Trypanosoma cruzi chromatin was observed in macrophage chromosome spreads obtained at different periods of infections in BALB/c mice. Immunofluorescent studies showed that genetic materials associated with the chromosomes were T. cruzi products. In situ hybridization showed the protozoon DNA insertion in the host cell genome. In addition, selective ³H-DNA insertion in chromosomes 3, 6 and 11 was observed, which suggested that transxenogene rearrangement may take place in T. cruzi infections of mammals.
Trypanosoma cruzi; Macrophage; Transxenogene