Can sexual transmission support the enzootic cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Trypanosoma cruzi circulates in sylvatic habitats, mainly through blood-feeding triatomines, although other routes also contribute to its dispersion. Sexual transmission of T. cruzi is an understudied topic, especially among wild mammals. Because of the difficulties inherent to field work, experimentally infected mice are frequently used to evaluate the transmission of T. cruzi.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the sexual transmission of T. cruzi in acutely infected mice.

Methods

Male and female mice in the acute phase of Chagas disease were mated with naïve partners. Then, parasitological tests, immunohistochemistry, serological assays, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to detect infection.

Findings

Parasitological analysis

SUBMITTER: Rios A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5719536 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature