Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
09:23
Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model
Published on: July 29, 2012
Acquired cell-mediated immunodepression in acute Chagas' disease
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|December 1, 1978
Summary
Patients with inapparent acute Chagas' disease exhibit depressed T-lymphocyte function, suggesting Trypanosoma cruzi may induce acquired immunodepression. This impacts their immune response to other antigens.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, presents in apparent and inapparent acute forms.
- Understanding the immune response in different Chagas' disease presentations is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- T-lymphocyte function plays a key role in cellular immunity and response to parasitic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare T-lymphocyte function in patients with apparent versus inapparent acute Chagas' disease.
- To explore the potential immunomodulatory effects of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on T-cell responses.
- To determine if T. cruzi infection leads to acquired immunodepression affecting cellular immunity.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of delayed-type skin responses to T. cruzi antigen in two patient groups.
- Assessment of leukocyte migration inhibition in the presence of T. cruzi antigen.
- Evaluation of contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to assess T-cell mediated immunity.
Main Results:
- Patients with apparent acute Chagas' disease showed positive T-cell responses (skin test, migration inhibition) to T. cruzi.
- Patients with inapparent acute Chagas' disease exhibited impaired T-cell responses to T. cruzi.
- Inapparent infection was associated with a lack of contact sensitivity to DNCB, unlike apparent cases and controls, indicating depressed T-cell function.
Conclusions:
- Clinically inapparent acute Chagas' disease is associated with depressed thymus-derived (T)-lymphocyte function.
- This immunodepression appears acquired during T. cruzi infection, impacting T-cell responses to multiple antigens.
- Trypanosoma cruzi antigens may directly induce suppressive factors affecting T-cell mediated immunity.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...