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1.
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop ; 54: e02012021, 2021. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1347091

ABSTRACT

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Trypanosoma cruzi infection triggers an inflammatory process with exacerbated production of cytokines that stimulate inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals, including the efferent anti-inflammatory signal known as the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway. Thus, the use of anticholinesterase drugs, such as galantamine, could minimize the inflammatory process caused by this disease. METHODS For the study at 30, 60, and 90 days, 120 Swiss mice were divided into three groups. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups: uninfected/untreated (CTRL), uninfected/treated (GAL), infected/untreated (INF), and infected/treated (GAL/INF). The infected groups were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.1 ml of mouse blood containing 5 × 104 trypomastigote forms of the T. cruzi QM2 strain. The galantamine-treated groups received 5 mg/kg of galantamine orally, through pipetting. From each subgroup, the parameters of parasitemia, histopathological analysis, butyrylcholinesterase activity (BuChE), and functional study of the colon were evaluated. RESULTS: BuChE performance was observed when AChE was suppressed, with increased activity in the GAL/INF group similar to the INF group on the 30th day post infection, thus corroborating the absence of a significant difference in parasitic curves and histopathological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an inflammatory process and nests of amastigotes, as well as evidence of reactivity to ACh and NOR, suggest that galantamine did not interfere with the colonic inflammatory response or even in colonic tissue parasitism at this stage of Chagas disease.


Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Trypanosoma cruzi , Chagas Disease/drug therapy , Butyrylcholinesterase , Parasitemia , Galantamine
2.
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop ; 53: e20190477, 2020. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1057272

ABSTRACT

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Benznidazole (BZL) and Nifurtimox (NFX) are the pharmacological treatment for acute phase Chagas Disease (CD); however, therapy resistance and residual mortality development remain important unresolved issues. Posaconazole (POS) has shown a trypanocidal effect in vivo and in vitro. Thus, this study aimed at comparing the T. Cruzi parasitic load-reducing effect of the combination of BZL+POS against that of monotherapy with either, during acute phase CD, in an experimental murine model. METHODS Nineteen Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four groups and inoculated with the trypomastigotes of T. cruzi strain´s JChVcl1. The rats were administered anti-parasites from day 20-29 post-infection. The Pizzi and Brener method was used for parasitemia measurement. Longitudinal data analysis for the continuous outcome of repeated measures was performed using parasitemia as the outcome measured at days 20, 22, 24, 27, and 29 post-infection. RESULTS All four groups had similar parasitic loads (p=0.143) prior to therapy initiation. Among the three treatment groups, the BZL+POS (n=5) group showed the highest mean parasitic load reduction (p=0.000) compared with the control group. Likewise, the BZL+POS group rats showed an earlier therapeutic effect and were the only ones without parasites in their myocardial samples. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of acute phase CD with BZL+POS was more efficacious at parasitemia and myocardial injury reduction, compared with monotherapy with either.


Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Triazoles/administration & dosage , Trypanocidal Agents/administration & dosage , Chagas Disease/drug therapy , Parasitemia/drug therapy , Nitroimidazoles/administration & dosage , Acute Disease , DNA, Protozoan , Rats, Wistar , Disease Progression , Disease Models, Animal , Drug Therapy, Combination , Parasite Load
3.
Rev. bras. parasitol. vet ; 29(2): e002420, 2020. graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1138064

ABSTRACT

Abstract Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. is described from the blood of the Egyptian saw-scaled viper, Echis pyramidum, captured from Saudi Arabia. Five out of ten viper specimens examined (50%) were found infected with Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. with parasitaemia level ranged from 20-30%. The infection was restricted only to the erythrocytes. Two morphologically different forms of intraerythrocytic stages were observed; small and mature gamonts. The small ganomt with average size of 10.7 × 3.5 μm. Mature gamont was sausage-shaped with recurved poles measuring 16.3 × 4.2 μm in average size. Infected erythrocytes were hypertrophied; their nuclei were deformed and sometimes displaced from their central position in the normal uninfected cell. Merogonic stages were observed in the lung endothelial cell and the liver parenchyma cells. Mature meront was 17.8 × 13.6 µm and contained banana-shaped merozoites with average size of ~15 × 2 µm. Phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rDNA sequence clustered Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n with previously sequenced Hepatozoon spp., most of them infected reptilian hosts without geographic consideration. The morphological and molecular comparison with closely related species proved the taxonomic uniqueness and novelty of the present form.


