Additional data on Trypanosoma cruzi isozymic strains encountered in Bolivian domestic transmission cycles

Abstract

We have collected in Bolivia 212 stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi from domestic transmission cycles and have assayed for nine enzyme systems (11 gene loci). Only a few different isozyme profiles exist, without recombination between them, a situation also encountered in previous Bolivian samples. The 212 stocks, combined with 207 stocks previously studied, have been analysed to uncover any spatial patterns. The frequency of heterozygous strains (2 and 2a) decreases westwards and with increasing altitude. Given that longitude and altitude are correlated with each other, it is not possible to decide which of these two geographic variables is the relevant one, or if both are. These associations might be due to climatic factors. Studies by other authors have shown, however, that heterozygous strains are rare or absent in the Amazon Basin, which is at low altitude.