Epidemiology and pathogenesis of maternal-fetal transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and a case for vaccine development against congenital Chagas disease

Trypanos o ma cruzi (T. cruzi or Tc) is the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD). It is common for patients to suffer from non-specific symptoms or be clinically asymptomatic with acute and chronic conditions acquired through various routes of transmission. The expecting women and their fetuses are vulnerable to congenital transmission of Tc. Pregnant women face formidable health challenges because the frontline antiparasitic drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, are contraindicated during pregnancy. However, it is worthwhile to highlight that newborns can be cured if they are diagnosed and given treatment in a timely manner. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of maternal-fetal transmission of Tc and provide a justification for the investment in the development of vaccines against congenital CD.Fil: Rios, Lizette. University of Texas Medical Branch; Estados UnidosFil: Campos, Emiliano Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Menon, Ramkumar. University of Texas Medical Branch; Estados UnidosFil: Zago, María Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Garg, Nisha J.. University of Texas Medical Branch; Estados Unido

The effect of alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor from Ascaris lumbricoides suum on chick embryos

It has been found that alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor isolated from Ascaris lumbricoides suum acts embryotoxically on the Leghorn chicken embryo. An increase in embryo mortality with increasing dose of the inhibitor has been observed after its administration into the yolk sac on day 4, 8 or 13 of incubation. There is a linear interrelationship between the logarithm of the dose of alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor and the mortality of chickens. The LD50 values foralpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor increased for injections performed at later stages of embryo development. A significant decrease of mean mass of chicks injected with alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor in comparison with control groups was observed. There was a more frequent occurrence of developmental abnormalities and pathological changes in groups of hatched chicks which received the Ascaris inhibitor

Wpływ inhibitora alfa-chymotrypsyny z Ascaris lumbricoides suum na zarodki kurze

It has been found that alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor isolated from Ascaris lumbricoides suum acts embryotoxically on the Leghorn chicken embryo. An increase in embryo mortality with increasing dose of the inhibitor has been observed after its administration into the yolk sac on day 4, 8 or 13 of incubation. There is a linear interrelationship between the logarithm of the dose of alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor and the mortality of chickens. The LD50 values for alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor increased for injections performed at later stages of embryo development. A significant decrease of mean mass of chicks injected with alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor in comparison with control groups was observed. There was a more frequent occurrence of developmental abnormalities and pathological changes in groups of hatched chicks which received the Ascaris inhibitor

Parasitic infection and disturbances of fertility in humans

According to literature of the problem, the disturbances of reproductiveness of human in various parasitic infections are discussed. The mechanisms disturbing the proper functioning of the hosts's reproductive system are not sufficiently understood. They may remain in association not only with a direct or indirect effect of the parasite on the host's endocrinal glands and sexual organs, but also with the host's overall reaction to stress or toxic influences. Parasite's activity may lead to abortion or a significant decrease in fetal body weight. Embryo or fetus may be also damaged in an intrauterine infection

ZABURZENIA PRZEBIEGU CIĄŻY U MYSZY PO INIEKCJI HOMOGENATU Z ASCARIS W CZASIE WCZESNEJ ORGANOGENEZY

Administration of the Ascaris tegumental homogenate (0.6-1.2 g of Ascaris proteins/kg/day) at a early stage of organogenesis (5-9 days of pregnancy) had a harmful effect upon the developing mouse fetuses. It has been found that injection of the homogenate did not delay or prevent implantation, but causes a high rate of intrauterine deaths. The Ascaris homogenate significantly decreased the number of live fetuses per litter, increased the frequency of litter resorption, produced a delay in bone formation and induced pathological changes of fetal organs and tissues. The congenital malformations were noted in fetuses after injection of higher doses of Ascaris homogenate (exencephaly, craniomeningocele and intemal hydrocephalus). No malformations were noted in control groups and after injection of minimum dose of the homogenate. The symptoms that occurred after administration of the tegumental homogenate to pregnant mice included: decreased body weight gain (p<0.001) as compared to controls, vaginal hemorrhage, intrauterine resorption of litter and mortality. These signs suggest that the Ascaris homogenate causes matemal toxicity

Disturbances of mouse pregnancy after injection of Ascaris homogenate during early organogenesis

Administration of the Ascaris tegumental homogenate (0.6-1.2 g of Ascaris proteins/kg/day) at a early stage of organogenesis (5-9 days of pregnancy) had a harmful effect upon the developing mouse fetuses. It has been found that injection of the homogenate did not delay or prevent implantation, but causes a high rate of intrauterine deaths. The Ascaris homogenate significantly decreased the number of live fetuses per litter, increased the frequency of litter resorption, produced a delay in bone formation and induced pathological changes of fetal organs and tissues. The congenital malformations were noted in fetuses after injection of higher doses of Ascaris homogenate (exencephaly, craniomeningocele and intemal hydrocephalus). No malformations were noted in control groups and after injection of minimum dose of the homogenate. The symptoms that occurred after administration of the tegumental homogenate to pregnant mice included: decreased body weight gain (p<0.001) as compared to controls, vaginal hemorrhage, intrauterine resorption of litter and mortality. These signs suggest that the Ascaris homogenate causes matemal toxicity

Preliminary evaluation of maternotoxic effect of Ascaris extract in mice

Administration intraperitoneally of the Ascaris suum extract - ASE-(0.6-1.4 g of Ascaris proteins/kg/day) at a late stage of organogenesis (8-12 days of gestation) disturbed course of mouse pregnancy. lt has been found that injections of higher doses of ASE to pregnant mice caused the symptoms manifesting maternal toxicity (decreased body weight gain /p < 0.001/ as compared to control, intrauterine resorption of litter, vaginal hemorrhages, female mortality and altered behaviour). There is a linear interrelationship between the logarithm of the dose of ASE and mortality of pregnant mice. The DL₅₀ value of Ascaris proteins for pregnant mice was 1.02 g/kg/day (confidence interval 0.97-1.07 g/kg/day). ASE exerted embryotoxic effects: significantly decreased the number of surviving fetuses per litter and the mean body weight of fetuses, increased the number of fetal resorptions

Wplyw inhibitora alfa-chymotrypsyny z Ascaris lumbricoides suum na zarodki kurze

It has been found that alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor isolated from Ascaris lumbricoides suum acts embryotoxically on the Leghorn chicken embryo. An increase in embryo mortality with increasing dose of the inhibitor has been observed after its administration into the yolk sac on day 4, 8 or 13 of incubation. There is a linear interrelationship between the logarithm of the dose of alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor and the mortality of chickens. The LD50 values for alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor increased for injections performed at later stages of embryo development. A significant decrease of mean mass of chicks injected with alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor in comparison with control groups was observed. There was a more frequent occurrence of developmental abnormalities and pathological changes in groups of hatched chicks which received the Ascaris inhibitor