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Rapid turnover of Plasmodium falciparum var gene transcripts and genotypes during natural non-symptomatic infections

Rápida mudança de transcritos var e de génotipos de Plasmodium falciparum em infecções assintomáticas naturalmente adquiridas

Abstracts

The var genes of Plasmodium falciparum code for the antigenically variant erythrocyte membrane proteins 1 (PfEMP1), a major factor for cytoadherence and immune escape of the parasite. Herein, we analyzed the var gene transcript turnover in two ongoing, non-symptomatic infections at sequential time points during two weeks. The number of different circulating genomes was estimated by microsatellite analyses. In both infections, we observed a rapid turnover of plasmodial genotypes and var transcripts. The rapidly changing repertoire of var transcripts could have been caused either by swift elimination of circulating var-transcribing parasites stemming from different or identical genetic backgrounds, or by accelerated switching of var gene transcription itself.

Plasmodium falciparum; Switching; Antigenic variation; PfEMP1


Os genes var de Plasmodium falciparum codificam as proteínas variantes da superfície do eritrócito infectado (PfEMP1). Neste estudo examinamos a mudança de transcritos destes genes var em duas infecções assintomáticas durante um curto prazo e estimamos simultaneamente o número de genomas circulantes nas mesmas amostras por análise de microssatélites. Nas duas infecções observamos uma rápida mudança de genótipos e transcritos de genes var. A mudança acelerada do repertório de transcritos possivelmente foi causada pela rápida eliminação de parasitas circulantes transcrevendo genes var a partir de genomas iguais ou diferentes, ou pela mudança acelerada da própria transcrição (switching) de genes var.


MALARIA

Rapid turnover of Plasmodium falciparum var gene transcripts and genotypes during natural non-symptomatic infections

Rápida mudança de transcritos var e de génotipos de Plasmodium falciparum em infecções assintomáticas naturalmente adquiridas

Gerhard WunderlichI; Fabiana P. AlvesI; Uta GölnitzI; Mauro S. TadaII; Erney F.P. de CamargoI; Luiz H. Pereira-da-SilvaII

IDepartamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas 2, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brasil

IICentro de Pesquisas em Medicina Tropical, BR 364, km 4.5, 78970-900 Porto Velho, RO, Brasil

Correspondence Correspondence to Gerhard Wunderlich Fax +55-11-30917417 email: gwunder@usp.br

SUMMARY

The var genes of Plasmodium falciparum code for the antigenically variant erythrocyte membrane proteins 1 (PfEMP1), a major factor for cytoadherence and immune escape of the parasite. Herein, we analyzed the var gene transcript turnover in two ongoing, non-symptomatic infections at sequential time points during two weeks. The number of different circulating genomes was estimated by microsatellite analyses. In both infections, we observed a rapid turnover of plasmodial genotypes and var transcripts. The rapidly changing repertoire of var transcripts could have been caused either by swift elimination of circulating var-transcribing parasites stemming from different or identical genetic backgrounds, or by accelerated switching of var gene transcription itself.

Keywords:Plasmodium falciparum; Switching; Antigenic variation; PfEMP1.

RESUMO

Os genes var de Plasmodium falciparum codificam as proteínas variantes da superfície do eritrócito infectado (PfEMP1). Neste estudo examinamos a mudança de transcritos destes genes var em duas infecções assintomáticas durante um curto prazo e estimamos simultaneamente o número de genomas circulantes nas mesmas amostras por análise de microssatélites. Nas duas infecções observamos uma rápida mudança de genótipos e transcritos de genes var. A mudança acelerada do repertório de transcritos possivelmente foi causada pela rápida eliminação de parasitas circulantes transcrevendo genes var a partir de genomas iguais ou diferentes, ou pela mudança acelerada da própria transcrição (switching) de genes var.

