J. M. Kelly

Dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in hamsters and novel association with progressive motor dysfunction

This study establishes a hamster model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection using bioluminescence imaging, revealing chronic tissue pathology and motor dysfunction not seen in mice.

Trypanosoma cruzi persisters that survive benznidazole treatment in vitro and in vivo are in a transient non-proliferative state.

This study identifies benznidazole-treated Trypanosoma cruzi persisters as transient non-proliferative parasites, not localized to specific tissues, and suggests their survival may involve DNA damage response or pre-existing non-replicative states.

Enteric nervous system regeneration and functional cure of experimental digestive Chagas disease with trypanocidal chemotherapy

This study shows that curative treatment with benznidazole at 6 weeks post-infection reverses digestive Chagas disease symptoms in mice, while delayed treatment leads to irreversible damage.

Nitroimidazopyrazinones with oral activity against tuberculosis and Chagas disease in mouse models of infection

This paper evaluates nitroimidazopyrazinone derivatives for antitubercular and antiparasitic activity, showing selectivity against M. tuberculosis and efficacy against T. cruzi in mouse models.

Local association of Trypanosoma cruzi chronic infection foci and enteric neuropathic lesions at the tissue micro-domain scale

The paper identifies chronic T. cruzi infection foci in the colon linked to enteric neuropathic lesions, suggesting chemotherapy could prevent chronic disease.

Incomplete recruitment of protective T cells facilitates Trypanosoma cruzi persistence in the mouse colon

This study shows that incomplete T cell recruitment to infection sites in the mouse colon allows Trypanosoma cruzi to persist chronically despite systemic T cell immunity.

In vivo analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi persistence foci at single cell resolution

This study identifies skeletal muscle and skin as major sites of Trypanosoma cruzi persistence in chronic murine infections using high-sensitivity imaging.

Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes have a reduced replication rate during chronic stage infections

This study shows that Trypanosoma cruzi parasites replicate less during chronic infections compared to acute stages, but still involve regular cycles of replication and host cell lysis.

Intracellular DNA replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi is asynchronous within individual host cells in vivo at all stages of infection

This study uses genetically modified parasites to show that T. cruzi replication and differentiation are asynchronous within host cells throughout infection.

Non-invasive monitoring of drug action: a new live in vitro assay design for Chagas' disease drug discovery

This paper introduces a live in vitro assay using eGFP-expressing Trypanosoma cruzi to monitor drug action over 6 days, revealing pharmacodynamic profiles of benznidazole and posaconazole.