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Trypanosoma cruzi: infectivity modulation of a clone after passages through different hosts

Cecilia Pérez Brandán1, Angel Marcelo Padilla, Patricio Diosque

  • 1Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Avda. Bolivia 5150, CP 4400 Salta, Argentina. perezbrandan@yahoo.com.ar

Experimental Parasitology
|March 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Trypanosoma cruzi virulence can change without genetic alterations. Passaging the parasite in mice increased its virulence more than passaging in guinea pigs, suggesting differential gene expression.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Trypanosoma cruzi virulence is known to change with host passage, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Investigating these mechanisms is crucial for understanding Chagas disease pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms behind Trypanosoma cruzi virulence modification.
  • To assess changes in infectivity after serial passages in different host species without genetic alterations.

Main Methods:

  • A Trypanosoma cruzi IIe clone was isolated and characterized.
  • Serial passages were performed in mice and guinea pigs.
  • Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were used for genetic analysis.

Main Results:

  • The T. cruzi clone was less virulent than the original isolate.
  • Mouse-passaged sublines showed increased virulence in both mice and guinea pigs compared to guinea pig-passaged sublines.
  • Genetic analyses (enzyme electrophoresis and RAPD) revealed no detectable changes in parasite genetic patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Trypanosoma cruzi virulence can be altered through host passages without genetic changes.
  • Differential expression of virulence factors is a likely mechanism for these observed virulence modifications.

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