Identification and characterization of sirtuin enzymes in cestodes and evaluation of sirtuin inhibitors as new cestocidal molecules.

Anti-parasitic treatment of neglected tropical diseases caused by cestodes such as echinococcosis and cysticercosis relies on a small number of approved anthelmintic drugs. Furthermore, the treatment is usually prolonged and often partially effective and not well tolerated by some patients. Therefore, the identification of novel drug targets and their associated compounds is critical.

The potential for histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as cestocidal drugs.

Background: Echinococcosis and cysticercosis are neglected tropical diseases caused by cestode parasites (family Taeniidae). Not only there is a small number of approved anthelmintics for the treatment of these cestodiases, but also some of them are not highly effective against larval stages, such that identifying novel drug targets and their associated compounds is critical. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes are validated drug targets in cancers and other diseases, and have been gaining relevance for developing new potential anti-parasitic treatments in the last years.

Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas' disease agent) reduces HIV-1 replication in human placenta.

Background: Several factors determine the risk of HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), such as coinfections in placentas from HIV-1 positive mothers with other pathogens. Chagas' disease is one of the most endemic zoonoses in Latin America, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The purpose of the study was to determine whether T.

The circadian system of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice.

The effects of Chagas disease on the mammalian circadian system were studied in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected C57-B16J mice. Animals were inoculated with CAI or RA strains of T. cruzi or vehicle, parasitism confirmed by blood specimen visualization and locomotor activity rhythms analyzed by wheel-running recording.

Trypanosoma cruzi: effect of parasite subpopulation on murine pregnancy outcome.

C3H/HeN female mice infected with distinct Trypanosoma cruzi subpopulations (RA strain [pantropic/reticulotropic] and K98 clone of the CA-I strain [myotropic]) show differences both in inflammatory compromise of the genital tract and in the outcome of pregnancy. The group of mice infected with the K98 clone show lymphomononuclear infiltrates in pelvian fat and in uterus interstitium, coexisting with the presence of T. cruzi DNA, and show moderate oophoritis, perioophoritis, and vasculitis.