INTRODUCTION

Insufficiently treated infections with the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum can develop into long lasting and symptomfree infections, depending on the immunocompetence of the host30. In order to escape the constant attack of the host immune system the parasite employs antigenic variation and the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1, 19) family of proteins was described as a major factor of virulence and also target of the host immune response and variant specific immunity9. Importantly, semi-immune African adults showed higher anti-PfEMP1 titers than non-immune children21. The PfEMP1s are encoded by a large gene family – termed var - and it is believed that every parasite genome contains 40-50 var genes6. Possibly in order to coordinate most effectively the antigenic repertoire of its genome, the expression of var genes is tightly controlled. It was shown that var transcription is relaxed in ring stage parasites, where almost all var genes present in the genome are transcribed. However, only one or a few transcripts are found in the trophozoite stages (allelic exclusion), which are then translated to PfEMP1 polypeptides which itself are transported to the surface of the corresponding trophozoite-infected red blood cells10,27. Recently, a conserved var transcript, which seems not to be translated was detected in mature stages of a number of different isolates18. The intrinsic switching rate of var gene transcription, defined as the rate to which the expression of one PfEMP1 switches to another, was shown to occur at a rate of 2.4% per generation in vitro, indicating that the half of a previously monomorphic population of P. falciparum parasites would, after 30 generations or 60 days, still express the same PfEMP124. Additionally, by computer-aided modeling it was calculated that one antigenic phenotype would not last longer than two weeks until the onset of an efficient IgG response22. As detectable antiPfEMP1-immunoglobulins are present in individuals frequently exposed to P. falciparum9, it seems unlikely for a circulating parasite population to maintain the expression of the same PfEMP1 for an extended period such as 60 days. Indeed, a recently published report showed that var switching may be faster than 16% per generation in the early phase of blood stage infection23. However, this study only considered the initial stages of infection in non-immune persons and not the more common field situation of partial immunity and high immune pressure. Also, no follow-up of var gene transcription of individual infections was done. Another study by KAESTLI et al. showed the occurrence of changing var transcripts in semi-immune children but the underlying genotypes were identified only on the base of one single polymorphic marker and in longer time intervals15. Herein, we studied the longitudinal change of var transcripts and circulating plasmodial genomes by RT-PCR and microsatellite marker analysis in two untreated non-symptomatic patients during short time intervals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients and blood samples: In July 2001, two citizens, one male (20 years old) and one female (43 years old) of the Candelária suburb of Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil, participated in this study. They presented a non-symptomatic P. falciparum infection diagnosed by PCR during a larger active surveillance effort performed in the whole village. Both gave their written consent before participating in the study and ethical clearance was obtained from the local federal commission for experiments involving humans. Both individuals lived and worked at 50 m distance to each other several months before and during the trial.

Five blood samples of 8 mL were taken in 3-day intervals from each patient and transferred into heparinized tubes. A thin blood smear was prepared. The blood was then centrifuged and plasma and buffy coat were stored at -20 °C. The remaining erythrocytes were washed three times in serum free RPMI 1640 medium and 3 mL of packed RBC were then incubated under 90% N2, 5% O2, 5% CO2 for 12-14 h in 10% AB-serum supplemented RPMI 1640 medium at a hematocrit of 20%. After incubation, trophozoite stage parasites were purified by gelatin-floating28. Parasite counts were determined by reading Giemsa-stained blood smears. We found very low parasitemias (~50 parasites/µL) and only sporadically single gametocytes could be identified at any time point of infection.

Preparation of parasite RNA and genomic DNA: The purified trophozoite-infected red blood cells, resuspended in 250 µL PBS, were lysed with 750 µL Trizol LS (Life Technologies). RNA was then extracted as described by the manufacturer, with the modification that the isopropanol precipitation was done for one h on ice and the centrifugation of the precipitate was for one h at 12,000 g at 4 °C. The final RNA pellet was dissolved in 7 µL of ultrapure water and immediately used for DNAse 1 digestion and cDNA-synthesis. Genomic DNA (gDNA) was purified from the buffy coat fraction as described28. Briefly, the buffy coat fraction was centrifuged for five min at 8000 g, 4 °C, and the resulting pellet was saponin-lysed (0.1% in PBS) for five min at room temperature (RT). Afterwards, 2x concentrated SDS-lysis buffer and Proteinase K (Life technologies) to a final concentration of 0.1 mg/mL was added, and the mixture was incubated for four h at 56 °C. After sequential phenol, phenol/chloroform, and chloroform extractions, the genomic DNA was precipitated by addition of two volumes ethanol, left for one h on ice and then centrifuged for 10 min at 12,000 g and 4 °C. Each gDNA sample was resuspended in 50 µl TE and stored at -20 °C until use.

