Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates
Published on: January 27, 2019
Chagas disease: role of parasite genetic variation in pathogenesis
Andra M Macedo1, Riva P Oliveira, Srgio D J Pena
1Departamento de Bioqumica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antnio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-970, Brazil. andrea@mono.icb.ufmg.br
Abstract:
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is characterised by a variable clinical course, from symptomless cases to severe chronic disease with cardiac and/or gastrointestinal involvement. This variability has been attributed both to differences in the host response and to genomic heterogeneity of the parasite. This article reviews the evidence in favour of an important role of the genetic constitution of T. cruzi in determining the clinical characteristics of Chagas disease and discusses the basis of the 'Clonal-Histotropic Model' for the pathogenesis of this disease.
Related Concept Videos
Malaria
American Trypanosomiasis
Genetic Variation
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...
Leishmaniasis
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift
Diversity of Protists I

