Purification of metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma dionisii from culture using an epimastigote-specific monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibodies which react with culture forms of Trypanosoma dionisii and Trypanosoma cruzi were tested for their agglutination capacity. In these studies developmental stage specificity for the epimastigote form could be observed. This specificity meant it was possible to develop a quick and simple method to isolate cultured metacyclic trypomastigotes of T. dionisii and T. cruzi group 2. After agglutination of the epimastigote form with the monoclonal antibody Dion 4.6 the purity of metacyclic trypomastigote developmental forms derived from culture was 96% to 99%.