Elevated IL-17 levels and echocardiographic signs of preserved myocardial function in benznidazole-treated individuals with chronic Chagas’ disease

Abstract

Background: The immunological and clinical impact of trypanocidal treatment in chronic Chagas’ disease (CCD) is unclear. Methodology and findings: Several cytokines were measured in plasma of 66 patients with CCD. Thirty-three patients had been previously treated with benznidazole and 33 had never been treated. The treated group exhibited higher levels of IL-17 (median 142.45 × 1.22 pg/ml, P = 0.025), which was the only one significantly associated with Bz treatment, especially after adjusting for time of disease and NYHA class (P = 0.024; OR 1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.010). Compared to untreated patients, the treated group exhibited higher median values of mitral annular E’ lateral (13.0 × 10.0 cm/s, P = 0.038), S’ infero-lateral (8.9 × 7.6 cm/s, P = 0.013), S’ septal (8.5 × 7.4 cm/s, P = 0.034), mean S’ (9.0 × 7.9 cm/s, P = 0.013) and tricuspid annular S’ (13.3 × 11.1 cm/s, P = 0.001) and lower values of E/E’ septal (7.2 × 9.5 cm/s, P = 0.049). After adjustment for time of disease and NYHA class, S’ infero-lateral (P = 0.031), mean S’ (P = 0.049) and S’ tricuspid (P = 0.024) persisted as significantly associated with treatment. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that the group of CCD patients treated with Bz displayed increased plasma levels of IL-17 and preserved myocardial function, reinforcing the idea that Bz treatment may be beneficial. Keywords: Chagas’ disease, Benznidazol treatment, Immune response, Cytokines, Echocardiographic, Tissue Doppler