In order to study the biological behavior of T. cruzi strains and to determine a putative association between their biodeme and the clinical forms of Chagas disease, 14 strains isolated from humans were evaluated. The individuals were from the municipalities of Pains, Iguatama and Berilo (Minas Gerais State). The biological behavior was evaluated in albino swiss mice, weighing 10 to 15 grams, which were infected with 1x10(4) blood tripomastigotes. The infectivity, parasitemia, tripomastigote morphology, virulence and the tissue distribution of the protozoan were analyzed. A behavior similar to biodeme II (São Felipe strain) was observed in 9 strains, while 5 stocks were characterized as belonging to biodeme III. It was not possible to establish a relationship between the biodeme strain and the severity of the disease in the patients.
Trypanosoma cruzi; Biodeme; Biological behaviour; Chagas' disease
