Biological properties of Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic trypomastigotes: usefulness for studying Chagas' disease (brief report).

We have investigated changes in the biological properties of metacyclic trypomastigotes obtained from various sources, kept in the laboratory under diverse conditions and subjected to different procedures. Results demonstrate the great capacity of adaptation of Trypanosoma cruzi to changeable environments. The usefulness of different chemically defined media and consecutive passages through various hosts emphasize the importance of mimicking the life cycle of the parasite.