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Intravenous immunoglobulin increases survival time in the acute phase of experimental Chagas disease
B P Olivieri1, R Vasconcellos, A Nóbrega
1Laboratory of Innovations in Therapy, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insights
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) shows promise in treating Chagas disease (T. cruzi infection). IVIg improved survival in acute infections and restored heart function in chronic cases, suggesting a favorable outcome.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc), leads to significant cardiovascular mortality.
- Current therapies for Chagas disease are insufficient.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a pooled IgG preparation used for autoimmune, inflammatory, and infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of IVIg in acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
- To evaluate IVIg's potential in managing Chagas disease during both acute and chronic phases.
Main Methods:
- Mice with chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection were studied.
- IVIg was administered to mice during the acute phase of infection (after the first week).
- Survival rates and cardiovascular function (atrioventricular block, bradycardia) were assessed.
Main Results:
- In chronic Tc infection, IVIg treatment restored normal heart rhythm, resolving type 1 atrioventricular block and bradycardia.
- In acute Tc infection, IVIg administration post-infection increased the survival time of the treated mice.
- These findings suggest IVIg has a beneficial effect in both acute and chronic stages of T. cruzi infection.
Conclusions:
- IVIg demonstrates a favorable impact on outcomes in Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
- IVIg may be a potential therapeutic agent for managing Chagas disease, addressing both acute and chronic cardiovascular complications.
Abstract:
Chagas disease induced by Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) infection is an important cause of mortality and morbidity affecting the cardiovascular system for which presently available therapies are insufficient and largely inadequate. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a therapeutic preparation containing normal polyspecific IgG obtained from plasma pools of several thousand healthy donors and is used in several autoimmune, inflammatory and infectious diseases. In the study of heart from mice chronically infected with Tc, we observed that IVIg restores type 1 atrioventricular block or bradycardia. In the present study, we investigated the effects of IVIg in acute Tc infection. Intravenous immunoglobulin administration after the first week of infection was associated with an increase in survival time. Taken together, results observed in the chronic and in the acute phase associate IVIg treatment with a favourable outcome in T. cruzi infection.
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