The contribution of adipose tissue an 
 autocrine and endocrine organ in the 
 pathogenesis of infectious disease and metabolic 
 syndrome is gaining attention. Adipose tissue 
 and adipocytes 
are one of the major targets of T. cruzi infection. Parasites are detected 300 days postinfection in adipose tissue. Infection of adipose tissue and cultured adipocytes triggered local
expression of inflammatory mediators resulting in the upregulation of cytokine and chemokine
levels. Adipose tissue obtained from infected mice display an increased infiltration of
inflammatory cells. Adiponectin, an adipocyte specific protein, which exerts antiinflammatory
effects, is reduced during the acute phase of infection. The antiinflammatory regulator
peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-<svg style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:8.6374998px;" id="M1" height="12.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 8.6374998 12.175" width="8.6374998" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,7.675)"><path id="x1D6FE" d="M478 372q0 -39 -31 -97t-61 -98t-78 -98q-45 -55 -73 -102q-13 -79 -13 -197q-11 -11 -43.5 -25.5t-53.5 -15.5l-15 17q5 35 26 101.5t47 123.5q8 72 -1.5 174.5t-37.5 178.5q-14 37 -29 37q-20 0 -67 -65l-25 21q37 60 73 90.5t63 30.5q47 0 72 -112q13 -56 17.5 -141.5&#xA;t0.5 -143.5h2q155 193 155 297q0 26 -12 47q-5 8 -5 15q0 16 12.5 27t29.5 11q21 0 34 -21t13 -55z" /></g>

		
	
</svg> (PPAR-<svg style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:8.6374998px;" id="M2" height="12.175" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 8.6374998 12.175" width="8.6374998" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,7.675)"><use xlink:href="#x1D6FE"/></g>

		
	
</svg>) is downregulated in infected cultured
adipocytes and adipose tissue. T. cruzi infection is associated with an upregulation of signaling
pathways such as MAPKs, Notch and cyclin D, and reduced caveolin-1 expression. 
Adiponectin null mice have a cardiomyopathy and thus we speculate that the T. cruzi-induced
reduction in adiponectin contributes to the T. cruzi-induced cardiomyopathy. While T. cruzi infection causes hypoglycemia which correlates with mortality, hyperglycemia is associated
with increased parasitemia and mortality. The T. cruzi-induced increase in macrophages in
adipose tissue taken together with the reduction in adiponectin and the associated
cardiomyopathy is reminiscent of the metabolic syndrome.

Fnu Nagajyothi

Mahalia S. Desruisseaux

Linda A. Jelicks

Fabiana S. Machado

Streamson Chua

Philipp E. Scherer

Herbert B. Tanowitz

Perspectives on Adipose Tissue, Chagas Disease and Implications for the Metabolic Syndrome

Entamoeba histolytica is an invasive intestinal pathogenic parasitic protozoan that causes amebiasis. It must be distinguished from Entamoeba dispar and E. moshkovskii, nonpathogenic commensal parasites of the human gut lumen that are morphologically identical to E. histolytica. Detection of specific E. histolytica antigens in stools is a fast, sensitive technique that should be considered as the method of choice. Stool real-time PCR is a highly sensitive and specific technique but its high cost make it unsuitable for use in endemic areas where there are economic constraints. Serology is an important component of the diagnosis of intestinal and especially extraintestinal amebiasis as it is a sensitive test that complements the detection of the parasite antigens or DNA. Circulating Gal/GalNac lectin antigens can be detected in the serum of patients with untreated amoebic liver abscess. On the horizon are multiplex real-time PCR assays which permit the identification of multiple enteropathogens with high sensitivity and specificity.

