Elevated concentrations of CCL2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in chagasic cardiomyopathy.
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| Abstract |
Chronic myocarditis is the main pathological finding associated with Chagas disease-related morbidity. Concentrations of CCL2, CCL3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were evaluated in plasma samples obtained from patients with different clinical forms of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Patients with more-severe Chagas disease had elevated plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha, CCL2, and BNP, and there was a good correlation between levels of these proteins (especially TNF-alpha ) and the degree of heart dysfunction. Indeed, TNF-alpha level was an excellent predictor of heart failure. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples obtained from patients with mild or severe chagasic cardiomyopathy produced greater amounts of TNF-alpha and CCL2 than did those obtained from noninfected individuals. The elevation of TNF-alpha and CCL2 levels in the plasma of patients appears to be secondary to the degree of heart dysfunction, whereas spontaneous production of TNF-alpha and CCL2 by mononuclear cells is secondary not only to heart dysfunction, but also to the underlying inflammation in the heart of chagasic patients. Measurement of the TNF-alpha level could be a useful tool in the identification of patients with heart dysfunction who may benefit from further investigation and treatment.
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| Authors | André Talvani, Manoel O C Rocha, Lucíola S Barcelos, Yara M Gomes, Antônio L Ribeiro, Mauro M Teixeira |
| Journal | Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Clin Infect Dis) Vol. 38 Issue 7 Pg. 943-50 (Apr 01 2004) ISSN: 1537-6591 [Electronic] United States |
| PMID | 15034825 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
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