Relación entre Unidades Discretas de Tipificación de Trypanosoma cruzi y la enfermedad de Chagas

Abstract

The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease and is considered one of the major health problems in South America. Molecular studies exhibit this parasite has a wide genetic diversity, being classified into six discrete typing units (Tc I - VI) and other related to bats (T Bat). This parasite has a high clinical and genetic diversity; but its immunopathogenesis is still quite unknown. It should be noted that the pathogenicity of some strains differs in their mechanism of infection and spread according to the host, which makes it difficult to predict the results of the disease. Therefore, a bibliographic search was carried for evidence published in various information sources was carried out, during the period 2015 to 2021, in order to obtain the most up-to-date data on research advances related to the genetic variability of the parasite associated with its geographical distribution, vectors, reservoirs and finally the clinical manifestations in people. The findings of this bibliographic review allowed us to conclude that the great plasticity, virulence of the parasite and the immune response of the hosts are determinants that influence the distribution of the different discrete typing units and the presentation of clinical pictures.