POSSIBLE ROLE OF AN ADRENAL PARASITE RESERVOIR IN THE PATHOGENESIS OFCHRONIC TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI MYOCARDITIS

The possible contribution of parasitism of the central vein of the adr enal gland (CVAG) to chronic Trypanosoma cruzi myocarditis was assayed by comparing the occurrence of nests of amastigotes in the left ventr icular myocardium (LVM) and determining the number and extent of areas of focal leucocyte exudate (FLE) in Chagas disease patients with and without CVAG parasitism. The frequency of occurrence of T. cruzi nests in the LVM, as well as the FLE number and area, were greater among pa tients with CVAG parasitism. We therefore suggest that CVAG parasitism plays a role in the onset and intensity of chronic T. cruzi myocardit is.