[Trypanosoma cruzi in the milk of women with chronic Chagas disease].

Breast milk secretion is one of the possible alternative mechanisms of transmission of the parasitosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, but it is still needed to define its importance in terms of public health. On this aim we searched for the presence of this protozoal organism in the colostrum and breast milk of 40 women with Chagas' disease, through direct observation, culture and inoculation. We never found parasite; perhaps it might be possible with the use of more efficient procedures and a larger number of cases.