Infection of a mammal by monogenetic insect trypanosomatids (Kinetoplastida, trypanosomatidae)

Abstract

Monogenetic insect trypanosomatids of the genera Crithidia, Leptomonas and Herpetomonas, multiplied as in axenic cultures, for many months, in the lumen of the scent glands of the opossum Didelphis marsupialis. Specific antibodies were detected in the serum of the animals but there was no evidence of invasion of their tissues by the parasites.

Experimental Pathogenicity of a Presumed Monoxenous Trypanosomatid Isolated from Humans in a Murine Model

“…with persistent high antibody levels throughout the experiment. This is in accordance with the report by Jansen et al (1988) of the presence of specific antibodies in the sera of oppossum Didelphis marsupialis experimentally infected with monogenetic insect trypanosomatids of the genera Crithidia, Leptomonas , and Herpetomonas but without evidence of tissue invasion.…”

Trypanosoma cruzi: adaptation to its vectors and its hosts

“…The infectivity of opossum scent gland metacyclic forms was proven by successful experimental infection of Swiss mice. Monogenetic trypanosomatids ( Leptomonas , Crithidia and Herpetomonas ) may also efficiently colonize the scent glands of Didelphis aurita under experimental conditions when the trypanosomatids are directly inoculated into the glands [57]. Marsupials of the genus Didelphis are non-specialized mammals and may be found on the ground and in the canopy.…”

Histopathological study of experimental and natural infections by Trypanosoma cruzi in Didelphis marsupialis

“…It is known that T. cruzi antigens pass through the scent glands wall to the blood (Jansen et al 1988). However, the fact that several animals with heavily parasitized scent glands did not show or presented only scarse inflammatory reactions in the tissues suggests that these circulating antigens do not cause an increase in the inflammatory reactions as it could be expected.…”

“…Several authors have confirmed the occurrence of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes in the scent glands of naturally infected opossums (Naiff et al 1986, Steindel et al1987, Fernandes et al 1989). The passage of T. cruzi antigens through the glandular epithelium to blood circulation, stimulating antibody production, was observed by Jansen et al (1988), however the histopathological consequences of this event in extraglandular tissues was still unknown. Despite several works describing natural infection of opossums there are only a few focusing on the histopathological aspects.…”