Resumo Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. é descrito a partir do sangue da víbora em escamas e quilhas serrilhadas, Echis pyramidum, capturada na Arábia Saudita. Cinco de dez espécimes de víbora examinadas (50%) foram encontradas infectadas com Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. com nível de parasitemia de 20% a 30%. A infecção foi restrita apenas aos eritrócitos. Foram observadas duas formas morfologicamente diferentes de estágios intra-eritrocíticos: gamontes de tamanho pequeno e madura. As formas menores de gamontes apresentaram média de 10,7 × 3,5 μm. Os gamontes maduros apresentaram forma de salsicha, com pequenos polos recurvados, medindo 16,3 × 4,2 μm, em média. Os eritrócitos infectados estavam aumentados de tamanho; seus núcleos encontravam-se deformados e, algumas vezes, deslocados de sua posição central, quando comparados às células normais não-infectadas. Foram observados estágios merogônicos em células endoteliais pulmonares e nas células do parênquima hepático. Os merontes maduros apresentavam 17,8 × 13,6 µm e continham merozoítos em forma de banana com tamanho médio de ~ 15 × 2 µm. A análise filogenética baseada nas sequências SSU rDNA agrupou Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n com Hepatozoon spp. detectados em répteis de várias regiões geográficas. Por meio de análises morfológicas e moleculares com espécies intimamente relacionadas, demonstrou-se a singularidade dessa nova espécie de Hepatozoon.


Subject(s)
Animals , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , Apicomplexa/physiology , Apicomplexa/genetics , Viperidae/parasitology , Phylogeny , Saudi Arabia , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Apicomplexa/classification , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Viperidae/blood , Parasitemia/parasitology , Parasitemia/veterinary , Erythrocytes , Erythrocytes/pathology , Liver/parasitology , Liver/pathology , Lung/parasitology , Lung/pathology
4.
Afr. j. health sci ; 33(1): 1-13, 2020. ilus
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1257048

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Trypanosomosis affects humans as well as wild and domestic vertebrates, yet has no successful prophylaxis, chemotherapy nor cure. OBJECTIVES The study was to investigate the effects of Allium sativum extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasites' morphometric parameters, parasitemia and the clinical outcome in white infected Albino laboratory rats in order to determine its trypanocidal effects. METHODOLOGY The study was conducted at the department of Biological Sciences Laboratory of the Moi University Eldoret. Thirty two (32) mature rats randomly divided into four groups (M, N, P and Q) were kept in four (4) cages in a well ventilated room, with adequate light supply in the day. Sixteen (16) rats were infected with T. b. brucei (1.0 x 104 parasites per rat); eight (8) of which (Group N) were treated with the A. sativum ethanolic extract on day 5 and day 9 after infection, while the other eight (8)rats (Group Q) received saline treatment on the same days. Sixteen (16) non-infected rats (controls) were also divided into two groups of eight rats each (P and M) and treated as in group N and Q, respectively. The rats were obtained from University of Nairobi, Chiromo Campus. RESULTS All infected rats became parasitemic two days after infection and reached peak levels on day 4 and 5 post infection. Parasitemia in saline treated infected rats fluctuated between 4025.5 ± 0.05 - 5544.4 ± 0.05 parasites per 200WBC whereas in the extract treated rats parasitemia declined from 6976.6 ± 0.05 - 311.0 ± 0.05 parasites per 200WBC after the first treatment. Uninfected saline treated rats maintained normal Hb level (10.6g/L to 11.8g/L) as compared to the uninfected extract treated rats' whose Hb levels was at 13.41g/L to 14.36g/L. The haemoglobin level changed to 8.0g/L four days after the infection in the group N rats before rising to 10.2g/L on day 8 post-infection following the extract treatments. Group Q rats' Hb declined to 6.43g/L by the end of the study. RBC count of the infected saline treated rats declined to 3.38 x 106/µL as compared to 4.93-7.61 x 106/µL in the normal rats by 11 days postinfection.There was however no significant change in WBC, temperature and weight between the saline extract treated rats. The extract produced a shrinking effect on the parasite's body with some of the morphometric parameters appearing significantly (P<0.05) reduced as observed under a microscope with ocular and stage micrometer scale. The mean nucleus, posterior ends to nucleus centre, the nucleus centre to the anterior end and the body length were reduced from 2.41µm to 1.42µm(P=0.00), 4.42µm to 3.68µm(P=0.017) , 4.65µm to 4.18µm(P=0.001) and 8.58µm to 7.19µm(P=0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION In conclusion it was evident that, A. sativum ethanolic extract exhibited Trypanocidal effects that can be exploited to control clinical progression of Trypanosomosis in rats. In addition, the data presented demonstrates the plant extract had the potential to improve the red and white blood cell indices reducing parasitaemia following T. b. brucei infection. These findings suggest that, the garlic extract affected the plasma membrane of the parasites since shrinking was only possible with disrupted membrane biochemistry


Subject(s)
Parasitemia , Rats , Trypanosoma brucei brucei , Trypanosomiasis
5.
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz ; 115: e190389, 2020. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1091236

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Chagas disease, which is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic to Latin America and mainly affects low-income populations. Chemotherapy is based on two nitrocompounds, but their reduced efficacy encourages the continuous search for alternative drugs. Our group has characterised the trypanocidal effect of naphthoquinones and their derivatives, with naphthoimidazoles derived from β-lapachone (N1, N2 and N3) being the most active in vitro. OBJECTIVES In the present work, the effects of N1, N2 and N3 on acutely infected mice were investigated. METHODS in vivo activity of the compounds was assessed by parasitological, biochemical, histopathological, immunophenotypical, electrocardiographic (ECG) and behavioral analyses. FINDINGS Naphthoimidazoles led to a decrease in parasitaemia (8 dpi) by reducing the number of bloodstream trypomastigotes by 25-50% but not by reducing mortality. N1 protected mice from heart injury (15 dpi) by decreasing inflammation. Bradycardia was also partially reversed after treatment with N1 and N2. Furthermore, the three compounds did not reverse hepatic and renal lesions or promote the improvement of other evaluated parameters. MAIN CONCLUSION N1 showed moderate trypanocidal and promising immunomodulatory activities, and its use in combination with benznidazole and/or anti-arrhythmic drugs as well as the efficacy of its alternative formulations must be investigated in the near future.


Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Trypanocidal Agents/therapeutic use , Naphthoquinones/therapeutic use , Chagas Disease/drug therapy , Nitroimidazoles/therapeutic use , Time Factors , Trypanocidal Agents/chemistry , Acute Disease , Naphthoquinones/chemistry , Parasitemia/drug therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Electrocardiography , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Nitroimidazoles/chemistry
6.
Biomédica (Bogotá) ; 39(supl.2): 101-116, ago. 2019. tab, graf
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: biblio-1038832

ABSTRACT

Resumen Introducción. El cumplimiento de la meta de eliminación de la malaria en Ecuador en el 2020 exige contar con la capacidad requerida para el diagnóstico microscópico ajustado a los estándares de calidad de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y proveer el tratamiento adecuado a los pacientes. Objetivo. Conocer la idoneidad o competencia de los microscopistas de la red pública local para el diagnóstico parasitológico de la malaria y el desempeño de los laboratorios intermedios de referencia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal a partir de la información obtenida en los talleres de evaluación de idoneidad en el diagnóstico microscópico de la red de laboratorios en las coordinaciones zonales de salud utilizando un panel de láminas para evaluar la concordancia del diagnóstico. Además, se calificó el desempeño de los laboratorios intermedios en el diagnóstico en el marco del programa de evaluación externa del desempeño. Los resultados se compararon con los obtenidos por el laboratorio supranacional de Perú. Resultados. En los 11 talleres realizados, se evaluó la idoneidad de 191 microscopistas, de los cuales 153 (80,1 %) aprobaron las pruebas. Las medianas de los indicadores fueron las siguientes: concordancia entre la detección y el resultado, 100 % (Q1- Q3: 96-100); concordancia en la especie, 100 % (Q1- Q3: 93-100); concordancia en el estadio, 93,0 % (Q1- Q3: 86-95) y concordancia en el recuento, 77 % (Q1- Q3: 71-82). En el programa de evaluación externa de desempeño, los tres laboratorios intermedios obtuvieron una concordancia del 100 % en el resultado y una del 96 % en la especie. Conclusiones. Los indicadores de competencia de la red local y de desempeño de los laboratorios intermedios alcanzaron altos estándares de calidad acordes con el proceso de entrenamiento implementado en el país.


Abstract Introduction: To reach the goal of malaria elimination in Ecuador for the year 2020, it is necessary to have a laboratory network with the capacity to perform microscopic diagnosis according to the WHO/PAHO quality standards and to provide the adequate treatment of cases. Objective: To determine the level of competence for parasitological diagnosis of the microscopists from the local public network and the performance of intermediate reference laboratories. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on the information collected in workshops carried out to appraise the competence for microscopic diagnosis of the local laboratory network (zonal health coordinating offices 1 to 8) using a slide panel to evaluate diagnosis agreement, as well as the diagnostic performance of the intermediate laboratories using an external quality assessment program. The results were compared against the reference standards of the supranational laboratory in Perú. Results: We evaluated the competencies of 191 microscopists in 11 workshops and 153 (80.1%) of them were approved. The medians of the indicators were the following: concordance for parasite detection, 100% (Q1- Q3: 96-100), concordance for species identification, 100% (Q1- Q3: 93-100), and concordances for stage identification, 93.0% (Q1- Q3: 86-95) and parasite counting, 77.0% (Q1- Q3: 71-82). In the external quality assessment, the three intermediate laboratories obtained 100% in parasite detection concordance and 96% for species detection concordance. Conclusions: The results for the primary network and the performance indicators for the intermediate laboratories showed the high-quality standards of the training program implemented in the country.


Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Plasmodium falciparum/isolation & purification , Plasmodium vivax/isolation & purification , Malaria, Vivax/diagnosis , Malaria, Falciparum/diagnosis , Medical Laboratory Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Parasitemia/diagnosis , Erythrocytes/parasitology , Laboratory Proficiency Testing , Microscopy/methods , Professional Practice/statistics & numerical data , Quality Assurance, Health Care , Socioeconomic Factors , Cross-Sectional Studies , Malaria, Vivax/blood , Malaria, Vivax/prevention & control , Malaria, Falciparum/blood , Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control , Medical Laboratory Personnel/education , Parasitemia/blood , Parasitemia/prevention & control , Ecuador , Erythrocytes/ultrastructure , Laboratories/classification , Laboratories/standards , Microscopy/standards
7.
Biomédica (Bogotá) ; 39(supl.2): 144-156, ago. 2019. tab, graf
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: biblio-1038835

