Chagas' disease encephalitis: intense CD8+ lymphocytic infiltrate is restricted to the acute phase, but is not related to the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi antigens.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Chagas' disease encephalitis: intense CD8+ lymphocytic infiltrate is restricted to the acute phase, but is not related to the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi antigens.

Clin Immunol. 1999 Jul;92(1):56-66. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99343951
Silva AA; Roff; Marino AP; dos Santos PV; Quirico-Santos T; Paiva CN; Lannes-Vieira J; Department of Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute-Fiocruz, Rio de; Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, Brazil.

Abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) damage can occur during Chagas' disease, especially in children and immunosuppressed patients. During the acute phase, amastigotes are rarely found, but inflammatory infiltrates are scattered throughout the CNS. Moreover, peripheral lymphocytes and antibodies recognizing neural components were described, suggesting the participation of the immune system in the genesis of neural lesions. Herein, we performed a histopathological study of Colombian-infected C3H/He mice, comparing the distribution of CNS-inflammatory infiltrates versus Trypanosoma cruzi antigens. Inflammatory infiltrates were observed during the acute phase, but did not correlate with the presence of detectable T. cruzi antigens. Infiltrates consisted mainly of CD8+ lymphocytes, although macrophages and a few CD4+ cells were observed. In the chronic stage of infection, although neuropathies were a common finding, only mild inflammatory infiltrates could be detected. Our results suggest that the presence of CNS inflammatory infiltrates is not directly related to the presence of parasite antigens and indicate that, different from chronic myocarditis, encephalitis resolves during the acute phase of Chagas' disease. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Keywords: JOURNAL ARTICLE Acute Disease Animal Antigens, Protozoan/ANALYSIS Central Nervous System/IMMUNOLOGY/PARASITOLOGY Chagas Disease/*COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/CHEMISTRY/PARASITOLOGY CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/CHEMISTRY/PARASITOLOGY Encephalitis/*PARASITOLOGY Female Immunohistochemistry Mice Mice, Inbred C3H Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Trypanosoma cruzi/IMMUNOLOGY
991030
A99A0902

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1999. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .