The Unknown Risk of Vertical Transmission in Sleeping Sickness—A Literature Review

Children with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) present with a range of generally non-specific symptoms. Late diagnosis is frequent with often tragic outcomes. Trypanosomes can infect the foetus by crossing the placenta. Unequivocal cases of congenital infection that have been reported include newborn babies of infected mothers who were diagnosed with HAT in the first 5 days of life and children of infected mothers who had never entered an endemic country themselves

Identification of Peptide Mimotopes of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Variant Surface Glycoproteins

The control of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, a deadly disease in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly depends on a correct diagnosis and treatment. The aim of our study was to identify mimotopic peptides (mimotopes) that may replace the native proteins in antibody detection tests for sleeping sickness and hereby improve the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. We selected peptide expressing phages from the PhD.-12 and PhD.-C7C phage display libraries with mouse monoclonal antibodies specific to variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) LiTat 1.3 or LiTat 1.5 of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. The peptide coding genes of the selected phages were sequenced and the corresponding peptides were synthesised. Several of the synthetic peptides were confirmed as mimotopes for VSG LiTat 1.3 or LiTat 1.5 since they were able to inhibit the binding of their homologous monoclonal to the corresponding VSG. These peptides were biotinylated and their diagnostic potential was assessed with human sera. We successfully demonstrated that human sleeping sickness sera recognise some of the mimotopes of VSG LiTat 1.3 and LiTat 1.5, indicating the diagnostic potential of such peptides

Efficience de differentes strategies de detection de la Trypanosomiase Humaine Africaine aT. b. gambiense.

Population screening for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is often based on a combination of two screening tests: lymph node palpation (LN) and card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT). This decision analysis compared the efficiency of three alternative detection strategies: screening by LN only, CATT only and their combination (LN and CATT).English AbstractEvaluation StudiesJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jFLWINinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Immunology and immunopathology of African trypanosomiasis

Major modifications of immune system have been observed in African trypanosomiasis. These immune reactions do not lead to protection and are also involved in immunopathology disorders. The major surface component (variable surface glycoprotein,VSG) is associated with escape to immune reactions, cytokine network dysfunctions and autoantibody production. Most of our knowledge result from experimental trypanosomiasis. Innate resistance elements have been characterised. In infected mice, VSG preferentially stimulates a Th 1-cell subset. A response of <FONT FACE=Symbol>gd</FONT> and CD8 T cells to trypanosome antigens was observed in trypanotolerant cattle. An increase in CD5 B cells, responsible for most serum IgM and production of autoantibodies has been noted in infected cattle. Macrophages play important roles in trypanosomiasis, in synergy with antibodies (phagocytosis) and by secreting various molecules (radicals, cytokines, prostaglandins,...). Trypanosomes are highly sensitive to TNF-alpha, reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates. TNF-alpha is also involved in cachexia. IFN-gamma acts as a parasite growth factor. These various elements contribute to immunosuppression. Trypanosomes have learnt to use immune mechanisms to its own profit. Recent data show the importance of alternative macrophage activation, including arginase induction. L-ornithine produced by host arginase is essential to parasite growth. All these data reflect the deep insight into the immune system realised by trypanosomes and might suggest interference therapeutic approaches.<br>Modificações importantes no sistema imune são observadas na tripanosomíase Africana. Essas reações imunológicas não protegem e estão envolvidas em distúrbios imunopatológicos. O principal componente de superfície (glicoproteína variante de superfície, VSG) está associado à evasão das respostas imune, às disfunções da rede de citocinas e à produção de autoanticorpos. Muitos de nossos conhecimentos resultam da tripanosomíase experimental. Componentes da imunidade inata estão sendo caracterizados. Em camundongos infectados, a VSG estimula preferencialmente células Th1. Uma resposta de <FONT FACE=Symbol>gd</FONT> e células T CD8 aos antígenos do tripanossoma foi observada em gado tripanotolerante. Um aumento em células B CD5, responsável por IgM sérica e produção de autoanticorpos, foi observado no gado infectado. Os macrófagos desempenham importantes funções na tripanosomíase, em sinergismo com anticorpos (fagocitose) e pela secreção de várias moléculas (radicais, citocinas, prostaglandinas). Tripanossomas são altamente sensíveis ao TNF-alfa, espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio. O TNF-alfa também está envolvido em caquexia. O IFN-gama atua como um fator de crescimento do parasita. Esses vários componentes contribuem para a imunossupressão. Os tripanossomas usam os mecanismos imunes para seu próprio benefício. Dados recentes mostram a importância da ativação alternativa de macrófagos, incluindo a indução pela arginase. A L-ornitina produzida pela arginase do hospedeiro é essencial para o crescimento do parasita. Todos esses dados mostram o envolvimento no sistema imune realizado pelos tripanossomas e sugerem a interferência de métodos terapêuticos