Novel species of Triatoma (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) identified in a case of vectorial transmission of Chagas disease in northern Belize.

Chagas disease is a leading cause of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in endemic regions of Central and South America. In Belize, Triatoma dimidiata sensu lato has been identified as the predominate taxon but vectorial transmission of Chagas disease is considered to be rare in the country. We recently identified an acute case of vector-borne Chagas disease in the northern region of Belize. Here we present a subsequent investigation of triatomines collected around the case-patient's home. We identified yet undescribed species, closely related to Triatoma huehuetenanguensis vector by molecular systematics methods occurring in the peridomestic environment. The identification of a T. cruzi-positive, novel species of Triatoma in Belize indicates an increased risk of transmission to humans in the region and warrants expanded surveillance and further investigation.

Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote transcriptome analysis reveals heterogenous populations with replicating and dormant parasites.

Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite causing Chagas disease, with a complex life cycle involving different stages in insect vectors and mammalian hosts. Amastigotes are an intracellular form that replicates in the cytoplasm of host cells, and recent studies suggested that dormant forms may be contributing to parasite persistence, suggesting cellular heterogeneity among amastigotes. We investigated here if a transcriptomic approach could identify some heterogeneity in intracellular amastigotes and identify a dormant population. We used gene expression data derived from bulk RNA-sequencing of T. cruzi infection of human fibroblasts for deconvolution using CDSeq, which allows to simultaneously estimate amastigote cell-type proportions and cell-type-specific expression profiles. Six amastigote subpopulations were identified, confirming intracellular amastigotes heterogeneity, and one population presented characteristics of non-replicative dormant parasites, based on replication markers and TcRAD51 expression. Transcriptomic approaches appear to be powerful to understand T. cruzi cell differentiation and expansion of these studies could provide further insight on the role different cell types in parasite persistence and Chagas disease pathogenesis.

Immunoglobin and T cell receptor repertoire changes induced by a prototype vaccine against Chagas disease in naïve rhesus macaques.

A vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, would be an excellent additional tool for disease control. A recombinant vaccine based on Tc24 and TSA1 parasite antigens was found to be safe and immunogenic in naïve macaques. Here we performed a transcriptomic analysis of PBMC responses to vaccination, to shed light on the immunogenicity of this vaccine and guide the optimization of doses and formulation. RNA-sequencing analysis indicated a clear transcriptomic response of PBMCs from macaques after three vaccine doses, with the up-regulation of several immune cell activation pathways and a broad non-polarized immune profile. Analysis of the IgG repertoire showed that it had a rapid turnover with novel IgGs produced following each vaccine dose, while the TCR repertoire presented several persisting clones that were expanded after each vaccine dose. These data suggest that three vaccine doses may be needed for optimum immunogenecity and support the further evaluation of the protective efficacy of this vaccine.

Intra-host Trypanosoma cruzi strain dynamics shape disease progression: the missing link in Chagas disease pathogenesis.

Chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy develops years after infection in 20-40% of patients, but disease progression is poorly understood. Here, we assessed Trypanosoma cruzi parasite dynamics and pathogenesis over a 2.5-year period in naturally infected rhesus macaques. Individuals with better control of parasitemia were infected with a greater diversity of parasite strains compared to those with increasing parasitemia over time. Also, the in vivo parasite multiplication rate decreased with increasing parasite diversity, suggesting competition among strains or a stronger immune response in multiple infections. Significant differences in electrocardiographic (ECG) profiles were observed in Chagasic macaques compared to uninfected controls, suggesting early conduction defects, and changes in ECG patterns over time were observed only in macaques with increasing parasitemia and lower parasite diversity. Disease progression was also associated with plasma fibronectin degradation, which may serve as a biomarker. These data provide a novel framework for the understanding of Chagas disease pathogenesis, with parasite diversity shaping disease progression.IMPORTANCEChagas disease progression remains poorly understood, and patients at increased risk of developing severe cardiac disease cannot be distinguished from those who may remain asymptomatic. Monitoring of Trypanosoma cruzi strain dynamics and pathogenesis over 2-3 years in naturally infected macaques shows that increasing parasite diversity in hosts is detrimental to parasite multiplication and Chagasic cardiomyopathy disease progression. This provides a novel framework for the understanding of Chagas disease pathogenesis.

Epigenetic signature of exposure to maternal Trypanosoma cruzi infection in cord blood cells from uninfected newborns.

