Potential association of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs TcV and TcVI with the digestive form of Chagas disease.

The relationship among genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi and clinical forms of Chagas disease remain elusive. In order to assess the possible association between different T. cruzi Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) and the clinical pictures of the disease, 205 chronic patients from Salta province, Argentina, were analysed. One hundred and twenty-two of these patients were clinically categorized as: cardiac 38.5% (47/122), digestive 15% (18/122), cardio-digestive 16% (20/122) and asymptomatic 30% (37/122). From each patient, blood samples were taken for both, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting kDNA and blood culture analyses. The presence of T. cruzi kDNA was detected in 43% (88/205) of the patients. T. cruzi DTUs were identified in 74% (65/88) of the kDNA positive patients by PCR-hybridization using specific probes. We detected the presence of DTUs TcI, TcII, TcV and TcVI. Single infections (i.e. presence of only one DTU in the sample) were detected in 38.64% of the samples (34/88), while mixed infections were 35.23% (31/88). TcV was the most prevalent DTU (60.3%- 53/88). The association analyses showed, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, that TcV and TcVI were associated with the digestive form of Chagas Disease (Fisher p = .0001).

Soybean fungal soil-borne diseases: a parameter for measuring the effect of agricultural intensification on soil health.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of agricultural intensification on soil microbial diversity, chemical and physical parameters, and the decrease of the incidence of sudden death syndrome (Fusarium crassistipitatum) and charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) in soybean. Soils under different management systems were evaluated during 2 crop cycles: soybean monoculture for 24 and 11 years, soybean-maize rotation for 15 and 4 years, 1 year of soybean, and native vegetation. The incidence of both soil-borne diseases was higher under monoculture than under rotation. Increased populations of potential biocontrol agents (Trichoderma spp., Gliocladium spp., fluorescent pseudomonads) were associated with rotation treatments, especially in 2010-2011. The comparison of agricultural vs. native vegetation soil and the average of agricultural cycles showed that microbial biomass carbon and glomalin-related soil protein were higher in the rotation system than in monoculture (50% and 77%, respectively). Furthermore, from the community-level functional diversity (Biolog Eco plates), McIntosh index showed lower functional diversity in monoculture than in rotation and native vegetation plots. Agricultural intensification reduced microbial biomass carbon, glomalin-related soil protein, organic matter, total nitrogen, aggregate stability, and yield, and increased bulk density. Soil quality degradation was associated with the establishment of soil-borne pathogens and increased soybean plant susceptibility to disease.

Benznidazole treatment in chronic children infected with Trypanosoma cruzi: serological and molecular follow-up of patients and identification of Discrete Typing Units.

A total of 221 children from two rural settlements in Northeast Argentina were examined for T. cruzi infection. Blood samples were taken for serology tests and PCR assays. In addition, T. cruzi Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) were determined by hybridization with specific DNA probes of the minicircle hypervariable regions (mHVR). Serological results indicated that 26% (57/215) were reactive against T. cruzi antigens. PCR analyses were performed on seropositive samples showing presence of parasite DNA in 31 out of 53 samples (58.5%). All seropositive children underwent specific chemotherapy with Benznidazole (5mg/kg/day) for a period of two months and were monitored two and five years after treatment. Overall the treatment was well tolerated and low side effects were observed. Serological conversion was observed at two years post -treatment in one child form Pampa Ávila and at five years in two children from Tres Estacas. However, at the end of the follow-up period, T. cruzi DNA could not be detected by PCR in samples from treated children, except in two cases. In addition, the results of hybridizations with specific DNA probes showed that DTU TcV was detected in 68% (21/31), TcVI in 7% (2/31) and TcV/VI in 3% (1/31) of the samples. Altogether, results of the follow-up of treated children showed a low rate of seroconversion; however trend toward seroconversion was evident at five years post-treatment. On the other hand, detection of T. cruzi DNA by PCR significantly decreased after Benznidazole treatment. The existence of data regarding serological and molecular follow-ups from controlled studies in the Chaco Region will be important for future treatment efforts against T. cruzi infection in this region. The results obtained in the present study represent a contribution in this regard.