Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitic load by real-time PCR and blood culture in long-term kidney transplant recipients

Author(s)

Guimaraes Ferreira, Juliana Jesus ^[1] ; de Almeida, Eros Antonio ^[1] ; Barbosa Marcon, Glaucia Elisete ^[2] ; Lima, Rodrigo Goncalves ^[1] ; Pereira, Mariane Barroso ^[1] ; Gadelha, Fernanda Ramos ^[3] ; Mazzali, Marilda ^[4] ; Martins, Luiz Claudio ^[1] ; Wanderley, Jamiro Silva ^[1] ; Botelho Costa, Sandra Cecilia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Med Sci, Dept Med Clin, Tessalia Vieira Camargo Stree 126, Cidade Univ, BR-13083887 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Oswaldo Cruz Fdn Mato Grosso do Sul FIOCRUZ MS, Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

^[3] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Biol Inst, Dept Biochem & Tissue Biol, Campinas - Brazil

^[4] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Med Sci, Dept Nephrol, Campinas - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF INFECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES; v. 15, n. 11, p. 1774-1781, NOV 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Acute Chagas disease involving reactivation can occur after organ transplant, and follow-up by direct parasitological or molecular methods is essential for monitoring the parasitic load in such patients. In contrast, there is a little data on the parasitic load in long-term organ recipients. In this study, we examined the parasitic load in long-term kidney transplant patients and assessed the possibility of late Chagas disease reactivation. Methodology: Blood cultures and real-time PCR were used to assess the parasitic load in four immunosuppressed patients who underwent kidney transplants (between 1996 and 2014) and were also treated for parasites. Results: There were no positive blood culture or real-time PCR results in Chagas disease patients who received kidney transplants. The realtime PCR presented detection limit of 0.1 parasite equivalent/mL. The time interval between the transplant and sample collection varied from one to 19 years. Conclusions: No parasites were detected in the evaluated patients. The use of benznidazole and immunosuppressive therapy may have contributed to control the T. cruzi infection. In transplanted patients with Chagas disease, the use of methods such real-time PCR and blood culture can monitor the parasitic load and prevent disease reactivation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/08737-0 - Application of quantitative Real-Time PCR for monitoring parasitemia in immunocompromised patients with Chagas Disease (positive HIV and kidney transplant) and in patients submitted to specific treatment with benznidazole
• Grantee: Sandra Cecília Botelho Costa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants