| Abstract: | Trypanosoma cruzi strains from distinct geographic areas show differences in drug
resistance and association between parasites genetic and treatment response has been
observed. Considering that benznidazole (BZ) can reduce the parasite burden and
tissues damage, even in not cured animals and individuals, the goal is to assess the
drug response to BZ of T. cruzi II strains isolated from children of the
Jequitinhonha Valley, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, before treatment. Mice infected
and treated with BZ in both phases of infection were compared with the untreated and
evaluated by fresh blood examination, haemoculture, polymerase chain reaction,
conventional (ELISA) and non-conventional (FC-ALTA) serologies. In mice treated in
the acute phase, a significant decrease in parasitaemia was observed for all strains.
Positive parasitological and/or serological tests in animals treated during the acute
and chronic (95.1-100%) phases showed that most of the strains were BZ resistant.
However, beneficial effect was demonstrated because significant reduction (p <
0.05%) and/or suppression of parasitaemia was observed in mice infected with all
strains (acute phase), associated to reduction/elimination of inflammation and
fibrosis for two/eight strains. BZ offered some benefit, even in not cured animals,
what suggest that BZ use may be recommended at least for recent chronic infection of
the studied region. |