ABSTRACT

Resumen Introducción. La infección por Toxoplasma gondii puede presentarse en los humanos con un amplio rango de manifestaciones que van desde el estado asintomático hasta la enfermedad grave, según el estado inmunológico del individuo. Los mecanismos de transmisión incluyen la transfusión sanguínea, pero poco se sabe sobre la frecuencia del parásito en los bancos de sangre de Colombia. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de la infección con T. gondii en donantes de un banco de sangre de Cúcuta mediante técnicas de diagnóstico serológico y molecular. Materiales y métodos. Se determinaron los anticuerpos IgG e IgM contra T. gondii mediante un inmunoensayo en suero en 348 donantes. Se determinó la frecuencia de ADN de T. gondii utilizando la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en sangre total de donantes seropositivos y se analizaron las variables de interés con base en la información obtenida durante la selección de donantes. Resultados. De los 348 donantes participantes, 134 (38,5 %) presentaron anticuerpos IgG contra T. gondii; dos (0,6 %) de ellos presentaron tanto IgG como IgM y, en dos (1,5 %), se detectó ADN del parásito en la sangre. Un análisis bivariado evidenció una asociación entre la seropositividad para T. gondii y tener más de 26 años de edad (p=0,020). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de la infección con T. gondii encontrada en los donantes de sangre sugiere una exposición significativa al agente, la cual adquiere relevancia al detectarse la parasitemia.


Abstract Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii infection manifests differently in humans according to their immunity ranging from asymptomatic profiles to severe disease. There are multiple transmission mechanisms including blood transfusions, but little is known about the frequency of T. gondii infection in Colombia's blood banks. Objective: To determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in blood donors of a blood bank in the city of Cúcuta by serological and molecular diagnostic techniques. Materials and methods: We identified IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii by immunoassay in serum from 348 donors. The frequency of T. gondii DNA was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in whole blood from seropositive donors and relevant variables were analyzed based on the information obtained from surveys during blood donor selection. Results: Out of the 348 enrolled donors, 134 (38.5%) showed IgG antibodies against T. gondii; two of them (0.6%) had both IgG and IgM, and in two of them (1.5%), parasite DNA was detected in blood samples. A bivariate analysis indicated an association between seropositivity to T. gondii and being over 26 years of age (p=0.020). Conclusions: The prevalence of T. gondii infection found in the blood donors of this study suggests a significant exposure to the infectious agent that becomes relevant when parasitemia is detected.


Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Toxoplasma/isolation & purification , Blood Banks , Blood Donors , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Toxoplasmosis/epidemiology , DNA, Protozoan/blood , Parasitemia/epidemiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Toxoplasma/genetics , Toxoplasma/immunology , Blood Donors/statistics & numerical data , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Colombia/epidemiology , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Hospitals, University
8.
The Korean Journal of Parasitology ; : 117-125, 2019.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-761730

ABSTRACT

Malarial infection induces tissue hypoxia in the host through destruction of red blood cells. Tissue hypoxia in malarial infection may increase the activity of HIF1α through an intracellular oxygen-sensing pathway. Activation of HIF1α may also induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to trigger angiogenesis. To investigate whether malarial infection actually generates hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we analyzed severity of hypoxia, the expression of hypoxia-related angiogenic factors, and numbers of blood vessels in various tissues infected with Plasmodium berghei. Infection in mice was performed by intraperitoneal injection of 2×10⁶ parasitized red blood cells. After infection, we studied parasitemia and survival. We analyzed hypoxia, numbers of blood vessels, and expression of hypoxia-related angiogenic factors including VEGF and HIF1α. We used Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to analyze various tissues from Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. In malaria-infected mice, parasitemia was increased over the duration of infection and directly associated with mortality rate. Expression of VEGF and HIF1α increased with the parasitemia in various tissues. Additionally, numbers of blood vessels significantly increased in each tissue type of the malaria-infected group compared to the uninfected control group. These results suggest that malarial infection in mice activates hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by stimulation of HIF1α and VEGF in various tissues.


Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Angiogenesis Inducing Agents , Hypoxia , Blood Vessels , Blotting, Western , Erythrocytes , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Immunohistochemistry , Injections, Intraperitoneal , Malaria , Mortality , Parasitemia , Plasmodium , Plasmodium berghei , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
9.
Laboratory Medicine Online ; : 194-196, 2019.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-760493

ABSTRACT

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria using antibodies against pan-Plasmodium antigen lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) are commonly used for malaria diagnosis. The level of malaria parasitemia determined by peripheral blood smears (PBS) correlates with the pLDH concentration in most cases. We report a case of malaria recurrence associated with false-negative RDT results. A 22-year-old male patient was admitted to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital with fever and chills, and was diagnosed with malaria infection. Four days after antimalarial treatment, these symptoms recurred. After admitting to our hospital, doxycycline was administered for 4 days. Even after administration of doxycycline, the malaria parasites in blood smears remained positive, but RDT showed negative results. Therefore, for patients receiving doxycycline, serial blood smear testing should be performed to exclude false-negative malaria RDT results.


