| Abstract: | We evaluated humoral and cellular immune responses in 6 inbred mouse strains (BALB/c, B-10, C3H, A/J, AKR and DBA) infected with 3 Trypanosoma cruzi strains (Peruvian, 21 SF and Colombian), which are the standards for the 3 strains Types of Andrade's classification. Negative delayed-type hipersensitivity reactions to parasite antigens were evidence of suppressed cell-mediated immunity. An early drop of IgG1 and rise of IgM levels were observed in almost all mouse strains infected by any T. cruzi strain. Elevation of IgG2a and/or IgG2b levels was higher in resistant mouse strains. Anti-T. cruzi antibody levels (Indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA) did not correlate with survival. Despite some differences among mouse strains there was a definition of an overall pattern of host response and the maintenance of biological standards which characterize the basic types of T. cruzi strains. |
