Imaging Trypanosoma cruzi within tissues from chagasic patients using confocal microscopy with monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

Confocal fluorescence microscopy combined with differential interference contrast imaging of tissues from chagasic patients enabled the unequivocal identification of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Using different monoclonal antibodies that indicate the parasite form and replication stage in conjunction with DNA labelling, specimens derived from distinct clinical forms of the disease were examined. Intracellular amastigote forms of the parasite were clearly detected in heart, brain, skin, lung, and kidney. Dividing amastigotes as well as trypomastigote forms were recognized in samples obtained from patients undergoing either acute-phase or some form of reactivation caused by immunosuppression.

Rac1/WAVE2 and Cdc42/N-WASP Participation in Actin-Dependent Host Cell Invasion by Extracellular Amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

“…Goat anti-rabbit IgG-peroxidase (A6154), goat anti-mouse IgG-peroxidase (A4416) and goat anti-human Alexa Flour 488 (A11013) were from Sigma-Aldrich. Anti- T. cruzi was previously used (Mortara et al, 1999 ).…”

Trypanosoma cruzi Entrance through Systemic or Mucosal Infection Sites Differentially Modulates Regional Immune Response Following Acute Infection in Mice

“…Nevertheless, in situ PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and confocal analyses have shown that even in the chronic phase, tissues are not parasite-free (11–18). Several tissues, including the heart and the nervous system, as well as adipocytes, retain amastigote forms that perpetuate the chronic infection (19–21). Additionally, Chagas disease may be reactivated during periods of immunosuppression, such as in patients with HIV/AIDS or undergoing immunosuppressive drug therapy (22, 23).…”