Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Cross-Reactive Antibodies Detected at High Rate in Non-Exposed Individuals Living in Non-Endemic Regions: Seroprevalence and Association to Other Viral Serologies

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074493
• Publication Date: 2013-09-17T21:07:50Z
• Authors: Esber S. Saba; Lucie Gueyffier; Marie-Laure Dicht...; Bruno Pozzetto; Thomas Bourlet; François Gueyffier; Yahia Mekki; Hans Pottel; Ester C. Sabino; Philippe Vanhems; Maan A. Zrein
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Chagas Disease; Endemic diseases

Cross-reactive antibodies are characterized by their recognition of antigens that different from the trigger immunogen. This happens when similarity between two antigenic determinants becomes adequate enough to enable a specific binding with such cross-reactive antibodies. In present manuscript, we report presence, at an "abnormal" high frequency, in blood samples French human subjects cross-reacting synthetic-peptide antigen derived Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) protein sequence. As vector T. is virtually confined South America, parasite unlikely be immunogen detected France. At present, measured using in-house ELISA method employs -peptide antigen. However, underline characteristics, called these "Trypanosoma Cross Reactive Antibodies" or TcCRA. To validate nature, were affinity-purified plasma healthy donor and then shown specifically react immunofluorescence. Seroprevalence TcCRA was estimated 45% serum donors while same peptide-antigen reacts about 96% -infected Brazilian individuals. addition, compared serology other serologies as HSV 1/2, EBV, HHV-6, CMV, VZV, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, mumps virus, rubella respiratory syncytial measles enterovirus. No association identified any tested viruses. Furthermore, sera age groups for found progressive acquisition starting early childhood. Our findings show large seroprevalence well-defined suggest they induced widely spread immunogen, acquired The etiology clinical relevance still need investigated.