Integral approach to evaluation of the pathogenic activity of Trypanosoma cruzi clones as exemplified by the Mexican strain.

Comparative histopathological study and analysis of parasite load in different muscle groups were carried out in BALB/c mice during the acute phase of Chagas disease. Activities of C104 clone of T. cruzi strain TPAP/MX/2002/Albarrada and the parental strain were compared. Panoramic 2D-microscopy imaging of sample surface was used and quantitative analysis of parasitism and pathologic damage was performed. The infection rates in various muscle groups were as follows: myocardium=abdominal muscles=lumbar muscles=femoral muscles<--diaphragm for the clone and myocardium¬abdominal muscles=lumbar muscles=femoral muscles-->diaphragm for the parental strain.