Immunogenicity of Trypanosoma cruzi in different animal species.

The immunogenicity of two fractions (1 500 F and 10 000 F) from epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi as well as the supernatant from culture media (SF) were studied using hens, rabbits and opossums. For comparative purposes, sera from individuals with chronic Chagas' disease were also used. A similar, positive response was obtained for the fractions in all the animal species studied using indirect hemagglutination test. Supernatants from culture media were the least immunogenic. By double immunodiffusion test, it was possible to detect a positive response to a different number as well as to different antigens in the three animal species, but there was response to a common antigen by all the different animal species. The common antigen called here major, was present in all the fractions assayed. Human sera from individuals chronically infected showed a variable response. When assayed by double immunodiffusion technique, the major antigen could be detected in just a few samples.