Reverse transcription, PCR and cloning of var transcripts: Each freshly prepared RNA sample was sequentially treated three times for 15 min with DNAse1 (Life Technologies) following the manufacturer's protocols. The final volume of the DNAse1 reaction was 22 µL. Four µL of this DNA-free RNA solution was then submitted to reverse transcription. The reaction was carried out following the manufacturer's instructions using two var specific oligonucleotides as described previously1. One µL of the resulting cDNA was then used as template for a PCR which employed var-DBLa specific, degenerated oligonucleotides (sense: 5'-GCCTGYGCKCCATWYAGRCG-3', antisense: 5'-CCWATRCYGCAAAACTKCGTG-3', (sequences from references13 and17, respectively) termed alternative var oligonucleotides, AV). For the detection of primer bias, 100 ng of genomic DNA was used as template for amplification. The previously published universal var oligonucleotides31 were also tested. The amplification conditions were: 94 °C, one min, 53 °C, one min and 65 °C, 1.5 min, over 35 cycles followed by 10 min at 65 °C for the AV oligonucleotides, or 94 °C, one min, 42 °C, one min, 60 °C, one min over 35 cycles for the universal var oligonucleotides, including the use of Platinum Taq polymerase (Life Technologies), instead of conventional Taq polymerase. After TAE-agarose gel analysis, the corresponding 200 - 220 nt-bands (350 - 400 nt for universal var oligonucleotides) were excised and purified using the glassmilk technique33. Purified DNA fragments were then ligated in the pGEM-T easy vector (Promega) and transformed in competent E. coli DH5a cells. Of each amplificate, 20 recombinant clones were prepared and sequenced in an ALF2 automatic sequencer using Cy5-labeled SP6 and T7-promoter oligonucleotides in combination with the Thermosequenase sequencing kit (Amersham-Pharmacia) following the manufacturer's instructions.

Plasmodium culture and selection of adhesive phenotypes: The culture of P. falciparum 3D7 parasites was conducted as described earlier32. Selection of 3D7 parasites for cytoadhesion on Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with the human E-selectin gene8 was done for five cycles as described28. The synchronization of ring stage parasites was done by sorbitol lysis28.

Plasmodium species diagnosis and microsatellite genotyping: The gDNA samples were tested for the presence of P. falciparum and P. vivax. For this purpose, diagnostic PCRs using species-specific oligonucleotides for either P. vivax or P. falciparum ribosomal RNA genes, were performed exactly as described29. Eleven microsatellite markers were amplified from gDNAs using published oligonucleotides in PCRs, exactly as described previously4. Microsatellite products were analyzed on the ALF2 automatic sequencer using commercial weight standards (Amersham-Pharmacia) and evaluated using the Allele Links 1.0 software package (Amersham-Pharmacia). Mixed infections were considered when a secondary peak of at least 33% intensity of the main peak was observed.

RESULTS

Two patients remained infected during two weeks with only P. falciparum: In order to determine if the individuals participating in our trial were found naturally infected with only P. falciparum parasites, nested diagnostic PCRs were performed as described29. Only P. falciparum, but not P. vivax or P. malariae genomic DNA could be detected in all of the tested samples, indicating that the individuals were solely infected with P. falciparum throughout the test period (data not shown).

Rapid fluctuation of different genomes during infection: The combined use of several microsatellite markers can efficiently detect the presence of different circulating genomes. ANDERSON et al. described a set of 12 markers, which detect with high confidence the presence of different P. falciparum genomes in a sample4. Using 11 of these markers, the ten gDNAs, resulting from five samples of each of the two patients, were analyzed. As described in Table 1, individual #1 was infected during the first three time points with apparently only one clonal parasite population. On the days 10 and 13, however, in two (day 10) or four markers (day 13) additional signals appeared which indicated the presence of at least one additional different genotype. The genotype present in samples from days one to seven seemed to persist throughout the test period. A more disperse microsatellite pattern was observed in individual #2: whereas on day one and four at least two genotypes were present, other genotypes appeared on day seven (markers Poly-a, PfPK2, Taa87 and Taa109) which seemed to disappear rapidly on day 10 and 13, resulting in one of the initial genotypes of day one. On day seven and 10 individual #2 showed a short-lived switch to another haplotype in the microsatellite marker 2490. Analysis of the pherograms revealed that the microsatellite marker size of 84 bp was also present in these samples, although below the established peak intensity cutoff. Some microsatellite markers appeared in identical sizes in both patients (markers Ta1, Taa60, ARA2, Pfg377, Taa87, Taa109, Taa81 and 2490, and punctually Poly-a and Taa42). Some microsatellite markers in this test were found only in one size (Taa60 and ARA2). Individual #2 samples did not amplify satisfyingly for some markers in the day 10 sample even after increasing or decreasing template amounts (Table 1 and data not shown).

