Abstract

ANEZ, Néstor; CRISANTE, Gladys  and  ROMERO, Maximiliano. Survival and infectivity of Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic forms in experimentally contaminated food. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2009, vol.49, n.1, pp.91-96. ISSN 1690-4648.

The survival of Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic forms in contaminated food is reported. Observations carried out 1-18h after contaminating food with metacyclics from infected Rhodnius prolixus, revealed abundant and active flagellates during the first 6h post-contamination. The same activity was observed in metacyclics maintained on liquid or solid contaminated food. In addition, the infectivity of surviving T. cruzi metacyclic forms in contaminated food after being ingested by a vertebrate host is demonstrated.

Keywords : Trypanosoma cruzi; metacyclic; contamination; food; survival; infectivity.