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Genetic Heterogeneity in Trypanosoma cruzi Strains From Naturally Infected Triatomine Vectors in Northeastern Brazil: Epidemiological Implications

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Abstract

Eighteen Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated from naturally infected triatomines were studied genetically. The majority of the strains were from Triatoma brasiliensis, the principal vector of Chagas disease in the northeast of Brazil. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses were used to investigate the genotypic diversity and the spread of the T. cruzi genotypes in different environments. MLEE clearly distinguished two distinct isoenzyme profiles, and RAPD analysis revealed 10 different genotypes circulating in rural areas. The strains could be typed as isoenzyme variants of the T. cruzi principal zymodeme Z1 (T. cruzi I). An effective program of epidemiological vigilance is required to prevent the spread of T. cruzi I strains into human dwellings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, CEP 21040-900

    Raquel S. Pacheco & Marize Q. Pires

  2. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, ENSP/FIOCRUZ, Brazil

    Célia M. Marques de Brito

  3. Departamento de Biologia, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Brazil

    Otilia Sarquis & Marli M. Lima

  4. Departamento de Medicina Tropical, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Brazil

    José Borges-Pereira

Authors
  1. Raquel S. Pacheco
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  2. Célia M. Marques de Brito
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  3. Otilia Sarquis
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  4. Marize Q. Pires
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  5. José Borges-Pereira
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  6. Marli M. Lima
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Correspondence to Raquel S. Pacheco.

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Pacheco, R.S., de Brito, C.M.M., Sarquis, O. et al. Genetic Heterogeneity in Trypanosoma cruzi Strains From Naturally Infected Triatomine Vectors in Northeastern Brazil: Epidemiological Implications. Biochem Genet 43, 519–530 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10528-005-8168-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10528-005-8168-x

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