The evolution of two Trypanosoma cruzi subgroups inferred from rRNA genes can be correlated with the interchange of American mammalian faunas in the Cenozoic and has implications to pathogenicity and host specificity

Chagas’ disease diagnosis: a multicentric evaluation of Chagas Stat-Pak, a rapid immunochromatographic assay with recombinant proteins of Trypanosoma cruzi

“…T. cruzi is not a homogeneous population of parasites; but consists of a pool of sub-populations that present a high heterogeneity in biologic parameters and genetic characteristics (Souto et al, 1996;Briones et al, 1999;Machado and Ayala, 2001). Furthermore, in a recent consensus meeting, the T. cruzi species were divided into two major phylogenetic lineages: T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II (Satellite Meeting, 1999).…”

Parasitism, the diversity of life, and paleoparasitology

“…T. cruzi II is presented as having its evolutionary history related to primates and caviomorph rodents (Briones et al 1999). In this scenario it is worth emphasizing that primates and caviomorph rodents were introduced to the Americas arriving from Africa 40-35 million years ago (Flynn & Wissar 1998).…”

Coexistence of Trypanosoma cruzi Genotypes in Wild and Periodomestic Mammals in Chile

“…Genotype TCI is indigenous to South America, and genotype TCII was introduced more recently after the connection of the Americas in the Pliocene epoch (5 million years ago) by North American placental mammals. 11 In Chile, several species of wild, synanthropic, and peridomestic mammals are infected with T. cruzi. 12,13 South American mammals descended from successive groups of newly arrived animals.…”