title: High similarity of Trypanosoma cruzi kDNA genetic profiles detected by LSSP-PCR within family groups in an endemic area of Chagas disease in Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Determining the genetic similarities among Trypanosoma cruzi populations isolated from different hosts and vectors is very important to clarify the epidemiology of Chagas disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  An epidemiological study was conducted in a Brazilian endemic area for Chagas disease, including 76 chronic chagasic individuals (96.1% with an indeterminate form; 46.1% with positive hemoculture).
  
  
  RESULTS
  T. cruzi I (TcI) was isolated from one child and TcII was found in the remaining (97.1%) subjects. Low-stringency single-specific-primer-polymerase chain reaction (LSSP-PCR) showed high heterogeneity among TcII populations (46% of shared bands); however, high similarities (80-100%) among pairs of mothers/children, siblings, or cousins were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LSSP-PCR showed potential for identifying similar parasite populations among individuals with close kinship in epidemiological studies of Chagas disease.
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Parasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alkmim-Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Parasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique Borges
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Kappel
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Parasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiane Pontes
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aluízio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prata
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Parasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Eduardo
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dalmo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Parasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliane
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lages-Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast / Q000235:genetics*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018105:DNA, Kinetoplast; D016054:DNA, Protozoan