title: Nutritional Status Driving Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi: Lessons from Experimental Animals.
abstract: This paper reviews the scientific knowledge about protein-energy and micronutrient malnutrition in the context of Chagas disease, especially in experimental models. The search of articles was conducted using the electronic databases of SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), PubMed and MEDLINE published between 1960 and March 2010. It was possible to verify that nutritional deficiencies (protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient malnutrition) exert a direct effect on the infection by T. cruzi. However, little is known about the immunological mechanisms involved in the relationship "nutritional deficiencies and infection by T. cruzi". A hundred years after the discovery of Chagas disease many aspects of this illness still require clarification, including the effects of nutritional deficiencies on immune and pathological mechanisms of T. cruzi infection.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas e Estudos Ambientais e Biológicos, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano-Campus Urutaí, Rodovia Geraldo Silva Nascimento km 2.5, 75790-000 Urutaí, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malafaia
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talvani