Morphological and morphometric variability of three clones of Trypanosoma cruzi and the strain of origen (Bolivia) / Morphological and morphometric variability of three clones of Trypanosoma cruzi and the strain of origin (Bolivia)

Knowing the great divesity of medical and biological properties of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas'disease, we quantified the morphological parameters that typify the different forms of three clones of T. cruzi and their original strain, Bolivia, in comparison among themselves and with strain Bolivia, attempting to provide additional data concerning the clonal biological behaviour of this parasite. Blood forms morphology was quantified using a computarized image analysis (Videoplan/Kontron) and statistical analysis was determined using ANOVA-1 Test. Large number of quantitative differences among slender, broad, and stout forms were found. The comparison of clones I, II and III with their mother strain, leads to the emergence of significant differences in at least 12 parameters out of the 16 we studied. When clones were compared among themselves, the differences decrased. Variations of the percentagens of the three kinds of clones were found along the acute infection. These data are the first step in correlating the morphological and pathogenic characteristics of the parasite.