CASP8 and infection: In relation to the role of Caspase 8 in the induction of apoptosis by T. cruzi, it has been demonstrated that the Caspase 8 inhibitor zIETD blocks T cell apoptosis in infected mice, and the usage of the pan caspase inhibitor, zVAD, during acute infection reduces splenocyte apoptosis and parasitemia [137, 138] (Figure 2c).