Establishment and characterization of a cell line (BTC-32) from the triatomine bug, Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

The establishment of a cell line from embryonic tissues of the triatomine bug, Triatoma infestans is described. The cell line consists of three cell types which are described, and has a population doubling time of 48 hours during the logarithmic phase of growth. A proportion of the cells remain in the medium as floaters. Of the chromosome preparations that could be counted, the majority contained the diploid (2n = 22) number. The cell line has undergone 129 subcultures and has been maintained for over three years. The potential use of these cells in the study of Trypanosoma cruzi is described.