General classification of the isoenzymic strains of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi and comparison with T. (S.) C. Marinkellei and T. (Herpetosoma) rangeli

Abstract

Summary. Thirteen laboratory reference stocks of Trypanosoma (Schizottypanum) cruzi were classified according to genetic distance by enzyme analysis of 14 loci. Three principal isoenzymic strains were recognized together with 6 lesser ones. These patterns fall within our previous classification, suggesting that by now the main bulk of T. cruzi enzymic variability has been recognized. Consequently it should be possible to identify any T. cruzi stock with certainty and to assess whether cruzi-like organisms belong to the cruzi complex. T. (S) cruzi marinkellei and T. (H.) rangeli reference stocks were also compared. These two taxa showed to be different from the T. cruzi strains, but it was necessary to use a large set of enzymes before gaining evidence for this.