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Antibodies , Arm , Chills , Diagnosis , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Doxycycline , Fever , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Malaria , Parasitemia , Parasites , Recurrence
10.
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop ; 52: e20180505, 2019. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1041570

ABSTRACT

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The microscopic examination of microhematocrit tubes (mHCT) has been proposed as the gold standard for acute and congenital Chagas disease diagnosis. We compared different mHCT methodologies detecting T. cruzi parasites in the blood. METHODS: The rotating method, water mount, and immersion oil methods were compared for their suitability, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: The rotating method was easier, faster, and more sensitive than the others with 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The rotating method is feasible for laboratory technicians with standard training in microscopic techniques and is recommended for the diagnosis of acute Chagas disease in primary health care facilities.


Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolation & purification , Centrifugation/methods , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , Parasitemia/diagnosis , Capillary Tubing , Hematocrit/methods , Sensitivity and Specificity , Chagas Disease/parasitology , Chagas Disease/blood , Parasitemia/parasitology , Clinical Laboratory Services
11.
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop ; 50(3): 341-349, May-June 2017. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-896979

ABSTRACT

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Enriched environments normally increase behavioral repertoires and diminish the expression of abnormal behaviors and stress-related physiological problems in animals. Although it has been shown that experimental animals infected with microorganisms can modify their behaviors and physiology, few studies have evaluated how environmental enrichment affects these parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on the behavior and physiology of confined mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODS: The behaviors of 20 T. cruzi-infected mice and 20 non-infected mice were recorded during three treatments: baseline, enrichment, and post-enrichment. Behavioral data were collected using scan sampling with instantaneous recording of behavior every 30s, totaling 360h. Plasma TNF, CCL2, and IL-10 levels and parasitemia were also evaluated in infected enriched/non-enriched mice. Behavioral data were evaluated by Friedman's test and physiological data by one-way ANOVA and area under the curve (AUC) analysis. RESULTS: Results showed that environmental enrichment significantly increased exploratory behaviors and diminished inactivity. The use of environmental enrichment did not diminish circulating levels of TNF and IL-10 but diminished circulating levels of CCL2 and parasitemia. CONCLUSIONS: Positive behavioral and physiological effects of environmental enrichment were observed in mice living in enriched cages. Thus, environmental enrichment improved the welfare of these animals.


Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Chagas Disease/physiopathology , Environment , Time Factors , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Interleukin-10/blood , Chagas Disease/blood , Parasitemia/physiopathology , Chemokine CCL2/blood , Disease Models, Animal , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL
13.
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop ; 50(2): 184-193, Mar.-Apr. 2017. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-842842

ABSTRACT

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Stimulation of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines may cause oxidative stress in Chagas disease. In this study, we evaluated the merit of vitamins C and E as antioxidant therapy to minimize the oxidative stress-induced damage in an experimental model of Chagas disease. METHODS: Ninety-six Swiss mice were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi QM2 and treated with vitamins C, E, or both (C/E) for 60 and 120 days, and their effects compared to placebo administration were evaluated in the acute and chronic disease phases. RESULTS: There was no difference in parasitemia among treatment groups. However, histological analysis showed more severe inflammation in the skeletal muscle in the vitamin supplementation groups at both the acute and chronic phases. Biochemical analyses during the acute phase showed increased ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the vitamin C and C/E groups. In the chronic phase, a decrease in GSH levels was observed in the vitamin E group and a decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was observed in the vitamin C/E group. Moreover, there was a decrease in TBARS in the cardiac tissues of the vitamin C and C/E groups compared to that of the placebo group, although this level was greater in the vitamin E group than in the vitamin C group. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant action of vitamins C and E reduced oxidative stress in both the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease, with a marked effect from joint administration, indicating their inherent synergism.


Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Ascorbic Acid/therapeutic use , Vitamin E/therapeutic use , Chagas Disease/therapy , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Acute Disease , Chronic Disease , Chagas Disease/metabolism , Parasitemia/drug therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Mice
14.
Comun. ciênc. saúde ; 28(1): 12-22, jan. 2017. tab, ilus
Article in Portuguese | LILACS | ID: biblio-972646

