Comparative study of the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi kDNA, inflammation and denervation in chagasic patients with and without megaesophagus.
Parasitology
; 131(Pt 5): 627-34, 2005 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16255821
Neuronal lesions have been considered the hallmark of chagasic megaesophagus, but the role of Trypanosoma cruzi and the participation of the inflammatory cells in this process are still debated. In the present study we counted neurons in the oesophagus from patients with and without megaesophagus and further examined these samples for the presence of parasite kDNA and cells with cytolytic potential (Natural Killer cells, cytotoxic lymphocytes and macrophages). The presence of parasite kDNA was demonstrated in 100% of cases with megaesophagus and in 60% of patients without megaesophagus. When analysed for the number of neurons, the patients without megaesophagus could be classified into 2 groups, as having normal or a decreased number of neurons. The former group did not show any inflammatory process, but interestingly, all patients without megaesophagus presenting decreased number of neurons also presented both parasite kDNA and inflammatory process in the organ. We further observed that the numbers of cytotoxic cells in the myenteric plexus region inversely correlate with the number of neurons. These data together strongly suggest that chronic lesions in chagasic megaesophagus might be a consequence of immune-mediated mechanisms, that last until the chronic phase of infection, and are dependent on the persistence of parasite in the host's tissue.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trypanosoma cruzi
/
Acalasia del Esófago
/
Enfermedad de Chagas
/
ADN de Cinetoplasto
/
Neuronas
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Animals
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Parasitology
Año:
2005
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Brasil
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido