Abstract
Individual interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes and vertebrate cells were observed in vitro as a continuous function of time under highly controlled environmental conditions. These observations form the basis for a description of the complete intracellular cycle of T. cruzi in susceptible vertebrate cells. Trypomastigotes actively penetrated the vertebrate cells. Multiple penetrations of a single cell were observed. A highly variable “lag period” occurred prior to the onset of parasite reproduction. This “lag period” was identical in two different host cell types. Amastigotes reproduced asynchronously, and the number of parasites produced in the host cell was directly proportional to the number of trypomastigotes penetrating the cell. The differentiation of amastigotes to trypomastigotes occurred by a direct “fusiform progression” pathway. The escape of trypomastigotes from the dead host cell occurred approximately 6.5 days post infection of the cell. Trypomastigotes were capable of infecting a vertebrate cell immediately after escaping from the cell in which they had completed their life cycle.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.