Chagas’ disease: an update on immune mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Abstract

The final decade of the 20th century was marked by an alarming resurgence in infectious diseases caused by tropical parasites belonging to the kinetoplastid protozoan order. Among the pathogenic trypanosomatids, some species are of particular interest due to their medical importance. These species include the agent responsible for Chagas’ disease, Trypanosoma cruzi. Approximately 8 to 10 million people are infected in the Americas, and approximately 40 million are at risk. In the present review, we discuss in detail the immune mechanisms elicited during infection by T. cruzi and the effects of chemotherapy in controlling parasite proliferation and on the host immune system.

Evaluation of the Anti-<i>Trypanosoma Cruzi</i> Effects of the Antipsychotic Drug Levomepromazine

“…In addition, it is worth mentioning that other serious drawbacks have been reported for both drugs: their high toxicity, which in some cases forces the interruption of treatment, and evidence of emerging resistant strains. Taken together, these facts constitute major reasons to search for new therapeutic alternatives [1].…”

Application of magnetically induced hyperthermia in the model protozoan Crithidia fasciculata as a potential therapy against parasitic infections

“…[5][6][7] The two therapeutic agents that are presently in use for the treatment of Chagas disease are nifurtimox and benzimidazole; however, these drugs were developed approximately 40 years ago. 8 The main disadvantages of these treatments are a high level of toxicity and low therapeutic efficiency during the chronic phase of the disease. The latter disadvantage is a serious problem because Chagas disease is often diagnosed during the chronic phase; therefore, the majority of infected people miss the opportunity to be treated using effective chemotherapy.…”

An Aromatic Diamidine That Targets Kinetoplast DNA, Impairs the Cell Cycle in Trypanosoma cruzi, and Diminishes Trypomastigote Release from Infected Mammalian Host Cells

“…Currently, the only two clinically available drugs for treating the infection are benznidazole and nifurtimox. Both drugs, despite various side effects, are effective during the acute phase, but their efficiencies during the chronic phase, which is when most cases are diagnosed, are controversial due to the low compliance of patients to the long-term dosing that is required for the successful treatment of infection (1,3,7). Therefore, it is important to identify new drugs against T. cruzi.…”

“…The symptoms of the chronic phase, which affects approximately 30% of the infected population, include cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and digestive tract abnormalities, such as megacolon and megaesophagus. The severity of these symptoms generally determines the morbidity of the disease (2,7,8). Currently, the only two clinically available drugs for treating the infection are benznidazole and nifurtimox.…”