Trypanosoma cruzi from wild raccoons in Oklahoma

Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi were detected in the blood of 5 of 8 wild adult raccoons which were live-trapped in Tulsa, Okla. Organisms were isolated in diphasic blood agar medium and maintained in Vero cell cultures. Inoculated mice exhibited transient parasitemias without tissue involvement. Amastigote forms occurred within Vero cells. This is the first report of naturally occurring T cruzi infection of wild mammals in Oklahoma.