The Humoral Response against P2 from Trypanosoma cruzi in Chronic Chagasic Individuals: Its Relation with Anti-Parasite Treatment and Myocardial Damage

FABBRO D; OLIVERA V; BIZAI ML; DENNER S; DIEZ C; MARCIPAR I; STREIGER M; ARIAS E; DEL BARCO M; MENDICINO D; BOTTASSO O

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE

AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE

Lugar: Atlanta; Año: 2011 vol. 84 p. 575 - 580

0002-9637

We investigated the relationship between potentially pathogenic antibodies against a ribosomal protein (P2) and the evolution of Chagas disease and the effect of trypanocidal treatment on these variables. Seventy-eight patients with chronic Chagas disease who were followed-up for more than 20 years were divided into three groups: 30 asymptomatic persons undergoing specific treatment (group A), 37 asymptomatic persons not undergoing specific treatment (group B), and 11 patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) who were not treated. Five patients in group B showed evolution to myocardial abnormalities. Among persons with CCC, six showed no changes; the remaining persons showed progression of cardiac involvement. Levels of antibodies to P2 in persons in group A decreased from their initial values. This finding was not observed in persons  in groups B and C. Comparisons at the end of the follow-up showed lower amounts of antibodies to P2 in groups A and C. These findings support the benefits of specific treatment during chronic infection and the evolution of Chagas disease and the effect of trypanocidal treatment on these variables.