Advances in imaging of animal models of Chagas disease

Abstract

Since serial studies of patients are limited, researchers interested in Chagas disease have relied on animal models of Trypanosoma cruzi infection to explore many aspects of this important human disease. These studies have been important for evaluation of the immunology, pathology, physiology and other aspects of pathogenesis. While larger animals have been employed, mice have remained the most favoured animal model, as they recapitulate many aspects of the human disease, are easy to manipulate genetically and are amenable to study by small animal imaging technologies. Further, developments in non-invasive imaging technologies have permitted the study of the same animal over an extended period of time by multiple imaging modalities, thus permitting the study of the transition from acute infection through the chronic stage and during therapeutic regimens.

FIGURE 9.1

Representative MRI (A), microPET (B) and echocardiography M-mode data (C) for uninfected control mice (left) and CD1 mice infected with the Brazil strain of T. cruzi (right). Arrows indicate the right ventricle in the MRI and microPET images.

FIGURE 9.2

Representative MRI of an uninfected CD1 mouse (A) and a CD1 mouse infected with the Brazil strain of T. cruzi (B). One of the kidneys, the bladder and the GI tract are indicated in the 3D greyscale overlay. Note the enlargement of the intestine in the infected mouse.

FIGURE 9.3

Zoomed region of the transverse MRI of an uninfected control CD1 mouse (A) and a CD1 mouse infected with the Brazil strain of T. cruzi (B) at the region of the bladder (indicated by the white arrow). Note the large irregular shape of the flaccid bladder in the infected mouse.

FIGURE 9.4

Representative MRI of an uninfected CD1 mouse (A) and a CD1 mouse infected with the Brazil strain of T. cruzi (B). The 3D reconstructions of the normal (darker grey translucent) enlarged (lighter opaque grey) spleens are shown in (C).