Rapid change of present var transcripts during short time intervals: In the next experiment, we analyzed how many different var transcripts could be found at each time point of the infection. In all but one sample (individual #2, sample day 10) we were able to obtain a RT-PCR product. After cloning and sequencing of 20 RT-PCR generated fragments for each time point, 180 sequences were obtained. The frequency of which each transcript was found in the analyzed sequences per sample was then plotted against the time point.

As shown in Fig. 1, the relative quantity of transcripts varied per time point. Under the given conditions, up to five different transcripts could be identified. For individual #1, for example, two main different transcripts were found on time point day one of the trial. One of these transcripts (AF333287) remained present, although perhaps in different quantities, throughout the time points four to 10, but disappeared completely at the last time point, when virtually only one transcript was present. Individual #2, even with one time point less, showed similar kinetics of change in the present major transcripts. Accordingly, transcripts of type AF172777 were present at all time points except on day 13 where they disappeared. Another transcript, AF333287, was present in all four time points. Interestingly, the two individuals shared a number of common transcript sequences (sequence types AY172777, AF333287, AF172292, AF333294, AF333285).


In order to exclude that the observed changes of transcript sequences reflected the relative quantities of present var transcripts and were not PCR artifacts, we monitored the transcript turnover in a comparable amount of 3D7 parasites, which were previously selected for E-Selectin adherence and should therefore maintain a certain var transcript (AF306410) during two weeks. To this end, 105 and five times cytoadherence-selected and synchronized parasites were sequentially harvested in 4 day-intervals when they were in 18 h-trophozoite stage. After RNA purification, RT-PCR and cloning of the resulting fragments, 20 clones were sequenced per time point. The mainly encountered transcript similar to the sequence AF306410 (corresponding to PlasmoDB gene PFD0995c/PFD1000c) was present in similar clone numbers in all of the tested samples. Several other sequences were observed at all time points. None of these additional sequences were encountered in a consistent fashion throughout the test period as was the sequence AF306410, supporting the view that the observed changes in var transcripts were no artifacts.

DISCUSSION

The goal of the present study was to elucidate the turnover time of circulating var transcripts during a natural infection with solely P. falciparum as infectious agent which may indicate how many PfEMP1 variants are exposed to the host at sequential time points. In order to estimate the number of infecting P. falciparum genotypes, we also monitored the polymorphism of 11 different microsatellite markers of the parasite genome at given time points. To our knowledge, this is the first time that microsatellite analysis was used to investigate genotype content in a sequential manner in ongoing infections. The fluctuation of var transcripts was analyzed during two weeks using RT-PCR with a pair of degenerated oligonucleotides amplifying the most dominant var gene transcripts.

By microsatellite analysis, we observed the rapid appearance and disappearance of P. falciparum genotypes in rather short time intervals which is in clear accordance with earlier data presented by BRUCE et al. In their study, the fluctuation of different genotypes of P. vivax and P. falciparum was monitored during a 60 day period in a cohort of 34 school children, based on single copy gene polymorphisms. A rapid turnover of genotypes and also different Plasmodium species was observed. In some cases, the authors detected a rapid fluctuation of genotypes even when only one species was present7. In the case of a specific genotype being present for prolonged periods, the authors suggested that antigenic variation in parasites of that genotype might explain its persistence. In the present study, we identified the circulating genotypes at each time point by the use of eleven different microsatellite markers4, a method which should result in a rather higher resolution than the analysis of only three polymorphic loci as used by BRUCE et al.7. We found that both examined individuals had multiple circulating genomes at least at two of five time points of infection. Individual #2 showed at three time points at least two, and at one time point possibly more than two infecting genotypes. The absolute number of circulating different genotypes may be higher if one considers all possible combinations of different microsatellite loci per time point. The turnover of different genotypes in these patients seemed high: Individual #2 showed only at two sequential time points identical combinations of microsatellites while being infected with at least two genotypes, and on all other days at least one marker was different from the marker of the previous time point. Similar results were also reported in the study from BRUCE et al.7. Nevertheless, the small difference between the circulating genotypes in each of the both individuals, expressed as a different marker value in only two to four of eleven loci, is highly suggestive that the circulating strains per individual are indeed very similar. However, the question how many var genes are shared between two genomes when most microsatellite markers are identical remains to be elucidated.

