Title
Profile of Trypanosoma cruzi Reactivity in a Population at High Risk for Endemic Pemphigus Foliaceus (Fogo Selvagem)
Author(s)
Sousa, J. X.;Diaz, L. A.;Eaton, D. P.;Hans, G.;de Freitas, E. L.;Delgado, L.;Ichimura, L. M. F.;Cristaldi, F.;Orlandi, R.;Kesper, N.;Umezawa, E. S.;Rivitti, E. A.;Aoki, V.;Cooperative Grp Fogo Selvagem, Res
Published
2012
Publisher
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Abstract
Fogo Selvagem (FS) is an autoimmune bullous disease with pathogenic IgG autoantibodies recognizing desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), a desmosomal glycoprotein. In certain settlements of Brazil, a high prevalence of FS (3%) is reported, suggesting environmental factors as triggers of the autoimmune response. Healthy individuals from endemic areas recognize nonpathogenic epitopes of Dsg1, and exposure to hematophagous insects is a risk factor for FS. Fogo selvagem and Chagas disease share some geographic sites, and anti-Dsg1 has been detected in Chagas patients. Indeterminate Chagas disease was identified in a Brazilian Amerindian population of high risk for FS. In counterpart, none of the FS patients living in the same geographic region showed reactivity against Trypanosoma cruzi. The profile of anti-Dsg1 antibodies showed positive results in 15 of 40 FS sera and in 33 of 150 sera from healthy individuals from endemic FS sites, and no cross-reactivity between Chagas disease and FS was observed.
Keywords
CHAGAS-DISEASE;SOUTH-AMERICA;ANTI-DESMOGLEIN-1 ANTIBODIES;AMERINDIAN;RESERVATION;BRAZILIAN PEMPHIGUS;HIGH PREVALENCE;PATHOGENESIS;DIAGNOSIS;SIALOTRANSCRIPTOME;LEISHMANIASIS

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PUB14787