Trypanosoma cruzi: conditions required to improve metacyclic differentiation in axenic culture.

This work is a study on the behaviour of Epi from various T. cruzi strains and clones grown in media stimulating differentiation such as M 16, TAUP, TAUS, LIT-hemin and G-IH. Results showed that in our experimental conditions the G-IH medium was the only suitable one to induce Epi-Mtc morphogenesis. Optimal temperature for both multiplication and differentiation in this medium was 28 degrees C. The use of G-IH medium after nutrient depletion by dilution failed to induce differentiation. Parasites obtained from biphasic medium at 24-48 h culture proved the best to achieve morphogenesis. External Ca++ supply blockage affected the differentiation capacity of Tul and RA strains to a variable degree.