As judged from microsatellite markers, the genotype defined by the microsatellite values observed on day one to seven of the study was present throughout the two week-course of infection in individual #1. In individual #2, a shift from one dominant genotype defined by the shift of the Ta1 marker from the allele with 177 to 183 bp and marker Taa42 with the allele sizes 197 shifting to 200 bp could be observed, suggesting the disappearance of the initial parasite population. Importantly, many of the microsatellite marker values were identical in both individuals, suggesting a common genetic origin of the infecting parasites, which could be expected since they live in relative proximity (50 m) to each other. Recent studies measuring the variation of infecting genotypes at different loci in several malaria-endemic areas pointed out that in Brazil the local variation of genomes expressed as differing microsatellite sizes is very low2,3, supporting the herein found low variation between the circulating genotypes. In the day 10 sample of individual #2, certain microsatellite markers were missed because the quantity of the corresponding circulating genotype may have decreased temporarily below the detection limit, coincident with the failure in var gene transcript detection in this sample.

We then monitored the var gene transcription. We were not able to amplify var transcripts applying the presumably best conditions to obtain unbiased var transcription analysis results31. The reason for this may be a lower efficiency of amplification when using the universal oligonucleotides. In field samples from the Brazilian Amazon with higher parasitemia, the universal var oligonucleotides work satisfactorily16. In order to evaluate var transcription in our samples, we employed the AV oligonucleotides already used successfully in an earlier study1.

In order to confirm the results obtained by the herein used primer combination, two experiments were performed in parallel, which helped to validate the results obtained by analysis of the field samples. First, we showed that the use of var ATS-specific oligonucleotides instead of random oligonucleotides did not lead to a preferential detection of distinct var genes, and random priming before RT led to the same detection of transcripts as var specific ATS-priming (Table 2), using the universal var oligonucleotides in a 3D7 background. A similar ATS-primed RT-approach was also used in the study of KAESTLI et al.15. Second, the herein used AV oligonucleotides amplified the same var genes as the universal oligonucleotides. Even minor transcripts were identified with both oligonucleotide pairs (Table 2). Importantly, there is no preferential detection of the AF306410 sequence with the AV oligonucleotide pair when amplifying 3D7 genomic DNA (data not shown).

We also tested the primer bias on a patient gDNA sample and found that a preferential amplification occurred on the var sequence AF333287. Consequently, any accumulated appearance of this sequence must be judged as overestimated (Fig. 2). When we estimated how many different var genes of supposedly 50 different genomic copies were amplified using the AV oligonucleotides, we obtained 17 different sequences out of 96 reads. From the number of reads performed, one would expect to obtain 43 sequences out of 50 possibly present sequences, which indicates that a number of present transcript sequences had probably not been amplified. Nevertheless, the oligonucleotides used herein recognized more sequences than the initially used primer pair17, which identified only 12 different sequences in 163 reads from 3D7 genomic DNA31. We also found three transcript sequences that were not amplified from the genomic DNA sample (Sequences AY138256, AY138257, AF172292). Consequently, the frequency to which these three sequences were observed must then be considered underestimated. Altogether, although the herein used primer pair may not be optimal to reflect the absolute transcript quantities, which can only be achieved in a reliable way using a Real-time PCR approach as done by SALANTI et al.25, the results of the transcript turnover between samples studied under the same conditions are valid, given that the cytoadherence-selected 3D7 culture showed no transcript variation and the successive patient samples did.


