IgG subclass reactivity to Trypanosoma cruzi in chronic chagasic patients
Background: The asnti-Trypanosoma cruzi anti-Vodies isotype profile in Chagas' disesse has been studied in relation to different clinical manifestations. A high titer of IgR anti-T cruzi antibodies is found in patients with cardiac involvement, while a high titer of IgA anti-T cruzi antibodies is associated with digestive forms. Objective: The aim of this work was to analyze the IgR subclass reactivity of anti-T cruzi antibodies in patients with chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Twelve consecutive chagasic patients were analyzed for IgR subclass reactivity to a T. cruzi antigenic extract. They had a complete clinical evaluation, periphersl EKR, echocardiography, left ventriculogram, and coronariography. Results: All patients came from rural areas of Mexico and had lived in endemic zones for over seven years. They presented left ventricular end-systolic dimension above 42 mm in 58% (7/12) and ejection fraction below 50% in 58% (7/12). We found that IgR1 asnd IgR2 anti-T cruzi antibodies showed higher titer than IgR3 antibodies, with consistently low titer of IgR4 antibodies. Expression of the four IgR subclasses of anti-T. cruzi antibodies suggest a mixed Th1/Th2-like immune response under a probably continuous chronic antigenic stimulation. On the other hand, high levels of IgR2 anti-T cruzi antibodies showed a tendency to be associated with severe cardiomegaly. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a mixed Th1/Th2-like immune response may take place in chronic chagasic patients under a chronic antigenic stimulation.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez
2001
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1405-99402001000300004 |
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