Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Probes for the Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs in Biological and Clinical Samples

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi has been classified into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), designated as TcI–TcVI. In order to effectively use this standardized nomenclature, a reproducible genotyping strategy is imperative. Several typing schemes have been developed with variable levels of complexity, selectivity and analytical sensitivity. Most of them can be only applied to cultured stocks. In this context, we aimed to develop a multiplex Real-Time PCR method to identify the six T. cruzi DTUs using TaqMan probes (MTq-PCR).Methods/Principal Findings: The MTq-PCR has been evaluated in 39 cultured stocks and 307 biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients from different geographical regions and transmission cycles in comparison with a multi-locus conventional PCR algorithm. The MTq-PCR was inclusive for laboratory stocks and natural isolates and sensitive for direct typing of different biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients with acute, congenital infection or Chagas reactivation. The first round SL-IR MTq-PCR detected 1 fg DNA/reaction tube of TcI, TcII and TcIII and 1 pg DNA/reaction tube of TcIV, TcV and TcVI reference strains. The MTq-PCR was able to characterize DTUs in 83% of triatomine and 96% of reservoir samples that had been typed by conventional PCR methods. Regarding clinical samples, 100% of those derived from acute infected patients, 62.5% from congenitally infected children and 50% from patients with clinical reactivation could be genotyped. Sensitivity for direct typing of blood samples from chronic Chagas disease patients (32.8% from asymptomatic and 22.2% from symptomatic patients) and mixed infections was lower than that of the conventional PCR algorithm.Conclusions/Significance: Typing is resolved after a single or a second round of Real-Time PCR, depending on the DTU. This format reduces carryover contamination and is amenable to quantification, automation and kit production.This work received financial support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Argentina [PICT 2011-0207 to AGS] and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Argentina (CONICET) [PIP 112 2011-010-0974 to AGS]. Work related to evaluation of biological samples was partially sponsored by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) [Small Grants Program PAHO-TDR]; the Drugs and Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi, Geneva, Switzerland), Wellcome Trust (London, United Kingdom), SANOFI-AVENTIS (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and the National Council for Science and Technology in Mexico (CONACYT) [FONSEC 161405 to JMR]

Study of the distribution of vectors of Chagas disease and the genetic variability of Trypanosoma cruzi in Frenche Guiana

