Reliable post mortem diagnosis of Chagas' disease is highly desirable. Artificial xenodiagnosis was adapted for the human blood collected during autopsies in an attempt to reach thatgoal. The method ivas applied to ten proven chagasics. The test was positive in 3 (30%) of the cases which were autopsied 2, 2 1/4 and 7 hours after death. The survival of Trypanosoma cruzi in a dead host and the practical use of the findings are discussed.
Chagas' disease; Trypanosoma cruzi; Xenodiagnosis