1. Treatment Success in Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Is Predicted by Early Changes in Serially Monitored Parasite-Specific T and B Cell Responses.
- Author
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Alvarez, María G., Bertocchi, Graciela L., Cooley, Gretchen, Albareda, María C., Viotti, Rodolfo, Perez-Mazliah, Damián E., Lococo, Bruno, Castro Eiro, Melisa, Laucella, Susana A., and Tarleton, Rick L.
- Subjects
TRYPANOSOMA cruzi ,CHAGAS' disease treatment ,B cells ,T cells ,TRANSMISSION of parasitic diseases ,PUBLIC health ,ENZYME-linked immunosorbent assay ,PHYSIOLOGY - Abstract
Background: Chagas disease is the highest impact parasitic disease in Latin America. We have proposed that changes in Trypanosoma cruzi-specific immune responses might serve as surrogate indicators of treatment success. Herein, we addressed in a long-term follow-up study whether cure achieved after treatment can be predicted by changes in non-conventional indexes of anti-parasite serological and T cell activities. Methodology/Principal Findings: T. cruzi-specific T cell responses, as measured by interferon-γ ELISPOT and T. cruzi-specific antibodies assessed by ELISA, hemagglutination and immunofluorescence tests as well as by a multiplex assay incorporating 14 recombinant T. cruzi proteins were measured in 33 patients at 48–150 months post-benznidazole treatment. Cure — as assessed by conventional serological tests — was associated with an early decline in T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ-producing T cells and in antibody titers measured by the multiplex serological assay Changes in the functional status and potential of T. cruzi-specific T cells, indicative of reduced antigen stimulation, provided further evidence of parasitological cure following benznidazole treatment. Patients showing a significant reduction in T. cruzi-specific antibodies had higher pre-therapy levels of T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ- producing T cells compared to those with unaltered humoral responses post-treatment. Conclusions/Significance: Monitoring of appropriate immunological responses can provide earlier and robust measures of treatment success in T. cruzi infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
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