Trypanosomiasis: Parasite, sex?

on 5.12.08 with 0 comments



The parasites replicate in humans by asexual mitosis. Experimental arguments for a possible sexual reproduction in T. brucei were first proposed in 1986. There is, however, as yet no definite proof of this (possibly artefacts). In the laboratory tsetse flies were infected with 2 different clones, after which hybrid parasites were isolated, which indicates exchange of genetic material. This could be important for a better understanding of the natural parasite populations, e.g. via the various iso-enzyme patterns that occur in nature. Even if these laboratory data were confirmed, it remains an open question how important this is in nature. Further studies are required.

Category: Medicine Notes

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