En Guyane comme dans l'ensemble de la région amazonienne, le risque de maladie de Chagas pour l'homme a longtemps été sous estimé du fait de l'absence de vecteur domestique et de l'existence d'un réservoir animal exclusivement sauvage. Le travail présenté répond aux besoins de compléter et d'actualiser les connaissances épidémiologiques disponibles sur la maladie de Chagas dans ce département , en précisant les modalités de circulation de Trypanosoma cruzi et les facteurs impliqués dans le cycle à l'origine des cas humains. Les données cumilées entre 2001 et 2023 représentent 971 spécimens de triatomes. Nous avons choisi de différencier les triatomes provenant des zones non habitées (forêts primaire ou secondaire) de ceux provenant de zones habitées, collectées dans les maisons à la faveur d'intrusion. Une espère, Panstrongylus geniculatus, s'est distinguée par son abondance (61,1%) et son omniprésence dans les différents types de milieux explorés. Au total, neuf espèces ont été retrouvées. En zone non habitée, avec une prédominance de P. geniculatus, P. lignarius, Rhodnius pictipes et R. robustus. L'infection des triatomes par T. cruzi a été étudiée, avec une mise en évidence d'un taux d'infection plus élevé chez les triatomes collectés à l'intérieur des habitations (53.9%) que chez ceux provenant des zones non habitées (46%). L'étude sur les mammifères sauvages a montré des taux d'infection élevés pour T. cruzi chez deux espèces : didelphis marsupialis (62.5%) et Philander opossum (35%). Cette étude a été complétée par l'analyse de la variabilité génétique de T. cruzi identifié par des techniques de génotypage réalisées sur du matériel obtenu à partir de triatomes, de mammifères sauvages et domestiques et des hommes. En zone non habitée trois groupes, TcI, TcII-TcV-TcVI et TcIII-TcIV, ont été caractérisés, avec une prédominance de TcI. Parmi les acteurs du cycle parasite, les chiens et P. geniculatus hébergent le groupe TcIII-TcIV à la différence du genre Rhodnius et des marsupiaux qui hébergent le groupe TcI. Nos résultats ont permis d'émettre un certain nombre d'hypothèses sur la circulation des génotypes de T. cruzi en GuyaneIn French Guiana, as in the whole of Amazon region, the risk of Chagas disease to humans has long been underestimated due to the presence of non-domiciled triatomines and wild animal reservoir. Overall, this thesis aims at reactualizing and improving epidemiological knowledge about Chagas disease in French Guiana, by specific modalities of circulation of Trypanosoma cruzi and the factorsinvolved in the transmission cycle of the origin of human cases. Accumulated data, between 2001 and 2013, represent 971 triatomine specimens collected. We chose to differentiate triatomine collected in uninhabited areas (primary or secondary forests) and those frominhabited areas, collected in homes by intrusion. One species, Panstrongylus geniculatus, was distinguished by its abundance (61.1%) and its presence in different types of habitats investigated. A total of nine species were found in uninhabited area, with the predominance of four species: P. geniculatus, P. lignarius, Rhodnius pictipes and Eratyrus mucronatus. In inhabited area, five species of triatomine were collected, with the predominance of P. geniculatus, R. pictipes and R. robustus. The triatomine infection rate with T. cruzi has been studied, with a highlighting of higher rate of infection in triatomine collected inside houses (53.9%) than those from uninhabited area (46%). The study on wild mammals showed high T. cruzi infection rates for two species: Didelphis marsupialis (62.5%) and Philander opossum (35%).This study was completed by the analysis of the genetic variability of T. cruzi identified by genotyping techniques performed on material obtained from triatomine, wild and domestic mammals and humans. In uninhabited area, three groups TcI, TcII-TcV-TcVI and TcIII-TcIV have been characterized, with a predominance of TcIII-TcIV group. In inhabited area, only two groups were characterized (TcI and TcIII-TcIV), with a predominance of TcI. Among the actor’s transmission cycle of parasite, dogs and P. geniculatus were characterized by TcIII-TcIV group. Contrary to Rhodnius genus and marsupials were characterized by the TcI group. Our results have allowed issuing a number of assumptions about the circulation of T. cruzi genotypes in French Guian

Amazonian Triatomine Biodiversity and the Transmission of Chagas Disease in French Guiana: In Medio Stat Sanitas

International audienceThe effects of biodiversity on the transmission of infectious diseases now stand as a cornerstone of many public health policies. The upper Amazonia and Guyana shield are hot-spots of biodiversity that offer genuine opportunities to explore the relationship between the risk of transmission of Chagas disease and the diversity of its triatomine vectors. Over 730 triato-mines were light-trapped in four geomorphological landscapes shaping French-Guiana, and we determined their taxonomic status and infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. We used a model selection approach to unravel the spatial and temporal variations in species abundance , diversity and infection. The vector community in French-Guiana is typically made of one key species (Panstrongylus geniculatus) that is more abundant than three secondary species combined (Rhodnius pictipes, Panstrongylus lignarius and Eratyrus mucronatus), and four other species that complete the assemblage. Although the overall abundance of adult triatomines does not vary across French-Guiana, their diversity increases along a coastal-inland gradient. These variations unravelled a non-monotonic relationship between vector biodiversity and the risk of transmission of Chagas disease, so that intermediate biodiversity levels are associated with the lowest risks. We also observed biannual variations in triatomine abundance, representing the first report of a biannual pattern in the risk of Cha-gas disease transmission. Those variations were highly and negatively correlated with the average monthly rainfall. We discuss the implications of these patterns for the transmission of T. cruzi by assemblages of triatomine species, and for the dual challenge of controlling Amazonian vector communities that are made of both highly diverse and mostly intrusive species

