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

Authors

  • Juliana Jesus Guimarães Ferreira Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Eros Antonio de Almeida Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Gláucia Elisete Barbosa Marcon Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Mato Grosso do Sul (FIOCRUZ MS), Campo Grande, Brazil
  • Rodrigo Gonçalves Lima Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Mariane Barroso Pereira Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Fernanda Ramos Gadelha Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Biology Institute, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Marilda Mazzali Department of Nephrology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Luiz Cláudio Martins Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Jamiro Silva Wanderley Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  • Sandra Cecília Botelho Costa Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.13973

Keywords:

Chagas disease, Kidney Transplant, real-time PCR, RT-PCR

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 real-time 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.

Author Biographies

Eros Antonio de Almeida, Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

Gláucia Elisete Barbosa Marcon, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Mato Grosso do Sul (FIOCRUZ MS), Campo Grande, Brazil

 

 

Rodrigo Gonçalves Lima, Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

Mariane Barroso Pereira, Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

 

Fernanda Ramos Gadelha, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Biology Institute, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

Marilda Mazzali, Department of Nephrology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

Luiz Cláudio Martins, Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

Jamiro Silva Wanderley, Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

Sandra Cecília Botelho Costa, Department of Medical Clinic, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

 

 

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Published

2021-11-30

How to Cite

1.
Jesus Guimarães Ferreira J, Antonio de Almeida E, Barbosa Marcon GE, Gonçalves Lima R, Barroso Pereira M, Ramos Gadelha F, Mazzali M, Martins LC, Silva Wanderley J, Botelho Costa SC (2021) Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitic load by real-time PCR and blood culture in long-term kidney transplant recipients. J Infect Dev Ctries 15:1774–1781. doi: 10.3855/jidc.13973

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 11: November 2021

Section

Case Reports

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