Abstract

PINTO, Pedro Luiz Silva et al. Observations on the viability of Trypanosoma cruzi in sugar cane juice. Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo [online]. 1990, vol.32, n.5, pp. 325-327. ISSN 0036-4665.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46651990000500003.

In Catolé do Rocha, State of Paraíba, Brasil several people were concomitantly contaminated by Chagas' disease and had the acute form of the infection. Because of this event, the hypothesis that Trypanosoma cruzi might have been transmitted by the digestive route, through the ingestion of accidentally contaminated sugar cane juice, was made. In the present study, we verified that the parasite has remained viable for four hours in the liquid, at room temperature. We have also demonstrated that, after one hour, it was capable of promoting infection in one mouse, by gastric tube administration. These observations enhance the interest on this alternative mechanism of disease transmission.

Keywords : Infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi; Via digestiva; Caldo de cana.