ABSTRACT

Este estudo avaliou as mudanças ambientais da paisagem urbana de um município com alta incidência de malária na Amazônia brasileira (Mâncio Lima, Acre) e sua relação com a doença, com o objetivo de prover evidências de que a transmissão do Plasmódio é causada pelo modo como os seres humanos interagem com o meio-ambiente. Foram efetuados três estudos populacionais consecutivos, entre 2012 e 2013, com 1260 indivíduos, com identificação do plasmódio por microscopia e técnicas moleculares. Casos de malária foram analisados mediante um questionário clinico. O estudo entomológico envolveu 8 inquéritos transversais com coleta de formas imaturas em 90 corpos d’água, bem como avaliação espacial desses dados. Os resultados mostraram que a transmissão de malária na área deveu-se em grande parte a criação de tanques de piscicultura, que elevaram em cerca de 10 vezes a produtividade de imaturos de Anopheles darlingi, e à grande mobilidade da população, que se desloca para áreas de maior transmissão (como área ribeirinha e rural) e retorna infectada para a área urbana. Foram identificados casos de portadores assintomáticos do Plasmódio, embora em pequena quantidade. Os fatores associados a ausência de sintomas (infecção assintomática) foram o sexo e o tempo da última malária. Em pacientes sintomáticos, a frequência dos sintomas se relacionou com idade, número de malárias previas e parasitemia. A concentração geográfica dos casos deveu-se em parte a características socioeconômicas agregadas no espaço, em conjunto com fatores ambientais como presença do vetor, visto que o uso infrequente de mosquiteiro associouse com a incidência maior de malária.


This study evaluated the environmental changes of the urban landscape of a municipality with a high incidence of malaria in the Brazilian Amazon (Mâncio Lima, Acre) and its relation with the disease, in order to provide evidence that the transmission of Plasmodium is caused by the way humans interact with the environment. Three consecutive population studies were carried out between 2012 and 2013, with 1260 individuals, with plasmodium identification by microscopy and molecular techniques. Malaria cases were analyzed using a clinical questionnaire. The entomological study involved 8 cross-sectional surveys with collection of immature forms in 90 bodies of water, as well as spatial evaluation of these data. The results showed that the transmission of malaria in the area was largely due to the creation of fish tanks, which increased the immature productivity of Anopheles darlingi by around 10 times, and the great mobility of the population, which moves to areas of greater transmission (as riverside and rural area) and returns infected to the urban area. Cases of asymptomatic Plasmodium carriers have been identified, albeit in small numbers. Factors associated with absence of symptoms (asymptomatic infection) were the sex and time of the last malaria. In symptomatic patients, the frequency of symptoms was related to age, number of previous malaria and parasitemia. The geographic concentration of the cases was due in part to aggregate socioeconomic characteristics in space, together with environmental factors such as vector presence, since the infrequent use of mosquito nets was associated with a higher incidence of malaria.


Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Malaria , Ponds , Fisheries , Plasmodium , Parasitemia , Environmental Change
15.
The Korean Journal of Parasitology ; : 255-265, 2017.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-168672

ABSTRACT

Malaria is an infectious disease affecting humans, which is transmitted by the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes harboring sporozoites of parasitic protozoans belonging to the genus Plasmodium. Despite past achievements to control the protozoan disease, malaria still remains a significant health threat up to now. In this study, we cloned and characterized the full-unit Plasmodium yoelii genes encoding merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), circumsporozoite protein (CSP), and Duffy-binding protein (DBP), each of which can be applied for investigations to obtain potent protective vaccines in the rodent malaria model, due to their specific expression patterns during the parasite life cycle. Recombinant fragments corresponding to the middle and C-terminal regions of PyMSP1 and PyCSP, respectively, displayed strong reactivity against P. yoelii-infected mice sera. Specific native antigens invoking strong humoral immune response during the primary and secondary infections of P. yoelii were also abundantly detected in experimental ICR mice. The low or negligible parasitemia observed in the secondary infected mice was likely to result from the neutralizing action of the protective antibodies. Identification of these antigenic proteins might provide the necessary information and means to characterize additional vaccine candidate antigens, selected solely on their ability to produce the protective antibodies.


Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Anopheles , Antibodies , Clone Cells , Coinfection , Communicable Diseases , Culicidae , Immunity, Humoral , Life Cycle Stages , Malaria , Merozoite Surface Protein 1 , Mice, Inbred ICR , Parasitemia , Parasites , Plasmodium yoelii , Plasmodium , Rodentia , Sporozoites , Vaccines
16.
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop ; 49(6): 713-720, Dec. 2016. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-829676

ABSTRACT

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease currently affects 5.7 million people in Latin America and is emerging in non-endemic countries. There is no consensus concerning the efficacy of trypanocidal therapy for patients with the chronic form of the disease. We evaluated cardiac function and sociodemographic, clinical, and serologic characteristics of a group of asymptomatic Trypanosoma cruzi-seropositive former blood donors, and compared the effects of benznidazole treatment applied for different lengths of time. METHODS: Blood donors who screened positive for T. cruzi between 1998 and 2002 were recruited 10 years later for follow-up (n = 244); 46 individuals had received treatment. Three subjects had terminated treatment prematurely. The remaining 43 individuals were divided into two groups: individuals who had received benznidazole therapy for 50-60 days (n = 28; BT ≤60 group) or more than 60 days (n = 15; BT >60). Serologic assays, biochemical tests, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical examinations were performed on all participants. Parasite loads were determined by qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Parasitemia was significantly reduced in the BT ≤60 and BT >60 groups compared with the untreated group. There were no differences in epidemiologic profiles or clinical, biochemical, electrocardiographic, or echocardiographic data between any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite elimination or significant reduction in parasitemia in patients with chronic Chagas disease who received benznidazole, there was no clinical difference between those who were treated for >60 days and those treated for a shorter duration. Furthermore, the adverse effects of benznidazole appear to be less severe than previous reports would suggest.


