TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI STRAINS AND AUTONOMIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM PATHOLOGY IN EXPERIMENTAL CHAGAS-DISEASE

Lesions involving the sympathetic (para-vertebral ganglia) and para-sy mpathetic ganglia of intestines (Auerbach plexus) and heart (right atr ial ganglia) were comparatively analyzed in mice infected with either of three different strain types of Trypanosoma cruzi, during acute and chronic infection, in an attempt to understand the influence of paras ite strain in causing autonomic nervous system pathology. Ganglionar i nvolvement with neuronal destruction appeared related to inflammation, which most of the times extended from neighboring adipose and cardiac , smooth and striated muscular tissues. Intraganglionic parasitism was exceptional Inflammation involving peripheral nervous tissue exhibite d a focal character and its variability in the several groups examined appeared unpredictable. Although lesions were generally move severe w ith the Y strain, comparative qualitative study did not allow the conc lusion, under the present experimental conditions, that one strain was more pathogenic to the autonomic nervous system than others. No speci al tropism of the parasites from any strain toward autonomic ganglia w as disclosed.