Trypanosomatid type I nitroreductases (NTRs), i.e., mitochondrial enzymes that metabolise nitroaromatic pro-drugs, are essential for parasite growth, infection, and survival. Here, a type I NTR of non-virulent protozoan Trypanosoma rangeli is described and compared to those of other trypanosomatids. The NTR gene was isolated from KP1(+) and KP1(-) strains, and its corresponding transcript and 5...

BACKGROUND As a result of evolution, the biology of triatomines must have been significantly adapted to accommodate trypanosome infection in a complex network of vector-vertebrate-parasite interactions. Arthropod-borne parasites have probably developed mechanisms, largely still unknown, to exploit the vector-vertebrate host interactions to ensure their transmission to suitable hosts. Triatomine...

Due to the overlapping distribution of Trypanosoma rangeli and T. cruzi in Central and South America, sharing several reservoirs and triatomine vectors, we herein describe a simple method to collect triatomine feces and hemolymph in filter paper for further detection and specific characterization of these two trypanosomes. Experimentally infected triatomines feces and hemolymph were collected i...

The taxonomic status of Trypanosoma rangeli as well as the tools for its molecular characterization is briefly commented.

A total of 33 crude and cloned Trypanosoma rangeli stocks found as natural infections in human from Panama and other endemic areas of Central and South America were evaluated as producers of sialidase (SA) activity through the MU-NANA fluorescence test. Negative results were observed in 6 of the isolates: Panama (4), Honduras (1), and Brazil (1). In addition, an immunoblotting analysis confirm ...

T. cruzi and T. rangeli have the same insect and mammalian hosts, including man, and in addition share approximately half the antigenic determinants recognised by the humoral response. Thus serodiagnosis of T. cruzi infection in areas where T. rangeli is endemic may include an unknown rate of false positives due to this antigenic cross-reactivity. Similarly, the results of xenodiagnostic proced...

The insect Rhodnius prolixus is responsible for the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, which is the etiological agent of Chagas disease in areas of Central and South America. Besides this, it can be infected by other trypanosomes such as Trypanosoma rangeli. The effects of these parasites on vectors are poorly understood and are often controversial so here we focussed on possible negative effec...

Dogs play a major role in the domestic cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, acting as reservoirs. In a previous work we have developed a model of vaccination of dogs in captivity with nonpathogenic Trypanosoma rangeli epimastigotes, resulting in the production of protective antibodies against T. cruzi, with dramatic decrease of parasitaemia upon challenge with 100,000 virulent forms of this parasite. Th...

El perro doméstico es huésped de una gran variedad parásitos, muchos los cuales pueden también causar enfermedad en el humano. En este estudio, se evaluó la infección con tripanosomátidos importancia médica 91 perros comunidad rural Las Pavas, provincia Panamá Oeste. Para esto utilizaron metodologías parasitológicas (hemocultivo y xenodiagnóstico), serológicas (western blot, inmunofluorescencia...

Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli-like trypanosomes have been found in a variety of neotropical bat species. In this study, bats (Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata, Desmodus rotundus, Glossophaga soricina, Molossus molossus, Phyllostomus hastatus) were maintained under controlled conditions, and experiments were conducted to determine how they might become infected naturally wi...