Trypanosoma cruzi infection: strategies for the development of a vaccine

Abstract

Background: The Chagas-Mazza disease is an infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and is considered one of the main public health problems in America. Because a large number of wild animals are T. cruzi reservoir, the lack of health policies for prevention and the lack of a vaccine, the infection cannot be eradicated. There are currently no vaccines against this Chagas disease, its development and application would be essential for the control of infection. Material and methods: A systematic review of study publications is carried out and metanalysis is carried out that integrates all available public information on the subject of study.  Results:  Over the years, a wide variety of vaccine platforms against Chagas-Mazza's disease have been investigated. The protection against the disease could be achieved by an mTS formulation plus a protein adjuvant. A recombinant protein derived from TS (TSr) together with the adjuvant CpG (TLR-9 agonist) was administered both intramuscular and intranasal with very good results. The glycosylated mutant trans-sialidase (TSm) formulation together with the adjuvant iscomatrix is highly effective, it reduces parasitemia by 50%. The nasal administration of Transpaine plus c-di-AMP is a highly immunogenic formulation that contributes to the control of the parasites, presenting less clinical evidence of infection and limited side effects.  Conclusion: several research carried out so far and the progress made by immunization with vaccines using attenuated or inactivated live antigens or parasites or recombinant proteins in experimental models with promising results for the development of a vaccine in humans