Histotropism and pathogenicity of Trypanosoma cruzi in albino mice (NHI) isolated from triatomines in Nuevo Leon, Mexico]

The neolonese strain of Trypanosoma cruzi was obtained from deyections of nosed bugs (Triatoma gerstaeckeri) which were caught in General Teran and Dr. Coss, Nuevo Leon. This strain was kept alive for passing it from mouse-triatomines and vice versa. Posteriorly, nests of amastigotes were found in skeletal and myocardial muscle fibers from albinous mouse Mus musculus NHI by using light microscopy and electron microscopy. In consequence, the parasitic element was classified as a myotropic strain, although it was observed in less amount in liver, kidney and spleen. Main pathological changes observed were intersticial inflammation, disruption of muscle fibers, myocarditis, mitochondrial alteration and cytoplasmic vacuolation.