Aims: To assess the epigenetic effects of in utero exposure to maternal Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Methods: We performed an epigenome-wide association study to compare the DNA methylation patterns of umbilical cord blood cells from uninfected babies from chagasic and uninfected mothers. DNA methylation was measured using Infinium EPIC arrays. Results: We identified a differential DNA methylation signature of fetal exposure to maternal T. cruzi infection, in the absence of parasite transmission, with 12 differentially methylated sites in B cells and CD4+ T cells, including eight protein-coding genes. Conclusion: These genes participate in hematopoietic cell differentiation and the immune response and may be involved in immune disorders. They also have been associated with several developmental disorders and syndromes.

Maternal infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, may influence fetal development, even in the absence of parasite transmission. Thus we investigated how exposure to maternal infection might lead to changes in gene expression in the infant, by examining changes in DNA methylation in the umbilical cord blood. We found that exposure to maternal infection alters DNA methylation of at least 12 sites, including eight genes. Expression of these genes may be altered, which may affect blood cell function, the immune response and newborn development later in life. Further studies should monitor newborns from infected mothers to better assess their health and possible longer term effects.

Shelter cats host infections with multiple Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units in southern Louisiana.

Trypanosoma cruzi is a zoonotic parasite endemic in the southern US and the Americas, which may frequently infect dogs, but limited information is available about infections in cats. We surveyed a convenience sample of 284 shelter cats from Southern Louisiana to evaluate T. cruzi infection using serological and PCR tests. Parasites from PCR positive cats were also genotyped by PCR and deep sequencing to assess their genetic diversity. We detected a seropositivity rate for T. cruzi of at least 7.3% (17/234), and 24.6% of cats (70/284) were PCR positive for the parasite. Seropositivity increased with cat age (R2 = 0.91, P = 0.011), corresponding to an incidence of 7.2% ± 1.3 per year, while PCR positivity decreased with age (R2 = 0.93, P = 0.007). Cats were predominantly infected with parasites from TcI and TcVI DTUs, and to a lesser extent from TcIV and TcV DTUs, in agreement with the circulation of these parasite DTUs in local transmission cycles. These results indicate that veterinarians should have a greater awareness of T. cruzi infection in pets and that it would be important to better evaluate the risk for spillover infections in humans.

Using Prenatal Blood Samples to Evaluate COVID-19 Rapid Serologic Tests Specificity.

INTRODUCTION: Background cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses may reduce the specificity of COVID-19 rapid serologic tests. The vast majority of women attend prenatal care, which is a unique source of population-based blood samples appropriate for validation studies. We used stored 2018 serum samples from an existing pregnancy cohort study to evaluate the specificity of COVID-19 serologic rapid diagnostic tests. METHODS: We randomly selected 120 stored serum samples from pregnant women enrolled in a cohort in 2018 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, at least 1 year before the COVID-19 pandemic. We used stored serum to evaluate four lateral flow rapid diagnostic tests, following manufacturers' instructions. Pictures were taken for all tests and read by two blinded trained evaluators. RESULTS: We evaluated 120, 80, 90, and 90 samples, respectively. Specificity for both IgM and IgG was 100% for the first two tests (95% confidence intervals [CI] 97.0-100 and 95.5-100, respectively). The third test had a specificity of 98.9% (95% CI 94.0-100) for IgM and 94.4% (95% CI 87.5-98.2) for IgG. The fourth test had a specificity of 88.9% (95% CI 80.5-94.5) for IgM and 100% (95% CI 96.0-100) for IgG. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 serologic rapid tests are of variable specificity. Blood specimens from sentinel prenatal clinics provide an opportunity to validate serologic tests with population-based samples.

Crystal structure of a lipid G protein-coupled receptor.

The lyso-phospholipid sphingosine 1-phosphate modulates lymphocyte trafficking, endothelial development and integrity, heart rate, and vascular tone and maturation by activating G protein-coupled sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors. Here, we present the crystal structure of the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 fused to T4-lysozyme (S1P(1)-T4L) in complex with an antagonist sphingolipid mimic. Extracellular access to the binding pocket is occluded by the amino terminus and extracellular loops of the receptor. Access is gained by ligands entering laterally between helices I and VII within the transmembrane region of the receptor. This structure, along with mutagenesis, agonist structure-activity relationship data, and modeling, provides a detailed view of the molecular recognition and requirement for hydrophobic volume that activates S1P(1), resulting in the modulation of immune and stromal cell responses.