Decreased intensity of inflammation in benznidazole-treated mice inoculated with Trypanosoma cruzi I stocks from Mexico and persistence of circulating parasites.

We analyzed the intensity of inflammation and parasitism in BALB/c mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi I stocks from Mexico with and without benznidazole treatment in the acute phase of disease. Heart and skeletal muscles were evaluated for parasites and inflammation and blood was evaluated for persistence of circulating parasites. Parasitemia was influenced by T. cruzi stocks used and benznidazole treatment. This treatment cleared circulating parasites three days after starting treatment when monitored by direct microscopy. There was a significant reduction of inflammation in skeletal muscles after benznidazole treatment in animals infected with Mexican T. cruzi I stocks (P < 0.05), but this reduction was not significant in the heart (P > 0.05). Trypanosoma cruzi I parasites from Mexico were demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction in tissues and blood of animals after benznidazole treatment.