Trypanosoma cruzi Survival following Cold Storage: Possible Implications for Tissue Banking

Abstract

While Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is typically vector-borne, infection can also occur through solid organ transplantation or transfusion of contaminated blood products. The ability of infected human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) to transmit T. cruzi is dependent upon T. cruzi surviving the processing and storage conditions to which HCT/Ps are subjected. In the studies reported here, T. cruzi trypomastigotes remained infective 24 hours after being spiked into blood and stored at room temperature (N = 20); in 2 of 13 parasite-infected cultures stored 28 days at 4°C; and in samples stored 365 days at −80°C without cryoprotectant (N = 28), despite decreased viability compared to cryopreserved parasites. Detection of viable parasites after multiple freeze/thaws depended upon the duration of frozen storage. The ability of T. cruzi to survive long periods of storage at +4 and −80°C suggests that T. cruzi-infected tissues stored under these conditions are potentially infectious.

Linalool, a Piper aduncum essential oil component, has selective activity against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote forms at 4°C

“…In our tests with cell-derived trypomastigotes at 4ºC the use of BZ for 24 h had no effect against the parasite (not shown). The incomplete trypanocidal effect of BZ at 4ºC can lead to Chagas disease transmission via transfusion of contaminated blood ( Martin et al 2014 ). Gentian violet was the reference drug of choice in our tests at 4ºC, because it can be used to control T. cruzi infection in blood banks ( Ramirez et al 1995 ).…”

Prevalence of Trypanosoma Cruzi antibodies in blood donors from the Sao Paulo State, Brazil, between 2012 and 2014

“…T. cruzi can withstand blood storage conditions such as low temperatures (from 4°C to -80°C), freezing, and thawing [5]; consequently, it can be transmitted virtually by all blood components (i.e. whole blood, packed red blood cells, granulocytes, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and platelets).…”

Characterization and Diagnostic Application of Trypanosoma cruzi Trypomastigote Excreted-Secreted Antigens Shed in Extracellular Vesicles Released from Infected Mammalian Cells

“…Chagas disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in South and Latin America, where currently ϳ9 million people are infected with T. cruzi. However, with increased globalization and immigration, Chagas disease has emerged as a health threat in Europe, Asia, and North America, due to transmission of T. cruzi through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or congenital infections associated with transplacental transfer of this parasite from mother to newborn (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). It is estimated that ϳ300,000 infected individuals currently live in the United States, while in Canada the infection rate among ϳ130, 000 Latino immigrants was ϳ0.09% (6).…”