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Trypanocidal Agents/administration & dosage , Blood Donors , Chagas Disease/drug therapy , Parasitemia/parasitology , Nitroimidazoles/administration & dosage , Time Factors , Clinical Protocols , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Chronic Disease , Cross-Sectional Studies , Treatment Outcome , Chagas Disease/parasitology , Asymptomatic Infections , Parasite Load , Middle Aged
17.
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz ; 111(8): 517-522, Aug. 2016. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-788994

ABSTRACT

Currently, the only method for identifying infective hosts with Leishmania infantum to the vector Lutzomyia longipalpis is xenodiagnosis. More recently, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has been used to model human reservoir competence by assuming that detection of parasite DNA indicates the presence of viable parasites for infecting vectors. Since this assumption has not been proven, this study aimed to verify this hypothesis. The concentration of amastigotes in the peripheral blood of 30 patients with kala-azar was microscopically verified by leukoconcentration and was compared to qPCR estimates. Parasites were identified in 4.8 mL of peripheral blood from 67% of the patients, at a very low concentration (average 0.3 parasites/mL). However, qPCR showed 93% sensitivity and the estimated parasitaemia was over a thousand times greater, both in blood and plasma, with higher levels in plasma than in blood. Furthermore, the microscopic count of circulating parasites and the qPCR parasitaemia estimates were not mathematically compatible with the published proportions of infected sandflies in xenodiagnostic studies. These findings suggest that qPCR does not measure the concentration of circulating parasites, but rather measures DNA from other sites, and that blood might not be the main source of infection for vectors.


Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Young Adult , Insect Vectors/parasitology , Leishmania infantum/physiology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/parasitology , Parasitemia/parasitology , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Psychodidae/parasitology , Child, Preschool , DNA, Protozoan/blood , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/transmission , Microscopy/methods , Sensitivity and Specificity
18.
Rev. bras. ciênc. vet ; 23(3-4): 152-156, jul./dez. 2016. il.
Article in Portuguese | LILACS | ID: biblio-987256

ABSTRACT

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as complicações hematológicas e bioquímicas em bovinos da região Sudoeste do Paraná infectados por Anaplasma marginale, comparando estas alterações com os parâmetros apresentados por bovinos sadios da mesma região. Foram avaliadas 40 vacas com aptidão leiteira, sendo 20 clinicamente suspeitas de estarem infectadas pelo parasito e outras 20 sadias, que serviram como grupo controle. O hemograma foi realizado em contador hematológico automático. Para a contagem diferencial de células brancas e pesquisa do agente realizou-se esfregaço sanguíneo. As análises de albumina, proteínas totais (PT), uréria, creatinina, aspartato-aminotrasferase, e gama-glutamiltransferase séricas, foram realizadas em analisador bioquímico semi-automático. Os resultados obtidos foram avaliados através do programa SPSS, versão 20.0, sendo submetidos ao Teste t de Student. O diagnóstico foi realizado pela identificação do hemoparasito em esfregaço sanguíneo. Os animais infectados apresentaram uma parasitemia que variou de 11 a 20%. Constatou-se diferença estatística significante (p<0,01), entre os seguintes parâmetros: hematócrito das infectadas (17,99±1,49%) e sadias (29,38±0,96); número de hemácias das infectadas (3,71±0,39x106 /µL) e sadias (7,23±0,37x106 /µL); hemoglobina das infectadas (6,08±0,65g/dL) e sadias (9,96±0,33g/dL); VCM das infectadas (52,60±3,07fL) e sadias (41,34±1,31fL); monócitos das infectadas (1353,27±373,61/µL) e sadias (517,84±113,22/µL); PT (proteínas totais) das infectadas (7,60±0,18g/dL) e sadias (5,90±0,28g/dL). Os animais infectados apresentaram acentuada anemia e aumento sérico das PT. Conclui-se que estes hemoparasitos provocam monocitose e sinais clínicos graves decorrentes da anemia acentuada, porém não alteram os marcadores da função hepática e renal de bovinos na forma clínica de Anaplasmose.


The objective of this study was to describe the hematological and biochemical complications in cattle of southwestern Paraná region infected with Anaplasma, comparing these changes with the parameters presented by healthy cattle from the same region. We evaluated 40 cows with milk aptitude, 20 clinically suspected of being infected by the parasite and other 20 healthy, which served as a control group. Blood counts were performed in automated hematology counter. For the differential white cell count and agent search was held smears. Albumin analysis, total protein (TP), urea, creatinine, aspartate-aminotransferase and serum gamma-glutamyl transferase were carried out in semi-automatic biochemical analyzer. The results were evaluated using SPSS, version 20.0, and submitted to the Student t test. The diagnosis was made by identifying the hemoparasite in blood smears. Infected mice had a parasitemia ranging from 11 to 20%. We found statistically significant differences (p<0.01) among the following: hematocrit of infected (17,99±1,49%) and healthy controls (29,38±0,96%); number of red blood cells infected (3,71±0,39x106 / µL) and healthy controls (7,23±0,37x106 /µL); of infected hemoglobin (6,08±0,65g/dL) and healthy controls (9,96±0,33g/dL); VCM infected (52,60±3,07fL) and healthy controls (41,34±1,31fL); of infected monocytes (1353,27±373,61/µL) and healthy controls (517,84±113,22/µL); PT (total protein) of infected (7,60±0,18g/dL) and healthy controls (5,90±0,28g/dL). Infected animals showed marked anemia and serum increase in PT. We conclude that these blood parasites cause monocytosis and severe clinical signs resulting from severe anemia, but do not alter markers of liver and renal function of cattle in the clinical form of Anaplasmosis.


Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Parasitemia , Albumins , Hematology , Anaplasmataceae Infections , Anemia
19.
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz ; 111(7): 450-453, tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-787558

ABSTRACT

Ever increasing multi-drug resistance by Plasmodium falciparum is creating new challenges in malaria chemotherapy. In the absence of licensed vaccines, treatment and prevention of malaria is heavily dependent on drugs. Potency, range of activity, safety, low cost and ease of administration are crucial issues in the design and formulation of antimalarials. We have tested three synthetic ozonides NAC89, LC50 and LCD67 in vitro and in vivo against multidrug resistant Plasmodium. In vitro, LC50 was at least 10 times more efficient inhibiting P. falciparum multidrug resistant Dd2 strain than chloroquine and mefloquine and as efficient as artemisinin (ART), artesunate and dihydroartemisinin. All three ozonides showed high efficacy in clearing parasitaemia in mice, caused by multi-drug resistant Plasmodium chabaudi strains, by subcutaneous administration, demonstrating high efficacy in vivo against ART and artesunate resistant parasites.


Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Female , Antimalarials/pharmacology , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects , Artemisinins/pharmacology , Chloroquine/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Mefloquine/pharmacology , Mice , Parasitemia/drug therapy
20.
Rev. bras. parasitol. vet ; 25(1): 69-81, Jan.-Mar. 2016. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-777538

ABSTRACT

Abstract Infections by Trypanosoma vivax cause great losses to livestock in Africa and Central and South Americas. Outbreaks due this parasite have been occurred with increasing frequency in Brazil. Knowledge of changes caused byT. vivax during the course of this disease can be of great diagnostic value. Thus, clinical signs, parasitemia, hematologic and biochemical changes of cattle experimentally infected by this hemoparasite were evaluated. Two distinct phases were verified during the infection – an acute phase where circulating parasites were seen and then a chronic phase where fluctuations in parasitemia were detected including aparasitemic periods. A constant reduction in erythrocytes, hemoglobin and packed cell volume (PVC) were observed. White blood cells (WBC) showed pronounced changes such as severe neutropenia and lymphopenia during the acute phase of the illness. Decreases in cholesterol, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and increases in glucose, globulin, protein, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed. The “Lins” isolate of T. vivax showed pathogenicity for cattle, and intense parasitemia was detected in the early stages of infection. Circulating parasites were detected for about two months. The most evident laboratory abnormalities were found in WBC parameters, including thrombocytopenia.


Resumo Infecções pelo Trypanosoma vivax causam grandes prejuízos à pecuária na África e Américas Central e do Sul. Surtos devido a este protozoário têm ocorrido com frequência cada vez maior no Brasil. O conhecimento das alterações provocadas pelo T. vivax durante a evolução desta enfermidade podem ser de grande valia para o auxílio no diagnóstico. Para tanto foram estudados os sinais clínicos, parasitemia, alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas em bovinos experimentalmente infectados por este hemoparasito. Foram verificadas duas fases distintas durante a infecção, uma aguda onde parasitos circulantes foram vistos durante todo o período, e posteriormente uma crônica, onde foram detectadas flutuações na parasitemia, com períodos aparasitêmicos. Foi verificada constante diminuição da contagem global de eritrócitos, teor de hemoglobina e volume globular (VG). O leucograma revelou leucopenia por neutropenia e linfopenia durante a fase aguda da enfermidade. Foram observados diminuição do colesterol, albumina, aspartato aminotransferase (AST), lactato desidrogenase (LDH) e aumento da glicose, globulinas, proteínas e fosfatase alcalina (FA). O isolado “Lins” de T. vivax apresentou patogenicidade para bovinos, verificando-se parasitemia intensa nos estágios iniciais da infecção, sendo detectados parasitas circulantes por aproximadamente dois meses. As alterações laboratoriais mais evidentes foram encontradas nos parâmetros do leucograma, ainda destacando-se um quadro de trombocitopenia.


Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Trypanosomiasis, African/veterinary , Cattle Diseases/parasitology , Cattle Diseases/blood , Trypanosoma vivax , Parasitemia/veterinary , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Trypanosomiasis, African/parasitology , Trypanosomiasis, African/blood , Brazil , Acute Disease , Chronic Disease , Parasitemia/parasitology , Parasitemia/blood , Hematocrit/veterinary
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