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Characterization and grouping ofTrypanosoma cruzi stocks by DNA base-specific fluorochromes and discriminant analysis

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Abstract

Fluorochromes with G-C and A-T specificity were used for a single-cell DNA analysis of the bloodstream forms of 14Trypanosoma cruzi stocks in a cytofluorometric assay. The kinetoplast contained 22.3%–37.9% of the total DNA G-C base content and 42.7%–63.5% of the total DNA A-T base content. In spite of these differences, the mean base A-T/G-C ratio of the total DNA was 1.11 and was nearly constant in all stocks. The G-C base ratio of kinetoplast/nucleus resulted in a grouping corresponding with the peanut agglutinin (PNA)- and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-type characteristics of theT. cruzi stocks. The discriminant analysis revealed relationships, in that each stock contained some trypanosomes with DNA fluorescence characteristics of common to at least one other stock. After chromomycin A3 staining the mean hit rates for the classification into group 1 PNA and the WGA group were 99% and 96%, respectively, and the respective rates obtained after DAPI application were 84% and 94%.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Protozoologie, Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin, Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 74, D-2000, Hamburg 36, Germany

    H. Mühlpfordt

  2. Institut für Mathematik und Datenverarbeitung in der Medizin, Universitätsklinik Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-2000, Hamburg 20, Germany

    J. Berger

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  1. H. Mühlpfordt
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  2. J. Berger
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Mühlpfordt, H., Berger, J. Characterization and grouping ofTrypanosoma cruzi stocks by DNA base-specific fluorochromes and discriminant analysis. Parasitol Res 76, 319–325 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00928186

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