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Tag: Rick Tarleton

Glycosomal Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase CRISPR/Cas9-Deletion and Its Role in Trypanosoma cruzi Metacyclogenesis and Infectivity in Mammalian Host

Donna Huber on March 12, 2026

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, possesses glycosomes-unique organelles that house key metabolic enzymes, several of which are promising therapeutic targets. Among them, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) plays a central role in succinic fermentation, the main pathway for NAD+ regeneration within the organelle. Using CRISPR/Cas9 editing, the PEPCK gene was disrupted in T. cruzi, …

UGA researchers develop first test of cure for Chagas disease

Donna Huber on July 1, 2025

New test protocol can detect low levels of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease Researchers at the University of Georgia’s Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases have developed the first test to determine whether treatment for Chagas disease was effective. An estimated 6 million to 8 million people worldwide are infected with …

In the News: Rick Tarleton

Donna Huber on June 24, 2025

UGA researchers develop first test of cure for Chagas disease (UGA Today) UGA Pioneers First Test for Chagas Disease Cure (Mirage) UGA researchers develop first test of cure for Chagas disease (Newswise) ¿Se curó la infección de Chagas? Un nuevo test podría dar la respuesta (Infobae) Chagas disease: Test for cure (Outbreak News Today) AN2 …

Highly cross-reactive and competent effectors dominate the CD8+ T cell response in Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Donna Huber on June 16, 2025

CD8+ T cells are key effectors in immune control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Within C57BL/6 mice, the T. cruzi-specific CD8+ T cell response is largely comprised of T cells recognizing trans-sialidase (TS)- and mucin-encoded epitopes. Despite their immunodominance, these epitope-specific CD8+ T cells are entirely dispensable for immune control. In a screen for epitopes inducing …

The importance of persistence and dormancy in Trypanosoma cruzi infection and Chagas disease

Donna Huber on June 5, 2025

Trypanosoma cruzi typically establishes a life-long infection in its mammalian hosts, causing the destruction of muscle tissues and ultimately resulting in potentially fatal Chagas disease. In this review, we consider the array of avoidance mechanisms that allow for T. cruzi persistence, many of which are unconventional among protozoan pathogens but which collectively are highly effective …

In the News: Rick Tarleton

Donna Huber on May 13, 2025

Researchers secure funding to advance Chagas disease research (News-Medical.net) Investigators are studying Chagas disease with a One Health approach (DVM360) UGA and Texas A&M Researchers tackle Chagas disease in dogs and humans (WUGA) Countable Labs Launches Single-Molecule DNA Counting System, PCR Application (GenomeWeb)

Scientists use ‘One Health’ model to fight Chagas disease

Donna Huber on May 7, 2025

The parasite that causes Chagas disease can cause inflammation in the heart, as shown in white here in a mouse model. (Image courtesy of Fernando Sanchez) Supported by almost $4 million in new funding, researchers at the University of Georgia and Texas A&M are using improved detection and treatment methods to understand Chagas disease, a …

Serial ‘deep-sampling’ PCR of fragmented DNA reveals the wide range of Trypanosoma cruzi burden among chronically infected human, macaque, and canine hosts, and allows accurate monitoring of parasite load following treatment

Donna Huber on April 15, 2025

Infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is generally well-controlled by host immune responses, but appears to be rarely eliminated. The resulting persistent, low-level infection results in cumulative tissue damage with the greatest impact generally in the heart in the form of chagasic cardiomyopathy. The relative success in immune control of T. cruzi infection usually …

Domestic Dog Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi from Northern and Southern Regions of Mexico

Donna Huber on July 1, 2024

Background: Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and vectored by triatomines, affects millions of people worldwide. In endemic countries including Mexico, infections in domestic animals, such as dogs, may affect the risk of human disease when they serve as a source of infection to vectors that subsequently infect humans. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study …