| Abstract: | SYNOPSIS. A 48-hr drug screening test is described which evaluates inhibition of exponential growth of T. cruzi culture forms by electronic cell count. About 80% of drugs active in vivo produced a > 50% growth inhibition, whereas among, compounds inactive in vivo, only 19.6% induced such inhibition. Advantages of this test are low cost, rapid results, small amounts of drugs needed, and feasibility without animal facilities. Comparative studies showed that culture forms are not suitable for screening additives to prevènt transmission of T. cruzi by banked blood. |
