Detection of specific IgE antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi arginine kinase

Abstract

The krginine kinase from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcAK) is thought to be the product of gene transfer from an invertebrate host to a Trypanosoma ancestor. The function of this enzyme in the parasite is still unknown, but since it was found in extra-cellular T. cruzi vesicles, and it shares a very conserved sequence with invertebrate AKs, which are well known allergens in a very wide range of species, we suspect that TcAK might have some immune modulating action by making immune response incline towards a Th2 response that is ineffective against the parasite, instead of a Th1 response that could control the infection.