Shotgun assembly of the assassin bug <em>Brontostoma colossus</em> mitochondrial genome (Heteroptera, Reduviidae)

International audienceThe complete mitochondrial genome of the assassin bug Brontostoma colossus (Distant, 1902) (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) has been sequenced using a genome-skimming approach on an Illumina Hiseq 2000 platform. Fifty-four additional heteropteran mitogenomes, including five assassin bug species, were retrieved to allow for comparisons and phylogenetic analyses. The mitochondrial genome of B. colossus was determined to be 16,625 bp long, and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 23 transfer-RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal-RNA genes (rRNAs), and one control region. The nucleotide composition is biased toward adenine and thymine (A + T = 73.4%). Overall, architecture, nucleotide composition and genome asymmetry are similar among all available assassin bug mitogenomes. All PCGs have usual start-codons (Met and Ile). Three T and two TA incomplete termination codons were identified adjacent to tRNAs, which was consistent with the punctuation model for primary transcripts processing followed by 3' polyadenylation of mature mRNA. All tRNAs exhibit the classic clover-leaf secondary structure except for tRNA(Ser)(AcN) in which the DHU arm forms a simple loop. Two notable features are present in the B. colossus mitogenome: (i) a 131 bp duplicated unit including the complete tRNA(Arg) gene, resulting in 23 potentially functional tRNAs in total, and (ii) a 857 bp duplicated region comprising 277 bp of the srRNA gene and 580 bp of the control region. A phylogenetic analysis based on 55 true bug mitogenomes confirmed that B. colossus belongs to Reduviidae, but contradicted a widely accepted hypothesis. This highlights the limits of phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial data only

Geographical distribution of the biodiversity and infection of triatomine species in French Guiana.

<p>(A) Biodiversity of triatomines. Numbers appearing inside circles refer to the average number of individuals collected per night for each species. A, D and E and refer to the overall Abundance (per night of collection), Diversity and Equitability of the vector community. (B) Infection of the four main species of triatomines. Numbers appearing above each bar refer to the number of bugs infected with <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> and the number of bugs tested for infection. The colour legend used to refer to each triatomine species is the same as in <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004427#pntd.0004427.g001" target="_blank">Fig 1</a>.</p

Geographical distribution of the infection of the four main triatomine species by <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i>.

<p>Geographical distribution of the infection of the four main triatomine species by <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i>.</p

Spatial and temporal variations of the Force Of Infection (FOI) by <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> in French Guiana.

<p>(A) Variations in the FOI by <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> across the four landscapes ordered with respect to the observed level of triatomine biodiversity as measured by their D value (see <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004427#pntd.0004427.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2A</a>). (B) Variations in the FOI by <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> across the twelve months of the year. In Fig 4A and Fig 4B, the variations of the FOI are expressed as a percentage of the overall annual FOI. The colour legend used to refer to each triatomine species is the same as in <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004427#pntd.0004427.g001" target="_blank">Fig 1</a>.</p

Seasonal variations in the abundance of the triatomine community.

<p>Seasonal variations in the abundance of the triatomine community.</p

Geographical distribution of the abundance and diversity of triatomine species.

<p>Geographical distribution of the abundance and diversity of triatomine species.</p

Seasonal variation in the abundance and infection of triatomine species in French Guiana.

<p>(A) Biannual variations in the abundance of triatomine species. The entire community appear in black (line and squares) and the other colours stand for the 4 main triatomine species: blue line and diamonds (<i>P</i>. <i>geniculatus)</i>, red line and stars <i>(R</i>. <i>pictipes)</i>, green line and triangles <i>(P</i>. <i>lignarius)</i>, <i>purple line and circles (E</i>. <i>mucronatus)</i>. (B) (Absence of) Seasonal variation in the overall rate of infection of triatomines.</p