Immunological Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi Lineages in Human Infection Along the Endemic Area

Authors:
  • PSPaula A. Sartor
    Paula A. Sartor
  • JBJuan M. Burgos
    Juan M. Burgos
  • LBLuis Briceño
    Luis Briceño
  • EREva M. Rodríguez
    Eva M. Rodríguez
  • OCOmar Triana Chavez
    Omar Triana Chavez
  • BEBerta Espinoza
    Berta Espinoza
  • VMVictor M. Monteón
    Victor M. Monteón
  • GRGraciela Russomando
    Graciela Russomando
  • ASAlejandro G. Schijman
    Alejandro G. Schijman
  • OBOscar A. Bottasso
    Oscar A. Bottasso
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Abstract
Genotyping studies show a polarized geographic distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi lineages in humans. Here, we assessed their distribution along Latin America through an immunological approach we designated Western blot (WB) assay with Trypomastigote small-surface antigen (TSSA) I and TSSA II (TSSA-WB). These antigens are expressed by T. cruzi I (TCI; now TcI) and T. cruzi II (TCII; reclassified as TcII to TcVI) parasites. TSSA-WB showed good concordance with genotyping tests. An unexpected frequency of TSSA II recognition was observed in Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico (northern region of Latin America). In Argentina and Paraguay (southern region), immunophenotyping confirmed the already reported TCII (TcII to TcVI) dominance. The lineage distribution between these regions showed significant difference but not among countries within them (except for Colombia and Venezuela). TSSA-WB shows TCII emergence in the northern region where TCI was reported as dominant or even as the unique T. cruzi lineage infecting humans.

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