[The pampiniform plexus in the chronic phase of human Chagas disease: histologic assessment]

The occurrence of Trypanosoma cruzi intracellular clusters and phlebitis was searched for on pampiniform plexus vein walls of chronic chagasic patients. For this purpose, 23 pairs of spermatic cords, epididymides and testes (17 from chagasic patients and 6 from non-chagasic controls) were obtained, at autopsy. Trypanosoma cruzi was investigated by immuno-histochemistry on slides obtained from several sections of the gonads and vessels of each case. Only discrete and focal undetermined chronic phlebitis was observed, with no parasites, in 5 chagasics (bilateral in 3) and 2 controls (chi 2: p < 0.10), and discrete mononuclear interstitial infiltration in the funiculi of 13 chagasics and 5 controls (chi 2: p < 0.75). In conclusion, on the contrary to that published regarding the supra-renal central veins, it seems that the hormonal environment provided by testosterone does not favor the infection of the gonadal vessel wall.