When comparing the genomic data with the data of var transcription at each time point, we observed a small number of circulating var transcript variants. These may, on one hand, reflect the abundance of one genotype expressing one determined PfEMP1 at a given time point, and the expression of minor transcripts var from other subpopulations of the same genotype, as in the case of the day one or day seven sample of individual #1. Alternatively, on time points when multiple genomes are present, the simultaneous transcription of one var variant from different, but highly similar genomes (compare individual #1, day 13 transcript sequences) may take place. Again, it must be emphasized that the encountered transcript frequencies cannot be interpreted as absolute values and reflect only bulk differences in the abundance of each transcripts. One must also be aware that less abundant transcripts which are not translated in PfEMP1 may be among the identified transcripts11,20, although the herein used methodology may be not as sensitive as the assays used by the other authors who employed either higher sample quantities, nested PCRs, or higher cycle numbers23. On the other hand, the chosen time point for RNA preparation (12 h after taking the blood sample, considering 4 h-old ring stage parasites in the peripheral blood) matches exactly the time point when var transcripts are most likely to be translated into protein18,27. The so-called sterile var transcript found in trophozoites of many different isolates from Africa34 and also Brazilian field isolates1, but which is in most cases not translated18, was not identified in our samples.

From our data or the data of the study of PETERS et al.23, is it possible to deduce the in vivo var gene switching rate of P. falciparum, understood as the parasite´s molecular switch to activate transcription of one var gene and inactivation of another? The answer is no, since it is impossible to monitor var gene transcription at once in all circulating infected red blood cells. The high var gene transcript turnover observed by the group of PETERS et al. could have been caused by the simple elimination of parasite subpopulations expressing determined PfEMP1s and the more effective expansion of other genetically identical parasites expressing different PfEMP1s. In view of our results describing the rapid turnover of circulating genomes in short time intervals and earlier results of BRUCE et al.7, it is highly probable that selective elimination of circulating variants and not accelerated switching was responsible for the fast turnover of var gene transcripts in our work and in the study of PETERS et al.23. A conclusive answer to this issue of host factor influence on var gene switching may only be found in in vitro experiments where the growth and elimination of parasites can be monitored.

Another interesting finding of our experiments is that two different individuals were infected with parasite strains that expressed a partially overlapping repertoire of DBLa sequences. Given the high number of different var genes in nature12, the chance of finding the same var genes transcribed at any given time point in two different infections should be rather small, even in the presence of biased amplification. On the other hand, in a recent study where var transcripts from symptomatic patients from the same area were analyzed, an overlap of the transcribed var repertoire was also detected, suggesting that the overall quantity of circulating var genes is indeed limited in that specific area1. From a biological point of view, during long-lasting infections only the biologically fittest PfEMP1 variants should persist, and consequently, the herein described sequences may feature a number of members of PfEMP1 molecules with a low immunogenicity and a mostly non-pathologic cytoadherence profile as suggested earlier by SAUL26.

A recent study measured the intrinsic off and on rates for determined var transcripts14. Certain var genes seem to be switched on and off more rapidly than others and it was hypothesized that upon initial infection, very slowly off-switching var genes dominate. These variants would then rapidly be eliminated through the action of the immune response. In a later chronic stage of infection (the stage when our herein studied samples were taken), rapidly off-switching var genes are believed to prevail14. Our data could then also be interpreted that the herein detected var transcripts are part of the group of "fast-off" switching var genes.

In three recent studies, the appearance of distinct var transcripts was associated with severe disease5,16. Accordingly, the appearance of identical transcripts in non-symptomatic carriers may point to "non-severe" associated PfEMP1s. For this purpose, the analysis of transcribed var genes, shown in this study to be a feasible task, in numerous non-symptomatic individuals could be conducted to address this issue.

Taken together, our data indicate that during infections with P. falciparum, the human host seems to be confronted with a rapidly changing repertoire of antigenic PfEMP1 variants. Further work must be invested to unveil if a direct immune response against expressed PfEMP1 molecules triggers this rapid change of herein identified var transcripts or if other parasite-killing serum factors remove frequently determined PfEMP1-expressing P. falciparum populations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To W. Fischer for technical assistance in sequencing, Marcelo U Ferreira for helpful discussions, and the medical staff of the CEPEM at the outpost of Candelária. To the Candelária community.

Received: 22 March 2005

Accepted: 20 May 2005

Financial support: CNPq, and Fapesp grant 00/11136-0 (G.W.). F.P.A. and U.G. were supported by doctoral fellowship grants (Fapesp).

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  • Correspondence to

    Gerhard Wunderlich
    Fax +55-11-30917417
    email:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      29 Aug 2005
    • Date of issue
      Aug 2005

    History

    • Accepted
      20 May 2005
    • Received
      22 Mar 2005
    Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, 05403-000 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil, Tel. +55 11 3061-7005 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
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