Benznidazole-induced genotoxicity in diploid cells of Aspergillus nidulans.

Genotoxic effects of benznidazole were studied by the induction of homozygosis of genes previously present in heterozygous. UT448//A757 diploid strain was used in the benznidazole's recombinagenesis test. Although toxic effects on growth of colonies were not observed, 75 and 100 microM benznidazole induced an increasing of mitotic recombination events in diploid strain. Results were related to the induction of chromosomal breaks by the antiparasitic drug.