Comparative analysis of the secretome and interactome of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli reveals species specific immune response modulating proteins

Chagas disease, a zoonosis caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a chronic and systemic parasitic infection that affects ~5–7 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. Chagas disease is an emerging public health problem due to the lack of vaccines and effective treatments. According to recent studies, several T. cruzi secreted proteins interact with the human host during cell invasion. Moreover, some comparative studies with T. rangeli, which is non-pathogenic in humans, have been performed to identify proteins directly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we present an integrated analysis of canonical putative secreted proteins (PSPs) from both species. Additionally, we propose an interactome with human host and gene family clusters, and a phylogenetic inference of a selected protein. In total, we identified 322 exclusively PSPs in T. cruzi and 202 in T. rangeli. Among the PSPs identified in T. cruzi, we found several trans-sialidases, mucins, MASPs, proteins with phospholipase 2 domains (PLA2-like), and proteins with Hsp70 domains (Hsp70-like) which have been previously characterized and demonstrated to be related to T. cruzi virulence. PSPs found in T. rangeli were related to protozoan metabolism, specifically carboxylases and phosphatases. Furthermore, we also identified PSPs that may interact with the human immune system, including heat shock and MASP proteins, but in a lower number compared to T. cruzi. Interestingly, we describe a hypothetical hybrid interactome of PSPs which reveals that T. cruzi secreted molecules may be down-regulating IL-17 whilst T. rangeli may enhance the production of IL-15. These results will pave the way for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of Chagas disease and may ultimately lead to the identification of molecular targets, such as key PSPs, that could be used to minimize the health outcomes of Chagas disease by modulating the immune response triggered by T. cruzi infection

Pharmaceutical consultation as a tool to improve health outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes

This study develops and evaluates a pharmaceutical consultation program (PCP) to improve treatment for Type 2 diabetes patients (T2DP) and reduce risk factors for diabetic complications with possible application in other chronic diseases. We recruited T2DP receiving conventional medical treatment but with fasting glycemia >140mg/dl and/or glycated hemoglobin >7%. The PCP includes strategies obtained from Dader's method, the PWDT (Pharmacist's Workup of Drug Therapy method) model of pharmaceutical care, the SOAP (Subjective data, Objective data, Assessment, and Plan of care) method, and concepts based on a nursing care model. The PCP evaluated lifestyle, pharmacotherapy and monitoring it using laboratory tests, vital signs, and anthropometry. These procedures were repeated every 4 months for 1 year. Data obtained in each consultation were used to provide patient education focusing on healthy lifestyles and medications. Fifty patients completed the PCP. There were reductions in glycemia (PNeste estudo, desenvolvemos e avaliamos um programa de consulta farmacêutica (PCF) visando melhorar o tratamento de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 (PDT2) e reduzir os fatores de risco de complicações diabéticas com possibilidade de aplicação em outras doenças crônicas. Para alcançar este propósito, PDT2 recebendo tratamento médico convencional, apresentando glicemia de jejum > 140 mg/dl e/ou hemoglobina glicada >7% foram selecionados. O PCF inclui estratégias obtidas a partir do método de Dader, do modelo de cuidados farmacêuticos PWDT (Pharmacist's Workup of Drug Therapy method), do método SOAP (Subjective data, Objective data, Assessment, and Plan of care) e conceitos baseados em um modelo de cuidados em enfermagem. O PCF avaliou o estilo de vida, farmacoterapia e seu monitoramento através de exames laboratoriais, sinais vitais e antropometria. Estes procedimentos foram repetidos a cada 4 meses durante 1 ano. Os dados obtidos em cada consulta possibilitaram oferecer educação focada no estilo de vida e uso de medicamentos. Para os 50 pacientes que concluiram o PCF houve redução da glicemia (P < 0.0001), hemoglobina glicada (P = 0.0022), colesterolemia (P = 0.0072), triacilgliceridemia (P= 0.0204) e pressão arterial (P < 0.0001). O aumento da concordância e a correção dos problemas relacionados a medicamentos contribuíram para melhoria do tratamento. Assim, podemos concluir que o PCF foi adequado para melhorar a saúde de PDT2 ao reduzir fatores de risco de complicações diabéticas

Occurrence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii and factors associated with transmission in broiler chickens and laying hens in different raising systems

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence and identify the risk factors associated with transmission of T. gondii to chickens raised in different systems (free-ranged and confined) to produce eggs or meat. The 810 animals were allocated in two experimental groups according to the production system purpose: 460 broiler chickens (Group 1) and 350 layer chickens (Group 2). In order to analyze the possible factors involved in T. gondii infection in the chickens, an epidemiological questionnaire was developed for all properties.The serological detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was performed by Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFAT) and by Enzime Linked Imunossorbent Assay (ELISA). Since the agreement index (kappa) between these two serological techniques was considered high, 21.2% of the 810 animals were considered reactive. In Group 1, 12.2% (56/460) were positive, while in the Group 2 the positivity rate was 33.1% (116/350). The production system may be influencing the seropositivity of the animals in both groups. However, only in Group 2 it was possible to notice a statistically significant relationship between the breeding system and the frequency of positive sera. This result indicates that, at least for laying hens, the production system is directly involved in T. gondii infection. The contact with cats in Group 1 did not influence the distribution of seroreactive animals, but in Group 2 a significant relationship was observed. The occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was high in both groups (broiler and posture chickens). Free-ranged chickens raised for egg production proved to be the most exposed group to the T. gondii infection. This can be related to the fact that these animals stay for longer periods in the farms, in direct contact with possibly contaminated soil by the presence of domestic cats