Immunological and clinical evaluation of chagasic patients subjected to chemotherapy during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection 14-30 years ago.
We recently evaluated the in vitro proliferative response and interferon (IFN)-gamma production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a group of 25 people who were treated for Chagas' disease during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and followed up for a period of 14-30 years. On the basis of the parasitological and serological tests, the individuals were classified as cured (C), dissociated, or not cured (NC). Members of group C (the group without cardiac alterations) presented significantly stronger proliferative response against the parasite antigens, with secretion of high levels of IFN-gamma in comparison with the NC group, raising a question about the role of this cytokine in the curing of human T. cruzi infection. Severe cardiac alterations were observed only in 1 of 25 patients, which suggests that treatment benefited the patients.
Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
L M
LM
Bahia-Oliveira
J A
JA
Gomes
J R
JR
Cançado
T C
TC
Ferrari
E M
EM
Lemos
Z M
ZM
Luz
M C
MC
Moreira
G
G
Gazzinelli
R
R
Correa-Oliveira
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged
D007371:Interferon-gamma