Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates
13:55

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates

Published on: January 27, 2019

Chagas cardiomyopathy manifestations and Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes circulating in chronic Chagasic patients

Juan David Ramírez1, Felipe Guhl, Lina María Rendón

  • 1Centro de investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.

Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
|December 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

In Colombia, Trypanosoma cruzi discrete taxonomic units (DTUs) TcI, TcIII, and TcIV were identified in chronic Chagas disease patients. TcI infections showed a higher prevalence of cardiac alterations compared to TcII.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant public health issue in Latin America.
  • Trypanosoma cruzi is classified into six discrete taxonomic units (DTUs): TcI–TcVI.
  • TcI exhibits genetic variability with genotypes Ia–Ie, and TcI and TcII are prevalent in Colombia, with mixed infections reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine circulating T. cruzi DTUs in Colombian chronic Chagasic patients.
  • To investigate the molecular epidemiology of Chagas disease in Colombia.
  • To correlate T. cruzi genetic variability with cardiac disease manifestations.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular characterization of T. cruzi using mini-exon gene, 24Sα and 18S rDNA, and satellite DNA.
  • Analysis of electrocardiographic, radiologic, and echocardiographic data.
  • Genotyping of TcI strains within the Colombian population.

Main Results:

  • Detection of T. cruzi DTUs I, II, III, and IV in Colombian patients.
  • Identification of mixed infections: TcI-TcII, TcI-TcIII, and TcI-TcIV.
  • TcI genotypes Ia and Id were found; TcI infections were associated with a higher prevalence of cardiac alterations than TcII.
  • First report of TcIII and TcIV in Colombian Chagasic patients.

Conclusions:

  • TcI is predominant in Colombia, with TcIII and TcIV newly reported.
  • Chagas cardiomyopathy is more correlated with TcI than TcII infections in Colombia.
  • Findings contribute to understanding Chagas disease molecular epidemiology and its clinical impact in Colombia.

More Related Videos

In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase08:48

In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase

Published on: November 5, 2021

Demystifying In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of a Chagas Disease Mouse Model for Drug Efficacy Studies07:59

Demystifying In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of a Chagas Disease Mouse Model for Drug Efficacy Studies

Published on: May 31, 2024

Related Concept Videos

American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...