Clinical aspects of Chagas disease and implications for novel therapies.

Menezes, Cristiane Alves da Silva; Costa, Germano Carneiro; Gollob, Kenneth John; Dutra, Walderez Ornelas

Clinical aspects of Chagas disease and implications for novel therapies.

Date

2011

Authors

Menezes, Cristiane Alves da Silva

Costa, Germano Carneiro

Gollob, Kenneth John

Dutra, Walderez Ornelas

Abstract

The interaction between the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and the human host dates back 9,000 years, as demonstrated by molecular analysis of material obtained from Andean mummies indicating the presence of the parasite’s kinetoplast DNA in populations from Chile and Peru. This long-established interaction, which persists today, demonstrates that T. cruzi has established a very well adapted relationship with the human host. From the point of view of a host–parasite relationship, this is desirable; however, such a high degree of adaptation is perhaps the foundation for many of the unknowns that surround this disease. Unveiling of the immunological mechanisms that underlie the establishment of pathology, identification of parasite-associated factors that determine strain-differential tissue tropism, discovery of host genetic elements that influence the development of different clinical forms of the disease, and understanding environmental factors that may influence the host–parasite interactions are some of the key questions that remain to be answered. The response to these questions will aid in addressing some of the current challenges in Chagas disease: fulfilling the need for efficient diagnosis, developing effective prophylactic measures, discovering effective therapeutics, and finding methods to control disease progression.

Keywords

Pathology, Cardiomyopathy, Treatment, Trypanosoma cruzi

Citation

MENEZES, C. A. da S. et al. Clinical aspects of Chagas disease and implications for novel therapies. Drug Developmental Research, v. 72, p. 471-479, 2011. Disponível em: <https://goo.gl/xh0SgH>. Acesso em: 19 fev. 2017.