A Review on the Immunological Response against Trypanosoma cruzi

Macaluso, Giusi; Grippi, Francesca; Bella, Santina Di; Blanda, Valeria; Gucciardi, Francesca; Torina, Alessandra; Guercio, Annalisa; Cannella, Vincenza

doi:10.3390/pathogens12020282

Cited by 13 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 128 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This review supports existing literature findings, indicating that patients with CD4+ T-cell counts below 200 cells per mm 3 were associated with more severe CNS Chagas disease (Córdova et al ., 2013; Pittella, 2013). As the immune system relies on CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells for protective immunity during the acute and chronic stages of Chagas disease, it is reasonable to expect higher parasitaemia and poor disease control in immunocompromised patients (Brener and Gazzinelli, 1997; Macaluso et al ., 2023). T-cell responses, mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, in Chagas disease are rather complex.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes of patients in Chagas disease of the central nervous system: a systematic review

Shelton,

Gonzalez

2023

Parasitology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. One of the complications of the disease is the infection of the central nervous system (CNS), as it can result from either the acute phase or by reactivation during the chronic phase, exhibiting high mortality in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review aimed to determine clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with Chagas disease in the CNS. Articles were searched from PubMed, Scopus and LILACS until January 2023. From 2325 articles, 59 case reports and 13 case series of patients with Chagas in the CNS were retrieved from which 138 patients were identified. In this population, 77% of the patients were male, with a median age of 35 years old, from which most of them came from Argentina and Brazil. Most of the individuals were immunocompromised from which 89% were HIV-positive, and 54 patients had an average of 48 cells per mm3 CD4+ T cells. Motor deficits and seizures were the most common manifestation of CNS compromise. Furthermore, 90 patients had a documented CNS lesion by imaging from which 89% were supratentorial and 86% were in the anterior/middle cranial fossa. The overall mortality was of 74%. Among patients who were empirically treated with anti-toxoplasma drugs, 70% died. This review shows how Chagas disease in the CNS is a devastating complication requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to improve patients’ outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes of patients in Chagas disease of the central nervous system: a systematic review

Shelton,

Gonzalez

2023

Parasitology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Unraveling the role of miRNAs as biomarkers in Chagas cardiomyopathy: Insights into molecular pathophysiology

Ribeiro,

Galdino,

de Souza

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChCM) is a severe form of Chagas disease and a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The dysregulation of the immune response leads to cardiac remodeling and functional disruptions, resulting in life-threatening complications. Conventional diagnostic methods have limitations, and therapeutic response evaluation is challenging. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), important regulators of gene expression, show potential as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Aim This review aims to summarize experimental findings on miRNA expression in ChCM and explore the potential of these miRNAs as biomarkers of Chagas disease. Methods The search was conducted in the US National Library of Medicine MEDLINE/PubMed public database using the terms “Chagas cardiomyopathy” OR “Chagas disease” AND “microRNA” OR “miRNA” OR “miR.” Additionally, bioinformatics analysis was performed to investigate miRNA-target interactions and explore enrichment pathways of gene ontology biological processes and molecular functions. Results The miR-21, miR-146b, miR-146a, and miR-155 consistently exhibited up-regulation, whereas miR-145 was down-regulated in ChCM. These specific miRNAs have been linked to fibrosis, immune response, and inflammatory processes in heart tissue. Moreover, the findings from various studies indicate that these miRNAs have the potential as biomarkers for the disease and could be targeted in therapeutic strategies for ChCM. Conclusion In this review, we point out miR-21, miR-146b, miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-145-5p role in the complex mechanisms of ChCM. These miRNAs have been shown as potential biomarkers for precise diagnosis, reliable prognostic evaluation, and effective treatment strategies in the ChCM.

show abstract

Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease and cancer: putting together the pieces of a complex puzzle

Kaufman,

Farré,

Biscari

et al. 2023

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Considering the extensive and widespread impact on individuals, cancer can presently be categorized as a pandemic. In many instances, the development of tumors has been linked to endemic microbe infections. Among parasitic infections, Trypanosoma cruzi stands out as one of the most extensively discussed protozoans in the literature that explores the association between diseases of parasite origin and cancer. However, the effective association remains an unsolved paradox. Both the parasite, along with protozoan-derived molecules, and the associated antiparasitic immune response can induce alterations in various host cell pathways, leading to modifications in cell cycle, metabolism, glycosylation, DNA mutations, or changes in neuronal signaling. Furthermore, the presence of the parasite can trigger cell death or a senescent phenotype and modulate the immune system, the metastatic cascade, and the formation of new blood vessels. The interaction among the parasite (and its molecules), the host, and cancer undoubtedly encompasses various mechanisms that operate differentially depending on the context. Remarkably, contrary to expectations, the evidence tilts the balance toward inhibiting tumor growth or resisting tumor development. This effect is primarily observed in malignant cells, rather than normal cells, indicating a selective or specific component. Nevertheless, nonspecific bystander mechanisms, such as T. cruzi’s adjuvancy or the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, may also play a significant role in this phenomenon. This work aims to elucidate this complex scenario by synthesizing the main findings presented in the literature and by proposing new questions and answers, thereby adding pieces to this challenging puzzle.

show abstract

A Review on the Immunological Response against Trypanosoma cruzi

Cited by 13 publications

References 128 publications

Outcomes of patients in Chagas disease of the central nervous system: a systematic review

Outcomes of patients in Chagas disease of the central nervous system: a systematic review

Unraveling the role of miRNAs as biomarkers in Chagas cardiomyopathy: Insights into molecular pathophysiology

Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease and cancer: putting together the pieces of a complex puzzle

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About