Cruzipain a major Trypanosoma cruzi cystein protease in host-parasite interplay. Review

GEA S, GUIÑAZU N, PELLEGRINI A, CARRERA EA, GIORDANENGO L, CANO R, AOKI MP

INMUNOLOGIA

Año: 2006 vol. 25 p. 225 - 225

font face="Times New Roman" color="#20231e" size="1"> ABSTRACT The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, etiological agent of Chagas disease, is endemic in Central and South America and produces the most common myocarditis worldwide. Parasite persistence eventually leads to a debilitating heart disease that kills more than 50,000 people every year. There is no consensus as to whether tissue damage is caused entirely by the parasite or is exacerbated by an autoimmune response. In both models of disease progression, cruzipain- the major cysteine proteinase of T. cruzi