Specific antibody levels and antigenic recognition of Wistar rats inoculated with distinct isolates of Trypanosoma evansi.

The study focuses on investigating the specific antibody level patterns and parasitic peptide recognition patterns in Wistar rats infected with different Trypanosoma evansi isolates derived from coatis, dogs, and horses.

Research Background

• ‘Mal de Cadeiras’ is an enzootic disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma evansi. This disease is prevalent in the Brazilian Pantanal region and primarily affects horses – an essential asset in the extensive cattle production industry in the region.
• The T. evansi parasite also infects sylvan animals like coatis and capybaras, as well as domesticated animals like dogs; these are considered wild and domestic reservoirs of T. evansi respectively.

Research Methodology

• Wistar rats were experimentally infected with isolates of T. evansi obtained from coatis, dogs, and horses. This was accomplished to study the interaction of the T. evansi parasite with its rodent host.
• Post-infection, the rats were submitted to an indirect immunofluorescence test (IgM e IgG) and Western blotting to understand the specific antibody level patterns.

Research Findings

• The serological titers for IgM and IgG, which are indicative of the body’s immune response, ranged between 1:40 and 1:160. This suggests that the antibody production was triggered in the Wistar rats post infection.
• The Western blotting revealed that the most frequently recognized parasitic peptides were in the range of 17 and 74 kDa.

Conclusion

• In conclusion, the study suggests that while the humoral (antibody-based) immune response in Wistar rats was triggered by the infection, it was not sufficient for effectively controlling T. evansi infections.
• This suggests that the rodents’ immune response to T. evansi parasites might vary based on the species from which the parasite isolates were derived. Such information could help develop targeted prevention or treatment strategies in the future.