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Evidence for Trypanosoma cruzi in adipose tissue in human chronic Chagas disease

Adaliene Versiani Matos Ferreira1, Marcela Segatto, Zélia Menezes

  • 1Department of Basic Nursing, Nursing School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil.

Microbes and Infection
|July 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Trypanosoma cruzi, the cause of Chagas disease, persists in human adipose tissue, acting as a long-term reservoir. This study found parasites in fat from elderly patients, confirming long-term infection persistence.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant public health concern.
  • The parasite is known to persist in host tissues for decades.
  • The long-term reservoirs of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and persistence of Trypanosoma cruzi in human adipose tissue.
  • To determine if adipose tissue serves as a reservoir for chronic Chagas disease.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of adipose tissue samples from elderly patients with chronic Chagasic heart disease.
  • Microscopic examination and parasite detection in tissue samples.
  • In vitro culture of Trypanosoma cruzi with primary human adipocytes.

Main Results:

  • Trypanosoma cruzi was detected in the adipose tissue of 3 out of 10 elderly seropositive patients.
  • No parasites were found in adipose tissue from nine control patients.
  • Trypanosoma cruzi was shown to infect primary adipocytes in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • Human adipose tissue can harbor Trypanosoma cruzi for decades.
  • Adipose tissue represents a potential long-term reservoir for Chagas disease infection.
  • These findings have implications for understanding Chagas disease persistence and transmission.

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