Comparison between the antigenic composition of bloodstream and cell culture-derived trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

RESUMO

Antigens of bloodstream and cell culture-derived trypomastigotes of T. cruzi were compared by western blotting using sera of chronic chagasic patient as a source of antiobodies. The immunoblots demonstrated that the two forms display extensive homology except for the 85 - and 52 - kDa bands. These antigens were more strongly stained in culture - derived trypomastigotes. Although the reported differences are not related to major antigens, these results might offer an explanation for previous studies showing that culture - derived trypomastigotes are more antigenic and infective in vitro than bloodstream trypomastigotes