Drug-cured experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infections confer long-lasting and cross-strain protection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The long term and complex nature of Chagas disease in humans has restricted studies on vaccine feasibility. Animal models also have limitations due to technical difficulties in monitoring the extremely low parasite burden that is characteristic of chronic stage infections. Advances in imaging technology offer alternative approaches that circumvent these problems. Here, we describe the use of highly sensitive whole body in vivo imaging to assess the efficacy of recombinant viral vector vaccines and benznidazole-cured infections to protect mice from challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Methodology/principal findings

Mice were infected with T. cruzi strains modified to express a red-shifted luciferase reporter. Using bioluminescence imaging, we assessed the degree of im

SUBMITTER: Mann GS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7190179 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature