Differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi, T. cruzi marinkellei, T. dionisii and T. vespertilionis by monoclonal antibodies.

Anti-T. dionisii and anti-T. vespertilionis monoclonal antibodies secreted by 17 hybridoma clones were tested against various strains of T. dionisii, T. vespertilionis, T. cruzi and T. cruzi marinkellei. Strain and species specific antigens were detected for the homologous immunizing strains. The common antigenic determinants of the tested trypanosome species include a component of the flagellum and different cell structures. Seventeen T. cruzi strains could be classified into two groups when tested with anti-T. dionisii monoclonal antibodies. The cross reactions between T. dionisii and T. cruzi demonstrate a strong correlation between T. dionisii and T. cruzi group 2. On the other hand T. cruzi group 1 and T. cruzi marinkellei show very similar antigenic character.