Production of hydrogen peroxide by peripheral blood monocytes and specific macrophages during experimental infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in vivo

Acute Chagas' disease triggers potent inflammatory reaction characterized by great increase of peripheral blood monocyte (PBM) and macrophage numbers. We studied the respiratory burst responses of PBM and peritoneal and splenic macrophages to in vivo infection (rats). The ultrastructure of heart inflammatory macrophages was also investigated. The infection increased the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production by PBM and splenic macrophages but not by peritoneal macrophages. Accordingly, the PBM and spleen cell numbers increased but the total number of peritoneal cells was similar to controls. Heart macrophages of infected rats exhibited increase (number and size) and activated morphology in parallel to high cardiomyocyte parasitism. Our data highlight the importance of innate immunity and H2O2 production to host resistance during acute phase of T cruzi infection. A novel finding is that H2O2 production seems related to specific types of monocytes/macrophages that are able to release this agent when in presence of high parasite load. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.