[Natural infection of the anal glands of the opossum (Didelphis albiventris) by Trypanosoma cruzi in the municipality of Bambuí--MG, Brazil]. / Infecção natural das glãndulas anais de gambãs (Didelphis albiventris) pelo Trypanosoma cruzi no municipio de bambui--mg.

Out of 87 opossums, Didelphis albiventris, captured in the Bambuí area (Minas Gerais State), 32 (36.7%) were found infected by Trypanosoma cruzi; the rates varied according to whether the specimens originated from sylvan, rural peridomiciliar or urban surroundings, being 34.9, 81.8 and 7.7 respectively. From 20 of the infected opossums the anal glands were repeatedly examined and found positive in only one (5%) specimen (GA 9), with 7 positive examinations out of 17 performed through an 18-months periods. Material from these glands produced patent parasitemia in opossums and sub-patent infections in mice. Isolates from the opossum GA 9, obtained through xenodiagnoses and hemocultures and from cultures of the infected anal glands fitted into zymodeme Z1.

Trypanosoma cruzi: vertebrate and invertebrate cycles in the same mammal host, the opossum Didelphis marsupialis.

Epimastigotes multiplying extracellularly and metacyclic trypomastigotes, stages that correspond to the cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in the intestinal lumen of its insect vector, were consistently found in the lumen of the anal glands of opossums Didelphis marsupialis inoculated subcutaneously with infective feces of triatomid bugs.