents (Pronovost et al, 2019) and in autochthonous Chagasic patients from Texas (Garcia et al., 2017). These cryptic DTUs are probably missed by conventional genotyping studies in both hosts and vectors (Curtis‐Robles, Auckland, Snowden, Hamer, & Hamer, 2018; Curtis‐Robles et al., 2017; Vandermark et al., 2018), which provides oversimplified descriptions of circulating parasite diversity, and warrants further studies to clearly establish the extent of T. cruzi diversity in North America (Breniere et al., 2016).…”

Assessing Trypanosoma cruzi Parasite Diversity through Comparative Genomics: Implications for Disease Epidemiology and Diagnostics

“…It is transmitted in the feces of insects of the sub-family Triatominae during blood-feeding, congenitally, or orally via contaminated food or drink. The parasite is endemic to and widely distributed throughout the Americas; it has been reported as far south as northern Chile [ 1 ] and Argentinian Patagonia [ 2 ], and as far north in the United States as Illinois [ 3 ]. Thirty to forty percent of individuals who are infected with the parasite go on to develop chronic disease, marked by cardiomyopathies or gastrointestinal disorders such as megaesophagus or megacolon.…”

Leveraging Technology to Manage Chagas Disease by Tracking Domestic and Sylvatic Animal Hosts as Sentinels: A Systematic Review

“…24 Furthermore, the study specified that human cases were typically typed as having TcI strains. 18,24 Another article revealed that TcIV-infected mice and rats experienced less mortality and morbidity from this strain. 18 Understanding these two findings increases the possibility that TcI is more likely to cause the expression of CD infection in the form of cardiac disease in host species and possibly humans versus TcIV.…”

“…18,24 Another article revealed that TcIV-infected mice and rats experienced less mortality and morbidity from this strain. 18 Understanding these two findings increases the possibility that TcI is more likely to cause the expression of CD infection in the form of cardiac disease in host species and possibly humans versus TcIV. 12 Although these concepts are novel findings, they demonstrate the importance of understanding the role in genetic variation in managing CD.…”