Modulation of Trypanosoma cruzi-specific T-cell responses after chemotherapy for chronic Chagas disease

ALBAREDA MC; LAUCELLA SA

MEMóRIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ.

FUNDACO OSWALDO CRUZ

Lugar: Rio de Janeiro; Año: 2015 vol. 110 p. 414 - 421

0074-0276

The aim of this review is to describe the contributions of the knowledge of T cell responses in the understanding of how treatment works in the chronic phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Th1 and IL-10-producing T cells specific for T. cruzi can be detected along the different clinical groups of the chronic infection, varying according to the source of T. cruzi-antigens, patient?s location and immunological assays. Parasite specific T cell responses are modulated after treatment with benznidazole in chronically T. cruzi-infected subjects and can reflect treatment efficacy. There is evidence that treatment efficacy in the experimental infection with T. cruzi results from the combined action of benznidazole and the activation of appropriate immune responses in the host. Overall, the quality of T cell responses might be a key factor not only in disease evolution but also in treatment success. Providing tools to monitor and early predict treatment success or failure will allow moving forward in the development of new therapeutic options.