title: New method for quantification of Trypanosoma cruzi in animal's tissue in the chronic phase of experimental Chagas' disease.
abstract: We developed a new method for the quantification of parasites in tissue. Trypanosoma cruzi strain CL parasites were genetically engineered to express the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene, lacZ and this enzyme is able to catalyze a colorimetric reaction with chlorophenol red beta-D: galactopyranoside (CPRG) as the substrate. The animals were infected with clone CL Brener strain B5 of T. cruzi and treated with benznidazole in order to verify the reduction in the number of parasites in tissue study by quantifying the enzyme beta-galactosidase. The assay demonstrates a reduction in the number of parasites in the groups treated. Thus, this test can be used to test other substances with the aim of verifying the effectiveness in the chronic phase of experimental Chagas' disease.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. vivianee@fcfrp.usp.br
authors.forename: Viviane Rodrigues
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Esperandim
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: da Silva Ferreira
authors.forename: Miriam Paula Alonso
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Toldo
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saraiva
authors.forename: Mariana Bryan
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Augusto
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Albuquerque
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000469:parasitology*; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000378:metabolism; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology; D005697:Galactosides / Q000378:metabolism; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002733:Chlorophenols; D005697:Galactosides; C074184:chlorophenol red galactopyranoside; D001616:beta-Galactosidase