The characterization of Chilean and BolivianTrypanosoma cruzi stocks fromTriatoma infestans by isoelectrofocusing

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Abstract
Culture forms of 12 Chilean and 9 BolivianTrypanosoma cruzi stocks were compared isoenzymatically by the following enzymes: non-specific esterase, phosphoglucomutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucosephosphate isomerase, and alcohol dehydrogenase. On the basis of the electrophoretic mobility of these enzymes the stocks were classified into two main groups. Ten Chilean stocks were characterized as group II; two stocks showed enzyme patterns of group I. In contrast, five Bolivian stocks were classified as belonging to group I, the other four to group II. The results show that the two groups ofT. cruzi overlap inTriatoma infestans suggesting that both groups ofT. cruzi are infective for man. The classification of stocks into two groups is discussed in the light of published results of BrazilianT. cruzi stocks. A strong association of groups with the transmission cycles as it seems to be in Brazil does not exist in Chile and Bolivia.