Imaging Trypanosoma cruzi within tissues from chagasic patients using confocal microscopy with monoclonal antibodies

Confocal fluorescence microscopy combined with differential interference co ntrast imaging of tissues from chagasic patients enabled the unequivocal id entification of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Using different monoclonal antibodies that indicate the parasite form and replication stage in conjunc tion with DNA labelling, specimens derived from distinct clinical forms of the disease were examined. Intracellular amastigote forms of the parasite w ere clearly detected in heart, brain, skin, lung, and kidney, Dividing amas tigotes as well as trypomastigote forms were recognized in samples obtained from patients undergoing either acute-phase or some form of reactivation c aused by immunosuppression.