Anjana Singh

Eric Houpt

William A. Petri

Rapid Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasitic Protozoa, with a Focus on Entamoeba histolytica

There is growing evidence to suggest that chagasic myocardia are exposed to sustained oxidative stress induced injuries that may contribute to disease progression. Trypanosoma cruzi invasion- and replication-mediated cellular injuries and immune-mediated cytotoxic reactions are the common source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during acute infection. Mitochondria are proposed to be the major source of ROS in chronic chagasic hearts. However, it has not been established yet, whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a causative factor in chagasic cardiomyopathy or a consequence of other pathological events. A better understanding of oxidative stress in relation to cardiac tissue damage would be useful in the evaluation of its true role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease and other heart diseases. In this review, we discuss the evidence for increased oxidative stress in chagasic disease, with emphasis on mitochondrial abnormalities, and its role in sustaining oxidative stress in myocardium.

Shivali Gupta

Jian-Jun Wen

Nisha Jain Garg

Oxidative Stress in Chagas Disease

Malaria&#39;s global impact is expansive and includes the extremes of the healthcare system ranging from international travelers returning to nonendemic regions with tertiary referral medical care to residents in hyperendemic regions without access to medical care. Implementation of prompt and accurate diagnosis is needed to curb the expanding global impact of malaria associated with ever-increasing antimalarial drug resistance. Traditionally, malaria is diagnosed using clinical criteria and/or light microscopy even though both strategies are clearly inadequate in many healthcare settings. Hand held immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been recognized as an ideal alternative method for diagnosing malaria. Numerous malaria RDTs have been developed and are widely available; however, an assortment of issues related to these products have become apparent. This review provides a summary of RDT including effectiveness and strategies to select the ideal RDT in varying healthcare settings.

Clinton K. Murray

Jason W. Bennett

Rapid Diagnosis of Malaria

Chagas disease which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is an important cause of cardiomyopathy in Latin America. In later stages chagasic cardiomyopathy is associated with congestive heart failure which is often refractory to medical therapy. In these individuals heart transplantation has been attempted. However, this procedure is fraught with many problems attributable to the surgery and the postsurgical administration of immunosuppressive drugs. Studies in mice suggest that the transplantation of bone-marrow-derived cells ameliorates the inflammation and fibrosis in the heart associated with this infection. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging reveals that bone marrow transplantation ameliorates the infection induced right ventricular enlargement. On the basis of these animal studies the safety of autologous bone marrow transplantation has been assessed in patients with chagasic end-stage heart disease. The initial results are encouraging and more studies need to be performed.

Antonio C. Campos de Carvalho

Regina C. S. Goldenberg

Milena B. P. Soares

Ricardo Ribeiro dos Santos

David C. Spray

Cell Therapy in Chagas Disease

At present it is not possible to determine in advance the outcome of Leishmania infantum infection. Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Le. infantum, is a natural disease process which offers a insight into the interaction of the host and resultant disease outcome. Canine VL results in the same altered pathophysiology and immunodysregulation seen in humans. VL in US dogs is likely to be transmitted primarily via nontraditional, nonvector means. VL mediated by Le. infantum is endemic in U.S. Foxhound dogs, with vertical transmission likely to be the novel primary means of transmission. This population of dogs offers an opportunity to identify host factors of natural disease. Prevention of human clinical visceral leishmaniasis can occur only by better understanding the disease ecology of the primary reservoir host: the dog.

Christine A. Petersen

New Means of Canine Leishmaniasis Transmission in North America: The Possibility of Transmission to Humans Still Unknown

About this journal

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases publishes original research articles and review articles&nbsp;related to all aspects of infectious diseases.

Journal profile

Meet the editorial board

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases&nbsp;maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.

Editor spotlight

Submit your proposal

Do you think there is an emerging area of research that really needs to be highlighted? Or an existing research area that has been overlooked or would benefit from deeper investigation? Raise the profile of a research area by leading a Special Issue.

Special Issues

Author guidelines

Editorial board

Databases and indexing

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases | Hindawi

title

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases publishes original research articles and review articles related to all aspects of infectious diseases.

description

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases

https://images.hindawi.com/journals/ipid/ipid.banner.jpg

twitter:card

twitter:description

twitter:site

twitter:title

twitter:url

twitter:image

This Issue is now open for submissions.
Papers are published upon acceptance, regardless of the Special Issue publication date.