Treatment Success in Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Is Predicted by Early Changes in Serially Monitored Parasite-Specific T and B Cell Responses.

ALVAREZ MG; BERTOCCHI GL; COOLEY G; ALBAREDA MC; VIOTTI R; PEREZ-MAZLIAH D; LOCOCO BE; CASTRO-EIRO M; LAUCELLA S; ALBAREDA MC, OLIVERA CO, ALVAREZ MG, HERNANDEZ Y, ARMENTI A, TARLETON RL, LAUCELLA SA , POSTAN M.

PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES

PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

Lugar: San Francisco; Año: 2016

1935-2735

AbstractBackgroundChagas disease is the highest impact parasitic disease in Latin America. We have proposed that changes in Trypanosoma cruzi-specific immune responses might serve as surrogate indicators of treatment success. Herein, we addressed in a long-term follow-up study whether cure achieved after treatment can be predicted by changes in non-conventional indexes of anti-parasite serological and T cell activities.Methodology/Principal FindingsT. cruzi-specific T cell responses, as measured by interferon-γ ELISPOT and T. cruzi-specific antibodies assessed by ELISA, hemagglutination and immunofluorescence tests as well as by a multiplex assay incorporating 14 recombinant T. cruzi proteins were measured in 33 patients at 48?150 months post-benznidazole treatment. Cure ? as assessed by conventional serological tests ? was associated with an early decline in T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ-producing T cells and in antibody titers measured by the multiplex serological assay. Changes in the functional status and potential of T. cruzi-specific T cells, indicative of reduced antigen stimulation, provided further evidence of parasitological cure following benznidazole treatment. Patients showing a significant reduction in T. cruzi-specific antibodies had higher pre-therapy levels of T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ- producing T cells compared to those with unaltered humoral responses post-treatment.Conclusions/SignificanceMonitoring of appropriate immunological responses can provide earlier and robust measures of treatment success in T. cruzi infection