Cytotaxonomy of trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909): Differentiation of T. Cruzi I (TcI) and T. Cruzi II (TcII) genotypes using cytogenetic markers

Abstract

Chagas disease is a public health problem caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi, and the T. cruzi I (TcI) and T. cruzi II (TcII) groups are considered important genotypes from the clinical point of view. Currently, the groups need to be molecularly analyzed for their identification; thus, we cytogenetically analyzed these groups with the objective of developing more accessible techniques for the characterization of these parasites. TcI and TcII groups were differentiated by nucleus characterization with lacto-acetic orcein (TcI—nucleus with positive heteropycnosis and TcII—nucleus with negative heteropycnosis), emphasizing the importance of the application of this technique for epidemiological and clinical studies of Chagas disease.