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Home / Publications / Trypanosoma cruzi strain Tcl is associated with chronic Chagas disease in the Brazilian Amazon

Trypanosoma cruzi strain Tcl is associated with chronic Chagas disease in the Brazilian Amazon

  • Authors: Barbosa MDV, Barbosa-Ferreira JM, Coelho LI, da Silva GA, de Brito FR, Guerra JAO, Maciel MG, Magalhaes LK, Magalhaes LKC, Monteiro WM, Prestes SR, Santana RAG, Silveira H
  • Publication Year: 2014
  • Journal: Parasites & Vectors
  • Link: http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/7/1/267
Background

Chagas disease in the Amazon region is considered an emerging anthropozoonosis with a predominance of the discrete typing units (DTUs) TcI and TcIV. These DTUs are responsible for cases of acute disease associated with oral transmission. Chronic disease cases have been detected through serological surveys. However, the mode of transmission could not be determined, or any association of chronic disease with a specific T. cruzi DTU’s. The aim of this study was to characterize Trypanosoma cruzi in patients with chronic Chagas disease in the State of Amazonas, Brazil.

Methods

Blood culture and xenodiagnosis were performed in 36 patients with positive serology for Chagas disease who participated in a serological survey performed in urban and rural areas of Manaus, Amazonas. DNA samples were extracted from the feces of triatomines used for xenodiagnosis, and the nontranscribed spacer of the mini-exon gene and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) were amplified by PCR and sequenced.

Results

Blood culture and xenodiagnosis were negative in 100% of samples; however, molecular techniques revealed that in 13 out of 36 (36%) fecal samples from xenodiagnosis, T. cruzi was characterized as the DTU TcI, and different haplotypes were identified within the same DTU.

Conclusion

The DTU TcI, which is mainly associated with acute cases of Chagas disease in the Amazon region, is also responsible for chronic infection in patients from a region in the State of Amazonas.

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About GHTM

GHTM is a R&D Unit that brings together researchers with a track record in Tropical Medicine and International & Global Health. It aims at strengthening Portugal's role as a leading partner in the development and implementation of a global health research agenda. Our evidence-based interventions contribute to the promotion of equity in health and to improve the health of populations.

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