Inmunología de la enfermedad de Chagas congénita

Abstract

Introduction

In Latin America approximately 1,125,000 women of childbearing age are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Methodology

A review of the literature was carried out on the immunology of congenital Chagas’ disease.

Results

In this country, T. cruzi TcI predominates. IFN-γ is the key cytokine in infection control. The macrophages of infected women who transmit the disease are less activated and release less TNF-α than those of infected women who do not transmit the disease. They also have a lower capacity to produce IFN-γ in response to T. cruzi. Severe parasitaemia favours congenital infection.

Conclusions

There are different immunological factors that involve the parasite, the maternal and foetal immune system, and the placental barrier.