Enveloped and non-enveloped viral-like particles in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes

Abstract

Electron microscopy is routinely used to identify viral infections in protozoan parasites. These viruses have been described as non-enveloped and icosahedral structures with a diameter of 30-60 nm. Most of them are classified within the non-segmented dsRNA Totiviridae family. We observed virus-like particles (VLPs) through transmission electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes grown in cultures. Clusters of electrodense enveloped VLPs having a diameter of 48 nm were also observed. These clusters appear to have been released from distended Golgi cisternae. Furthermore, a paracrystalline array of electrodense, non-enveloped VLPs (with a diameter of 32 nm) were found in distended Golgi cisternae or as smaller clusters at a distance from the RE or Golgi. We cannot rule out that the 48 nm enveloped VLPs belong to the ssRNA Flaviviridae family because they are within its size range. The localization of enveloped VLPs is consistent with the replication strategy of these viruses that transit through the Golgi to be released at the cell surface. Due to the size and shape of the 32 nm non-enveloped VLPs, we propose that they belong to the dsRNA Totiviridae family. This is the first description of cytoplasmic enveloped and non-enveloped VLPs in T. cruzi epimastigotes.

Transovarial transmission of a core virome in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus

“…It was shown that both enveloped and non-enveloped viral particles can be found in Trypanosoma cruzi , the etiologic agent of Chagas disease [ 55 ]. Our results suggest that the trypanosome might exchange viruses with the host R .…”

Parasite-microbe-host interactions and cancer risk

“…For example, and focusing on parasites listed above that have been linked to cancer prevalence, virus-like particles have been observed in T . cruzi [76], a dsRNA virus has been found in Cryptosporidium and virus load correlates with parasite fecundity [8, 77], Heterakis gallinarum is a vector of the pathogenic bacterium Histomonas meleagridis [78, 79], Trichuris muris hosts a complex bacterial microbiome [80], Schistosoma mansoni might be a vector of HCV [81], and genome sequencing of Fasciola hepatica revealed the presence of the endobacterium, Neorickettsia [82]. In view of these examples, the general lack of information highlights the value of a comprehensive characterization of the viral and bacterial communities associated with parasites [83], and of epidemiological studies that assess the presence of parasites, the prevalence of known microbes, and the transmission to the host, to identify prospective microbial cofactors of oncogenesis.…”

VLP-Based Vaccines as a Suitable Technology to Target Trypanosomatid Diseases

“…Despite the importance of VLP-based vaccines as a strategy to induce Th1-type immune response polarization, this methodology is still poorly studied in trypanosomatids. Indeed, only one study was found on Chagas disease [ 50 ], and only two used leishmaniasis [ 51 , 52 ] models. However, to date, no study has been presented in the context of African trypanosomiasis.…”